Do you remember Mlle Magpie's give away not too long ago?
The winner received a stack of these fabulous vintage French paperback books.
I wanted to win soooooo bad.
Alas, I did not.
Guess what Zita had for me as a welcome gift for my first trip to Montreal?
Aren't they beautiful?
And she picked out one with a bit of BLUE to top off the stack because she knows how much I love blue....
Could anyone be any more thoughtful and sweet?
Look at those creamy ruffled pages.....all that French text....
Not only that.....she took me to the very spot where she searches for these old paperbacks from the 30's, 40's and 50's ...
She told me that they are getting much harder to come by....
...and then she found a few right right while I was standing there...
and let me have them to buy....
...and to make it all that much more exciting... it was half price day!
How sweet and generous is she?
How lucky am I?
I also found this pretty white porcelain dish marked $1
...remember... it was half price day!
I loved the shape...perfect for a few trinkets...
...or to hold my lovely Belle Blanc soaps...
My big purchase was this beautiful sac made out of a vintage dress!
I could not resist....and just had to bring something back from the wonderful little French store, L'Atelier du Presbytere...
... the incredible shop with all the vintage treasures from France and the items meticulously hand sewn from antique linens...
...I also brought home this little tin sign...new, but with a vintage flair.
...Lovely details of my sac...
Notice the initials....M L J
...we decided they stand for Mary Beth, Laura and Joseph and I thought it would be the perfect souvenir of our first trip to Montreal!
...there were several choices...all unique depending on the antique dress or fabric used...
It was hard to choose, but I finally did and this sac came home with me!
It is reversible and the other side has pockets and a deeper linen color on the bottom.
I am so delighted with it!
Saturday, we drove up to Mount Royal to take in the spectacular views...
The 1976 Olympic arena in the distance...
We walked around Old Montreal and saw the Bonsecours Market ...
...ate crepes for le petit dejeuner at Chez Suzette's...
...and enjoyed the cold and crisp fresh air of beautiful Montreal.
It was a wonderful trip!
We saw enough to know that we must return again soon to enjoy more of this beautiful city...
I loved spending time with my sister Mary Beth and nephew Joe...
...and I loved meeting Zita of Mlle Magpie!
I hope the week ahead brings all good things to you...
I will not be going to the office tomorrow.
I will be here.
At home.
Nesting.
:)
Sounds like a lovely time...Those crepes made my mouth water - look so delish!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time and your new bag is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting trip you had. Love the old dress (linen) bag. sandi
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely bag! And amazing finds! ~ Angela
ReplyDeleteMontreal is beautiful. I have been once but would love to return.
ReplyDeleteLove the new bag....too cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing those beautiful photos, and that vintage dress bag how beautiful is that, so envious! Enjoy your day nesting tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Melissa
Everything looks really great, very lovely item's..
ReplyDeleteLove your bag inside and outside! Enjoyed reading of your trip and can only envy you for going to all the lovely shops.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Montreal but your posts are giving me the urge to visit there.
ReplyDeleteOh such beautiful things you found. That trip looks too........wonderful for words.
ReplyDeleteJo
What a lovely trip! And that bag is amazing! You got some very sweet treats while you were gone! I am glad you will be nesting! ENJOY!
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring!
Hugs, Lisa
How nice to score some of the french paperbacks you enjoy so much.
ReplyDeleteHey girlfriend!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fun trip! LOVE the bag and all your beautiful treasures....have fun "nesting"---you deserve it! xo...deb
Hi Laura- thanks so much for sharing more of this wonderful trip- I feel like I have toured some new fun areas- makes me want to visit this lovely city sometime! The crepes made my mouth water, but my favorite is the charming bag- how cool that it is reversible!
ReplyDeleteI'd say you had a pretty good weekend! New friend, new sights and memories, and that bag...Oh, my...it's too cool! And.....You don't have to go to work tomorrow morning?...How great is that!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings...enjoy your nesting time..
Susie
HI Laura
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky girl you are.. and what a wonderful friend Zita is...All these fabulous finds, beautiful city and that gorgeous sac .. I think you did quite well on just a weekend visit... now you can sit back, put your feet up and enjoy a well earned rest surrounded with your lovely goodies... have fun Laura xxx Julie
ooooooooooh! the bag is a dandy. no, it's so cool. i very seldom get too worked up over purses, but this one did it for me. thanx for sharing. Bestest,Denise
ReplyDeleteOh, Laura, those goodies are lovely (especially the bag made out of a dress!) and that food is making me drool!!
ReplyDeleteSince you are not working tomorrow, how about flying to CA and spending time with me next???? :) :)
Hugs,
Maryann
Great finds, I'll have to write Montreal on my bucket list! Good luck in your new life!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had so much fun exploring. Thanks for sharing. Florence
ReplyDeleteOh l'atelier du presbytère je la connais ,elle faisait les marchés à Saint Rémy de Provence et son atelier le presbytère était à Vallabrègue.
ReplyDeletec'est une des premières a avoir si bien marié ces matières anciennes.
Bonne semaine Laura
Manon
Oh what a wonderful trip you had! Love the bag, all of those special books and the little dish... too sweet! The views are spectacular. I know you enjoyed your visit with your friend and time spent with your Sister and Nephew! Have a blessed day dear Laura!
ReplyDeleteLots of wonderful memories and treasures for you...glad you had fun and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you loved the vintage French books, Laura - I love how you photographed them. Well I forgot that the bag was reversible, so it's really like getting two purses then. I will be going back to choose one for myself next week! p.s. glad you had a safe drive back home with Mary Beth and Joe
ReplyDeleteTHose books are simply wonderful as are all of your other finds! I love all the photos of the city. It looks like an amazing place to visit and I am sure your memories of it will last a life time.
ReplyDeleteThe bag made from the antique French nightie is gorgeous! It has given me ideas of what to do with my damaged ones. I shouldn't really tell, lol, but I love wearing those antique nighties in the summer as garden dresses. I am not the only one, I have seen the antique dealers selling them at fairs wearing them as well, usually with a pretty belt.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura! The trip to Montreal looks like a wonderful time, from the views, the crepes, and the shopping it must have been the perfect getaway! Thanks for sharing, Theresa
ReplyDeleteI just adore Zita. She is one of my blog friends that I would love to meet.
ReplyDeleteOOh La La!!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice!!
Looks like it was wonderful!
Enjoy your nesting!!
Rosemary
Looks like you had an amazing time in my hometown with the perfect person to show you around, Zita! Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place to visit. I like your choice in souvenirs too. The bag is just perfect. Come for a visit.
ReplyDeletekaren
ooh la la -- i want to go!
ReplyDeletelove your bag. love!
xo
elyse
Oh, it sounds like you had a wonderful time!!! What treasures... and I love the books!
ReplyDeleteI think that may be a "berry dish" but I am not 100%... but I have some and a knowing friend referred to them as berry dishes.
Angela, Parisienne Farmgirl
Hi Laura...love the bag! I have a chemise just like that that has been usurped by a new favorite. You're giving me ideas! Of course ideas always constrained by my lack of sewing talent! Thanks for sharing! XO Trish
ReplyDeleteI don't have a very good souvenir of Montreal but now that I see your pics I tell myself I have to go back for sure. Your bag looks fantastic
ReplyDeletei'm so jealous you were able to spend time in montreal! i've always wanted to go. it looks great!
ReplyDelete