Gifts for Your Favorite Francophile

How cute is this pillow? Before you look at the price, keep in mind it's entirely hand embroidered. The light cotton cover buttons off for cleaning and it's accented with black velvet piping.  Other countries--America, Ireland, Italy--and all sorts of popular U.S. vacation destinations are available in the series too. Check them out on the Whispering Pines website here. What's that you say? $149 for a pillow is trop cher? Then try Uncommon Goods, where silk-screened cotton dishtowels, based on the same map-of-France theme, are just $20 each. And GlassesandPillows.com has 15-ounce dishwasher-safe drinking glasses with a similar pattern for $13 each. 

Calling All Expats and Wanna-Be's

If you’re currently looking for--or have recently bought--a home abroad, 'House Hunters International' might want to put your story on TV. The hit U.S. show is looking for energetic individuals, couples and families to share their story about moving abroad…to France or any other country. Contributors should be fluent in English and have owned the home abroad for four years or fewer. The compensation is $1500 and some travel may be required. If you’re interested in participating or learning more, send an email as soon as possible to: househunterscasting@leopardfilms.com.  Please include your contact information, where you’re from and where you’re moving (or plan to move) and a picture of your family and your property.

Pompeii...the Easy Way

Google’s Street View, which lets you zoom into Google Maps and stroll through city streets in 3D, is amazing in its own right (they've done a pretty comprehensive survey of Provence, by the way). But it just got even more amazing with the addition of the ancient ruins of Pompeii.

Pompeii —the partially buried Roman city near Naples, Italy — is one of the most amazing sights one can see in one’s lifetime. The city was destroyed during an eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., but after it was rediscovered in 1738 and excavated in the late 19th century, it became one of the most important archaeological finds (and tourist attractions) of all time.

Now, you can explore it in 3D via Google’s Street View. Check it out here. And thanks to the great tech website Mashable for this story.