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

More White

 

 

Although I (and everyone else!) am dreaming of springtime, Mother Nature has different ideas in mind. We are in the middle of yet another snowstorm up here in Quebec. Yes, more white.

 

 

I do love white.

 

 

I think in decorating, one can never have too much white. But outside, by the month of March it can start to get a bit overdone if you know what I mean...

 

Mlle Magpie

 

p.s. these photos from Vintage, a fab European blog

Out of the Office

 

 

I will be out of the office for a few days. Getting on a plane to go South for some much needed Sunshine Therapy in Florida with husband. See you when I get back.

 

Mlle Magpie

 

p.s. image from British Country Living 

Dreaming of Summertime

 

 

On a particularly cold day in the middle of a snow-filled winter, I start to fantasize about warm and sunny days and al fresco dining...

 

Mlle Magpie

 

p.s. sorry source for this fabulous photo unknown

 

My Gifts From Denmark

 

Husband came back from England and Denmark and I have been waiting for even a bit of sunlight so that I could photograph the gifts he brought back for me from Denmark. The bad news is that he was not able to find the Jeanne d'Arc tea towels and the new edition of Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine is not yet out. However, he did manage to stumble upon a wonderful antique shop that was in the Jeanne d'Arc style. The owner told him that many of the people whose homes are featured in the magazine do shop there. So what did he get me?

 

 

I received a few beautiful vintage French monogrammed tea towels. They are so wonderful. I'm not yet sure what I will do with them, but I'll think of something special for them. Perhaps one of them will be used to reupholster a chair seat cover... The shop owner also wrapped up this vintage catalogue for me as a little gift. How kind of her.

 

 

 

 

It is filled with wonderful illustrations such as this one. They will definitely be fun to use in projects.

 

 

And voila, the piece de resistance!

 

 

 

A huge vintage Belgian grain sack. I had a long body pillow that I was planning to sew a cover for so that I could place it on our vintage guest bed in the basement, but lo and behold, the grain sack fit perfectly!

 

 

 

 

Husband is gone again, this time to San Francisco, but in a couple of weeks he will by travelling to Paris and Munich for a short business trip. I am just wondering if he will have any time to pop into a brocante while he's in Paris...?

 

Mlle Magpie

 

Vintage Photo Love

 

 

Have been really loving vintage photos lately. Especially of little girls. By the way, that's a vintage French book page that Jeanne has embellished - she includes wonderful things like that with all her orders from her etsy shoppe, A Bushel and a Peck. 

 

 

Something about those bows in the hair as well. Maybe it has to do with the memory of my mother putting them in my hair when I was that small...  :)

 

Mlle Magpie

Etsy Packages

 

I've certainly mentioned before how much I enjoy shopping on Etsy buying vintage and handmade items. Another thing I like about Etsy is how much effort the sellers put into their packaging.

 

(from Alona Freeman)

 

Often there is also one or two little bonus giftie things added to each order. I don't think I'm the only one who likes to get extra little treats with my purchases - such a nice little touch that goes a long way in making you feel special.

 

(from simplychictiques)

 

(simplychictiques - love that pink paper rose)

 

 

(Ticking and Toile)

 

Now I'm thinking about what my wrapping theme will be for Christmas this year...? Do you like to have a signature wrapping style for all of your gifts or do you like to mix it up?

 

Mlle Magpie

A Nook to Hang Out In

 

 

A cozy place to hang out in. This little nook is in my little room off of the kitchen (I recently did some cleaning up here so that you can actually walk into the room, past the computer). My girls like to lounge around here while I'm on the computer in the corner of this room. 

 

 

My favorite pillow is here. I got it a while ago from the fabulous Marcela of Cottage Charm and Family Inspiration.

 

 

What can I say? It's perfect for Mlle Magpie!

 

Mlle Magpie

A Couple of Sneak Peeks of "A Room" in Progress

Well it's going to take quite a bit of time to set up. I realize I have a lot of stuff/treasures and I have to try to fit most of it into this room in the basement so it's going to get real full. But in the meantime I can give you a couple of peeks into this "room in progress".

 

Remember,  one of my rules is "use what you have", so I just took our old Ikea bookshelves from the playroom and lined them up along the back wall of the room. Believe me, there is much more to cram into all of those jars, boxes and shelves.

To the right of the bookshelves you'll find Lucy wearing a prom dress from my collection, my favorite cabinet containing part of my vintage quilt collection, and a pink wicker hamper storing my vintage wallpaper rolls.

Lots more to do, but it's coming along. Love those white painted floors even if they got quite chipped up while moving furniture in and are going to require touching up here and there.

Mlle Magpie

Vintage Italian Love

Oh, my, isn't she a beauty?!! Husband and I saw her in our neighborhood and it was love at first sight. A 1965 Fiat Nuova. Fully restored.

And it's for sale (a vendre = for sale, en francais).

It's tiny. Totally impractical for a city with a long winter. But completely funky, stylish and cool. And my favorite color to boot. Finally, something vintage that husband and I can agree on! He's actually considering....

Mlle Magpie