I know it’s been a long time between posts, but I’ve been a busy girl lately. I left my  full-time job a couple of weeks ago, just started a new one, took a trip to Paris, and celebrated a birthday last week, so needless to say, it’s been hectic! The last minute trip to Paris was such a fun, serendipitous way to mark the end of one era and the beginning of the next.

I’ve been to Paris a few times, but usually it’s been for work or for short visits where I am unable to get in everything in, and one of the things I have always wanted to see are the flea markets around Clignancourt.

Before my trip, I was advised to check out Paul Bert and La Serpette in particular, and they did not disappoint. I knew it would be cool to walk through, but I had no idea how cool. It was endlessly fascinating from start to finish, and even my husband who is not particularly interested in antiques was totally enraptured as well.

Both Paul Bert and La Serpette are considered THE markets for decorators filled with the most interesting finds.

Paul Bert is outdoors and is comprised of miniature streets with vendors along each side, while La Serpette is indoors.

We never grew tired at looking in at each stall at the variety of items each seller had arranged. Some stalls were very focused in terms of style or era, but the most interesting ones to me were the eclectic ones that forced you to walk closer and take a look.

There are no prices on anything, it’s all bargaining, although it was obvious that there were no real bargains here, it’s still considered expensive antiquing.

I had such a crush on some of these trunks and vintage leather travel items from Goyard, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton at Le Monde du Voyage. The trunks were especially fascinating to me, looking at the amazing interior details and imagining what it would be like packing for a journey with such fancy luggage.

After we were done with Paul Bert and La Serpette, we began walking back toward the Metro and came upon another market called Vernaison on our left, the oldest and most authentic of the flea markets. We were fascinated walking around the labyrinth of little stalls, one more surprising than the next. Not as high end as Serpette/Paul Bert, this was clearly the place to hunt for affordable treasures. It was fun looking at all of the costume jewelry in cases, old postcards and books, antique dolls, trinkets & bric-a-brac.

There’s even a gentleman that wheels his cart around the market selling snacks and drinks.

Around one of the side alleys, we heard accordion music and followed it until we reached a dead end and found Chez Louisette. This strange little place has been famous since the 30′s for feeding flea market patrons and entertaining them with a chanteuse. Manuela was singing the day we visited with lots of old Edith Piaf songs which felt like a time warp and we stood for some time enchanted by this little place that seemed to come out of nowhere.

For more details about visiting the Flea Markets around Clignancourt, see this guide. On my next trip, I would love to go back again and check out some of the other markets I didn’t have time to see!

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Just got an email from Anthropologie about their new Tabletop Design Tool. They are hoping you’ll make a pattern or collage out of the items categorized by color groups, but it can be handy also if you want to just create a board out of your favorite pieces. Here are 2 separate boards I created very quickly, and placed side by side in Photoshop. They also have a hardware interactive tool if you’re shopping for knobs and hooks, and a whole list of other fun things to play around with here. What a perfect distraction from work.

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This week has been one lovely blur with long work days and a slew of fun social events. It will be a busy weekend as well because we’re heading up to CT to visit family and go to a friend’s party. Before I head out, I wanted to share some favorite things hanging around my desktop today. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! xo

Just read about this hotel in Northern Sweden called Tree Hotel. Wow.

Watercolor chevron by Joanna Goss makes a pretty background wallpaper | Gazelle bookends from ebay that I received for xmas from my husband | This hidden fox teacup always makes me smile when my coffee gets lows enough to see him peek out |  Josie Maran Argan Oil –  because I love anything that is multi-purpose. This is a completely organic /natural product with no fragrance that moisturizes you from head to toe (hair too) |  Issue 11 of Lula magazine edited by the amazing Mulleavy sisters behind Rodarte. I have been reading little by little to make it last | Herb infused water that keeps you hydrated all day | Acrylic Bookstand from Taschen. I love being able to display and easily leaf through your favorite coffee table books whenever you want, with this beautifully designed stand | More acrylic desk accessories, a stapler and a tape dispenser that makes it a little more chic to get some work done | And a roundup of favorite tracks playing on iTunes today.

Last weekend, I saw the new film Black Swan when it opened in theatres, and almost one week later I am still haunted. It’s deep, dark, and disturbing; a dichotomy of both the beautiful and tragic, set against the backdrop of the New York ballet world. This terrifying tour de force features gorgeous costumes designed by the talented sisters of Rodarte.

Rodarte’s original sketches on Stylecaster via WWD

Fashion is already seeing many feather and ballerina influences based on the film in both haute couture and ready to wear. White Swan vs. Black Swan Whistles Evangeline Feather Dress $603.40 and Tory Burch Ceres Dress $450

I have always loved the Dance Studio look as well.

1. Feather Yarn Neck Ring Scarf | 2. Merlin Ballet Flat | 3. Preen Wrap Shoulder Shrug | 4. Ballerina Jewelry Chest | 5. Boucle Leg Warmers | 6. Porcelain Swan Salt cellar | 7. Cashmere arm warmers | 8. Feather headband | 9. Off the shoulder stretch top | 10. Swarovski Swan Pendant

Loved finding these limited edition silkscreen posters on Empire, especially the one on the right. No information is available yet about where to buy these.

{Movie stills via Black Swan official site}