Fabulously French

This morning I could not resist taking a photo of these 3 fellows, I adore them as every time I see them, they make me smile. They look so cheeky and mischievious....

With them came this gorgeous wee mouse in a house.

Instead of the word "mouse", they will have "noel" on them. They are hand made and we will only be getting a small quanity.



The mouse in the stocking is 16 euros and the elves can be made to order, but will orders will only be taken for the next couple of weeks so please contact me if you would like to know more about the elves.

A demain mes amis, L x p.s. it is raining "cats & dogs" here today in SW France so a good day to be thinking about Noel :-)

{apt un chambre}I thought that it was about time I took a photo of the old gun cabinet that I purchased a while back. While I had the camera out, I took some photos of the apartment, that we have hung it in.This is the old gun cabinet that came complete with the same wallpaper that we have used in the bedroom, hence I thought that it was meant for us.
We now need to make a few more shelves inside which I will paper and then display old perfume bottles on. Note the WE, as opposed to I. It is another job for Mr FF's evergrowing list.




Close up of the bed, wish that I was there right now.....



Looking from the bedroom through to the bathroom.....




Tapestry in the living area of the apartment.
I have a thing about French tapestries and have a lovely one coming in a few days which depicts the vendange/grape harvest.



Dining area, complete with antique "desserte", another French item that I adore and have a few stashed in our garage.




This is a tableau that I bought in a local shop that …

Just a quick note to say that the Fabulously French Sale is now on.

You will find details of all items on sale in the Clearance section.

We are making way for new seasons' stock which includes lots of lovely items perfect for Noel, which will be arriving mid to late October.


Happy shopping,
L x

I adore this vintage leather coat and if only I was a few inches taller, it would be "parfait pour moi".


Love this style of coat and think that it would look fabulous with jeans, dresses and skirts. It is 100% leather, all the buttons are leather and it is silk lined, and the label says Wilfre, Holland".

It would be suit some one taller than me - 5"4 (160 cms) and it would best fit UK/AU 8-10 or US 6-8.

Saying that my fashion mannequin is a 42 and it fits her snugly.

Measurements are as follows: Bust: 36"/92 cms Waist: 28"/71 cms Hips: 38"/97 cms Length: 48"/122 cms ******** Price: 60 euros = 81USD/84AUD/51 GBP + postage

If you have any questions please ask. A demain, L x

I adore bon bons and love the colours of these bon bons, so pretty and oh so yummy.
Wishing you all a very sweet weekend :-)******Je vous souhaite à tous un week-end très doux,

Bisous, L

Today we have had many beautiful treasures arrive. There are 10 beautiful vintage French rosaries..........




Along with many other inpirational pieces including this fabulous vintage cross.....
and this fabulous statute of Our Lady of Lourdes ........
There are may beautiful items, which I plan to photograph and list over the course of the next day or so.pensées bienheureux,
L x

{photo from here}Love these macaron place card holders, just what we need for our next dinner party...... A tres bientot, L x

{photo Maison No. 20 Kitchen}

I apologise for the lack of post yesterday but it was a busy day, most of which was spent in Bordeaux visiting suppliers. That said we managed to squeeze in a visit to IKEA and I must say I am a fan of their 2011 range. There are some gorgeous pieces at unbelievable prices.

Their range of faux plants look so real, hence I am now the proud owner of the two that you can see in the photo above.

I loved these bar stools.....

I may just be heading back for two of these with the plain wooden legs, just do not tell Mr FF.

The real reason that I needed to go to to IKEA, was for one of these fabulous items.....

Such a practical item and I bought another for one of our apartments as with one, it is so much easier to locate a knife without rifling through a drawer full of utensils.

I had better go, I am supposed to be updating fab french with some items that I found at the weekend and also some goodies for Noel that I bought back with me yesterday.....Je vous souhaite à to…

{fabulous vintage religious medals}

It started with finding two adorable minature mannequins which I decided would look fabulous in old book pages.

After careful thought (a friend commenting that the book maybe to valuable to cut up) I decided that I needed some pages out of old French magazines.
So off I set (across the road to be exact) to visit Monsieur B, aka Antique dealer and good friend of ours.

Not only did I find some very old (1899 - 1902)bundles of fashion magazines.....

{fabulous antique bundles of fashion magazines dating back to 1899}


I also found some other goodies, including some gorgeous religious medals which I have pinned to a velvet cushion......


and an antique pipe rack complete with collection of pipes, which I will photograph and list later today.

Mille mercis to all of you that took the time to comment re the linen bags, it is much appreciated.

We are hopefully off to a vide grenier in the morning, the weather here is stunning at present, cool mornings and warm sunny …

{yes or no}
I am thinking about stocking these lovely linen bags which come complete with embroidered initial. You can pick your initial so this is why they are a bit different to other bags.

