Paris in the Spring

Some exciting things happening here of late.  First, a quick thank you to Lifehacker for featuring my Rake Wine Glass Holder idea.  Check it out here.   

Secondly, I returned home from Paris last week.  My hubby and I and some dear friends of ours were able to spend a week in Paris in the spring ~ need I say it was wonderful?  

We decided that one day of the trip the guys and gals would split off and do something we really wanted to do.  So last Saturday, Alison and I snuck away to take in the Paris Flea Market.  It was an adventure in and of itself navigating our way there via the Metro.  Once we were on sight, we made every effort to cover as much ground as possible.  Sometimes, when I'm in the moment, I'm guilty of so wanting to be in the present I fail to snap pics.  However, I did manage to take a few so I would have something to share.  

We were able to locate one vendor I had visited the last time in Paris:  Tombees du camion always has such an amazing display and carries wonderful collections of all sorts of things ~ as you can see below.

Some awesome industrial pendants and glass ones too!

Metal letters are always on my fave list.  

Wonderful oversized wood letterpress letters (Ali snagged one of these!) and a variety of charming coat hooks. 

I thought these old porcelain light switches were intriguing.  

 

 More cool lighting and hosiery forms.

A variety of vintage cameras grouped together.



This shop ~ Stand 29 (Antiquites & Design XXe) was also a super cool stop.  Too bad the wonderful old ladder wouldn't fit in my luggage ~ I've been on the lookout for one forever and I think I found it. 

In the back of the space were some wonderful ink drawings ~ though vintage ~ they had a very modern appeal about them.  They were done by the late artist, Francois Martin Salvat.  I'm happy to say one of these lovelies came home with me ~ be watching to see where it may end up.



After several hours of shopping it began to rain and started getting chilly.  Ali and I decided to stop in at Le Paul Bert for some refreshment (thanks Rick Steves for the recommendation ~ it was délicieux!).  *Note Ali's demure, Paris look ~ she's such a poser!

 

Nothing like a little hot vanilla milk to warm you up ~ it was so beautifully presented.

 

The soup wasn't too shabby either ~ nobody does French onion soup like the French ~ go figure!

Even the restroom was funky and stylish!  It was a fun and memorable day spent with a dear friend at the Le Marche aux puces.  Although we didn't cover near as much ground as we had hoped (as it would take days on end to see it all) we did come away with some wonderful treasures.  I'll be sharing soon!  :)  Hoping you have a good week!

A New Look for Tattered Style

Happy Friday!  You may have noticed Tattered Style has a new look ~  thanks to a wonderful graphic designer and friend of mine named Emma.  We've been collaborating on the new design for a few weeks now and I'm so thrilled with how it's all come to fruition.  I have to thank Emma for her patience with me and the many emails, phone calls and texts I inundated her with over the course of the weeks.

    

A little bit about Emma ~ she graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in Graphic Design. And yes, while she's an unbelievably gifted graphic artist (and loves pretty things) she's also an amazing photographer and blogger ~ please make a visit over to Emmadime to see for yourself.  

Back to the bio ~ shortly after graduating college, Emma took a little break and moved to Paris for a year of inspiration and rejuvenation.  I can't think of a better getaway place ~ I love Paris!    

Here are a few pics from Emma's stay in Paris.  This is the home of a friend that Emma made a visit to one weekend.  These photos in particular are so beautiful to me and evoke the feel of tattered style.      

I love how this room is so undecorated ~ yet perfectly decorated.  Can you believe the size and character of that fireplace?  

 The dining table ~ I love the quirky seats.  

The dining table before breakfast ~ note the fresh, assortment of breads and tea.

 The dining table after breakfast ~ croissants devoured ~ sigh ~

Okay ~ enough daydreaming already!  After Emma's return home from Paris, she dove headfirst into the world of freelance graphic design and she's been busy ever since.

Not only does Emma freelance as a graphic designer, she is also one more amazing knitter.  You must check out Emmadime Knitted to see all of her knitted goodness!  

Wait ~ if you thought I was finished with all the many things Emma keeps herself busy with ~ not yet.  She also works for Rue Magazine ~ a wonderful online design magazine.  Please take a moment to peruse its pages if you haven't had the chance.  It's a feast of beautiful eye candy.  

