Je ne sais quoi translates to I don't know what. To Wiktionary, it's "an intangible quality that makes something distinctive or attractive." Merriam-Webster defines it as "something that cannot be adequately described or expressed," and Dictionary.com says it's "an indefinable, elusive quality, especially a pleasing one."
When drawn to someone without quite being able to explain why, you could say they have a 'certain je ne sais quoi.' The world has varied and changing definitions of beauty and obviously not everyone conforms to them. But everyone can have a certain je ne sais quoi, an inner beauty that shines through. Every person's je ne sais quoi would refer to something unique: a kind heart, a cheerful demeanor, a positive attitude, an inner drive to succeed, an innocent vulnerability, a will to live, a passion, a confidence, etc. It's that something special within that manifests itself without and is often described as a je ne sais quoi by one who perhaps doesn't know you well enough yet to describe it. That je ne sais quoi, I would argue, exhibits itself as beauty.
I used photos the Husband took of me this past Valentine's for this post. At the time, I'd decided to give fashion blogging a go but hadn't yet created the blog. It took awhile to make the decision then put it in action. I'm not always the most confident person. I have some scars on my face, my teenage awkward years lasted a ridiculously long time, and I certainly wasn't comfortable in front of a camera. But I think it was this shoot that nudged me to throw caution to the wind and go for it. I was working on something I felt passionate about {style, fashion}, and I felt loved by a dear Husband, who went home at lunch to leave this for me...
...and who was willing to go along with a rather vain vice and become my personal photographer. I was probably also a bit bewitched by the fact that it was a beautiful day for February, and that it was Valentine's and we were on our way to celebrate with dinner and these divine treats:
I felt happy and loved and, for the first time since we began outfit pictures, I also felt less posed and inhibited.
Perhaps it was a certain je ne sais quoi :)
To end, I can't help but add a few French beauty notes:
French Women's Beauty Tips and Secrets, from The Art of Being Feminine, a beautiful post about letting inner beauty shine by taking care of our bodies.
French Beauty, a documentary on the enduring image of beauty in France.
5 Top Beauty Secrets of French Women, by Mireille Divulges.
À bientôt, mes belles* :)
P.S. Post also linked up here to Frenchy's French Obsession Party!
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*À bientôt, mes belles = Until next time, beautiful
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3 comments:
OH MY GOSH A FRENCH TWIST ON BEAUTY?!?!?!?!?! BRILLIANT! I absolutely love love LOVE this post!!! Thanks so much for linking up today!
You look super cute, love the skirt.
And I love reading how your Hubs is super sweet to you in your posts. ♥
xoxo,
Addie
The Cat Hag
OH I j'adore ton blog! C'est magnifique! I am so happy to have found you. Not only do you have great style, you are a fellow francophone! Love your outfit posts, can't wait to read more. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
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