Inspired by Paris: Why Borrowing from the French Is Better Than Being French

Jordan Phillips was born in Texas and raised in California. She holds a master’s degree in fashion marketing and management(Paris), and a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism (Cal Poly). She is the founder of Lure of Luxe LLC. and the author of Sustainable Luxe: A Guide to Feel-Good Fashion and The Lure of Luxe: Climbing the Luxury Consumption Pyramid. She currently lives in New York City with her husband and daughter and visits her apartment in Paris as often as possible.Before seeing France, she underestimated how utterly different it would feel to be in a place where peeling paint and cramped quarters could actually seem appealing. The flawless architecture looked like it was plucked straight from those vintage French Riviera travel posters, though the distinct lack of upkeep was at first jarring to her American eyes. But she quickly began to appreciate how a little decay softened the façades and added to the overall charm. She lived in Paris permanently for two years.Obsessed with Paris, it became her endless source of inspiration. For her, it is the most beautiful city in the world, and its charms have been casting spells on visitors for centuries. Its magic bowled her over upon her first arrival, and it continues to mystify and enchant her to this day.This book is more than guide for a visit. It is a personal account of an American fashion, design and lifestyle professional, who with her academic background and research efforts, set up a multi- layered document covering French lifestyle from an American perspective. She includes comparisons with the USA.All of the push and pull that she has described in this book between French and American cultures, she expertly blends the best aspects from both cultures in the book, which can be seen as a handbook for cultural relations. If you frequently fantasize about travelling to France, then you might enjoy the little journey with the author. It doesn’t matter if you’re headed to Paris next week or if you never go.So learning about another culture for no real reason or contemplating travel without plans to actually leave the house might feel a bit odd. Some researchers from the Netherlands took it upon themselves to do a psychological study about the connection between anticipation and happiness. The study, published in Applied Research in Quality of Life in 2010, found that vacationers felt happiest before their trips.1 By removing the end result, you free yourself to just enjoy the journey. As the saying goes, “anticipation is the greater part of pleasure.”2 If you haven’t already, start watching French films, and you’ll realize that they don’t feel the need to wrap up everything with a pretty Hollywood bow at the end. Sometimes they do; sometimes they don’t. Ça dépend. French films don’t need to have a happy ending or even an ending at all.Travel is the same; you can save, plan, anticipate, and complete a trip to Paris, or you can just be inspired by Paris. Either way, if you go about it with an open mind and a desire to learn, you will not be disappointed. Do not miss out on one of the main reasons to go to Paris, which is to watch the world go by and observe Parisians in their natural habitat.Because the book has a social, cultural, geographical and historical base, readers can assume directives about design, fashion, culinary art, fine arts, history and the architectural wealth of Paris.And sitting at one of the little outside French cafes, the author realized that she had to go back alone after her first visit. She could sit for hours and just soak up the inspiration. Now she knows why artists, writers, poets, and designers go there. Just being in that atmosphere makes her want to read, write, draw, and cook.You will find concise descriptions as appendices of -•  where to eat• what to do• where to go as a tourist.The author attaches -• Appendix A: Fun French facts (customs, culture, history).•  Appendix B: Recommendations relating to French life in cinematography, literature, aspects about famous persons through their connection to France.• Appendix C: Directives relating to geographical aspects, cultural venues, lifestyle, customs, traditions which promote understanding and cater for tourists in France.She points out places, people and entertainment that makes Paris mystical. Places where art can be seen or bought, popular entertainment venues like opera houses, dance theatres, museums, historical monuments and other popular venues. Historic  beginnings, evolution, renovations and contemporary sites are described.Summary Excerpt“Paris provides an excellent quality of life and sense of community. If you take out the bureaucracy and boxes, you are left with a charming city that’s full of comforting rituals and cultural excitement. A café can be like a best friend: entertaining you when you’re up, consoling you when you’re down, people-watching with you when the weather is nice, warming you up when it’s cold. The croissants will always be tasty, and crossing the Seine will always be pleasing. Once you find your people, they will stick with you. And whether you’re interested in art, design, dance, music, literature, architecture, food, wine, fashion, film, history, or all of the above, there will be more interesting exhibitions and events than you can possibly manage. Paris spoils you with freedom, beauty, and choice.”Scarlett Jensen7 November 2016

This is an unusual hybrid between travel guide, memoir and slightly self-help-ish book, but it somehow actually works well.The author clearly loves France and French people, but she also isn't afraid of telling about some not so glamorous sides of living in Paris. I found that very refreshing and her writing style is witty and entertaining enough so she doesn't come across as patronizing or snobbish. The narrative isn't very coherent, the author jumps from topic to topic, from advice to personal confessions to the general life wisdom. That can be a little off-putting at times, but that is rare and it doesn't take away from the good parts.I never went to Paris or France and I don't know if I ever will or even if I would like to go. However, I enjoyed this book because it is not strictly about travel advice and tourist guiding, it is more of a specific point of view that this author has and which I found very fun to read about. Give it a try.

I found “Inspired by Paris: Why Borrowing from the French Is Better Than Being French” to be very touching while giving realistic opinions and point-of-views about “everything French”. Ms. Jordan Phillips gently encourages you to experience France, to put down your pre-conceptions and biases and to open yourself to new French experiences.I also liked that Jordan did not use this book as an instrument to bash either culture but instead used it as a mirror for all to see and form their own opinions. I liked the comparisons of single living in the States and France, I think it was so clear, fresh and evenhanded.Jordan’s love and interest in France is clear for all to see as she shares her experiences with passion. I liked her insights and found this book to be well written and straight from the heart. This book, to me, is a partial travelers’ guide as it tells you the right places to go and things to do, while it is also a personal history of a “French” resident.

In the two days it has taken me to read this book, I feel I have been on a whirlwind tour of Paris; this book is so interesting and full of facts. I feel I have much more of an understanding about the vast differences between French and American culture. Jordan Phillips even explains why French people think Americans are loud. Apparently it is because English is spoken using the diaphragm, whereas French is spoken at the front of the mouth! Who knew! I loved the part where Jordan Phillips explains the inflexible nature of French bureaucracy – even her gynaecologist’s office staff can’t seem to get their head around the fact that Jordan is both a male and female name. All her correspondence was fastidiously addressed to Monsieur Jordan Phillips! This book will tell you what books to read and films to see before you go to Paris and, when you get there, how best to enjoy being a Parisian instead of a visitor to this magical capital.

I think the goal of this book was to entice people and make them want to travel to Paris (it does tend to wander a bit and lose focus), though it had the exact opposite effect on me! I'm not sure why I would want to subject myself to snobby women, dirty and rundown buildings, etc. I think I'd rather travel to a destination where I felt welcome and not looked down upon.That said, the book is well written, although it almost feels like a high school term paper on Paris at times because so many random things are thrown in along with the story, like a whole chapter on wine and a list of French films. It think it would've been more interesting to hear in detail about the author's actual time there, rather than just how much she loves it there.In conclusion, I wasn't really sure what to make of this book. If you love all things French, then it might be for you.

I really enjoyed reading this ebook. Many of the author's view points echoed my own. I think it's wonderful to be able to learn and incorporate aspects of other cultures to enhance and enriche your life. It's very easy to read and quite entertaining at times. I've since purchased some other books written by this author and found them all very inspirational. Love it.

I'm sorry hon, but not worth it. More of a 'how to be happy with yourself regardless of what the French think' than a how to. Too many pages on wine. WAAYYYYYYYY too many pages on wine.

I felt that much of the content had been covered by other authors and there was little of the book that was original.