Monsieur Hulot's Holiday, carefree vintage inspiration

Another of Jacques Tati's masterpieces, Monsieur Hulot's Holiday (Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot), is one of my favorite classic French films. There's something lovable about the bumbling Monsieur Hulot that makes me laugh. I find this film quite endearing because of its lightheartedness. It also satisfies my fancy for anything 1950s retro. I would love to actually visit Saint-Marc-sur-Mer someday. It's the seaside town made famous by this film. For now, I shall be content with humming the movie's theme and this collection inspired by the film. Click on the images for more info. Enjoy!

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Mon Oncle, 1950s modern inspiration

 
I never knew about Jacques Tati (aka Jacques Tatischeff) until one of my friends lent me a couple of DVDs: Mon Oncle (My Uncle) and Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot (Monsieur Hulot's Holiday). After watching Mon Oncle a couple of times, I was hooked and I find myself humming the movie soundtrack. Here's a collection inspired by the film's modern optimism. For more info, click on each image. Enjoy!

 

Let's not forget the bumbling-but-lovable Monsieur Hulot!

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Postcards from Paris

Perhaps the very first postcard from Paris that I ever received (through my mom) was one that my father sent to her 32 years ago. I just turned a year old and my father was en-route to his work overseas. He sent it from Charles De Gaulle airport during a layover just to «say hello from Paris and my love for you (my mother) and Christine! (me)».

On a visit to my old country a few years ago, I was helping my mother sort through old documents in our old family home when I found this postcard. I had to keep it as a vintage souvenir of Paris and of a time when people (like my father) sent postcards to their loved ones. It now sits in a frame on my nightstand. In a way, I always did have Paris with me, even when I was just a year old and didn't know about it.

 

In the age of email, texting, and IM, I still love sending postcards. Often in my travels to Paris or different parts of France and Europe, I send postcards to myself. One might think it strange but the postmark helps me remember where I was when I wrote that note (of encouragement).

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Favorites of the Day: Mes coup de coeur du jour

I love color and that includes Black and White plus anything in-between.  I'm considering the handmade Japanese Tabi boots in either black or plum. Click on each photo for more info.

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Vintage Science

Working in a modern research lab is wonderful but let's not forget how it was before. There is something about these vintage lab equipment that I find beautiful. Click on photo for more info.

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A vintage treat...for me!

A few weeks ago, while strolling around Downtown Seattle, I decided to visit Watson Kennedy, one of my favourite shops. I go there mostly for inspiration and to see their lovely window displays.

This fine shop carries a wonderful selection of tableware, candles, stationery, artwork, as well as vintage furniture and OOAK items. The overall look of this place makes me feel as if I have walked into a boutique somewhere in Manhattan. I have not seen anything like it anywhere else in Seattle.

I was not even thinking about buying anything until I came upon a vintage keychain just like this one on one of their counter display dishes...

This tiny promotional booklet contained useful French phone numbers (i.e. Police, Fire Department, etc.), the area codes for all the French Départements, and also the different kinds of wine sold by «Postillon», a long-gone French wine company. I don't know exactly how old this keychain is but since the company stopped producing and selling wine in the 70s, it might be at least  between 35 to 40 years old.

Well, I just couldn't resist and so I purchased it not to use as a keychain but perhaps to make into a cluster necklace along with other vintage objects.

As some of you may know, I also love vintage skeleton keys and I often wear them as pendants.  I also like adding the fleur de lis for a French touch to my jewelry. Here is what I came up with...

My wonderful key-chain booklet is now with a vintage whistle pendant, a vintage fleur-de-lis brass tag, and a beautiful vintage French key from LenoirrrFrenchFinds. They are nicely suspended from a long brass snake chain.

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Sakura Spring: Help Japan

Today, March 20th, is the first day of Spring. Having lived in Seattle for a few years, I look forward to the blooming of the cherry trees at the University of Washington campus. I try to come and see them yearly to enjoy them , the weather (when it's good), and of course, to take pictures.

These lovely Yoshino cherry trees are about 70 years old and have been gracing the University's Liberal Arts Quadrangle or «quad» for almost 50 years. When in bloom, the effect can be rather ethereal amidst the gothic buildings.

Japanese flowering cherry trees were first introduced in the United States in 1902. The cherry blossoms, «sakura» in Japanese, hold a special place in Japanese culture and legends. It has come to symbolize Spring itself, of new beginnings, of love, and it is also a reminder of life's fleeting nature.

The Japan earthquake, Pacific Tsunami and their aftermath has been on everyone's mind, including mine. Natural disasters remind us of how life can change or be taken away in an instant. 

The following photographs I have taken of cherry trees in bloom will be posted on my ETSY shop next week. A portion for the sales shall be donated to the American Red Cross' disaster relief efforts in Japan. I shall keep you posted.


May these cherry blossoms of spring remind us that though ephemeral, life is beautiful, and with love, life can start over. 

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