Autumn - A time for Berets and Boots

I am starting to feel like summer is winding down and I look forward to the subtle breezes of autumn. I had my first autumn moment yesterday evening. It was a brisk 69 degrees in the evening. My husband and I had just finished dinner in Pasadena and we were strolling down Lake Avenue. There was a quick silence from the busy avenue and a gentle breeze as the sun was setting. That was enough to send me into a longing for autumn.

My article may be a bit premature as we are at the end of August, but I am truly done with summer and in a hurry to get to fall. One of my favorite things about fall besides cooking and making the house warm and cozy is the clothes.

As I mentioned, we were walking on Lake Avenue where one of my favorite shops is located, Anthropologie. The autumn feel along with their signature scented candles that you can smell half way down the block lured me into the store.

Here is a look at my first autumn purchase. I am imagining that I will wear this skirt with black boots, a black or yellow sweater (already in my closet), a black beret (double check, already in my closet) and red lipstick! Voila. Wearing berets and boots in the fall is just another day in my European Style Life.

Summer Festin, Le Festin

I sit listening to the lyrics of "Le Festin" by Camille as I write this article. My favorite part is when she talks about setting the table.

La fete va enfin commencer

Sortez les bouteilles; finis les ennuis

Je dresse la table, de ma nouvelle vie

Je suis heureux a l'idee de ce nouveau destin

Une vie a me cacher et puis libre enfin

Le festin est sur mon chemin

Setting the table is how one sets the atmosphere for a "Summer Festin". I chose a simple yellow table cloth and a petite bouquet of wild flowers to set the mood of summer time in the South of France. If I was living in the South of France, this is what my party "festin" would look like.

I made the occasion simple, yet inviting. I had typical summer food such as, BBQ ribs and chicken, pasta salad, potato salad etc. I took advantage of the Yellow Watermelon since it matched my color scheme. I placed the yellow watermelon on the tables as a before dinner treat. A simple menu for a backyard "Summer Festin" set the tone for comfort and relaxation. 

Adding more to the atmosphere was a well thought out play list on my ipod. Summer time songs and upbeat music put my guests in the mood for a jovial summer time evening. To mention a few, my playlist included songs from the Beach Boys, Bob Marley, Feist, and Madeleine Peyroux. Petite twinkle lights gave a subtle touch of summer evening whimsy.

At the end of the evening I passed out petite "goodie" bags that had the Eiffel Tower on them. The bags were filled with a variety of candy. Friends talked and laughed and enjoyed the coolness of the summer's night air.

A simplistic evening, a well dressed table, great music, good food and friends is just another day in my European Style Life.