It has been such a long time since I have sent out my blog.  I apologize for that.

I have been busy with a new website Audreyaluxurycollection.com

I decided to downsize my home and  moved into a smaller space. I find that I don't have room for all my things.

Here is just one of the treasures you will see if you click on the link .  My beautiful Chanel bag.  I bought it years ago at the Chanel shop in Paris.

Thank you for checking it out.  There are only 6 things listed, all authentic and from my personal collection.

Stay well through these difficult times.

Audrey

Re-discovering old favorites

In the 1980's I was a big fan of Norma Kamali and shopped her store on 56th Street in Manhattan regularly.  I have re-discovered this incredible designer and want to share some of her best new looks.

Blush Feather Jacket

Side stripe jacket

Best fitting Black Pant

Great top to travel in

I always have an eye out for something great to travel in and then wear when I get to my destination.  I think these pants and this top fit the bill.  What do you think?

Once you get to your destination and have a lovely evening planned........

Striped jersey maxi dress

If you've always wanted something "Camo" and couldn't find the right thing, here it is

Great Camo jacket

Thanks for walking down memory lane with me.  I hope you like my choices.

Merci Beaucoup

Audrey

Life in Contrasts

My life is unique.  The life I live in Dallas could not be more different than the life I live in France

Dallas is about family, friends, eating out, driving with the top down and shopping.

Azaleas are in bloom in Dallas right now.

France is about taking it easy, eating at friends houses and for me, the flea markets.

There are so many flea markets to go to so I thought I would mention the ones I like so very much.  In Paris, I go to several but the one I always find what I am looking for is the Marche Aux Puces de La Porte de Vanves.  I love antique silver and this is just one of the stands that has it.

Most Americans are directed to the  Clignancourt flea market | It is large and I find it expensive.  I avoid it as I find too many dealers willing to pay their high prices.  It is fun though so if you are not looking to buy lots of things, do go there.  You will see everything.

If you are in Provence, go to my favorite one there.  It is in Avignon and called Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon Flea Market.

If you are in Bordeaux, I would recommend Quincones but it is only open at specific times, not every week.

In the Dordogne, on any given Sunday, there is a flea market somewhere.  Check out this web site and it will give you the names of what is happening while you are there. www.brocabrac.fr

Enjoy every day, I try to do it and it seems to be working.

Please come visit me at my new web site www.frenchvintagehome.com

You will see all the treasures I shop for when in France.  Merci Beaucoup!!!!

Sending love to all.Audrey

My Parisian Day

Before I start my adventures for the day I must stop and have my croissant and cafe creme.  There is always somewhere close by and I like to try as many places as I can.

If you haven't seen enough of Paris, this could be very interesting.  I haven't done it but did read about it in Time Out Paris and think it would be a fun time, especially if you are new to Paris.

Hop on board the Bustronome, the fine dining experience on a double decker bus, with dishes created by former Topchef contestants (the French version of Masterchef) and a route covering the city’s finest historic monuments. The bus never goes faster than 10km/h and the table is set with magnetic placemats and small holder for your glass of wine if things get a bit rocky. Between courses, there are discussions and historic explanations, all accompanied by hits from Francoise Hardy and Charles Aznavour. Being a tourist has never tasted so good. http://www.bustronome.com/

Walking is what you do in Paris and to be able to find a shoe that looks good and more comfortable than you can imagine, I always turn to Bernie Mev

Most comfortable shoes

I like to carry a bag with a long strap so I can wear it across my body and leave my hands free for shopping. This one is very comfortable for wearing all day long.

Cross body bag

Stop for lunch at my new favorite restaurant  Spring.  It is a French restaurant with an American chef.
I had a wonderful meal there. It's special. Just google it for details.

I love this carry on bag by the wonderful luggage maker Victorinox.  It is on sale now, at a fraction of the original price,  so scoop it up as you will love it.  We are always looking for a carry on bag that holds our computrer and lots of other things, this is the one.

Victorinox carry on bag ON SALE NOW

Enjoy your trip to Paris  and Bon Voyage.

