The Spider, the Oyster, and the Twig

No this is not the beginning of some strange joke, rather these are just a few of the names swirled into wonderful, natural, and organic creations from our own lighting guru. Sometimes simple and discrete, sometimes riveting, complex and over-the-top, yet always enthralling, these unique masterpieces are available only at The Paris Market and Brocante.

The tidal marshes serve as a fantastic palette of inspiration for this aspiring artist. Gently working metals and incorporating natural materials, the finished products are individual, unique, one-of-a-kind designs sure to strike up conversation (in fact some of his creations have already appeared on various designer blogs – love it!).

Below are just a few examples of pure genius. All items can come in almost any size and shape, some just dictated by the constraints of nature. Have a rough idea of what you want? Send us a sketch, and before you know it, your idea will come to light – pun intended!

She sells seashells by the seashore

Ahh, Savannah in the spring. The almost schizophrenic color of azaleas, dogwoods, redbud's, and cherry trees has climaxed, the majestic oaks have erupted with new leaves, and the intoxicating scent of jasmine and honeysuckle is everywhere. The green of spring is unlike any other green in the color spectrum. My beloved, but not-too-smart dove family, has again setup a nest in the palm tree outside my back porch – perfectly situated at eye level – and the chimney sweeps have taken roost in our fireplace. We are currently enjoying the month before the oppressive humidity and bloodthirsty gnats turn outdoors into a drippy, slappy, feeding frenzy.

As spring turns to summer, Savannah heads to the beach. Tybee Island starts to hum – the redneck Riviera beckons. One can walk for miles along the wide sandy beach picking up odds and ends. For some reason, I have always been fascinated with specimens of nature. A simple walk in the sand turns into a treasure hunt for artifacts ranging from sand dollars, shells, and starfish, to shark’s teeth and the occasional boney remains of anonymous sea life.

I have sand and surf remnants from the various beaches of our travels, collected and hand labeled like priceless finds from archaeological digs. These glass canisters serve to remind me of the cool surf and even cooler locals (Hayman, Alexandria, Mumbai, Cannes, Seaside, etc).

I have searched far and wide for unique sources of sea-life. In the constant effort to maintain “green” values, the sources must comply with strict environmental guidelines. This year I think I have outdone myself. The beauty of nature cannot be replicated; the intricacy is confounding, yet the simplicity is astounding. These artifacts will establish a degree of elegance to any home.



It is also my pleasure to introduce the fantastic works of a local artist. Combining original statuary with shell remnants, a fantastical, organic masterpiece is created. Stop by the store or visit us online – I want you to share to experience.

Paula

After almost a century of its absence: Absinthe.

About 20 years ago, in a little corner bar on the east end of Bourbon Street, I had my first taste of the illegal distillate. Part liquor, part herb, part performance theater, absinthe proved intoxicating, both figuratively and literally. After being ushered to an aged table, an elegant dispensing apparatus appeared out of the back shadows. Tall, thick, ancient appearing glasses were placed under each spout, each topped with an equally ancient perforated spoon and capped with an assymetric sugar cube. An anonymous hand then placed the illicit bottle on the table. I started having second thoughts the moment the label became visible with the flicker of the candle. A morphing green fairy with a sardonic grin stared back at me as if daring me to proceed. I hesitated. My husband, then only my on again, off again boyfriend – and not one with a lot of common sense – said “cool”, grabbed the bottle and started pouring.

A pale green fluid pooled in the bottom of each glass. The absinthe fountain, which looked like an elegantly bizarre fondue pot, was filled with ice and water. The lever was turned, and a slow drip of iced water permeated the sugar cube and glided into the liquor. With each drip, an opalescent cloud formed as the herbal essence was released. One could almost envision the fairy emerging from the swirling brew. The cocktail complete, I ventured forth. A pleasingly crisp, slightly sweetened licorice flavored my palate. Not bad, actually quite good.

A few hours later we left the bar. No hallucinations, just a little intoxicated. Absinthe proved an enjoyable liquor with a storied tradition.


Now a few facts:
Absinthe is now legal for purchase in the United States. Absinthe does not cause hallucinations. This was a misconception promoted by the French wine consortium who deemed Absinthe’s afford ability and popularity a detriment to wine sales. Absinthe’s green color is a result of natural ingredients; no coloring is added. The bottles are dark to prevent exposure to light, which would destroy the natural color. Grande wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is the key ingredient in genuine Absinthe. The active ingredient thujone is strictly regulated. It has been noted that even the original manufacturers of Absinthe did not have significant amounts of thujone which could has caused hallucinations. The hallucinations historically alluded to with the myth of absinthe can probably be attributed to the concurrent popularity of cocaine and opium.

