sister store shenanigans ...

our store assistant, Rebekah Carey McNall, is doing a "stage" (stahj, fr.) ...which is somewhat akin to a work exchange program with our sister store, The Bohemians in Brantôme, France (the southwest region). This will likely be a program we introduce more formally each year.

As part of the program Rebekah structured and proposed, she will be designing four distinctly different window displays while in France. The shop has very unique, hand-forged windows lining the front of the store...these are about 8" panes of glass that are 6' or so tall. There are two dozen of these ... many of which are the original old wavy glass ... lovely to behold and they fill the space with beautiful morning light.

For her first installation, Rebekah chose a bird theme.. (knowing proprietaire Kim Mancha's love for all things oiseau!)...she wanted to arrive prepared to complete a window 'toutes-de-suite' and the ethereal, tissue-light birds that she pre-cut and tucked into here valise were just the ticket.

The birds flock around openings left in each window ... creating a spotlight effect on the mannequins posed in each window.

We think the result is very pretty and very, very 'printemps'! do you agree?

Back in France!

Hello readers! I'm back in France and finally getting re-adjusted to the time and the extreme cold! Winters are a bit harsh in my neck of the woods (la Dordogne) and we've been alternating between hard frost temperatures, gusty winds and cold, cold rain!

My french friends are bemoaning the length of time until Spring ... reminding me that it won't arrive before March or even April! Nonetheless, spring bulbs are raising their noggins and the flower shops are loaded with blooming pink hyacinths, which can be had for a song! In case you didn't know, their scent is heavenly and I will definitely be planting some in my garden for next year.

Soon I will be knocking about in search of treasures for my next shipment to Mignonne! If you've got some ideas, suggestions or requests ... note them in the comments and I'll keep an eye out. Hopefully they won't be of the large baroque armoire variety as I try to keep the treasures petite in consideration of shipping logistics!

Signing off with a big congrats to my fellow countrymen as we welcome in a wonderful new leader and a hopeful path for our nation!

Photo:  Boccacino