Your Destiny is Stone Golden

January here and up there

2012-01-23T13:57:00.001-05:00

January and some indoor bloomage.

Hello Passion Flower! Who knew you would do so well indoors?

The paperwhites have since shot up--before and afters would be so much more exciting. Or as exciting as indoor plants get. This is the extent of excitement lately. And I say, "fine with me." And now a word from Lake Placid, New York:

Lake Placid, NY is where we ended up in lieu of a border crossing to Canada for a little country respite in a snowy winter wonderland after New Years. And people it was colllllllllllld.

But we loved it. After a few days of 0ºF, 20ºF seemed pretty warm.

There were dog sleds on frozen Mirror Lake. And we took frozen walks followed by fireplaces, hot chawklits/toddys.

And guess which New York chick traded in her fashion booties for some cross country skis? This chick!! Me! And Jim loved it too! And guess what I learned? A very friendly Olympic town that took us by surprise in the mountains, a beautiful little inn with a fireplace, and teaching ourselves to cross-country ski was by far, one of the finest and very romantic ways to bring in the New Year. Who knew?

Pre-Sale Sale and Fab-u-lousness

2012-01-19T15:58:00.001-05:00

ooooo! Take a peek at our preview on Fab.com for this Saturday's sale!
Nessa and I (I'm calling Vanessa "Nessa" now--we needed some new nicknames for 2012--I don't even want to know what she's calling me) are pretty excited about this one. The old crystal pieces are so feminine and ladylike and sparkling in just the right way. They feel glamorous but still earthy, refined but still funky. Heirloom-y I hope.
The moneyclips are exclusives, things we've tried out at the flea and had some fun with...and there'll be some special editions of necklaces we deemed very Valentinish. Romantic and whimsical with vintage lockets and whistles. All the bells and whistles for that matter...

If you can't wait, we're having a pre-sale sale tomorrow, January 20th, from noon until noon Saturday the 21st on bonbonoiseau.com. All of our jewelry, keyfobs, moneyclips and tie clips will be 20% off for 24 hours only! Just write Bon24hr in your subject line when you order!

A Fabulous Fab Sale Coming Saturday

2012-01-18T12:12:00.004-05:00

A smattering of sampling of some little Valentine bonbons made with very old prettiness and allure and going on big discounted sale this coming Saturday the 21st at 11am on Fab.com. There are only a few of each piece so be sure to set your alarm (or someone else's) if you need any of these valentines.

If you're not already a member of Fab, here is your invite! Sign up right quick!

happy new year, for real

2012-01-09T15:46:00.004-05:00

Just back from (not) Montreal. Will tell more about that story soon but in the meantime, happy warmish new year friends. I forgot to make some or any resolutions this time marker that is January but I will say this: I am very very hungry and back to work is already taking on a life of its own, like these tiny fleurs that are blooming in our dining room as I write.

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T20:43:00.001-05:00

1. It's OK: There were many many flowers 

and candles and a little greenery swiped from the

mean green streets of NY this year, but no tree. we still don't know why.

2. Work: was a lot of work for us in December 

and our new little studio did not fail.

We raised $175 by selling 35 moneyclips from our site and at the Brooklyn Flea for The Food Bank for NYC. It will be matched by an anonymous donor to make it $350--that's 1750 meals for new Yorkers in need. Thank you if you purchased one!

3. Play: and still a very little time for very little things

In a few hours, this year will be gone. The new one begins shortly and soon and I'm hopeful that the happiness I felt through the holidays, seeing friends and family, another good reception for our Bonbons, I'm looking back on how difficult it felt this summer with our move, and how different we feel now, how new we've become despite disappointments and defeats. I hope these happinesses will carry into 2012, that we'll all somehow be better for having survived the last year when some days it didn't feel that way. I'm thinking: we are very lucky.

After tonight's toasting is finished, we're leaving first thing in the morning by train to Montreal, picnic in tow a la Marie, pretty new clothes in a suitcase (thanks for helping me choose for three hours P.), sweet scents from Jim...

Happy New Year! Ring in tonight's end with this, first found via Molly a few years ago, and in front of my desk every year, no matter what number:

Last night, as I was sleeping,

I dreamt--marvelous error!--

that I had a beehive

here inside my heart.

And the golden bees

were making white combs

and sweet honey

from my old failures.

--Antonio Machado

The Very Last Shopping Day and What to Shop For! (at the Brooklyn Flea~!)

2011-12-22T11:09:00.001-05:00

Hudson Valley Seed Library

Kate Durkin

A.S.I.S

Species by the Thousands

SKT Ceramics

Claudia Pearson

Writing Machines by Brady & Kowalski

Morris Kitchen

Loyalty & Blood

Australian Scent

Bonbon Oiseau (your truly)

So many great artists, artisans, designers, food purveyors, and vintage sellers at the Brooklyn Flea, especially near the holidays! So many to choose from but here's my list of 2011 favorites!

Today is the very last Shopping Day from 2pm-9pm to get all or any of these lovely things so come see us all!

Late Shopping Days Today and Tomorrow

2011-12-21T11:00:00.001-05:00

HURRY! It's the last two shopping days at the Brooklyn Flea
today & tomorrow, December 21st and 22nd from 2pm-9pm.
We have lots of lovely holiday gifts and Vanessa's amazing one-of-a-kind charm and beaded bracelets! We have gold-dipped vintage lockets, charming necklaces and special pieces behind the table for you to ogle. I'll be there both days so come and say hiho!

If you can't stop by, I'm taking studio appointments Friday from noon until 5pm for you super last minute shoppers...email me for an stop-by! deb at bonbonoiseau dot com...

All Weekend Including Today at the Brooklyn Flea and then Some

2011-12-16T12:36:00.000-05:00

Come see us today from 2pm-9pm at the Brooklyn Flea
and also tomorrow from 10am-5pm

The kind folks from Kill Devil Hill in Greenpoint are at the Brooklyn Night Bazaar with our keyfobs and moneyclips! Go see them too!

Shopping Small & Maybe a wee bit bigger, A Gift List

2011-12-15T08:30:00.000-05:00

From this gorgeous bag

(for an incredible assistant)

something to fill this barely blue cup,
shared with an old neighbor

Darjeeling 2nd Flushwith
for the ladies

under a ready-made tableau

for busy parents

for their little chubby cheeked boy

and his learning to sew big sister

for a splurge on a mom who would never
in a million years buy this for herself

for my friends, the cooks, my favorite new cookbook

for all the lovely grower of things

to brighten up someone's kitchen

(from one of my favorite illustrators)

mailed to faraway friends...

for charitable Mainers and keepers of bills,
(we're still giving $5 from every purchase to the
Food Bank for New York City
through the end of December!)

make this via Erin (photo too) for everyone else

and more: a gift with purpose for a brother

with intention for a good friend
with MacGiver-esque love for a husband
for the intrepid, but plugged-in, traveler
locally grown delights for anyone

Hope you like my little list--there's still lots of time in my estimation. Well not LOTS of it, but you know.
Buy Local at the Brooklyn Flea all weekend beginning
Friday 2-9pm,
Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm

Shameless Wishlist/Visions of Bluebells

2011-12-14T17:40:00.001-05:00

Not to be like that or anything but I really love Jo Malone's newest scent, Wild Bluebell, enough to want to own it. I'd even walk around wearing a Cinderella tutu with that rabbit escorted by the two short pants guys probably if I found it under the tree this holiday. If anyone I'm married to is reading, that is.

