Do you know Tish?
She is the most fabulous woman who writes about all things French on her eponymous website.
I have known Tish for maybe – nine or ten years now and like so many women I hugely admire – we met on the Internet. We started “blogging” around the same time; when all we had were our thoughts and digital technology was someone else’s know how. I immediately felt as if she was my new best friend – what she wrote resonated with me and often. She was an expat living in northern France and in those days I was an expat spending most of my time in the south.
We have since met and she is even more wonderful in real life. She makes you feel as if you have been friends forever. Tish is also the most talented writer with incredible powers of observation; especially when it comes to French women and how they live their lives.
She is the author of Forever Chic and now the recently published, Living Forever Chic. A Frenchwomen’s Timeless Secrets for Everyday Elegance, Gracious Entertaining and Enduring Allure. In her first book, she shared the beauty secrets of French women and in Living Forever Chic she explores why Frenchwomen of a certain age are master hostesses and homemakers, expert practitioners of good manners and everyday elegance.
Tish has an infectious personality, which is so evident in her words; a brightness and beauty to her writing that holds you gripped until the last pages are turned.
I thought you would enjoy getting to know her,
TISH JETT, FRANCE 2018
Basically, I’m an optimist. I see hope all around, even in the worst of situations. I’ve found that many things turn out well even if it’s not “the well” we were hoping for. Something entirely unexpected and often times much better reveals itself. I’m not a Pollyanna, but I make a concerted effort to try to see the best in situations and in people. Sometimes it’s not easy. Tell us about your day-to-day life? I go to bed late – often verrrry late – and then get up rather late to a large French press café au lait with a golden kiwi, whole grain baguette toast with sea salt butter (yes, I know, I probably shouldn’t have sea salt butter for breakfast, but I don’t care) and a conversation with my husband. I have the luxury of starting my days slowly. After coffee, I check my news feed to see what has happened in the world during the night and then I turn to my emails to see if there are any marvellous surprises from friends and family. Then, I set about writing either more paragraphs for a book and/or a blog post. On special days I drive into Paris either for interviews or best of all, lunch with a girlfriend. At the end of the day, My-Reason-For-Living-In-France and I have simple dinners, either in the gazebo in the summer or often in front of the fireplace in the winter. The day ends with a kiss. Are you the woman you imagined you would become? Not at all. How could a girl born in Niagara Falls, NY, who grew up in a little town called Lewiston Heights, ever imagine that she would one day live in France? Early on one thing was certain in my mind: I wanted an interesting life. Now, how that would unfold I had no idea. It seemed to me the one route to that end was journalism and as it turned out, it was. Journalism was the gateway to interesting people and fascinating experiences. Furthermore, the great additional bonus has been that age is irrelevant. Few professions offer the opportunity to work forever. What are the valuable life lessons you have all figured out? It is extraordinary what we’re capable of doing when confronted with problems and challenges that seem overwhelming. Do it now. As one who tends to procrastinate, life has taught me that putting the unpleasant off until the day after tomorrow rarely ends well. As an extension of my life lesson, I’ve come to realize how a well- organized, clutter-free home leads to a feeling of calm and well-being. I’ve also discovered the joy of less. What do you like most about yourself? My resilience and my ability to find humour in almost everything. I also like my hair. What do you like the least? My tendency toward procrastination. What do you like most about getting older? An attitude of gratitude. I have a friend who refers to her TR, her “Time Remaining.” In other words, use it well. Be kind, generous, and grudge-free. What do you like the least? Getting older. What’s your favourite way to dress? Do you have a signature style? My uniform is flat front trousers, linen in the summer, gabardine in the winter, and satin for parties. Then I add crisp white cotton shirts, sometimes tuxedo shirts for the wing collar and pleat front details. (Wing collars have the built-in benefit of framing the face without that affected “popping” the collar look with a classic shirt.) I have a collection of Equipment silk shirts in a variety of colours and one red plaid that I wear often. I’m almost always wearing a cashmere sweater, alone or over a shirt or T-shirt. Of course, I always have either a black or navy blazer at the ready and a couple of tuxedo jackets just in case. Gold creole earrings every day and lots of sparkly chandelier earrings for the evening. I have an embarrassing collection of ballerinas. Do you have a beauty secret to share? That way every morning you’re halfway there. What are your 3 “top” can’t live without skin care products? Prescription Retin-A. What are your 3 “top” can’t live without make-up products? Clarins Beauty Flash Balm used under and over makeup. It makes the skin glow – literally. What’s on the bucket list? Going to Ireland with my dear, dear friend Judy. (We’re also talking about Portugal.) Writing another book (I have an idea). Taking Ella, my 5-year-old granddaughter, on a yet to be determined just the two of us, adventure. If you could change one thing in the past, what would you do differently? Absolutely nothing. Every decision that seemed to be a mistake at the time turned out to be – if you pardon the cliché — that magic door that opened up to something extraordinary. Je ne regrette rien. What age do you feel right now? In my mind, I feel young, maybe about 38-40. Who would play you in a movie?
Pay whatever it costs to have the world’s best haircut. If you colour your hair, the same rule applies.
In an every-other-day rotation routine: Vichy Pureté 3-in-1 cleanser and Bioderma Sensibio H2O Make-up Removing Micellaire Solution
Filorga Time-Filler Absolute Wrinkle Correction Cream
I realize I’m cheating with four, but I must mention Dermaceutic Foamer 15 exfoliating foam. Once a week use is plenty.
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Big Shot mascara in Very Black, applied after using the world’s best eyelash curler from Shu Uemura slightly heated for optimum results.
Chanel’s Rouge Coco Lip and Cheek Sheer Colour in Tender Rose.
Jane Fonda.
