A Parisian weekend

Promise yourself you’ll spend next weekend in the countryside.

(How to be Parisian, page 186)

Domaine Carneros in Napa, CA. (July 2014)

A weekend in wine country is always a good idea.

If you’re looking to break away from the city, spend some time in Napa Valley. Just a 60 minute drive from San Francisco, it’s a perfect location for a day trip or a weekend getaway. The options of wineries are infinite, but Domaine Carneros is a little taste of France in the Bay Area’s own “countryside.” Inspired by the classic 18th century Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France, Domaine Carneros is a regional landmark. You can’t miss it when you’re driving through the highway into wine country. Sip champagne on the château terrace overlooking the vineyard for romantic moment, then sign up for a private tour inside the château.

Other picturesque French-inspired wineries to add to your weekend itinerary:

1. Domaine Chandon: French parent company Moet & Chandon established Domaine Chandon to experiment in making quality wine in California. Of course, the success of Chandon sparking wines proves it is very much possible. Be sure to stock up on bottles of bubbles, as it is a critical part of a Parisienne’s diet. “It’s champagne. Vodka. Champagne. Vodka. Champagne. Until it’s time to drink coffee.” (How to be Parisian, page 79)
2. Château St. Jean: Visitors often claim that Château St. Jean can easily be mistaken for a monastery in the French Alps. Nope, you’re in Sonoma Valley! Grab a bottle (or two) of their famed reds and have a picnic on the château lawn, then take an intimate stroll through the rose garden.
3. Francis Ford Coppola Winery: Director Francis Ford Coppola’s Second French Empire-style château includes a 3,600 square foot swimming pool. Coppola built the pool so that everyone, including children, enjoyed their stay. Spend the day laying around by the pool on the luxurious chaise lounge chairs and exploring the estate, where you can see the fully-rigged model warship from Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.
4. Ledson Winery & Vineyards: The estate was formerly a private residence, but so many wine-tasters were attracted to the French-Normandy style architecture that the owner opened up his home as a tasting room for the winery.
5. DuChamp Estate Hotel and Winery: Inspired by the French artist Marcel DuChamp, this secluded spot is the perfect escape for a quiet weekend away. The DuChamp hotel has only six cottages, where you get your own private terrace and personalized concierge services.

Go to the museum

“Go to the theater, to museums, and to concerts as often as possible.

It gives you a healthy glow.”

(How to Be Parisian, page 3)

“Andy Mouse” by Keith Haring at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. (December 2014)

Museums are my favorite escape. Immersing in art and history  take me to another world. Luckily, San Francisco is rich in world class museums and galleries! We can’t all spend our weekends at the Louvre, but these museums and galleries are a close choice for now. I recommend purchasing a membership for free access year round and other helpful discounts. Most membership fees are tax deductible, as well.

1. de Young Museum: Set in serene Music Concourse Drive inside Golden Gate Park, the de Young  museum has easily become my favorite institution in the Bay Area. These past few years, the museum’s special exhibitions have been incomparable, including a collection from the Museé d’Orsay, as well as a multimedia exhibition by French designer Jean Paul Gaultier. I’m looking forward to their annual Bouquets to Art show, where floral artists replicate arrangements inspired by the museum’s permanent collection.
2. Legion of Honor: A three-quarter scale replica of Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris, the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park is the closest you can get to Paris without leaving the city! While the Legion of Honor’s architecture is a sight to be seen itself, many treasures lie inside the museum as well. Come here for a vast collection of European paintings, ancient sculptures, and more.
3. Museum of Modern Art: Unfortunately, the SFMOMA is closed for expansion until 2016. However, we have a lot to be excited about! The expansion will offer even more engaging exhibitions, in addition to the 30,000 modern and contemporary works of art in the permanent collection.
4. San Francisco Public Library: The San Francisco Public Library often houses art exhibits in the main library at the Civic Center. These free admission exhibits are a beautiful and thought-provoking reflection of the diverse communities of the Bay Area. Next month, stop by the main library to see the 200th Anniversary of Petr P. Ershov (March 7-May 7) and Bridging Cultures: Poetic Voices of the Muslim World (March 14-May 24).
5. Keane Eyes Gallery: This North Beach gallery is home to Margaret Keane’s iconic big-eyed paintings. Keane’s life and career is the story behind the 2014 film Big Eyes, directed by Tim Burton. The gallery has been significantly busier since the film’s release, but Keane is a living legend and her works are a must-see if you’re in the neighborhood.
6. 111 Minna Gallery: Guest DJs, rotating exhibits every four weeks, and interactive events make 111 Minna Gallery one of the most unique art spaces around town. 111 Minna Gallery makes it hard not to be interested in art, as the gallery’s special events include drinking and painting with friends.

Try to indulge in San Francisco’s diverse art scene as often as possible. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to uplift your day. Museums are also a great learning experience, so you can talk about art and culture with at least some knowledge. After all, a Parisienne always wants to prove she is more sophisticated than others.  And that’s because she is.

My inspiration

I have always felt a little bit out of my element. I hated all the fads I grew up with, like the skimpy clothes of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Like any teenager, I tried them all, but it never felt right. Each day was like Halloween: wearing a disguise to appease others. I couldn’t understand why I loathed everything that my friends loved. In middle school, girls drenched in Victoria’s Secret Love Spell body spray. “You smell like my grandma,” they said. But I didn’t care. It was Chanel No. 9 (my mother’s, of course) and I loved every ounce of it. Girls my age were into hoop earrings and Jordans, but I just wanted to live in Lacoste polos and miniskirts. This went on until I was about 17 or 18. Personal style blogs were just becoming more popular and I read them religiously. I realized there was power in being different than everyone else. After high school, I focused on cultivating my own style. I still experimented with trends, but I kept coming back to what I knew I would never fail me. One day, someone told me I was “very Parisian.” What a compliment! But it made no sense. How did they come to that conclusion? I’ve never even been to Paris! After some consideration, I figured it was somewhat true. I always gravitated towards the styles of French designers. I always opted for croissants for breakfast rather than bacon and eggs. Most importantly, I lived in San Francisco, also known as “Paris of the West.” Still, I knew Parisians were the epitome of class and chic. If these were the standards I was being held to, I decided to make it my mission to live like a Parisienne. That’s where this book comes in…

How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style and Bad Habits is my inspiration for this blog. Follow me as I learn the rules of being a Parisian woman from a million miles away.