Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Holidays at the Chateau....

My French Chateau
will be closed for the Holidays
December 22 - January 3
 
I will be on another buying trip to France and Belgium
and hopefully bringing back lots of amazing treasures
for you and your customers!
 
I wish you all a
Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee!!!
 
 
please enjoy some of my favorite shots of Holiday in Paris....
 









 


 


 

 
thanks to my FaceBook friends, Pintrest, personal friends, and my little camera for these lovely photos!
Lee
 

MANNERS.....again!

Remember a few posts back
           when I gave you a tip on MANNERS ????
Well, here's to a café owner in Nice, France!
 
He got so fed up with the rudeness of his customers
both tourists and locals
that he changed his prices
to according to the way you asked for a cup of coffee!!!
 
 
He said that once the sign went up
that within a few days
all of his customers were much more pleasant and
enjoyed the  "joke" with a smile!
 
Good for you!!!


Monday, December 9, 2013

How to correctly buy ART.........

As a 92 year young artist friend of mine once said ..." when you find a piece of art that speaks to you.....
      it is really the right side of your brain, talking to your heart!"
                Follow your heart!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Bring Paris Home ~ Tip #7 Getting Around Paris!

This is not a Tip that is glamorous, but it is absolutely necessary to your sanity and your wallet!!!

Let's first get you into the city from Charles de Gaulle Airport......
   You can take a private taxi which will run you around 60 Euros. Plan on about a hours ride.
         You can take the bus for around 20 Euros to certain destinations, but it is awkward and you have traffic as well as having to carry your own bags.
The RER and Metro are great and cheap, but again you have to carry your own bags up and down stairs.  I don't know about you but I work hard enough without having to carry my own bags too!

Then there's my favorite way, the Les Cars Air France shuttle bus (shown above). Think plush Greyhound bus with able bodied men to load and unload your luggage! Les Cars only goes to certain locations in town and it has to fight with traffic as they all do. But it pleasant and inexpensive ( about 17Euros). AND, once you get to their drop off point, catch a Taxi to your hotel! For example, when I arrived last month I took the Les Cars to Porte Maillot, (17 euros) then took a taxi from there directly to my hotel, never touching my bags (14 euros). for a total of 31 Euros. Yes, there is a very slight hassle of not going directly in a taxi, but it saved me 29 euros and what else am I going to do at 7 am!!!
Now let's talk about how to get around to the different flea markets, etc......
There is of course, again the private taxi.....I think expensive and fighting traffic. But by all means at the end of the day, feet hurting, and more bags than anyone could possibly carry...then GO FOR IT!
 
The buses are fun as you get to see so much of the city ( and maybe places you want to come back to) while riding the bus. Check your maps carefully for the right bus and bus stop.
 
Then there is my favorite, the METRO. It can be cramped during rush hour and not very pretty, and lots of steps to go up and down, and you will see, to be polite, the most interesting of people *, But nothing can get you across town quicker!!! For a dealer who's all about getting to the markets asap...this is the way I go. Do be aware, while I have never had anything happen to me personally, pickpockets do ride the Metro in search of those not paying attention to their wallets!

At the Metro stop or at a Tabac shop you may purchase tickets for both the Bus and Metro. I buy a Carnet, a book of 10 tickets at a time and save a bit of money. BTW, save those tickets once you use them!!! The Metro police have been known to stop you and check tickets either on your way in or out of the station ( in case you jumped the stall)! Don't do that!

And last but not least, WALK! Paris is one of the most delightful cities to walk in. I have actually walked from the northern most point to the southern point one afternoon and had a BLAST! Stop for café, a sandwich, some shopping, and then a wine to celebrate all that you have discovered!!!! It's always tres interesting and tres romantic!!!

Have FUN, keep your map handy, and always consult your hotel concierge when in doubt!!!
         See you again soon! Merci, Lee
*you may even meet this little man for a tune in the Metro! :)

Friday, October 11, 2013

The October Scott Antique Market

Every month I do a fabulous antique show here in Atlanta called the Scott Antique Market!
Buyers come from all over the U.S. to shop from 3500 dealers from all over the world! It's a great show for both buyers and sellers!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Last Day of Shopping the Paris Markets!!!

Sadly, my wonderful few days of shopping Chatou and every flea market I could find in Paris has come to an end :(  The weather gods smiled on me as the weather has been perfect! As I packed my last suitcase an hour ago, it finally started to rain!

But let me show you just a few of the treasures I found today.....................
Saying au revoir to my beloved Paris for now...as I will return again ...soon!
Thanks to everyone who as been following my trip....you are all the BEST!!!!! Lee
Great Wine Crate Ends! Use as plaques or trivets! What fun!



And these high collectable French Medals!
These  5 are painted by sweet little old man I met in one of the market today! Couldn't resist!!!
Merci!!!!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Day 4 - Shopping the other Paris Markets !!!

Spitting rain woke me up this morning, but it didn't dampen my spirits as I raced out the door early this morning! Rain or no rain...it still is Paris after all!!!!
(wood and brass vintage ornaments)
(these are tiny French Brass Pins)
 
Lucky for me the rain was almost over by the time I reached Porte de Vanves (please see one of my previous posts about Vanves Market). So nice to see my old friends/dealers still there and a nice crowd turned out even with the weather and Chatou going on.

Next stop, a couple of the neighborhood flea markets that pop-up around the city from time to time. What fun!

*** One of the markets was situated at the base of Sacre Coure at Metro Anvers. I love going there to shop for fabrics...yummy documented reproductions of historic Toile de Jouy are my personal favorites! But beware! This area is known for its pick pockets! Always, no matter where you go , you should be on the alert for such matters, and although (knock on wood) I have never been a victim of these grabby hands, I know those who have! ***

Here are just a few more pictures of the goodies I brought back to the studio today!
Awesome Champagne Buckets and a large Wicker covered water Jug from Lourdes ( where the healing waters are)
And these little beauties may have to visit my own Chateau for a while before I let you have them!!!
Until tomorrow...I'm dining on Mousse du Carnard and Fromage Poivre with Pain and a petite Rouge! yummy!
Bisou bisou, Lee

Friday, September 27, 2013

Day #2 at Chatou~ Bringing Home Paris!

What did I find for you today??? Just take a look, questions??? Just ask!!!
Old Carvings and engraving plates!!!

Turn of the century signs and door plates
1800s prayer books, 1880 French Brass sign and wood and brass water jugs
Old plateaux, wicker covered jugs and wooden jug and glasses!