Sunday, December 23, 2012

Vintage Christmas


After being away much of December and returning home with a bug of some sort, Christmas decor at my house is at an all time low.  Surprisingly, this is what I was hoping to do even if I had been home and hadn't gotten sick, so I'm loving it all the same...but it is a bit of a change for me.

While in Paris, I visited a few flea markets and hoped I would find some vintage items along with some ephemera.  I found plenty of ephemera, and the day before we left we visited one more flea market and scored some wonderful finds, like the vintage bottle above, which holds my rustic version of a Christmas tree.




I decided to place some of my wonderful finds in the windowsill above my sink this year for a simple and vintage inspired theme.




I also found 2 crocks...this one which would have originally held flour is perfect for holding holiday greens.




And a visit to Bon Marche, a lovely old department store in Paris, yielded some gorgeous star trimmed ribbon.  It wasn't cheap, well nothing really is at Bon Marche, but Mr. Tide convinced me that buying it was cheaper than a plane ticket back to France once I got home and couldn't get that ribbon out of my head...the man knows me well! :)

Of course he was right, and I love how it added the perfect touch of shimmer to my simple window vignette.




The other crock I found in my travels was from the same dealer as the flour crock shown above, and I wasn't sure I should get both, but was convinced that you can never have too many vintage crocks.  The dealer was very sweet and wrapped them beautifully knowing they would be traveling a long way before finding their new home.

After paying him, he bid us farewell and said, "now it is your turn to keep them safe."  Mr. Tide said it was as though he was parting with a couple of his children...and maybe for him he was!  They appear to be old, but who really knows how old they are, and really who cares...they make me happy and that's what matters!

Buying these things (and I have more to show you soon) was like having an early Christmas.  And as if that wasn't enough, yesterday I received another beautiful and skillfully wrapped present from England.  One of the guys I play an online game with lives in Northern England and he knows my affinity for vintage wares, so he gifted me with the most lovely blue and white creamer he found at a boot sale!  What a treat to receive such a lovely and thoughtful gift from across the pond...thank you PP!

And because I seem to be in a vintage mood, I thought I would share a few images of Paris I processed with old vintage postcards in mind.  I may have to think about creating a set of note cards or postcards using these, and other images that lend themselves to that vintage look...hmm.








I am off to finish up cleaning and shopping...how is it that those 2 things are never ever truly done?!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of you! xoxo

17 comments:

  1. The star trimmed ribbon is delightful. I love your pretty vintage things. I've enjoyed finding some Christmas treasures at the thrift store this month. It's more fun to shop there than anywhere else...well, except for maybe where YOU shopped! Merry Christmas!

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  2. Love those crocks, Kat. A very merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  3. You have mesmerized me with all your images. And your words brought such serenity and calmness perfect for this beautiful time of year. Wishing you and your family a very Merry and Blessed Christmas all throughout this holiday season. xoxo

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  4. Your Mr is a smart man. I adore that ribbon and have never seen it here.

    Merry Christmas Kat
    x
    C

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  5. The crocks are lovely and the ribbon is gorgeous! How sweet that the dealer entrusted them to you. Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas.

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  6. Lovely images!......merry memories to you!.....smiles

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  7. Kat,
    You went to Paris for your birthday- boy do you know how to celebrate! I just went back to see all the wonderful pictures and those crocks are just so fabulous! Still makes me chuckle that you're a gamer!
    Merry Christmas!!xo,
    ~R

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  8. Merry Christmas Kat!
    Hope you are feeling better now...and look forward to hearing more about that Paris trip! I love your images...and I adore your blue crocks! Wishing you and your family a peaceful Christmas filled with joy and love....Laura :)

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  9. Everything about this post is simply beautiful, Kat...your Christmas decor is perfect! Love the wonderful goodies you found! Merry Christmas!

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  10. Like you, I came home from Europe in September with a suitcase full of flea market bits and pieces. Those are the sorts of souvenirs I love! I look forward to seeing more of your treasures.

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  11. Bon Noel Kat! Have a groovy new year!
    Paul xo

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  12. Oh, how wonderful those crocks are, Kat. And that ribbon . . . yes, your husband knows you well. I can't get things out of my mind either and often have to return. I know myself now, so usually I take the plunge. Merry Christmas to you. And I hope you feel better.

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  13. Just stopping in for a quick look and to tell you MERRY CHRISTMAS! I have so enjoyed your blog and friendship this past year and looking forward to seeing what you do this coming year!
    Much love! Cindy

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  14. Kat, you have made the most lovely arrangements with your French finds. The crocks are beautiful and the ribbon is out of this world beautiful.

    I hope you and your family have a lovely New Year - wishing you all the best for 2013. I've so enjoyed watching your business develop and blossom this year and see big things for it next year.

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  15. Happy New Year!
    Love the pretty crocks... So glad for you that you decided on them both!
    The star edged ribbon is so pretty...
    Wishing you a beautiful 2013
    xo,
    Gail
    http://www.casualloveselegance.blogspot.com

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