A Gathering of Tearful Beauties

More Musings - France April 2011

  Un Beau Soir à Paris

This is the only nighttime photograph I took while in France, don't ask me why.  I should have taken many more but in hind sight we weren't out alot in the evenings as we were so exhausted from our daytime activities.  My cousin had me hopping with visiting two and three museums during the day and spending our fair share of time sitting in the sidewalk cafes watching people go by - a national passtime in France. 

  "Au Printemps, nous avons des vêtements!" - Grand Magasin Printemps, Paris

Besides people watching, we spent time window shopping or window "ogling" as I call it.   When you can't afford what's in the store you appreciate it from outside the store.  I was really more fascinated with the bouquet "heads" than the clothing in this window.  The "Printemps" Department Store is a national landmark in Paris and has been in business since 1865. "Au Printemps, nous avons des vêtements!" was one of their original advertising slogans. 

The spectacular stained glass cupola in the tearoom in Printemps

My picture doesn't nearly do this iconic structure justice.  This stained glass dome is more belonging in a cathédrale or château than in a busy downtown department store.  One more reason why people visit Printemps more to "ogle" than to shop. 

One of the many ceilings of "Fontainebleau"

My physiotherapist became my best friend upon my return from France.  Taking pictures of the ceilings at Fontainebleau and the other chateaux et cathédrales certainly wasn't the best thing for my neck, but it was well worth the headaches.  Take a few minutes and just stare at this picture, take it all in and then try to put it into words............an impossible task. 

  French Flea Market Find - Antique Beaded Trim - black bugle beads

I am still posting items from my french flea market days in my Etsy shoppes. This beaded trim is in my ParisPerfection Etsy Shoppe .

Authentic French Post Card

I also returned with a large quantity of authentic french post cards, some dating back to the late 1890's and early 1900's.  I am posting these lovelies in my BeJoyfulVintage Etsy Shoppe .  All include handwritten notes in french.  I am trying to provide translations in the descriptions for each post card. 

Je suis épuiser. Cela est temps d'aller au lit.  Bon Soir! 

Right Before My Eyes....Punctuation Pantyhose.....What Next!

I was visiting my daughter in Kitchener this weekend and, yes, okay, I did some antiquing too. So, when I was driving over to King St. I saw this woman, I would say in her 70's, walking down the street wearing these Punctuation Pantyhose. These pantyhose were part of her total package - vintage fur trimmed black pill box hat, 50's black jumper and white blouse and red, yes, red leather gloves in August.

I had to google the pantyhose as soon as I got home - couldn't get them out of my mind. They're made by American Apparel and available online for $30 plus $8 shipping. Headturners for sure.

While you're at it, wear these with vintage punctuation brooches that can be found at my vintage jewelry shoppe on Etsy http://www.blissquest.etsy.com and other Etsy vintage jewelry sellers. Search for a "question mark brooch" in my shoppe and then search the rest of Etsy for "exclamation marks, colons, semi-colons, apostrophes, brackets......" you get it. Wear them on your jacket lapel, hat brim or wherever else strikes your fancy.

 

Exclamation Mark Brooch from http://www.LorenzoMele.etsy.com

Check Mark Brooch from http://www.homeygirl.etsy.com

Double up for double fun!

BeJoyful today and always!

French Mystery Tree - the Loire Valley Countryside

  
   Loire Valley Countryside - Mystery Tree

As most of my friends know, I am easily entertained.  Watching a fuzzy bumble bee working it's way around the garden is a sheer delight as is the every dusk event of the opening of the evening primrose flower, nature's version of time lapse photography. 

We were totally perplexed as to this mystery tree scattered throughout the Loire Valley countryside.  Some were totally consumed with the dark ball like growths and others only had one or two.  Some new variety of twice blooming or leaf bearing arborite perhaps?  Maybe a tree like our spring magnolia that first sports it's frothy pink blooms and then finishes the season out with the thickest, lushest green boughs in flora-dom. 

The mystery was finally solved for us by simply asking our landlords Pam and Robert.  The tree itself is any tree, the ball shaped growths are.............MISTLETOE! 

A quick google search revealed that mistletoe in addition to being a symbol of Christmas cheer is a hemi-parasitic (OMG) shrub that nestles into most any tree branches and survives by sucking the nutrients out of that poor tree.  Like alot of vines that get into trees, the mistletoe eventually kills the host tree.  This little "spider-bot" is also found in many of the southern United States.  Less visible, I think, because the southern forests tend to be thicker and wilder than in France making it harder to see this cannibalistic act occuring. 

