The Czar's Choice: Mademoiselle Poirot

Hello lovelies! I hope you are all having a fantastic summer so far, despite the lack of sunshine, but hey- that's England for you. I for one am joyous at the fact that I have finally secured a job and received my Classics degree all in the same week. I can't say I'm going to miss sleepless nights over Ovid's whiny antics in exile, but I am going to miss being a student up in fabulous Leeds. It's been a great three years my friend, and I am sure the city has not seen the last of me. 

This month I've decided to begin a series of featurettes showcasing some of my favourite blogs to read. Over the past year I have met some fabulous people who happen to share the same love of blogging as I do, and I just thought it would be awesome if I could share the reasons why I love their work. You may have come across them before and if you have, well then, isn't it obvious why they are featured? Some of my personal favourites on the blogsphere offer not only their love of fashion but also art, design, travel, and food amongst other things. It's just inspiring looking at their enthusiasm and genuine passion you know? So here goes. 

The prestigious title of being the first featured blog goes to....Mademoiselle Poirot! Woop! :)

Carole Poirot is the author of her blog Mademoiselle Poirot, a space that allows her creative genius manifest and a great site for those of you who like interior design, crafts and great photography. A true arbiter of all things chic, this Parisienne's personal style and great taste has received significant recognition from the media, not only for her blog but as Heart Home Magazine recently discovered, her fabulously decorated abode. Just absolutely beautiful! You can see the photos here. Her style is whimsical, yet classically romantic and it is this combination that truly makes Mademoiselle Poirot exceptional. 

I met this lovely lady by chance at last year's Vogue Fashion's Night Out event, and have since become good online buddies (although I really think we owe it to ourselves to finally meet up again before our first year anniversary! ^^). I happened to have been queueing at Liberty London to have my Vogue cover photo taken and a group of ladies in front of me and I got to talking about the awesome foulards in the Scarf Room and how we may get to wear some for the photo op. I remembered Carole because she was so fierce that she posed on her own. The next day when the photos came up on Facebook, we spotted each other, got to talking and have been acquainted since then. She was the first blogger I met outside University and so I thought it was only fitting that she is also the first feature for my series. I was so happy when she agreed to my request and so to go with this little piece, I also asked the Mademoiselle herself for a little chat! All we need is a pot of rose tea and some Ladurée macarons really. :) 

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Thank you for letting me do this to you Carole! How does it feel being The Czar's Choice eh? ^^
CP: Fabulous! I'm really flattered especially since you know fashion a lot better than I do. Thank you so much!

Have you always been this chic? I know that word is just dropped all the time nowadays, but seriously, that's just how I feel you are! 
CP: Thank you! I don't consider myself chic at all! I generally know what I like - though I've had my fair share of faux pas - and like to keep things relatively easy-going and laid-back. I like to think that I put quality above quantity when it comes to clothes. I'm not very "bling" or overly fashionable, but I do like my accessories - I have a big collection of scarves 

It figures, and we met in the Scarf Room at Liberty's too! How fitting! Tell me about your style. Would you say that living in London has affected your Parisian palette?
CP: One thing I've learned since living in London (and I've also lived in other parts of the UK and Germany) is that nobody really bats an eyelid (apart from tourists) even when you've messed up - which can be handy and quite liberating. I guess though, with my "look", that I kind of "go under the radar". My style doesn't shout "look at me" - having said that, I have been stopped by ITV once and snapped for their style feature which was surreal...

I like your style though, it's very effortless. I do agree though that London is more welcoming of more adventurous dressing. Tom Ford did comment on it before, and he said that you can't do that in the US because having too much style is tacky across the pond. Do you think there is such a thing as having too much style?
CP: Hmm, difficult one. I guess that depends on your definition of style? As a whole I think that no, you can't have too much style. It's a sign of personality, knowing what suits you and feeling good in your own skin. Style shouldn't be confused with fashion though. Being a fashion victim is never stylish...

Agreed. Speaking of style, we both talk about how much we love shopping, even though most times we don't really have the means to! Do you have a favourite item that you've recently picked up?

CP: Haha, true. Even though my funds are limited, I couldn't resist a satchel from the Cambridge Satchel Company in Tangerine Tango! It's a limited edition and the colour is fabulous. And I've picked up a gorgeous oversized jumper with wool and silk content in the sales at All Saints in Spitalfields - very handy for the great British summer 


I did see the photo you posted! That colour suits you to a T. 
As a prominent, I guess, lifestyle blogger...you probably get asked this a lot but, do you have any advice for young bloggers out there who wish to follow in your footsteps? 

CP: Hmm, another difficult one. I think you'd be better off asking one of the "mega-bloggers" this kind of question. I think the most important thing is to blog about things you're genuinely interested in. Connect with your readers - though I might have to apologise for not being very "sociable" at the moment, too much going on...

Well to me, you are definitely a mega-blogger but most importantly, you have substance- which let's be honest makes for a better read! ^^ 
Finally, can I ask what's next for Mademoiselle Poirot? Hopefully a brunch date this summer with me is in the agenda? ;)
CP: Definitely do brunch! I'm hoping to do more work in interiors and styling. I've just been given the task of a complete kitchen redesign for somebody who never cooks - an interesting one. I'm also hoping to find the time and space to paint again as I have a series of paintings in my mind I'd love to realise.

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This month she launches her personal online boutique, Mademoiselle's Marché, which features a selection of handpicked pieces from vintage accessories, clothes to artwork, ornaments, quirky stationery and china. If like me you are a fan of Carole's taste, well this is a great way to take your cues from the woman herself. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter if you haven't already! 

Hope you enjoyed the post!

Lots of love, 

[images: MademoisellePoirot]