You and I are starting something new and we want to be intentional as we design, create, and live a fabulous next chapter.
But, starting something new is hard unless you feel supported and understood.
If this channel has found you, welcome to our community!
I’m Sharri Harmel, 20+ year career coach who in my own next chapter, created this community of extraordinary women inspired by the Parisienne lifestyle, where I live part-time. I also live in Boston. I’ll bring you inspiring conversations around topics that support you through any challenges you are facing.
We talk about travel, mindset, style, wealth, and personal development. We’re about making dreams come true.
Subscribe to the channel to start your own next chapter journey. To discover more, go to www.ExtraordinaryWomenMagazine.com.
Oh my...thank you! You are very kind to say all though nice things. I have a huge smile on my face because this channel is all about inspiring others!!! Keep at it and share more about how you are working on your next chapter!!
Sherri you are right about many things you have stated but I also think that they have become more "Americanized" in many ways. When I lived in Paris back in the late 80's I lived in Les Halles and it was ok, sort of grungy, one of the oldest arrondissements in Paris. I follow Marloes of French Country Life (a Dutch family who moved to Burgundy about five years ago), in one of her videos she took a trip to Paris, can't remember why I think she was meeting up with friends, and she was walking right down Rue Rambuteau where I used to live! I could not believe the transformation! I could not believe the shops, the restaurants and the fact that many signs were in English! Back then you better know how to ask for something in French, or at least go to the store knowing where to find things because there were no cell phones to translate for you, and really, the French were sort of tough on non speakers of their language. I'm glad to hear that many of the old customs still exist, that's what makes the city exceptional but I tell you that I did not recognize the old neighborhood it went through a real Cinderella type change and appeared more foreigner friendly!
I couldn't agree more! I first came to Paris in 1996 and there was zero English. No menus, no hotels, no street signs, no bilingual french speaking people. The world is changing in so many ways. As much as I enjoy the ease of Paris today versus 20 years ago, it makes me worried that we will eventually lose the cultural differences of each region, and country. Great comment and food for thought. Thank you!
100% agree re schools again its a western thing USA, NZ, Australia, Canada etc history has disappeared & not enough life skills! home economics, metal work etc has all disappeared. I do same park further away & walk. I walk an hour everyday & going back to tennis this summer. Totally agree with your doctor totally! Weights are key! Thankyou that was a lovely chat
thank you for joining me! You are so right on- walking one hour every day and back to playing tennis. (I wish I could because I love that game.) Everyone is just so busy...everything needs to be fast and easy, which doesn't add much to our lives. Let's try to help the next generation slow down and enjoy life a little more.
Phones? I never take calls in public, I do NOT have an iphone! I tell people I will call them back & explain that I am out in public. Like you I loath it! I do not see it a problem here in Southern Australia. I always greet and say thankyou & have done always in shops etc. mmm Like you I think its falling away with young generations.
Agree in Australia I eat seasonally, its become a real thing, sadly USA does influence Australia too much. Everyone here is going back to seasonal. I've always eaten seasonally, shopped at farmers markets or just edited. I've just naturally followed as I was raised that way in Australia.
Yes France & Italy are the same re clothes & dressing. The French have the right idea about eating, food and lifestyle! Italy also.. 3 course lunch BUT THEY DONOT SNACK! like in the west
American to have big names etc. Australia its not a thing, rarely. Agree 100% on your under garments point. Americans always complain Australian homes donot have huge walkinrobes. Australia we say Mac Mansions as in Mac Donalds. I edit my wardrobe every year as 62 its a fit issue, I'll buy to replace. I'm now wearing more things I've kept for good more readily now and make a point of it. I've never worn alot of makeup as minimal
YOU are a role model!!! America is changing...and many people now can't afford huge houses. Thank heavens and I look in the mirror as I say that. Less is SO much more but sometimes we learn our lessons after a load of life experiences.
First time listener. Very interesting. Even though I am American, my grandmother was born in Italy and my mom was first generation American, yet I feel European. It’s in my blood literally. That is how the woman dressed and behaved. That is what I gravitate to. Thank you for sharing your experiences. ❤️
Thank you for joining me! How lovely that you have all your Italian culture to enjoy in your life and share with others.There are a couple of youtube videos that highlight well-dressed older women in Milan- incredible!
