French Flea Market Holiday Gifts

Give thoughtful vintage holiday gifts to people in your life this year to inspire a new creative passion.  And feel good because you are giving back to the Planet by recycling beautiful treasures. 

All items can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. and Canada to arrive before Christmas if purchased this week.  Email or call to purchase.  We will confirm all details with you by phone before shipping.  Limited quantities, shop early!

 

The Meadow painting will inspire someone to slow life down and take walks in nature or motivate a budding artist to keep painting.  Framed $68, 1 available.

 

Industrial cake baking tins from a baker in mid-west are great for the entertainer or griller to serve appetizers and drinks on or take items back and forth from bbq.  They are also magnetic so perfect for hanging family photos, kids art, or anything from metal clips.  Each panel includes 6 cake rounds that are all attached, $65.

 

French canning jars for the home chef,  $35.

 

 

French wine carriers for the entertainer or wine lover.  Great for doing wine tasting at your next party.  Each one unique, $115.

 

Tall French jars with lids great for the budding home jam maker.  Or someone that needs time to relax (fill with bath salts and give with a good book for THE perfect present),  $55.

 

 

Le Chocolat wall art from a restaurant in Provence, France.  Perfect for the chocolate or sports lover,  $175, 1 available. 

 

 

European apothecary jars. Wonderful filled with bath salts or other collections for someone needing more White Space,  9" $55, 10" $75, 13" $95.

 

French galvanized pitchers are the best gift for the entertainer to throw season branches and flowers in.  Great for a garden lover too,  $75.

 

We love these stop signs because they work!  Put one in your home or office to remind you to stop and meditate, do yoga, take a walk, sip some tea, or just slow down and enjoy White Space, $60.

 

Antique French charcoal basket are perfect filled with fresh holly and treats from the local farmers market (or any special gift).  Or place by your fireplace filled with wood.  We also think its the perfect gift for the city girl or boy that dreams of living on a farm on day! $90

 

 

Vintage rolling pins for the adult (or kid) baker.  Wood $24, metal $32 (1 available)

 

 

Little Maison Reve happiness balls to bring big happiness to someone's day!  Line them in a row on a windowsill or stack on top of one another (flat bottom) to remind someone to stop, breathe and smile during the day. Great for the hardworking coworker or employee to have at their desk.  Made of beautiful solid wood, $20 each.

 

 

Colorful shoe horns for a stylish boutique in Paris.  Great inspiration for someone to walk more throughout the day, $14 each, email color preference.

 

 

French egg basket for the budding baker or teacher filled with wonderful home baked treats, $55.

 

Trio of flower milk jars for the budding florist.  Great in a little girls room. Or fill with herbs each week in the kitchen for someone who loves to cook.  Set of 3 with carrier, $32.

Large vintage American flag for the patriot or new US citizen.  Great condition, $120.

French canning jars are perfect filled with love notes, spa treats or honey for the love in your life.  Tall jars, $65.

 

Cute vintage stepping stool for your little one who wants to be grown up and reach higher places!  $35.  Goat milking stools show in decorating section online $24.

 

Antique letter trays (originally used to hold metal print letters for newspaper printing) are great for the avid collector, budding writer or jewelry maker (little compartments are perfect to organize all the little jewelry pieces). Approximately 32"w by 20"h, $55.

 

Large mouth vintage jars from France are wonderful for the entertainer or anyone that loves flowers!  $48

 

Vintage child size megaphone for the spirited kid (or adult with that can do, positive energy!)  $40

 

 

Rare antique dress form from Paris atelier (with Paris stamp on front) is the best gift for someone that loves to sew, craft or make jewelry (items can be pinned right on dress form) $325 1 available.

 

Lovely perfume bottle from flea market make a nice gift for someone who loves to take baths (fill up with essential oils),  $10 each

 

 

Slate tiles from Belgian house roof make great cheese displays (write cheese name with chalk on tile before placing cheese).  Great for the entertainer or cheese lover,  $22.

 

 

Pastis 51 jars from Paris restaurant are lovely with a bit of holly for any hostess gift or French lover,  $42.

Antique wooden shoe forms are fun gifts for the woman (or man) that just loves shoes!  Pair of shoe forms with red tip and British shoe form are both $68.  More styles online.

Many more vintage items on Online Shop!  Email or call for more information on an item or to place an order (if you email include phone number for us to call you back to confirm purchase).

Happy Holidays!

30 Day White Space Gratitude Challenge

Take our Gratitude Challenge and bring more joy and peace in your life. 

