Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Ribbons, Lace, Sweet Things found at the Brocante

 
  ribbons, lace, sweet things found at the brocante

 

Bundle-ribbons

 

If you like ribbons, lace, and sweet things then do not, and I mean do not come to the French brocante because your eyes will pop out of your head, your heart will beat out of your chest, your arms will break, and worse of all you will NEVER want to go home. Never.

 

 

French brocante

 

  Floral fabric boxes

Small boxes

 

If you like digging in old boxes, are allergic to dust, just had a manicure then do not, and I mean do not come to France to find ribbons, lace, sweet things because your allergies will kick-in badly and your manicure will be ruined in a flash.

 

brocante sweet things

 

Communion wreath

 

If you like ribbons, lace, and sweet things the French brocante will make you a believer in heaven on earth…

 

Willow nest 2

My friend Linda from Willow Nest, who is the QUEEN of ribbons, lace, and everything sweet, especially if it is pink, is in France. And from the ribbons, lace, and other sweet things she has found I can tell you one thing… I am pee green with envy and I live here.

 

 

 

Above: A must see video of Linda (at my house) packing her ribbons, lace, and other sweet things that she found at the brocante all in one day.

Warning: You might drool, so grab a bib.

 

 

Comments

38 responses to “Ribbons, Lace, Sweet Things found at the Brocante”

  1. Jean(ne) P in MN

    Oh, so many beautiful sweet things to remind us of days past and way past. Some look like part of traditional dress. Imagine wearing all those layers and the corset in the summer heat. Wonderful to see, thanks Corey and Linda.

    Reply
  2. susan

    Totally d r o o l i n g . . .what a treasure box! So lovely!
    Blessings!

    Reply
  3. shannon

    I swear, you make France seem like a dream land…. so romantic, so beautiful. Sigh…..

    Reply
  4. Mmd. Tortoise

    Hi Corey,
    I loved the video for so many reasons; most especially because of seeing all those beautiful treasures being shown and packed in an expert way into that beautiful box…..but also to be in your home in a different way and to hear your voice once again. Please do more of this.
    I find myself aching because of wanting to be at the brocante. There is nothing that resembles one around here. It is easy to see how one can become addicted.
    I can’t wait to receive my lavender which will be placed in pretty bags for various drawers, but not before it is left in a bowl to fill my senses.
    XO

    Reply
  5. Debra

    C, do you think anything will be left by the time I finally get there?
    So glad you guys are having fun!

    Reply
  6. jackie

    again…I drooled on my computer again…:)

    Reply
  7. georgie

    Those beautiful pieces of fabric and lace that were curtaining off the area. Do you have them up as a shelter from the sun during the summer? Or were they some of Linda’s new purchases getting an airing. I’m thinking it would be just like you to have such exquisite summer curtains.

    Reply
  8. Kathie B

    Isn’t it wonderful that these lovely items can find new homes where they’ll be appreciated again?
    If you missed it this AM, radio-goddess Susan Stamberg had a story on NPR “Morning Edition” re a long-time photographer named Elliott Erwitt who had a retrospective exhibition in Paris last year. Among his famous work is an iconic photo snapped in Provence in the 1950s of a father and son, both wearing berets, riding a bicycle down a symmetrically tree-lined road, with a pair of baguettes tied to the back of the bike — an absolutely perfect photograph! The transcript and link to the audio are available by clicking on:
    http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011/08/15/139384106/jumping-dogs-and-photo-toons-meet-photographer-elliott-erwitt (bicycle-beret-baguette photo is about half-way down the page.)
    Unlike Erwitt, I like to back up and shoot a wide scene (or zoom the lens out), then later crop my photos a lot!

    Reply
  9. kim

    I was thinking along the lines of Debra… will there be anything left at the Brocante when I come to France?
    Really envying anyone who is brocanting now!

    Reply
  10. Sam

    Like a small hope chest, lovingly packed. Hope Linda enjoys her visit, you two can paint the town pink.

    Reply
  11. Laura @ 52 FLEA

    Sigh…such lovely bits and pieces…sweet and feminine…it would be a dream to find and take home all those wonderful treasures! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Brenda L. in TN.

    AHHHH…Shannon said it best…you DO make France seem like a dream land…would so love to visit someday…
    Please make more videos so we can hear you and FH speaking english AND french…

    Reply
  13. Denise Moulun-Pasek

    Hi Corey and Linda!
    What pretty things! Wish I had been there with you!
    The brocante stirs the blood and stimulates creativity like no other activity I find. You will have many delightful hours re-purposing the lovely things you have bought.
    Enjoy!
    xo

    Reply
  14. Marilyn

    Video was full of sweet things. Oh I could love visiting a brocante with you and Linda.

    Reply
  15. Merisi in Vienna

    Thanks for the link! Elliott Erwitt’s is a true artist with his camera.
    Somehow I almost never manage to leave enough space to crop a picture, which can be in the way of getting that perfect shot. Somehow I can’t lose the habit of framing a picture tightly. My favorite lenses therefore are the 50mm and 85mm. ;-I

    Reply
  16. Judi

    That “ivory” prayer book is spectacular! The loveliest I have ever seen, I think. I collect small prayer books and especially like the celluloid covers. But that one – magnifique!

