This past August, our family traveled to Europe for our summer vacation. I am not exaggerating when I say that I brought a 100 page notebook filled with the names and addresses of all the places I wanted to visit (shop!). First up on my list was the Paris Flea Market.
There are a great number of beautiful things at the Paris Flea Market. This is wonderful, but it is also very frustrating. There you are, surrounded by all these gorgeous things, but you have no way to get them home and they are incredibly expensive with the current exchange rate. Nonetheless, I was not going to be deterred. I decided to focus on searching out one of my very first loves - the millinery flower. I figured, they were small and easy to pack and, really, how expensive could they be?
I found this stall almost immediately. It was owned by a very lovely French woman who didn't speak a word of English. I don't speak French, so negotiating was a bit difficult, but she had the most incredible collection of fabrics and trims. Much of it was from the late 1800's and early 1900's.
Everything was pricey, but I did manage to buy these. Aren't they exquisite? I love the ones that have the rolled fabric stems. And look at those aqua and cream stamens in the middle of the pink ones. So perfectly shabby chic!
I especially love violets and was thrilled to have found such a pretty bunch!
These purple velvet ones are stunning - you would not believe the craftsmanship that went in to them.
Tomorrow I will show you more of the Paris markets - all those fabulous chandeliers and French furniture pieces that I couldn't fit in my suitcase! Stay tuned...
I wish I could go! Love the millinery flowers!
Posted by: Abigail | October 14, 2008 at 08:56 PM
oh wow these are amazing millinery flowers.I love it!!!
Posted by: svenja | October 16, 2008 at 05:46 AM