5 Steps to Getting Started:

• Morning Gratitude: Tie your morning gratitude session into something that you do everyday such as commuting to work (notice the sunrise, the crisp autumn weather and the leaves changing colors) or having a morning cup of coffee (enjoy the wonderful aroma of the warm coffee, the quiet before the day officially starts).

 

• Gratitude Letter: Take a few minutes to sit down and write a letter to someone that has made a positive influence in your life. It can be a family member, a teacher, a doctor or even someone that works at the local market. It is a simple gesture that you are letting them know that they are appreciated. It can make someone’s day and yours too.

 

• Gratitude Stroll: This can done anywhere at anytime as long as you are looking around and being aware of all of the things that you appreciate. You may notice the blue sky without a single cloud, the chirping of the finches that sit in the neighbor’s tree, or even the smell of freshly baked bread as you walk by the local bakery.

 

• Gratitude as a Life Lesson: There is always a silver lining in every cloud and the way you choose to look at an event or experience can be life changing. When faced with a difficult situation, see if you can learn something from the experience, benefit from the experience or find something to be grateful for in the experience. Turn bad into good!

 

• Sunset Gratitude: A great way to end your day may be to take a few minutes to reflect upon the good from the day. You can think of something or someone that made you smile, someone that inspired you or reflect upon the best part of the day.  

After 30 days, you should feel a positive shift in the way that you look at the people and the world around you.  Challenge yourself and start TODAY.

Healthiest Leek and Mushroom Soup Ever

 

Serves 6-8
White Space Inspiration: Lazy Sundays Cooking with the Kids

Build some white space into your weekend to cook this healthiest soup ever.  Enjoy with a baguette and good book.  Bon Appétit!

 

Ingredients

 

1 T of Olive Oil

1 1/2 cups of chopped leeks (2 small stalks- white/pale green parts only)

2 garlic cloves pressed

Fresh ginger (pinky sized piece cut in two)

2 t of minced fresh rosemary (optional)

1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes in juice

5-6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

1 large portobello mushroom diced into bite sized pieces

3 medium sized carrots peeled and cut 

2 stalks of celery cut

2C of diced green cabbage

1 C of corn

1 14.5 ounce can of black beans (rinsed and drained) *optional

1 bunch of kale (about 8 ounces), trimmed, center stalks removed, leaves coursely chopped

Preparation

 

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat

Add leeks, salt and pepper until leeks soften (about 5 minutes)

Add diced mushrooms, garlic, ginger, and rosemary (optional). Increase heat to medium high and saute until mushrooms soften and begin to brown, stirring often (about 7 minutes)

Add carrots, celery, cabbage, corn and continue to stir (about 5 minutes)

Add canned tomatoes with juice and stir for a minute

Add rinsed and drained can of black beans

Add 5-6 cups of chicken or veggie broth (can be more or less broth as preferred) and cook for 25-30 minutes at medium low temperature

 

5 minutes before serving, add the diced kale until wilted (about 1 minute)

Add salt and pepper as needed

 

Chef Ideas

*For veggies to still be somewhat crunchy cook for 25 minutes and longer for softer veggies

*Rice, barley or pasta can also be added if desired

*Other fresh and seasonal vegetables may also be substituted other than the leeks and mushrooms

10 Day Countdown to Thanksgiving

With the holidays approaching, its time to White Space the kitchen so we have peace of mind while whipping up those amazing feasts! 

Our 10 Day Countdown to Thanksgiving is the perfect way to get this done.  Tackle only one area below every day and apply our 10 simple steps to create more White Space.

 

Day 1: Fridge and Freezer  

Day 2: Silverware Drawer

Day 3: Tupperware

Day 4: Pots and Pans

Day 5: Food Pantry

Day 6: Spice Cabinet

Day 7: Appliances

Day 8: Trash/Recycling

Day 9: Counters

Day 10: Any Remaining Area

 

 

10 Steps to White Spacing Your Kitchen:

1. Remove all items from area
2. Discard expired items
3. Match items together (e.g. lids to pots) and discard or donate unmatched, unused or damaged items
4. Wash shelves and drawers
5. Designate certain areas for each category of food or cooking appliances
6. Adjust height of shelves if needed (e.g: I lowered my drink shelf, so my kids could reach the milk)
7. If you have children under 4, label each shelf with pictures
8. Put items back on shelves (nest pots and pans)
9. Place commonly used items in most accessible area
10. Make sure when cleaning counter only to put items absolutely necessary. Be ruthless here as living in White Space is about keeping things peaceful on your eye and creating space that's more efficient to do the job.

I am starting today by cleaning out the fridge.  Join the countdown with me and feel energized every time you walk into your kitchen! 

