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Friday, July 8, 2011

A Cynic No More...

I have a confession to make...

I can be a bit cynical...sarcastic...snarky.

I know, I know, y'all are in utter and complete shock right now
about this revelation.  

;-)

So with this admission, I will confess to rolling my eyes a bit ( okay, a lot )
whenever someone out there shares a recent find
with the inevitable "and it's FRENCH!" tacked on to the end.

I mean, seriously...

"I found this fabulous 
alarm clock / enamel pitcher / toilet plunger 
at a garage sale yesterday...and it's FRENCH! "

I mused about this to a friend recently, how is it that everything cool
we unearth in our treasure hunting invariably
comes from France?
Not that France isn't way cool,
but it just seemed too unlikely to me.

A cynic, I was.
I thought people were just tacking on the French
pedigree to be pretentious.

Until it happened to me.


 At a local thrift store yesterday, 
I stumbled across a stack of eight perfectly beautiful
blue and white plates, the perfect complement
to my charming blue and white kitchen.

with this  taped across the top of the plates...


SHUT. THE. FRONT. DOOR.

Really?




Always the cynic though, I had to do 
the inevitable plate flip maneuver...


Well, I'll be.

I'm a believer.
And I apologize to any and all
for ever, EVAH doubting that your
uber cool toilet plungers came from France!




Off to Mickey D's now for some
pommes frites!

Happy Weekend!



linking with
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68 comments:

Seawashed said...

Those plates are so pretty. I see Maria's Dreamy Whites items too. Your dining nook looks beautiful or should I say so 'french' farmhouse!!! ox

Amanda said...

Beautiful! Love the kitchen nook photo! Love your humor!
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda

Olive said...

You are so cute! I understand as I can be a cynic too. The dishes look delightful on your table!

Anonymous said...

You little silly! :) Great find on your Frenchy dishes! Pretty plates and sounds like a Frenchy bargain too!
Well, I'll let the cat outta the bag - I'm a cynic too, but just sometimes when it's appropriate! :)
Like your new header too.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Unknown said...

Great deal. I love to hear stories like this.The dishes are absolutely beautiful. Hope all is well .Have a fun and creative weekend.Maybe you will come across more fun finds...Chickie

Amy Kinser said...

This post totally made me chuckle. I love the thought of you rolling your eyes with doubt. I would probably be the same way except that I know just "enough too little" about stuff like that, that I would probably believe them. (except for maybe the plunger)

As for things French in my home, nope, I doubt there is anything that I actually know of. (okay, I could be real tacky here and say except with my sweet hubby, but I won't be tacky, okay)

Anyway...thanks for the chuckle...thanks for the confession...thanks for showing your great French plates.

Alice said...

I have been known to be a cynic too. I'm more likely to disbelive something until it is proven to be true. I guess I've had the wool pulled over my eyes too many times.

I have a single salad plate in that exact pattern that someone picked up for me knowing how I love blue and white. Until now, I never knew it was from France.

I love your sweet kitchen table with all the pretty linens and dishes.

Have a wonderful weekend Anne!

Theresa said...

Beautiful and I knew they were French as soon as I saw them, wink... wink:) They are gorgeous! Have a blessed day dear Anne, HUGS!

Angela said...

I'm with you on the eye-rolling...French is good, but not the ultimate for me. Loved your post...my hoot for the week!
Angela

savvycityfarmer said...

oui oui I agree ...
I roll my eyes in blogland, too ...
especially rooms that are all ivoire ... supposedly French ...

now dishes, that's another story ... funny thing, I posted about dishes this morning until Kate hit the news ... then I reposted 'bout Kate ....

maayyhh dishes wer' English ... lol


sigh

Faded Charm said...

Such sweet plates Anne and they look devine on your white table. What a lovely tablesetting you've made:-)

xoxo
Kathleen

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

LOL so funny and true:) Love your table setting photos, just beautiful. Have a great weekend.
~Debra xxx
Capers of the vintage vixens

Kelley said...

You are so funny!

How did you know about my toilet plunger...oh an my toilet scrubber is from France too...and so is my mustard.


xo kelley

Bunnym said...

Golly Jeeze....tre' chic...lol!!