1. "twinklecreeping" 2, 3 & 4 Jo Malone

This Just in: Most Stylish New Yorker Named Bonbon as Favorite Jewelry Designer

2011-12-13T21:09:00.000-05:00

Just heard that Jennifer Scanlon, Museum of Arts and Design curator whose exhibition Crafting Modernism is up now, named Bonbon Oiseau amongst her favorite jewelry designers in this week's Time Out New York. What a fine how-do-you-do from one of my favorite people. So happy!!!

If you're in New York, go and see the show--it's really pretty fantastic as is Jen's hair in this photo...

A Few from my Husband and Lessons for December

2011-12-13T16:11:00.000-05:00

Jim took these back in November. Our new-ish neighborhood, our les chats. Remember November? That was a good month. Since then we've been working so much, we see each other in passing, side stepping the explosion of used clothes (aka dirty laundry), scraping the take-out containers for something similar, but not limited to, dinner, sometimes I wake up at 5am just to say goodbye or stay up til 1am just to say hello. Life gets back to normal by Christmas, that's the hope.

Otherwise and in other news, I took a backwards tumble, not breaking my elbow Saturday night but merely using it as a shortstop, breaking my fall down four metal steps onto a sidewalk. I was buzzing my friend's buzzer and some girl in a rush came whamming out the door with such force it sent me ass over teakettle onto what later became, a goose egg of an elbow. All the friends at the party took good care of me, with bags of ice, good advice and a Swiss concoctive cream made from mussels (might have been "muscles" but I had had enough cucumber juice-mint-St. Germaine-Prosecco cocktails not to hear English well enough to care what it's made from-see what I mean by "help"?).
Anyway-had to sit out my favorite sale of the year Sunday while finding out it is just very badly bruised and very very sore. Ice ice ice the elbow. Heat and buzzy things to the neck. Sorry if you came to the sale Sunday and I wasn't there.

Note to Girl who came out forcefully through the door and lesson for the month: if you're reading this, SLOW DOWN in December. Someone might get hurt.

Thanks Brooklyn Flea

2011-12-08T13:27:00.001-05:00

Well this is pretty nice.

I'm Vendor of the Week on the Brooklyn Flea's blog, with a little interview with yours truly and a shout out about our Money Clip/Food Bank for NYC collaboration--throughout December we're giving $5 to the Food Bank from the sale of each money clip on our site or at the Brooklyn Flea. 

Thanks sweet Jane and da flea boys!

Come see us there this weekend and don't forget too about our Sunday at the Divine Studio Holiday Sale. We'll have things there we won't have at the flea so perhaps plan a trip to both that day? heeheeeehee...

Divine Holiday Sale, Sunday Dec 11th

2011-12-07T11:28:00.001-05:00

We are going to be at the Brooklyn Flea for two more weekends and a few week days before the holidays begin, including this coming weekend, Dec 10th + 11th!

But something else: I'll also be at the Divine Studio Sale with new and different things than what we have at the flea! Alongside Foxy & Winston, Gleena Ceramics, Sesame Letterpress, Hortensia Handmade, The Wild Unknown, Marcie McGoldrick and many others on Sunday this sale is the perfect one for gift-giving and it's such a beautiful show, in a gorgeous photography studio in Manhattan. It's one of my favorites to do with so many talented makers.

I hope you can try to get to both, heeheheee...

November through December

2011-12-06T09:05:00.001-05:00

Once December comes it gets hectic. We usually don't start to decorate until at least the 23rd. It's been a ritual. We find the last tree no one else wants. We drink something sweet. Jim gets on a ladder to string some lights. I point to the right. To the left. We laugh. I start to get too bossy. Jim has better ideas than me, his Danish DNA, so we go with it. This year I have an urge to get rid of anything holiday-ish that doesn't resonate with me or mean anything to me.
Jim said, "Even those orange tree balls?"
I said, " Yeah I don't care about those."
He said, "Really? Why?"
Me: "Because I can't remember why I got them in the first place. I think because they're orange, but other that I think I was just desperate for some stuff when I got them."
He said, "Yeah I gotcha".

I'm in the mood for some new memories, no more schoolyard shit.

la Cuisine, or the Place We Cook

2011-12-06T08:35:00.001-05:00

A few from the kitchen, the room we disliked the most when we saw the place, with the exposed corner sink, ugly open wood shelves, crazy DIY slate tile counter tops and little storage besides.

Two months in: A fresh coat of paint, the leftover expedit, the thick shelves from the old place with (the same) metal brackets (that have traveled with us through two San Francisco and three NYC apartments), a shitload of sun-loving plants, some exposed brick--I'm thinking a little pot rack would be good--and two windows one onto the world, one onto a brick wall covered with ivy, we're flying pretty high in the cook's department for the moment.

New Bonbons in time for Anything

2011-12-02T10:26:00.001-05:00

New on Bonbon Oiseau

One day sale: You save 25% off(almost*)anything on the site, we give 25% to the Food Bank for NYC  

*sale excludes bridal, headpieces, pins & corsages.

Fab Fingers Nimbly Working

2011-12-02T10:15:00.001-05:00

Not a Mother Goose rhyme. These are our best sellers over these past few Fab days. Two pieces already sold out. Only five left of the little crystal elephant. Lots of excitement and fingers nimbly working as are our brains, our neanderthal organizational skills and loads of pretty new boxes on makeshift tables, hallways, spare surfaces... One day one hour left.

December News and a Fast Sale for the Food Bank for NYC

2011-12-01T11:29:00.001-05:00

I just sent this out so I figured I'd put it here too:

-Exclusive bonbons are up on the Fab.com site for a quick (but potent)flash-sale, today and tomorrow only, so hurry over...

to see, click here.

-The beautiful new Etoiles du Monde and the Gem Clouds collections are here just in time for the holidays.

We didn't join in on Cyber Monday

so we could give you and the Food Bank for NYC

some extra love on Thursday and Friday:

Take 25% off most of the delectables including new pieces*
on the Bonbon Oiseau website

Thursday, Dec 1st and Friday Dec 2nd ONLY.

Just write BON DECEMBER in your subject line for the discount.

25% off the proceeds from this sale will go to the Food Bank for New York City which will be matched in December for a total of 50%, all from you...

