French la Vie

My post did not go out yesterday.

a glitch.

weird.

A double take on Sunday x

more to come xx

And he said, “Why not?”

And I said, “It won’t be blonde but a copper color.”

And he said, “It’s just for fun.”

And I said, “Yeah, and it grows back.”

… 

Best is to explore and be open to ideas.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH

this beauty, calmness, abundance, simplicity…

until life can be for everyone everywhere.

C E A S E F I R E 

✨New Chapter✨

Here below let Chelsea tell you the news:

I’ve been very quiet on social media lately but a lot has been going on. And I can’t wait to share more with you. After 12 years of living in the heart of Paris, our Parisian chapter is coming to an end. I am feeling so many mixed emotions. I truly love...

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How to sing a love song:

1) Find a song you like. Listen to it and feel how it moves you, guides you, sets you on fire.

2) Practice singing. Everywhere you go and in the moments throughout your day. A love song needs to be heard it doesn't matter if it is out of tune, or not on the top ten list. It's your...

Living life on a pendulum signifies the three distinct points - one at each far end, and the middle point. Embracing life at the far ends of the pendulum creates a sense of black and white thinking, where things are viewed in extremes and absolutes. It's a perspective that lacks nuances and differences. Being in the middle of the pendulum embraces...

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we went to bed a wee bit late

morning came with seconds 

the fountains greeted us as chirpy as the hirondelles.

we are heading to the voting polls

a critical vote.

Deep in the Provençal countryside our friend Philippe had his annual summer party.

This view, rolling green, steady charm, Peter Mayle’s words in reality to see a video go on my Facebook.

French Party Scene

First, you do not arrive emptied handed, nor on the dot.

Thirty minutes later is assumed.

Mingling,...

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Learning about French history and culture through antiques is one of the reasons I love the brocante.

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa and her daughter Abby. Abby asked me to plan a mini French la Vie day to surprise her mother since she knew she had read my blog for at least 15 years. It is always a pleasure...

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Nourishment for the soul, 

late in the afternoon, 

a cool breeze caresses while

standing in the garden,

toes wiggle in muddy silk, 

Sun-ray halos,

I bite into the fresh tomato

Juice runs down my chin, down my neck, between my breasts...

Summertime.

Tomato Soup

Saute two...

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Creative power is a mighty force when unleashed; one way or another, it has its way of igniting us, and the flame can set fire for others to do the same and discover their own creative force.

Those of you who know my friend Mo at Rêves D'argile know you cannot leave her studio empty-handed. And if you are invited to share a...

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When we repeatedly ask 'why,' we can delve deeper into a question. If we continue to ask, we can eventually get to the root of the issue and, from there, understand the source and the truth or be in awe of the mystery.

As a child, Sacha, like other curious children, would ask 'why' about almost everything. He wouldn't be satisfied with...

Rose d'amour

lisianthus or praire gentian

foxgloves galore

growing wild along the roadside.

canterbury bells

can you tell me what this flower is?

My friends in Ireland

Carrie and Ling Ling.

Notice the different styles of glasses and three hair colors?

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Silk-colored threads on wooden bobbins
Delightful summer splash at the brocante today.

Darling box. The appeal was the set of tiny drawers and the green patina.

Though the price wouldn't budge, I passed it by, swoosh, and someone bought it.

My friend Arnelle bought this painting. 

Pretty, but I prefer...

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Child’s play. Is the best way for children to learn 

 »Let us play. »

But, we adults try to teach or encourage with our ideas which are needed at times Though, it is so important to let children experience on their own when the environment is safe to do so.

To let them discover in their own way-

To allow them...

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Lead with love.

Ceasefire. 

In the south of France, towns, villages, and the countryside are beautiful to see too experience. In Provence, you need a car and time to amble down the path of possibility. Provence cannot be rushed, it must be savored to get under your skin. Provence is an area that spreads out over hundreds of kilometers. 

If...

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Do you see Yann on top of the scaffolding?

When you own a home, repairs, and renovations are often required. Our home was completely renovated years ago. The walls are made of stones and are three feet thick dating back four hundred years ago. 

Our house like other houses in our village adjacent to one another creating six feet of stones...

My father would say to me

when you fall in love with someone ask yourself-

“Is he worthy to be the father of my children?

Will he be a good father?”

Well…

He was and he is. 

Happy Father's Day

The last day in Ireland with my friend Carrie, I had one of the most delicious scones. We were at a café where the green hills rolled almost down into the sea. 
A perfect ending.

An enchanting evening unfolded at a friend's Irish home, where the air was alive with music's magic. We savored a delectable, home-cooked meal with the wonderfully creative souls, Carrie Chern Weiss, June Housden, and Stephen Housden.