Have a good one,
bunny

Mona Kay Gorman said...

Oh my gosh, I am SWOONING over those dishes!! Blue and white floral AND French, are you kidding me?? They are soooo pretty!!!

Privet and Holly said...

I think that I
may have been the
one bemoaning "the
French thing!" I
am the opposite...
If I see something
I adore and flip
it over and it's
made here, I'm the
first to shout, "And
it's made in the USA!!"
I DO "get" the French
thing, though : ) AND
your plates are super
sweet, as is your styling.
You are so talented!
xx Suzanne

Between Me and You said...

What a lovely table setting with such pretty plates. I maybe wrong but I think `Arcopal` was the French equivalent to `Pyrex` ware not so long ago. Lovely to `see` you `out and about`. Good Weekend to you.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Lots of smiles with your post today. Loved the story and the pictures. Great new header.
- Joy

Jane @ Jane's Junk and Treasures said...

So beautiful!!!!
I love your dishes!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Anne,
You are so funny. It seems as though quite a few bloggers find things that are "french!" A lot of "french" things that I find are "made in China"....how'd they do that? LOL!

I do love your pretty plates and they are perfect in your kitchen.

Also, congrats on being published in Romantic Country. I just picked up my copy today.

hugs
Sissie

Joanna said...

Ha ha ha ha! Gorgeous plates, great find. And they're French!

x

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha hilarious! Lovely dishes! Xoxoxo 1942charm.blogspot.com

Lynn said...

I'm laughing out loud over the Micky D's and pommes frites ... took me a second to figure it out. Too funny! Love the new French dishes. The tablescape is lovely. Have a nice weekend!
~Lynn
www.cottageandcreek.com

Unknown said...

I don't care where they are from ! The pattern is really sweet. You crack me up ! Now I'm going to look for something French ...

Finding Home said...

Hee hee. Thanks for the giggle today. Much needed. Take care, Laura

Sue said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We laugh about that all the time. I had one of my dealers but on her tag, "French Industrial", please! I laugh because I think people think if they stick the word "French" in front of anything they will get more money. Like, "French Industrial Laundry Basket". And you turn it over and see, "Made in China" on the bottom. Again, I SO appreciated your post today!!

Take care, Sue

June said...

Snarky??? Never!!!
I love your 'new to you' French plates Anne girl!
hugs from here...

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Oh my gosh, I LOVE those plates! You cracked me up with the "...and it's FRENCH" stuff. I did the same thing at the thrift store recently, by grabbing a white pitcher and screaming inside that it said 'FRANCE' on the bottom. Too funny.
Thank you SO much for being 'pinterested' in my kitchen. I love your amazing kitchen. I think we both have a thing for blue & white. :)
Take care,
Susan

elizabeth said...

Love the dishes, french or not...love the pomme frites joke too...AND love your header photo.

Anne Marie said...

they look perfect on your table....and a little French never hurt anyone........unless you were Catholic under the reign of King Henry!!

sweetpea said...

anne, the french thing is quite a phenomenom isn't it... some people seem to have a direct pipeline for all things french. love your header, the dishes, the whole vibe you have goin' on.

hugs,

shelley

Cat said...

Ha! Well that one bit you in the behind a bit :) Too funny! Luckily you didn't drop the plate when you flipped it over!

Have a great weekend and enjoy your new French dishes :)

xx Cat

Laurie said...

Such pretty French dishes in your gorgeous Texan kitchen, Anne! When we moved to Montana, relatives and friends would boast about us when we visited the midwest as "being from MONTANA!" as if we were the king and queen of England! I guess we just have a love for things different than what we are used to ~ and it is such fun!
Avoir un merveilleux week-end, amie Anne!

Shell said...

Shut the Front Door!
LOL,,,,,That's all I say anymore in lieu of a curse!

I have and Antic for you, or story, if you will from Several years back, when I was involved in a singles dating group,,,,,That's a story in and of itself, BUT....

I corresponded briefly with this guy that thought, because I liked Antiques would be impressed that he had some Salt Server/Creamer ,,,whatever, that came from Queen Victoria's Estate. He elaborated that it cost him several thousands of dollars and that he put it out on his dining table when the "Good" company was coming.

