Audrey...luxury living

2020-06-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

It has been such a long time since I have sent out my blog. I apologize for that.

I have been busy with a new website Audreyaluxurycollection.com

I decided to downsize my home and moved into a smaller space. I find that I don't have room for all my things.

Here is just one of the treasures you will see if you click on the link . My beautiful Chanel bag. I bought it years ago at the Chanel shop in Paris.

Thank you for checking it out. There are only 6 things listed, all authentic and from my personal collection.

Stay well through these difficult times.

Audrey

Re-discovering old favorites

2018-04-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

In the 1980's I was a big fan of Norma Kamali and shopped her store on 56th Street in Manhattan regularly. I have re-discovered this incredible designer and want to share some of her best new looks.

Blush Feather Jacket

Side stripe jacket

Best fitting Black Pant

Great top to travel in

I always have an eye out for something great to travel in and then wear when I get to my destination. I think these pants and this top fit the bill. What do you think?

Once you get to your destination and have a lovely evening planned........

Striped jersey maxi dress

If you've always wanted something "Camo" and couldn't find the right thing, here it is

Great Camo jacket

Thanks for walking down memory lane with me. I hope you like my choices.

Merci Beaucoup

Audrey

Life in Contrasts

2018-04-12T07:10:00.001-07:00

My life is unique. The life I live in Dallas could not be more different than the life I live in France

Dallas is about family, friends, eating out, driving with the top down and shopping.

Azaleas are in bloom in Dallas right now.

France is about taking it easy, eating at friends houses and for me, the flea markets.

There are so many flea markets to go to so I thought I would mention the ones I like so very much. In Paris, I go to several but the one I always find what I am looking for is the Marche Aux Puces de La Porte de Vanves. I love antique silver and this is just one of the stands that has it.

Most Americans are directed to the Clignancourt flea market | It is large and I find it expensive. I avoid it as I find too many dealers willing to pay their high prices. It is fun though so if you are not looking to buy lots of things, do go there. You will see everything.

If you are in Provence, go to my favorite one there. It is in Avignon and called Villeneuve-Lès-Avignon Flea Market.

If you are in Bordeaux, I would recommend Quincones but it is only open at specific times, not every week.

In the Dordogne, on any given Sunday, there is a flea market somewhere. Check out this web site and it will give you the names of what is happening while you are there. www.brocabrac.fr

Enjoy every day, I try to do it and it seems to be working.

Please come visit me at my new web site www.frenchvintagehome.com

You will see all the treasures I shop for when in France. Merci Beaucoup!!!!

Sending love to all.Audrey

My Parisian Day

2018-03-10T06:53:00.001-08:00

Before I start my adventures for the day I must stop and have my croissant and cafe creme. There is always somewhere close by and I like to try as many places as I can.

If you haven't seen enough of Paris, this could be very interesting. I haven't done it but did read about it in Time Out Paris and think it would be a fun time, especially if you are new to Paris.

Hop on board the Bustronome, the fine dining experience on a double decker bus, with dishes created by former Topchef contestants (the French version of Masterchef) and a route covering the city’s finest historic monuments. The bus never goes faster than 10km/h and the table is set with magnetic placemats and small holder for your glass of wine if things get a bit rocky. Between courses, there are discussions and historic explanations, all accompanied by hits from Francoise Hardy and Charles Aznavour. Being a tourist has never tasted so good. http://www.bustronome.com/

Walking is what you do in Paris and to be able to find a shoe that looks good and more comfortable than you can imagine, I always turn to Bernie Mev

Most comfortable shoes

I like to carry a bag with a long strap so I can wear it across my body and leave my hands free for shopping. This one is very comfortable for wearing all day long.

Cross body bag

Stop for lunch at my new favorite restaurant Spring. It is a French restaurant with an American chef.
I had a wonderful meal there. It's special. Just google it for details.

I love this carry on bag by the wonderful luggage maker Victorinox. It is on sale now, at a fraction of the original price, so scoop it up as you will love it. We are always looking for a carry on bag that holds our computrer and lots of other things, this is the one.

Victorinox carry on bag ON SALE NOW

Enjoy your trip to Paris and Bon Voyage.

A Bientôt Audrey

GIVEAWAY- French Vintage Home

2018-02-25T05:52:00.000-08:00

photo by Rachel Evans, Verteillac France

I am so excited to tell you that we have done a new website for French Vintage Home

Lots of new things have been added so you will see things you haven't seen before.

We will be having a GIVEAWAY on March 2 of four vintage champagne glasses and four vintage linen cocktail napkins.

