Mlle Magpie

Some Sunshine Therapy

 

 

Back from a week of rest and relaxation in sunny Florida. I really enjoyed the warmth and the sunshine, wearing flip flops, hanging out at the beach and just plain taking it easy. The simple life. This was the first time we ever went away all together en famille for March Break; I told my husband that we need to do it more often so that we can get better at it :)

Anyways, although it is now back to school for the kids and back to work for the parents, I must say that I feel much better after this vacation. Of course, it doesn't hurt that we came back to summer-like weather back home - just crazy high temps! Makes me feel as if winter is over and gardening season is just around the corner...

 

Mlle Magpie

Rachel's Shabby Chic Store in NYC

 

 

 

If you guessed Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Shop as my favourite store in New York, you know me well. This store is smaller than her previous one in Soho, but still utterly pretty and delightful.

 

 

 

 

Love the vintage bicycle in the front window display with pretty ribbon-wrapped gifts.

 

 

 

 

A most eco-chic way to deliver one's Christmas gifts. Indeed, completely practical as there was no snow in NYC when we were there right after Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fabulous large inspiration board a la Rachel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could have spent a lot more time browsing and enjoying this shop but I was with my teenaged son :)  I did manage to get my bestie a couple of small things that she wanted and I got some ruffled white bedding for myself that had been on my wish list for a long time. Sigh. So romantic and dreamy...

 

Mlle Magpie

NYC After Christmas

 

 

As I mentioned, my son and I flew to New York City for a few days after Christmas. We left Montreal in a snowstorm only to arrive to very mild weather in Manhattan. Truly a delightful break for my son and me.

 

 

Look at these pansies blooming in this courtyard garden!

 

 

Our hotel was on the Upper East Side, a short walk to Laduree on Madison Ave.

 

 

What a palace of pretty pastel confections! We went twice and both times there was a big lineup.

 

 

My son bought a couple of boxes of macarons for his girlie friends back home. Unfortunately I could not taste their world-famous macarons as I have an allergy to eggs, but I sure enjoyed being in this super pretty shop. It definitely reminded me of Paris.

 

 

 

A favourite place of mine to go every time I am in the U.S. is Whole Foods. Love this shop. This is where I always go to pick up my groceries when I travel (I cannot eat out due to a severe food allergy). I also like to pick up a little bouquet of flowers from their flower section which never disappoints. We went to the Whole Foods in Columbus Circle which is on the edge of Central Park and it was a veritable zoo there. The one near Soho was far more quiet and calm. 

 

 

My son picking out freshly made sushi for himself.

 

 

On our second day there we went to Soho, my favourite neighbourhood. I ADORE the Purl Soho shop!

 

 

Purl Soho used to be two tiny sliver-like shops on a little side street in Soho but has now moved to this gorgeous high tin-ceilinged space on Broome St.

 

Such a fabulous shop filled with all the best supplies for knitting and sewing! Thankfully they have an online shop too.

 

 

And finally, I want to take you to my all-time favourite shop in New York City, but I'm going to save it for a whole separate post...

 

Mlle Magpie

 

p.s. Can you guess what it is? Hint: it's also in Soho.

My Souvenirs From England

 

I've been so busy at work lately that I haven't had time to post about the pretty things I brought back with me from my trip to England in July. 

 

 

 

 

First off, at the market in the centre of Cambridge I spied this beautiful faded pink vintage eiderdown. I had never seen one at a flea market and husband agreed it would be perfect at the foot of our bed in the wintertime for some added warmth. It will also bring some colour and pretty to our bedroom too.

 

 

 

 

 

At the same stall (really the only one carrying vintage items that day), I saw this old wooden basket. I also saw a collection of small vintage bottles; the lady told me that they are old paste jars from the 20's. I thought they would look nice with some flowers in them. Here at home I have them displayed inside the wooden basket with little blooms plucked from our garden.

 

 

While in Cambridge admiring everything in the large Cath Kidston store, I found these floral espadrilles. Normally I'm a real "flats" kind of gal but I know husband likes a bit of heel and since they were so pretty and on sale, it was a win-win kind of situation.

 

 

 

 

In London, my most favourite discovery was the fabulous home section at the "H and M" store on Oxford Street - an incredible selection of homewares with fantastic prices. I was a bit overwhelmed with the discovery and had a hard time choosing a few things to take back with me. In the end I chose some linen pillow covers.

 

 

 

 

Very Jeanne d'Arc Living don't you think?

 

 

I also picked up this pretty ruffled table runner that I've put on our living room coffee table.

 

 

 

Very inexpensive and quite shabby chic.

 

 

I know "H and M" has an online shop but it looks like for now they only ship to Europe. I wonder when these fabulous things will be available in North America...?  

 

Mlle Magpie

 

Lively and Loud London

 

 

 

After a few days in Cambridge, husband and I took the train to London. It was a radical change from quiet and charming Cambridge. Thick crowds of people seemingly everywhere, constant traffic and a high level of noise. Bit of a shock to my system. However, people are surprisingly civil and polite amidst all of this. And fortunately, there are little pockets of green scattered throughout the city where people can catch a respite from the hustle and bustle of this very busy city.

