Spring Window Fashions

Windows form a beautiful part of any house but also make great wall decorations. With a little bit of creativity and effort, you can make a vintage window quite useful, even when they look like they're trash. Convert those old, discarded windows into original works of art by adding decorative spring decals like the ones we have here.

Valentine's Day

It always seems as though Valentine’s Day is marketed towards couples. But I'm under the impression that anyone can celebrate love on February 14th. Whether you're looking for love, single and happy, or just a romantic at heart, Valentine's Day is the perfect time to celebrate life and love. So whether you're planning a romantic night with your partner or toasting the day with your girlfriends, we've got some fun gifts to make your day and your home a little brighter.

Gorgeous glasses make the perfect gift not only for Valentine's Day but any day. And how sweet is the flute on the left with the red heart blown into the glass. Right now we have glassware in all sizes and colors for all tastes.

Dessert is that much sweeter when served in these heart shaped dishes.

Our merchandise comes from a lot of places. Flea markets, estates sales, and sometimes, hand-me-downs from our own homes. And that's the case with this amazing table. My mom's neighbor built and tiled this table so it's absolutely a handmade one-of-a-kind piece. And we LOVE the single offset red tile!

Candles are always a wonderful gift but once they burn out, the gift's gone. Candleholders, on the other hand, are a less obvious gift and last forever. Here's a small selection of the variety of candleholders in the store.

And between now and Valentine's Day, free kisses for all shoppers from our loverboy Jameson. Even he knows that the way to a woman's heart is champagne and roses.

Happy New Year

I know I need to take down my Christmas decorations and I've been procrastinating. Does anyone else think that the house looks a little sad and bare once the holiday decorations are put away?

If you're like me and suffering from the post-holiday blues, the cure is a trip to Paris Flea Market. In typical fashion, my family has already transformed the store into a late winter paradise. And although it's sad to see all the Christmas treasures packed up and boxed away, it's exciting to freshen up the place for the New Year.

Like Dara Caponigro, Style Director of Domino Magazine (that sadly discontinued publication in ’09) says, “Don’t let anything into your home that you’re not in love with. Be ruthless!”

And with that mantra in mind we look forward to 2010 and continuing to stock the store with amazing one-of-a-kind vintage treasures and architectural pieces. Happy New Year!

We love designing with elements from nature this time of year and this vintage window with branch decal makes us yearn for spring.















When it's this cold out there's nothing better than breakfast in bed. And this Parisian tray is the perfect way to enjoy chocolate croissants and espresso in bed.













And when serving breakfast in bed on your new Parisian tray, our matching Eiffel Tower mugs and plates complete the fantasy.

















New this week...this great chifforobe is complete functional with four drawers and two side doors that open with space to hang clothes. And there's an extra compartment on the arched top to get organized for the new year. It's an interesting, well-crafted piece that will stay in your family for generations.

Last Minute Holiday Ideas

With just four days left until Christmas, here are some last minute stocking stuffer ideas.

A beautiful French-inspired pendent is the perfect gift for any Francophile. It's reversible with the Eiffel Tower on one side an a Parisian notecard on the other...so it's two gifts in one! And at $24.95, it's a steal!

Because we love all things Paris, and Paris loves all things mercury glass, we've got a large selection of mercury glass candlesticks, tealight holders, hurricanes and Christmas trees. $2.95 to $39.95.

For someone that likes puzzles, we have an Eiffel Tower 3D puzzle for just $12.95

For your neighbor with the knack for decorating, help them expand their decorating space to the outdoors with these oversized ornaments. Hang on bushes, trees, or in groupings for a dramatic effect with classic festive ornaments made to weather the elements.

And when all else fails, you can't go wrong with a gift of 4 beautiful glasses and a bottle of wine or liquor. It's the perfect gift for a hostess or the friend who loves meeting for cocktails. Cheers!

Farm Functional to Farm Elegance

Last year we filled an old pig trough on our front porch full of fresh pine. We probably wouldn't have sold it except one of our favorite customers had big plans for it.














And she just sent us a picture of how she converted it into a fantastic dining table! As you can see, she raised the trough with cement pavers and used a vintage door as the table top. Jenny...if you're reading this, we'll be stopping by this spring to enjoy drinks and dining at your gorgeous upcycled table.

Vintage Finds Repurposed

We love finding new ways to reconstruct old furniture that might be missing a piece or two. This dresser was missing a door so we added a vintage locker basket for storage. If it would fit in my bathroom, I'd take it home today and roll fresh towels to store in the basket.

When we found this trunk it was covered in a hideous yellow contact paper which we removed and repainted. Now it's an incredible coffee table in chic pale gray trunk with tons of storage. Size: 26" high x 26" deep x 38" wide.

Holiday Open House Recipes

Thank you to everyone that came out to our Holiday Open House this past weekend. We hope you had as much fun as we did and we hope you found lots of fabulous treasures for your friends and family (and maybe yourself).

There were lots of requests for recipes so here are a few of the delicious treats we served this weekend...

Sparkling Cranberry Punch

2 qts. cranberry juice

1 qt. sparkling apple cider

1 pkg. frozen pink lemonade

Mix well and serve chilled.

Ruben Spread (back by popular demand)

1 small can of kraut, chopped

6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

6 oz. shredded Swiss cheese

2 small packages of dried beef, chopped

2-3 Tbsp. chopped onion

1 cup mayonnaise

Chop kraut and dried beef with scissors or a knife so ingredients are not to finely chopped. Mix all ingredients together and spread into small baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with small thin slices of rye bread.

Cookies & Cream Truffles

4 cups crushed Oreos

8 oz. package cream cheese

2 cups white chocolate baking chips

With electric mixer on high speed, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add crushed Oreos and beat until well combined. Refrigerate 2 hours until chilled enough to roll. Roll into 1 inch balls. In a double boiler or in microwave melt baking chips. Dip balls into melted mixture to thoroughly coat. Place on waxed paper to harden. Store in refrigerator. (Makes 2 1/2 dozen)

Bark Cookies

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 cup crunchy peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 3/4 cups Rice Krispies

1 pound white chocolate

Mix first four ingredients well and refrigerate. Form into small balls and chill again while melting chocolate. Melt chocolate over double boiler or in microwave. Do not let water boil. Dip balls into melted chocolate and place on waxed paper until coating is hard. Store in refrigerator or freezer. (Makes approximately 4 dozen)