Locavore

In 2005, Jessica Prentice coined the term “locavore” to promote organic local eating and local consumption of foods that are grown within a one hundred mile radius. It is a farm to table approach that is exciting and easy to try at home.
 

With the knowledge of where and how our food is grown and appreciating the harvest in season, we are able to maximize the nutritional value of the food that we eat every day.  

To find a farmers market in Northern California go to  Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association.  If you live anywhere in the country, you have to check out this wonderful Epicurious tool to learning what is fresh each month in your area.  My kids love to then hunt for these items at our local farmers market or grocery store!

5 Summer Sea-inspired Party Ideas.

With the America's Cup hosted right now in San Francisco, I am inspired everyday when I see the big catamaran boats go by to throw a Summer Sea-inspired Party.  Here are 5 fun items for your beach or sailing gathering this summer.

Decorate your table with sea coral, beach stones or shells found during a White Space walk on the beach.

Vintage boats, anchors or sailing block and tackles as centerpieces. Found in Shop.

Rowing oars laid flat on picnic tables with mason jars of mint flavored ice water or cold beer on top.

Splash kids art to add summer fun like my son Finnegan's colorful sea anemone made of clay. 
Your child will feel like a true artist!

Bright orange and pink dahlia blooms in sea glass bottles lined down your farm table. $20 in Shop.

Now time to invite the friends, put on some Beach Boys or Eagles music and have a fun summer bash!

Children Inspire White Space Living

Just last year I closed the doors on our brick and mortar Maison Reve store in Mill Valley. My reasons were two-fold - I wanted to grow my business online and I realized I really wanted to enjoy more of everyday life with my two young children - Delphine and Finnegan.  They have inspired me to live more in what I call White Space -- living fully in the moment.  Just the other day I was watching them enjoy some popsicles on the front porch that we had made. They were giggling infectiously and so immersed in every minute of the experience that it clearly gave them (and me) such simple, authentic pleasure. It inspired me to run back in and grab my camera to try and capture the essence of this moment.  And then enjoy my own raspberry mint flavored pop!

Urban Farmhouse Holiday Warmth

We just started decorating our home for the holidays. Opening boxes of our home made ornaments, table runners, grain sack stockings, and holiday napkins with the kids makes me feel like a kid again!  One of the things I do each year to bring some winter warmth to our living room and my children, Finnegan and Delphine's, bedrooms is add a red pillow or classic ivory throw.  So simple but always brings holiday cheer to the room.  Here are a few of my favorites that might work in your home. 

 

Bholu dharti wool pillow from New Zealand. 18 x 18 inch. $160

Cloud pillow from Argentina. Hand knit. 27 x 18 inch.  $265

French sack pillow. 24 x 2 inch. $285

Cloud pouf from Argentina. Hand kint by artisans. Was $585, now $385

Vintage French grain seed sack pillow. 21 x 21 inch. $185

Rouge et blanc stripe grain sack pillow. 18 x 18 inch. $180

Cozy cable knit pillow. 16 x 16 inch. $120

Grain seed sack pillow case.  Great table runner or tree skirt during holidays! $110

 

Corriedale wool stripe throw from Argentina. Hand woven.  $265

Classic corriedale wool throw in ivory from Argentina.  Hand woven.  $265

All pillows and poufs have removable covers for easy washing and the best quality down inserts. I like to keep the items we sell special so we only carry a limited number of each one.  Email us to purchase.

I hope you have as much fun as we are decorating your home for the holidays! Yasmine

A Month in a French Farmhouse.

If you really want to sever ties with the way you live now - the environment, the technology, the language, the food, the way of living - then one of the first things you have to do is give up your smartphone. With that in mind, I'll be switching mine off this Sunday for four whole weeks. It's part of a commitment to totally immerse ourselves in another culture. My husband, two kids and I are packing our bags and winging our way to France to immerse in simple French living. 

I've always wanted to show our children this lifestyle. One that I learned as a child from my French mother. And there's no better time than the present. We found this great 18th century French farmhouse in Provence.

Our gîte (an independent house typically an old farmworkers' cottage or converted barn) is on working French farm perfect for the kids. It's only a short walk into the charming town of Vaison-la-Romaine in Provence. The town is well known for having one of the best organic weekly food markets in France. 

I will be capturing the inside stories of simple French living....from life at the cafés, decorating ideas inspired by restaurants, ateliers and farmhouses we visit, recipes from the locals and much more. All will be shared here upon our return. So share with me which culture you would like to immerse yourself in and why. I would love to hear your thoughts!