A dash of Christmas Magic, French style.

On my birthday, back in January, I had a gorgeous brunch with my girlfriends. At that brunch Anna & Rach gave me a gift voucher for a French cooking class at Le Tres Bon.

 

 

I had intended to use it earlier in the year but surgery, chemo and radiation always seemed to get in the way. So...I saved my little golden ticket for one of the Christmas classes and rallied a couple of girlfriends to join me.

Today was our class and it was such marvellous fun!

Le Tres Bon is a completely charming French restaurant and cooking school down the main street of the village of Bungendore.

 

 

You know you're onto a good thing when you step inside and are greeted with a friendly hello and a made-to-order coffee.

Owners Christophe and Josephine Gregoire gave us a warm welcome and we chatted amongst ourselves with our coffees until everyone had arrived.

 

 

Chef Christophe showed us how to make Nougat Glace de Noel (Christmas Nougat Icecream) and it was a pleasure to watch him turn eggs, sugar, fruit, nuts, cream, honey and spices into an irresistably beautiful dessert.

 

 

Then it was our turn to make some French Christmas magic...while sipping on flutes of champagne tinted with rosy red hibiscus flowers.

 

 

Do you know the difference between Italian, Swiss and French Meringue? We do...and they're all delicious!

 

 

It was such a relaxing and fabulously fun lesson with plenty of playful banter and a handful of interesting foodie tips thrown in for good measure.

When the class had finished we all sat down to a beautiful lunch with a glass of rose and joyful conversation.

And rounded off our meal with that yummy nougat icecream.

 

Thank you Anna & Rach for the perfect birthday present.

Thank you Lisa & Amita for your fabulous company.

Thank you Christophe and Josephine. We had such a great time that we've already penciled next year's classes into our calendars.

 

 

If you live in the Canberra area and are looking for a fabulous French dining experience or want to take a class then contact

Le Tres Bon.

Bon Appetit

xx

 

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So Frenchy, So Chic

Time for a little style file of the French persuasion.

After receiving instructions from my girlfriends that I needed to get something indulgent, just for me, with some of the money raised from the fundraiser, I decided to buy the vintage leather handbag that I'd always wanted.

Sorcha's Etsy store Dandelion Daydreamer is where I found my little gem. She's a fab Irish girl living in the south of France with the knack of finding gorgeous vintage gems at European markets and boutiques. Awesome combination right there folks!

Feast your eyes on my yummy Texier leather satchel found in a Paris market.

Mmmmmm....the smell of old leather, the beautiful craftsmanship, a bag with a history & a story to tell.

Sorcha does a beautiful job of ensuring each item is in pristine condition and mine arrived on my doorstep within a week. Totally fab customer service peeps...I dare you to take a look and come away not having found a gem for yourself!

Lovely, lovely, lovely!!!

And nothing compliments a gorgeous handbag better than a gorgeous silk headscarf...

Another Paris find that was a gift from my darling friend Catherine.

I've been wearing it a lot lately.

A square of silk, so simple, so very chic!

What's inspiring your styling today?

xxx

 

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