Bonjour, Happiness!

Au revoir, VCCA! Bonjour, The Real World!

2012-01-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

I've had a wonderful time at VCCA! I got a lot of writing done on the new book, but I also had time for fun with the visual artists. In fact, one night photographer, Tucker Hollingsworth decided to create a photo shoot, starring the author Joyce Maynard.

Joyce Maynard, wrote "At Home in the World", "To Die For" which became a movie starring Nicole Kidman, along with many other books.

I played lighting director!

Oh, and I'm with the artist, Suzy Sureck. She was the stylist on our shoot. More on her in a moment.

I also wanted to show you this from the artistic team of Gibson and Recoder.

Sandra Gibson and Luis Recoder use film, loops, and lighting to create wild and mesmerizing installations. After watching their latest film, I am having the wildest dreams!

And speaking of dreams--here's Suzy Sureck in front of her new work:

While at VCCA, she's created all these very dreamy "pillows" that seem to be pushing right out from the other side of the subconsciousness. I noticed she was reading Milan Kundera. So maybe that has something to do with it.

Yes, I did spend an afternoon visiting the visual artists!

Here's Kathi Smith with her gorgeous paintings. You can see she's very influenced by her life in

New England. I love all her colors!

The visual artists live in such a tactile world. For me, it's all so fascinating!

I even find their paint-splattered sinks intriguing!

However, I'm a little sad to say, my time is almost over and tomorrow, Sunday, I am leaving for Frederick, Maryland where I will be signing copies of Bonjour, Happiness! at the Barnes and Noble at 1 p.m. If you're in the area, please stop by and say, Bonjour!

For today, I am saying my au revoirs before I'm get on the road again.

Goodbye cows!

Here's my favorite one. I named her Bessie.

I think Bessie wants me to take her home with me!

And I would take her with me, but well...if this were a dream, but I'll be returning to

The Real World!

Bonjour, Virginia!

2012-01-12T08:02:00.000-08:00

I've arrived at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. I am so thrilled to have almost three weeks to work on the new book. And what a quiet, secluded and inspiring place to write! There's about twenty-five or so artists, writers, poets, composers, photographers and filmmakers here, all working away.

VCCA was built on an old farm.

During a walk the other day, I found these cows. We had a staring contest. They won.

I have beautiful studio with a baby grand piano in it. It's generally a composers studio, but I think we have more writers, than composers, so voila! I'm certainly not complaining. In fact, it's all very inspiring, especially since I brought my concertina and promised my teacher to practice while I'm away from home.

Here I am, working hard--that is, when I'm not posing for pictures. ;)

Truth is, VCCA is not all work and no play. There are a few une petite fetes. Last night, we attended Bryant Holsenbeck's open studio. She's an amazing environmental artist who works in plastic--especially plastic cups and lids and straws. You know, the things we throw into our ocean and countryside. Here's the invitation she placed on our lunch table. Tres charmant, non?

And here's the lovely Bryant in her studio.

I just adored her precious woodland creations. In order to make this doe, Bryant used recycled materials and actually filled him with plastic. Such a powerful metaphor for what's happening to our wilderness.

And here's one of Bryant's crows. It seems that crows are one of the few animals that are actually adapting to the changes we're creating in the environment.
What at what cost?

Well, the eyes of the world are watching!

Bonjour, Baltimore!

2012-01-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

The first stop on my Southern Tour: Charm City. Yes, that would be Baltimore or B-More, as the folks here call it. I adore the city that gave us Edgar Allen Poe, and the directors, John Waters and Barry Levinson. What a hipster town!
Oh, and as I drove in, I was so delighted to see the famous monument of George Washington all lit up.

I must confess, I am also enamoured with Charm City, because my brilliant daughter and her lovely husband live there. They still had their holiday decorations up on their mantel. She made the little felt cut-outs herself. She's such a creative gal.

They accompanied me to the Enoch Pratt Free Library where I gave a talk about
finding your joie de vivre. To my surprise, they had a big poster advertising the event
in front of the library! (If you click on the link above, you can hear a podcast of my talk.)

There's a little bit of French throughout Baltimore. They have a wonderful farmers market and people walk everywhere. Here's a very stylish femme d'un certain age I found at Anthropolgie. Her name is Julie and as it turns out, she's lived in France and often visits my home town on the Cape. We got to talking and decided we would meet up this spring. Tres charmant!

After the book event at the library, my daughter, her husband and I went out for a wonderful dinner at The Brewer's Art. It was my daughter's birthday.
Happy Birthday, Callie!

Next stop, Amherst, Virginia where I have a residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. More soon. xo

Bonjour, AARP!

2012-01-01T15:40:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, dear friends!
So happy to announce that AARP has chosen "Bonjour, Happiness!" as one of their top books about France for 2011!!! Looking forward to sharing more with you in 2012!!!

Une femme d'un certain age: 10 Days Of Chrismukkah: Cadeau No.3

2011-12-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

Une femme d'un certain age: 10 Days Of Chrismukkah: Cadeau No.3: Bonjour, Happiness! by Jamie Cat Callan I dare you to read this book and not be smiling after the first few pages. It's a delightful rea...

The Gift of Creativity! The Writers Toolbox!

2011-12-15T05:40:00.000-08:00

For all those creative people in your life--writers, poets, storytellers, improv actors

and people who just like to have fun--don't forget

The Writers Toolbox makes a great gift!

Here's a little video of me demonstrating how to use the games in The Writers Toolbox:

See, it really does get your imagination going!
Enjoy and have fun!!!!!
P.S. If you have a blog and want to write about The Writers Toolbox or run a contest,
I will be happy to send you a review copy!

Bonjour, Cleveland!

2011-11-10T15:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, Cleveland! I loved it!

This was my first visit to Cleveland, ever. What a treat. I had been invited to speak at the 21st Century Club to a group of lovely femmes and total Francophiles.
They were so gracious. And notice how they thoughtfully arranged sunflowers on the tables and added Provence blue napkins. Tres francaise!

But first, the hostesses arranged for me to be picked me up at the airport in style--a town car, driven by a very handsome driver. I would tell you his name, but he wanted to remain mysterious. Also, very French!

He gave me a history lesson on Cleveland. Did you now it was originally given to New Englanders by the King of England in the 17th century because the early settlers had suffered so much during the first few brutally cold winters in the New World? In fact, the first settlers were actually called "The Sufferers." After such a harsh time in New England, they were given land in Ohio--which was truly the wilderness back then. That's why it's called "The Western Reserve." So, what did these brave souls do with all this beautiful land in the west? Why, they created replicas of the beautiful villages they left behind. Look.

When I woke up the first morning, I opened my eyes, looked out the window and for a fraction of a second, I imagined I was back in my my childhood home in Connecticut!
I was staying at the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club.

It was really very old school. Very Ralph Lauren.

Early American chic.

Oh, and look--I found a family of foxes sitting in the den!

My "Bonjour, Happiness!" event was held at The Country Club. There was coq au vin for lunch. So French and very yummy! I really had a wonderful time with the ladies of Cleveland and even got to play my concertina. (Not very well, but still--I got an A for effort.)

Afterwards, thanks to my lovely driver, I got to visit The Cleveland Art Museum. I met up with my friend, Norma. She has always lived in Cleveland and loves it. She's also married to a scientist, like moi. Anyway, lovely Norma met up with me at the museum and we went on a whirlwind tour (as I only had an hour and a half before my driver would whisk me away to the airport for my journey home.)
Here I am with a mysterious femme in white by the famous John Singer Sargent.

Finally, it was time to leave, beautiful Cleveland. Merci beaucoup to all the lovely ladies (and the gents, too) that made my stay so memorable.
Oh, and if you want me to come and speak in your town, well then just say, bonjour!
(Oh, and send me an email, bien sur,)

Au revoir, Cleveland!

Bonjour, France 24!

2011-09-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Bonjour, French Television!

In case you missed my spot on France 24, here's the link.

A bientot,

Jamie

An Ode to Auvillar

2011-09-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

What a glorious weekend in the petit village of Auvillar! Tres charmant!

I was so happy to see that the village had restored their exquisite cathedral from the 9th century.
Yes, the 9th century!!! On Sunday afternoon, we all attended a wonderful concert with the children
of Auvillar singing songs about animals.

And it was so delightful to meet up with my friend, "Jo" from Le Petit Palais. She is tres belle! She told me that her scarf is from Lyon--her home ville--famous for beautiful silk

Here's is John Alexander. He opened many bottles of wine

We were all bustling about getting ready for the big fete!
John's wife, la directress de VCCA/Auvillar transformed the courtyard. Bonjour, Cheryl!

Et la fete! Superb!

Oh, and I got to see the famous Lucy avec bebe!

Next stop, Lille! Au revoir, Auvillar!

The Culture of Pleasure

2011-09-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

The French believe in the culture of pleasure

and embrace all the things that make life so delicious.

Dressing with style, bien sur, but also the art of undressing is tres important!

There's the pleasure of lovely lacy lingerie and delicate underthings.

Here, in the southwest (Toulouse and now the little village of Auvillar) where I am visitng--everyone loves the foie gras.

In Paris, I enjoyed a few macarons from Lauderee. So colorful! (My favorite is the pistachio.)
However, in the petit ville of Auvillar, we had some lovely macarons avec our espresso at the grand
fete for VCCA/Auvillar! (More on that soon).

Oh, the fresh air--biking everywhere--c'est tres francaise and very pleasurable.

Fashion and the savoir faire is all about pleasure.

And love is true pleasure. Look how art inspires passion in the Tuilleries!
Ah, l'amour! Bonjour, love!

Bonjour, Climate Change!

2011-09-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

Our planet is warming.

