Stamp collection

Up for sale now in the etsy shop. This cool collection of international stamps was found in Geneva, Switzerland. These would be great for paper crafts like card making, scrapbooking etc.

7th ave spring street fair!

Come and see us this saturday at this fair.

Old maps, new places...

Saone et Loire

Seine river basin

These maps were found in the Lyon flea market, they are beautifully hand drawn and painted with water color. Who knows how old they are, if I were to guess I'd say at least 100 years old. They would be so gorgeous framed and hung as wall art. Find out more about them in the etsy shop.

I've sold those vintage lace brooches, kinda sad to see them go but glad someone else will enjoy their beauty. These items are one of a kind so if they sell they're gone and they've been going fast so if you love these maps get on etsy right now!

Vintage french lace...

I got lots of pretty vintage french lace from and old guy selling tons of vintage sewing stuff at the market in Villeurbanne. These are probably mid-century or so. They are available by the yard in my etsy shop, oh the projects you could do with this gorgeous stuff!

pretty, pretty!

These lacy brooches really stood out to me at the market in Geneva (Plain Palais) I think they would be perfect to make a headpiece with french netting for weddings or just pin it on your coat or sweater for a nice vintage touch. They are available now in the etsy store.

Inspiration in action...

I'm starting on the french flea market collection of hair pieces and necklaces. It's funny how inspiration works, you see and experience things and they seem to just leak into your aesthetic, the colors of Annecy are making their way into my subconscious. I'm loving these faded and vintage-y colors right now. These pieces will be available soon in the etsy store.

The French table...

These pictures are from our travels as well as the lovely home of our hosts Phyl and Ev Ressler. Phyl was such a wonderful hostess and talented chef, filling us with croissants in the morning and cheese at night! She made us a delicious pasta with fresh pure ingredients like roasted red peppers, ground almonds and pine nuts, crisp salads with every meal and provided plates of picturesque tangerines and pears. There was also always a tin of chocolate available to nibble. Although they are American they truly adopted the French attitude towards the importance of food and where it comes from. In fact, Phyl's next course is on the Anthropology of food, wish I could sit in on that one!

I couldn't not post something about the food in France. It really is a different experience to eat there. There isn't that fear of fat that is so ingrained in us here, instead there is a true enjoyment of food as a social event. We ate rich cheeses, bread, chocolate and pastries but I swear I actually lost a pound or two while there. I think it was mostly due to how slowly I ate, you had wine and conversation to stop you from cramming all that rich food greedily down your throat. Eating slowly made you feel full sooner and therefore you ate less. I am still committed to eating as Vegan as possible now that I'm back, especially since hubby is a super strict one, but I think Dani and I will have to get together for french food night every once in a while. It's all about moderation! The most important thing is to have as much knowledge about your food as possible and to eat as cleanly as possible, avoid processed foods, eat fresh and local. The past 2 years of eating almost Vegan and being super aware of our food and where it comes from made eating in France a delight since most French people subscribe to those same ideas.

Want to eat like a french person?

Breakfast- traditional tartine- a baguette split, toasted and slathered in butter and jam with a bowl of cafe au lait.

Lunch- 2 tiny sandwiches aux fromage- YUM!

Gouter (french late afternoon snack)- small pain aux raisins

Dinner- fondue, raclette or tartiflette- all cheese and carbs and all delicious!! Follow with a salad, chocolate and herb tea.

That is my idea of Parfait!!