So, I finished Entre Nous a few weeks ago. I LOVED it. I highly recommend this book to anyone. As you can see, my book has tons of little blue flags sticking out of it. I was thinking of all of you while I was reading and I made sure to mark my favorite passages so I could come back and share my opinions.

Here are a selection of my flagged pages:
1)Whats In Her Dream Closet p. 48-49
I really love lists like this, as I really take them as inspiration and find ways that the suggestions could fit my own life. Some of the things Ollivier notes as important to have are: a classic suit, Italian wool/cashmere pullovers, perfect black dress, raincoat, Longchamps handbag, etc. After reading this passage I was at Lord & Taylor with my mom. I spotted a really great boat neck, sleeveless black dress and just had to have it. Its perfect. I can wear it alone or over a button down and I can dress it up with pearls à la Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I wore it to work last week and got really great compliments on it!
2) What She Shares, What She Keeps to Herself p. 67
This topic is really interesting for me. I feel like I know all of my friend’s life stories and they all know mine. What happened to the mystery?! Ollivier has these things on the list of what French girl’s are willing to share: books she is reading, fav. films, recipes, political opinions, vacation plans, etc. The things that are kept secret are: family and marriage secrets/issues, money talk, dress size, long-term dreams, etc. O.K. with the raising of the hands, how many of us out there have shared anything on the 2nd list??? Probably all of us! These days I have been trying my best to keeping these topics more personal. Doesn’t help that all of my friends are undoubtedly American and pry for the answers to these questions. I have been working hard to think of ways to circumvent their questions. Any suggestions are very welcome!!
3) “The French girl will only eat three meals a day” p. 106
This is very unrealistic for me. Right now I work anywhere from 10-13 hours sitting at a desk in front of the computer. Sure I eat breakfast which is usually Yogurt and granola or cereal or oatmeal, with coffee and sometimes O.J. and I have been eating Lean Cusines or SmartOnes for lunch with a big glass of water and a small Hershey’s bite size candy. However, what about at 5pm when I SHOULD be leaving work?? I need a snack to hold me over until dinner at 9PM! I try to keep this snack in moderation by picking clementines/oranges/pears or a granola bar and I drink water all day long. I have read from many sources that 6 small meals a day is great for maintaining weight and and your metabolism–which is a MUST for me. I gained 8lbs during my busy tax season last year and I WILL NOT allow that to happen again. This is one area I must disagree with Ollivier on–I would starve before dinner on 3 meals a day.
4) The Café p. 119
I love the idea of sitting in a café all day—just reading, writing and sipping a café au lait. And I personally LOVE drinking with a cup AND a saucer. It just feels very chic to me. My boyfriend’s mother is not super proper, yet always serves me tea with a saucer and I love it. (Thanks K!) However, there is one big problem I face…. Boston lacks super cute, chic cafés. Sure there is Starbucks but I think a French woman and Ollivier herself would faint at the thought of Starbucks being considered a substitute for a French café. I suppose until I find the right one, I can always stay at home and drink my own coffee/espresso made with my handy little Moka Express by Bialetti.
And finally….
4) Exercise p. 32
Ollivier writes, speaking of the time she asked her friend what her personal exercise regime secret was…”I eat, I drink. I smoke. and I walk very, very fast every day to and from this metro in my heels.”
OK… this is my question for working women. Do any of you walk to work in your heels? I walk a mile to and from work every day and…. GASP…. I wear my Ugg boots. I know, so un-chic, but its freezing in Boston and I cannot walk super fast on all of my neighborhood’s cobblestone streets with high heels on without breaking my ankle. And lets not even get started on the unnecessary wear and tear you put your shoes through when wearing them to and from work. So, what do all of you do on your way to work? Do you put your favorite heels through torture to be chic or do you go the comfy/warm route and wear Uggs or sneakers?