They are fully lined, complete with zip up pocket inside the bag, being the perfect place to put your valuables. The straps are leather and it is a sturdy bag.

I have been using the bag for a week now and find it great for shopping.


They will retail for 30 euros(39 USD/25GBP/42AUD).

I would be very grateful if you could let me know what you think of them.

Mille mercis,

Leeann x

{fabulous wooden boxes}
I am not sure where Monday went and we are now 1/2 way through Tuesday and I have not completed any of the tasks on my "to do" list.My poor online shop has been a little neglected due to a influx of kiwi guests at Maison No.20. I think that it maybe the most kiwis that our village has ever seen and to think that the tourist season is "fini".I am busy sourcing for Fabulously French at present and have a few new items including these fabulous wooden boxes, perfect for hiding your tresors.

{Exterior}A fabulous mix of clocks and stenciled numbers and the colour that they are painted is tres, tres belle...

{interior}You will find these in the fabulously french online shop along with....



This petite and very cute vintage vasque complete with water free lavender....




Fabulous vintage faux livres book ends, the book lying on it's side is a secret drawer.....Fabulous Toile de jouy curtains which are extra wide and long, there are two of these available…

There is something special and ever lasting about the globe de mariage - aka marriage domes from the 19th century.

They were given to the young french couple and kept in the home as symbols of the years to come.

Here are some of the symbols and their meanings:

Oak Leaves = Longevity of Union
Sheaves of Wheat = The gift of Life
Rectangular Mirrors = Years of Engagement
Diamond Shaped Mirrors = Fertility
Large Central Mirror = Reflection of the Soul
Clusters of Grapes = Prosperity
Roses or Daisies = Love
Cherries = Protection from Bad Fortune
Ivy = Attachment to each other
Chestnut Tree Leaves = Links to Others

All I need to do now is find one, which is easier said than done as they have become objects of desire and are prized by antique lovers and collectors around the world.
Je vous souhaite à tous une semaine fabuleuse plein d'amour.....

L x

{candles at a church in Avignon}
This post is dedicated to those, that were effected by the tragic events, that took place on the 11th September 2001.


“Peace is not something you wish for;It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are, And something you give away.” ***Robert Fulghum
***Wishing you all a peaceful Pink Saturday, L x

.........almost as much as I adore these La bohème music boxes. What a fabulous word as it conjures up an image of being free and wild. Since the 16th century, the French word bohémien was used to refer to gypsies, based on the erroneous belief that they come from Bohemia. As gypsies are associated in the common imagination with a wild and free life separate from rigid society, the name came to be associated with the counter-culture of young artists and other rebels in the Latin Quarter of 19th century Paris. This was a common colloquial term in Paris, when Henri Murger used it in the title of the stories which eventually became the basis for the opera. The fame of Murger's stories carried the term to the world beyond Paris and into other languages, such as English, where "bohemian" has a similar connotation.

The word bohème denotes the place where these bohemians live, and thus translates to "Bohemia". When referring to the geographic region, the preferred French…

A postcard (carte postale in French) was left by our front door last night and fortunately Mr FF rescued it before the storm started.Of course, moi being me, was intrigued and had a week look at the website advertised on the post card, this morning.The website is called topiaire extraordinaire (what a fabulous name)and after visiting the website, I cannot wait to visit the shop.Love this one and only hope that you are reading this Mr FF....
For more pretty images, please click here.

A demain, L x

Hope that you all had a fabulous weekend. Yesterday I found a few goodies including lots of old French music books which I adore and cannot get enough of.

The minute I set eyes on this glorious lot I wanted them all but the vendor has priced her page and Mr FF and a dear friend Mr T, were ready to depart.

I was thinking not sure what to do, when the seller said you can take the whole lot for 5 euros. My poor french shopping bag was already fulland I could not see Mr FF nor Mr T so was not sure how I would carry these back to the car. I said the the vendor not sure how I would carry them and she said I will give you the suitcase for free. End result - I ended up carrying a full and heavy suitcase through a crowded market and decided not to buy anything else on my way to the car.

Here are some of my lovely finds........


Fabulous vintage rosary with pretty purple glass beads - available in shop for 10 euros + postage

A vintage framed dolly complete with movable eyes and hat box with the word …

{Beautiful flowers at our friend's house} The first Friday in September has arrived and although it is still very warm during the day -31 degrees it is cooling down to 10 degrees at night which is perfect for sleeping.Yesterday was a busy day in the shop and everyone was busying candles and napkins so I suspect that the dinner party season is about to commence.We are going to a vide grenier on Sunday so fingers crossed that there are lots of "tresors".What are your plans for this weekend? I would love to hear all about them....Quels sont vos projets pour ce week-end? J'aimerais tout savoir sur vos projets ....

Bon week-end a tous,L x

{image from here}

...this fabulous couch or as the French say "canape".

Do you like it as much as I do? And to think that I thought I was "over" grain sacks.... L x