Joie

Introduction
 
There s life, and then there s the good life. I first traveled to Paris from New York for a single day as an undergrad and then again for a few months as a graduate student of the decorative arts. Those initial introductions opened my eyes to how Parisians lived so differently from me. But it was not until I returned for love, moving here permanently with my Swiss husband, and eventually became a mom to two very Parisian kids, that I took a closer look at the culture. I noticed the driving force behind the way the French live their lives.
 
It s joie de vivre. The joy of living.
 
Parisians find joy in what they eat, where they go, conversations they have, and how they spend their time. Simple things. It s their North Star. So, what does that look like? Instead of pushing a shopping cart through a giant superstore to stock up on items in bulk, they might prefer to wait in a longer line for a single freshly made baguette from the local boulangerie. A stroll through the open-air marché (market) for produce, chatting up the sellers, is a lovely morning activity. They buy fresh flowers for their homes weekly, not only on special occasions. They stop for a coffee with a friend after dropping kids off at school and before heading to work. They take leisurely lunches and might even have a glass of wine if they feel like it. Many Frenchies love walking through the flea market on a Saturday or Sunday to dig through antiques, searching for mix-and-match porcelain plates or crystal glassware. When they join with friends and family at a table, it s beautifully set with all the different pieces they have found, the better for enjoying long, even epic, multi-course meals when conversation might revolve around wine, travels, and history. Rarely do they talk about work.
 
No matter if we re in Paris or at home, we all want to live the good life. You know, the kind of life that doesn t always feel rushed. When you savor small moments

Ajiri Aki is the co-author of Where s Karl? and has worked as a stylist and on fashion exhibitions for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of the City of New York. After moving to Paris, Ajiri started her successful design business, Madame de la Maison, a rental company and online boutique. She still lives in Paris, now with her husband and two children.

Tastemaker Ajiri Aki makes French living look positively delightful in this gorgeous book . . . For the Francophile in your life, there s no better book to gift them this season. Conde Nast Traveler

In Joie, the secrets to that enviable way of being la belle vie Parisienne are decoded in a language that we can all understand, with practical tips and philosophical musings that only locals are privy to. More than being a terrific guide to the city, it's a thoroughly comprehensive guide to better living. Chioma Nnadi, editor of Vogue online

When seeking inspiration for how to live life beautifully, you have to look to someone whose aesthetic and very way of life not only inspires joy but is effortlessly beautiful and a thing of substance.  Ajiri Aki is that person, and her book Joie is not only inspiring but a practical insight into French life as seen through her magnificently stylish eyes. A must-read for its visual impact as well as for Ajiri's engaging storytelling. Paula Sutton, author of Hill House Living
 
Ajiri Aki's Joie is not only a visual and inspirational masterpiece, but a well-rounded window into the French way of life. Aki highlights the lessons that each reader can apply to their own lives with engaging storytelling, personal anecdotes, and practical advice. La belle vie, indeed! Lindsey Tramuta, journalist and author of The New Paris and The New Parisienne

A true insider's guide to Paris. Ajiri Aki generously spills the secrets of everything from cheese etiquette to how to host an apéro. I loved seeing Paris and Parisians through her eyes. Pamela Druckerman, author of Bringing Up Bébé and There Are No Grown-ups

Ajiri understands the nuances of a fabulous French life and the meaning of seizing beauty and joy with an equal amount of zeal. Jessie Kanelos Weiner, illustrator and co-author of Paris in Stride

So many people are searching for joy and are