Bonne Fete!

Well, I'll soon be out of Parisian postcards to share but thought these were lovely and a fabulous addition to this week's Postcard Friendship Friday! Bonne Fete is used in Quebec to mean "Happy Birthday" -- But I think it is also a vintage way of saying the same in French speaking regions. If any of you readers know more about the phrase, please leave a comment - I'd love to be educated on the expression...
I think the graphics on these particular cards are enchanting ~ And the color on each one adds a very romantic feel.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend filled with good Spring weather and lots of treasures!

Drink Me...

"~Many Curious Things I See When Telling Fortunes In Your Tea~"

For this week's Vintage Thingy Thursday I thought I would share a fascinating little teacup. This particular piece is Aragon and composed of fine china. What makes it special you ask? Why, it's a divination cup! Used to decipher one's future, this magical little demitasse delights both young and old. Called tasseography, tea reading is a Turkish tradition usually initiated with the left over thick coffee grinds. For the practice itself, one must drink almost all of the tea (or coffee) and leave only a swish left in the mug. The clairvoyant then turns the cup upside down and waits for the grounds to stick to particular places in the cup. From there she leads her sitter down the murky path of the future.

Shop News: The big sign has been made and is en route to Flotsam & Jetsam. I'm very excited about getting the sign up - I think it will make a difference in traffic flow at the shop. Once people know what I am, they will hopefully flock to the newest little boutique in town!

Parisian Beauty

Thought I would share this wonderful image and accompanying script with all of you. I just love the sweetness of this particular postcard -- And the handwriting is so very beautiful! I only wish to have such fine penmanship. How romantic this card seems!

I plan on sharing something for Vintage Thingy Thursday so be sure to stop back by later in the week- I'll be sure to find something special from the shop:)

Snake Charmer

During the 19th century, snake motifs were viewed as fashionable, so much so that Queen Victoria's engagement ring from Albert was a snake with an emerald-set head. Throughout London, women could be seen wearing serpent rings, serpents entwined around their arms, and serpents coiled on their brooches.

Circa 1840, this piece is a lovely example of this custom. I bought this locket for myself several years ago but decided to sell it on Rubylane. How exciting that I sold it the very first day I listed it! It's such a nice surprise to know that someone out there loves your things as much as you do.

In addition to sharing my locket for Vintage Thingy Thursday (for which I was incredibly late!), I wanted to post some cards for Postcard Friendship Friday. I purchased this lovely piece of ephemera from the markets of Paris. I decided to scan the back of it too just because it was so romantic - The script makes this postcard very special indeed- How very sweet!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

ps- Store updates: Well, I'm finding more furniture to fill up the spaces on the show floor. But a dear friend told me there is too much brown so something must be done about that! Color here we come ... The walls are also bare so I must find some wonderful frames and pictures to brighten up the room. I'd like to also hang some quilts on the walls for both texture and color. I'll try and take some pictures to share with everyone- I'm just a little embarrassed because it doesn't look perfect just yet... But I know these things take time!

Parisian Ephemera

Hi Dear Readers- Hope you are all enjoying this glorious Spring weather- The flowers are blooming, the bees are out- Everything is just lovely!
What better time for a fresh beginning with the shop! I don't have any pictures to share of my little space because I want everything to be perfect before I post on it. It's so sparse right now -I desperately need display cabinets and cute little pieces of furniture! But all shall come in due time.
Tomorrow I'm pricing some small things from my own collection so be sure to stop by if you get a chance- They'll be some real treasures coming into the shop. Thought I would post a few wonderful Parisian postcards- Aren't they simply divine? My favorite is this top one. Even with the postmark covering her face, the image is still beautiful. I love the costume!
Sorry if visits to everyone and posts in general have been sporadic (or non-existent). My computer at work is very slow and has trouble with blogs. But my husband, the computer guru, has perhaps fixed the problem. We'll see tomorrow! But I do plan on posting for Vintage Thingy Thursday so be sure to stop back by later this week for a wonderful antique treasure! You never know what you might see and learn ...

Parisian Trinkets and Treasures

This week I thought I would share another Parisian find- This fabulous pierrot ... The most wonderful aspect is the worn silver plate patina. I just love how this piece has aged - Much like fine wine it has only become richer and finer in its appearance...

Other updates: Well, we've sold our first piece of furniture! A great mahogany barrister bookcase - Really a stunning piece. Additionally, a couple of cards have made their way to new customers. It's so exciting to sell to complete strangers - It means they really like us and our merchandise!

Have a great day and happy Vintage Thingy Thursday!

The Power of Banan-Appeal

Dingy tan versus Banan-appeal - No contest!
Hello Sweet Blog Friends- It's been a while! Things have been in a whirl wind since we last chatted. We painted the shop a lovely lemon meringue (#332 Benjamin Moore Banan-appeal)- And the trim is purple! How whimsical. I just love how it turned out- And with the help of dear friends (like Joanna above) I was able to get all of this done in under a week!

The window was a collaboration between Joanna and myself- Don't you just love the paper flowers? We made them together a few days ago... And we hung fairy light around the border. It really makes a lovely statement at night.

So, today was the first day the doors opened for customers. I had one sale (a card) but several browsers. So, traffic was good and potential clients are learning that there's a new shop in town.

Today was just a soft opening - But the Grand Opening will be May 22nd. We plan on doing some publicity and advertising before the big day... If you have any ideas on how to get people in the shop, please feel free to share- I need all the advise I can get:)

For those of you checking back by to see the winner of the ivory etui, let's congratulate LiLi! I just know she will enjoy this wonderful little treasure!

Have a great week - See you at Flotsam & Jetsam Antiques!

Cheers!

Isn't this the best Easter card ever? I love the one little chick serving beer; then there are the ones playing poker- And to top it all off there's the little couple in the back- Just darling... You absolutely must enlarge it to see the fine detail.
As for other matters, just signed the lease on the shop tonight! I'm so excited!
Also, all you Postcard Friendship Friday pals: Be sure to check out the last post... I'm having a fabulous giveaway!