-Bonbon Live:

We're happy to be back at the

Brooklyn Flea for the holidays

with aprkling new collections & some old favorites in the

beautiful One Hanson building in downtown Brooklyn

10am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays

Dec 3rd & 4th

Dec 10th & 11

Dec 17th & 18th

Also, some weekday/night shopping from 2pm-9pm:

Friday Dec 16th

Wed & Thurs, Dec 21st & 22nd

click here for a map & directions

Some More New nessses

2011-12-01T09:15:00.002-05:00

This sale on fab is on fire.
Anyone want to come and help us pack these sexy new boxes?

Come Over

2011-11-30T07:48:00.005-05:00

Here it is. Our new apartment, our work in progress. We are suddenly feeling...at home.
The diamond in the rough from August is now starting to charm us in November. There's still a lot to do.
But I'll tell you, I had no idea how liberating moving would actually be. It kicked everything into high gear, but the slow gear is feeling pretty good. Slow gear feels right at home. You told me that but I didn't believe it. Our friends and family helped us a lot.

I'll start the house tour with the Dining Room. It gets insanely good light. It has a larder.
We painted these floors white. It hosted Thanksgiving. We are slowly hoping for a something big for the wall across from the fireplace. The cats are into being fat all over the day bed. The day bed likes it.

“The autumn leaves are falling like rain
Although my neighbors are all barbarians
And you, you are a thousand miles away
There are always two cups at my table.”
– T’ang dynasty poem

Fab Wednesday

2011-11-29T17:17:00.005-05:00

So there was Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Shop like you're on fire Sunday (I just made that up), Cyber Monday, and as my friend joked, Broke-ass Tuesday. But tomorrow for us bonbon makers all up in here is FAB WEDNESDAY in which we go live on Fab.com for a three day flash sale. Sign up if you ain't already and see the preview!

Let the Season Begin

2011-11-25T21:14:00.007-05:00

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

Yesterday, in the midst of all the cooking, there were games and laughter, in the other room and people in and out of my little kitchen. Then, I was alone for a minute when everyone went out for a walk before dinner.
I thought about how thankful I am for my new home, made truly a home by Jim and Icky and Maxine and all the sunlight that pours in and good friends who come over. I am thankful for such good friends, my warm family, my amazing assistant Vanessa, my loyal customers and the people who keep coming over to this blog who still believe in me, even when I'm not my best self, my most productive self, when I'm just my just ok self, the one who tries and fails and sometimes the one who is too tired to try. It felt so good to cook for family and friends yesterday, to be with my mom. I felt like my best self there in that room.

I owe a debt of gratitude to my incredibly generous, supportive and let's not forget talented husband for shooting the above photos this week, and my sweet friend Tamika for saying yes and breathing so much beauty into my bonbons a few days ago. A few photos from our last shoot with her for our new Golden Lining and Etoiles du Monde Collections, above. But this isn't the Academy Awards...

This Saturday begins Bonbon's first weekend back at the Brooklyn Flea which is back indoors at the spectacular One Hanson in Fort Greene. We'll be there every weekend with pretty new things each week. There's also a few extra holiday shopping days in December so be sure to mark them down via the Brooklyn Flea site! This Saturday, November 26th we're teaming up with American Express for Small Business Saturday. Hopefully you can come and see us!

Wednesday, November 30th be sure to sign up Fab.com where we'll have a holiday flash sale for three days only. Very new things abound.

*photos by James Knudsen

Thanksgiving Menu 2011

2011-11-17T10:46:00.000-05:00

***holy crap, little pies can not get much cuter

An LIC Thanksgiving:
Roast Turkey w/ Cider, Sage and Roasted Cippollini Onion Gravy
Wild Rice Stuffing w/ Wild Mushrooms and Chestnuts
Acorn Squash Roasted w/ Pomegranate Molasses & Marcona Almonds
Sweet Potatoes Baked w/ Brown Sugar and Black Pepper
Brussel Sprouts w/ Pancetta and Parsley
Mixed Greens w/ Pears and Pumpkin Seeds & Balsamic
Cranberry Sauce with Clementines & Elderflower Liquor
Cider and Wines
Corn Bread, desserts and pies by Sandy and my nieces, appetizers by mom and sisters-in-laws.

Thanksgiving made and served in our new place this year.
The current here is not a lot of steps, no casseroles, no butter overload, just food in its simplest form, not a lot of fuss, married with pretty and delicious partners to bring out it's best. No offense butter. Making menus, a too favorite past-time and way to avoid other types of paperwork, in these gray NY days...

photos: ** via Saveur, *** via Sunday in Bed

Striving

2011-11-15T16:20:00.004-05:00

"When I intend to create something beautiful as I've never seen before, I wonder what and where the source of the design's power will come from.I wonder if what I have seen, learnt and been moved by will be the source, from which it develops unconsciously. If I am ready to admit that, I wonder where I can attain the confidence for my creations and how they should present themselves as adorable items that women should love to try on in the future. After all, I wonder if I will manage to learn from the past, our experiences and history. Is it impossible to do creative work freely with a blank heart and not be restricted? Working tirelessly toward this calling, we can gain experiences and a sense of the craft through accumulating a natural sensitivity. However, this too can prove the difficulty in creating inspiration, a truly explosive force. I wonder what in the world I should be improving on and take a great deal of care in every new generation. Since I established this brand while wondering thoughts like these, a decade have passed."
-ISSHI KANAMARU, Head Designer, Feral Flair

all images via Feral Flair

Our new office room

2011-11-03T15:32:00.005-04:00

wants to look just like this.

So much so that this morning we hauled ass to an awesome lumberyard that specializes in reclaimed lumber but then I was overwhelmed by board choices and confronted with having to do math. But by cracky, this room will happen, yet I fear not easily. I am a dealer of tiny objects not big giant hunks of old wood with rusty nails and splinters sticking out. (That's the plan for the new me.)

The room in question has the potential to have this happen to it. It will double as a guest room and to that I say, I love this shit. Apologies for having no idea where I found this and can give no credit to the photographer. If anyone knows, hit me with it.

Making it Up As we Go Along

2011-11-03T14:11:00.006-04:00

cat's plan

5 year plan

*Cat by: Nature

**Print on Khadi by: Julie Doucet from 5 Year Plan made like this

On Making a New Home

2011-10-18T08:48:00.012-04:00

Life has been a different story lately. New neighbors, new light, a new beat, a kitchen window. Paying closer attention to things that were missed before, priorities rearranged, lifey-er, peaceful-er, free-er, relax-ier despite growing bills, tension in the city, a softer energy harder to report or take a picture of but not much of a reason to do either.

We are self-contained but not alone, happy because we are grateful and growing easier, difficulties be damned.

We have work to do and sleep to sleep and love to love and ideas to think and that's about it.

Urban Renewal

2011-10-18T08:12:00.007-04:00

Quarter to 6 AM. Woke up to a red glow through the bedroom window. Found shoes, this lately underused camera and climbed to the roof.
Damn if there wasn't an early morning rainbow out there, just daring me not to love this city. Are there always rainbows out there so early in the morning?

