Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Daily Quote

Our real values are expressed in our actions, in what we do and how we do it.
Robert Rabbin

Monday, December 29, 2008

France Self Shipment ~Packing Materials/ Airline Limits

Self Shipment ~Packing Materials/ Airline Limits

If you plan on purchasing only smaller items (or smalls as we say in the antique business)
We recommend you pay the extra and take your items with you on the plane.

In this case we recommend you taking your packing materials with you (You can easily do this in the empty suitcase or two you will be bringing along with you.) List~
Bubble wrap
Tape
Tape dispenser
Thick corregated brown paper
Weighing scale device



We found bubble wrap extremely hard to come by on one trip we were on in the south of France. We also had trouble finding the right words to describe it in French, which became a real challenge. We wasted quite a bit of time, energy and gas trying to locate some, so Si Vous Plait, take your own along with you, you can then enjoy the time drinking champagne, enjoying the people watching at a local bar, rather than driving around searching for plastic bubbles, you can be drinking them out of a glass and planning your next day of hunting!!!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

New French Jewelry on ETSY

See our new French Artisan Jewelry on Etsy!

http://tinyurl.com/6skdtw

Daily Quote

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Monday, December 22, 2008

Daily Quote

If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away.Best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year from FRENCHatHEART.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Best wishes for a Happy Holiday!

Happy Holidays to all from FRENCHatHEART!!!

Daily Quote

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." ~ Harriet Tubman, abolitionist

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Daily Quote

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Daily Quote

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the
distance, the wise grows it under his feet.
-- James Oppenheim

Monday, December 15, 2008

Daily Quote

It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.
Babe Ruth

Sunday, December 14, 2008

How to remove rust from Vintage fabrics

If you have rust spots on fabric, the best solution we have come across is WHINK. Simply place a few drops on any cotton or linen fabric and watch the rust disappear. (great for those old Victorian gowns that have metal hooks or snaps) We have found it locally at Ace hardware and the cleaning aisle of our local grocery store.

Note: Do not use on fabrics with a metallic thread.

Test a small unobtrusive area first, before treating.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Christmas Gift Suggestions

" Christmas Gift Suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all , charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. " Oren Arnold

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Required reading for antiquing in France

Buy Swap meet book~

To get an idea of how many shows are in the region you plan on buying in, before you leave purchase a reference book on the swap meets of France. We have used and recommend, “Exploring the Flea Markets in France, A Companion Guide for Visitors and Collectors” by Sandy Price, and have found the resource to be very helpful.

You will find that the bulk of the shows are on Saturdays and Sundays, while some villages have a few on Tues, Wed and Thurs. However many of the mid week events are generally more food markets, new clothes and very few antiques, so be certain to check out the number of vendors in the book before venturing out.

It is a good idea to check with the locals (or call the phone number) before getting up at the crack of dawn to see if the event is still happening.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Daily Quote

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

-- G.K. Chesterton

New listings on Etsy today!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6387581

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Daily Quote

That which we persist in doing becomes easier in that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability has increased.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Buying antiques in France~ATM Card

ATM Card~
Either obtain one, or if you have one, be certain to max out your limit on the card you already have. We have found that $1,000 is the usual maximum per day.This will give you the best rate for exchanging money and purchasing antiques (your credit card generally gives you the best rate of exchange, however do NOT plan on using it at the markets) at the Brocantes. If you plan to spend a LOT of money on antiques, you can go to Clincencourt and use your credit card.

It is WAY over priced unless you find a stall that is having a close-out sale.

On one particular buying trip, I did hunt through Clingencourt and discover a stall with a pile of textiles, which the seller was closing out and did find a few bargains. However, it is more the exception than the rule.


I was once there and found a vendor with a lot of textiles she was looking to get rid of and found a few bargains.

It is worth a side trip if you have the time, as the place is very interesting with a lot of fun antiques to browse. If you might be looking for that special piece for yourself, not for re-sale, it is a great place to spend a few hours.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Buying antiques in France~Required reading!

Buy Swap meet book~

To get an idea of how many shows are in the region you plan on buying in, before you leave purchase a reference book on the swap meets of France. We have used and recommend, “Exploring the Flea Markets in France, A Companion Guide for Visitors and Collectors” by Sandy Price, and have found the resource to be very helpful.

You will find that the bulk of the shows are on Saturdays and Sundays, while some villages have a few on Tues, Wed and Thurs. However many of the mid week events are generally more food markets, new clothes and very few antiques, so be certain to check out the number of vendors in the book before venturing out.

It is a good idea to check with the locals (or call the phone number) before getting up at the crack of dawn to see if the event is still happening.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Daily Quote

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,'
that would suffice."