The Paris Market & Brocante carries Absinthe accessories for sale both in the store and on our website at http://theparismarket.com/Gallery.asp?secondary=12&catid=9

Taxidermy, A Solar System, and 109 Noses

My wife decided not to get up for an early morning shopping spree. She’s not a morning person; she actually thinks brunch is the first meal of the day. We had this great opportunity to select shop a vintage European wholesaler, but the first come first served mentality was to prevail. Perhaps a few too many bourbons the night before, I woke up ready, reeling, but ready. My wife, alas, still in deep hibernation, was not to be aroused. After a quick caffeine infusion it was off to the hunt.

I arrived in the dark to join the other hungry retailers at the gate. Felt like the kennel at feeding time. Each new arrival was sized up and subsequently discarded to the back of the line by the pack leader. The wholesaler finally sauntered up to the gate and herded us inside.

Ah, like the Vikings of old, we pillaged our way through the warehouse. Everything had a price, and I had to have everything. Stickers flew about, hopes won, dreams dashed.

A couple of hours later, an American express card much lighter, I return to the hotel. My wife, still in the same place I left her, although with a half empty cup of coffee in her hand and some croissant fragments on her robe, asked how it went. I proudly pulled out the receipt and revealed my treasure;

Antique taxidermy baby deer, baby goat, fox, and badger
French model solar system (Which sold quick!)
109 terra cotta theatre nose molds (early 1900's)

My wife now accompanies me on all buying outings. I believe she has finally realized the magnitude of my genius.

*all items available at the Paris Market and Brocante store or website. Noses available individually or as a lot. Priced from $140-170 individually.

Why Aesop??

Eleven years ago my husband and I traveled to Australia – furthest place we could go with all our saved up frequent flyer miles – to elope to the perfect paradise of Hayman Island. He was finishing residency, I was working three jobs, and doing research on the side – we had no money, but we had love and thus we were invincible (or is that irrational?). What a trip. I highly recommend foregoing the typical overdone wedding in favor of splurging the entire fortune on you and your honey! We called our parents the day of the wedding, went shopping for a cheap dress, shoes and suit, and bought a pair of silver rings (my husband called them training rings – he was so scared he would lose his).
We had to fly in a magistrate from a neighboring island, wrote our own vows, had hotel staff (our new best friends) for witnesses, and had a fantastically humble wedding on the beach,

Why am I telling you all this? Well, we were so worn out (and incredibly sunburned) from our impromtu island wedding that when we returned to Melbourne we needed some major revitalization. On the way to Australia, I think I read every magazine in the world. Nothing like traveling fourteen hours jam packed in coach. I came across this article in an Australian fashion magazine about the best product for that time (and in my opinion for all times) - Primrose Facial Hydrating Cream -the high priestess of hydrating creams as Aesop likes to call it. Apparently all the Australian films stars were enamored with this product line (including the perfect Nicole Kidman). This product was unknown to us so I dragged my husband high and low through Melbourne on the hunt. We finally found it. Aesop was green before green was a concept. Aesop does not subscribe to mainstream cosmetic practices and claims of anti-aging, promises of youth and distorted ideals of beauty. Aesop believes that external beauty is ultimately the result of a healthy attitude, diet, and moderate exercise and consistent physical attention to, and protection of, the skin. I bought a couple of products. My husband, the doctor, and thus always the naysayer of any cosmetic claim, was apparently satisfied by the package insert, and decided to participate in my beauty night (he’s my best girlfriend). Actually, I think he was just so sunburned that he was willing to try anything..

So here we are, eleven years later and I finally had the opportunity to bring Aesop to Savannah. This company has evolved into something even better over the years. Start the New Year right. Our new in-store apothecary has a multitude of lines to improve your appearance, but Aesop certainly is our finest coup.

Product Spotlight

The Paris Market has launched it's Apothecary Shop! See our full line of exclusive product lines for the hair, body and face. We are also carrying men and women's fragrances. Give the ultimate gift of luxury this year. Check out our featured new line: Aesop!

Aesop was created for those seeking effective, botanical-based solutions. This coveted range of Australian skin, hair, and body care products contain the world’s finest botanical extracts.Plants have a great deal in common with the skin by virtue of their similar physical composition and so Aesop products, with their botanical extracts, offer a holistic and realistic approach towards true affinity with ones skin.