Fall at the Brooklyn Flea and other new things

2011-09-10T00:13:00.007-04:00

Well for now, I'll just tell you that I'll be at the Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene all the Saturdays in September with new and delicious Bonbons..

Later, I'll tell you about all the new-ness...

Go Time

2011-08-17T22:29:00.004-04:00

A new place has been found, a little diamond in the (very) rough, a filled with light, two fireplaced, crazy ragtag kitchened, clawfoot-tubbed Victorian fixer-upper. We've been fixing-upping, building, tearing down, painting, purging, "packing like we're moving to Africa" (that's Jim), saying goodbyes to our neighbors and our old Brooklyn street lined with linden trees, to our patio garden but not really goodbye to much else. Everything else is a big hello or has already settled into our hearts and a new adventure awaits in just a week. It should be really OK. Suddenly, in all the intensity of leaving the possibilities are endless.

Home is where the Love is

2011-07-18T09:34:00.008-04:00

Week five: apartment search. Five weeks 'til we need to be out.

But at least there are these: LOVE pillow cases from sweet Melissa from Reverie Daydream. I know one person who is home where the love is. Oops. I mean one cat.

looking looking looking doing doing

2011-07-12T14:37:00.006-04:00

little pinkies heading for Japan

"Golden Lining" necklaces went to Brooklyn

I have been: working working with Vanessa on these orders, all the colorful necklaces, custom-made for Mini Mini Market in Williamsburg, the other full of new for Fall pinky rings for Odette é Odile in Tokyo.

Rings and colorful necklaces and then: non-stop searching for apartments to lay our heads and studios in which to work. We need to be out of here by September 1st by decree and every place we've seen pales in comparison. A place to live, I still need a place to work, but I figure at this point, what can I do? Nothing to do but roll with it, knowing the new-ness will be newer and changier, like busting through the ceiling in a super-fueled rocket into another atmosphere, a queasy excitement. Yet why do I keep wanting to put everything in storage and head to my mountain top in India for a while?

Label under: Scary and Bring it.

Scenes from the Fourth

2011-07-08T16:40:00.005-04:00

Scenes from a seriously fun BBQ.

the apple dumpling gang

Our gracious host and hostess

Barbeque scene at Carlos and Sheena's on the fireworks side of the Hudson River. Was a super fun American Day (see Sheena's red white and blue shirt?). After fruitlessly looking for new places to live, new studios in which to work, sometimes to lift out of a fruitless funk, you just need to be around friends that feel like family, that love you through thick and thin, that make life a little more funner.

I'm in love with all the little ladybugs dressed in pink, Scarlett and Jasleen and I can't remember the other one's names who told me I could be manager of the "kids club" if I was wearing pink too.

Happy Friday. Brooklyn Flea in Fort Green tomorrow. One of the last for the summer as we pack up to go who knows where.

Custom a la Bon

2011-06-27T16:38:00.004-04:00

Have been doing a lot of custom work lately and at the moment working on a new engagement ring while trying to get ready two bigger bonbon orders to ship to Japan at the end of the week.
Here's a gold necklace we shipped off last week to a wonderful husband for his wonderful wife for a special anniversary. He wanted to represent the names of their three kiddies, Eden, Anchor and Olive. At the end we decided he needed to be represented too and added a pretty freshwater pearl, (his name's not Pearl but he seemed pretty precious) which you'll have to imagine because I added it a few minutes before it flew.

A lot from just A little on a Summer Night

2011-06-27T12:59:00.009-04:00

the lake where Jim caught us some fish, Canada

the wine on the patio

the table

the Northern Pike, caught during man-trip to Canada, quickly defrosted

simply pan-fried, joined by marinated radishes,
cucumber wedges sprinkled with cumin and salt,
a salad with beets and feta cheese brought by friends

the strawberries Ed brought, which were smushed en route,
and so soaked in St. Germaine, elderflower liquor,

to top vanilla ice cream for dessert

Saturday impromptu dinner party with old friends, arranged by my incredibly talented and sweet husband, deliciously simple side dishes brought by aforementioned beautiful friends. I didn't do anything except get these strawberries drunk and laugh and eat and drink and think, tonight is kinda special.

*top two photos by Jim, plate by Gleena

And Now a Word from this Puppy

2011-06-23T11:40:00.003-04:00

photo: Sandy Pei/model: Iggy

This puppy, named Iggy, is my friend Sandy's new roommate. She owns Snacky in Williamsburg and now she gets to come home to Iggy being this puppy. Look at that belly!!

Now if we move, we can get a new roommate too, which we couldn't have here. Way to look on the bright side right? See I'm trying! Thanks pals, for helping me see the bright side, the unicorns, rainbows, puppies and better but not necessarily bigger (see aforementioned puppy) things ahead.

Leaving

2011-06-22T14:55:00.002-04:00

We have to leave the apartment we've been living in for the last nine years. It's of course for the best but I hate when my brain doesn't shift that way. A little sad about it. Moving.

Monday Dose of Inspriation, I hope: An Evershifting Idea of Home

2011-06-20T08:08:00.011-04:00

hello little maples

After my father died, my mother was lost. It was the first time she was alone, really alone, for 64 years. She was also alone another time, when she was just coming of age, when she boarded a ship from Germany in 1938 and stepped foot on American soil, to be taken care of by a strange family in St. Louis. She slept on the cot in their living room and waited patiently for her parents to come and get her. They did and she flourished.

The summer after my father died, she decided to get herself a new bathroom, tearing down the peeling shiny seventies wallpaper (with matte ochre seashells) and up came the mottled-egg Turkish tiles for a newer sleeker brighter place, with beautiful white ceramic subway tiles lined by tiny mossy green stones, walls painted a soft lichen green, bark-brown flooring like a forest floor and a brand new glass shower. Last she chose a large medicine chest, mirrored inside and out, where she could see how pretty she still is at 86.

photo by Alexa Vachon

My mom gets dressed and puts on makeup every day, takes in her newspapers and drives her friends and sister-in-law to their appointments, food shopping and lunches at the local diner. She watches Dancing with the Stars, the Bachelorette and the Today Show. She doesn't really like to cook anymore but she loves breakfast and makes fantastic scrambled eggs.

Last week when I went to her house to do the gardening, the job my father used to do, I cut back the peonies and the first flush of roses to reveal a little path of maple seedlings. A year before he died, the city cut down two large maple trees from his front yard, the maple trees that do what large trees from our youth do best, memories of shade provided in summer, of climbing to a higher place to watch the cars pass or to swing on like a monkey, a place to sneak away, to be alone, a refuge from participating in anything in particular, where the voices from the house couldn't find me but I could find myself, amongst big green leaves and a strong tangle of branches.

Every year the trees grew and got bigger. Until they were gone.

Finding those young maples on the Friday before Fathers Day was a beautiful magic gift, like the tomato "volunteer" that grew last summer, offering so many tomatoes she didn't know what to do with them all, a message from him, we thought, that he would continue to provide for her and us kids and spouses and grandkids too, always. (This year there is some wild strawberry and more tomatoes doing the same work.)

