The Magic of Milagros

The use of milagros is a folk custom in parts of North, Central, and South America traceable to ancient Iberians who inhabited the coastal regions of Spain. The use of milagros accompanied the Spanish as they arrived in Central and South America. Although the custom is not as prevalent as it once was, the use of milagros or ex-votos continues to be a part of folk culture throughout rural areas of Spain—particularly Andalusia, Catalonia, and Majorca.

 As part of a religious ritual or an act of devotion, milagros can be offered to a symbol of a saint as a reminder of a petitioner's particular need, or in gratitude for a prayer answered. They are used to assist in focusing attention towards a specific ailment, based on the type of charm used. Milagro symbolism is not universal; a milagro of a body part, such as a leg, might be used as part of a prayer or vow for the improvement of a leg; or it might refer to a concept such as travel. Similarly, a heart might represent ideas as diverse as a heart condition, a romance, or any number of other interpretations. Milagros are also carried for protection and good luck.

  Milagros can be flat, three dimensional, tiny or large; they can be of gold, silver, wood, lead, tin, bone, wax or whatever the petitioner desires. Traditionally, milagros can be specially made by a silversmith for the occasion, or ready-made milagros can be purchased from a vendor's stand outside the church. Many milagros have been recycled by the church for when the parish priest determines that the saint's statue is over-laden with milagros, he sells them back to the religious goods vendor.

Today, one sees a variety of milagros offered for sale in New Mexico. Occasionally one can find old Peruvian, Bolivian, Guatemalan, Mexican or Ecuadorian milagros, but they are not common. Sterling silver reproductions of old milagros from all parts of Latin America, hand-finished in New Mexico, are available in various shops and museum stores.

The milagros most commonly offered for sale in New Mexico are the thumbnail-sized, silver-washed, flat Mexican milagros. Sometimes they have been tacked onto a cross made of old wood, or a wooden shoe last. While the Mexican faithful certainly have hung milagros on wooden crosses as prayer offerings, it is unlikely that the milagros crosses which one sees for sale are historical pieces; the crosses and shoe lasts are nonetheless decorative, ingenious ways of displaying a collection of milagros.

Apart from the contemporary use of milagros as decorative elements, milagros as symbols have new uses and meanings in New Mexico these days. If a friend is about to have an eye operation, the gift of a eye milagro helps to say, "I wish you well." A pair of lungs can say, "I hope your cold gets better." An arm and a leg given to a couple trying to buy a house can wish them good luck obtaining financing. An ear milagro can suggest that someone be a better listener. An axe milagro might suggest that a relationship should end.

 Milagros then, are not solely religious items, nor are they only for collecting. They are part of the magical and symbolic past common to all cultures which continues to influence our lives today. Whether used traditionally or in modern ways, milagros are an ongoing part of a fascinating folk culture in New Mexico and elsewhere.

Whether you are in need of spiritual healing or just admire the beauty and intricate detail of Milagros,  you can find an assortment for purchase at The Paris Market & Brocante. As the cold weather blows in and our city becomes lit with the magic of the fall season, the inspirations of outer-worldly objects enter our home and our creative minds. Stay tuned for our spooky new arrivals and our newest fall trend favorites!

Bookmarked - The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

In honor of the 200th anniversary of the Grimms' fairy tales, this special edition book brings to life the Grimm Brothers' timeless magic in an all-new translation alongside art by some of the most treasured children's illustrators from the 1820s to the 1950s. Twenty-seven of the most famous and enchanting tales - from "Cinderella" and "Snow White" to "Sleeping Beauty" and "Hansel and Gretel" - are brought together for the first time in a format that combines the original tales with the glorious international artwork they inspired. The book also includes introductions to the tales and extended biographies of the artists. Discover firsthand the power of the Grimms' tales, which have fascinated children and adults for two centuries.

Pick up a copy for you and your little one!

Now available at The Paris Market!

Postcards from Paris:{ Le moulin rouge brille encore }

Bonjour mes amis!

Il fait bien longtemps que je suis ici.
But I am indeed happy to return to the blog world. 

Since I had just missed the fabulous festivities from last week's Fashion Night Out in Savannah, I thought I would still participate from a distance, across the Atlantic back in Paris, and at Le Moulin Rouge itself.
All that glitters is gold, and the red mill still shines. 

Established in 1889, during Paris' Belle Epoque, Le Moulin Rouge surfaced the same year as the Eiffel Tower, it was a time of prosperity and optimism. 

Such positive notions resulted in a new dance, the Cancan. It was originally intended to be a dance for couples, but soon enough became the main moves at the Moulin Rouge.