How do I know this? Well, because my husband, Dr. William Thompson is the lead author of a paper in Nature Geoscience that is just coming out this week!
He's developed a new method of dating coral that gives us a more accurate picture of what's happening with climate change and sea level rise. Here he is in on the Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas on a research trip.

Bill, (that would be Dr. Thompson) teamed up with Dr. H. Allen from Smith College, along with Brian White of Smith College and Mark A. Wilson of the College of Wooster for this exciting project.
Oh, and I thought you'd like to see some very pretty coral, before it becomes fossilized.

So, how do you figure out how old a coral fossil is? Well, the first thing you do is bring it home to the lab at the famous Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. WHOI (for short) is on the forefront of climate change research.

Next, you put on one of those ultra cool white lab coats!

Bonjour, Dr. Thompson!
Seriously, this is important research, because with the proper dating, scientists now warn us we might be in for a repeat of the Last Interglacial period, which was very serious because it heated up the planet, caused major ice cap melting and in turn, really big sea level rise.
This happened 125,000 years ago and yes, I 'm sorry to say--it looks like we're headed for a repeat performance.

Oh, and with sea level rise, if you live in a coastal area, for example Cape Cod--it's very serious!

It's a matter of life and death for people who live by the water. But really, this sea level rise affects all of us living on Planet Earth. We are all in this together.

So, if you want to help make the world a better place for our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren, what can you do? First of all, open your hearts and minds to the notion of climate change. Read about it. Talk about it. Spread the news--we need to save our planet and we must talk to the people in government and ask them to help the sciences and organizations that support research, such as Woods Hole Ocean and Climate Change Institute, the Comer Science and Education Foundation and the National Science Foundation.

After all, the future depends on you and what you do today.

The children will say thank you. And I will too.

Merci beaucoup!

Bonjour, France 24 TV!

2011-09-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

Oooh la la!
I'm on television today... in France!
First stop--Printemps to get makeup done.

Next, hair appointment with the fabulous David at Jean Louis David Salon!

A taxi picks me up and rushes me off the television studio.
Bonjour, France 24!

And then, I get more makeup!

And then, finally I'm on the air. Bonjour, Eve Jackson!

J'adore France 24!
And here's a link to the show. Enjoy!

The Calm after the Storm

2011-08-30T06:14:00.000-07:00

Apres la storm...all is well on the island.
The air is clean and crisp with a feeling of fall in the air.

And we are all safe and sound.
Merci beaucoup for all your well wishes.
I hope you are all safe out there. Sending love.
Au revoir for now! xo Jamie

P.S. Next week, I'll be blogging from Paris! Oui! Oui!

Seeking Shelter from the Storm

2011-08-27T05:26:00.000-07:00

Bonjour, Irene!

Yes, I'm evacuating. Mister Pickles and I will be joining my husband in Cambridge who was at Harvard all this week talking about climate change. Ironic, n'est pas?
Here is Mister Pickles guarding all the plants I brought in from our deck.
Notice how he's looking wistfully out to sea.

Okay, we're all packed up and ready to go.

Everyone out there--please stay safe! xo Jamie

Don't Step on my New Red Shoes!

2011-08-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, I went shopping in Prague.

Promod is actually a French store. It's one of my very favorite shops. I had to find a pair of comfortable flats because I've been doing so much walking while here in Prague and I did not bring sensible shoes. In fact, I spent my first two days in bandaids. Lucky me, I found a pair of very cute shoes right away.
Amy from Minnesota would be proud! She's an expert on cute shoes. (Bonjour, Amy!)

I've fallen in love with my new red shoes! Patent leather. Perky black bows. Flats. Great for walking. How could I not love them!? Here they are in the hotel room, taking a petit rest.

Here they are on the Prague metro elevator. The metro elevators are crazy fast very and very steep! I have to hold on tight. It took me several times to get used to them.

Now they're on their way to the Goldschmidt Conference to listen to scientists from all over the world talk about climate change. These are very socially conscience red shoes!

Go green!

All the sidewalks here are made from very unique stonework. Each stone is handmade and placed in an intricate pattern. Nothing is machine made. It's all very artistic and unique to Prague. And so pretty.

And Prague has some very special manhole covers too.

And indoors, there's lovely tile work.

After all this walking, I think it's time for me to put my feet up and read a good book--
at The Globe Bookstore--because that's where all the cool expats hang out!

Au revoir for now!

Bonjour, Art Nouveau Dinner!

2011-08-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

Francouzka Restaurant is one of Prague's most famous restaurants.
It was designed by the Czech artist, Alphonse Muca--all in art nouveau style.
It had its grand opening on New Year's Eve 1911, the year the famous Municipal House was opened where it resides today in all it's original splendor.
Very beautiful. And very elegant. And it's French!

In 1918 the independent Czechoslovak Republic was declared. Francouzka Restauran'ts list of patrons includes Czech presidents, the Dalai Lama, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, President Barack Obama and now a certain scientist who likes to be mysterious and moi.

We started with a little amusee bouche of creme fraiche and salmon caviar.

Then we enjoyed a plate of sliced fig with melted goat cheese, argula salad and beets. At least I think they were beets. By then the wine was flowing, so I'm not sure. They had wine pairings for each course. I can't tell you names, but I do know they were all French and I do remember the Sauternes with dessert, but I'm getting ahead of myself!

Next came the main course--Lobster in pea risotto. More Italian than French, but am I complaining?!
Don't be silly!

And then the dessert! (Oh, and more wine!) My husband had the cheese plate.

I'm a gal with a bit of a sweet tooth, so I went with the apricot creme brulee. It came to the table flaming and was quite spectacular!

So delicious! In fact, soon it was all gone!

Thanks for the memories!

And au revoir, beautiful Art Nouveau!

Bonjour, Art Nouveau!

2011-08-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

Today I went on an Art Nouveau tour with a group of seven lovely scientist-wives from all over the world. Our husbands are all scientists and geo-chemists attending the annual Goldschmidt Conference. We met at the conference steps, took a metro and then walked with our Czech tour guide through New Town over to Old Town, staring up at the gorgeous decorative buildings all along the way. It's hard not to go anywhere in Prague without staring upward in awe!
Some here's a little amusee bouche of Art Nouveau from the beginning
of the 20th century:

You are not seeing things. In this last photo, the soldier is actually riding on an upside down horse. Our guide explained the meaning to this, but I actually didn't understand. Perhaps when I go on the Franz Kafka tour tomorrow, I'll get a better idea. In the meantime, here are some lovely examples of Art Nouveau from the Old Town:

The Art Nouveau movement was famous for beautiful stain glass windows and ornamental flair. The artists were less floral and a little more subdued than the Rococo style of the mid-19th century, but more effusive than Art Deco which came in the 1920's. J'adore Art Deco!

Of course, we are staying in an Art Nouveau hotel. Hotel Paris! (Where else would a French-loving-gal want to stay?) By the way, it was the French wife of a Czech president Tomas Garik Masarik that brought Art Nouveau to Prague at the turn of the 20th century. And then soon after, the famous Art Nouveau Czech artist Alphonse Muca who was born in the Czech Republic and studied art in Paris at the Academy, brought his beautiful style back to his beloved homeland. He became famous after drawing the theatre portraits for the French actress Sarah Bernhardt. Ooh la la!

Everywhere I go, I see the French influence!
C'est magnifique! Oui?!

Bonjour, Prague!

2011-08-15T00:11:00.000-07:00

Merci beaucoup to The Globe Bookstore for hosting a "Bonjour, Happiness!" book signing yesterday!

The Globe is a very popular meeting place for ex-pats in Prague. I met several gorgeous femmes from Italy, Romania, Prague (bien sur), Japan, Belgium, Germany and even The Lone Star State of Texas! I will show you photos tomorrow. But in the meantime, I must tell you about this fabulous bookstore. They have a huge variety of books from all over the world, lots of great events and a gorgeous cafe.

And here I am with some wonderful ladies who really believe in joie de vivre!

More adventures tomorrow! A bientot! xo Jamie

Bonjour, Muse & The Marketplace

2011-04-27T11:13:00.000-07:00

Muse Micro-Interview 12:

Jamie Cat Callan

by GRUB DAILY on APRIL 23, 2011 in FICTION, MICRO-INTERVIEW, NON-FICTION

1. What’s the strangest or most memorable

question you’ve ever gotten during

a reading Q&A session?

“Where can I buy a red silk slip?”

Actually, this isn’t such a strange question. In both my books– “Bonjour, Happiness!” and “French Women Don’t Sleep Alone” I recommend that gals find a red silk slip to wear under that Little Black Dress. Oh, and

matching bra and panties. That’s the secret

to a French woman’s confidence

and ooh la la.

2. As an author, how have the changes in the publishing world affected you?

In a word–fusion. I now longer worry about what genre I’m writing in–literary, commercial, self-help, memoir. It’s now all one and the same to me and I see a lot of other writers mixing it up with graphic novels, fiction and nonfiction, CDs paired with books.

It’s wide open now and we are all re-inventing the craft.

3. Below are four real book titles. Please write the first sentence for one of them.

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom

The year was 1923 and Mrs. Blossom burst onto the Parisian scene with burning desire to dance!

The Day The Fish Came Out

It wasn’t just that they were purple. It was the way they stared at you, glassy-eyed and serious.

The Unholy Three

First there was Bob. Then there was Bobby. And then there was Bobbie.

Look In Any Window

Sylvie was a window dresser–that is, when she wasn’t stalking Pierre.

4. Anything else you’d like to say to would-be writers out there?

Follow your muse. Don’t worry about where you’re going or where you’ll end up. Write from the heart and believe that there is a place in this world for your voice, your story, your style. No one else can be you. You are completely unique and amazing in your own way. And as long as you stay true to yourself, your contribution to the world will be completely true and unique. Oh, and one other thing. Be kind to your writing. It lives and breathes outside of you. It’s a gift to you from your muse, so if you are kind to your own creations, your muse will make a habit of visiting you often. I don’t believe in tough love when it comes to writing. I believe in love. Kindness. Gentleness. And of course a whole lot of joie de vivre. This is why I adore Grub Street and the Grub Street teaching philosophy. There’s a whole lot of love going on and I can’t imagine a place where writers receive so much support. We’re lucky to have them!