I've always felt more French than English, and eat and live like a French woman. I live in Brighton, UK, which is a walking city. We rarely use the car. We eat beautifully, if a little too much! 😂 I am dressing more like a French woman every season now. I speak decent French and belong to a French Circle. I would love to live in Paris for a season . I am 75 now, and have visited Paris 20 times, but have not lived there. I don't think my husband is so keen. I have a fantasy Paris apartment, which i furnish in my mind.😊 I've recently had both hips replaced and I'm determined to bounce back, but my knee has other ideas.😢
You are a beautiful writer, so write that chapter especially if you can't actually live it due to family and other limitations. Channel what is in your head into a story...because as you write, you'll be living it!
I enjoyed lessening to you love your classy approaches of describing the French culture im French but live in Australia and I had to adjust to the difference thank you for your lovely documentary au Revoir 😊🇦🇺🤗
Thank you for sharing your very interesting insights! Your videos are like mini seminars introducing so many fascinating topics to further explore. It’s a wonderful inspiration that you find creative ways to continue to put your academic background and gifts to continued use. I just offer my own opinion on some of the possible reasons for the elegant simplicity of the French fashion sense. Certainly, France reigns supreme around the world as the queen of fashion. But, historically, this owes much to Italy, with Milan today remaining unseated, after many centuries, as the fashion center of the world. Still, the Parisians have always had a flair for the dramatic which, for example, might distinguish a playful Chanel from a classic Armani. The French have also been ,of course, notable for centuries for the great success of their textile industries and their fashion houses. However, this same prosperity goes back much further in Italy to the Renaissance and before, with the prominence of the Italian merchant class in the trade of exquisite fabrics, and leathers across Europe. In France, beautiful materials and excellent tailoring were long synonymous with “imported,” placing great cost and prestige on these two elements and demand for designs that would show them off as marks of wealth and exclusivity. Just as now remains the case in The States today, with a premium set on costly, imported French goods. The cultural French penchant for a dramatic, but sophisticated, impact is most visible in the emphasis on clean lines which allow the exceptional beauty of the fabrics to take center stage. This is enhanced by the exquisite tailoring which demands simple lines to be appreciated. Both of these bring to focus the high cost, and therefore exclusivity, of any piece. And, until fairly recent times, this also announced to the world that your blouse was of expensive imported Italian silk, your bag of luxurious Italian leather. I believe that you also mentioned the benefit of the treat for the senses, which only extremely luxurious materials and tailoring guarantee and would be lost to anything superfluous in design. The French also deeply value tradition, loving the pieces passed down through generations, which must be simply elegant in order to rise above passing fashion. And their innate frugality means that they invest in classic pieces of quality over quantity, creating a distinctive Parisian style, building a carefully chosen wardrobe over time, again requiring simple classics. The desire for imported (Italian) materials and tailoring first met the French requirements for outstanding workmanship to place the focus of their wardrobe, not so much on what they wore, as their place in society, their wealth, good taste and, as you mentioned, the beauty of their face and figure, to make a dramatic appearance supported and surrounded by the elegance of the quiet mystery they create with their fashion wherever they go. To my American eye, I sometimes balk at what almost seems a uniform in the Parisian wardrobe. But, in fact, this is where sophisticated Parisian taste really shines. In order to creatively express themselves, while remaining true to basic Parisian fashion sense (which really is to avoid fashion completely, in favor of style) they have to be very smart, which is probably one thing they value well above clothes. They find very subtle, therefore sophisticated, ways to bring a personal twist to the classics, with that playful appreciation that doesn’t take life or themselves quite as seriously as they might at first appear to. This might be one reason why they might really splurge when it comes to extravagantly beautiful and unique lingerie. 😊💗
In California, you have so many wonderful fruits and veggies at your markets. Minimal transportation needed for farm to table! Much harder to do in other areas within the united states but we can keep trying. Go local!!
Hi Sharri! I love your YT! I can relate to your story about Paris, I feel in love the minute I stepped out of the car to the hotel. More please and thank you.
