Helen@Quintessentially Jul 15, 20213 minFrance, Fleamarkets and FireworksBonne Fete Nationale “Vive le 14 juillet!” Bastille day to the English speaking world, but the French call today the Quatorze Juillet....
Helen@Quintessentially Jun 25, 20213 minFrench Foraged Delights – Elderflower Cordial The taste of summer One of my favourite summertime jobs in June is collecting elderflowers from our hedgerows here in Normandy and using...
Helen@Quintessentially May 10, 20213 minForaged Gold“Most of the dandelions had turned from sun into moons” Vladimir Nobokov The view over our back field, speckled with dandelions. With the...
Helen@Quintessentially Jan 28, 20212 minLes Belles Madeleines FrançaisesThese absolutely quintessentially French delights are buttery and light, the perfect way to impress visitors as they’re easy to make....
Helen@Quintessentially Dec 28, 20202 minThe Ancient Japanese Art of KintsugiI’ll always choose the cracked bowl, as that’s the one with the story to tell of an adventure and a life well lived. Why discard a loved...
Helen@Quintessentially Jan 12, 20202 minQuintessentially French Kimonos and the Belle Époque“L’Art pour l’art”… I’ve always believed fashion is art – an expression of beauty, of emotion, and of self. Does art or indeed fashion...
Helen@Quintessentially Jan 12, 20202 minPatina PerfectionBrocante hunting is for me not just a job, but a passion; a passion that has been with me since I started collecting as a very young...
Helen@Quintessentially Dec 31, 20192 minThe Roaring TwentiesThe Roaring 20s or the Jazz Age - an era of decadence and elegance.