Saturday, March 6, 2010

Lallier a Moustiers



It was such a beautiful morning...
I took Big Blue and the remnants of the soda bread out on the deck to breathe in the clean, crisp March air...
Even though the ground is still covered with snow, there are sure signs that spring is coming...
...The early morning light was perfect and keeping my promise...I decided to photograph some of the other pieces of my French faience dishes...



About six or seven years ago while shopping at TJ Maxx, I came upon several beautiful pieces of pottery...all signed Lallier a Moustiers on the back.



They were more expensive than the usual fair at TJ but I fell in love...



The problem was... besides a beautiful compote, a large serving platter and a decorative covered dish...there were only two plates and one cup and saucer...



Knowing that often what appears in one TJ store will be found in another or a Marshalls or Home Goods...I decided to take a chance...and hoped that I would be able to find more dishes at other locations...



...and so my quest began!
There are three TJ Maxx stores close to me, one Marshalls and at the time, one Home Goods.
I went to every location and was able to buy a plate here, a soup bowl there...a cup here and a saucer there....



...but not a complete set!
I needed a complete set...(or at least I thought I did at the time).
I have since differentiated between needs and wants.




I became obsessed.



I researched and googled...called boutique shops and high end department stores...
...had my sisters and girlfriends on the lookout all over the East coast...



Finally I found a lovely lady who owned a shop in south Jersey who carried Lallier a Moustiers and she sent me a catalogue so I could identify the pattern.
She was horrified that I had been able to purchase any pieces at all at a discount store!



...of course my pattern was not in stock so she ordered the pieces I needed to complete my service... direct from Moustiers, France.



Long story short...my fabulous find at the discount store turned into quite an expensive adventure...
...one which I do not regret as I really love my Lallier a Moustiers faience...



...and that is the story of my beautiful dishes.

...note: the pink damask napkins and little bunny were thrift store finds this week....it was bag day...everything you could stuff in a brown paper bag for 5 dollars! I did well...will show more of those treasures later this week.

...secret: those gorgeous gray blue linen napkins with the monogrammed JL were purchased from Corey Amaro's online shop Tongue in Cheek Antiques. They are a birthday gift for my sister Lynn whose full name is Janet Lynn. I will be bringing them when I travel to visit her the week after next.
Corey thought perhaps the JL stood for Joyful Living which completely describes my sister too...
Shhh...help me keep my secret!

We thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful day...although still on the cool side we soaked up the sunshine and spent a lot of time out under that beautiful blue sky.
I hope it was sunny where you are too!
Have a good night and a great Sunday!
:) Laura

34 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Laura. I adore you dishes. You have simply wonderful taste. I hated learning the lesson of needs and wants. Now that I've learned the lesson and understand it do you think I might get blessed and one day never have to distinguish between them again? LOL!

Have a Sunday full of Blessings. Hugs...Tracy :)

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Laura, your dishes are wonderful! And it makes them all the more special to have had such a search for them!

Victoria Hayden said...

Those are beautiful! I love a good deal...you got a great one! :)

Hugs,
Victoria

Amy Kinser said...

Beautiful dishes!!

Unknown said...

...oh what wonderful history you have already given your lovely dishes! Good is now, ~ live the life you love and love the life you live!!! ~ Spring won't be long now and soon the beautiful jonquils will show their flowered heads! xo

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What lovely dishes and a wonderful story behind them. I've been back through many of your recent postings which are all so beautiful. I'm with you on the bread, cheese, wine and chocolate -- what more could a girl ask for? Good friends, loving family, time and beautiful surroundings. Those also top the list and it looks like you have that going. Temps in the 50's sounds heavenly. I have a similar big blue cup and have two cups every morning. One at home and one for the road. Thanks for sharing such loveliness with us each and every day. Many blessings, Tammy

Anne Lorys said...

Gorgeous!
And good for you, getting them for a steal!

Anne

DustyLu said...

It important to spend time with family and I also thinks it important to set a beautiful table. It shows you care. I love those dishes..beautiful! ~lulu

It's me said...

Beautiful service...i love it !!

Nice little rabbit..............enjoy your sunday !

Hugs Ria

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Dear Laura,
Everytime I drop in to comment, I'm always gushing over your beautiful things, but I really do mean it. I'm not gushing for gushings sake !!!!...but here I go again !!.....
I LOVE your dinner service. I think that it is the perfect background for food. I always have white plates. Mine are similar, but not as beautiful. Mine are from France with the same 'distressing' to them. I did break one plate the other day. It fell out of the plate rack on it's own !!!! Spooky !
The blue napkins are beautiful too. I'm sure that your sister is going to love them.I hope that she doesn't read your blog ! haha.
We have had clear blue skies for nearly a week now. It has been absolutely glorious. Still very cold but, Spring is definitely on its way. XXXX

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Laura...love the dishes. Don't you just love a trip to TJ's. I think I might just be having a "Max Attack"...might have to stop by this week!
Blessings,
Susie

Jane said...