French trivia.  I'm thoroughly put off of mistletoe now.  You won't find any of it in my house this Christmas.   

BEJOYFUL!

April at the Paris Flea Markets 2011

 
 Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves, Paris in the 14th arrondissement

One of my many reasons for wanting to go to France and Paris, in particular, was to attend a few of the french flea markets or "marche aux puces".  Hunting for broken and old jewelry bits, snippets of lace and trim, graphic post cards, beaded evening purses was a true french style delight.  Here are some snaps and quips from  my "Puces de Vanves" adventure.

Flea Market Etiquette - the most important piece of flea market advice I received before heading to France was "Greet the vendor with a cheerful Bonjour! BEFORE touching anything on their table".  This not only sets the overall tone for your visit but may even guarantee a better price for the "touriste".  They can smell you a mile away.  You have an aura about you and you are just sooooo different. 

 

The Puces de Vanves is akin to one big yard sale.  The street sidewalks are lined on both sides with oodles of vendor booths (a booth can be anything from a blanket on the ground to ornate off-springs on the side of a van).  Some more organized than others, some trashy, some elegantly and artfully  displayed.  All friendly and jovial.  I even made a success of haggling in French with the vendors. Aside - someone is always serving food.  My favourite french snack food - crepe chocolat and pain au chocolat - the dirty truth is that the chocolate is Nutella spread. 

France is a country of dog lovers.  Dogs are everywhere and in every size, shape and colour.  The most common breed in Paris appeared to be the perky Yorkshire Terrier but, on the other hand, the labrador retriever was also well represented.  Here's an alert "ami des hommes" at his master's table just waiting for adoration and, with that face, he's always guaranteed to receive it. 

 

Booths start closing up about 1 or 2 p.m.  This is a good time to make your final pass as, just like our flea markets at home, vendors are more willing to lower the prices to grab those last few sales.  I picked up several vintage brooches at 2 euros below the posted price and a bundle of really old french post cards at a much better lot price, and, with each in its own cellophane sleeve. 

 

 

 

My most surprising discovery, perhaps of the entire 3 weeks in France, was finding a piece of Blue Mountain Pottery tucked in amidst more elegant pieces of flea market fare.  BMP is an iconic representation of Canadiana.  Made between 1947 and 2004 in a small factory in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.

 

 

My mind immediately started racing to confect the tale that chronicled this world traveller's journey from northern Ontario to the streets of Paris.  How do you think it got there?

 
 French Market "Busker" on Rue Edgar Quinet

Two streets over from our small apartment in the 14th arrondissement we were graced with a Wednesday and Saturday morning market.  Food, crafts, clothing, shoes, artwork galore were presented in typical french fashion.  (I'll be doing a separate posting on the market shortly.  It's a micro-world in and of itself. )  But, most notable was the entertainment.  There was always a performer of some sort to amaze and delight.  This picturesque fellow was treating us to an aria accompanied by his mini-music grinder. 

Enough for now.  I have so many more pictures and stories to share with you.  I'll be peppering the blog over the next few months with them.  Stay tuned and start considering a trip to France, not just Paris.  France is sooooo much more than just Paris and I'll show you why......eventually.

SOYEZ JOYEUX! 

BarbaraDoone au Paris

BarbaraDoone in Paris

I wasn't kidding!  I am in Paris!  I still think I'm dreaming and we've been here for a week now.  Here I am standing on the steps of Sacré Coeur Basilica at the top of Monmatre.  This picture is courtesy of my darling cousin Billie Anne who is obligingly showing me the sights of gay Paree.  We have walked a million kilometres and are seeing Paris through our own "rose coloured glasses".  Divine, carefree, opulent, breathtaking, to die for et. al. are some of the words that can only begin to describe what have seen and have yet to see.

Grumpy Parisians!  No way!  The residents of Paris are the most accommodating, friendly individuals willing to share their fabulous city and lifestyle with all who come.  They are also teaching us what's fashionable and cutting edge in terms of clothing and bijouterie.  Boots are everywhere.  Long, straight, silky hair reigns.   Understated personal adornments are in.  Lithe and confident women are everywhere here.  I'll be doing a separate posting with pictures on the Paris fashions that we have seen when I return. 

Bon Soir for now and one can't help but to BeJoyful when in Paris!

Hello From.........

Just wanted to say A BIG HELLO to everyone!

BJF!