New Windows are Up!

The Bohemian Campsite behind the Potting Shed:

 

Come on by and get inspired!

Market Influx

Bonjour mes amis! Today I bring you what the market adventures from last weekend have wrought! A few snapshots:

That's just a sampling too, so come on by and have some fun treasure hunting!

New Arrivals: Feathers and Fur

A lot of my favorites are back in stock! Check back next week for a quick preview of our spring items and soon to follow Garden Section of our website.

From l-r, vertically: Bird Wrapping Paper, Petit Dot Duster, Ostrich Feather Duster, Knitted Doll -Pierre, Carved Birds, Hare Tapestry, Owl Pillow Cover, Knitted Doll-Fleur, Large Bunnies kind enough to pose for this picture.

Ciao ciao mes amis, bon weekend!

Traveling: Reading, Reality and the Astral Plane

So the Savannah Book Festival is ON right now! For the schedule, click here. It kicked off yesterday and later today Walter Issacson, author of the biography "Steve Jobs" will be giving a lecture at Trustees Theatre. ($10)Saturday is another  full day of speakers and on Sunday, Stephen King will deliver remarks at the closing ceremony. Pretty action packed. I hope y'all can get out there and enjoy it, and that it serves to spur you on in all things literary or really any idea you want to bring to fruition. I've been hogging our book table lately - foraging the new arrivals down to the office to get a good look and I'm enjoying these cool little travel books that just came in a few days ago. Unfortunately, all I have to do is pick up a book like this and I start dreaming about free times in foreign places. These handy little guides point out the key destinations to visit for Art, Architecture and Design in their given place. Perfect for the intrepid traveler in your life! There is even one for Rome, which is kind of funny because you can't look up without bumping your head on something a million years old and gorgeous, but a great resource nonetheless - small, handy, flexicover, and written in both English and the native tongue of that city. Which when your in a foreign city sometimes even reading a cereal box in your own language can be comforting. But even more importantly, its good to know how "they" say things. Like Florence, isn't called "Florence", in Italy, it's called Firenze! You'll do  much better when you actually know where you're going. I only point this out because this confused a young lauren (the shame!)when I went on my own petit sojourns across the pond (after college and before the ball and chain). I would have liked to have had a snappy little book like this rather than my honking "Let's Go Europe" book, although by the end of my trip I learned to just tear out the pages I needed and to leave the tome at the hostel. (Why was I treating it so preciously?) All this to let you know these books are cool and worth getting and giving.

We also have another glossy books just in that I am loving, "Brazilian Style" I care about my glossies as much as my travel books:

 Happy Reading and Happy Traveling - even if it's simply through a good book! When you need a break from the festival, come on over and browse our selections! See you there!

Touches of Romance

Sometimes you just need a few touches to kindle the romance in a room. You can take a closer look at all these items on our website too. I really love all of these pieces; I'd love to stuff all the books I intend to read in the wooden alter piece below and curl up in the velvet pillows. Just the shape of the perfume bottle on the server brings a touch of elegance and makes me happy. Scroll down for links.

1. Edgecliff Sectional, 2. Pink Velvet Pillows, 3. Notes Decoupage Glass Tray, 4. Paris Decoupage Glass Plate, 5. Mercury Glass Ripple Lamp, 6. Brigitte Eau de Parfum 7. Gray Server, 8. Elliott Erwitts' "Paris" 9. Alter Piece, 10. Orange Velvet Chair, 11. Perfume Box

Beauteous Boudoirs

Love may begin in the heart (or the head), but at some point it visits the bedroom, so get inspired with some romantic and sweet boudoirs. All the lush fabric! All the gold and grey and pink and white! Heaven...

1. access.decorati.com 2. mydesignchic.com 3. For the Home 4. La Casa 5. Sweet dreams 6. rooms

 

7. parisapartment  8. Interiors I Dream Of 9. bedrooms 10. decor8blog.com

A Valentines Day Date Guide: Savannah Style!

Take a Riverboat Cruise!

Channel your inner Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr by partaking in a romantic river ride on one of Savannah's most unique tours. Prepare for an evening of dining, dancing, and live entertainment as you board on your very own historic Riverboat and take a scenic cruise down the Savannah river. Visit here for reservations, cruise times, and special Valentines Day cruise options.

 

Join your partner for Dance Lessons!

Nothing says old school romance like the art of dancing!
Savannah offers a variety of dance classes including Cha Cha, Tango, Salsa, and other Ballroom Dancing fundamentals. Visit the Savannah Ballroom Dancing website for class schedule info or to reserve a private lesson for two. Strap on those dancing shoes and show your special someone your moves!