Jamie Cat Callan is the author of Bonjour, Happiness!and the wildly successful French Women Don’t Sleep Alone. She is also the creator of The Writers Toolbox. Jamie has taught her unique right-brain style of writing at Grub Street, UCLA., NYU, Wesleyan University and Yale University. Most recently, she won a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant in fiction and a Virginia Center for the Creative Arts fellowship to write in Auvillar, France. Her work has appeared in the Best American Erotic, The Missouri Review, The New York Times “Modern Love” column and many other places.

Bonjour, Happiness!

Bonjour, Hot Pink Cast!

2011-04-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

My Color Story.

Yes, it's true I have a broken kneecap and broken wrist, but that doesn't mean I can't find a little joie de vivre! I've asked myself what would a French woman do in my predicament and I realized--why, she would turn it into an opportunity to make a fashion statement.

Luckily, my doctor agrees!

Dr. B. said I could have my choice of colors for my cast.
How very French!

Looking at my choices, I was reminded of the macarons in Paris:

I decided I would like a hot pink cast.

After all, hot pink goes with everything, bien sur!

It even goes with basic black. Yes, this is my leg--all bound up in a nonflexible cast. This means I cannot bend my leg, under any circumstances, which makes life interesting and walking difficult and going up or down stairs darn near impossible!

Everyone has asked me how do I keep my spirits up when I'm hobbling about in crutches and mostly confined to the bed. Well, I read, I write, I blog, I daydream, I sleep, I learn the art of patience and I've turned this unexpected event into a Secret Garden. And while it's been quite and ordeal, I remain undefeated! I vow I will dance again!

Before the Accident

2011-04-19T05:37:00.000-07:00

Before the accident...
(yes, I was in a very bad car accident and am home now with a broken kneecap and broken wrist)...
I took zumba and even tap dancing classes.
I was learning the concertina. And there were my French lessons with the elegant Madame M.
I write about her in Bonjour, Happiness!
She is my fabulous French tutor.
She prefers to remain mysterious (that's because she is completely French) and so I cannot post a photo of her, but trust me--she's beautiful, gentle, brilliant and very, very kind. Oh, and she always serves me tea or mineral water when I come for my lessons.
Here is a photo from my last meeting with her before my accident. Look at these gorgeous flowers!

It'll be a couple of months before I can return to my French lessons and so for now, I enjoy looking at photos and spying on the spring buds beginning to bloom outside my bedroom window.
Soon it will be warm and soon I will be walking again and I will say "Bonjour, Springtime!"

Oh, and I will be at the Tribeca Barnes & Noble on Warren Street on Monday, May 1 6th at 7 p.m.
(this is rescheduled from April 26). Hope to see you there!

Bonjour, R.J. Julia's Bookstore

2011-04-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well, the official Bonjour, Happiness! book tour has begun!
I had a fabulous time at R.J. Julia's in Madison, Connecticut last week.

Merci beaucoup, everyone!
Oh, and I was so thrilled by the
reception to my first ever concertina performance in public. I only know one song so far, but
I did my very best.
It's true--this very nonmusical gal (that would be moi) received a gift concertina for her 57th
birthday. Very French!

As a femme d'un certain age, it's important to try new things, to learn and grow and always
challenge yourself. That's the French woman's secret to staying youthful and stylish.

To hear me play, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjmuiCQItGk
Enjoy!

Bonjour, stylesubstancesoul!

2011-03-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Merci beaucoup to stylesubstancesoul for inviting me to guest blog today! And if you'd like me to guest blog for you, just say Bonjour!

Five Simple Ways to Add Joy to Your Everyday Life

by Jamie Cat Callan

posted in GUEST CONTRIBUTORS, SOUL on Mar 30, 2011 for theme: Kisses!

We couldn’t have a “kisses” theme without including something French, so we’re happy thatJamie Cat Callan, author of French Women Don’t Sleep Alone, is guest blogging for us today in honor of her new book, Bonjour, Happiness, which just hit bookstores yesterday.

We love the fact that the book is centered around the idea that “In America, we’ve come to think that bigger and faster is better. But suppose it is the opposite – smaller and slower is better?” As fans of slow meals, slow Sundays and slow kisses, we’re in.

Here, Jamie shares a handful of simple ways to put a little joie de vivre in your own life. Merci, Jamie!

Take a Break

Next time you go to your favorite cafe or coffee house, stay a while, sit down, pretend you’re at a French café, and watch the world go by. Oh, and ask for your latte in a real porcelain mug rather than a cardboard cup. Starbucks is happy to do this for you, and you’ll be surprised how much more elegant you’ll fee.

Wave a Red Flag

Wear a red silk slip under your LBD (Little Black Dress). It’s a simple and slightly subversive way to feel sexy and mysterious. No one has to know it’s there but you. However, if you do feel like being a bit daring, you can always cross your legs and flash a little red.

Adopt a Pet

A cat, a dog, a bird, an iguana — it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you’ve committed to caring for another creature in your life and you’re willing to give them some time and attention. You will receive just as much love as you give; maybe more.

Consider the Power of the Pen

Write a handwritten note to a friend today. It’s very old school and will immediately bring a little joy into your friend’s life, as well as your own. And here’s a radical thought — pay close attention to your penmanship. It sounds crazy, but your handwriting is like your voice. It’s completely unique to you. Take care of your penmanship and let that handwritten note reveal your brilliant personality.

Talk to Strangers

Get into conversations wherever you go. Ask the produce manager what recipes he recommends to go with the artichokes that have just arrived. Talk to your local librarian. Ask your office receptionist what she’s been reading. Chat up the barista at your local cafe. This isn’t about flirting, so much as building a community and enjoying the simple pleasures around you. Oh, and a whole lot of joie de vivre!

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The eSSSence of Jamie Cat Callan

Style: Vaudeville meets the 21st century.
Substance: Finding pleasure in ordinary, everyday moments.
Soul: My French grandmother is my muse.

Bonjour, Commonwealth Reading Series!

2011-03-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

The series

continues this Friday, March 18, 7 PM

at Grub Street, Inc. – Boston’s hub of

literary community and just general coolness.

One of the writers reading at Grub is

the superb Jamie Cat Callan(Fiction/Creative

Nonfiction Fellow ‘10). We had the chance

to ask Jamie about her writing, books, and

unmistakable joie de vivre.

ArtSake: Your writing experience is so

varied - young adult novels, short

stories, screenplays, relationship

advice, writing tips, memoir. When

you conceive a new work, is

the form (novel, script, nonfiction

work, etc.) immediately apparent, or do

you sometimes have to explore different

forms to find the right fit?

Jamie: And you didn’t mention poetry
and plays!

Honestly, I just like to write.

Still, I suppose the form is very much
determined by the influences in my life and
who is around me. For example, I wrote
short stories and plays during a time
when I belonged to The Writers Bloc, a group
in Los Angeles made

up of writers and actors. Then, I wrote

screenplays while I was getting

my MFA from UCLA film school.

After film school, I began teaching

at Wesleyan University, Educational

Center for the Arts, NYU, Yale and then

at Grub Street, and so I created

The Writers Toolbox, out of the games

and exercises I used in my classes.

Most recently, I’ve reconnected

with my French roots and discovered

more history relating to my French

grandmother. I loved how she had

this spicy marriage with my

grandfather. They didn’t always agree,

but they certainly adored each other.

This is how I became inspired to

write French Women Don’t Sleep Alone.

I think I wanted it to be an advice book

because I wish my grandmother could

sit down and tell me her secrets to
romance,

love, marriage and elegance. Oh, and
how to make a great coq au vin!

My latest book, Bonjour, Happiness!

is an interesting mix of memoir and
advice.

I actually wrote a proposal for a memoir

about my travels to France (beginning in

the 1970’s and up to the present) and my

editor said she wanted the book to be

“prescriptive” but that it could be still

be “narrative.” And with that, I think I’ve

created a hybrid genre - the literary advice

book!

Anyway, perhaps this is another answer to

your question about what determines the
form my writing takes - it’s unpredictable
and it’s just how the stars happen to align.

ArtSake: You mentioned Bonjour,

Happiness! Secrets to Finding Your

Joie de Vivre, which is just about to

be published. But you won your MCC

award by submitting a work of fiction.

Writing is rarely ever easy, but does

either form, fiction or nonfiction,

come more naturally to you?

Jamie: For me, fiction is delicious and

dreamy. I enter into an imagined world
and just let it lead me into surprising,
sometimes illogical places. Along the way,

characters introduce themselves to me,

take me by the hand and together we get

into trouble. Lots of trouble (narratively

speaking, of course). For the story that

won the MCC grant, I was inspired by my

husband who told me that when he was

growing up in Madison, Connecticut during
the 1960’s, the town was mostly a summer

community and that because only a handful

of people stayed over the winter they

formed a “Winter Club.” This is where the

title “Welcome to the Winter Club” comes

from. I envisioned the club as a metaphor

for loss of innocence and adulthood.
From here, I imagined what it would be like
for an adolescent boy experiencing his first
sexual awakening in this community in the
1960’s during the Camelot years, when
Kennedy was in the White House and
Vietnam was a shadow in the not-so-far
distant future.

In terms of craft, when I am writing fiction,

I write fast and let the characters lead me.

At the end of the day, I put the work away.

The next morning, I look at the writing with

fresh eyes and see where I may have gone

off course, or if I let one of the characters
take over the story or lead me astray, and
so I trim and edit and bring the story
back into alignment.