    Reply
  17. Franca Bollo

    What are the pink, glass, trumpet-like flowers in photos 1 and 6? Chandelier embellishments? Do you ever see the Venetian glass beads like Sheba’s? I’d make a trip over just for those.
    The engineer’s daughter in me loves to pack boxes (trunks, dishwashers) to hold the maximum amount possible. I’m very spatial like that.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmwqnqL3Hbg

    Reply
  18. Boxwood Cottage

    Geez Corey I’m so pea green and drooling! *sigh*
    Lucky Linda!
    xoxo Carola

    Reply
  19. Kathie B

    You’re right, Merisi! For those of us who spent most of our lives shooting with film, it’s a hard habit to break!
    And Erwitt’s work is lovely indeed.

    Reply
  20. Kathie B

    Have you ever noticed how often we efficient dishwasher-loading types wind up with partners who leave way too much space unused — especially those of us who got married back before most newlyweds could afford the luxury of a dishwasher for a long time, so we had no way of anticipating this could become such a marital battlefield?
    We used to go stay on the farm with an elderly cousin of Farmboy Husband’s late father — who, once he’d retired from his city job, was at home 24/7 — and we’d sit absolutely slack-jawed as he and his wife (who in all major respects had a long, happy marriage) would argue after every meal over the best way to load the dishwasher; neither partner was the least bit senile, although IMHO one of them was just plain wrong ;-)))

    Reply
  21. Beverly

    Agreed Marilyn.. I wish I could go brocanting with Corey and Linda.I know I couldn’t afford it, but I could be very helpful if they needed someone to talk them into buying those precious little treasures!:)
    Lovely video Corey..thanks!

    Reply
  22. everton terrace

    That was very fun. The items are so feminine and deliciously pretty. The most interesting part for me was how you pronounce Brocante – I imagined it was said with the “e” sound at the end, hearing you say it with the silent e was a surprise. Obviously I don’t speak french, but now, at least I can use the word without sounding silly.

    Reply
  23. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi G
    Those were Linda’s curtains (six panels drying on the line.)
    Linda bought six pairs!!
    C

    Reply
  24. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi D
    For twenty some years I have thought that very thought: When will it run out?
    C

    Reply
  25. Tongue in Cheek

    Hello D
    We miss you and your jokes!!
    Thinking of you everyday since you left!
    I am happy to hear the brocante bug bite you!!
    C

    Reply
  26. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Cousin FB
    Yes, the pink glass crystals are Chandelier embellishments. And no, unfortunately, I have not seen the Venetian glass beads like I gave to Sheba ever again. I wish I could say yes just to have you come here!!
    C

    Reply
  27. Rhonda P.

    Wonderful post, of course, I drooled…silly me.
    I especially loved the roll of thread or perhaps ribbon that had paper and a label on it. To die for.
    I never let my finds at the French flea market leave my sight on my way home. I shared my finds, as in, let them see my finds, with others on the plane, that way.
    Ah, the memories.

    Reply
  28. Jeannie

    I rarely use OMG, but O M G !!! I had to go get a towel to wipe up after watching that. Talk about a major swoon – gorgeous, gorgeous, make my heart skip a beat treasures. Thank you Linda and Corey for making my guilty of lust and loosing 5 lbs of water from drool.

    Reply
  29. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    That was so hard to watch and I just could not stop. I have to go in my studio and touch the lace and beautiful things I bought in Avignon with you and the girls. I cannot bear to use any of it. I just want to look and touch the time worn pieces until I die. Before then, I will have to will it to someone who will drool over the beauty as I have.
    hugs..Sharon

    Reply
  30. Franca Bollo

    One day. Sounds like you were a fabulous and entertaining host to Joan and Robin. I saw both at the Cabras mini reunion at the Giants last Wednesday. It was a gathering of the 50% Portuguese primas sans Diane.
    Maybe this is the trip Mardog and Franca need to make together.

    Reply
  31. Franca Bollo

    I knew what I was getting into but just filed under the lesser evils. I attribute it to his being a writer … mind always elsewhere.

    Reply
  32. Maura

    Oh Corey that was torture seeing all the lovely lace and other goodies…especially the corset. One day I’ll be back over to England to visit my sister and then she and I are going to France to find a brocante. I cannot go all that distance and not go to at least ONE of those! Thanks for sharing your video with us…it was fun. Have a wonderful week.
    Maura 🙂

    Reply
  33. Elle

    What a GREAT post and video!! I always check out Linda and Ludmil’s things at Marburger–and promptly want to take it ALL home with me. Some of my very favorite things have come from their booth. I am jealous and so wish I were there for the adventures!! Have fun!

    Reply
  34. Rita

    Oh please, MORE videos! I loved seeing all of the wonderful, delicate things and hearing you talk about them.

    Reply
  35. marie

    Lots of Pink, and lace! I like it! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Brenda, Walker, LA, USA

    If you like ribbons, lace, and sweet things always always always bring along the Zertec!

    Reply
  37. Cathy J.

    No offense Corey, but I had to laugh when you wrote “pee green” instead of pea green. I make many typos and suddenly felt like I was not alone. Thanks for your continued stories, I love them.

    Reply
  38. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi C
    Typos and I are best friends,
    C

    Reply

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