If you’ve been reading along you know three things that make Moi happy are Paris, antiques and my iPhone. You may also know that I’m on twitter, and in addition to having twitter followers, I’ve been following some new favorites that make me happy. And Monday morning I read:

Our Flea Markets of Paris App has Launched! Check it out on itunes!

http://ax.itunes.apple.com/us/app/keys-to-the-fleas/id380432477?mt=8

So immediately I clicked on the link, went to iPhones, read about the new app by Claudia Strasser, and within seconds had purchased, downloaded, and was excitedly reading and mental note-taking on some of my fave and soon-to-be-fave Paris flea markets.

I first discovered Claudia Strasser and The Paris Apartment on twitter through The Antiques Diva, it then led me to Claudia’s blog. The Paris Apartment is a romantic, sensual Parisian shopping spree of all that is fun and fanciful and fabulous, with enticements to translate vintage finds into our modern lives. Like Claudia I’ve lived in NYC and South Florida as well as Paris and could relate to many of her adventures in shopping, and fell passionately in love with her photos of antiques and Parisian decor and lifestyle. Claudia’s passion for the fleas extends to her Paris Apartment books, shopping trips, and interior design. Her passion pays off in Keys to the Fleas: it’s a Paris flea market shopping guide extraordinaire!

the details:

I’m shopping now!

J’adore all things blue: blue bags of pretzel M&Ms, my new bleu sel marin (sea salt) jar from POSH Chicago, and Moi blau zwiebelmuster (blue onion) crock that I scored on a shopping trip with The Antiques Diva in Berlin. Read all about it…

And a correction:

As you can see on the crock, the old German spelling was Cacao. not Cocoa, and with a period after the o. So the last line explaining the Deutsch Rightig Sprechen und Schreiben should say:

As a result, Cacao. became Kakao.

Tschüss!

If you’ve been reading along you know I often mention things that make Moi happy: Starbucks tall skim chai, extra water, extra hot svp? Mignette? It’s the little things that just for one moment or all day long, make me happy. And occasionally I’m going to share some of them with you, and hope they make you happy too.

The temp in NYC is 94 again today and tres humide: perfect for a sweating glass of iced tea. TBG likes a touch of sweetness to his tea, normally he adds a squirt of honey. Newsflash: honey does not dissolve in a glass of ice cold tea.

To the rescue: simple syrup! I just opened a package from POSH Chicago with my new vintage French mineral water bottle: mine is from Aix-les-Bains. I don’t need a lot of decorative stuff cluttering up my tiny NYC apt, so I immediately put the bottle to good use by making this batch of simple syrup, which sweetens up TBGs tea, coffee, fruit salad, or even a cocktail.

Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

Boil sugar and water together in a heavy saucepan about 3 minutes, until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool, then decant into a bottle for serving. Stores refrigerated for up to 3 months. I leave it on the counter: its gone in 2 weeks.

Moi tip: Infuse herbs or flavors into your simple syrup by adding mint, basil, lavender, rosemary, lemon or other flavors when boiling. Then strain before bottling. Try the basil syrup with vodka over ice: so refreshing!

Santé!

On a recent flight to Paris I was seated next to a French businessman. Exchanging greetings we determined my French was better than his English (note: Moi French isn’t that good). He was excited about his first time in NYC and wanted to chat, so before turning to the tv series I had downloaded to my iPhone, we talked about his trip.

Seems he was on a sales call to the D&D Building, which houses many well-known NYC design firms. He is the owner of a family business, but was sure I wouldn’t know the word to describe what they manufacture. I said just say the word: I have a pretty eclectic French vocabulary:

Passementerie

Trims, tassels, fringe, ribbons: all the fancy, decorative details that turn a pillow or curtain into a statement. I’m a tassle freak! Paris bff D buys antique French fabrics and with style and passementerie turns them into pillow works of art…I have a complete collection!

I’ve spent days wandering the streets near the Marché Saint-Pierre in the fabric district of Paris. In New York I head to the garment district, and I always make my 1st stop M&J Trimming. Fringe, tassles, ribbons, sequins, buttons, belts, crystals, lace, and braids; plus all the threads, glues, nails, zippers and supplies you need to create a chef d’oeuvre (masterpiece).

