Bits and Bobs: Dispatches from a Maternal Flâneuse
The art of moving gently through a place—and bringing a bit of it back.
I’ve slipped into a new rhythm these past few weeks—
one that sways gently between slow-motion leisure and the high-wire act of tending to small people with oversized feelings. Mornings unfold over strong espresso and impossibly flaky pastries, before giving way to the daily choreography of food whims, sibling standoffs, and passionate negotiations over who gets the best seat in the car. It all feels achingly familiar—and yet, the backdrop tells a different story.
Here, the buildings wear their years with grace. Shutters in perfectly faded hues. A cat stretched across a sun-warmed windowsill (whom my children named Madame Pickles). Church bells tolling somewhere in the distance while pigeons gossip overhead. The French language—a melody just beyond my grasp—slips around me. I can ask for cheese, compliment a stranger’s dog, and offer a heartfelt merci, très gentil—somehow understood, even when my French doesn’t quite keep up.
Somewhere between the lavender fields and the quiet truth that children carry their grievances globally, I’ve become something of a maternal flâneuse—wandering, observing, delighting in things simply because they exist in beautiful light. I like to say I’m feeding my eyes. And feed them, I have. France offers no shortage of nourishment for the senses. I’ve made it my quiet mission to leave no village without something tucked under my arm.
Which explains why, at our last stop, I boxed up what could only be described as a carload of “essentials.” Stacks of stoneware with glazes beautifully crazed by time. Earthenware pitchers in burnt, honeyed tones—more poetic in a group than they ever could be alone. And then, my quiet triumph: a collection of bamboo mirrors I’d been dreaming of for months, suddenly appearing again and again like a wink from the universe. Naturally, I bought every last one.
The thrill of the find—of entering a beautiful shop or uncovering a treasure at a brocante—is something I don’t take for granted. It’s in these moments that I feel most like myself: following intuition, trusting my eye, indulging in the joy of discovery. How lucky I am to get this kind of rush from my work? But the real magic is in the gathering—in watching how the pieces speak to each other, how textures and tones hum in harmony when seen together. It’s a sun-drenched scavenger hunt through villages and markets that rewards both patience and instinct. And truthfully, I’m not quite ready for it to end.
So I’m collecting. Not just objects, but memories, ideas, and small rituals I suddenly can’t imagine living without. Things I want to share with you, dear reader—from the irresistible rabbit holes I’ve fallen into to the soulful details I’ll carry home. Because the beauty of this place isn’t only in being here—it’s in learning to see more slowly, to move more gently amidst the unexpected, and to hold space for the little things.
I'm sharing a few of the staples I’ve been reaching for on this trip— both high and ridiculously low. I’ll share new discoveries, too! It’s part souvenir, part diary—a slow unfolding of what’s been filling my cup, in hopes it might offer a bit of beauty or inspiration for yours.
“Because the beauty of this place isn’t only in being here—it’s in learning to see more slowly, to move more gently amidst the unexpected, and to hold space for the little things.”
A few of the staples I’ve been reaching for on this trip underlined and linked below—both high and ridiculously low:
Plastic Bins for Snacks on the Go
My version of luxury travel: knowing exactly where the strawberries and crackers are at any given moment. An essential for anyone encouraging adventure with littles.
Scarf (For Wet Hair and Windy Days)
Is it a turban? A hair wrap? A solution to not knowing where your hairdryer is? Yes.
The one I'm living in — hunting for vintage options, too.
Face Scrubber
Been testing out this gifted face scrubber for the past month, and it’s become a staple in my routine—especially after long travel days when my skin needs a little extra love. It’s gentle but effective, and bonus points for being kid-approved during our mini spa sessions (also great for removing those mystery face tattoos). The red light feature on the flip side has been a fun way to feel like I’m giving my skin a little extra boost too.
Pique Assiette
A new indulgence that I find myself searching for while I'm hunting the markets or warehouses. This refers to a folk art technique where broken pieces of ceramics (often patterned or printed plates, cups, etc.) are assembled into new, mosaic-like items—such as pots, vases, or even furniture. I treated myself to a pot in this style as a birthday treat to myself. The beauty of a new rabbit hole or collection? Once I get turned onto it I start to see it again and again. Fingers crossed!
Beaded Hair Clip
When in doubt, I reach for this beaded beauty—again.
Madelines
Might be part Madeline at this point. Send help (or more).
Towel Tunic
I’d been quietly obsessed with this for months—so when I finally got to try it on IRL at the shop in Paris, it felt like fate. Since then, it’s been on heavy rotation: tossed over white shorts for errands, thrown on after a spontaneous river swim, or even subbing in after my vintage dress met an untimely rip. It’s the kind of piece that earns its place in your suitcase andyour memories.
Market Basket
I’ve been openly admiring the effortlessly chic older women at the market—espadrilles on, basket in hand, looking like a still from a French film. Naturally, I’m now deep in the hunt for the perfect market tote. Care to browse with me? Here’s a round-up of the ones I’m loving.
one - two - three - four - five
Appropriate Footwear
Because apparently cobblestones are my gateway to childlike wonder and overenthusiastic gasping. Alternating between jellies and Mary Janes.
Skincare
Skip Sephora. Walk straight to the local pharmacie and ask for their best French face cream rec. You’ll leave with a haul and a renewed sense of self.
Pastis
Pastis: the unofficial drink of long, chatty afternoons. Anise-flavored, always chilled, usually served with the prettiest glass carafes of water. I'm already hunting for some to utilize when I return home.
Keychains
I’m not a Labubu girlie—but give me a tiny Beaujolais bottle or Napoleon’s hat and I’m all in. The quirkier, the better.
📍 Updated Map for Subscribers- linked in this post
Pins dropped, paths walked, corners bookmarked—refresh the French map for the updated guide. New finds, old favorites, and lots of little detours.
Favorite Stops
First glimpsed in World of Interiors, then serendipitously mentioned over dinner at D'une Ile by the most stylish woman. To find it just an hour from Montpellier felt like fate. Every inch was bursting with charm, oddity, and detail that made my heart do little cartwheels. It's thrilling to be reminded that creativity has no rules, beauty has no single form, and sometimes the best inspiration comes wrapped in a bit of madness.
Alain et Nelly Aubert Antiquités
Spotted by my husband on a drive a few days prior, and he insisted I go in. The bistro tables and watering cans out front told me everything I needed to know. Inside, it was magic. That unmistakable eye for style—the kind where every piece tells a story. Rugs, mirrors, art, linens… nothing too fine, nothing too fussy. Just right. I wanted everything. I left with a beautiful pot, crystal lamp, carved wooden hooks, and the most incredible quilt.
We’ve been coming here for years and I always leave looking forward to my next visit. It has everything we knew and didn't know we needed. A vintage indigo suit for our son? Yes. Bags of Marseille rose soap? Of course. Glitter batons for our girls to turn into magic wands or swords? Always. The size of the shop is quietly astonishing — room after room, shelf after shelf of everything from hardware and cookware to bedding, tableware, toiletries, and light fixtures. It feels like a living museum and a perfectly stocked general store rolled into one.
À bientôt,
Your faithful French correspondent
This is so dreamy! I'm so glad you got the tunic!