[ flea-ing in Paris ]

IT'S NO secret that one of my absolute favourite things is to go to flea markets, antique fairs, auctions, thrift stores and yard sales ~ most of which don't exist here in Dubai. So I wasn't going to pass up visiting the big Paris flea market, Les Puces Saint-Ouen.

We took the Metro up to the Porte de Clignancourt stop, walked past all the cheesy clothing stalls and arrived in heaven...

If you've never been, this place is HUGE. Filled with alleys of permanent little stalls overflowing with French goodness...

Here's a peek at some gorgeous eye-candy for you...

Even a stall named after my guy...

Time to refuel...

This is one market that could easily use a couple of days to get through. There were many areas that we had to pass right by due to time {and our feet were hurting and noses were cold}. I would recommend the Vernaison area and the Paul Bert area for sure and then add on the others if time permits.

So after this overload of vintage goodness, what did I buy?

Well, let's just say that anyone who lives in Paris is very lucky ~ just have it delivered and furnish your entire place in gorgeousness. I wasn't prepared to start shipping anything to Dubai so I only ended up picking a few small items {some other things I would have loved to go back to get, but neither one of us felt like navigating back through the stalls at the end of the day}. It was overwhelming and after a while I couldn't even think straight! And I had to consider ease of bringing home in my suitcase with airline weight limits.

So I came home with:

a vintage enamel house number...

an old metal sign stencil in my initial {to add to a gallery wall}...

a vintage French book with beautifully aged pages {perfect for crafting}...

and a vintage price sign from a French meat counter {perfect to frame with my other quirky kitchen art ~ the old milk bottle tops and potato sack tags}...

I know, they may not seem like mind-blowing purchases, but I had an amazing day. A bit cold to do in November ~ definitely better in warmer weather, especially for anyone who's not quite a diehard antiquer.

Stay tuned for the next instalment ~ the Paris Christmas Market and a wrap-up of miscellaneous Paris prettiness!

lisa

[ all bottled up ]

HOW WAS your weekend? Hot water is back up and running! Slept in, made pancakes, went to see The Help which finally arrived here {loved it} and shopped around for a few things for my guy's office. All in all, everything a weekend should be. Oh! And it RAINED! The first time in the 6 months I've been here - too bad I slept through it!

How cute is this display idea? Using clear wine bottles to display antique photographs! I love the addition of the book pages tied on with jute string on the bottle tops. Have you seen any creative ways to display photos lately?

lisa

[ got fleas? ]

NOT ONLY WAS yesterday Halloween, it was also Dublin Flea Market day! Held the last Sunday of every month, The Market has grown into one of Dublin's most loved markets. It's got everything you would expect from a flea market from vintage clothes to retro furniture and random odds & ends to an organic food store, homemade falafels, waffles and greek food. And with stalls inside and out, it was buzzing!

The thing I love about this market is that for each month, a poster is designed by a different well-known local artist and are available for sale at the market, with the profit going back to the artist. I love the various styles and knew I would be going home with one to frame for my studio. After choosing a couple that were sold out (no wonder, they were great!) I chose this one which I love in both style and colour:

What a fun way to spend an afternoon and I'll definitely be planning to go again next month!

lisa

[ christy bird ]

STROLLING AROUND the area of South Richmond, Portobello in Dublin, you can't help but make a stop at Christy Bird. Known as Dublin's best known antiques and second hand furniture shop, it's been around since Christy Bird himself opened its doors about 70 or so years ago. They've been recycling Dubliner's furniture, be it household or antique, ever since and if it has a resale value they will sell it, and they'll even buy it back when you're done with it - now that's recycling! Many films shot in Ireland have used props from Christy Bird as well.

Time for some rummaging!
Wouldn't one of these doll houses make a little girl squeal with delight?

Lots of tables and chairs in various states of repair...

A gorgeous marble-topped table...

This sailboat would look great in a nautical-inspired room...

How about enjoying a Moroccan dinner on this little table?

Three floors of goodies to sort through...

Heading down into the basement (which I must admit was somewhat creepy down there), I found these old school chalkboards - wouldn't one be great on a kitchen wall or in a kid's playroom?

Or if you're looking for a mantel, you're in luck!

Christy Bird is one of those shops that's fun to look through because you never know what you will find. It's like Ireland's version of an antique store/thrift store/architectural salvage - my kind of place to spend a weekend afternoon. (plus, they ship worldwide!)

lisa