Thank you cx

A peek at the immense beauty of Cork, Ireland’s coastline. The intensity of green and the rugged cliffs caressed by the sea.

Spending magical days in Cork Ireland, at my friend Carrie’s home. I might never leave x The Irish are very kind and friendly. Carrie is outgoing and never meets a stranger. She amazes me how she does that. She even stopped on the road to talk to the policeman who was controlling traffic! They talked as if they had known each other for years. It...

Roses are red, 

Violets are blue.

I asked Olivia, for the thirteenth time,

« What color is your lipstick? »

 »Blue! » she giggled.

 »Oh no, it is red. »

We went around and around, naming colors; they were always blue to Olivia until they were black.

She is two years old. Learning two languages.
Blue is Bleu,...

A brief visit before he heads to Cannes for some camera work.

Sacha lives in Seattle. I wished he lived closer. My mother  says,

”Now, you know how it feels to have a child live faraway.”

True. 

i tell myself if he is happy I am happy.

Thankful, for the afternoon spent talking and talking.

Little One in the park.

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I am on my way to Paris to see the little ones. Plus, Sacha is there too visiting his Italian Girlfriend who just finished her Masters in Museology in Paris.

Guess, what photos are going to be shown here?

We had a video chat with Mohammed and Sue (Mohammed left Gaza two weeks before the border was closed with his wife and baby son with the extraordinary money raised by many of you and the generous offer of hospitality by Sue, who has lived in Cario for many years.)

Mohammed and I have talked several times by phone and text. But this time, we made...

a very rare photo of us two

…

do you ever catch a glimpse of yourself & do a double take?

my grandmother said to me fifty some years ago

« I feel fifteen until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and ask, who is that? »

now I know what she means.

when I have not so beautiful thoughts about my looks~ 

I remind myself...

Okay, I used to dress Chelsea up like a doll;

And take pictures of her.          

You gotta know I couldn’t drive, I was alone, it was winter…

Paris was cold, grey, and rainy, and I was from California!            

...

Yesterday, I went to visit an antique dealer’s attic. It was a dream come true. Attics are usually dark, and this one was no exception. In my excitement to get there, I parked my car in haste and ran to her door. When I went up to the...

The chandelier was found at an antique shop, and the bust was found at an antique market under a vendor's table. It may be sold since it was under the table.

Ask questions. Don't assume that because something is put aside or looks nice, it is either sold or too expensive.

Set of 24 hundred-year-old wine glasses. I...

This is a smidgen of what we saw during our brocante escapade they filled a forty-cubic-meter container and still are going full throttle on the brocante trail.

Yes, they have shops in Virginia.

The pink chair somehow managed not to make the cut. It was one of the few things that did not come back...

If you know how to make this will you show me how?

Thank you, Darling.

A part of the beans are spilled but the best is yet to come.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think the bug would bite you!

Please, follow Chelsea on Instagram to see our brocante adventures and brocante bites. Her reels are make me smile.

yourfrench-rendezvous

….

Dear Readers,

Tomorrow, I will continue to...

Hi, I'm grateful for the engagement of my readers, and that includes you. If you have any questions about the French la Vie, I'm here to answer them. Recently, I received some interesting queries from Fat Rabbit and Ed.

Natasha, we're thrilled to have you considering joining us!

Thank you for your comment where you asked:

"... For a non-alcoholic - would there be space to still join the foodie fun?"

Yes, of course! I am a non-alcoholic, and well, that says it all, doesn't it?

Of course, Yann will propose sips randomly throughout the brocante journey,...

The second their feet hit the ground, they were doing what they had dreamed of buying antiques in France for their shops in the USA.

We shopped

Then came back to my home for dinner. Before retiring to their bedrooms Deborah asked,

"What will I dream about tonight?

That was a sweet compliment xx

Do you have any questions for me?

...

Ready set go! The next group arrives today and plans to be here for ten days. A lot of buying is hoped for as they have shops in the States. They said that they are not foodies and would rather shop than eat. Last weeks group was the opposite. They liked both.

Are you ready to tag along? 

If you were here what would you be...

Chelsea and I are sitting on a stone wall with vibrant spring in the background. Thanks, Hannah, for taking this photo of us,

This dress is one of my favorites. I bought it at a second-hand shop for five Euros. I have no idea how old it is. Since I haven’t been wearing black, I like orange, green, and yellow clothing. It's kind of...

Last week's French la Vie group came for the experience, to admire everything French, to soak up the culture around dining, to learn about France through antiquing, and to buy a bit along the way.

They enjoyed food, so I called them the "Foodies." It was an absolute pleasure since France is about food, and talking about food is their...