AtticGal Rachelle says:
This lucky Attic Gal took the trip of a lifetime to Paris a few months ago. Of course I saw a ton, and enjoyed every moment, but one thing I really wanted to see, besides the Eiffel Tower,
my Eiffel Tower, were the famed Parisian antique markets. I just couldn't wait to behold what wonderful, beautiful old Frenchy French things there would be to see, and I hoped beyond hope that I would be able to bring home just a little something perfect that would remind me of my trip, like that artist palette there (Monet's, no doubt!) or the child's dress form behind it! Please oh please!
It was true that I was absolutely blown away by what I saw there! Block after block after block after block of more gorgeous antiques, pealing paint, rusted iron, yellowing textiles and laces than you have ever seen, and everything old and lovely and FRENCH! Overwhelming is an understatement!!!
But just as overwhelming, unfortunately were the prices! Holy French Cow! It quickly became clear that nothing, absolutely nothing that was worth dragging across the pond was withing my price range.
So, sadly I had to say 'adieu' to this lovely lady in beads and lace, and all of her pretty Parisian friends. I brought home only these few pictures that I snuck in (the shopkeepers don't like you taking pictures) and the memories of what could have been.
But I have learned that if you want something bad enough, and go to enough garage sales on enough early Saturday mornings, the Paris flea market just might come to you.
Ooh-la-la! How about this fine long-legged lady? I discovered her at a local Parisian flea market disguised as a Haiti relief garage sale put on by our youth group. I scored her, and did my part to help those in need at the same time (that almost feels wrong!)
Maybe she is not French, but I'm sure she has French ancestry.
And the best part is that I didn't have to try to squeeze her in the overhead compartment on the trans-Atlantic flight.
And even if she is not from Paris, I found some fabulous things that really are.
... like a little red Merto-Autobus guide book of Paris! It is so fun to thumb through. I can imagine useing it to find my way through every arrondissement in the City of Lights.
I found the old Eiffel Tower souvenir at the same garage sale. No doubt someone years ago purchased it from a peddler just under the grand tower- the most romantic place on Earth, in my estimation. Lovers perhaps on the ultimate honeymoon!
I loved this colorful old puzzle with scenes from on old French fable. I couldn't pass it up!
A little French child once used these colorful images to recreate 6 imaginative scenes from the fable with the blocks. What would you imagine I would have paid for
that at the Paris flee market?
And then there are the genuine Paris opera glasses! Some fine lady once watched the grandest productions at the famous opera house there, the very one thought haunted by the Phantom himself. The inside of the leather case is printed in gold with the name and address of an optician right in Paris! Perfect!!! Now that is EXACTLY the kind of little treasure I wanted to find at that Paris antique market! Lucky me!
But antiques weren't the only merchandise that caught my eye in Paris. May favorite little shop that we discovered in Paris was this colorful shop called Pylones. Everything in this amazingly creative shop is as decorative as well as functional. Check out their fun website
here! Pie servers that look like little dogs, tape dispensers that look like little chickens, and egg timers that look like lady bugs. What I really wanted was a cheese grater like the Eiffel Tower one on the right, or the little ladies with cheese grater skirts on the table in the top left picture!
Unfortunately, the hubby with the pocket full of Euros made himself scarce when he saw me eyeing the colorful, but somewhat-pricey wares, so I bought nothing.
I regretted it the whole way home.
But guess who was waiting for me at a recent garage sale? This sweet little French lady, brand new in her Pylones carton, complete with a fun little French poem about her dancing on a plate and leaving a pile of shredded cheese just for me. When she smiles at me, I knew it was meant to be. And for $.50 rather than the $31 in the store, without having to exchange into Euros too!
Bilss!
She now sits on my counter. Every time I see her I just smile.
I love Shopping in Paris... even if it is right in my own hometown!
Merci!
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