Welcome to En Bref

Your pocket guide to culture, design, travel & more - edited from Paris.

Hello, bonjour, and welcome to En Bref: Your pocket guide to culture, design, travel & more - edited from Paris. We are two creative American mothers, Kathryn Ivey and Maddy Odom, living, working, and raising our little ones in the City of Light.

Although we are knee-deep in school drop-offs, changing diapers, and spending loads of time at our neighborhood parks, we are also constantly discovering new places, inspiring people, thoughtful perspectives, and beautiful yet practical wares in our corner of the world.

Each month, we’ll share an E.B. Edit featuring our tried-and-true special finds, new discoveries that cross our path, and occasional Q&A conversations with other creatives. If you upgrade to a paid subscription, you will receive our monthly personal essay with reflections spanning across motherhood, career, travel and our experiences living abroad. You also will have access to our En Bref Pocket Guides that disclose our curated list of bonnes addresses in Paris and beyond.

This month we are kicking things off with our September theme of La Rentrée, which is the official French word to describe the time of year when everyone heads back-to-school and back-to-work after their month(s) long European summer vacation.

First up will be our September issue of The E.B. Edit which will include a few of our favorite items to start off the new school year, what to read and watch, and (maybe most notably) some highlights from our respective vacations to the region of Brittany. Later this month, paid subscribers will receive a personal essay exploring the concept of La Rentrée, followed by our first En Bref Pocket Guide highlighting the best paper and artisanal craft shops in Paris.

Thank you again for subscribing. We aim to make En Bref an invitation to live with intention and curiosity, wherever you may be in the world, and we look forward to having you join us!

Know someone who might find this letter inspiring? We’d love for you to share it with them! As a new publication, your support is so appreciated.

Xx

Kathryn & Maddy