It's All Happening In The Metro!

One day, as we sat waiting for our train, our attention was drawn to a gentleman on the other side of the tracks yelling at us in a long strring of french and huge arm waving.  Luckily Duchess could understand bits of it but before she could translate for me I noticed a group of raggity preteens heading towards us.

 There weren't many people near us on our side and it was dawning on me we were quickly being approached by a band of gypsies!  Duchess and I quickly moved our handbags to the front of us and stared these urchins down!  They were not going to pick our pockets if we had anything to say about it!  And, pleassse! have you seen the size of Duchess's handbag??!  She could knock over a herd raging bulls if she had to!

But we don't want to discourage you from using this wonderful system.  Every stop is a wonder in different designs.  The Louvre stop has Egyptian wonders, the tile work in others is marvelous and some of the best musicians play in their echoing hallways. Its always a theater but do watch your backs for maundering gypsies!

Magic Happens!

I was walking along a deserted street at dusk talking to my lover and planning our evening together.   All of a sudden a crazy lady jumps out of a side street and snaps a photo.  Merdi! What is a stylish french girl to do?  I just ignore her and continue my conversation with Frederic and discussing our plans.  Is Paris not full of crazy people these days?

Paris Favorites

We always stop by this enchanting place when we first arrive to pick up the latest issue of "Paris Walks" to see what is new and walks we haven't be on before.  These low cost walks are in English, always entertaining and the groups that show up for them can be 2 people to 10 and the international mix is wonderful.

Do you recognize where we are by the quote above one of the doorways?

MERCI! Romantic Homes magazine

Did you see us?  The magazine found our site and asked to highlight one our treasures.  They were smitten with the florentine stationery caddy.  It was one of the eleven items featured in their "A Vintage Year" Browsing section!  In no time at all, it was being whisked off to Casa Grande, Arizona.  Merci beaucoup Romantic Homes and Patricia!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

This is what I've been reminding myself lately.  I had found myself being envious of a good friend who is on a 3 week journey to the south of France and Paris. And envious when I read the wonderful blog of Corey Amaro, "Tongue in Cheek" who is an American married to a (gorgeous) Frenchman, living in a quaint Provencal village.
But I decided to take a break yesterday from lots of hard work lately, and relax with a book in my courtyard here in Colorado.  I was so awed and uplifted looking at my quaking aspen trees, beautiful window boxes of red geraniums and lobelia, and other potted flowers, I tossed the book to the ground and just drank it all in.  Our summer day was 72 cool and breezy degrees.  I decided there was no place else I would rather be.
I wish you the joy of being in the moment.

Here's To All The Dads

Here's to all the Dads that we can only wish Happy Fathers Day to in our prayers and thoughts.  Whether they taught us how to mix a Presbyterian or how to be a good one, we think of them today with gentle fond memories and a smile on our faces.

Spotting a New Trend?

First we apologize for being gone- life has been busy at Duchess & Bird...

While at our favorite flea market we think we have spotted a trend we wanted to share with you and see what you think.

Everywhere we looked we saw these.  In all shapes, sizes and adornments and wondered if you are seeing them too?  Duchess just found one in her travels and will be showing it in our store soon so do check it out!

We like the small size for showing off neclaces and to keep them from tangling in a drawer.