Come in and test out these fabulous new products! (Coming soon: The Paris Market Apothecary Online)!

Now Playing...

The Paris Market & Brocante introduces the areas first Music Bar! Now, you can come in the store, grab a cup of our famous coffee, and listen to the store's featured music selections on one of two ipod stations. Our music selections will be updated on a regular basis, so you will want to check back frequently. It's a great way to listen before you buy, and all of our featured albums are available for purchase within the store (and will be coming soon to our online store). Want to know who we've got playing? Come by and check out The Music Bar! Relax, listen, and enjoy!!

From Animal Control with Love...

'I initially thought I made the worst mistake last Christmas. After another torrid sales season, my wife and I decided to do something different and donate money to charity instead of the obligatory exchange of superfluous gifts. After reading a heart-warming story of puppies rescued from a sewage drain, with cuter-than-ever accompanying pictures in the local paper we had found our charity.

Animal control appeared just as the name described -cold, desolate and demoralizing. Stuck behind the friendly, colorful, almost exuberant appearing Humane Society building, animal control was a maze of concrete and razor wire almost hidden in the over-growth. The mewing of kittens, screeching of cats, explosive barking of puppies and dogs all greeted us at the sign reading "honk for service". An overworked young woman opened the gate and we walked through what can only be described as animal hell. Forlorn eyes followed our every move. A beautiful collie barked hello, a group of disheveled pit bulls rescued from a local fight club huddled together in a dark corner. Dogs and cats were everywhere-the discarded, the used, the leftovers. I have spent the last 12 years of my life working in urban emergency departments and consider myself quite hardened, but tears began to form in my eyes. How helpless, how hopeless, how horrible.

My wife and I finally left crying, emotionally exhausted, & we decided something must be done. Something could be done-by us. I was in the middle of a horrible shift in the ER when I received the call from my wife. Two of the puppies we had played with were scheduled to be euthanized within the hour. Some of the more lovable animals are protected as long as possible by certain, brave, non-jaded employees. The terrible reality is most are euthanized after 5-7 days. The continual daily arrival of new animals necessitates this fact. My wife never had to ask, we had just adopted our first two puppies.

The cute little puppies turned into cute 50 pounders in a matter of months. Initially everything seemed to be a source of food or at least worth a chew. My wife's leather high heels seemed a favorite chew toy. I was beginning to think that the puppies were my wife's excuse to establish an entirely new wardrobe.

Initially the dogs were to be outside dogs. I always wanted a floppy eared southern dog sitting on my southern porch. We purchased crates, installed an invisible fence, and bought a bazillion dog toys. This lasted until the first rainstorm. Poor puppies, come inside, sit on the silk couches, look how cute. Okay, now the dogs are inside. Night-time in the crates. Damn 6am barking, who's turn is it to let them out to pee? Okay, now the dogs sleep on our bed. Actually they sleep wherever they please- the bed, the couch, our antique rugs.

I come home at all hours of the day and night. I'm exhausted after a long shift and what do I get: Unequivocal love, a greeting like I just returned from war, and wagging tails. My wife and I have adopted a bounty of joy. Our previously impeccable house is now a warm home covered with dog toys. I can't imagine our lives without our "daughters". Thank you Chloe, thank you Annabelle, we are truly the lucky ones.'

- Taras

The Paris Market is hosting a Pet Supply Drive

On November 16th & 17th, the Paris Market will be hosting a Pet Supply Drive for the Savannah Metropolitan Animal Control. We will be collecting items such as: dog and cat food, leashes, collars, grooming supplies, and blankets. The Paris Market & Brocante hopes to raise awareness for the Metropolitan Animal Control, and help find homes for for the dogs & cats that are up for adoption. Our Patisserie will also be selling sweets from local bakeries: Two Smart Cookies & Back in the Day, as well as, selling custom graphic tees for the event. All proceeds from these items will be used to fund heart worm medicine and vaccines for Savannah's Animal Control. Please don't miss this opportunity to come by and donate your items to this worthy cause! Plus- see photos of the pets that are available for adoption! For additional information, contact emily@theparismarket.com.

Voted Best Cupcakes in America!

Don't miss your chance to come in and try one of America's BEST CUPCAKES! The Paris Market is honored to sell 'Back in the Day Bakery' cupcakes, who were voted by AOL.com & The Ellen DeGeneres Show as having one of the Top 10 Best Cupcakes in America! Congratulations!! Read the full article here: http://ellen.aol.com/editorial/the+best+cupcakes+in+america/?Page=2