The Ingredients of Love

I found The Ingredients of Love by Nicolas Barreau on the sale table at Munro’s. (The best $5.99 I’ve ever spent!)

It’s the charming story of Aurelie Bredin, a chef and restauranteur.

Aimlessly wandering the streets of Paris after a nasty break-up, she ends up in a quaint bookshop, where she discovers an astonishing novel.

How is it astonishing, you ask. Let me tell you: Aurelie and her restaurant are characters in the book! (I know–how cool would that be?)

Aurelie becomes slightly obsessed with the novel and its handsome, yet reclusive English author. Determined to contact him, she becomes acquainted with Andre, the book’s gruff French editor.

The rest of the novel involves her entanglement with Andre, who holds the key to contact with the mysterious author.

To say anymore would give away too much of this delightful novel.

Shop My Closet

It’s not secret that I love to shop. Spending a day roaming through the mall is one of my favourite things to do. I don’t always buy things. It’s just fun to look.

Of course, you’re more likely to find that irresistible _______ (insert appropriate noun: dress, shoes, jeans, top, purse, sweater, other) if you spend all your free time shopping.

Once said special item has been located, it’s almost impossible to walk away without it. After all, you might never find something as _______ (insert appropriate adjective: cute, flattering, comfortable, slimming, unique, other) again. You’d be a fool to walk away from it, even if you already have three to five similar items at home.

I’m resolving to shop my closet until my sailor returns. We have big plans for our future which include a university education for our brilliant boy, a boat for our brilliant sailor and a trip or three back to Paris for our brilliant blogger. It’s time to look ahead to the big picture instead of falling for the instant gratification of whatever catches my eye at the mall (or lately, online.)

This will be easier said than done as nothing fills the big sailor-shaped void in my life like something pretty and new, but I will do my best to limit shopping for stuff I don’t need.

Things I will continue to buy without guilt:
1. Books (did you hear about the woman who discovered live bedbugs in a library book???–ewww!)
2. Skin care items (yes, I splurge on Clarins, but skin is actually a vital organ so this technically counts as health care.)
3. Salon visits (I have challenging Ukrainian wavy hair–thanks, Dad!–that needs serious TLC from highly trained professionals!)
4. The occasional latte while I’m on the go (life is tough and everyone needs a little treat now and then–this is mine. I’ve already switched to wine from a box. I can’t give up my Starbucks fix.)