And, I asked him, "Do you love it?" "Is it something you admire,,,,,the artisian, the colors, the design?"

And, apparently somewhat appalled he answered that all of "that" didn't really matter...It was a valuable piece!

Needless to say, I had nothing more to do with the ,,,ahem, Gent. If you LOVE it, buy it! I've got priceless pieces of Meissen and pieces from Target,,,although we say, "Targier" prounounced, of course, in the French way "Tar-Jay."

Love you Madly Annie Girl! I have a custom Necklace Giveaway for ONE MORE DAY......if you'd like to stop buy and leave a Comment!

Have a GREAT weekend! "Pieces, a Hug and a Bus!"
Shell

Carol said...

Simply beautiful.

Smiles,


Carol

bucolic beauty said...

Quite funny! Yes, there have been many a "ode to vintage French grain sack" posts in Blogland lately. I, however, get excited when I find household items that are made in America. They're even more elusive than fancy French toilet plungers. ; )

Heaven's Walk said...

LOLOL! Oh my gosh, Anne! I just burst out laughing when I read your "SHUT THE FRONT DOOR" comment! lololololol! I love hearing it and always makes me laugh for some bizarre reason. But you are so right about the French-ness going on out there. Can't blame people for trying, though, huh? Attach "French" to anything and it just seems classier! Hmmmm....but maybe that's just the French in me rearing her arrogant head....? lol!

Oh...and LUV your dishes! So very pretty!

xoxo laurie

Anonymous said...

Too funny..I love the dishes..What a great find..Have a great weekend..
Janet

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

LOL! Ain't it the truth. If it's French, it HAS to be good (just like Smuckers jelly!).

Hugs,
Judy
FRENCH Laundry!

jo said...

Anne - you seem like such a sweet person, and it hurts me to know you are going through some personal issues that are painful to you. I, too, have a lot of pain in my life right now, as my beautiful husband passed away on Feb. 26 and I am now living alone on our 13 acre hobby farm. It's a lot of work that was normally done by the two of us. Now being done by one. I was extremely upset by some problems that i have with the farm (one being I need $4500 worth of chimney work done if I want to continue heating with wood. My dear husband has about two years' worth all ready for me.). So I was fretting and felt like it was all getting too hard to continue out here - even tho the thought of leaving would be leaving so much of 'us' behind. One Sunday our pastor told the story of an old Indian talking with his grandson. He told the boy he didn't feel well because he had two wolves wrestling inside of him. One wolf was good and one was evil. The boy asked him which one would win. The wise old Grampa said, "Well, the one that will win is the one that you feed." I felt like I was struck by lightening. All of a sudden, I realized I was feeding the wrong wolf! I was letting all my worries come before my blessings. I decided right then and there that I had to make major changes in my outlook, and I have, and I am feeling so much better. I still have the problems, but they are now workable, instead of being insurmountable. Another blessing of that day is that after church, one of our dear friends came up to me and asked when he could come out and help with some projects that I had. I believe he was sent to me that day from God. I hope this story helps you as much as it did me. Take care, Anne, and keep the faith! Watch who you feed. God bless you.

trash talk said...

Those are definitely blue plate specials and tray sheek. See...I can speak French too!
Deb

Vicki said...

Tres jolie! lol Love your table top with these gorgeous plates.

the old white house said...

gorgeous! they are perfect in your kitchen, I love the nook with all of the pillows. What a perfect place for relaxing and eating your Mickey D's! :)
Have a beautiful weekend Anne! t. xoxoxoox

Lee Weber said...

ALL healthcare workers are snarky- comes from seeing WAY toooooooooooo much at the job!! hehehe. Love the dishes. xo

Anonymous said...

OK...who said everything cool had to be French anyway. LOL! However, that being said, your finds are truly beautiful. I look for maker's marks too on the item...so I can say "It's made in Brazil" or "Made in Germany" or wherever. If its right, its right regardless of where it's made :-)
Very pretty photos too by the way.

Susan said...

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR is right! Girl that is a great find, and they look so pretty on your table!

but...

you'll have to forgive me if I am still skeptical about FRENCH toilet plungers! LMAO!!
Great post, pretty new banner!
how are things going?
Hugs,
Susan

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

SO funny, Anne! I love your new dishes...what a steal! Great photos, too!

