Monday, 28 November 2011

1950s Hermes Doctor's bag




A beautiful Hermes Doctor's bag from 1950s.
C'est dommage. It's a little worn with the hems falling apart and the leather scuffed, albeit beautifully!
With the handle and clutch perfectly functional, a little touch up at the seams will bring this piece back to its formal glory - well, with a touch of ruggedness of course!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87149855/vintage-hermes-doctors-bag-sacoche-de

Monday, 7 November 2011

1944 French Love Letters

Paris ce 20 Fervier 1944
                                                           




















                                                                I could almost imagine Mademoiselle Jacqueline Joudrien's smile when she opened the letters and see the pages of neatly written words by her long distance boyfriend. These letters dated 1944 were found in a Paris flea market amongst a stash of photos and postcards... Each and every letter was so politely written, it got me wondering if relationships were more formal 70 years ago.

To me, these letters held a piece of beautiful history that we couldn't find in a textbook; it also made me realise how fortunate we are now with whatsapp,gmail, msn, etc...

Saturday, 5 November 2011

Hello Paris, hello brocantes

Back to blogspot after a long long hiatus- perhaps four years?
The other one was opened to document my University exchange to Beijing, China.
And this time round, I am here in Paris, the country of cheese and wine.

There are two pull factors that got me here.
One, to learn French in France. The most effective way to learn, no?
Two, to resume my long found love for brocantes, the french fleamarkets.
These two matters practically take up my entire time in Paris.
Monday -Friday: School at La Sorbonne.
Saturday - Sunday: BROCANTES!

People ask, why, of all language, French?
Straightforward: it is essential to maintain my relationship with the french bf in the long run. Furthermore, it is always good to learn a new language because you open up to a new culture, new people and new experience. Its funny how it can change one's perception, to a big or small degree, depending.

And then it comes the second question, why, of all goodness in Paris, Brocantes?
This is a good question, because vraiment, je ne sai pas.
You don't find many people like me (ok, I am in my 20s) wandering in a brocante or vide grenier on a bright Saturday morning. But kill me already if I don't get to go to one this weekend.


Perhaps I am too sentimental, hence the strong penchant for all things nostalgic;
Or, perhaps, I just love to plough through 1001 things in the brocante waiting for something to catch my eyes (I think this is the same thrill a paleontologist gets when he finds a fossil in the earth).
Either way, the word 'brocante' strikes a chord with me.

So here I am in Paris, documenting my life, my experience with the french brocantes and french language.
Wish me luck.



And till next time.

A bientot!