If you would like to "throw your hat" into the ring, please do these two simple things:

1) Follow us on Instagram... click on the icon above or #french_vintage_home

2) Go to our new website FrenchVintageHome and click on CONTACT at the top.
In the message box, please include 3 names and email addresses of friends or family that you think would like to follow us and receive our news.

If you are using a mobile phone just click on the 3 lines under the logo to find the CONTACT page.

I hope you will check out all the new listings and let me know what you think of our new website. I would love your comments.

Thank you so much for your continued support of what I do.

Merci beaucoup A Bientôt

Audrey

Paris just before Christmas 2017

2017-12-21T05:16:00.001-08:00

I am here in Paris for a few weeks and took a long walk down the Boulevard Raspail today. The sights were so beautiful. Not the least of which were the very well dressed men on the Rue de Sevres. They were there with Cartier umbrellas to help on a very rainy day.

Sitting at the Cafe having my Noisette and watching all the beautiful people shopping these last few days before Christmas.

The shop windows are incredible just before Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all and a very Happy New Year.....

Joyeux Noel..........

Connections

2017-11-14T05:12:00.000-08:00

What could possibly be better than a connection with someone you love.

As we get older we understand that nothing compares to the connection we have for the ones we love.

We must take the time and give the time and it will come back greater than it was given.

French Vintage Home has the perfect gift for a loved one. Just go to French Vintage Home to see the Table for Two

Go ahead and make that phone call, visit that person you haven't seen in a long time. You won't regret it.

To visit the other connections posts at the Daily Plate of Crazy

Halloween will be here soon

2017-10-23T10:19:00.001-07:00

Shelterness photo

By Invitation Only is back and what a fun time this is with Halloween just around the corner.

If you have or have had small children you know what fun it can be dressing up and eating candy.

Here is a great and easy Halloween recipe.....

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

For many years I had a home in country France and have seen the holiday slowly develop over those years. Twenty years ago Halloween was not celebrated in France and I remember going to the famous "Drugstore" in Paris to get decorations. No place else had them.

Halloween is still considered a foreign holiday in France and there aren't many trick or treaters but to a small degree there are parties.

Here KevinandAmanda.com show us some Halloween macaroons......

Anytime is a good time to shop for French treasures on my web site. Here's the link....

FRENCH VINTAGE HOME

Merci Beaucoup

Table for Two Gift Box French vintage

2017-09-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

Table for Two

Set the mood.

This TABLE FOR TWO GIFT BOX has been specially curated for a romantic evening for two, directly from the Brocantes in Paris, Provence and Southwest France - the land of lavender and sunflowers.

It includes two vintage French plates, two vintage French wine glasses. two French oversized hand monogrammed antique napkins, cutlery for two and a votive candle. It's the perfect way to set the mood, whether it's a special anniversary or a romantic weeknight dinner.

It's also an ideal gift for Weddings, Bridal showers, Christmas, Valentines day, Birthdays or anytime.

I have been collecting plates for years; they are one of my favorite finds. Only six plates have been photographed to show you the quality and style of what will be included in your box. Because I usually have just two of each plate, I am asking you to trust my taste and reputation to select just the right ones for you.

They will be in wonderful condition with no chips or cracks.

As you can see by the pictures, the recipient will open the box and see the beautiful rose petals. I will match the tissue and rose petals to the plates in the box. It will be a fabulous surprise when it is opened.

I have a limited number of these boxes. If you are interested in buying this box as a Christmas gift but don't want it now, just let me know. I will be able to hold it for you with a small PayPal deposit and ship it when you want me to.

This is a most unique and fabulous gift.

French antique sheet giveaway

2017-08-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

Once again I am having a drawing for one of these beautiful French Antique Linen Sheets.

The drawing will be held September 4, 2017.

All you have to do is email me at (audreyfriedman1@gmail.com) with your name and email address and I will put your name in the "hat" for the drawing.

If you have a friend that might be interested in the next giveaway, please send me their name and email address as well. They will not be included in this drawing but will in the next.

Merci Beaucoup

Please check out my website for more treasures from the French countryside.
French Vintage Home

A Bientot.........

Returning to France

2017-05-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have returned to France after being gone a few months due to surgery .

I am doing great and my new knee works perfectly. Thanks to all of you for your

warm get well wishes, they worked.

The first place I went was to the Dordogne. This is the view out the front door.The flowers are all in bloom and the gentle rain has turned everything green. It is lovely.
Then I spent awhile in Paris where my friend and I had tea at the Ritz.
How about this pastry?