 

 

 

 

While husband was giving talks at conferences for a few days I was on my own to walk around and wander. I had several places of interest on my list of places to go but only managed to make it to a few of them as I underestimated how tiring travel can be and the timing didn't work out. For example, the Portobello market was open on the Saturday that we were leaving so it will have to wait for another trip...

 

 

 

I did make it to one of the Cabbages and Roses shops. 

 

 

 

 

This particular shop was predominantly clothing, so I didn't get to see too many of their home furnishings or their fabrics unfortunately. But it was completely charming nonetheless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another place that was on my must-see list was the very old Liberty of London shop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a department store it is not that large. There is an atrium in the centre where a modern crystal chandelier hangs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Besides clothing, there is also a very interesting home decor department. Take a look at these patterned lampshades - there was a huge section of them there.

 

 

 

I am a big fan of the Liberty fabrics and the store does not disappoint in this department. Shelves upon shelves of these classic floral prints!

 

 

 

 

In fact the arts and crafts department was just fantastic. I could have spent a lot more time and money there, that's for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

Walking around in the downtown area I also got to enjoy some vintage-inspired window displays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our last evening in London, husband and I went for a stroll in Regent's Park.

 

 

 

 

 

In one area of the park I saw a lot of inspirational purple planting schemes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part however was taking a row boat out into the pond at the park.

 

 

 

 

A wonderful way to end our trip to England...

 

 

 

 

Mlle Magpie

 

Cambridge Calling

 

 

 

When we flew into London, our first stop was Cambridge, home of the infamous Cambridge University. Such a charming and lovely town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this town it was all about the bikes and the baskets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everywhere you went, there were bicycles. And I adored the big wicker bicycle baskets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was even tempted to get one to bring back home...

 

 

 

 

 

...but I was interested in the large oversize one and that would not have fit into my luggage.

 

 

Well, moving along on our way towards the charming cobblestoned streets of Cambridge...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the most famous of Cambridge University's colleges, the imposing Trinity College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I noticed that that the pairing of roses and lavender was a favourite planting scheme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was lovely walking around in the city centre.

 

 

 

 

 

The market. Mostly food and flowers, but also some crafts. On the Monday there was a little antiques booth where I found a few lovely vintage things. Will take photos and show them to you later...

 

 

 

There was some lovely shopping in Cambridge. My favourite store that we stumbled upon was this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cally Co has fabric, sewing and some crafting supplies. With a vintage vibe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just delightful!

 

 

 

 

 

And I loved that they had sample pots of my favourite paint - Farrow and Ball.

 

 

 

My next favourite shop in Cambridge was Cath Kidston.

 

 

 

 

 

It's actually the second largest Cath Kidston store in Britain and was filled with lots of vintage-inspired goodness in the Cath Kidston style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best vintagey change rooms I've ever seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stayed with husband's B.F. at his apartment in Cambridge. After a few days there, we were off to the train station to take the train to London.

 

 

 

 

Just thought I would show you the bicycle parking lot at the Cambridge train station. Amazing!

 

 

Mlle Magpie

 

Back From London

 

 

Back from London now. Will show photos from our trip soon...  :)

 

Mlle Magpie

Our Paris Bistro

 

My readers may remember that I met my Canadian husband while I was a graduate student in Paris, many years ago. Back then I did not have fatal food allergies and had the good fortune of being able to eat out in restaurants.

 

 

This was our favourite place to eat in Paris. Le Baribal is a neighbourhood place. Nothing fancy. Just good French food that you could depend on and an atmosphere that was unpretentious and "real". It is on the Rue de Vaugirard in the 15th arrondissement, near l'Institute de Pasteur. Funnily, there were no tables and chairs set up outside yet although husband said it was very warm and sunny when he was there last week. In Paris, I remember cafe tables and chairs always being set out starting in the month of March.

 

 

Our favourite aperitif - the kir. The obligatory olives to go with the aperitif, of course.

 

 

Our favourite meal there was the l'escalope de veau au sauce roquefort, toujours avec haricots verts et pommes sarladaises. Twenty years later, the menu has not changed! Although husband had given up meat and cheese for Lent, he made a little exception during his short trip to Paris. For old times' sake :)

 

Mlle Magpie

 

Sunny Florida Break

 

 

This little bird and her husband flew to Fort Lauderdale for a few days of sunshine therapy. Ever since I've been recovering from the H1N1 (unfortunately I'm not yet completely recovered), I'm always cold. I've never in my life been a big sun person or beachy at all, but this winter I've really been craving warmth and sunshine. So off we went for a few days.

 

 

The view from our hotel studio suite balcony. Gorgeous ocean view.

 

 

 

The view from the hotel cafe.

 

 

 

So we hung out on the beach, soaking up that amazing Florida sunshine. The weather was absolutely perfect - 80 degrees and sunny every day we were there.

 

And I think the best part of my little trip was...

 

...finding the newest Flea Market Style magazine at the Barnes and Noble bookstore and enjoying it at the beach. Really, what could be better?!!

 

Mlle Magpie

 

Back from the Beach

 

 

Husband and I are back from the beach. Will tell you more when I get back from work...

 

Mlle Magpie