A Bientôt  Audrey

GIVEAWAY- French Vintage Home

photo by Rachel Evans, Verteillac France

I am so excited to tell you that we have done a new website for French Vintage Home 

Lots of new things have been added so you will see things you haven't seen before.

We will be having a GIVEAWAY on March 2 of four vintage champagne glasses and four vintage linen cocktail napkins. 

   

If you would like to "throw your hat" into the ring, please do these two simple things:

1) Follow us on Instagram... click on the icon above or #french_vintage_home

2) Go to our new website  FrenchVintageHome  and click on CONTACT at the top. 
In the message box, please include 3 names and email addresses of friends or family that you think would like to follow us and receive our news.

If you are using a mobile phone just click on the 3 lines under the logo to find the CONTACT page. 

I hope you will check out all the new listings and let me know what you think of our new website.   I would love your comments.

Thank you so much for your continued support of what I do.

Merci beaucoup   A Bientôt

Audrey

Paris just before Christmas 2017

I am here in Paris for a few weeks and took a long walk down the Boulevard Raspail today.  The sights were so beautiful.  Not the least of which were the very well dressed men on the Rue de Sevres.  They were there with Cartier umbrellas to help on a very rainy day.

Sitting at the Cafe having my Noisette and watching all the beautiful people shopping these last few days before Christmas.

The shop windows are incredible just before Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all and a very Happy New Year.....

Joyeux Noel..........

Connections

What could possibly be better than a connection with  someone you love.  

As we get older we understand that nothing compares to the connection we have for the ones we love.

We must take the time and give the time and it will come back greater than it was given.

French Vintage Home has the perfect gift for a loved one. Just go to French Vintage Home to see the Table for Two


Go ahead and make that phone call, visit that person you haven't seen in a long time.  You won't regret it.

To visit the other connections posts at the Daily Plate of Crazy

Halloween will be here soon

                            Shelterness photo

By Invitation Only is back and what a fun time this is with Halloween just around the corner.

If you have or have had small children you know what fun it can be dressing up and eating candy.

Here is a great and easy Halloween recipe.....

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

For many years I had a home in country France and have seen the holiday slowly develop over those years.  Twenty years ago Halloween was not celebrated in France and I remember going to the famous "Drugstore" in Paris to get decorations.  No place else had them. 

Halloween is still considered a foreign holiday in France and there aren't many trick or treaters but to a small degree there are parties.

Here KevinandAmanda.com show us some Halloween macaroons......

Anytime is a good time to shop for French treasures on my web site.  Here's the link....

FRENCH VINTAGE HOME

Merci Beaucoup

Table for Two Gift Box French vintage

Table for Two

Set the mood.

This TABLE FOR TWO GIFT BOX has been specially curated for a romantic evening for two, directly from the Brocantes in Paris, Provence and Southwest France - the land of lavender and sunflowers.

It includes two vintage French plates, two vintage French wine glasses. two French oversized hand monogrammed antique napkins, cutlery for two and a votive candle. It's the perfect way to set the mood, whether it's a special anniversary or a romantic weeknight dinner.

It's also an ideal gift for Weddings, Bridal showers, Christmas, Valentines day, Birthdays or anytime. 

I have been collecting plates for years; they are one of my favorite finds. Only six plates have been photographed to show you the quality and style of what will be included in your box. Because I usually have just two of each plate, I am asking you to trust my taste and reputation to select just the right ones for you.

They will be in wonderful condition with no chips or cracks.

As you can see by the pictures, the recipient will open the box and see the beautiful rose petals. I will match the tissue and rose petals to the plates in the box. It will be a fabulous surprise when it is opened.

I have a limited number of these boxes. If you are interested in buying this box as a Christmas gift but don't want it now, just let me know. I will be able to hold it for you with a small PayPal deposit and ship it when you want me to. 

This is a most unique and fabulous gift.

French antique sheet giveaway

Once again I am having a drawing for one of these beautiful French Antique Linen Sheets.  

The drawing will be held September 4, 2017.