Magical thinking or not, an ever-shifting idea of home, absolutely where the heart is.

Floating On

2011-06-18T07:30:00.005-04:00

Click above to hear song

I don't know. This is the song that always pops into my head when it all goes pear-shaped.

To make matters better, I'll be at the Brooklyn Flea today up close and personal with Father's Day on my mind. We're bringing our tools so we can stamp up to three of his initials free of charge with every purchase of a moneyclip or keyfob.
Come say hello?

And Speaking of June Weddings

2011-06-14T17:10:00.004-04:00

Jenny's headpiece: old + new (old)

for les demoiselles d'honneur
(or "flowergirls en Française)

This was for the very bright and wonderful Jenny, who got married two Saturdays ago. She brought me her grandmother's crown of meticulously crafted wax flowers the week before (we are not strangers to last minute doings). It was from the 1920's. The only problem was the elastic in the back was a little tired and she wanted something to cover it and also show her wedding's colors. We had this bright flower bouquet in stock and she loved it so vóila! Histoires were made.

Her grandfather worked with Cecil B. DeMille and therein lies the inspiration: some incredible objects given to her to wear for her big day from her grandmother's trove, including an old locket from Cecil himself with an enameled pansy in bright purple and yellow. So her colors I think were chosen around this! How cool. Brighter than bright cheerful brights!

Monday Dose of Inspiration: Bonbons and Collaborations In Croatia for a Breathtaking Wedding

2011-06-13T09:53:00.011-04:00

There once was a story of a beautiful girl named Natalie, a lovely friend of a lovely friend, who came to me and wanted the perfect wedding. She showed me colors and wishlists and inspiration boards until I felt like I got her and she seemed happy, so we collaborated to create some pieces for her and her bridesmaids for a magical wedding which was to be in a land far far away from Brooklyn, in fact on a little island called Pag, a coastal island off the coast of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea in the month of June, 2010.

I create bridal headpieces and jewelry for very special brides. Brides who are sweet and humble and funny and have magic in them, a lyrical sense that will allow their weddings, after all the planning and exhaustion and decision-making to let the day unwind itself as it may, letting the flowers and setting be a gift to their witnesses and their absolute love for each other be the final crowning touch amongst all the carefully planned details.

And it looks like that's exactly what happened here. I am so moved by these shots, sent yesterday by Natalie in celebration of their first wedding anniversary. It was the first time I had seen their photos and I was floored by the magnificent setting, all the spirit and love present at their first moments as husband and wife and especially by her beauty (enhanced, may I add, by her hot bonbons in which she rocked two bonbon changes throughout the evening!)

Part of the wedding was photographed by Alexa Vachon, one of my favorite old friends and photographers. She has this ability to capture the most incredible moments, cutting through the fluff, in which you really can see how amazingly real this was, never necessarily from each flower in place, not a fairytale, but very much rooted in reality conjured by the who's in who she photographs. She lets the actual romance come from her subjects, their spirit mixed with hers, the tender fragility of their beauty in these moments which she really really sees, which, I think, is a rare quality.

Creating for brides, I like to think, comes from the same place, from their spirit mixed with my sensibility, whatever they bring to the table mixed with whatever I have to offer. It's an incredible feeling to see how it all got put together, my offering one small part in bringing out the natural beauty and happiness and hope. A very real dream. And the happiness that part of the putting together was amongst friends, Lizzy's introduction of bonbons to Natalie, Alexa's photos, and the collaboration of bride and groom, family and guests that makes a wedding real and amazing. And the rest is a story that tells itself.

It's a little food for thought on a Monday.

Welcome Home My Love

2011-06-12T08:12:00.000-04:00

"If you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy a hyacinth for it will feed your soul"
-Persian Poem

Maxine is helping

Finally hung the drawings by one of my
favorite artists (and people), Barbara Reiser

beautiful Melissa, raps.

a dark picture of the eggs, recipe below

Jim comes home today!
I had a good long week: a trip up to see Nadia in the country, a dinner gathering of the East Coast Boondogglers Association in which there was lots of laughing, a special guest from out of town, cocktails with St. Germaine (aka "more of that delicious crack shit all up in here"), amateur, but none-the-less impressive, rapping and *deconstructed deviled farm eggs.

Then there was a serious spring cleaning, a rained out but excellent day at the Brooklyn Flea and last night, the quietest night of the week, windows open, listening to rain and the wind, and I missed my husband. He loves the sound of rain.
He says, "Listen to that sound. You hear it? I love that sound."
Me too.
We're getting the band back together. I will make more of these for him.

*Deconstructed Deviled Farm Eggs

1. hard-boil some eggs, preferably from happy chickens. I like mine medium boiled, so that the yolk is still bright yellow and soft.
2. Slice in half and top with a small dollop of garlic mayonaisse,
center with a drop of grainy dijon mustard
3. chop some shallot and parsley very fine and sprinkle on top
4. sprinkle some fleur du sel or just sea salt and a grind of pepper
5. top with little sprigs of dill.

enjoy!

Playing Misty for You

2011-06-11T16:49:00.011-04:00

video found here (thank you)

picture heisted from here

We had to pack in our Brooklyn Flea day when the rain came. Poor damp hang tags, little drops on the money clips and fobs, but I still love how the wet day felt.
Change of climate today, like NY dropped into a cloud forest, cool and misty like the Cameron Highlands, where we spent a cool and humid few weeks one time, drizzly wet like the light rain hours of the monsoon in Mussoorie, gray except for silhouettes of fogged-in hillsides, colorless except for green and the bright orange rust of tin roofs, made brighter by the wet. Fresh green air, cool mossy smells, always damp socks, hair, clothes.
I miss days like today, even when they're happening.
Jim's coming home tomorrow. Finally.

Tie Clips (This Just In!)

2011-06-10T17:19:00.004-04:00

find these here

We might be a little late, but Vanessa found some fantastic old stock tie-clips to which we've added the Bonbon touch-four editions of charms we think someone's Dad will love. Or brother. Or boyfriend. We originally only found enough to sell at the flea but now we can offer them, in limited edition on our website too! (ties not included but may I recommend our friends at Sovereign Beck? Theirs is the hot blue one in the middle)

To get yours in time for Father's Day you can order until noon on Wednesday.
If you decide to get yours engraved on the back, we'll ship for free (in the continental U.S.) so that you'll have it before Sunday, June 18th, for your dear old Dad. Or brother. Or boyfriend. or best friend.

Every Bonbon has a Silver Lining in Vermont

2011-06-10T10:55:00.010-04:00

cloud necklaces from the
"Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining" Collection

C l oud Earrings

It was so nice to show Nadia my new collection in person. We both immediately took out our cameras. The above are mine, inspired by the light in her incredible kitchen. But to see things through her lens was a dream come true. Hopefully she'll show her's too!

I have been wanting for a while to take better photos of our collections and to be able to organize them onto a new website that better tells our stories and shows what's really going on in our pieces and collections and our life in this amazing world of design, making, art, fashion. I am working on that project now, on this new and improved path.

