Don't Throw the Baby Out With the Bath Water

What an awful old expression!  But we do wonder why the French make such marvelous enamelware.  We have seen in the US many enamel pieces in white, blue, mossy green and red but leave it to the French to make useful things in pink with a white rim.

 This lovely tub was found at our local brocante early Easter morning before a horrific storm came blasting into the Bay Area.  We found many fun things which we will be adding to our shop as soon as we can photograph everything but we couldn't wait to show you this!  Can't you see it filled with ice for pick lemonade or chilled wines at your next soiree'.  Or perhaps you are giving a shower in the coming months.  You can put the gifts in here or the gift bags.  Of course it would be wonderful planted with flowers too!

Please see what other new things we have added to tempt you at Duchess and Bird!

xxoo-Bird

Little Orphan Houses

I have an urge to save homes. Period.  Maybe it is because I don't have a childhood home.  Perhaps I am longing to have a place of my family memories.  We moved all the time as children and even my parents last home was where none of us lived.  They bought it after we were all grown and gone from "home".  See what I mean? 

I started collecting these discarded needlepoint houses lovingly worked by hands at home.  I have many more that I need to finish.  I had them applied to scraps of fabrics I found in my travels.  Even the trims have meaning.  Most of them were found in Paris.  You know that little one crammed to the rafts with treasures in the very back corner in Clignancourt named Irma some came from her. 

Anyway,  the most special pillow of all is the little one in the front.  See the plaid fabric?  That was my Dad's favorite sportcoat. I just could not give that coat away after he was gone.  He wore it at my sister's rehearsal dinner, he wore it all the time.  This was a guy his children thought kept the old Abercrombie & Fitch and later Orvis in business.  He was the original preppy.  I could eke out just enough of the plaid to make this little memory.  It makes me smile every time I see it.

 What brings back memories to you?

 Warmly,

Bird

Easter Eggs

As I was putting away until next year all the eggs I've collected over the years, I saw these and instantly remembered another Sunday in Paris. 

Duchess and I were enjoying a stunning beautiful Sunday and decided to dash to San Chapelle knowing the light would be streaming through the glorious stain glass windows.  As we left the chapel and were heading across Ile de Cite to the Metro we found ourselves in the midst of the Bird Market!  As we wandered through the stalls I found the blue eggs.  On our next trip I picked up the single yellow and the following trip the brown ones. Now I remember those days and can't wait for our next trip to add to the memories.

What do you collect on your trips?

The Markets of Ile Sur La Sorgue

When we travel to find treasures in France we like to go in the winter or early spring when the tourists are gone and you are surrounded by the locals. A little cold or rain doesn't deter us in the least.


The Sunday market offered goods of all kinds.  Locally made tapenades, honey from lavender and many more flowers, provencale' fabrics in tablecloths, duvets, napkins, seat covers and even vinylized yardage to make your own!  You know the foodstuff are fresh from local sources.  We found a trove of sweet smelling guest soaps and shared a chocolate croissant as we wandered through on our way to brocantes across the bridge.

Have you ever seen so many varieties??  The colors bowled us over.  We wish we dared to bring the olive oils back with us.

We only took one photo inside one of the shops since our bags were getting heavy and we had miles to go.  The colors with the red fire buckets on the whitewashed trestle table really sang to us.  Every stall had enchanting displays and you sort of hated to buy anything and ruin their  vignettes but we did! We then headed outside to the Sunday market where the locals pull up to the street beside the river and set up tables to sell their wares.  We meet some wonderful people and found some wonderful old finds.

                                                                               





We were sad to say good bye to this magical place but we were heading back to Paris to seek out more treasures and our cute driver was waiting.

We will be returning again and again I am sure in the years to come.                             

Duchess & Bird Travels Part 2

Did you figure out where we are?  This small enclave is known for their antiques.  We heard from dealers in Paris that they like to shop here, so voila'-off we went to see for ourselves!

As we rounded the corner we thought, Oh no this could be really bad!  But as we got closer to the place we were to stay we became enthralled with the entrance.  Remember we have not seen this place online or knew the owners as we were transferred to this spot.  But lo and behold!

The owners couldn't have been sweeter and we loved the climb to our suite.

Look at our wonderful room!  We quickly unpacked and set out to explore the area while it was still light.  We also made reservations in the restaurant within this small hotel.  The smells wafting up the stairs was making our mouths water!

I can't wait to show you what we found as we wandered through the town the next day!  Do you know where we are yet???

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to all of our friends, old, new, and yet-to-be.
We hope that your lives are filled with love.  Love of family, friends, your work, your hobbies and passions, your lives. 

In some parts of the country, winter is waning, and early spring flowers are trying to wake up from a long slumber.  In other parts, winter is still with us.  It is snowing here in Colorado as I write this.  But Spring is not far, and we are excited about new beginnings.  Duchess and Bird are planning to take a group of 4 women to Paris next year. They have never been, and we are eager to introduce them to our favorite shops, museums, restaurants, parks, flea markets, tearooms.  If you would like more information about our tours, we would love to hear from you.

We hope to make new friends as a result of two new ads we have coming out.  One is in the debut issue of Flea Market Style this month which we will be selling in the shop and the other will be in Romantic Homes magazine beginning in June.  Stop by, sign our guest book, browse our shop, or just share your thoughts with us.
We look forward to getting to know you.

Enjoy the final days of winter as you anticipate the arrival of spring.

Duchess & Bird Travels Part 1

Duchess and I boarded the TGV from Gare Lyon anticipating our trip south.  It was a cold and rainy day but we didn't have time to stop for a cup of tea at Train Bleu that morning.  On the trip to Avignon to meet Phillipe we wondered what treasures we would find in that little town.  We were a bit nervous as the hotel we were to stay had called and they decided to go to Africa but promised we would be pleased with the arrangements they made for us.  We were so disappointed but trusted they would not steer us wrong.  We were met by our friend and driven to the enchanting city at a perfect time- as the light was magical.

 

As we wandered down a small alley rolling our baggage, we were very concerned the accommodations would be iffy at best.  But the colors were drawing us in and relaxing us.  What was around the next corner? 

As we rounded the bend we came upon the town square with enticing cafes and shops with the majestic church in the center.  We decided to stop for tea before continuing to our quarters.  Have you guessed where we are yet?