Anonymous said...

What a hoot! But seriously, I am guilty of being cynical too. My pet peeve - when something says 'antique' in the description and you know very well that it was made in China recently. Your plates are divine. Love your new banner (and I loved your old banner too). Patty/BC

Burlap Luxe said...

Anne,
What a perfect find, and that price is jaw dropping!!

I love your euro-chic dinning area, what a place of old mixed with calm :)

see you soon!
xx
Dore

Sandi said...

What a great post and I am with you on that one! I am a born cynic too and have literally been wondering the same thing. lol Beautiful dishes !!
Blessings~

Dixie said...

Oh Anne... I think it's that tongue-in-cheek, snarky humor of yours is one of the things I enjoy the most... LOL @ Deb... talking about snarky...love her Trash Talkin too!

I think I'm going to PIN one of those French Toilet Plungers... cause you know they're the best! and I LOVE those pretty blue and white dishes... French or not!

lots of hugs... Dixie

deb christensen said...

ha, and here i was just about to do a post on the coolest paper eiffel tower and glass necklace my friend brought me...from FRANCE!
what a hoot.

Lili said...

Oh Anne you're observations are so funny! I love ANYTHING French and I get so excited whenever I see the France hallmark on thrift store finds too. Now I must go out to the garden and pick my pomme de terres! xoxo ~Lili

Queen of Tides said...

Oh, that was hilarious! I am always looking for anything not "Made in China" over the last 40 years and get excited when I see "England" "Bavaria" "France" or another country that no export dishes or figurines anymore.

Sherry Hicks said...

How funny but yet true! Love the plates by the way! Hope you enjoyed the hommes frites! And where do I get the french toilet plunger, I must have one of those! I am sure it works better than mine.......little more romantic maybe??
Sherry

lisaroy said...

You are too funny! I share your cynicism though - too often things claim to be something they are not, just to sound cool. Love your REAL French plates! :)

Sylvia said...

As I was blog hopping I happened to glance over someones blog list and saw your France plates....of course I had to click on your blog to see your plates. My mother gifted me those plates on my wedding day 23 years ago. They are sooo sturdy, like corelle, that I am still using them to this day. I love them!!! I do find one once in awhile and add them to my collection. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

Sylvia

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Tres jolie!

Lana Manis said...

LOL! Anne ~ you're hilarious!
And quite lucky, too ~ I don't know if I've ever found anything French. Some of my finds "look" French, or they would go well in a "French" decor... now I'll have to go flip everything over and check the labels....... ;)

Lana Manis said...

ok... duh... concerning my last comment! I have LOTS of antique and vintage French books that I use in my handcrafts. I totally forgot about them. Most are printed here in the US, but a few actually are from France! :)

Anonymous said...

So glad you found some genuine France!! The dishes are lovely and I love the delicate napkin you used with it. A friend just gave me a box of lovely linens whe just didn't want any more and I am sure there must be some french ones in there ! :)

Cindi @ Rustique Art said...

Ooooh.la.la.lol! Your so cute. don't cha know all my rusty stuff comes from France...hence the name "Rustique" Art *giggle*

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Ooooo what a wonderful find Anne...and to think they're FRENCH TOO!!!! ;) These look very pretty on the table in your new home...I bet you walk around smiling as you admire the place. It's a great feeling isn't it ...to find the place of your dream that is your 'blank canvas' to do with as you please. Who cares how long it takes to fix it up...just ENJOY! OH...and enjoy your new FRENCH dishes ;) Have a wonderful Tuesday.
Maura :)

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

What is it about "French" treasures that make us drool? Your pictures make everything look fabulous....no matter where they came from.

Dear Lillie said...

I laughed out loud at the "pomme frittes" comment. Your plates and whole nook look beautiful, Anne!

Sarah said...

Meant for that hill country blue and white kitchen! Glad they found you.

Beverly said...

Oh my gosh, Anne. I am laughing aloud. Girl, you have made my day with this post and your humor.

What will you be having to accompany your pommes frites?

24 Homes said...

Nice details
Thank you for sharing.

Greetings from the Netherlands,
Claire & KJ
www.24homes.blogspot.com


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