Silver Topped Bottles

Silver topped bottles always catch my eye.

What do you look for at the flea markets and brocantes?

Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life!



Une Cadeau Francais

Une cadeau francais

(sounds more exciting than a giveaway don't you think?)

for all the wonderful subscribers to 
Belle Inspiration Magazine

 A chance to Celebrate the latest issue with 

150 pages of Spring Fever!

A HUGE thank you to all the susbcribers to Belle - 

I am still reading through all your lovely emails.  

Each and every one is read and aprreciated more that I can say. 

In the meantime, I was getting lost in an antique store when I found a pretty 

vintage silver photo 'book-style frame', 

which opens up to store your photos. 

Not sure of the age, as it has newer photo jackets inside, 

but if you like that vintage feel in your dècor you may like this. 

 I love details like this.  

The rules are simple:

Just let me know you are a Belle subscriber,

 and your favorite Belle article. 

Winner announced on March 29th.

If you' re not a subscriber to Belle, we'd love for you to join in on the fun anyway.

 Just leave a comment!

Stay tuned for more exciting giveaways and features on the Belle Inspiration website and in the magazine!

Put a little Ooh La La in your Life!

Snippets 2

Snippets

I love that word!

According to the dictionary a ‘snippet’ is:  a small piece snipped off, a small bit,

scrap, morsel, or fragment

Just for your info as I’m sure you will need to know this -

It is also:  a small or mischievous person.  
 Hmmm, could be referring to me…?

Okay, now that bit is settled. 

 Snippet # 1 

Once again I was ‘browsing’ the antiques and brocantes,

and happened upon several petite treasures.

   

A dusty pink jewelry box caught my eye

Luckily there were smaller treasures tucked inside

Two golden filgree lockets, ivory buckle, tie clip, silver charms,

ladies pocket-knives?!  Quite a varied collection!

Snippet # 2

I found a few other vintage lovelies,

and then I remembered I am way overdue for a giveaway!

I’ll be posting the details this week. 

I hope you like it!

Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life!

Mimi Bleu

Free Time

What’s a girl to do with a little free time on her hands?

Browse through antique shops of course

Petits trésors

Grande idées

My head is spinning…

Free time is hard to find.

How do you spend yours?

Still working hard on the Online Magazine.

If you missed the post, click on photo above to read more.

I appreciate all your tremendous encouragement and will keep you posted.   

 

Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life!

Mimi Bleu

Meandering Around Paris

What is better than meandering around the romantic streets of Paris?  Meandering the romantic streets of Paris with your honey.  We had a free day and decided to head out the door with absolutely no plan at all.  We started walking, eventually hopped onto the Metro and rode over to the 6th arrondissement (neighborhood) and meandered. 

We love exploring romantic rues (streets)...

And courtyards like this. 

Turning off busy rue St André des Arts we stopped for a late lunch at La Jacobine.   A cozy Salon de Thé tucked in the ancient and charming covered passage, Cour de Commerce St André.

We purposely went after the lunch hour so there were only about 2 other tables occupied. We chose a little corner table with a booth against the wall.  We sat side by side bien sur.  The food is delicious and the service low key and efficient, a treat in Paris.

We headed around the corner to grab some Darjeeling at  Mariage Frères, the place to experience L'Art de Thé, which has become so popular in Paris.   I told you this was a lazy day with no plan. 

I prefer this location in the 6th over the more popular spot in the Marais.  It is so much quieter, and if you go midweek and your timing is right you’ll practically have the entire tearoom to yourself.  
 Perfect for tea for two.

 There is so much to savor and post about here I think I’ll do another post later.

We purchased a jar of our favorite Gelée Extra de Thé 

We hoped back on the Metro to the 16th and found our way into a brocante (antique and what not shop) in a small courtyard just off the rue Passy.  

I like to visit every so often and I've managed to find several lovely crystal, silver-topped vanity bottles and jars buried among all the chaotically scattered brocante (stuff, junk)

The vendor recognized this strange American and her pitiful French and happily greeted us in English.

This time I found a floral oil painting with an over the top ornate gilt frame.  I excitedly pointed it out.  I saw that smile of his and I knew it was mine - the smile and the picture!

(This photo does not do it justice)

My initial plan was to show off my Frenchified negociating skills in front of Frenchie honey, but soon the process was hijacked by Frenchie honey and Frenchie vendor as they started rapid fire, not to be understood by me French.

I stood there mute.  They both dug in their heels.  Suspense.  Suddenly they shook hands and the bubble wrap appeared.   

A perfect end to a perfect romantic day of meandering in Paris.  And it was all thanks to my lucky charm, otherwise known as my honey.

"Put a Little Ooh La La in Your Life"