Nadia, a Farm and Two Cups of Tea, Part 1

2011-06-09T07:41:00.016-04:00

welcomed by a glass of hibiscus iced tea and hours of conversation

the spectacular winding road, view from the house

breakfast, shadows and light

a walk up to the little shack

the animals and all their glory, the yield, the delicousness of fresh eggs.

the magic of watching the light change everything

"Although my neighbors are Barbarians, and you are a thousand miles away, there are always two cups of tea at my table."
-Tang Dynasty

When I was a teenager, I found this old saying in a book and wrote it down. I have always loved it.
The life making a blog can bring wonderful things. Through time spent documenting, curating, admitting and hiding, incredible people have arrived, lost and found.

The world created alone behind a screen in the spaces in between other life, has connected me with many many beautiful gems. Nadia is one of the amazing gems, radiant, moving, and honest in her life through photographing and writing her La Porte Rouge. Radiant, honest, moving and beautiful in the flesh, with no computers or miles between us. Something connected us a long time ago, when I figured out you could actually comment on other people's blogs and they on yours(!), an understanding of things imperfect, and the possibility that there is all kind of love looking for you and if you let it find you, are willing to work a little, your life can open up in unimaginable ways.

I spent two happy days at the new farm on her spectacular stretch of mountain behind an orchard, two cups of tea at her table, like old friends, catching up on everything that has happened to us and the possibilities of what could be ahead, connected via a life I had never dreamed could yield such amazing bonds. I am back in Brooklyn, refreshed by her generosity, sweetness and drive to live her dream of a life on a farm, quietly, and share the simple pleasures and complexities too with all of us, inspired, now two cups of tea on my table.

(See Nadia's post about it here)

Honorable Mentions

2011-06-03T14:12:00.004-04:00

photos by Cindy Krikowa

photo by Marie Viljoen

Marie wrote something so flattering last week, I blushed. I just saw it, late to the party as per usual. Something about dinner with no sharks. I am still blushing. In addition to being an expert in the realm of all things jardins, she is an incredible, nay unbelievable cook. Dinner at hers blow my paltry weeknight efforts out of the water but mostly it is so nice to cook for people who enjoy eating. Oh and she organized the Prospect Litter Mob, article here. Amazing. Hers will be a book I long to have.

And yesterday, Cindy of Quaint Handmade took some amazing photos of my neighborhood after a visit to the Brooklyn Flea. She also took the loveliest photo of some our flea charm bracelets which is so romantic and ethereal, I could look at her gorgeous saturated photos all day but I really must get back to work.
Today, although my honey is gone, I am starting to feel pretty good.

At the Brooklyn Flea

2011-06-03T12:56:00.007-04:00

A few snaps of what's been happening in Brooklyn Flea-Bonbon land. This was last Saturday and we are already sold out of most of the new beaded line necklaces in brass~ this means Vanessa is busy finishing off some new ones in totally new H-O-double T- colors this week for flea visitors (so far) only! Favorite of the day is hot pink-red-orange-white.

Did you know that if you wear one of your line necklaces or bracelets to the flea and want to another, we'll give you $5 off. This is why math is beautiful in Brooklyn Flea-Bonbon land.

Gone Fishin'

2011-06-03T02:54:00.010-04:00

Jim left for his yearly fishing trip up in the hinterlands of Canada with the menfolk of his clan. He bought all these beautiful flies and I decided I'd start making them if they weren't such a sneaky way to catch a pike. He explained that fishing in a remote lake system has it's ups and downs. Sunset suppers of freshly grilled fish sounded like an up, while loud snoring from the elders in the cabin maybe one of downs.

I always miss him when he goes, illustrated by the middle of the night time stamp on this post. Our fishy little farewell dinner in the last photo.

Don't Throw the Roses out with the Rosewater

2011-06-02T16:00:00.004-04:00

With these roses

I thee made some rosewater

Remember last week how exciting the first crop of roses was? Well that was fast and

then there were petals everywhere. I celebrated our day off by making rosewater. Rosenwasser!
Eau de Rose. It was like making a cloud. And collecting the rain. And it didn't take very long which was my kind of project.

How to Make Rosewater Mit Bonbon:
1. gather all the petals--you'll need a lot. chances are you'll have a lot. have some ice at the ready, about 2 cups. also have a brick and some bowls that won't bust.
2. put the brick on the bottom and middle of a large pot.
3. scatter the petals around the brick
4. pour water over the petals until the level just reaches the brick's top.
5. Place a small glass or stainless steel bowl on top of the brick in the pot
6. bring to a boil.
7. when boiling, reduce to simmer and immediately place ice in another large heatproof bowl and put the bowl as a lid on the pot. make sure there's a tight seal but you can lift the bowl off when you need too.
8. let simmer for about half an hour. Change the ice if need be. The little bowl inside is now filled with roser water!!
9. rosewater has happened.
10. put in the refrigerator and use for lovely things such as splashing on your face, for cooking, or for your body scrub with some almond or olive oil, sea salt or sugar and a few petals for good measure.
11. I bet you could make this with other things too: (insert what those things are here)

Getting the Most out of Your Garden Roses

2011-05-27T07:35:00.009-04:00

The Rose Chronicles or Getting the Most out of Your Garden Blooms:
1. Look out in utter disbelief that you have woken up to such an insane amount of blooms.
2. Think, "What did I do right?"
3. Pick and cut as many blossoms as possible (before the petals fall off in less than half an hour) and surround yourself with them in as many places as your abode has to offer.
4. Look at them constantly and think, "Oh you little guys. You little magical miracles."
5. Put your nose in their soft little blossom faces as often as possible and breathe deeply. Cliché sure, but let it be said: intoxicating, right?
6. Catch all the delicate velvety petals (which will fall off in the aforementioned half an hour) and scatter over your husband while he sleeps, throw in your bath water, save for your ice cream or make jam or use for this something delicious, (as long as you don't grow them with chemicals.)
7. Let them make you fee romantic. Suffer tiny heart pangs if you have to leave them for a few days. Appreciate them as fleeting jewels, inspirations, the kindest offerings you can give to yourself as they keep on coming to you and you stop. to. smell them...

*I both blame and thank P. and Marie for David Austin.

Rose-splosion

2011-05-26T15:31:00.007-04:00

Last week I picked my first patio rose, you know the ones. It was little and delicate and fragrant like licorice. That little guy is a game changer as they say. The rosesplosion is on. Rosewater will grace tonight's roast chicken, rose petals atop dessert, in honor.

Bright Color and Sunshine at the Brooklyn Flea

2011-05-21T07:29:00.003-04:00

New colors for our silver lining necklaces, and in this case a translation with pretty old stock brass chain. Every cloud has a brass lining? Doesn't sound as good but these are super pretty (and affordable). Mod, a little hippy, and very very pretty, camera's coming with me today to find some willing models!

