Tara and The Ham Fair

Today Charlotte and I met the lovely Tara of Paris Parfait at The Ham Fair. On arrival we had to park way down the lane outside the Chatou Pony Club with very chic looking young school girls riding their ponies around a ring. I can't imagine Paris without Tara who has become a true and trusted friend through our blogs. We laughed, shopped, laughed, drank coffee and Diet Coke (Tara and Charlotte not me 'cos I hate the stuff) and tried to put the world to rights but didn't quite manage it - sorry folks. Tara didn't have her camera so my pictures will stand alone this time - hooray - because she is so much better than I.

We all made a beeline for Blandine's amazing stall - Jolie Trouvaille - with kitchen stuff to die for. Charlotte bought pans from her (real eye candy pans not your boring old pans) and Blandine proudly showed me her collection of

old French Coffee Pots. This lady is one of those people that should be cloned because if more people in the world were like her it would be a much nicer place.

This stall had real fireplaces set up as though they belonged right there and

this stall sold old French bars that I could happily have carted home if I had the energy.
Tomorrow I will be posting my Ham Fair finds and a little bit about our journey back to Charlotte's house which was not without drama. For now I bid you adeu whatever that means, I Googled it and no explanation came up but it sounds right.

The Journey To Paris Omitting London

OK I have missed out the bit where we drove from the Welsh Borders to Hampstead, London because it was awful though at the end was the most charming man who received his Ghost Furniture with much delight -if you are reading this Simon we arrived in Paris safely. If I were Mayor of London I would blow up the North Circular Road.

The first fabulous village we hit on the way down to Charlotte's was graced by this amazing Chateau,

the village church was a delight

and the village itself was stunning.

The Road To Hell But Heaven On Arrival

On the way to France we had to do a more than slight detour to Ross on Wye on the Welsh Border to deliver a huge piece of Ghost Furniture. The people lived in a fabulous barn conversion in an idyllic setting and on the road there we passed Bailey's Home and Garden which I have featured on this blog numerous times. On the way out we called in (15 minutes before closing) so I just had time to take a few pictures. Hope this shows you just how fabulous this place is.



Necklaces made from cigarette papers - an you belive that? Why didn't I buy one?


Bailey's own massive sofa's

to die for (the white spot is from my camera - sorry!

Babysitting Before The Road Trip

Could you think of a nicer way to start a long road trip to Paris? Saturday evening we babysat 3 of our grandchildren - meet Marcie, Billy and Sonny.

Bear With Me - The Internet Is Being Worked On

Arrived in Paris yesterday to find that Charlotte's Internet company is working on the connections - thanks a bunch Orange! I have wonderful photos of my trip down and by the way we hit English roadworks all the way down. As soon as the connection is back up I will be posting like fury.
I actually visited Bailey's Home and Garden on Sunday, drove straight into it without even knowing it was there - fortuitous but far to close to closing time but got some great pictures. Well my friends I am off for a cafe and a light lunch, keep checking back.

Off To Paris Again Via ...........................

On Sunday we leave for Paris again

If this was my mode of transport I would be one happy bunny but we are driving down

via Ross on Wye which is nearly in Wales and Hampstead, London to deliver pieces of Ghost Furniture to lovely customers. Take that route in and think of all the road works we will encounter on the way.

Crossing the channel is the easiest part - just drive onto the train and let it do all the hard work

Due to the fact that our daughter Charlotte now lives in the countryside outside Paris the drive is a dream, driving down those country roads lined with the trees that Napoleon had planted to keep the sun off his soldiers whilst they were marching - how thoughtful and

passing through medieval villages that take your breath away.

At the end of the long journey is our baby ready and willing

to feed you until you burst.

I can look forward to fresh French bread everyday, she lives opposite a Miller who bakes bread to die for.

On Wednesday I am off to Chatou to meet up with my gorgeous friend Tara, she of Paris Parfait, to gossip, put the world to rights (she is much better at that than me) and do

The Ham Fair or as the French call it - Foire Nationale à la Brocante et Aux Jambons - too much of a mouth full for me. Speaking of mouth fulls the food there is to die for not speaking of the 500 antique stalls

On Thursday our friends, Annie and Gavin, are joining us but they are flying in and out (lucky sods). Neither have been to Paris before so we are their guides. Where do we start?

I think a trip down The Seine gives a good overview (someone should tell that driver he is going the wrong way) and after that it's just a case of following your nose. My nose always leads me to a Bistro where I can sit at a pavement table and people watch.

On Sunday there is a 5 kilometre long Brocante in Torcy, a town close to Charlotte's village. Seventh Heaven, Cloud Nine, Eutopia and all the other places that aren't coming to mind at this time of the morning.

I wonder if I will be as lucky as this bloke who hit the headlines today with his Anglo Saxon Find in Staffordshire, I doubt it.

It's Paris Fashion Week when we are there so I can expect the streets to be full of French Chic, you know the sort of people that make you go - HOW ON EARTH DOES SHE LOOK THAT GOOD - when I am staggering about with aching feet even though I insist on wearing flats to get around.

Not for me those amazing but crippling shoes the French women manage to walk around in.

I will, of course, have my trusty Moleskine Reporter's Notebook and my laptop with me and will be reporting back on every stage of my journey so I wish you 'au revoir' (translated that is literally 'till the seeing again.') I by the way speak no French, I gave birth to my own translator.

A New Look For The Chic Chicks at Bodie and Fou

As everyone by now will know I have a soft spot for Bodie and Fou because they bought my baby wheredidyoubuythat.com. Now they have given Bodie and Fou a new look following on from the new look wheredidyoubuythat.com and what a fabulous job. Little extras like the Moodboard and Fou's Notebook and many more make this a must visit site. Good luck girls you've done a fabulous job and thanks for putting little old me in your Notebook

What a Fabulous Idea

I was blown away by this design by Bas van der Veer in the Netherlands. Attach this to your downpipe from your guttering, catch rainwater in it and either use the ready filled watering can or fix a hose to the bottom. How clever is that and it looks so good.

Turn Your Blog Into a Book

Have you every thought of turning your blog into a book? I looked at the possibility but I have so many posts and images I would have to buy a library full. However if your blog isn't as full as mine it's possible. I think it's a lovely present for your family as a memento of you and your life. Make one (it's easy) at Blog2Print. Supports Blogger, WordPress and TypePad

All Wrapped Up

How long do you think this took? I am sorely tempted to try this on an odd piece of furniture just to find out. On second thoughts I don't think I can be bothered but fascinating all the same. By Lola Guerrera

Stick On Night Light

Now I think this is a good idea - This is not only a decorative sticker, it's also a phosphorescent night light for kids, which glows in the dark when you switch off the light. One problem I see is if the child doesn't want the light on what do you do? You can't just turn it off you would have to peel if off the wall. Am I being picky?
From Mimi Lou

Do You Like Ribbons?

Rich coloured velvet ribbons and strings from RE

Maybe I need treatment for I can't resist ribbons especially velvet ones, satin ones, linen ones..................

Linen ribbons from Petersham Nurseries

Satin Ribbons from Caroline Zoob