Category — Antiques, Vintage and Just Old Stuff

It all started with a tweet July 6 from @TheAntiquesDiva:

Found gorgeous antique linens with CR embroidered – perfect for @shesshoppingnow

Immediately following were a series of frantic emails and phone calls, and the deal was done: the antique monogrammed linens were mine! [Read more →]

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.
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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).

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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. [Read more →]

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!

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