Friday, November 29, 2013

Joyful & beautiful details....C'est Noël

C'est Noel...Christmas is only twenty five days away! Christmas tree lots, wreaths, paper whites, ornaments, lights, stockings are suddenly everywhere. Trimming of the Christmas tree, for most of us starts right after Thanksgiving, a small very patient few still wait for Christmas Eve. Unpacking those cherished items from past holidays brings back many precious memories. All the joyful details that make this time of year very special...
Christmas tree at Rue 27 Maison....


gathering all the holiday treasures...

dietlindwolf.blogspot

Thursday, November 21, 2013

thankful for the joys of Thanksgiving....

Its that time of year again...right after Halloween, in a blink...turkey time is here...a time to reflect...be thankful....enjoy family, friends & football and most important...savour delicious food & beautiful tables. Less than a week away....Thanksgiving Day...and then we began the magical season of all things Christmas...but this week, its all about being thankful, counting our many blessings...the turkey, southern cornbread dressing (I could do an entire blog about my Grandmothers southern dressing) and all those delicious fall desserts!
from maple & magnolia
love this table  from Nancys Daily Dish..
Thanksgiving at Rue 27 Maison
what a beautiful presentation...southern dressing & turkey from hgtv blog...
love the fresh herbs....
a stenciled bird dresses up an plain looking cake... Hummingbird High, delicious Pear, Date and Coconut Cake
beautiful neutral Thanksgiving table...
love this idea of serving pumpkin soup...

 
perfect for the table...orange tulips

 
Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Smitten with.....Britain ♕

When I hear a British accent...and I  think of my travels and antiquing in the UK...I am definitely "smitten" with all things British....I love Oxford Street shopping...London theater...Covent Garden...Hyde Park..the pubs...Selfridges..the Brits...the beautiful countryside...London taxis...the antiques and yes, the accent! History is everywhere and there is always an antique market, fair, house clearing to be found. English antiques and European finds are always in abundance.....and did I mention tea as in English Afternoon Tea...always delicious...adore the scones and clotted cream with a cup of Earl Grey...Sharing with you a few of my favorites from the UK ♥

London Townhouses

Antique Market in northern England, over 3000 dealers...
English Country Manor....Ralph Lauren


Beautiful, warm & inviting....English Manor House


Antique Silver English Trophies...

Harrod's Food Halls...always a treat!

The Dorchester....a favorite spot for afternoon tea



Sunday Antique Fairs...London

19th century leather bound books with marbled pages edges via:michaelmoonsbookshop

A few of our Sunday fair finds...Always eagerly awaiting my next visit to beautiful & charming England...


Wishing all of you a brilliant week....Cheers!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Antiquing in Autumn....Les Puces

One of my fondest memories is my first visit to Les Puces..Paris Flea Market, in the early 1990s.. I remember being in awe viewing fabulous antiques & vignettes...that was the moment I knew I was a true Francophile. Around every corner, the inspiration was everywhere...18thc Flemish Tapestries...Art..Louis XV...Louis XVI...Chandeliers...Trumeaus...Architectural Elements...Religious Figures.. Altar Pricketts...Puttos...Sevres...Baccarat....French Silver...Fine gilt pieces...Country French furniture...and much, much more. Anything you had seen grace the pages of AD, Town & Country, Veranda, and at that time, Southern Accents were all here in person!  All those beautiful stands, some small & intimate, others large, set up as rooms...watched over by the ever stylish French merchant. I have visited Les Puces many times in the last twenty plus years, there have been changes, more touristy...a few different merchants, definitely not US dollar buying friendly :)...One thing that has stayed the same, the beautiful French treasures are still here, as is the lovely French merchants.  In the last few years I have seen more Swedish antiques, a larger selection of architectural & garden decorative objects, and country French utilitarian items, which are in keeping with the popular French farmhouse look, that seems to be  everywhere now. (love it)  I still never fail to find a special find at Les Puces...never fail to have a fabulous meal at one of the nearby cafés and never fail to have a chat with a charming French merchant, whom I have known for many years, who smiles fondly at my attempt to speak the French language like a Parisien....



 Through the years, fleaing in France...I have broaden my antique hunting...found many small street markets, brocantes in Paris and fabulous countryside fairs in all areas of this beautiful country. Always eagerly awaiting my next visit...My francophile heart still sings when I am fleaing in France..especially at Les Puces....Pour moi, la joie de la vie

Leaving Gard de Nord on our drive to Les Puces stopped for a delicious lunch....


Les Puces, located at Porte de Clingancourt is the largest antique market in the world, made up of several small markets, covering over ten acres, open each Saturday, Sunday & Monday, and attracting over 150,000 each weekend...




Many allees that sell a large variety of antique & vintage finds...



Our French finds, back at home in our dining room....

 

The french chairs, architectural figural sconces, silver, carved gilt putto, pots de creme all found at Les Puces... each one a reminder of a fabulous buying trip!


 Last stop at Les Puces...found the perfect pair of bergeres!


Adieu... mes amis