(Next week, all the Silver Lining necklaces will go up on line for reals, ready for the larger word beyond Brooklyn.)

I Do Not Love You

2011-05-19T10:46:00.004-04:00

I drew a blank as I went through the DO: CALL: WRITE: SEND: MAKE: 's and went into wild monkey brain while I pulled up a folder on my desktop labeled: NICE where I found (or re-found) these.

Then the sun came out and I had an urge to tell Jim how much I love him today and that he will always be in my NICE folder. Icky's too, as she reads this over and over and over, purring into his armpit when he gets home from work.

(Sorry for the mushy post.)

Weather Like a Cloud

2011-05-18T12:23:00.008-04:00

I love this weather like a cloud forest, a steady mist and rain you can count on. It's like a monsoon in it's relentlessness but hopefulness too, that from the tedium will come verdant things, and in the meantime, mild, humid, steadily grey.
It's keeping me focused on watercolory ideas and sprouting some new plans.

ICFF & Stationary Show Walkabout

2011-05-17T17:25:00.003-04:00

card I love and the "sunprint" section from

the new book buy Christine, Yellow Owl Workshop
Must to buy this book asap.

Watery prettiness, a sneak peak of Linda & Harriet's new calendar

A hint of the new amazingly intelligent and gorgeous collection by SusyJack*

favorite calling cards from Set Editions

Bluff City lamps from Brooklyn based Roll & Hill.
These I will have, the perfect lamps for my newest Frenchie/seaside/early 60's interior project, TBA.

Really Love the Sky planters from Boskke at the ICFF

like a lyrical library/ butcher cart from akmd

new wall coverings from the gorgeous new collection from
eskayel. This will be mine.

Took a (six hour) walk through both the ICFF, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and the National Stationary Show Sunday, with the very sweet Melissa of Melissa Loves fame and finally got to meet Vana (!) from Le Papier Studio, in town for the show. I was really inspired, not only by some of the incredibly creative and down-to-earth new industrial designs at the ICFF but by all of the talented and smart ladies I met at the Stationary Show. The hard work and beautiful products created by Breck from Sesame Letterpress, Susy from HeySusy* , friends I specifically came to see, was impressive as was the good conversations with all of the above.

Pictures above, my favorite picks from both shows.
I sense a theme?

P.S. I particularly loved meeting Christine from Yellow Owl Workshop, hoping she'll come and live with me for a while.

Oh and also take a look at the Bamako Collection by Katherine Ladd...love

Bon Weekend

2011-05-06T17:05:00.002-04:00

I'm thinking of bringing thermoses of mint juleps with me to the Brooklyn Flea tomorrow. I know I'll be betting on that fabulous lady jockey and wearing a really good hat. As for Mothers Day, I'll be tele-prompted in to a luncheon I can't join while I am outfitting sons and daughters, husbands and boyfriends in last minute sparklies, also at the Brooklyn Flea, hopefully hung over from aforementioned thermoses.

Bon Weekend mes amies!

Some Words

2011-05-04T10:57:00.007-04:00

With flus and big news behind, with Mother's Day ahead, bridal orders starting (thanks NY Mag's Shop-o-Matic), with Spring coloring and greening all the little world around us, I want to feel lucky again, rich and thankful and open.

I've had few words this week with so much to digest, and there are some who have so many, but I found someone who has just enough words and they seem to be just right. So allow me to share with you Marie who says it perfectly and beautifully and sweetly too.

Royalists

2011-04-28T08:34:00.003-04:00

The Royal Pair

Ok, I'll watch it.

Anyway, I feel an affection for Kate since she's been all over my TV for the past three weeks. I may know more about her than I know about myself.

Coming Back to Life

2011-04-24T12:26:00.009-04:00

hide this egg

Life is feeling vital once again, always reminded of that vitality by the sudden profusion of first buds, bright patio blooms and the landscape's shift to bright green. I love watching this happen, the first struggles giving over to a complete floral and vegetal coup.

This morning I stepped out. I swept up. I noticed my orange mint and parsley is coming back. So was the pretty wild geranium, the columbine, my strawberries and fig. I've already tossed a load of the chives (growing in three pots) into a green bean hazelnut salad from my new Ottolenghi cookbook. I poked some herb seeds into some pots and planted the little flat of violas given to us by my mom, into the window boxes. I'm excited for summer herbs.

The sun is shining. Inside I made a fast Easter tableau, didn't hide anything, made some Easter matzah ball soup and without much of a plan, I think we might have a picnic later, ingredients and destination unknown.

Happy everything bunny rabbits. Hope the day is full of pleasant surprises.

Koobie Doobie

2011-04-23T11:01:00.005-04:00

When it's pouring chats and chiens outside and you decide not to brave the Brooklyn Flea, watch Namasté America. You never know what amazing surprises you will find, usually with a wet sari scene for added value, and then read one blogger's incredible accounts of her life in India, both woman and place, near and dear to my heart. I can't wait til she moves back to New York.

(Non-germy or flu ridden, bubble gum pink and geranium)
kisses to Lily who painted this.

Magic Bundles

2011-04-20T13:09:00.002-04:00

I've been out flat and sick with the flu for over almost two weeks. Not a chance to pick my head up much, but many movies were watched. Many many many many movies:
Séraphine
Wasteland
Mesrine: Killer Instinct
These were among my favorites. The rest I can't really remember, an homage to how drugs can really work.

After the 7th day, I started to feel not just feverish and exhausted from coughing, but like a loser for not moving. Not lifting a finger except to down cough syrup or change the channel (Did you know Oprah is ending?) or, when Jim wasn't home, make tea or open a can of soup. By the eighth day the doctor was summoned and he said, " Hey dummy (because we're on a first name basis), it's time for antibiotics. I can't do much for your bruised rib (from coughing a lot) except take a bunch of advil too." Then, Jim finally stopped his work spree and came home with my new prescriptions. And on the same day, as if by magic, a good friend came by and made the most magical of cures, her family recipe and the sentiment and the soup worked wonders.
These are my American Shamans.

On Jim's birthday in Paris we went to the Musée du quai Branly, the museum of anthropology that sits right below the Eiffel Tower. I love this place. I got lost in the mystical, close-to-the-earth adornments from the Pacific rim, the Native Americans, and tribes from all over Africa and South America. Shadow puppets that tell ancient tales, masks and amulets and talismans aka "magic bundles" that ward off sickness and evil spirits.
This moves me to believe I am doing something all wrong. Or maybe that I could be doing something more right. With more care or more attention or maybe more cowbell.

Green bits of London

2011-04-06T14:21:00.005-04:00

Our post Paris trip to London gave us verdant-itude peeking out from everywhere. In London we walked and walked, discovering misty parks, little trucks, little Spring bits in the cold.

Color Explosion at the Brooklyn Flea, 2011

2011-03-31T10:39:00.005-04:00

Getting ready for our third(!) opening weekend at the Brooklyn Flea this Saturday, April 2nd in Fort Greene and Sunday, April 3rd, and the new Williamsburg location closer to home, with peeks at our new collections for Spring and Summer. Say it with me: COLOR!

