It all started with How to Dress Like a French Woman

Years ago, in 1988, I came across the book, How to Dress Like a Frenchwoman.

Finally, I had a recipe on how to dress.  I had been frustrated with my personal style for as long as I could remember.  Maybe it was because I was the youngest girl, with three older sisters.  I had a lifetime of hand me downs... not always, but often enough.

Here I am, now in my mid-50's, realizing that a formula for my wardrobe has saved me thousands of dollars over the years.  I stay true to my formula and when I get diverted, inevitably that item stays in my closet or I feel "frumpy" or "off" the day I wear the item.

I've also given away and/or sold more clothes in my life than i have in my closet today.  Some regrets, i.e., Chanel items that no longer fit (at the time), could fit today.  I've even given away Chanel bags that I found on consignment.

You may be shrieking, "What was she thinking!?"  The truth is since I had a wardrobe of investment clothes, they actually came in handy and saved me from financial devastation.  When I was 48, I was single, owned my own consulting business and was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Being single, dependent only on my consulting income, although I had insurance, the $5,000 annual deductible, not able to work as often, and other extra expenses, my cash flow got very tight.  So I was able to sell my beautiful and valuable wardrobe and jewelry to help pay the bills.

Seven years later, I'm cancer free and challenged with the body of a double mastectomy reconstruction that has gone bad.  Not only am I flat, my chest/breast area is disfigured and indented.  As bad as it sounds, and it is, I found that my challenge to get the right clothes and formula is what, in some quirky way, distracts me enough to cope with it all.

The purpose of my blog is to share with you tips and ideas for the French Chic style that I've adorned over the years.  I will also share other ideas and styles that appeal to me.  Who really knows how this will transform.

Thanks for following me!💗

Avec mes amitiés (in friendship),
Anne Marie