From there I went to St. Remy de Provence which was fabulous.
All but the weather, I expected it to be warm but it was quite chilly.

My first day I went to Villeneuve-Les-Avignon Flea Market which was a real
adventure. It was huge and I walked for what seemed like forever.
I was successful in finding so many things for my web sites.

Here are just a couple of new things that you will see:

These six beautiful lavender transferware dessert plates.

Beautiful hand crocheted French antique table runner

If you want to see more, just go to either of my web sites.
www.frenchvintagehome.com or
etsy.com/store/frenchvintagehome.

So much more is coming, I am trying to get as much photographed and
uploaded as I possibly can.

Every month I send out a newsy newsletter about France.
Places to go, places to see, places to eat and more.

I include recipes and more product from French Vintage Home.

I would love it if you would sign on for my newsletter.
You can do it by going to:
www.frenchvintagehome.com and join my mailing list or
just send me your email.

Merci Beaucoup

A Bientôt Audrey

Paris, I miss you......

2017-01-09T23:48:00.001-08:00

It has been a very busy time for me and I have not been back to France for a few months. Not the least of which was a new great grandson born just before Christmas.

As soon as I have my knee surgery next week, I will hope for a quick recovery so I can go back soon.

In the meantime, these lovely pictures keep Paris on my mind.

Wishing you all get to go this year too. The magic awaits.

For a lovely authentic French lunch at a reasonable price go to L'Orillon in the 11th arrondisment. Typical and delicious French food.

Something unique which I haven't tried yet but will one day soon is Sunday lunch at Jimmy Haynes. Google him and check it out, if you go let me know. As I haven't been yet. It could be great, or not, just different... he says
"Every week for the past 30 years, I've hosted a Sunday dinner in my home in Paris. People, including total strangers, call or e-mail to book a spot. I hold the salon in my atelier, which used to be a sculpture studio. The first 50 or 60 people who call may come, and twice that many when the weather is nice and we can overflow into the garden.
Every Sunday a different friend prepares a feast. Last week it was a philosophy student from Lisbon, and next week a dear friend from London will cook."

Bisous to all..... Merci Beaucoup

Be sure to check out my web sites... lots of new things www.frenchvintagehome.com and
www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvintagehome

Liiving in Country France

2016-10-21T08:06:00.002-07:00

This morning was the Friday Market in Riberac, France. It is held every Friday rain or shine. Not only is it the place to buy the most wonderful fruits and vegetables but it is a wonderful place to meet up with friends for a coffee.....

The market is full of lucious offerings, I am afraid I always buy too much.

Here are a few new things I hope you like that are on my web sites. There is so much more so I hope you will find a moment to look at them.

www.frenchvintagehome.com and
www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvintagehome

This is a brass pediment from a piece of 18th century French furniture. I am sure you will find many uses for it. I like it on a wall over a picture frame or mirror but anywhere you put it, it will look lovely.

CLICK HERE Antique brass pediment

CLICK HERE 5 French vintage kitchen towels and FREE grain sack

CLICK HERE for wreath brass pediment

CLICK HERE for French vintage horn handled knives

CLICK HERE for French antique Linen Napkins

CLICK HERE for Seasons and Suppers recipe for maple pecan hasselback cut squash

Merci Beaucoup

A Bientôt

Where did all the glamour go?

2016-09-01T15:47:00.001-07:00

Beauty on Parade by Rolf Armstrong 1930's

I seem to see people totally relaxing about the way they dress. I remember the time when we wore our best clothes on the airplane and today not at all.

It does take a little extra effort but it is so worth it. As I live in two countries, the difference is obvious to me. Here in America we seem to think shorts and tee shirts can go anywhere, not in France. Oh the good old days.

Marcel Fromenti fashion drawings from Lady Magazine 1953

Lady in Tweed from Tumblr

If you remember any of these looks, please send me an email. I would love to know that I am not alone on this issue.

I travel a lot and usually wear black, a nice sweater and good fitting pants makes for a comfortable and pretty outfit. Don't forget adding a shawl or scarf. It looks good and is practical on a plane that might be too cold.

If you have a friend who might be interested in reading about my American French life, please let me know. I would love to share my thoughts with your friends.

I hope you like the images I have selected for you.

Great cafes you may not have been to yet....I have tried them all and thoroughly enjoyed them. I hope you do too.

La Bossue Montmartre in the 18th arrondissment

Le Valentin Salon de The Opera in the 9th arrondissment

Fragments Paris Marais in the 3rd arrondissment

Merci Beaucoup,
Audrey

audreyfriedman1@gmail.com
www.frenchvintagehome.com

French country summer

2016-07-16T13:33:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I split my time between Dallas and country France. I have been doing this for 18 years. It seems like yesterday that I bought my house.