All you have to do is email me at (audreyfriedman1@gmail.com) with your name and email address and I will put your name in the "hat" for the drawing.

If you have a friend that might be interested in the next giveaway, please send me their name and email address as well.  They will not be included in this drawing but will in the next.

Merci Beaucoup

Please check out my website for more treasures from the French countryside.
French Vintage Home

A Bientot.........

Returning to France

I have returned to France after being gone a few months due to surgery .

I am doing great and my new knee works perfectly. Thanks to all of you for your

 warm get well wishes, they worked.

The first place I went was to the Dordogne.  This is the view out the front door.The flowers are all in bloom and the gentle rain has turned everything green.  It is lovely.
Then I spent awhile in Paris where my friend and I had tea at the Ritz. 
 How about this pastry?

From there I went to St. Remy de Provence which was fabulous.
All but the weather, I expected it to be warm but it was quite chilly. 
 
My first day I went to Villeneuve-Les-Avignon Flea Market which was a real 
adventure.  It was huge and I walked for what seemed like forever. 
I was successful in finding so many things for my web sites.

Here are just a couple of new things that you will see:

These six beautiful lavender transferware dessert plates.

Beautiful hand crocheted French antique table runner

If you want to see more, just go to either of my web sites.  
www.frenchvintagehome.com or 
etsy.com/store/frenchvintagehome.

So much more is coming, I am trying to get as much photographed and 
uploaded as I possibly can. 

 Every month I send out a newsy newsletter about France.
Places to go, places to see, places to eat and more.

I include recipes and more product from French Vintage Home. 

 
I would love it if you would sign on for my newsletter.
You can do it by going to: 
 www.frenchvintagehome.com and join my mailing list or
just send me your email.

Merci Beaucoup
 
A Bientôt Audrey

Paris, I miss you......

It has been a very busy time for me and I have not been back to France for a few months. Not the least of which was a new great grandson born just before Christmas.

As soon as I have my knee surgery next week, I will hope for a quick recovery so I can go back soon.

In the meantime, these lovely pictures keep Paris on my mind.

Wishing you all get to go this year too. The magic awaits.  

For a lovely authentic French lunch at a reasonable price go to L'Orillon in the 11th arrondisment.  Typical and delicious French food. 

Something unique which I haven't tried yet but will one day soon is Sunday lunch at Jimmy Haynes.  Google him and check it out, if you go let me know.  As I haven't been yet. It could be great, or not, just different... he says
"Every week for the past 30 years, I've hosted a Sunday dinner in my home in Paris. People, including total strangers, call or e-mail to book a spot. I hold the salon in my atelier, which used to be a sculpture studio. The first 50 or 60 people who call may come, and twice that many when the weather is nice and we can overflow into the garden. 
Every Sunday a different friend prepares a feast. Last week it was a philosophy student from Lisbon, and next week a dear friend from London will cook."  

 

Bisous to all..... Merci Beaucoup

Be sure to check out my web sites... lots of new things   www.frenchvintagehome.com and
www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvintagehome

Liiving in Country France

This morning was the Friday Market in Riberac, France.  It is held every Friday rain or shine.  Not only is it the place to buy the most wonderful fruits and vegetables but it is a wonderful place to meet up with friends for a coffee.....

The market is full of lucious offerings, I am afraid I always buy too much.

 s.

Here are a few new things I hope you like that are on my web sites. There is so much more so I hope you will find a moment to look at them.

www.frenchvintagehome.com    and
www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvintagehome

This is a brass pediment from a piece of 18th century French furniture.  I am sure you will find many uses for it.  I like it on a wall over a picture frame or mirror but anywhere you put it, it will look lovely.

CLICK HERE Antique brass pediment

CLICK HERE 5 French vintage kitchen towels and FREE grain sack

CLICK HERE for wreath brass pediment

CLICK HERE for French vintage horn handled knives

CLICK HERE for French antique Linen Napkins

CLICK HERE for Seasons and Suppers recipe for maple pecan hasselback cut squash

Merci Beaucoup

A Bientôt