Sunday, August 31, 2014

La Rentree

     
It's that time of year again in France.

'La Rentrée' when everyone returns from vacance.

And the kids go back to school.

This is a big, big deal here.

Department store BHV in the Marais is back-to-school central.

It was packed on Saturday.

Did every family in Paris decide to go shopping for school supplies yesterday? Does every child have to have a Tann's schoolbag? Evidently. They've been making schoolbags since 1978. Vintage Tann's satchels go for a small fortune.

This is a famille affair.

Dad has to show up to help pick put the right notebook color.

Shopping baskets are brim full. I'm wondering if this is a whole year's school supplies?

How to choose from so many colors?

Ever wonder where the fancy kids shop, Bonpoint got it's name?

From the little award cards given the best students. Do they still give them out?

They still use little chalk boards called ardoise that's for sure.

Every window in Paris has back-to-school themes now.

You can find French vintage school labels on Etsy at La Belle Ville.

French kids clothes are darling. I wish this came in my size...

'Day Dream' sweater at BHV. I day-dreamed my way all through school.

'If Carol would only focus and stop gazing out the window' my report card said again and again. I'm still window gazing. It's work now. Still day dreaming too :)

I found this darling vintage French ABC book on Etsy for my new September Sketch Letter...

It's still in the works of course being that time of month.  A lot of French regional candy research was required for this letter. A lot of research candies have gone mysteriously missing.
I think Bear ate them...

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20 comments:

  1. Annie11:18 AM

    so much wonderful color! a surprise.
    Your report card is a gem. Glad you saved it!

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  2. Unknown12:33 PM

    You have been to your favorite candy store or stores. It looks like getting ready for the first day of school is the same everywhere. I think french children look more chic. Looking forward to September's letter.

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    1. Parisbreakfasts1:32 AM

      I have been making the rounds of Paris candy stores for research. Many don't open till Tuesday. So much research...so many candies to try. ;((

      Delete
  3. Kim B.12:58 PM

    That Bear!!!

    Love love love that your kindergarten teacher saw and complimented your artistic talents. Let someone else get creative with music, that's THEIR forte!!!

    Am so glad I did not venture to BHV yesterday.

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  4. La Table De Nana1:03 PM

    Love your report card too..I have some of mine too..surprisingly..I have so few things:(
    It's that time of year here also..the boys are back in school..all of them.
    Gone the beautiful beach days ..time for the bus and books and a schedule..
    They really do use the small ardoises?
    Love those..

    ..
    and the writing books of course.
    Here things are gearing towards electronics:(
    I remember may tags on my books too..brown paper..then later a blue and a red..and pretty name tags.
    I loved school in primary..
    I am so glad I don't have to start school over though.


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    Replies
    1. Parisbreakfasts2:22 PM

      The idea of going back to school!
      Ouch. Not my favorite place except art class..

      Delete
  5. Nikon3:09 PM

    I hated school :) The nuns packed a punch!
    It looks like the kids and parents shop in a warehouse! Too many things! They will definitely need a backpack.

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  6. Susan Freeman3:28 PM

    J'adore the vintage French ABC book! I would love to return to school. I believe I would enjoy it even more than when I was younger.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  7. Jeanette, Mistress of Longears7:46 PM

    Love that priceless report card! Now there was a teacher with insight! I absolutely adored school because it gave me access to so many kids! Our neighborhood didn't have a lot. And I am really impressed that even the Dads go back-to-school shopping! Maybe we should do the same...set the stage for high expectations.

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  8. Sketchbook Wandering9:12 PM

    Comme Mimi, tu mérites une bonne note, Carol, for this post! Thank you! I was in France once during la rentrée & I wanted to buy everything I saw in those papeteries!!! I love the ABC book. Interesting that your gazing & dreaming career began in grade school! And your voice has "lovely tone quality"....Do you still sing?

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    Replies
    1. Parisbreakfasts1:28 AM

      Kindergarten if you please. What a pokey puppy I was and we lived a block away from school. I remember getting my shoelaces tied the very last minute before the bell rang.
      That's ALL I remember...or did I tie them myself at 5?

      Delete
  9. Frances9:19 AM

    Carol, I adore these back to school show windows and interior shots! Fabulous school supplies, and great imaginations at work in the merchandising, too.

    May I also compliment you on that school report. Perhaps I should compliment the teach for recognizing a young artist's talents. xo

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  10. Anonymous12:55 PM

    Absolutely! That teacher must have been a very good one and she knew you very well. .I like how that report card was very thorough and detailed and lots of careful thought was put into ART and MUSIC which are so important! This post was so sweet and happy. I am feeling the bittersweet "back to school" feeling I have had for many, many years. I don't know if it will ever stop appearing in late August as long as I live.
    Maybe I should have a classic Tann bag?

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  11. A Brush with Color2:07 PM

    You're a pistol, for sure. I loooooved seeing your kindergarten report card. That teacher was prophetic. Very sweet and so true. I used to make baguettes--4 at a time--in the curved baguette pans--sprinkled butter and cornmeal on them before the dough, and slashed the dough and misted it in the oven. It was soooo good. Sigh. No longer. (that's in response to the last post) Eat some of that good stuff for me, and this post about the r'entree is lovely--I always loved heading back to school with new supplies. Exciting for kids.

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  12. 365 Dresses5:07 PM

    Love the BHV windows! And I love all "back-to-school" here or there!

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  13. Krista D12:28 PM

    Carol is still doing Outstanding hand work. Forte realized.

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  14. Studio 8:34 PM

    Chalk boards! Loved this post.

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  15. Barbara10:54 PM

    Love the back to school blog C. x, B

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    Replies
    1. Parisbreakfasts10:55 PM

      It's such a big deal here.
      No way did my dad ever come along to pick out notebooks.
      No idea why they still use little chalk boards but it's damn cute and in every shop window.
      Go try to figure out the French...

      Delete
  16. Jeanie9:59 AM

    Can't wait for your letter! I remember those back-to-school days well! Now it's September and even though I'm not back to school, I feel like the new year is beginning. As I wrote in my last post, whatever happened to August? Art camp is a thing of the past and now the routine begins. Sigh.

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