Last week I headed to MJ Trim to find buttons for one of TBG’s suits, and choose some trim for a curtain swag hanging in our dining room. In our last home I’d had silk curtains custom-made for our dining room. In our NYC apartment we have side-by-side living and dining rooms, and 3 large windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline. I wanted to re-use my silk curtains, but only had the 2 pairs. So I called the fabric store, and was able to get the last remnant, just enough to hang a swag over one of the dining room windows. Then for the next 2 1/4 years, I’ve been trying to decide on how to edge the swag. Every time I go to MJ Trim I’m overwhelmed by the thousands of colors and styles and fabric decisions…so I decide: nothing!

Until Friday, it was just dangling loose threads. After I got the fabric up on the rod, I never bothered to take it down to finish the edges neatly. I don’t sew, so this is a big deal for me. Friday evening we were having a cocktail, and some of the guests were repeat visitors, and I was determined that this time, the swag would be finished. So I finally selected a silk fringe in shades of Copenhagen blue, khaki and gold to complement the gold and peach silk curtains. It was a close-out fringe, so I was happy to get the 3 yards I needed.

Once home, I hauled out my handy glue-gun, and hot-glued the fringe to the raw ends in about 15 minutes. Voilà!

Now if someone could just teach me how to artfully drape a swag…

the details:

Moi tip: follow the carpenter’s rule of measure twice, cut once. I thought I had ordered fringe to spare, but as you can see, it was down to the wire: I finished my curtain swag with only 1 1/2″ of fringe to spare!

Fathers Day is less than 2 weeks away: June 20. These gifts have been personally field-tested by TBG and have earned the very hard to come by TBG smile of approval. One of these is bound to please a father on your list!

For the sports fan:

Cufflinks made by Tokens & Icons from authentic souvenirs of his favorite sports team or stadium: I bought TBG authentic football cufflinks from Roslyn,  276 Columbus in NYC; Spare Parts, 2947 Broadway in Chicago carries similar styles (attn Cubs fans!) But online shoppers can also find them at Uncommon Goods or Cufflinks.com. Expect to pay $130 to $150+. I’ve seen styles made from Notre Dame stadium seats, Cubs game balls, Tokens & Icons also carries pens made from Yankee stadium seats, Dodgers seat bottle openers, Boston Garden floor bottle openers, hockey arena pens and cufflinks (sorry, no Blackhawks: yet!) and lots more.

For the sharp dresser:

Living in rainy or snowy climates is not easy for the guy who always likes to look sharp. Check out Swims:  These classic, classy shoe rubbers easily pull-on over shoes and protect them from the weather. Traditional black is available, but why not step it up a notch with orange or yellow? He’ll love looking good and being practical at the same time. These stylish rubbers are made in Norway of a unique stretchy rubber (similar to diver’s suits) and slip on easily over shoes. We bought TBG’s at Allen Edmonds on Michigan Ave in Chicago, but you can also buy them at Bloomies or Nieman Marcus, or at amazon.com. Around $95 – $125.

For the camera or electronics buff:

These handy camera accessories are practical, inexpensive, and useful: a sure homerun. TBG is a huge camera buff, and has bags and cabinets of high-priced accessories. But accessories are usually heavy and bulky, so not always practical to carry on a long walk, a bike ride, or an outing to the park or zoo. Check these gadgets out. I bought TBG’s online at delight.com

Bottle cap tripod: this tiny tripod screws easily onto a pop or water bottle (better filled so it doesn’t tip over) to provide some distance and stability for your subject: no more stretching your arm as far as possible to try include yourself and that great spot in your shot! About $9.50

Powercup On-the-Go Power Supply Cup: Cameras don’t work well when the battery is dead. Same for mobile phones. Traveling buy car requires multiple adapters and accessories to charge the iPhone, Blackberry, camera, and baby bottle heater. What’s a guy to do? This clever latte-cup shaped adapter plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter and rests in the cup holder. Brilliant: it charges both 120 volt and USB ports. Around $32.50.

For the gourmand:

Wine or chocolates: decisions decisions. Why not combine both with these decadent chocolate covered wine grapes: grapes infused with wine and coated in dark rich chocolate from chocolateur Bissingers? Indulge him! $16 plus shipping.