-- Meister Eckhart

Friday, November 28, 2008

Daily Quote

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

-- G.K. Chesterton

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Daily Quote

David Rockefeller
If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Daily Quote

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Daily Quote

"I will, I am, I do! There is nothing better than people putting passion in what they do. It holds an energy all it's own, and is something of great value to most."
Zanne in Chester SC

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

FRENCHatHEART is now selling on ETSY!

We are now selling on Etsy, please visit our shop!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6387581

Daily Quote

The biggest mistake people make in life is notmaking a living at doing what they most enjoy.- Malcolm S. Forbes (1919-1990)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Daily Quote

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Daily Quote

It's the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance, sweeps away all obstacles.
Claude M. Bristol

Thursday, November 13, 2008

30% SALE at FRENCHatHEART on eBay

All items 30% off in my eBay Store Clearance Category http://tiny.cc/13iKn

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Daily Quote

"Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine
flows into trees."

-- John Muir

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Daily Quote

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. ~Benjamin Franklin

Monday, November 10, 2008

Daily Quote

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity, enjoy your day!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Daily Quote

Emotion is our greatest motivator. It is our spirit speaking to us and wanting to come forward. Every thought that you mix with emotion becomes a seed that you plant in your unconscious mind. That seed will grow to the extent that it is nourished with repetition, faith and belief.
James Arthur Ray

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Daily Quote

"If you believe in unlimited quality and act in all your business dealings with total integrity, the rest will take care of itself."~ Frank Perdue, Chicken Farmer, Executive

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Daily Quote

Grasp the opportunity to manage change, not avoid it. Change is the very essence of life.
Unknown

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Daily Quote

Former President Reagan referenced the following passage when talking about creating wealth. It was written in the early 20th century by the Rev.William Boetcker.

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Buying antiques in France

How to blend in and NOT stand out like a tourist

Generally the French are more sophisticated dressers then we are as Americans overall, especially in the larger cities like Paris. However in the smaller villages, you will see the locals more casually attired, especially at the local Brocantes.

I generally like to dress in more muted tones, wearing mostly black/White/navy, sage greens and Brown. Not only will you blend in with the locals (thereby getting better deals at the antique tables) but coordinating your outfits while travelling will be much easier as everything will be interchangeable with everything else you have packed for the trip!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Daily quote

Be yourself...everyone else is already taken.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Daily Quote

Life has taught us that Love does not consist in gazing at each other but looking outward together in the same direction." Saint Exupery

Monday, October 20, 2008

Daily Quote

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Daily Quote

"I will waste not even a precious second today in anger or hate or jealousy or selfishness. I know that the seeds I sow I will harvest, because every action, good or bad, is always followed by an equal reaction. I will plant only good seeds this day." Og Mandino, 1923-1996, Author & Speaker

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Daily Quote

"Part of being a champ is acting like a champ. You have to learn how to win and not run away when you lose. Everyone has bad stretches and real successes. Either way, you have to be careful not to lose your confidence or get too confident." Nancy Kerrigan - Olympic Figure Skater

Monday, October 13, 2008

Daily Quote

We are all teachers, and what we teach is what we need to learn, and so we teach it over and over until we learn it.
A Course in Miracles

Friday, October 10, 2008

Daily Quote

Great minds have purpose, others have wishes.
Washington Irving

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Part 2 Buying Antiques in France

Car Insurance~
Check your credit card, many have the car rental insurance covered on the card.
I use Visa Platinum card and it is already on the card.
This came in handy on a trip in the south of France. We were in L’Isle Sur La Sorgue travelling to an early morning Brocante. On the way to the Brocante we were hit by another driver at an intersection. The front bumper was ripped off our car, (my first thought was; darn now we will be late to the brocante and miss all the best stuff, how funny is that???)
however it was drivable and after exchanging the pertinent information with the other driver (yes, in our Best French), we proceeded to the local gendarmerie (police station) We went inside to file the police report and the officer at the desk looked like Claude Raines from one of those old Black and White movies you see on late night television. A rather handsome and distinguished older gentleman and very nice. When we start giving him the information and he discovered we were from California, he stopped short, began waving his hands in the air and said, “Ah, California, land of Movie Stars, sunshine, oranges” ……luckily he knew some English and was a sweetheart…...it was such a crack up, we finished filing the report, called the Hertz agent and waited outside for our rental car replacement.