Now, you might be surprised to learn that

when I am writing nonfiction, this process

is rather similar, because I am still writing
stories. The difference is, these stories are
framed by a more obvious lesson or
suggestion in terms of creating a happier
life, as with Bonjour, Happiness! Even
with this book, each chapter offers it’s
own mystery to me and

while my characters are real French (and

sometimes American) women that I’ve

actually met and interviewed, there are the

same challenges as with fiction, in that
I let a kind of narrative grow out of the
basic idea of a chapter topic (for example,
why lingerie is very important to a French
woman’s confidence!)but then in the
clear light of day I may find that perhaps
I need to edit and trim that part about

the history of lace corsets. Wink. Wink.

ArtSake: How did Bonjour, Happiness!
come to be?

Jamie: In 2009, the Virginia Center for the
Creative Arts awarded me a fellowship to
spend a month writing in Auvillar, France.
The village of Auvillar is a magical place
in the southwest filled with fig and olive
trees, roosters, and a town known for
welcoming artists from all over the world.
One day after I first arrived, I walked
into the village around noon, only to find
everything was closed. I was able to visit
the ancient stone cathedral (built in the
11th century), but the boulangerie,
the library, the shops and most
of the restaurants were all closed.

The streets were silent as if everyone in
town had disappeared.

But then, I peaked through the cobblestone

courtyards and behind the lace curtains to

find couples and families enjoying their
mid-day meals. This is when the thought
came to me - this is the secret to the French
joie de vivre.

Unlike our American “pursuit of happiness”

the French find happiness in simple,
pleasurable moments. In America, we
often think that bigger and faster is
better. For the French, smaller and

slower is better. Happiness is an
experience, not a thing you buy or own.
And I felt so happy in that moment,
relaxing in the sunshine of Southern
France, knowing that the boulangerie

would reopen at 2 p.m. and I would be
patient, imagining that the baguette
would be worth the wait and even
more pleasurable because of it.

ArtSake: You teach extensively,
including at Grub Street writers’
service organization in Boston,
and you wrote The Writers Toolbox.

As a teacher, what do you try to instill in

emerging writers?

Jamie: Actually, The Writers Toolbox
is not so much a book that I wrote,
but a box of tactile writing games
I created - you know, sticks and

spiny dials and a little three minute
egg timer, cards and then an instruction
book. It’s all based on right brain theory
- writing from that intuitive, nonlinear place.
And this brings me to what I try to teach
emerging writers:

unique and amazing in your own way.
And as long as you stay true to yourself,
your contribution to the world will be
completely true and unique.

Oh, and one other thing.
Be kind to your writing.

It lives and breathes outside of you.
It’s a gift to you from your muse,
so if you are kind to your own creations,
your muse will make a habit of visiting

you often. I don’t believe in tough love
when it comes to teaching writing.
I believe in love.

Kindness. Gentleness. And of course a whole

lot of joie de vivre. This is why I
adore Grub Street and the Grub Street
teaching philosophy. There’s a

whole lot of love going on and I can’t imagine a

place where writers receive so much support.

We’re lucky to have them!

ArtSake: Can you point to any one
decision you’ve made as an artist
that has had the

most impact on your career?

Jamie: A long time ago, I decided to let go
of the debilitating idea of becoming an
overnight sensation.

I let go of the notion of the acclaimed
debut novel. I no longer care about being
the next new thing.Rather, I’ve embraced
the idea that I can be that

gal who has been quietly and consistently
writing all along (since 1973) while raising a
daughter, making a living, moving around,
experiencing all the unexpected ups and
downs of living a full life.

The overnight sensation ship sailed
long ago, but I am here and this is my
journey.

All this is to say, no one decision had the

most impact on my career, but the decision

to move forward, have faith and just write

no matter what, has made all the difference
in the world.

ArtSake: What are you reading these
days?

What are you writing?

Jamie: I am reading Malcolm Gladwell’s

What the Dog Saw. I love his writing!

I am writing the book proposal for my

next book, Bonjour, Beautiful - Secrets to

Finding your Ooh la la! And I’m also

working on turning “Welcome to the
Winter Club” into a novel. If anyone wants
to give me a nice advance, please speak up
and don’t be shy!

Jamie joins Cheryl Clark,
Adam Schwartz,

Ron Spalletta, and Marc Velasquez

for a Commonwealth Reading Series
event on Friday, March 18, 7 PM,
Grub Street, Inc.

in Boston. Other events include Porter Square

Books (3/15 and 3/31), Forbes Library in

Northampton (3/23), and Newtonville Books

in Newton (4/5).

Jamie Cat Callan is the creator of

The Writers Toolbox (Chronicle Books,
2007) and the author of French Women

Don’t Sleep Alone(Citadel/Kensington,
2009). Most recently, she received a grant
from the Virginia Center for the Creative
Arts in Auvillar, France where she wrote
her latest book, Bonjour, Happiness!
(Kensington/Citadel, 2011)

Jamie is married to a Woods Hole

Oceanographic climate change scientist.

The story of how they met (he was a

student in her creative writing class) and

eventually married - appeared in the New
York Times Modern Love column.

Bonjour, Kirkus Reviews!

2011-03-05T07:29:00.000-08:00

This just in from The Kirkus Review:

BONJOUR, HAPPINESS!

Secrets to Finding your Joie de Vivre

Author: Callan, Jamie Cat

Review Date: March 1, 2011

Publisher:Citadel/Kensington

Pages: 224

Price ( Paperback ): $14.95

Publication Date: April 1, 2011

ISBN ( Paperback ): 978-0-8065-3410-7

Category: Nonfiction

A recipe for happiness with ingredients that you don’t have to travel far to find.

Accustomed to the American pursuit of happiness, Callan (French Women Don’t Sleep Alone, 2009, etc.) explores her French roots to find fulfillment in life’s simple pleasures. The spirit of the book centers around the idea that: “In America, we’ve come to think that bigger and faster is better. But suppose it is the opposite—smaller and slower is better?” Through her travels, interviews and self-exploration, the author reveals the importance of living in the moment, and she offers delightful recipes for living. If you stop gormandizing, you will enjoy your meal, drop a few pounds and maybe even find a companion as depicted in Callan’s instructions for a Roquefort soufflé. She urges readers to sit down and enjoy their coffee, to be inspired by their surroundings. Through a series of complimentary anecdotes, the author asks readers to examine how they lead their lives. Why not take the stairs? Why not take pride in what you wear, even if that means merely putting on some sexy lingerie? Why not use the fine china more often? Even though the author traveled to France to discover the art of happiness, she gives tangible suggestions on how to live like the French no matter where you are.

Translates the joie de vivre into a language of life that is not so foreign.

Merci beaucoup, Kirkus Review!!!!

Bonjour, Big Apple!

2011-02-23T10:47:00.000-08:00

Bonjour, Friends!

Come celebrate the release of my latest book--

Bonjour, Happiness!

Secrets to Finding your Joie de Vivre

I'll be at New York City's Tribecca Barnes & Noble

(97 Warren Street)

Enjoy a little Paris in the Big Apple!

Tuesday, April 26th at 7p.m.

Learn the secrets to joie de vivre:

Why it's so good to walk everywhere.

How does New Yorker Mary Kelly grow fresh tomates in the Big Apple?

Where can you find French macarons in the City?

Why does Paris Breakfasts blogger Carol Gillott adore the color red?

Why is BraSmyth such a French idea! (hint, it's the French lingerie)

Oh, and how to live like million bucks with just a few euros!

Oooh la la!!!!

Hope to see you there.

A bientot!

There is no Groundhog Day in France, but they do have Crêpes!

2011-02-02T10:52:00.000-08:00

Bonjour, Candlemas! Bonjour Crêpes!

Today is Candlemas in France.

Actually, it's called "La Chandeleur." I know this from looking at the About.com French language site written by the fabulous Laura K. Lawless. She's featured in my upcoming book, "Bonjour, Happiness!" Laura explains that Candlemas is also known as Crêpe Day and that the good people of France have fired up their crêpe pans and are flipping these delectable very thin "pancakes" into the air. Oh, and then adding all sorts of yummy things--powered sugar, jam, chocolate, whipped cream.

I could go on.

In Auvillar, they serve them with vanilla ice cream, prunes and armagnac--the specialty of region.

Candlemas is also the French Version of Groundhog Day.

You see, rather than relying on Punxsutawney Phil to come out of hiding and to see (or not see) his shadow and determine whether or not we'll have an early spring, the French take matters into their own hands...or skillets! Yes, the French version of Groundhog Day involves cooking and family fun and crêpes! Speaking of family fun, I must tell you about my Falmouth friend, Linda Steele. She owns the West Falmouth Baking Company and has posted a lovely blog about making crêpes with her daughter. And it includes the perfect and very simple recipe for making crêpes. Visit her blog and you'll see!

Here's a pretty photo of mother and daughter:

When I first came home from Toulouse with my broken ankle and my leg in a cast, Linda came to visit bringing a basket of white chocolate, cranberry and blueberry cookies. They were her red/white/blue cookies. Very patriotic. Very French. Very delicious! Merci, beaucoup, Linda!

Back to Groundhog Day.

Yes, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow today. And so this means (although I'm not sure this makes sense) AN EARLY SPRING!!!

There's a wonderful little article in today's Washington Post that poses this thought:

Groundhog Day could be viewed as a commentary on the nature of modern celebrity. A cute, hairy creature has become famous for doing something with minimal accuracy because he is surrounded by men in funny hats.

How very American.

Now, in France, they do not defer to any hairy animals with big teeth. Rather, while flipping crêpes, the French hold a coin in their writing hand and the crepe pan in the other. And then, they flip the crêpe in the air. If they manage to catch the crêpe in the pan, then they'll be prosperous for the rest of the year. Oh, and this means an early spring. At least this is what Marceline, my beautiful and elegant and completely brilliant French tutor has told me. And I believe everything she says! Especially when it comes to fun and all things French!