Hi Sharri, interesting video. Agree wholeheartedly with the exercise and cell phone use. As I age, I struggle with trying to look more feminine. I had to give up wearing contacts and I don't like wearing much makeup. I usually just put my hair in a ponytail but it just seems rather meh. Maybe I should try a bit of jewelry and be more attentive to the small details? Thanks for the suggestions.
Oh gosh, I'm right there with you. A ponytail is my go-to hairstyle, but let's both try to add more fabulous earrings. They can make us feel pretty and more feminine, regardless of our age. Plus, I actually think we look younger the less makeup we wear as we age, the younger we look. Don't underestimate yourself!
Isn’t Boston a rather conservatively dressed town, the preppy look? I lived there during my college years and for several afterwards. Heading to Paris in November, any suggestions on where to stay?
Oh Boston has changed too...like the rest of the USA, it's become more and more casual. One has no idea who is in an office and who is on a daily walk. There are many special hotels in Paris, so focus on an area that you want to be in most of the time- I love the 7th arrondissment but only the area that borders the 6th, and I like the 6th A. But that is right for me given I like certain parks and shops and cafes. Chose the area and then focus in on hotels in that area.
Hi Shari. This is my first time weighing in. I enjoy your channel. I am 63 and I believe that the younger boomers (like myself) and generations afterward basically decided they didn't want to partake in this way of dress. My mother worked as a seamstress/fitter in a boutique, then I Magnins, and then Bloomingdales and was very aware of styles. But I distinctly remember as a teenager, that the trend was Lee and Levi jeans, and it never stopped. The difference between France and the US is also that really and truly France is made up of mostly French people and therefore they have a certain look. Whereas the States has many different influences. Also US women now are happier to create their own trends, which is also why so much decluttering goes on. And we have the closets to be able to do so. I certainly like to have my own eclectic style as it says more about me as an individual. I also think France is the only place where women dress like that. That is certainly not the way in the UK or Ireland.
Great comments and I agree with you. America is a big country, and how a woman of a certain age dresses in NYC versus Miami, California versus Texas, all very different! Same for London versus Cotswolds. Different weather, different functions, different customs. I hope I didn't imply we all need to take on a uniform of sorts- we each need to create our own style and it sounds like you have done just that.
It’s interesting how American style had changed over the last 100 or so years. If we read American Tragedy by Dreiser - we’ll see how European like American fashion used to be. Girls wore beautiful dresses and coats, and men suits, and ties, and leather shoes. But of course in new world this kind of dress code was always a sign of people of class, a men of consequence, as Dreiser put it. Jeans and similar kind of outfits were originally created for enslaved workers toiling on plantations and other places. At some point in time classical style of fashion has become less desirable, jeans became a mainstream outfit. With sportswear now becoming more fashionable than ever. All of that continues to make American everyday street fashion to drift away even further from where it started in the 19 century.
Yes- all well put- and fashion does change as our way of life changes- even climate change is shifting the seasons and how intense each season becomes. That said, we are each trying to be true to ourselves, and take the time to present ourselves in such a way that makes us feel confident and visible.
