Joie

If I could jump into the pages of Ajiri Aki’s Joie, I’d be writing this post from there. Every occasion of sitting down to read its pages was pure, well, joie. It’s a book I prolonged finishing because it was such a pleasure to absorb its words and images.

Joie adds to my existing and ever-expanding collection of books about Paris and France. Such is my love of the topic that this Francophile purchased Joie the day I heard about it. What makes Joie different from other books in my collection is how Aki ties her Nigerian roots and her childhood and early adulthood living in the U.S. to her appreciation of the French way of life. Attending yard sales with her mother and grandmother in Texas informed her love of exploring French flea markets. Observing her mother’s wedding china as it was stored away and deemed only to be used for “special occasions”—that never seem to come—convinced Aki that everyday is worthy of “using the good china.”  

I long ago embraced French attitudes towards life. Work to live. Quality over quantity. Slowing down. Appreciating simple moments of joy. Surrounding oneself with beauty and meaning. Aki’s words are a reminder of why I hold these ideals so dear. What I wasn’t expecting from reading Joie was a new desire to go antiquing, something I rarely have the patience for. But here I am, saying au revoir as I go in search of vintage champagne coupes. 

Konfekt Magazine

Published each season since late 2020, Konfekt Magazine highlights fashion, retail, travel, food and beverage, and all things stylish, with a European focus (though not exclusively). Issues are packed with thoughtfully written articles and stunning photography, with minimal advertising—reminding us that print is alive and well.  

Konfekt is a magazine you’ll want to spend time with and savor. You’ll find me and my copy of Konfekt cozied up with a cup of coffee at a café—always feeling a bit more chic and “in the know” after reading it. And if like me, you like to surround yourself with objects that inspire, Konfekt’s sleek cover designs function as handsome home decor.

Konfekt is part of the Monocle media lineup and is the sister publication of Monocle Magazine. And what a cool sister she is!