One of the prettiest villages is Brantome and the lovely Hotel Moulin d'Abbey is the perfect place to stay.

My favorite thing to do is going to the market in Brantome. There is a food market every weekend and a Brocante (flea market) a couple of times a year.

I shop the brocantes for all the treasures I have on my web sites. Here are a few of the newest additions.

Antique French soup tureen

Giverny Monet garden tea set

Vintage French asparagus serving plate

Monogrammed French vintage oversize napkins

There is so much more to see by going to www.frenchvintagehome.com or www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvintagehome

I hope you find something you love. I buy everything in France and ship it from Dallas so all your orders are filled in Dallas which is more convenient for you.

Merci beaucoup.

A Bientôt

The Fabulous French Flea Markets

2016-04-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

I am about to return to France and am really looking forward to going to the flea markets. It's Springtime so for me that means more brocantes, flea markets and vide greniers.

The Fabulous French Flea Markets

I start my day with the usual croissant and cafe creme and then I am good to go. I try to go to as many brocantes as I can on Sunday which is the day most of them are open.

I start at the Porte de Vanves flea market and have a few things in mind to get there. Different flea markets are known for different things. This one has tons of silver, dishes and small things for the home.

L'ile sur la Sorgue is better at the furniture. It is gorgeous and if you are looking for some piece in particular, there is a strong possibility they will have it.

Here are a few things I got from recent brocantes in Southwest France. You can click on the link and get more information about any of the items listed here. Of course there are hundreds more on the web sites....www.frenchvintagehome.com and www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvintagehome
I would love for you to check it out.

CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE

If you have any questions about the flea markets in France, please be in touch and I will help you all I can. Or, you can go to https://vide-greniers.org/ and find out where there is a flea market near you in France.

Happy Shopping!!!!

A Bientôt

Living in a high rise in Dallas

2016-01-07T06:20:00.002-08:00

I love living in a high rise condo with all the amenities. There were, however, a few things that I had to find solutions for.

I have a fifteen year old Maltese that cannot make it through the night anymore so I hated the thought of taking the elevator down in the middle of the night so she could go out.

Lo and behold I found this..... just click on the blue link if this would solve the same problem for you.

I put the box on the terrace and Skye took to it immediately as it is real grass.

Doggie Potty as seen on Shark Tank

At the suggestion of several of my friends with the same problem, I am posting this today. I hope this is helpful for you.

Happy 2016
A bientôt
Audrey

Je Suis Paris

2015-11-15T05:08:00.002-08:00

dailykos.com

My heart and prayers are with you my dear, dear Parisian friends.

There are no words for this horrendous act of terror.

We mourn for the many lives lost and injured.

We must stay strong

Onion Boards

2015-10-15T11:28:00.001-07:00

Onion Board

For those of you who love these onion boards and are always keeping me out of stock on them, I thought I would mention that I now have two in stock.

They are very rare and highly collectible and for you collectors, here is your favorite one. It is vintage and in fabulous condition.

Just click on the blue letters above and it will take you to the page where you can see them.

They are great for serving breakfast and are often called breakfast boards. Just place coffee, a croissant plus a flower or two, and bring to someone you love.

photo imagesbuddy.com

A Bientôt
Audrey

Paris Flea Markets

2015-10-10T02:31:00.000-07:00

The flea market at Chatou

As many of you enjoy going to Paris, I thought I would write about the fabulous flea markets there. Don't miss the opportunity to go and see the lovely treasures they are selling.

I would be happy to let you know my favorites, just drop me an email and I will give you a short list of which I think are the best ones.

I go to flea markets every Sunday, all over France, to stock my web sites. Until you go for yourself, you might want to check out my web sites. www.frenchvintagehome.com and www.etsy.com/shop/frenchvintagehome

You will see what I am up to and how diversified the items are.

About once a month I put out a newsletter showing some of my most recent purchases.

If you are interested, please go to www.frenchvintagehome.com and join our mailing list. You will then automatically get the newsletter. It is chock full of ideas, recipes and flea market purchases. I think you will like it.

A la prochaine fois........

California dreaming

2015-08-06T03:12:00.000-07:00

My fabulous summer vacation is quickly coming to an end. The time was spent with my large and beautiful family at the gorgeous Malibu beach house.

Next stop Dallas and shortly thereafter that I will return to France.

I hope you all had a joyous summer as well.