For now, my time working with Emma has come and gone but I'm sure our paths will cross again someday.  Here is a sampling of some things Emma created for Tattered Style ~

 

I love my business cards.  They resemble the British bus roll I have hanging above my fireplace.  I'm also having the card printed up in the reverse design, with a black background and white lettering. The stamp is so much fun to use for stamping shipping tags (which I'll be using as business cards as well). 

Thank you Emma for all of your "heart' work and dedication on my project.  You are an amazingly gifted artist and I know your future will continue to be bright.  I'm happy to call you my friend ~ smile.

Wonderful Mother

With Mother's Day quickly approaching, I'd like to pay a little homage to mothers everywhere ~ especially mine.  Let me introduce you to my mom, Pansee (pronounced Pon-'zay).  Her name gives hint to her French descent ~ possibly that's where I inherited my love for all things French ~ surely it's my destiny to live in Paris someday ~ wish.

A photo of Mom when she was a baby ~ I love her little hat and patent leather shoes.  Take note of her glass baby bottle ~ ya think it would have a safety recall if it were still around today?  Wink!

I'm particularly fond of this photo taken of Mom (affectionately called "Mimi" by her grandchildren) when she was a child.  On the heels of the Great Depression you didn't often see photos of children at play.  It makes me happy to know there was still laughter going around.  I adore her pixie haircut and her little dress ~ an added bonus ~ the vintage tricycle (so nostalgic!).

As a teenager ~ such a lovely young woman.

Mom and her brood ~ Ashley, Lance, me (are you diggin my cat-eye glasses?) and Charlie.

My mom raised us four kids by herself after my dad passed away.  Within that same year she also lost her mother, father-in-law and mother-in-law.  

My mom is my hero ~ she sacrificed so much for us.  One thing for certain, she bravely faced her future and never complained.  She graciously dedicated her life to us with selfless love and unwavering devotion.  Thank you Mom ~ we are blessed to have you as our mother.

This vintage poem entitled, Wonderful Mother, belonged to my grandmother who passed it down to my mom.  I'm delighted she has bequeathed it to me ~ smile.  It makes me think of her every time I see it.  A thoughtful tribute to mothers everywhere ~ 

Wonderful Mother

author unknown

You're a wonderful Mother, there's no

one like you,

And the wonderful things you

say and do;

All your wonderful care, your devotion,

your cheer.

Only make you grow daily more

precious and dear;

You're a wonderful Mother, and may

you possess,

Just a wonderful share of life's 

best happiness.

Happy Mother's Day Mom ~ I love you!

For the Love of Fleas!

I'm addicted to flea markets of every shape, size and geographic location ~ I never tire of them. One of my all time favorites is ~ Les Puces de Saint Ouen ~ in Paris.  It's the world's largest flea market and claims that more than 200,000 people attend every weekend.  How cool would it be to have that in your backyard?  Can you spy my three sons in this picture?

This weathered slate is one of the treasures that made the trip home from Paris with me.  It's faded and worn but has withstood the test of time.  There are so many little details about this piece that makes it special ~ like the washed out lettering.  It's only gotten better with age and gives the slate so much charm.

I love its twisted wire ~ I imagine it must have hung from a nail at some point in time.

Someone gingerly repaired the frame on this old slate.  A little piece of metal with some teeny, tiny nails were used to mend its brokenness.

It rests nicely on this aged piece of marble that I use as a wall shelf.  Thanks to all the rain we've had lately the daylilies are blooming beautifully in my yard.  

Another favorite of mine ~ the petite ironstone pitcher rescued from yet another flea market.  I picked up the little apothecary bottle at the the Paris flea too.  Its original stopper is missing so a wine cork kindly stands in as a substitute.  

One thing for certain ~ I'm in love with fleas ~ can you tell?  I'm headed to the Brimfield Antique Show in Massachusetts next week ~ it's said to be the countries largest outdoor flea market ~ I can hardly wait.  This will be my first time to attend and I'm beyond excited.  I'm anxious to share photos of all the flea's goodness ~ I'll be tweeting and posting on FB as well.