And what is TBG getting the Fathers’ Day? Shhhh, I’ll never tell. But I will share a shopping tip: I’ve been shopping Mantiques from Treasures by the Antiques Diva!

Mother’s Day is Sunday…Moi has a few shopping ideas for the special Mom or Grandmom or Fairy GodMom in your life.

Breakfast in bed or on the terrace will be extra sweet with Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves…just like Grandma used to make.

This heart-shaped Quimper dish will remind her every day of how much you care.  Hand-painted and signed, at $42 it’s a collector’s item she’ll treasure.

Your favorite Yummy Mummy will love these books that poke a bit of humor at the world of motherhood…and have conveniently short chapters for the busy mommy. Moi fave to gift is Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonay. $10.07 at Amazon, and they guarantee delivery by Sunday!

Louis Vuitton European City Guide 2010 is the chic Mom’s insider guide to 31 European cities. Whether she’s crossing the Atlantic soon, or indulging in some arm-chair travels, she’ll love to discover the over 2000 insiders’ tips to traveling in style. $130 for this boxed set of 9 soft-back books. Available in LV stores or on-line. Moi tip: this set will look tres chic just sitting on her bookshelf!

Trendy Mom will love one of the funky iPhone 3G covers by Kate Spade. She’s fun, she’s practical, and she’ll love how slim this iPhone case is, and how easy to find in the bottom of her bag! At $35 with free shipping, you can’t go wrong!

And for the Mom who’s hard to shop for, gift her a special treat from Treasures Online Brocante by The Antiques Diva. A Chanel bracelet, an 18th Century blue and white Delft tile, a vintage Moët et Chandon champagne bucket: whatever you choose, shopping with The Antiques Diva is sure to please!

This is one of Moi favorite shows: the 13th annual Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, featuring over 100 dealers of everything from jewelry to art to furniture to books to maps…and more.

This year the fair is part of the ARTOPOLIS triumvirate: Chicago’s celebration of art, antiques and culture, featuring  the Art Chicago fair of contemporary and modern art;  and NEXT showcasing avant-garde art and culture.

Moi tip: Make a day out of it; or two! Tickets are valid for Art Chicago, NEXT and the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair.

What I won’t do in the name of friendship! Moi bff The Antiques Diva recently assigned me, her NYC, Chicago, SoFlo, and anywhere else I happen to go Special Correspondent, to meet with antiques dealer Fran Reilly in New York City, and take a look at her new showroom in Midtown’s Center44. So on a cold rainy March afternoon, I grabbed a Starbucks chai latte and headed on over. I had a great afternoon…you can read all about my newest NYC favorite antiques shopping mecca on The Antiques Diva’s blog.  But I didn’t share it all with The Diva…I saved some of my favorite finds to share only with you!

Center44 is the kind of showroom where you can wander around endlessly, never realizing you’ve already been down that aisle: there is so much to look at, all so unique and so fresh from every angle.

I was hooked immediately when Fran first took me to her booth to drop our coats before the tour, and her walls were filled with shiny gilded mirrors, a personal weakness, and a stunning pair of zebra-striped armchairs that I can personally attest are super comfy…and Danish:  as you know, I have a love for all things French and Danish! This pair of Danish modern armchairs by Jens Risom are in Fran’s booth, ICONIC Antique and Modern.

My apartment is always decorated with extensive quantities of cream and silver, and this little vignette caught my eye immediately.  Flourish Arts, Antiques and Decorations displays these bone orbs balanced on silverplate candlesticks, they make a simple yet stunning accent on a coffee table or bookcase.

My passion for cobalt blue propelled me to this vitrine flashing and sparkling with glass and crystal from Bohemian Art Gallery.

French clocks are another passion, I’ve been coveting the clock of a Paris friend for years, and this 19th century Flemish clock face at Ghislain Antiques might do the trick.

I had a good friend who collected religious artifacts, and she conditioned my eye to seek out filigree crosses. A shelf displaying a row of crosses at Frankly Scarlet would make a statement in any room.

My taste runs to practical, livable modern traditional antiques and what better way to modernize antiques than with eclectic lighting? The New Brooklyn has this funky traffic light fixture: fun!

