La Séduction: How the French Play the Game of Life

Over a couple glasses of wine, a business acquaintance from France quickly became an intimate friend as we discussed the differences in dating in France and America. I tried to explain exactly what "hooking up" could encompass and that dating was a game with strict rules (including 1. Double the amount of time between his response time and your own. 2. Continue to see other people until you are exclusive.). She voiced her frustration at these unnecessary complications and laughed when I told her how couples become "official" over here. (Her exact words were, "We stopped saying that when we were ten!")

In Elaine Sciolino's new book, La Séduction, former New York Times Paris bureau chief tries to uncover how France and the French succeed at charming the rest of the world -- and each other. From the social bise andbaisemain, or traditional kiss of the hand greeting, to the multiple definitions of seduire, and even the overtly sexual commercials, Sciolino covers them all.

To read the rest of my Huffington Post review, click here.

Happy Valentine's Day!

From Paris' Patrick Rogert

YSL Retrospective in Paris

1983 dress for the perfume Paris

Unless you're in Paris now, chances are you, like me, will miss the retrospective of Yves Stain Laurent at Le Petit Palais. Spanning his career from Dior in 1958 to his last collection in 2002, the exhibit showcases 300 couture pieces and 7 from his ready-to-wear collection. A slideshow on the retrospective's website gives a glimpse of what we're missing...

Heartthrob Parisian Baker

Photo Courtesy of Toby GlanvilleFrench food celebrity Gontran Cherrier woos Parisians with his creative breads and smoking good looks. Check the Nowness' interview with the 31-year-old baker.

When will the Food Network give this sexy chef his own show?