la Brocanteuse

Dec 17, 2010

Blessings to you


I am home. 
 We will spend a quiet and blessed Christmas 2010.

I will be back in the new year with regular posts...
so until then,
I wish you all well,
and
a truly blessed time with family and friends

I will be visiting  your blogs on this side
much love
Colx

Dec 2, 2010

December ~ 2nd

image : Colette
~ Christmas wreath made from shells collected at summerhouse~
2002


Colx

Dec 1, 2010

1st December

image ~ Christmas at the beach house 2008

There's more, much more to Christmas
Than just candle-lights and cheer;
It's the spirit of sweet friendship
That brightens all the years;
It is thoughtfulness and kindness,
It is hope that is reborn again,
For peace, for understanding
And for goodwill to humans...

- Author Unknown

Colx

Nov 30, 2010

So long...


I really did not want to  have to do this
but for reasons beyond my control

I may just post a image now and then from my Christmas files...
I have to take some time off from blog land..
maybe just for a short while - I hope -
if for longer than I want to....
please don't forget me
I will be back.
I am still planning my online shop
and a trip to the French countryside to find more trouvaille
for now~
I need to go back to hospital
more tests to be done
and more decorating the room!..
I need to heal.
much love
Colx




ps: but of course, internet connection, laptop and BB packed




Nov 25, 2010

a Christmas kitchen in Basel



Three years ago we were in Basel ~ Switzerland around the time the Christmas markets opened. What an amazing magical time we had. One of the very first images that comes to mind, is the window display at the "Puppenhausmuseum"
This is a multi story building of the most beautiful and in detail museum of antique miniature and  doll houses I have ever seen. Since one is not allowed to photograph inside the museum, I can only share these outside window "stills" with you. There were various "mechanical" movement complete with music in the background displays as well.

























yes, we were influenced by all the feathery wings and brought back our own little supply in various sizes for all DD's bears and dolls..

 Colx



all images by: La Brocanteuse

Nov 14, 2010

Don't worry...I am redecorating

new eighteenth century French

I know I promised that my next post would be about the fab brocante neighbors I had at our event..but something came up.
 I have not had access to my home computer where all my pictures and images are stored, so let's work with what I have on my laptop.

I must be getting well! I am redecorating my hospital room.....in my mind and "if only" that is...Now don't worry-all under control.These things come with age when your mind and  body has been working to hard ...... I suppose

 Just for the record- what started as a cough, turned out to be serious infected lungs and then there is a little issue about my vocal cords-tests being done, no voice (good thing I'm not a singer) and the funny thing is people start whispering to me when I mouth the words...you try it...
after 7 days of frustration, I am actually sitting up today, breathing  without the help of those little tubes, and reading blogs! Since it is Sunday even had a teeny little choc-pud with lunch.

Now lets get to some fun...
I can't even post pictures of the reality, but we are better off this way 
Before I share my silly Sunday afternoon Reves...I sincerely appologise for the fact that the images I use has no reference..these are old images before my blogging days and please e-mail me at colette@lecapfoods.com should you know the source and I will be happy to give all the credit where needed.
 Much appreciated!

I would replace the flowery funny design grey pink purple entwined curtains and those vertical blinds (ugh whoever designed those?)...with sheer or excuisite lace of course....
appologies to mediclinic decorators...I notice you are doing some major renovation outside, so perhaps you don't mind my bit of input







 I imagine this cerene whiteness would be healing..




oh the luxury of old linen...
these old linge metisse and cotton really DO last...


 My darling husband who falls asleep in the chair next to me-
 could be very comfy in this one


I will have all pretty vases for the flowers in my room
(I have made a promiss to myself to clean out some shelves at home with all unused vases and donate them for use here-
 much better then plastic water jugs and empty  catering mayo jars



vases by MUD - South Africa

since I am fortunate to have a little patio off my room
this could work wonderfull for aspiring to get through all the meds in order to go out and enjoy fresh air..




imagine a menu presented this way







an



image: Corey Amaro-(Tongue in cheek)


who would not have a healthy appetit with this being rolled in on the trolley..

and

 perhaps I could quickly add this to the bathroom door with my ball point


no..just thinking...this would be nice!



and for extra luxury
loads of books that I can actually read, since I have the valuable time


 and this little fan would be marvelous!! to cool the temprature

  image: French Garden House


oh and lastly..fill up this cabinette with lots of curiocities
 to keep my mind wondering






now tell me, who would not mind taking time to get better in such lovely mileu








Ok, this has been fun, and no offence meant to the wonderfull caring doctors, hospital and staff taking care of me.
I am off to take a nap and dream on...


love

Colx


image  -la Brocanteuse

 o yes one more thought as they have arrived with the med..
these are nice?...!!
could be VERY usefull.





Nov 7, 2010

My Brocante



Hello my dear friends
I'm back! It has been a whirlwind of getting ready, unpacking, setting up for my Brocante Event at Lourensford Wine Estate. The venue was gasping beautiful and it was a pleasure arriving there early every morning .








Driving through historical vineyards and surrounded by the majestic HottentotsHolland mountains, was the perfect start to each day.











It was a  privilege to be part of KAMERSVOL 2010. I am happy to say that the event was a huge success and we had 14 100 visitors through the gates, (not counting the under 18 year olds as they were given free entrance)



Setting up was both exciting and daunting... We had 3 days to set up. I started with the funiture and larger pieces, leaving the smalls and prized 
 monogrammed linen for  the last day
The  opening night for 700 invited guests was major hard work and set the tone for the days to follow. 


































 the first furniture item to sell...
two of these over sized Belgian chairs
 upholstered with original German grain bags.


on the last day before opening night, every one pitched in to help ..
DD helped other vendors unpack their goods since mine was "old news" and her nanny - Melody- got stuck into pricing some smalls...we hand sewn some hearts from vintage linen and added  old laundry monograms and little religious medals -nothing went to waste.





Twine rolls on old wood batons..


   Rolls of Jut stamped with "Paris"...sold out quickly




 The selected French monogrammed linen was a best seller..I added daily and was almost sold out.


religious statues and globes  added some surprising  interest - I am happy about this since there are around 40 more globes waiting to be unpacked this week...

 French flags lined the one side of my stand-


..upholstered a French Bergere in pale aubergine velvet found in Paris...I could have sold this chair over and over...I am happy that a friend got this since I will get to see it often









I thank all for letting me be...





 The visitors who drove all the way from allover, to come and visit  me a second time, and even a third time, was  acknowledgment that they loved what I love..the old , the vintage, the memories that I brought back from the French countryside... Thank you for loving what I love!




this young designer  fell in love with this French lace cloth- she was thinking about making it into a wedding dress





 Some of these old French La Poste cushions are on their way to America- yes we had visitors from allover the globe. Another has gone to England.



I do apologize to all  those visitors who I did not have time to chat .
Please  feel free to mail me a

colette@lecapfoods.com

should you have any questions or queries.




Apart from the pre-event pictures taken by DD,
it is hard to believe that I did not have time to take any pictures..yes..me who always try and hold on to memories by capturing the moment..there was NO TIME!! as fast as goods sold, I added more stock so the vignettes was ever changing. most of the images I share here were found on the web taken by different visitors..thank you all!


at Sue Langerman's  booth stocked with vintage jewelery and smalls, DD fell in love with this 1950's knee length  wedding dress , complete with no less then six layers of petticoats..






my most precious memory






thank you all for the encouraging  support,
 yes
 it is the beginning of a lot more!


and thank you for endless cups of latte 
delivered  by these lovely ladies to keep me going



have a lovely week
Colx

had the best "brocante neighbours"
I could wish for..