About Jocelyne Ranucci

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So far Jocelyne Ranucci has created 129 blog entries.

Thanksgiving in the Hamptons

By | November 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

It should come as no surprise that there is a long history of Native American residence in eastern Long Island. The Montaukett and Shinnecock tribes were both active in this area. In the seventeenth century Chief Wyandanch of the Montaukett sold land to the English colonists, including what is now Gardiner’s Island, for “a large [...]

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The “Laws” of Cleaning

By | November 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Today I want to talk about André Malraux (November 3, 1901–November 23, 1976): writer, art theorist, and perhaps what is lesser known, France’s first Minister of Culture under de Gaulle. In that capacity he launched a program to clean the façades of France’s most important buildings; eventually there arose the “loi Malraux” (the Malraux law) [...]

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Halloween Nightmares

By | October 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

With Halloween approaching I’m reminded of an episode of the Honeymooners in which Ralph and Norton compete for first prize for their costumes at a Halloween party (watch the full episode here—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doDAfhbu‐‐U). Not to give too much away, but Norton dresses as Pierre François de la Brioski, the (fictional) designer and builder of the sewers [...]

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Maintain Your Hamptons Home with Our Property Management Services

By | October 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Our property management services can help you maintain your Hamptons home. What, you ask, might this entail? Let us begin with a comparison to one of the great emblems of life in the States, the Statute of Liberty (or La Liberté éclairant le monde), which was dedicated in this in this month in 1886. As [...]

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Autumn…and Wine

By | September 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Fall begins September 23 and soon enough the leaves will be changing colors, it will be time to put away all the beach clothing and pull out the sweaters, to stow away the barbecue and get the fireplace ready. It’s also the time of les vendages (grape harvest), and the making of fine wine. Happily, [...]

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School Is in Session

By | September 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Ah, with Labor Day nearly upon us, the “official” end of summer is at hand: all of us here at A Votre Service! hope you had a wonderful summertime. Also around the corner is the return to school—time to get those pens, pencils, notebooks, and apples for the teacher ready (although these days, it’s more [...]

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The House of Chanel

By | August 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Coco Chanel was born on August 19, although I suspect she would have preferred to have been born on May 5. The number 5 was of great importance to her, and as for the creation of her signature perfume, Chanel No.5, she was presented a number of samples and ultimately chose the fifth sample. As [...]

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Les Grandes Vacances

By | August 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Ah, August, traditionally the last month of vacation (les grandes vacances) in France. Since French workers are permitted five weeks of vacation (and civil servants seven weeks), many choose to vacation the entire month of August. There used to be a time when Paris practically shut down in August; these days it’s not so extreme, [...]

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Over the Moon

By | July 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

I think I can say that this month is most certainly an interesting moon month. First, July 20 is the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. It’s also a blue moon month: by the modern definition that’s any time there are two full moons in a single calendar month (for July 2015, July [...]

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Independence Days

By | July 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

In honor of the independence days of the US and France I thought a little comparison chart would be helpful: United States France what Independence Day Bastille Day when July 4, 1776 July 14, 1789 sport baseball waiter races; pétanque food hot dogs, hamburgers Brie, crêpes, baguette beverage beer Champagne dessert apple pie Napoleons (mille-feuille) [...]

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School’s Out for Summer!?

By | June 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Now that school is over (or soon to be over) that doesn’t mean that learning has to end. I’m certainly not one to dampen the joy of the summer vacation, but that doesn’t mean some good cleaning habits cannot be quietly taught during the summer. I thought I’d share some of my insight that I’ve [...]

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Let It Shine!

By | June 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun, here comes the sun And I say it’s all right “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGKPHFrHVVY At long last, summer is upon us, and it’s time to enjoy all that [...]

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Summer Vacation Is Right Around the Corner!

By | May 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Since Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) is the unofficial start of summer vacation, here’s a checklist to get you ready for summer: 1. Watch summer vacation movies. I must say that my favorite is Mr. Hulot’s Holiday (Les Vacances de M. Hulot), a 1953 French movie from Jacques Tati which was nominated for the Grand [...]

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Let’s Celebrate May Day

By | May 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

O, the month of May, the merry month of May, So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green! In France May 1 is Labor Day (la Fête du Travail) and it is customary to exchange lilies of the valley for good luck. This tradition goes all the way back to the French king [...]

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Good News on Tax Day

By | April 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Uh-oh, the dreaded tax day is upon us, and here’s an inspired idea: I think Snoopy best captures our sentiments—ah, if only it were that simple! However, we do hope that you have been able to get a nice refund and, if so, might we suggest that renting a house in the Hamptons is not [...]

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The Egg-Giving Hare, Passover, and Other Wonders

By | April 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

First, I want to wish all of you who celebrate either Easter or Passover a most pleasant holiday. For those of you who are busy cleaning your home of all chametz, do not hesitate to call us if you need any extra assistance. Easter calls to mind two very important questions of our time: why [...]

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St. Patrick’s Day…and the Joy of Green

By | March 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Since we’re only two days away from St. Patrick’s Day (an event you can even celebrate at Disneyland Paris), it’s time to wear green, go in search of shamrocks, and if you are so inclined, drink a pint or two of Guinness. In the Hamptons there are plenty of parades—Amagansett, Hampton Bays, West Hampton Beach—so [...]

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Spring Is in the Air

By | March 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Spring officially begins this month (on the 20th), and for me what first comes to mind is—of course—spring cleaning. To get you into the mood, here are a few inspiring quotations: My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance. —Erma Bombeck Dust is a protective coating for fine furniture. —Mario Buatta [...]

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Presidents’ Day…and the Hamptons

By | February 15th, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Given that Presidents’ Day will soon be upon us I’m sure you’re wondering whether there are any connections between presidents and the Hamptons. Happily, the answer is yes, but not in the way that you’re thinking: the fame lies with the first ladies. Julia Gardiner was born on Gardiners Island and her father had a [...]

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Valentine’s Day in the Hamptons

By | February 1st, 2015|A Votre Service! Hamptons Blog|

Spring may not be in the air, but certainly love is, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day this month. It has a long and interesting history, beginning with an early Christian martyr, Saint Valentine. According to legend, before his execution he wrote a farewell letter and signed it “Your Valentine.” It was not until Geoffrey Chaucer, [...]

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