It's curious to walk by casually and regard it simply as part of the surrounding architecture, but once those lights turn on one can't help but conjure up images from Toulouse-Lautrec's posters, and wish to be a part of that Belle-Epoque.
Bisous,
Reba

Crafty Chipboard Postcards!

 Card Crafters seem to constantly be finding more ways to wow us with their designs, messages, and materials. Chipboard has surfaced on the design scene as a classic one-hit wonder of recycled material and the terrific people at Set Editions have melted our hearts yet again with their set of Chipboard Postcards. Here are some of our favorites, now stocked on our shelves for your message writing pleasure!

Cookbooks to Live By...

Our book section is bursting with a rich selection of must-reads for the home, creative mind, intellectual soul and vintage lifestyle. Some of personal favorites cater to the kitchen and the taste buds. Pick up some of these coveted cupboard reads, now available at The Paris Market!

 Egg Whites, Sugar, a pinch of cream of tartar or a dash of vinegar - and air. So simple, yet so divine! Meringue can be spooned onto pies, piped into any number of beautiful shapes, baked, poached, whipped into silky frostings, or folded into cakes. It can be combined with round nuts, chocolate, or any number of flavorings, or made into vessels for chantilly cream and berries. And that's just the beginning.

With thoughtful instructions, helpful hints, and magical recipes, Meringue will guide you in making such heavenly treats as Classic French Meringues, Chocolate Raspberry Mini-Pavlovas, Clementine Meringue Cake with Rosemary, and Baked Alaska.

 Layered, fluffy, feathery, silky, soft, and velvety biscuits all come together in Southern Biscuits, a book of recipes and baking secrets for every biscuit imaginable. Southern Biscuits features easy biscuits that are hassle-free and undemanding to make, as well as embellished biscuits laced with silky goat butter, crunchy pecans, or tangy pimento cheese, and everything in between.

The biscuits in this book encompass a number of types, from the beaten biscuits of the Old South and England, to biscuits reminiscent of Sunday Supper, to modern trends and ingredient combinations. Filled with beautiful photography, including dozens of how-to photos showing how to mix, stir, fold, roll, and knead, Southern Biscuits is the definitive biscuit baking book.

 Garden goodness goes into these drinks, from the freshest of summer goodies to the delights of fall or a dose of warmth on a chilly winter's eve. Here are recipes for delectable nonalcoholic libations perfect for parties or for relaxing at home.

Liven up a simple syrup with herbs, or garnish the glass with an added touch from the orchard or garden. Easy fruity drinks and creamy milkshakes, along with dressed-up teas make perfect ideas for your next get together. A few special cake and tart recipes, plus stories and history capture the traditional experience of entertaining on the porch.

From favorite family recipes and fun recollections of childhood to modern twists on classic toasts, Sip & Savor will wet your whistle with a host of beverages that can be sipped and savored for years to come.

An homage to the classic French bistro by Bertrand Auboyneau, owner of the Paul Bert in Paris, and Francois Simon, renowned Le Figaro food critic. Auboyneau offers a seasonal selection of the Paul Bert's finest recipes, and Simon explains the ten essentials that make - or break - a great bistro. Featuring a dozen of the best bistros in the French capital.

A Fashion Night Out with Paris Market

 

Last night's Fashion Night Out Celebration was a Blast!

Thank you so much to Bleu Belle and Meredith Sutton for being our party partners and sharing this incredible event with us. And a special thank you to our customers, fans, guests, and staff for an incredible evening of fashion, french love, and Moulin Rouge madness!

If you're still hungover from fashion fever, don't worry, we're already planning next year's bash!

Beware the Green Fairy: The History of Absinthe

With our upcoming Moulin Rouge Bash for Savannah's Fashion Night Out (it's tomorrow night!) we can only dive into what makes such a famous French landmark so special. The world of the Moulin Rouge, French nightlife, and vintage Paris bring about such necessary evils such as Absinthe. Though Absinthe itself has changed significantly throughout the years, it is still looked upon as a unforgettable novelty and piece of history from french culture.

The History of Absinthe


At the end of the eighteenth century, the drink was invented by one Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor who distilled wormwood and other herbs in an alcoholic base as a remedy for his patients 

At the end of the nineteenth century, absinthe was embraced by the literary bohemian crowd who gathered in European cafes and claimed the Green Fairy (La Fee Verte) as their muse and inspiration.

The end of the twentieth century brought to an end nearly 100 years of nonsensical prohibition in parts of Europe. As a result, a new fin de siecle in crowd began discovering the delights of the absinthe drink once again.

