Vide Grenier, rue des Fossés Saint Bernard et Place Jussieu.

 

Sunday I tried on this straw boater at the monthly Vide Grenier & it was a little big  

After Solli tried it on and found it a little small

You can always use a hat with a good brim in Paris in the summer. Shade is essential. I bought the boater for 5€ I’ll put a felt ribbon inside to make it fit tighter.

Speaking of shade, we were under beaucoup Linden trees along rue des Fossés Saint Bernard et Place Jussieu

*Note Solli’s Kleenex😳 The pollen count is high all over France now. Red Alert ‼️ I’ve also been sneezing 🤧 beaucoup

We’re always on the lookout for things for each other ☺️ like this wire basket. The vender said, “trés bon pour la pêche”(which means either peach 🍑 or fish 🐟 ). Me, being a smart-aleck, said, “oh pas pour les pommes?”🍏 

He said, well really it’s for fish 🐟 but you can use it for anything. Oh 😯

Solli collects baskets 🧺 for her beautiful still life photographs

I think her photographs are atmospheric like Italian Renaissance still life paintings 🧺 This one is a Carravaggio

Meanwhile Solli found me 

This bright, shiny adorable watercolor pitcher. Another 5€ well spent.

I was on the lookout for Jill of Mad About Macarons. though she didn’t know it…so much good cookware at the brocante

Have you tried her divinely easy recipes for asparagus clafoutis & crème brûlée. There was a ton of stuff just waiting for Jill 👍

I like to buy fast & impulsively in true ADHD manner. Then I’m good & don’t need to buy anything else.

Solli is a browser. She takes her time & views the entire marché. Then she comes back for the things she decided on 🤔 

What’s your style of flea market shopping?

We both loved these old French sewing patterns, our moms probably bought in their day.

Mutual agreement on this wonderful old metropolitan sign.

Maybe museum quality Art Déco tea or coffee ☕️ set

I didn’t dare ask the price on this adorable child’s miniature tea 🫖 set & ran away quickly.

It’s funny…Rosemary gave me a wonderful blue cup and yet I’m still browsing blue cups. This was ‘best in show’

There is as much temptation at a vide grenier as in a Paris patisserie. At least no calories 🤸‍♂️It’s a good chance to practice self-control 🙏

You see things that bring back ancient memories. I used to collect French Colonial stamps when I was 11. Was I prepping to move to France 🇫🇷 

In general Paris Brocabrac.fr are loads of fun & they’re free. You’re not compelled to buy anything. Most dealers are happy to let things go for a song 🎵 They want to come home with less stuff! Remember I said to look in cardboard boxes 📦 for buys.

After 2+ hours I left Solli still browsing and headed home. Bouquiniste Brigitte saw the boater hat in my bag and said, “You’ve been to the ‘Broc’(short for brocante) & bought a Canotier 👒” We both burst out singing 🎶 ,”Thanks Heaven for little girls” from ‘Gigi’ with Leslie Caron. I mentioned to Brigitte perhaps she should lose her Winter all-black outfit? 🤔

Yesterday she was in white pants, denim jacket & bucket hat. (She says Uggs are the most comfortable shoes & is not giving them up for summer!)

 I called out to her “Bonne Printemps🌸” ☺️

Do share with a friend. And visit my Etsy shop for a look 👏