It was a beautiful day and we were anxious to get to the brocante. The next thing we know…we see a flatbed truck coming down the lane with a Mercedes Benz on it. We looked at each other and thought, NO WAY, however as the truck stopped in front of the police station and asked if I was Lynn Konrad, you can imagine the broad grin that spread over my face. Yes, only in France do you crack up a rental car and get not only a Mercedes Benz for a replacement, but also a BRAND NEW Mercedes Benz for a replacement. It only had about 10 kilometers on it!!!
You can imagine our joy and delight that this chariot would glide us through France for the rest of our journey on the hunt for gorgeous antiques in France.
Also, it was a good thing we had already secured the large metal daybeds and rather dirty bronze piece, urns and other items we had acquired and were already set to ship!!
Not that that stopped us from picking up a few more items on our travels that probably should not have ridden inside a Brand New Mercedes!!!!
AH… the pleasures of traveling in France with the luck of the Irish…yes I am really a bit o’ the Irish, even though I am FRENCH-at-HEART!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Daily Quote

Human progress and excellence comes when someone goes beyond "why" to "why not?"

Monday, October 6, 2008

Daily Quote

Good work that leaves the world softer and fuller and better than ever before is the stuff of which human satisfaction and spiritual value are made.
Joan Chittister

Friday, October 3, 2008

Daily Quote

If you have a dream, follow it.
If you catch a dream, nurture it.
If your dream comes true, celebrate!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Daily Quote

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.
Gloria Steinem

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Daily Quote

"Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe in you." Cynthia Kersey - Author of Unstoppable Women

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Daily Quote

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. —Unknown

Monday, September 29, 2008

Daily Quote

Great minds have purpose, others have wishes.
Washington Irving

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Daily Quote

"When you realize that by changing your perspective, big things can be seen as little things, it becomes much harder to worry about anything at all." ~Tut - A note from the Universe

Friday, September 26, 2008

Daily quote

"In times of change, the learners will inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."
Futurist Eric Hoffer

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Daily Quote

Often you don't know what you can do until you do it; what you can be until you become it; or what you can have until you have it.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Daily Quote

"When we settle into the present moment, we can
see beauties and wonders right before our eyes..."

-- Thich Nhat Hanh

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Inspirational Quote

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.
Carl Jung

Monday, September 22, 2008

Inspirational Quote

Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.
Italian proverb

Friday, September 19, 2008

Inspirational Quote

"The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is you who must raise your sails."

--Rabindranath Tagore

Buying Antiques in France~Getting ready!

1~What to do WAY in advance of leaving



Chapter One

Frequent Flyer Card~

Sign up for a frequent Flyer credit Visa or Mastercard card to accrue miles immediately!!!

Note: Make sure the card has a car rental insurance policy as that will save you dollars later when renting your car.

Order one a year or more in advance if possible.

(You might be able to get your airfare covered if you get it early on.)

Shop around as some give up to 5 miles per $1 spent at specific Stores.

Capitol One has a card that gives 2 miles per dollar spent on ALL purchases that is only $39.00 per year. Be certain to check on the annual fee before signing up for any card.

Order Passport~

Be certain to check on your passport expiration date, or if you do not have a passport be certain to order one at least 6 months in advance of departure.
They are taking quite a bit longer now to get due to new passport requirements leaving the country.


Learn French~

If you are looking to bargain for antiques at the “down and dirty” Brocantes or Marche au Puces (Swap meets/Flea Markets) you need to learn basic French, otherwise expect to pay at least 25% more in English. Yes, I said 25% more.

If you are traveling with companions, be certain to tell them to only speak English until after the deal is sealed. I assume that when you speak English they figure they can take advantage of you, your $$$ and lack of communication.



Book Airfare/Hotels~

The best site we have found to find the best deals on airfare/hotels (more about lodging later on) is kayak.com, it searches all the other sites for you automatically and FAST, yes, Travelocity, etc….

Why is Kayak different?
1. Search 140+ travel sites at once and find the cheapest fares
2. Compare results from all sites together - filter and sort instantly
3. Click to buy direct from airlines or agencies (Kayak is not a travel agent)
4. It's almost too good to be true, but Kayak is free!



Car Rental~

Book it 3-6 months in advance

We recommend kemwel.com
Kemwel makes it easy to book the best discounted travel services and car rentals in Europe. Whether you need a rental car, a buy back auto lease, or even a luxury auto rental, Kemwel can meet your needs.
They have been driven to provide the guaranteed best travel service at the best price. They guarantee it with their beat rate policy and their philosophy of no surprises or hidden costs.
If you have any questions, you can contact them online or call them toll free at 1-877-820-0668.

In France (and we assume it is the same in other European countries) the rate for an automatic transmission is two to three times (yes I said 2-3 times) more than a shift or standard transmission. The reason for this is simply that they less of them available. So either learn to drive a stick before you depart or expect a higher car rental bill.

Car Insurance~
Check your credit card, many have the car rental insurance covered on the card.