The details:

Moi tip: Sign up for the weekly newsletter, The Shout Out,  it’s the perfect armchair shopping to start off your week!

ps: I met the owners, Jim and Paul, and they were so nice and welcoming that it’s easy to see why their showroom is the same: its a great place to brainstorm decorate and find the goods that fit your design dreams.  They’re so nice they even let me use their microwave to reheat my chai latte!

I was flying off to visit Omaha bff J and needed a housegift, preferably something the whole family of 6 could enjoy. What do you get the girl who has everything…and more? J and I have been friends thru many moves, and through her homes in Paris, Chicago, and now Omaha. hmmm…let the shopping begin!

Score:
A set of 6 coasters decoupaged with vintage maps depicting where they have lived since I’ve known them: 2 of Paris, 2 of Chicago, and 2 of their new hometown, Omaha. Brilliant!

At the GreenFlea I discovered On The Fringe, with stacks of vintage map decoupaged, one-of-a-kind, handmade coasters at $6 each, 4 for $20, or 5 for $25. I also bought a set of 4 for the TBG, put them in a ready-made picture frame, and use it on his nightstand as a giant coaster: Paris, Chicago, SoFlo, and NYC!

Visit On The Fringe Sundays at the GreenFlea Market in NYC, or online. Each week (weather permitting) Wendy sells  handmade decoupaged

• coasters, tiles, trivets, trays
• tray tables, tissue box covers, magazine racks, waste baskets
• initials, lampshades, lamps
• vinyl record bowls

the details:

Of course this led me to a vintage map fetish, and I was lucky enough to score again at the One of a Kind Show. Jewelry designer Sue Rosengard also uses vintage maps, and I found a necklace with a map of Paris, depicting my old street, rue Raynouard! I removed it from the chain, and the map charm now dangles from Moi key chain…Paris is always nearby! At the same booth I also found a beautiful decoupage necklace for my mother: sheet music! It’s charming, with a little pearl dangling from the round charm to catch the eye.

the details:

Vintage map decor: recycling with style!

more & more Antiques is the kind of store you’ll pass several times before going in. It’s on a good corner (78th and Amsterdam) but the storefront windows look, well, busy! And they are: on this March day the three windows framing the entry are cluttered with dishes, dangling Easter eggs, chocolate foil and papier-mâché bunnies, gilded mirrors, lamps, secretaries, silverware, glass fruit, paintings…and more.  It’s all too, too!

Get over the clutter, open the door, and go in. You won’t regret it.

more & more is one of those stores whose owners started with an idea…I’m guessing antiques…and added a little bit of alot of other things to attract buyers and increase sales (and profits). I haven’t talked to the owner…or maybe I have and didn’t know it…but on Moi many visits, I’ve talked to a variety of sales staff who are helpful, pleasant and eager to sell. And I’ve been eager to buy!

First, the store specializes in antiques. I’ve been particularly drawn to the chandeliers, ranging from over the top Italian crystal and glass for thousands, to simpler pieces for “only” hundreds. But you have to look UP to see the chandeliers: the store has very high ceilings, and the chandeliers are neck-craners, you practically have to point your nose to the ceiling to actually see the many many offerings. When I’ve asked for prices, it usually involves getting a very tall ladder and a ruler to try and read the tiny print on the tag, and has often resulted in a phone call when the tag is either too far away to read or illegible. It’s worth it: gorgeous chandeliers, varied price range, and I’ve been repeatedly advised: prices are negotiable!

Like the windows and the ceiling, the rest of the store has every tabletop, shelf, wall space (and most of the floor space) filled with

• antiques: paintings, dolls, dishware, mirrors, lamps, desks, books, stools, shelves, vases
• gifts: napkins, pens, jewelry, baby socks, scarves, napkin rings, soaps, note cards, twizzlers
• pêle-mêle: chocolates, dog treats, wrapping paper

It’s a giftaholics delight!

Holidays are celebrated with style at more & more. During Christmas, the shop carries lots of glitzy ornaments, sparkly Christmas trees, shiny wreaths, gilded angels and more…and some of these were still on display in March!

the details:

]]> http://shesshoppingnow.com/more-more/feed/ 4