Happy Groundhog Day! And Happy Candlemas to all my French friends! Enjoy your crêpes! And may you catch them all and have a very prosperous year again!

How to Make Crepes

2011-01-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

Joyeux Noël -Barbara- (avec sous-titres)

2010-12-26T09:51:00.000-08:00

Bonjour, Bagels! Bonjour Brioches!

2010-12-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

I adore Terrance Gelenter's new book "From Bagels to Brioches."

It's chock full of wonderful stories that range from Hollywood to New York, from Brooklyn and to Paris where Terrance now lives in fabulous ex-pat bliss. I was fortunate enough to meet up with Terrance in late September when he hosted an extravagant dinner with a group of international boho types at Astier.

Oooh la la! We heard about Terrance's days in Hollywood. I particularly loved those insider stories about Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Terrance is a natural raconteur and a delightful host. No wonder his ex-pat tours are so wildly popular. Just go to his website, you'll get so much information!
Oh, and if you want to stay in a studio (I did in the Menilmontant district and loved it) or find the best cafe or where to get a great massage, Parisian-style--Terrance is the man!

And so handsome, too! Bonjour, Terrance!

Bonjour, Browne & Company Stationers!

2010-11-21T13:17:00.000-08:00

My brilliant writing friend, (also screenwriter, actor and noir genius) Matthew Quinn Martin just informed me that while he was strolling through the South Street Seaport Museum he happened to come upon The Writers Toolbox!

As it turns out, The Writers Toolbox is on display at the venerable Browne & Co. Stationers!

Founded in 1775 by Robert Browne, the shop began offering lithographic and letterpress printing in the 19th century and even today continues to take commissions for cards, announcements and social stationery using Bowne's historic antique type collection and printed on the original 19th century treadle-powered platen presses.

The South Street Seaport is featuring an exhibition of New York City photos by Alfred Stieglitz now through January 10, 2011.

So you can see, The Writers Toolbox is among very good company!

Bonjour, Browne & Company! Bonjour, South Street Seaport!

Bonjour, Hôpital! Final Installment

2010-11-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

You know, when a gal finds herself stranded in a hospital in Toulouse with a broken ankle, she wants two things: chocolates and flowers.

Well, I didn't get the chocolates, but I did get the flowers!

Yes, the beautiful artist Cheryl and her handsome photographer husband John

brought me beautiful roses.

Bonjour, Cheryl!

Bonjour, John!

They came all the way from the little village of Auvillar to visit me. Not only that, but they took me out to the park where we had a lovely afternoon!

Later, in the evening, I kept myself busy back at the hospital, watching French television. Ironically enough, I watched a program that taught French women how to walk properly in their high heels!

Well, it'll be quite a while before I can wear high heels! (Oh, and once again I WAS WEARING FLATS WHEN I BROKE MY ANKLE!)

I'm so grateful to my husband for coming all the way from Australia to rescue me.

He brought me back home to America where my little orange tabby kitty was waiting.

Bonjour, Mister Pickles!

Bonjour, Hôpital! Part Deux

2010-10-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Bonjour, French Nurses!
Yes, it's true--the French health care system is wonderful--but I would like to talk about the wonderful nurses. These femmes (and a handful of gentlemen) took such good care of me! Merci beaucoup!

Here is Anne Laure and Fanny. They were so good to me! And so much fun. We enjoyed switching back and forth from French to English. One day, Anne Laure arrived with a little circular saw to "ouvrez la fenêtre." Or open the window--on my cast, that is.

She was very professional. Truly, gentle and very calm. And this is just what I needed considering the fact that a whirring little circular saw was cutting into my cast--mighty close to where my stitches where holding the incision together. Very tricky!

But, Anne Laure was very professional! And very nice! She told me that she is hoping to visit America in the not to far distant future. She told me, with a little sparkle in her eyes that her husband's company has an office in "Weesheeeta!" I didn't have the heart to tell her that it's pronounced "Wichita" as in Wichita, Kansas, because "Weesheeeta" sounds so much more romantic.

Another very pretty nurse, attended to my stitches (after the fenetra was opened). She removed the dressing with little plastic pinchers, cleaned the area and then covered it with little squares of delicate white gauze--one at a time, layer after layer after layer. This took quite a while, but she was very precise and very patient. It really felt as if she was creating a French pastry! A mille feuille. To give you an idea, here's a mille feuille Betsy Johnson dress.

And here's the pretty nurse dressing my wound in mille feuille. You can see, in France, everything is elevated to an art form!

And here are all the lovely medical accessories, our "pastry chef" nurse employs to make her art:

Here's my cast. Don't you adore the lovely fishnet netting that keeps it looking pretty and fresh? And don't you love the seam running up the back of the leg? Très Français!

I felt very elegant and ready for my visitors--Beatrice and Jean-Pierre.

I was staying with Beatrice and Jean-Pierre in Toulouse when I slipped and fell. They were so incredibly nice to me! I am so lucky they were with me and got me to the hospital. After my surgery, Beatrice had to go to Paris on business and when she came back she brought me back a lovely gift--macarons from the famous Ladurée.

From right to left, we have almond, raspberry, pistachio and rose water.
Yes, A ROSEWATER MACARON!!! That was my favorite. So delicate. So perfumed. So lady-like. Honestly, I was over the moon for rosewater macarons! Note to self: next time in Paris, must buy an entire box of rosewater macarons!
I adore Beatrice! I wrote about her in my book "French Women Don't Sleep Alone" because she gave me the strawberry recipe and she has such a romance with Jean-Pierre. He's in the French military and most recently went to Haiti to help the earthquake victims. He's such a calm and caring man. He rode with me in the ambulance to the hospital while Beatrice followed along in her car. Honestly, he's the kind of man you want around in an emergency!
Oh, and look what Beatrice brought me the next day--home made meringues! Yum!

Honestly, with all this delicious attention and sweet treats, staying in a French hospital felt like more like spa vacation!

Merci Toulouse!
Merci French nurses!
Merci Beatrice and Jean-Pierre!

Bonjour, Hôpital!

2010-10-15T09:02:00.001-07:00

Yes, I had every intention of returning from France on October 4th, but fate stepped in and changed my destiny. And, I too, stepped in--or rather tripped--on one of those adorable French cobblestones and the next thing you know I was lying in the back of an ambulance, hurtling through the night, down the Toulouse streets on my way to the hôpital while the most handsome paramedic talked to me in French and in my state of confusion (not to mention pain) I really had no idea what he was trying to tell me, except that I was not worry, not to cry and to have "bonne courage!"

By the way, I was not wearing the real leather red heels from Italy (that I bought at the market in Valence D'Agen for only five euros).

And I was not wearing these thigh high lace up boots that Heather Stimmler Hall, author of "Naughty Paris: A Girl's Guide to the Sexy City" covets. Before my fall in Toulouse, Heather gave me a private tour of some of Paris' best beauty spots, including a visit to her personal French Esthetician. I learned so much about waxing! Later, after a chocolat chaud at Cafe Deux Magots, we came upon these boots in a store window. Heather's birthday was coming up and so she was hoping her friends would pitch in and buy her these naughty boots. I hope she got her wish!

Oh, and I was not wearing these! (Thanks for the photo, David!)

However, I was wearing the cute flats--FLATS! Not heels!--when I took my little misstep in Toulouse that landed me in l'hôpital. Yes, the very same cute shoes that I went spelunking in with the group from Auvillar. And so I ended up in the Urgence (ER) and they announced that my ankle was broken in not one, but two places and they would have to operate! I am smiling, because I am in shock and I always smile when I'm in shock.

Before, surgery, I was prepped. It was very complicated and I won't give you all the intricate medical details, but I did thought you'd find this drawing/explanation in my hospital bathroom very charming. And very French!

Here is my hero, Docteur Bernard Delannes. He is a top orthopedic surgeon in France.

I love Dr. Delannes! I am the starting the Dr. Delannes fan club!

And here's my leg in its brand new cast.

And here's my X-ray after surgery. You can see I have six screws and a metal plate! Wow!

I have so much to tell you all about--I spent nine glorious (yes, NINE!) days in Clinique Ambroise Pare and everyone was so good to me, so sweet, so gentle. And without internet or phone, I came to enjoy simple things--the view from my window, the shifting clouds, the sun coming and go. Oh, and the food was delicious! Yes, French hospital food is yummy.

Most, of all, I was so moved by all your emails and posts and comments. Merci beaucoup! I will write more about my hôpital adventures in the coming days, but in the meantime, I wanted to say,

MERCI MES AMIS!!!!

Bonjour, Happiness!

Paris Color Story

2010-10-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

Bonjour, Colors!

I'm in Paris now and just met with the fabulous
Micheline Tanguy.

She's a professional image consultant, specializing in helping us Anglos acquire a bit of savoir faire. And perhaps even learn how to be a little more French!

We spent the day together in the Marais, enjoying the most fabulous lunch and then a walk on the cobble stone streets through the parks and gardens where we deconstructed French style. She's really brilliant and as a native French femme she truly understands the psyche of the Gauls.
And I learned so much!
First of all, you might think that Paris is all about basic black, but that's not true.
Look at all this color I found!

Micheline took me shopping at a fabulous store nestled in between ancient cathedrals and secret gardens. She talked about the power of color and then placed different fabrics against my face to get an idea of what I'd look good in. I generally gravitate toward red and black with dashes of white. As you can see:

However, with Micheline's encouragement, I tried something in brilliant blue--

a fabulous and very wild bright blue feather boa!

I know--it's tres burlesque, but I just couldn't help myself!