The Most Beautiful Village in France

2015-05-17T08:41:00.001-07:00

The city of Colmar in France, considered the most beautiful city in Europe, looks exactly like it was produced in fairy tales. This small town offers colourfulness which dominates the old city. Colmar with its environment is the second driest city in France, making it ideal for growing vines, so the city got the title “Capital of Alsatian wine.”

Since I plan on selling my house in France and only expect to return a few times a year to keep my web sites full, I would like to visit Colmar before I leave.

It is in Alsace located on France's eastern border and on the west bank of the upper Rhine adjacent to Germany and Switzerland.

There will be lots to buy for the web sites as these sheets have come from that region. You can click on the link below to get the details of this sheet.

Monogrammed Linen Sheet

photo thanks to MorBCN via Flickr

Photo by Francisco Antunes

I cannot wait to see this gorgeous place.

More on this after my trip.

Some of the photos were from "Your Amazing Places", worth looking at.

A Bientot

Audrey

Quinconces Antique Fair Bordeaux France

2015-04-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

The beautiful fountain at the Place Des Quinconces where the fair is held.

I am in Bordeaux at the moment to shop this amazing antique fair. Hundreds of sellers are here showing their wares. It is a two day shopping trip to see all that there is to see. Day one is finished.

At the moment I am in my room at the beautiful Grand Hotel de Bordeaux. My room is gorgeous and was so welcoming after a day walking in the dust of yet another brocante. The Grand Hotel was designed by the incredible Jacques Garcia who also did the Hotel Costes in Paris.

I cannot recommend highly enough this exceptional hotel. It makes the drudgery of walking and pulling my wheelie something wonderful to look forward to at the end of the day.

Next time you come to Paris you might think about coming to the magnificent and historic city of Bordeaux. I think it is the most elegant city in France...

photo by telegraph.co.uk

I know how much you all love Christofle silver so I have been lucky in finding several vintage boxed sets, all in fabulous condition.

I haven't listed anything purchased today on either of my web sites but will shortly.

I am here another day and cannot wait until tomorrow to see the treasures I will be able to buy and bring to you.

It is your support that makes this possible and for this, I thank you so very much. Merci Beaucoup!!!

A Bientôt

Audrey

Tea in the afternoon

2015-04-09T00:24:00.000-07:00

photo from 1000things-london.com

This photo is from Tea at the Ritz in London which is my all time favorite place to go for tea in London. In Paris it is, without a doubt, the Hotel George V. It is simply the best.

Four seasons.com

Though we all think of teatime being started in England, it's a little known fact, but after its introduction to Europe in the 17th century tea was tremendously popular in France. It first arrived in Paris in 1636 (22 years before it appeared in England!) and quickly became popular among the aristocracy. . .

Wherever it started, it is definitely a lovely addition to the days meals. Most people, here in France, do consider teatime a daily ritual.

Tea was so popular in Paris that Madame de Sévigné, who chronicled the doings of the Sun King and his cronies in a famous series of gossipy letters to her daughter, often found herself mentioning tea. . . . Madame de Sévigné also reported that it was a Frenchwoman, the Marquise de la Sablière, who initiated the fashion of adding milk to tea. "Madame de la Sablière took her tea with milk, as she told me the other day, because it was to her taste." (By the way, the English delighted in this "French touch" and immediately adopted it.)

As a break between lunch and a late dinner, tea is the perfect way to entertain without the daunting experience of a full meal. I recently did just that and added some wonderful champagne to my menu.

peggyporschen.com

What to serve at afternoon tea is up to you. It is normally held between 4-5 in the afternoon.

I like to serve open faced cucumber sandwiches, always with butter, a touch of sea salt on white bread. I cut everything into pieces that can be easily picked up and eaten in one or two bites.

In addition, open faced smoked salmon sandwiches are always popular. I make these on rye or wheat bread ( crusts removed) spread with herbal cream cheese and topped with a small piece of smoked salmon and a dill sprig.

For a nice presentation, garnish the plates with watercress sprigs and some radishes.

Add some sweet tea cakes, scones or whatever you like and you are good to go.

French Vintage Home has several tea sets on it's web site. Here are a couple and if you are interested in them, just click on the blue link or go to www.frenchvintagehome.com.

Limoges Tea Set

French Erquis silverplate tea set

Enjoy!!!!

A Bientot.....

Audrey

Just some pictures I love

2015-03-27T09:10:00.002-07:00

Some gorgeous pictures I think you might also love....

I hope I added a bit of beauty to your day today.

A Bientôt
Audrey