I can see why you were on the hunt for more of those dishes! They are beautiful.
We've been enjoying some nice warmer days where I live too. It's been a wonderful reprieve from the long, cold days we had.
Jane

Stephanie said...

I think your obsession was justified in this case. Those are really beautiful plates and serving pieces!

A Wild Thing said...

I often wonder what my neighbors think when I'm out on my porch floor crawling around taking pics of my stuff on that ol' wooden deck...moving them from place to place to get the best angle and lighting...I love the wood under your shots...heehee...!

Anne Marie said...

i feel your poetry that surrounds you Laura......and even though I don't comment all the time, please know, I am a devoted follower of all your lovely images and poetry....

Diva Kreszl said...

such beautiful things!!! I too have all three stores nearby and frequent them often, you never know what goodies you'll find!

Anonymous said...

Morning, Laura! I do so love a find--no matter where it is--and shamelessly unapologetic about it too. :) You found treasures!

Carole said...

Love the story! Your sister is going to flip over those napkins!
xo...Carole
ps...it's sunny today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

It is starting to melt here as well. I have no hope that spring is just around the corner.
We have a set of Christmas dishes my mother has loved all her life. Whenever I can find original pieces I surprise her. She is amazed at where they show up.
When I can not get out myself to treasure hunt I love reading about your finds.

My Grama's Soul said...

So LOVE those dishes. They are much to beautiful to actually use. LOL

Great find!!

Blessings,

Jo

Andy's Attic said...

Hi Laura,
The dishes are sooo pretty. I can see why you went on the quest. And they look so pretty with your signature blue! Have a happy week,
Annette

Anonymous said...

Laura,
I live in Miami and have about 6 TJ Maxx, 6 Marshall's and 2 Home Goods nearby - can you imagine the thrill of the hunt!! I've done the same thing several times. Many years ago (when there were less stores) with De Simone hand-painted pottery - I had bought one cup for $20 in D.C. and found six for the same price at TJ Maxx. Then I did it again for cobalt blue dishes and finally for Made in France Pierre Deux dishes and serving pieces. The best part was that after noticing the same woman at three differen Marshall's I asked her, and she admitted she was hunting for the same items I was! We both just laughed!
Thanks for your wonderful blog - and for the camraderie it forges among us!
Ana Maria

Les Cotrions said...

I understand you are obsessed by these faboulous dishes! They're gorgeous Laura! I'm sure Lynn will be happy for the gray napkins...they're wonderful!
We had a sunny week end too, but cold and windy! When I see the sun I get crazy! I love it!
A nice new week to you!
Vale

Knitting Out Loud said...

They are truly gorgeous, well worth your efforts!

Eileen @ Star's Fault said...

Beautiful white dishware, always perfect. Can you tell me where you got the little cup in your cup of notions?

Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Hi Eileen,

Funny you should ask! That little cup and saucer is also a Lallier a Moustiers piece that I found at the same time at TJ years ago. I love it don't you?
:) Laura

debi lynn mattingly said...

Hey girlfriend! What a great find...and they are loverly! Can't wait to see what you found at the thrift store in your $5.00 bag (you go bag lady)!!! :) xo..deb

Anonymous said...

I so relate to this post. Your dishes are lovely. Over the years I have pieced together unique sets of dishes, bath towels, and bed linens by going store to store. But when you find something unique and beautiful it's well worth the hunt.

Secondhandrose said...

The things we do for love! LOL I have been there too. Your sister will love the napkins....what a thoughtful gift. Come for a visit.

karen

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Laura
It is funny how a small obsession can get out of hand.. Although I think it makes you value the finds even more... I've been known to get crazy and call all over the place to find a matching item... This dinnerware is beautiful and worth the chase... and the napkins will certainly make your sister one happy girl.. is she a blue lover also???

Have a great week... and soon!!! you'll be flying!! xxx Julie

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Laura....we had the same lovely day here...just wonderful! Although......John did not make his usual Sunday morning soda bread...mmmm,that little bugger got off the hook somehow! Love your dishes!! Talk soon,x0xx0

jacklynn4 said...

L, I thought JL stood for Jackie Lantry:)! Love the napkins! Love the dishes too. Please, next time you need a TJ/HG/Marshalls run let me know, there are several here...

Jackie
bliss farm antiques

Dana said...

Laura, I love following your blog ... but you bring out the shopaholic in me!! :)
Would you mind emailing me that name of the store in Jersey? I adore this pattern!!
Thank you for sharing such beautiful things.
~Dana

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Awe Laura,
I thought those beautiful JL napkins for me!
Jodie LeJeune
;)
Your sis will love them!!!!!
Have a safe trip and have fun with her and your parents...
(dip your toes in the sea for me!)

ps...I really thought those were for me! haha