And besides, I'm in Paris, why resist all this pleasure!?

Bonjour, Happiness!

Spelunking in Cute Shoes

2010-09-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

The VCCA/Auvillar artists and writers spent the day "Spelunking!" (That means cave exploration, in case you didn't know.) Actually, I didn't know that's what it was called until one of the writers pointed out that fact that all us writer-girls were there to explore the ancient caves of Pech Merle in cute shoes!

Oh, but what about the caves!? Well, they're amazing! They were discovered in 1922 by Andre David and Henri Dutertre, two French boys--only 16 and 15 years old--who were out exploring the countryside when they climbed their way into this magical and mysterious subterranean world of stalagmites and drawings of bisen and reindeer and even ancient cave women. Yes, our French tour guide had a wonderful time pointing at paintings and then repeating in English (with a gorgeous French accent) "this is the stomach, this is bottom and this is the breasts." See, French men appreciate their women, even when they're thousands of years old!

Oh, and here's my beautiful student, Merridith. She is definitely not thousands of years old. In fact, she's only twenty-six years old, but definitely the kind of gal to inspiring a cave painting or two or three!

Afterwards, we visited the village of St. Cirq where we had a wonderful lunch and walked around the village--oh, and did some shopping, bien sur. I'm not a good shopper. To be honest it makes me nervous, but I love taking photos of things I would buy if I were a woman of independent means. Actually, I am a woman of independent means...perhaps that's why I'm rather frugal!
Still, if I were a wealthy woman, I would buy all these bags!

And then it was time to make our way home through the beautiful French countryside.

Most of the sunflowers are now gone or as they say, "they're deadheads," but I did manage to catch one photo of a field where there was still some yellow left. So before I bid you au revoir, here's a sunny picture!

More tomorrow! xo Jamie

Bonjour, Writers!

2010-09-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

It's such an honor to work with writers who are so gifted and come to a workshop bursting with energy, enthusiasm and excitement--not to mention passion! In fact, we spend a lot of time in workshop laughing and crying and screaming and then laughing again. Oh, and writing. We do lots of writing!

I have five beautiful femmes in my class. Here's a couple of photos of my lovely ladies.

While the writers write, the visual artists are painting the most beautiful pictures in watercolor. Tomorrow we are all going together to visit the ancient caves of Peche Merle. I'll have more photos of beautiful Southwest France, but for now, leave you with a little photo of our evening dinner party featuring Canadian painters and lots of French wine!

Bonjour, Auvillar!

2010-09-17T02:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm back in the Southwest of France in the beautiful village of Auvillar!

Auvillar is actually one of France official "Most Beautiful Villages." And it really is a most enchanting place with a limestone houses and stone walls, colorful gardens, a gorgeous cathedral and an ancient washing well--everything dating back to the 11th century!

I am here to teach a writing workshop through the auspices of VCCA
(Virginia Center for the Creative Arts).
What fabulous students have arrived! Five beautiful, funny, charming and very talented femmes!
We had a lovely welcome dinner and apertifs at le Moulin a Nef with the wonderful artist Cheryl Fortier and her group of painters. This is Cheryl in her studio.

What a lovely beginning to eight glorious days in Auvillar! Bonjour, Happiness!

Bonjour, Wedding Day!

2010-09-16T04:08:00.000-07:00

My daughter is now a Married Lady!

Here she is getting her hair ready for the big day. You see the little daisy hair clip? Callan made that herself! She had a real DIY wedding. Everything was so lovely, unique, creative and artful--from the hand-made paper daisy links gracing the trees in the Mt. Vernon Park to the table decorations with antique books and pretty little vintage vases of flowers.

So imaginative! But, then that's no surprise.

After all she is a graduate of MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art).

Oh, and of course pretty bridesmaids are all artists too!

We had the most glorious weather in Baltimore!

It was sunny and warm--but not too warm.
The ceremony was so romantic. Jerry and Callan
wrote their own vows and memorized them. Their
heartfelt declarations of love were so poignant that all
the bridesmaids began crying. And I must admit I was
pretty teary-eyed myself! I loved it when they declared
that they vowed to forever be Best Friends! That's really
what marriage is all about.

And here's the bride with her proud mama
(that would be moi!)

Callan and Jerry both adore bunnies and so they chose bunnies for the "cake topper." Although, they didn't have a cake, but rather the most delicious cupcakes decorated in flowers with blue and pink and green frosting. Yum! Here's a photo of the cupcakes and the bunny cake topper. And, yes, Callan made it!

My French tutor has told me that it's very French to celebrate your wedding in the morning, and Callan and Jerry did just that. No surprise there, since they both love France, especially Paris, where Jerry proposed to Callan last October on the Artists Bridge....and now, one year--she's a Married Lady!
I'll post some photos of the bride and groom very soon! I promise! xo Jamie

Bonjour, Bridal Shower!

2010-09-07T15:48:00.000-07:00

What a perfect day for a Ladies Tea in the garden!
Callan's bridal shower was so much fun.
We had tea, croissants, little watercress sandwiches
and French macarons--bien sur!
The pistachio ones were my favorite.

Here we are--mother and daughter in the center.

Oh, of course, I was there with my daughter's new mother-in-law, the talented and fun, Winnie!
I adore her! And Callan is one lucky gal to have a sister-artist for a mom-in-law. A true kindred spirit!

Callan has the prettiest friends! They all look like flowers in a French garden. Here are just a few of the pretty girls at the party.

And of course, Callan received lots of wonderful gifts. There were cookbooks (Callan loves to cook!) Retro aprons, ceramic bowls, a cookie jar, and lingerie--oooh la la! She's a gal after my own heart.
Her bridesmaids--Liz, Molly, Tracey and Merridith made the most fabulous hat out of the ribbons and bows. This crazy hat was really hysterical and fabulous. Afterall, we had MICA grads creating it!

Oh, but I didn't tell you about the most delightful surprise! Yes, Jerry, Callan's beau, suddenly showed up with a bouquet of flowers and a kiss for the blushing bride-to-be! Ah, young love!

More soon! xo Jamie

Bonjour, Bride and Her Bridesmaids!

2010-09-04T05:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, my daughter is getting married on Sunday!
We're all down here in the Fine City of B'more to celebrate the big day on Sunday.
Last night the bride and her bridesmaids celebrated their Bachelorette Party at a French Bistro.
(Like mother like daughter.)
The girls enjoyed a champagne toast and lots of giggles and girly talk at Marie Louise Bistro
right here in the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood.
My husband, dad (Callan's grandpa) and I just happened to be there dining!
What a coincidence!
Aren't these girls gorgeous!
Ooh la la!

To be young again!

Jamie Cat Callan embarks on a WHOI adventure with "A Girl's Guide to Climate Change"

2010-08-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

Jamie Cat Callan embarks on a WHOI adventure with "A Girl's Guide to Climate Change"

Bonjour, Lady Detective!

2010-07-09T11:22:00.001-07:00

Alexander Campion--fellow Francophile and writer has dished up something amazingly delightful in his new mystery series featuring a beautiful, young and very determined French detective. It all takes place in the French culinary world and involves lots of yummy surprises. This deliciously dangerous and very sexy story takes you through the streets and restaurants of fashionable Paris where you'll meet the natives, plus all those American Ex-pats. It's a total romp! Oooh la la!

The Grave Gourmet by Alexander Campion

Bonjour, Lace!

2010-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

I keep seeing all these lovely lacey things on the backs of French girls. They're called "dontelle" and they're actually an accessory that you can add to any outfit. Very sexy. There so much black lace all over Paris this spring. So beautiful!

I only arrived this Friday morning and I've already been to two markets. Look at the size of those artichokes! I can't help but think that the beautiful food has an influence on the fashion.

And clearly all this beauty is not going unnoticed!
xo Jamie

Bonjour, Carrie!

2010-06-06T02:14:00.000-07:00

Paris has transformed the Cafe Etienne Marcel into the Sex and the City Cafe. It's true, the French love Carrie and the girls!

There's some kind of game involving giant gold high heel shoes all over Paris. If you find the matching pair, you win a big prize. Truly, the Cafe Etienne Marcel is going all out with the Sex and the City theme. There are cupcake classes and nail salons and personal shoppers and oh, lots of fun cocktails!

I attended a talk by Elizabeth Bard, author of "Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes" and Laurel Zuckerman "Sorbonne Confidential." They are both tres cool expats.

Tonight is my turn to speak about why French Women Don't Sleep Alone....oooh la la!

They'll be lots of time for discussion, so I'll be sure to take notes and come home with more French secrets and a suitcase full of lingerie! xo Jamie

Bonjour, Paris!

2010-06-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

I'm here in Paris, sitting outside the "Sex and City" Cafe

aka Cafe Etienne Marcel.

It's hot in Paris!

I just had to take this photo of my French friend's red nail polish.

Her name is Tania and she is tres chic! I love all that red.

However, she asked me to bring pastels with me from the USA--pink, purple, green and blue.

I bought them at Duane Reade in New York City last week while I was dog-sitting a certain adorable Maltese named "Charlie." He was great company and introduced me to all the neighbors!

He was the perfect preparation for coming to France and getting on my "flirt!" More tomorrow....

For now, I must run back to the Cafe!

Bonjour, Sex and the City!

2010-04-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!
I've just been invited to return to Paris to help celebrate the French launch of
"Sex and the City 2."
Thank you W.H. Smith Bookstore!
Thank you Warner Brothers!

I'll be joined by other writers (more on that in an upcoming blog) and we'll all be stationed at the fabulous and trendy Cafe Etienne-Marcel. It's a very cool 70's style cafe. Very SATC!
If you happen to be in Paris on Sunday, June 6th, please come party with the girls!