انا ابوس ايدك بس صعدو تعليقي خل يشوفو الناس نحن مسنا الضر وين الامه الاسلاميه بكيت متنا من القهر لمن اشكي انا اختك من يمن والله ماتكلمت الا من جوع ومن ضيق الحال انا وكامل اسرتي تشردنا من بيوتنا بَسَبَبَ الَحَرَبَ نَحَنَ فَيَ حَالَهَ لَايَعَلَمَ بَهَا الَا الَلَهَ حَسَبَنَا الَلَهَ وًّنَعَمَ الَوكيَلَ فَيَ مَنَ اوًّصَلَنَا الَى هَاذا الَحَالَ 💔💔وًّالَلَهَ الَعَظَيَمَ مَا كتَبَتَ هَذا الَمَنَاشَدَهَ... غَيَرَ مَنَ الَضَيَقَ وّالَفَقَر يَاعَالَمَ حَسَوّا فَيَنَا ارَجَوّكمَ وّالَلَهَ الَعَظَيَمَ رَبَ الَعَرَشَ الَعَظَيَمَ انَه الَاكلَ مَا فَيَ عَنَدَيَ بَالَبَيَتَ وًّالَلَهَ يَا اخَوّانَيَ انَهَ اخَوًّنَيَ بَقَعَدَوًّ بَالَيَوًّمَيَنَ مَافَى اكلَ وًّالَلَهَ وًّضَعَنَا كثَيَرَ صَعَبَ نَحَنَ 4 نَفَرَ دَاخَلَ الَبَيَتَ وًّابَيَ مَتَوًّفَيَ وًّلَا يَوًّجَدَ مَنَ يَعَوًّلَ عَلَيَنَا وًّسَاكنَيَنَ فَيَ بَيَتَ اجَارَ لَانَسَتَطَيَعَ دَفَعَ الَاجَارَ الَلَيَ بَاقَيَ عَلَيَنَا ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' اخي اول كلامي انا اقسم بالله على كتاب الله اني لااكذب عليك ولا انصب ولا احتال اني بنت يمنيه نازحين انا واسرتي بيننا ایت الشهرب 20 الف يمني والان علينا 60 الف حق 3 شهور وصاحب البيت من الناس الي ماترحم والله يا اخي انه يجي كل يوم يبهدلنا ويتكلم علينا ويريد من البيت للشارع لانناماقدرنا ندفعله الأجار شافونا الجيران نبكي ورجعو تكلمو الجيران ومهلنالاخره الأسبوع معادفعنا له حلف يمين بالله هذا بيخرجنا إلى الشارع رحمه واحنا. بلادنا بسبب هذا الحرب ولانجد قوت يومنا وعايشين اناوامي واخوتي سفار والدنا متوفي الله يرحمه ومامعنا أحد في هذا الدنيا جاانبنا في هذه الظروف القاسيه اخوتي الصغار خرجو للشارع وشافو الجيران ياكلو واوقفو عند بابهم لجل يعطوهم ولو كسره خبز والله الذي له ملك السموات والارض انهم غلفو الباب وطردوهم ورجعو یبکو ایموتو من الجوع ما احد رحمهم وعطلة ردها لقمت عیش والان لوما احدنا ساعدنا في إيكيلو دقيق اقسم بالله انموت من الجوع فيا اخي انا دخيله على الله ثم عليك واريد منك المساعده لوجه الله انشدك بالله تحب الخير واتساعدني ولو ب 500 تراسلي واتساب على هذا الرقم 00967714395245 وتطلب اسم بطاقتي وترسلي ولاتتاخر وايعوضك الله بكل خير اخواني سغار شوف كيف حالتهم وساعدنا وأنقذنا قبل أن يطردونا في الشارع تتبهدل أو نموت من الجوع وانا واسرتي نسالك بالله لولك مقدره على مساعد لاتتاخر علينا وجزاك الله خير الجزاء يا اهل........ن. ، ءء........نا............... الإنسانيه. ..................دددن ،،، ....،،،....ن....،،،،،،ءاءا،،ء،،،ءءء..ءء. ء ء ء ء،،،،،.......زززووووووو🎉وو🎉و😢و🎉🎉و🎉و🎉وو🎉و🎉::
Please please do not present Le Bon Marché as a normal shopping place in Paris. It is a high end place where only maybe 20% of Parisians shop. Many Parisians do not even know it or have never entered it. Do not give a false impression of Paris.
Thank you! They are from Pierre Frey. Not the most comfortable in the world but oh so beautiful. (I purchased them after a long day of walking and I think I was so relieved to sit down that they felt super comfortable!)
Loved walking with you through Back Bay and into Eataly. We have an Eataly in Toronto, a very big one, that opened some years ago. Can't say I've eaten there as the prices are really out of my budget but the design is always lovely to take in. As for the chocolates you purchased in the books, I'm not surprised they tasted old. When you look at those huge displays, you have to wonder who is buying all that? The answer is, very few people, and those displays probably stay up for a very long time. Thanks for your honesty!
Yes, I find all American foods have too much sugar! In Australia we notice it if anyone goes to the US they are shocked by the sugar and size of the portions. Thats disappointing. I love boxes & tins. Never judge a book by its cover as they say.
You are so right!! But I love the tins the mediocre chocolate came in, so maybe a good reminder. About portion sizes, it is a condition no more. Since covid every company as had to cut corners- and restaurants have cut portion size, which is a good thing. I wish they'd cut out the sugar!@!
