Play Date Friday

I'm exhausted from an estate sale I went to yesterday, so I skipped today, thus, no "Estate Sale Friday" post. But the good news is that Vito had his poodle friend, Alfie, over for a play date. Alfie's Mom is Lisa from Willa Home & The Pickled Hutch, which I will be blogging about as soon as I get great shots of the store.

I think I have more fun watching the dogs play than they do playing. I couldn't resist posting these photos...Alfie's so happy, he's smiling...

Best Friends Forever (Alfie left, Vito right)

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A Favorite Blog: Paris Atelier

It is a treat to post about one of my favorite blogs, Paris Atelier. California-based Judith Borello lived in Paris for a number of years and returned back to the states to share some of her fabulous “Parisian” stories with us.

Her blog has the most wonderful eye-candy! From Marie Antoinette and Versailles, to 18th century interior design and fashion, Judith whisks you away to 18th century Paris.

stunning French chandeliers...

Blogging allows Judith to share her love of travel, literature, art, cultures, beauty, simplicity, people, anything handmade, anything vintage and antique, and new adventures.

...mouth-watering shots of the Paris Flea Markets are some of my favorite posts on Paris Atelier...

If you love Marie-Antoinette, Judith shares some wonderful stories on her blog...

Crowns...crowns...crowns...aren't they lovely?

Judith comes from a very long line of interior designers and is in the process of starting an online boutique. We can’t wait Judith!

So, grab a cup of tea, get cozy in your favorite chair, and visit Paris Atelier!

Photos courtesy of Paris Atelier

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Happy April Fool's Day! Poisson d'Avril!

There's some uncertainty about when and where this­ bizarre tradition began, but the most accepted explanation traces April Fools' Day back to 16th century France. Up until 1564, the accepted calendar was the Julian calendar, which observed the beginning of the New Year around April. According to "The Oxford Companion to the Year," King Charles IX then declared that France would begin using the Gregorian calendar, which shifted New Year's Day to January 1.

Not everyone accepted this shifting of dates at the same time. Some believed that the dates should not be shifted, and it was these people who became the butt of some April jokes and were mocked as fools. People sent gifts and invited them to bogus parties.

Today in France, people who are fooled on April 1 are called Poisson d'Avril, which literally means the "April Fish." One common joke is to hook a cardboard fish to the back of a person. What a fish has to do with April Fools' Day is not clear.

Have fun and don't pull too many foolish tricks on your friends or families! I'm a little prankster, so I have to think of something good!

Info from howstuffworks.com - photos of antique postcards from Paris Hotel Boutique

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