The First Absinthe Fever

From its humble beginnings as a medicinal elixir, absinthe steadily grew into a global phenomenon.In France, absinthe quickly caught on as the favorite drink of the aristocracy. In the 1850's, the popularity of absinthe skyrocketed as the bohemian crowd embraced the "Green Fairy". Many famous poets, writers and artists of the day routinely reached for a glass in search of inspiration.By the 1870's, the absinthe craze was felt at all levels of the French society; just about everyone was drinking it. Days started with a glass of absinthe and ended with l'heure verte (the late-afternoon "green hour" ) when one or more glasses were drunk as an aperitif before supper.

Interestingly, it is believed that it was the 1870's blight in the French vineyards that ignited the spread of absinthe -- once the exclusive drink of the aristocracy -- across the social spectrum. At the time, wine was often drank with water, because water of that day had a high bacterial content and wine was believed to help. When the phylloxera blight caused a hike in the price of wine, working classes turned to cheaper absinthe to "purify" their water.

By the end of the nineteenth century, France alone was gulping down over 2 million litres of the liquid per year. In 1910, according to some reports, this had reached a whopping 36 million litres annually. By then, the absinthe fever had crossed the borders of France, and the demand for the drink spawned a successful Europe-wide industry of absinthe distilleries nestled in Swiss valleys and Bohemian forests.

We have stocked our shelves with Absinthe supplies such as spoons, sugar cubes, and glasses. Become a true "child of the revolution" by grabbing up some of these nightlife goods that are filled with a history of their own.

Jewelry with a Dark Side

 We are loving the new jewelry trends for fall. 

Deep tones, bold shapes, and a little on the dark side. Our newest line of jewelry mirrors this seasons play on the more sinister side of fashion. 

Here's what's spooking in our showcases.

 These beautifully handcrafted pieces are a great addition to any autumn wardrobe. Swing by The Paris Market for a jewelry line that will spook your fashion sense into this seasons hottest accessory trends.

The Superstitions behind White Sage

Whether you're the superstitious sort (us Savannahians love our local ghost lore), or just a "one with the earth" spirit...White Sage is a great tool to rid your home or your body of unwelcome bad juju. White Sage has been used by different tribes, religions, and unguided believers for centuries as a cleansing power. It is believed that Sage has the power to purify the mind, body, and spirit, and can get rid of negative energies from people and places. In some tribal nations sage is also used to wrap pipes or spread on the floor of the sweat lodge. It is also used for medicinal purposes.

Cleansing your Home

Begin in the center of the most trafficked room in your home. Light the larger end of your Sage Bundle, then as the fire dies out the smoke will begin to curl in large forms. Walk clockwise around the room, waving your hand like a fan in front of the smoke to spread it into corners. Continue into each room of your home. There are mixed messages whether you should have your windows and doors opened or closed during this cleansing process. The smoke and scent of White Sage is extremely dense, so we recommend keeping your home well ventilated for safety purposes.

Cleansing your Mind & Body

Take the lit Sage Bundle and use your hands or a feather to spread the smoke over your whole body starting with your head. Think of it like a shower, where you clean yourself and feel refreshed afterward. If you feel certain areas have more negativity than others, give more concentration to them. You can also do this to friends or family members (with their permission of course.)

White Sage Bundles are available for purchase at The Paris Market & Brocante. You don't have to believe in healing properties to love White Sage, it's smell is deliciously potent and leaves a crispness in your space that is hard to find in most candles or potpourri. If you are a local ghost lover, or just a Savannah visitor, grabbing a bundle before your next haunted tour might be a wise decision.

Through the Glass: Fashion Night Out

Our windows are up!

With the expertise of Megan, Shelby, Kelsey, & Monica, our windows are presenting our upcoming Fashion Night Out theme in full force. 

 

With the even less than a week away, be sure to mark your calendars and head downtown on Sept 6 from 6-11pm for one of Savannah's biggest celebration of fashion and the local shopping!

 

 

Spend a night in true Cabaret fashion at The Paris Market & Brocante during this years Fashion Night Out. Be transported to 1889 Paris, with a night filled of elegance and extravagance only the Moulin Rouge can offer. Featuring Live Music, Signature Drinks, French Sweet Bar, and pop-up shops by Bleu Belle and jewelry designer Meredith Sutton. Whether you're a child of the revolution or an experienced can-can dancer, you'll be sure to enjoy a night spent at The Paris Market & Brocante.  

 

Visit the Fashion Night Out/ Savannah webpage for more information on participating retailers, events and other fashion festivities!