Born in Weymouth MA and in the 1970's as a teen spent a lot of time walking around Boston. Love the Pru. Too bad your sweets were stale. Should have gone to the North End for them. Maria's is closed but I know there is another place still open. Hi from Oregon.
I love the North End and you are so correct- that is where you go for wonderful Italian food- but Eataly gets so much hype that I wanted to check it out. And I agree...no one who lives in Boston seems to go there and maybe that's part of the issue. If there was better food, it could have been an Italian market for those in the other end of Boston.
I couldn't agree more! It could have been fabulous though, and could have been an amazing food resource for those living in the back bay/south end. If only the Eataly leaders would ask for our opinions!
Thank you for sharing your perusal of Bon Marche, it is a very special store and keeps the integrity of the French shopping experience to this day, I loved walking through with youxxx
The integrity of French shopping experience !!! That is laughable. Hardly 20% of Parisians shop at Le Bon Marchė. Many do not even know it exists or what it is !!!
Sharri, just returned from northern Italy, Eataly is in Verona !! Lots of memories from this video. I Grew up in Beverly,MA., north shore. I have experienced the same disappointment With items purchased but packaged beautifully! (Eye candy) Looking forward to your book !!!! Thank you for continuing inspiration❤
Hi Donna. Years ago I lived just north of Beverly in Beverly Farms. My daughter attended Landmark so I had a little apartment there. I fell in love with MA, especially the north shore then and haven't ever really left. You have access to wonderful and real Italian food, so we are a bit spoiled. Too bad though that people who don't, think Eataly is real. Thank you for joining me!
I am 72. I JUST discovered your channel!!!! SO Happy about this discovery😊. As a young person I studied French for eight years, Italian and Spanish for two years. Life did not take me where I intended and I did not use these beloved subjects. To discover someone who managed to do so is DELIGHTFUL! I currently live in Seacoast New Hampshire, VERY happily so and I thank YOU for your inspiration. I AM a subscriber as of today!!!
Welcome Janice! Well, you live in beautiful spot and learning a language is a bit like living somewhere and embracing the culture. We can travel locally, internationally or even in our imaginations!
Tanya- good to hear you enjoyed it! Well, I decided not to do the big reno, sold that apartment and purchased another but it had a clothing moth issue that had to be resolved before the co-op board would allow the sale. So, I'm in a rental for three months. You'll see the before's and after of my fun decorating in a future video. It felt so good though to finally close on that apartment. The move in is planned for the end of October. Our spaces are so important to our emotional health aren't they???
Some fresh flowers would be more welcoming & inviting & some period features even if that was the art work. Big 10/10 for the bathroom and windows. I disagree with the Amercian woman about the flower longevity. Fresh water every 2nd or 3rd and trim and keep leaves & foliage out of the water. Loved the candle maker! Extraordinary location & fabric man amazing
Looks like you're having some nice end of summer weather! I enjoyed the neighborhood walk, very interesting. I was really surprised when you mentioned that you were renting because you are having your apartment renovated, I thought that in one of your recent videos you were filled with qualms about what to do (if to sell or to renovate) because you weren't really feeling connected to the property and weren't sure that you wanted to live there at all. I guess you did a pros & cons list and the pros won out! I hope it turns out as lovely as your beautiful apartment in Paris and that you love it as much once it's totally finished.
You are on top of things! Yes- I did do a pro con list for the big apartment reno and you are correct- it was a resounding NO! I purchased another apartment but the closing was taking forever so I had to move to a rental until it was finalized. Believe it or not the apartment had a clothing moth problem, and the co-op demanded the owner do a major fumigation before the sale could be complete. This apartment only needs the fun things done- painting, wallpaper, new upholstery...the fun aspects of a new home. I'll do a tour when I can!
I’ve been to the Eataly in NY and in Istanbul. Always had good luck with my purchases. Hope you returned the stale packaged items you bought and told them the problem.
I didn't as I opened them up and tried a few of the chocolates. Maybe i"m just picky. I only like really good chocolates...and Paris spoiled me. Or maybe it's a Boston Eataly issue?? I have to check out others. Thanks for the ideas!
