A friend commented not too long ago about ‘upward facing’ social signals and the contrasting ‘downward facing’ social signals. A confused moment fell over our group, so he elaborated: the way we dress and the things we buy can often be subtle or obvious social signals. These signals–logos, brands, accessories, styles, or trends–are used by … More Social Signals
As you may recall, I was a guest on Talking Billions, the podcast hosting by wealth management advisor Bogumil Baranowski. Bogumil was kind enough to ask me to join him again, this time focusing on my book Old Money, New Woman: How To Manage Your Money and Your Life. You can listen to the podcast … More Talking Billions: The Women’s Podcast Episode
It’s been a rollercoaster of a time over the past few weeks at the chateau. As I write this, electricians and plumbers are hustling about, installing a washer and dryer and updating our electrical network in the south wing of the chateau. For those of you just joining the blog, a little refresher: in January … More Chateau Update: Summer 2023
After ten days of entertaining American friends in Paris, I am back to the welcome quiet of the house, fairly recovered. While I’m the most sociable of people for short periods, I find myself a little burnt after extended visits. But I love my friends, and I was happy they had a good time. Sitting … More Correct Me If I’m Wrong…
Not too long ago, one of our longtime contributors (The Salty One) forwarded a link to an insightful and timely article by well-known columnist George F. Will. You can read it HERE. Mr. Will makes a few good points. He bemoans the creeping 24/7 casual nature of dress today. He notes the reverse-snobbery of a tech … More The Lost Art of Dressing Appropriately
This article recently appeared in the Washington Post. As someone who’s attitude toward social media fluctuates between ‘suspicious’ and ‘hostile’, I find it refreshing and somewhat comforting. Coupled with the Surgeon General’s warning, perhaps we’re slowly but permanently turning a corner on this health hazard. Enjoy. I quit social media in college. This is how … More Leaving Social Media: One Woman’s Journey
I recently came across a website that I would consider a ‘cousin’ in philosophy and tone to this blog. Gentlemans Codes has timely and relevant posts, like THIS ONE, on noblesse oblige, which I find relevant and worthwhile. The site does focus more on lifestyle than we do here, but that’s refreshing and different. The … More Recommended Site: GC
As many of you know, I’ve been living in France for a few years. It’s offered a distance in which to view current events taking place in my home country, the United States. What’s more, I am exposed to the much older history and the much more nuanced perspective of Europeans in general, and the … More Our Country’s Biggest Decision Ever
It has been a strangely hectic couple of weeks here in the countryside, and my blogging duties have suffered as a result. Apologies. Urgent business at hand: The main structure on the property is quite old, as you know, and the roof has a number of leaks, as you might have guessed. Buckets, pieces of … More Update from the Countryside…Countdown to the Coronation
“Don’t tell anyone you’re buying a chateau.” Such was the refrain from everyone we spoke with in Paris: Parisians will be jealous. Parisians will think you’re a fool. People will try to take advantage of you. These warnings came, almost verbatim, from Americans, Brits, and even Parisians themselves. Of course, the default mental setting for … More Discretion and Duty