Fishing with Bill

2010-03-27T13:31:00.000-07:00

Fishing with Bill

Jamie Cat Callan

Note: This essay just came out in the Istanbul Literary Review.
I wrote it before Bill and I got married (that's why I refer to him
as my boyfriend, rather than husband. Oh, and the photo is actually
of me catching a bluefish, about a year later.)

It is 3 a.m. but the moon is so bright it feels as if my boyfriend and I are
fishing in the daylight. I honestly don't know much about fishing, except that
it involves a lot of casting and reeling and no fish. Well, no fish for me.

My boyfriend, Bill, often catches fish. Stripers, bluefish, trout. He has
been fishing since he was a little boy in Madison, Connecticut. He wants
me to know about this part of his life. He wants me to love fishing as
much as he does. I am not the first girl he has taken out fishing, but I
am the first one to show true enthusiasm. The others grew bored after
one or two trips. This is my seventh. I am not bored, but I am a little scared.

I don't tell my boyfriend this. I smile and follow behind him, into the
blackness, thinking there is something disturbingly old-fashioned about us,
and the theme song from "Green Acres" begins playing in my head.
"New York is where I'd rather stay. I get allergic smelling hay!"

We wear rubber waders held up to our chests with old-fashioned
suspenders and we step out into the black surf, like big-footed monsters.
I feel my stockinged feet sliding around inside the huge boots as I
carefully step over the slippery rocks beneath the water. We walk slowly,
trying not making waves, whispering, out into the Long Island Sound,
until the water reaches just over our waists.

Everything is silent, except for the ghostly ring of a buoy bell
and the gentle sound of water lapping. The air smells fishy and
salty with a slight undertone of sulfur. The waders are cold and
heavy and then they gradually grow warmer. My boyfriend, Bill,
now far off to the right of me, nods and smiles and I began casting.

Truth is, I am good at casting. I have perfected it over the
course of the summer from fishing practically every weekend with
Bill and never catching anything. I figure this is enough. It is exercise.
My upper arms are looking great. And it is zen. Who cares whether
you actually catch something? It's the communion with nature.
It's being outdoors. It's learning something new. It's stretching the
boundaries of what's familiar. Still, the Green Acres song refrains in
my head."Dah-ling, I love you but give me Park Avenue!"

I pray I don't have to pee. We have been up since two in the morning
and I had to have coffee. I concentrate on the water, the reel, the line.
I will not think of my bladder, I tell myself.

When I was a little girl my grandfather and grandmother fished
in the Housatonic River in Devon, Connecticut. They went to Jackman,
Maine every summer. I have old black and white photographs of my
elegant French grandmother wearing a flannel plaid shirt, a straw hat
and bluejeans, standing by a campfire. She is smiling for the camera
as she holds up a string of trout she had caught.

And here I am, just like her, fishing. Although, I still wear my red lipstick,
because I refuse to completely give in. I hear Eva Gabor in my head
singing in my head. It's true, I want to impress Bill, but I don't want him
to forget either--I am a woman and he is a man.

The mosquitoes have discovered our whereabouts. The fish aren't biting.
And I have to pee.

Here's the real problem: I don't really want to catch a fish. I feel guilty
about this. I like cats. I have two orange tabbies. Suppose a cat was a fish?
Could I catch a metal hook into the side of my cat's mouth and reel him in?
Could I pull that hook out? Could I place my half alive cat in a plastic
bag, pull it tight and leave it by the shore, knowing death will take him,
while I trudge back through the murky water and go for more? See,
it's not so easy when you think of fish as a cat. I don't think I want to
catch a fish. Does this mean I don't want to keep this boyfriend?
Does this mean, I really want to let Bill go? Catch and release? That's
what he does with the smaller fish. Apparently, it's the law. I wonder
what's the point and if this fishing business will be the end of us.

I stare out into the flat, black water. The endless night, actually early
morning, although it feels as if dawn will never arrive. I cast and reel.
Cast and reel. Every third try, my line gets twisted and snagged. I
release, slowly pull, release and pull, and then I feel the weight of
something heavy and I drag it in. I imagine it was not an enormous
clump of seaweed or a rock, but that instead I have hooked my line on a
dead man's severed arm. This is what happens when you take a red-lipsticked
writer out to fish.

But no, there are no dead men's severed arms and the night goes on,
the moon huge and yellow, hanging heavy. "You all right?" Bill calls to
me from the right. I nod my head. I smile. I don't tell him about the
growing boredom, the need to pee. I will be the best girlfriend ever I tell
myself and cast again with new vigor.

And then suddenly the black water comes alive. It is a bubbling,
boiling cauldron. Splashing all around me. My first response, is to cut
and run. Oh my God, get me the hell out of here, I think, my boyfriend
Bill shouts, "Cast! Cast!" He is already reeling in a big one. "Stripers!"
he shouts and motions for me to get in there. And I think, the gig is up.
I don't want any fish. I don't want to kill my cats! But this makes no
sense and I do want to be the best girlfriend ever and so I cast and
cast and cast and suddenly I feel a tug at the end of my line. This is a
tug like no other. No, this is not seaweed, not my plastic bait caught
on a rock. This was is not a slow moving horseshoe crab crawling its
way at the bottom of the ocean (yes, I once caught a horseshoe crab
and Bill has told me that this never happens. It happened to me.)
This new tug is different. It is alive and it fights back with me, pulls
me forward so hard I practically lose my balance. It takes my line and
runs with it, and the spool of line spins out and out, threatening to
take the whole thing and me with it. I am tempted to let it go,
throw the fishing rod out into the black water, surrender, tell the
fish he has won! But, Bill is waving at me, shouting "Hold on!" and
"Reel it in!" He slowly inches his way over to me, walking sideways.
He tells me, "let out some line. Let it tire itself out." My arms ache
from it, but I do hold out. I let the fish tire itself out. It is a strong
one, this fish. And the more I feel its muscled tug on my line, the more
it resists, the more I want it. I want this fish! It is my biological imperative
to have this fish. I want to pull it out of the water and I want to stare at
its glassy eye and I want to take it home and yes, I want to cook it and
I want to eat it. I will not tell the cats. But this fish, he is having none of it.
He is pulling, twisting and turning, lifting me right out of my waders and
I hang on. Bill asks if he wants me to take over my line and I say no.
In this moment, I am glad of all those months of casting and reeling.
I am prepared. I fight the good fight, pulling him in, arching the rod,
lowering it, then reeling again until suddenly a flash of speckled silver
breaks the surface and slaps hard against the water, hitting my leg hard
with its enormous tail. And for a moment, we stare each other in the eye.

This Striper is a beauty, illuminated by the night sky. Big. He is silvery,
striped like a grey tabby cat, or one of those shiny jackets the Rat Pack
wore in the 60's. I fall a little bit in love with this Striper. I decide
he is the Dean Martin of the fish world. This fish could sing and
smoke and drink and tell bawdy stories. This fish wants to get away
from me and be bad. He is a fighter. And he is all mine.

And now, he is sitting between me and Bill in the car, dead in a plastic
bag.

Do I feel sorry for my fish? Do I feel guilty? Do I hate myself for
doing this thing? Killing a living creature? Me--the red lipsticked
gal who will lift a spider with a piece tissue and gently place it out
the window? The gal who wears red lipstick to fish? The gal who only
fishes to impress her boyfriend?

The answer, truthfully, is no.

But, here's what I do. When I get back home and I am in my kitchen,
I kiss my fish. I kiss his still lips. And I say a prayer for my fish.
I weigh my fish--an amazing 10 pounds! We photograph me and my fish.
And that night, Bill and I eat my fish, outside on the deck, by candlelight.
Later, we make love and I find myself more aggressive than usual.
More abandoned. Maybe even predatory. Anyway, it's hot.

* * *

Bonjour, Springtime!

2010-03-21T15:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, the crocuses are coming up. Here are some lovely purple ones I saw in Falmouth last week. They were in my friend's back yard. We had just gone consignment shopping for prom dresses. She's getting ready for her junior prom. Yes, I sometimes pal around with 16 year olds! We have a lot in common actually. We both love consignment shopping. And we we love to mix and match the old with the new.
Oh, and so do French women!

I found a fabulous faux leopard coat at
My Fair Lady consignment in Cotuit, but before I show it to you, I have to show you some more crocuses.

Oh, and because my Dad's birthday is on the same day Spring begins, March 21, I must show you a picture of my Dad. We met up last week in Connecticut. He loves to go to Ocean State Job Lot and hunt for bargains. Like father, like daughter. He's turning 87 on Sunday. He's a World War II Navy veteran and he saw action in the Pacific Rim. He's really a hero, but he doesn't like to talk about it. He's very modest. Oh, and he's also an awesome photographer. He likes to document everything. He can take even the most ordinary moments and make them special. He's not French (that's my mother's side). He's 100% Irish-American. At 87, he still rakes the leaves in his backyard, cuts down fallen branches, shovels snow, volunteers for the Civil Defense and Red Cross. The secret to his vim and vigor and youth? Yes, being busy is one of the secrets, but more than that, it's his life philosophy, which is this: Have fun! He always tells me, "If it's not fun, don't do it!" I've learned that anything can be fun if you put your heart into it. Can you tell, I love-love-love my Dad?!

And speaking of fun, here's my new faux leopard coat!

It's from the designer, Dana Buchman.

And here's me in the coat! Happy Spring!

Paris in Palm Beach

2010-03-09T07:19:00.000-08:00

My dear friend from Cape Cod, Thelma, took me with a few Palm Beach friends to

The Norton Museum of Art.

We saw the fabulous Richard Avedon collection of photographs from 1944-2000.

This is the model Dovima at the Cirque d'Hiver in Paris in 1955, wearing Dior.

