The Gypsy Caravan 2023

Thursday, January 6, 2011

My Personal Parisian Shopper

When you think"Personal Shopper," what comes to mind?

Well, if you asked me a year ago, I would have said someone that went to all the places I didn't want to go (like shoe shopping or clothes shopping or appliance shopping) and make choices for me -- based on my budget -- that she (probably a she) would bring home. I'd try on, reject, she'd take back, and I'd pay her an exorbitant percentage.

Which is why I never had a personal shopper.

Then one day, my friend Jerry, whom I visited in France (for those posts, check the side bar under Paris and France), made an interesting suggestion.

Jerry is a four-star shopper. He is the best flea market person I know and can bargain a bargain price down to sub-bargain! He has terrific taste, a great apartment and frequents flea markets and the local tag sales like a trouper.

He suggested that if I told him what I'd be interested in and gave him a dollar amount, he'd shop my brains out for me.

Of course I said yes!

This week Jerry came by with my spoils (and Christmas presents, equally wonderful.) And what's extra nice was that everything was a surprise!

"You bought this. You bought this. You bought this. This is Christmas..." No, it was heaven!

What you are seeing in this post are some of the "spoils of shopping" -- done by Jerry on my behalf.

And a few Christmas presents thrown in for good measure. This advertising piece and the one a bit above both have "pockets" that come out. The one above has a 1909 calendar!

These advertising cards are for the department store Bon Marche and others (like biscuit cards).

Love the gold and the whimsical illustrations.

This is part of a military series -- again, lots of gold.

These pages were from a scrap book. The florals and Victorian pieces are called Chroma.

Here are a few others.

On the back of the pages were wonderful vintage postcards.

Now this was a Christmas gift -- a postcard book from my favorite spot in Paris -- Ste. Chappelle.

I loved the Parisian postcard book, with images at the top of this post and another from the Napoleon museum.

And these hat pins! Aren't they amazing?

Loved these sweet lace applique cuffs, too. They go with the collars Jerry sent me this summer.

Menus? You can bet these will be scanned for a someday-party!

Even the '50s were represented with this "kitchen" page...

...and an "airplane page.

These are animation cells --

When you hold them to the light, you get even a better look!

And this postcard -- it will be a baby card someday!

Jerry also brought a Tour de France pin for Rick and this music for us to share!

It's a song printed by a wine company, Suze, to promote drinking their wine, and as you can see above, the Tour 1933 is specifically mentioned.

The good thing? I have wonderful new bits --

AND, soon I am going to scan them and post some so you can use them, too! What good is it to have such fun stuff if you can't share!

I may not be posting for a few days and visiting might be limited -- it's one of those weeks! But soon I'll get these scanned.

And look for a post coming up on a meting with some blog friends I've "known" forever (it seems!)

21 comments:

  1. Incredible...just incredible. You have the best personal shopper ever. I'm just about drooling...

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  2. J - You have been a marvelous wonderful blogger and I'm trying to get caught up! But all your Parisian shopping has nearly stopped me in my tracks with ohs and ahs and well, this is wonderful stuff!!!!
    I look forward to your next posts on this and also hope to hear what you might have in mind on a blog get-together!

    LOVE the '50s kitchen in the pictures and the fashion and aha, so you love Ste Chapelle, eh? Amazing place when the light hits it just so within!

    I have a book to share with you on Paris - must find it and ask you about it....stay tuned...

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  3. Wow, I loved what your personal shopper did for you. This is my first visit to your blog. I like what I see!

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  4. WOW! What a friend - one with good taste, too! My husband would drool over that old Tour memorabilia.

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  5. Wow, these are lovely. How nice to have a personal shopper! By the way, I posted a photo of the ornament you send, plus a link to your blog. Thank you again!

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  6. It looks like your personal shopper has your wants totally figured out. These were very fun to see.

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  7. Jerry did a great job shopping for you! You have great treasures here.

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  8. oooooh! lucky you! those are some amazing finds -- bet you'll have fun working them into new creations.

    The only problem with this post is that now I want one, too. Seems to me that everybody should have a personal shopper of their very own. Particularly one based in Paris!

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  9. I want a personal shopper too! :) Looks like quite a wonderful haul.
    Karla

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  10. Oh wow what a fun and interesting post. I love all you have shown us. Lovelies and lots of wonderful stuff.

    Have a nice evening.

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  11. I love it all. Love those chromas and postcards, little lace pieces, and hat pins. How special to have a personal shopper. St. Chappelle is one of my all time favorite places in Paris. Concerts there are amazing and the windows are incredible.

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  12. Lucky duck!!
    What a wonderful
    friend....and one
    who really gets
    you....Does it
    get any better
    than that??
    Hope your week
    is off to a great
    start, Jeanie!
    xx Suzanne

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  13. Jerry is quite a guy with fabulous shopping sense!!!

    Lucky you Jeanie!

    Loved these pics so much!
    oxo

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  14. Just fabulous! I can't believe the volume, as well as the quality, and your exact adorements, from what I know of you. You are so generous to scan and share them too. You're the best!

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  15. These are so cool! I am envious that you have such a wonderful personal shopper!

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  16. Beautiful and how amazing that someone could find such perfect things for you. I can't even imagine. I know you loved it.

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  17. ...and...

    sorry i haven't been by for a while. i'm all caught up now. whew!

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  18. He's a keeper! I would love to have his clone in MO to hire to shop for me. Your photos are so lovely. Thanks for giving me a darling place to visit during my lunch hour. Blessings ~ Katie

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  19. What a wonderful array of papers to play with! Lucky you!!

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  20. You know how much I enjoy looking at old postcards, so this post was a real treat. You personal shopper is a pearl. I wish I knew of some of the places he goes to because when I am in Paris, since I live in the US, I almost feel like a foreigner because I don’t know the good places anymore. The hat pins are lovely and all the old ad cards… what a great collection.

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  21. Oh you definetly scored with that personal shopper. Go Jerry! I can't wait to see what you create with that haul. Have you given him more money and a list?

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