Raise your glass and taste test some local wines!
Meinhardt Vineyards is located right outside the city of Savannah and offers a variety of local wines to tug at the taste buds and deliver that southern charm we all hold so dear. Their tasting room at 306 W. St. Julian St. in City Market offers up the chance to test your wine snobbery and expose your palette to some unique wines. Call (912) 644-7200 to reserve a time for you and your date! 

Take a Pedicab!

Slow down and take in the sights of Savannah with your own personal Pedicab tour. These human powered three wheeled wonders will take you anywhere you want to go in the historic downtown, and are even willing to pull over for a quiet smooch or two. Catch a ride at popular street corners such as Bull & Broughton or City Market, or call (912) 232-7900 and be picked up at the location of your choice.

Show off your artistic side!

Enchant the heart of your honey with something handmade. Starlight Pottery studio in midtown Savannah offers up the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces in just 4 easy steps. Just pick your piece of pottery, choose from a large variety of glazes, paint your piece, and the studio fires your creation for you, available for pickup within 7-10 days. Check out their website for information on pricing, store hours, and driving directions. Create a memory along with a piece of art for you and your loved one to enjoy for years to come.

Grab a drink for two at Lulu's! 

 Lulu's chocolate bar is a great place in indulge those sweet tooth cravings and share a handcrafted martini with your special someone. Located at 42 Martin Luther King Blvd, this decadent dessert haven is a must stop for any romantic night out. Visit their web site, http://www.luluschocolatebar.net, for dessert & drink menu, live music schedule, and other chocolate lover info.

Chez Isabelle

Shiny versus Bohemian...

After 6 months of hard work on the French Riviera used to come 6 months of traveling and exploring. For many years I collected a variety of silverware that I used in many different ways. I would use a teapot for tea, but also as a vase and things like this.  After too many flea markets, antiquaries and brocantes, I added anything that I found along the way. And when I came back home, I would put it in a corner like a pirate kept his treasure.

Then my bohemian life stopped in Savannah. I learned that when silver is placed on the table it has to be shiny! Whatever the celebration is, from the mint  julep cup to the tiny little coffee spoon, silver is the touch of elegance.

So a few times a year, by night, I display all my silverware on my kitchen table, put everybody to bed and polish my memories. 

It's for me a therapy to respect and reflect on the past, appreciate the present and enjoy the future. And if your table looks sophisticated, the food already tastes good!

A bientot, Isabelle.

Photo from Elegant Entertaining, a book of seasonal recipes from the American Ambassador's Residence in Paris, (!!) and on our website!

Have a great weekend mes amis, next week we'll be doing a post on inspired gift giving and wrapping up Valentine's Day for good. See you soon!

 

All is Fair in Love and War...

not really, but they do both feature...

Gifts in highly decorated packages

Strategy

Warpaint

  

Statements of Intent

 Weaponry; Cupid's Arrow is on the right.

Avian Symbology

  

And finally, capture.

A Crafters Guide: Valentines Gift Boxes

How you wrap a gift can be just as special as the gift itself. 

I am a big stickler on presentation, and like to flex my creative muscles whenever gift giving is involved. Valentines Day is possibly one of my favorite holidays for gifts, especially for my love of all things french which translates to all things romantic. I had the opportunity this year to create a collection of Valentines themed gift boxes to sell in our wonderful shop! I had so much fun using various antique french papers, photos, and trim to craft up some truly unique creations to share with our customers.

This Valentines Day, try giving your special someone an extra dose of something sweet by creating a unique gift box that will be treasured for many love filled days to come. 

Supplies Needed:

blank gift box (found at most craft stores)

paint brushes

craft glue

ribbon

glitter

fabric

lace trim

vintage paper (try old newspaper, or magazine ads)

vintage jewelry

antique photos

 Below are some examples of the gift boxes I created. 

When crafting your own gift box let your imagination run wild. Try using photos of famous vintage couples, or include memorabilia of you and your loved ones own personal story. Tickets from a concert you and your honey enjoyed, or an old love note you wrote when you first started dating are great things to add to your creation. 

Make your box a sentimental keepsake to harbor loves new adventures!

These lovely handcrafted gift boxes are available at The Paris Market store and in our online shop. Swing by and pick one up today, or create your own for an extra love boost that will not go unnoticed.

Visit my own corner of the web world and take a peak at more Valentines Day craft ideas.

www.strawberrymoth.com

May your holiday be filled with lots of sweetness and snuggling.

xo, Jessica