And the model, Veruschka from the 1960's. I actually remember seeing this photograph in Vogue when I was about thirteen. I used to babysit for a woman-doctor (very unusual in those days). She was from Ireland and very modern and very beautiful and she had two boys--twins. They were little hellions and always left me completely exhausted. Plus, I was expected to wash Madame Doctor and her husband's sink full of leftover dinner dishes. Ah, but once the dishes were done and the twins went to sleep, I got to read all of Madame Doctor's fashion magazines! They were much more fun than my mother's copies of "Good Housekeeping" and "Woman's Day." Oh, and no, I never did get to do my school homework!

I think my fantasies of visiting Paris one day began on those nights, reading Vogue.

Here's the model, Suzy Parker. Cute, huh?

Later during my visit, Thelma and I went to The Omphoy Ocean Resort for tapas and drinks. She is so much fun to pal around with and I just love her!

This is the beach at the resort. Don't you adore those beach cabanas? They actually cost a small fortune to rent, but they're pretty to look at.

Oh, and I can't leave you without showing you this charming photo of Mary's backyard pool. She's a wonderful writer and I wouldn't even have been invited to speak about "French Women Don't Sleep Alone" at the Society for the Four Arts if it hadn't been for Mary's charm and perseverance!

Au revoir, Palm Beach! xoxo Jamie

Bonjour, Palm Beach!

2010-02-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

If you happen to be in the Palm Beach area of Florida this coming week, please come and see me at The Society of the Four Arts on Wednesday night, Feb. 17th at 6 p.m. I'll be talking about all things French and will be signing copies of "French Women Don't Sleep Alone."

On Saturday Feb. 20, I'll be hosting a writing workshop at The Society for the Four Arts from 1-3 p.m. If you write short stories, novels, memoir you'll be right at home. I'll be using games from my very own creation The Writers Toolbox and it's guaranteed to be a lot of fun!

And in the meantime, Happy Valentine's Day! xo Jamie

A Bride and Her Bridesmaids

2010-02-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

My daughter is getting married. Yes, married to the sweetest guy in the world!
I am so thrilled and honored to be part of the planning--especially when it comes to choosing a wedding gown! Now, I can't give away the actual gown she chose, but here's a little tease:

This photo was taken in the J. Crew dressing room in New York City. She didn't actually decide on this gown, so I'm not giving anything away.

And this photo was taken when we went shopping on Cape Cod the day after Christmas.

Jerry gave her a pair of bright yellow Hunter boots because in the winter it's very icy and slippery in Baltimore where they live and where they met and courted.

Oh, and the family got to see the beautiful 1920's vintage engagement ring!

And in New York City, she found the most perfect gown--thanks to her fabulous and fun girlfriends!

Femme d'un certain âge

2010-01-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

Well, it's just about my birthday.

I won't tell you my exact age--because that simply
wouldn't be very French of me. But I will admit,
I am a Femme d'un certain âge.
And while I used to fear that my growing older
would mean the end of style, romance, beauty
and joie de vivre, I've been inspired by the women
I saw this past fall during my
travels to France.

Lately, I've begun to notice some beautiful and stylish
women in my own home town of Falmouth. See
the photo below of Natalie. She's the one with the
fabulous silver hair, the cool shades, the
Maxwell & Company shopping bag and the coat
with the roses she bought at Midnight Farms on Martha's Vineyard.

I went into Bojangles, our very own, very chic local boutique,
the other day and found the
new owner in front of the mirror, discreetly putting on
her lipstick.
She told me she can't go anywhere without her lipstick
and I said, "well, that's very French."

And then she said, "oh, I'm reading a book right now
about French women!" And guess what book that
happened to be....yes, my book! And so, we got into
an entire conversation about French women,
lingerie, cooking delightful meals for our husbands
and remaining just a little bit mysterious.

I'm really a city gal, and moving to this little town
was not my choice. At the beginning, I found it
startling that I couldn't go to the post office on
Main Street without meeting someone I knew.
But now, after four years here, I think I love it.

And finding someone like Natalie makes it all
the more lovely.
It's enough to make a gal happy to be a little older,
and yes, a little wiser.
Certainly happy to be a Femme d'un certain âge!

Bonjour, Mister Pickles!

2010-01-11T18:01:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to announce that the wonderful blogger,
Hostess of the Humble Bungalow came up with winning name for our little orange tabby!
Yes, it's Mister Pickles! I know it's not French, but this is the name he immediately answered to and besides he's just looks and acts like a Mister Pickles!
Thank you all for coming up with some truly inventive and delightful names.
Close contenders were Riff Raff, Claude, and Tyger.

Hostess of the Humble Bungalow already has a copy of "French Women Don't Sleep Alone" so she will receive a gift copy of "Bonjour, Happiness!" as soon as it's hot off the press in 2011! Merci!

Bonne année!

2009-12-31T09:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who has followed my "Bonjour, Happiness!" blog this year. I'm pleased to say I just signed a contract with my Kensington for the book (also titled "Bonjour, Happiness!") which will come out sometime in 2011. Merci for all your sweet responses and suggestions and words of encouragement. I'm looking forward to our continued friendship in the coming months and here's wishing all of you a very delightful 2010 filled with much happiness!
Toujours amour, Jamie
P.S. About the photo--we really do live on an island, but the fur is really not real!

I left my heart in San Francisco

2009-12-20T19:33:00.000-08:00

The week has come to an end and in just a few hours we'll be boarding a plane back to the frigid East. In the meantime I want to say thank you for the City for such a warm welcome. Thank you to AGU for the climate change talks. Thank you to Chronicle Books for taking me out to lunch and for all the good conversation and yummy latte! Thank you to Book Passages in the Ferry Building and to Ron for hosting me and Kerry for taking photos and to Mary Anne (Jessica Lee's mom) for taking me out afterwards for wine and cheese (very French). Thank you to the pretty art student in Bloomies who let me photograph her. I just love all the colors in her outfit and her vintage coat. She reminds me a little of my daughter, who I will be seeing soon for the holidays.
Thank you the whole big beautiful city by the bay for opening up its arms to me!
I wish you all a joyous holiday with friends and family and good food and laughter, beauty, creativity and love, love love.

Amour tourjours, Jamie

2009-12-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

Do you see a pattern here?

2009-12-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

Here I am in beautiful San Francisco. I just had to pay a visit to Bloomies. We don't have much in the way of department stores on the Cape, so this was a major treat for me. I actually didn't buy much, but I love to window shop and get ideas. The French expression for this is lèchement des fenêtres--which literally translated means "licking the windows." So here are some of the goodies I spied. I'm sure you'll see a pattern here!

Styles of the Scientists

2009-12-15T11:43:00.000-08:00

I'm at the AGU (American Geophysicists Union) conference and I'm pleased to announce that I've spotted some very fashionable femmes here in San Francisco. I just adore this woman's coat and boots. Oh, and look at that hat! The entire effect is so charming. Very French, in fact.

Speaking of French, last night I had the most delicious dinner of grilled trout, fingerling potatoes and green beans at Cafe Claude--a fabulous French Bistro at Bush Street between Kearny and Grant.
Dr. Thompson had coq au vin and our dear friend (and famous) scientist-guest had lasagna--not very French, but she assured me it was delicious. We also enjoyed a chevre salad, a bottle of delicious zinfandel and lots of lively conversation on climate change. We ended the evening on 39th floor of the Marriot with more wine and a spectacular view of the San Francisco Bay!

Bonjour, Happiness!

Au revoir, VCCA! Bonjour, The Real World!

Bonjour, Virginia!

Bonjour, Baltimore!

Bonjour, AARP!

Une femme d'un certain age: 10 Days Of Chrismukkah: Cadeau No.3

The Gift of Creativity! The Writers Toolbox!

Bonjour, Cleveland!

Bonjour, France 24!

An Ode to Auvillar

The Culture of Pleasure

Bonjour, Climate Change!

Bonjour, France 24 TV!

The Calm after the Storm

Seeking Shelter from the Storm

Don't Step on my New Red Shoes!

Bonjour, Art Nouveau Dinner!

Bonjour, Art Nouveau!

Bonjour, Prague!

Bonjour, Muse & The Marketplace

Muse Micro-Interview 12:

Jamie Cat Callan

Bonjour, Hot Pink Cast!

Before the Accident

Bonjour, R.J. Julia's Bookstore

Bonjour, stylesubstancesoul!

Merci beaucoup to stylesubstancesoul for inviting me to guest blog today! And if you'd like me to guest blog for you, just say Bonjour!

Five Simple Ways to Add Joy to Your Everyday Life

by Jamie Cat Callan

share:

The eSSSence of Jamie Cat Callan

Bonjour, Commonwealth Reading Series!

Bonjour, Kirkus Reviews!

Bonjour, Big Apple!

There is no Groundhog Day in France, but they do have Crêpes!

How to Make Crepes

Joyeux Noël -Barbara- (avec sous-titres)

Bonjour, Bagels! Bonjour Brioches!

Bonjour, Browne & Company Stationers!

Bonjour, Hôpital! Final Installment

Bonjour, Hôpital! Part Deux

Bonjour, Hôpital!

Paris Color Story

Spelunking in Cute Shoes

Bonjour, Writers!

Bonjour, Auvillar!

Bonjour, Wedding Day!

Bonjour, Bridal Shower!

Bonjour, Bride and Her Bridesmaids!

Jamie Cat Callan embarks on a WHOI adventure with "A Girl's Guide to Climate Change"

Bonjour, Lady Detective!

Bonjour, Lace!

Bonjour, Carrie!

Bonjour, Paris!

Bonjour, Sex and the City!

Fishing with Bill

Bonjour, Springtime!

Paris in Palm Beach

Bonjour, Palm Beach!

A Bride and Her Bridesmaids

Femme d'un certain âge

Bonjour, Mister Pickles!

Bonne année!

I left my heart in San Francisco

Do you see a pattern here?

Styles of the Scientists