Celebrating getting back outside and I couldn't stop myself from designing some new one-of-a-kind necklaces in the midst of getting ready, with some rare old Czech beads I brought back from London, and antique coins & trinkets taken from old Afghani textiles. I wanted to do some long brightly colored pieces and I think these are a good mix of 40's costume fun with a serious tribal edge, hoping they'll make you feel like a proud exotic flower blossoming against all odds on a faraway mountain ledge, the beautiful first moments of Spring release.

Will do more since I brought home oodles of gorgeous colors, yet to be unpacked, and of course will put them on the website soon, I promise, but feel free to email me if you see something you like.

As a tribute to the origins of the materials, we'll be giving $15 from each purchase of these pieces the Central Asia Institute, Greg Mortensen's organization to support community-based education, especially for girls in remote villages in Northern Afghanistan and Pakistan.

A Paris Day

2011-03-30T12:06:00.010-04:00

I only have a little time to see Paris. It is the reason why I whip out my camera on the morning walk from the Hôtel de Ville all the way up to the top of the rue du Temple on my way to the showroom.

Though I blow on that I'm not that interested in the romanticized Paris, it's still romantic damnit. This is especially true for me early in the morning, when I can see my breath in the wet chill of the courtyard, where the camellias and forsythias are still blooming in the brisk cold, and I step out through the big doors to the street into the city waking up, this is the city of Paris I know best I guess.

Smells of coffee and smoke from the cafés, and yeast from boulangeries and patisseries exhibiting the first trays of artful gems of the day, I go down into the metro, in love with the large graphic announcements of everything there is to do and see and buy, read the daily paper on the train and emerge into the light if I'm lucky, or a drizzle if I'm not, into a new part of the city. I walk and snap photos until I get to rue Chapon, where I'll spend my morning until we decide if we want to eat Pho nearby in Paris' original Chinois-town or the plat du jour at the Taxi Jaune right across the street. We drink little cafe "noisettes" in the afternoon on a silver platter Taxi Jaune lets us take across and are animated enough for when our afternoon appointments come, and stay until 8pm when we come out again in the dark, lock the doors for the night and decide where to go for a drink. We talk about business and about what we want to eat, which is delicious especially when eaten in the company of friends. Later we say goodbye until the next morning when it happens all over again.

Hearts & Hands and Where I've been

2011-03-29T11:29:00.008-04:00

hearts & hands

Hello old friends. I've been gone from here too long. Before I go into why and tell you all about Paris (made greater because doctors still make housecalls in France) and then London (highlighted by an especially oishii lunch at the new Vinoteca in Marlybone and the incroyable Jewelry Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum), I want to tell you about an incredible project for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan called Hearts & Hands.

Organized with love by Lynn Russell from Satsuma Press, a $10 purchase of one of Satsuma's letterpress cards will enter you into a drawing in which you can win a handmade piece from any of the 90+ independent designers who have contributed.

100% of the proceeds will go to Shelter Box, an organization which delivers emergency disaster relief, shelter and warmth to people in need. Our donation, my favorite necklace, La Petit Branche, is above but for more and to see all the artist's contributions, visit Hearts & Hands.

Wanderlust: John Kenny and the Omo Valley

2011-03-10T05:14:00.001-05:00

Hello chickens! It's P. from What Possessed Me - lowering the tone once again on dearest Deb's blog. I'm so happy to be here and to share with you the work of one of my favorite photographers, John Kenny.

An early source of bonding with Deb was our mutual love of travel - we've both been to some weird and wild places and share the same insatiable wanderlust that has ruined our GI tracts, wiped out our slush funds and generally consumed our waking thoughts.

Perhaps what originally drew me to John Kenny's work is that his own love of exploration and delight in undiscovered beauty come across so clearly in his photographs. Kenny often travels alone or with a guide, trekking into remote regions to shoot his portraits. He avoids using flash and gizmos, preferring instead to work with the dry earth, the sun, and the magnatism of his subjects. The effect is incredibly intimate and intense - particularly in his black and white portraits, which seem illuminated by a silvery, celestial light. If you are interested in travel photography, I'd highly recommend this article on Kenny's methods to achieve this effect with nothing other than his camera and natural sunlight. It's also an interesting commentary on what it's like to pursue photography as a passion alongside a completely unrelated career.

In the meantime, feast your eyes on Kenny's 2010 trip to the Omo Valley in Ethiopia. I'm already plotting my next trip - who's coming with me?

Pairs: Bon Bon Oiseau

2011-03-09T09:00:00.002-05:00

Hello again!

Melissa here, from Melissa loves. So happy to be posting one more time while Deb is away in Paris. I can't wait to hear all about her trip when she returns, can you? I always love using Deb's beautiful work in my posts. Recently I started a new feature "Pairs" on my blog using one artist's work and pairing it up with it's "long lost loves" ( in my opinion of course). Today I just picked one lost love....in different colors. ;) I hope you like it!

~ cloud earrings here

~ silver garland here

~ necklaces here

~ garland here

~ bracelet here

~ garland here

Thank you for having me, darling Deb. I hope you have safe travels home hun & I hope your lovely readers enjoyed my visits! Until next time...be well.

Melis

Allo Ma Princesses Précieux

2011-03-03T17:56:00.008-05:00

Bonsoir de Paris! I must admit I've been feeling a bit under the weather and working at the same time and so not so many pictures taken. Two days of setting up the showroom and I must say, it is looking quite spectacular.

And so tonight I came home early and collapsed on the sofa, so happy to find Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette on TV, made more amazing to watch it in French. It just made more sense, even if I could barely understand it, and made all the more delicate and delicious. My worn out self was riveted and drank it all in, every gorgeous sensuous scene, mostly left me dreaming I could have worked on the set. I would totally take off my coat and lay it over puddles for the entire art department. It completely warmed me, stirred me, relaxed me and made me so happy to be in beautiful beautiful, but incredibly cold France.

Tomorrow starts the showroom and now I must say, Bonne Nuit!

Cheap & Chic: dressing Deb

2011-03-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello lovelies!

Melissa here, from Melissa loves. Honored & happy to be filling in a tiny bit for darling Deb while she is living it up in Paris! :) I know Deb likes my cheap & chic posts so, I though I would take a stab at getting together something for Deb. She most definitely doesn't need my help looking chic & sharp but, I thought it would be fun!

~ top here $69.95

~ bracelet 1 here $48.00

~ bracelet 2 here $48.00

~ clutch here ( in gold ) $38.00

~ pants here $99.95

~ wicked pissah boots here $32.80

In my mind, Deb likes to be comfortable but chic. Likes black and yet, is a bit funky. Obviously she loves jewelry & has more than enough of her own beautiful baubles to wear with any outfit but, I thought I would throw in a few little things to shake things up a bit. Plus, I have seen Deb wear some really great pieces mixed in with her own and they always look amazing. So, I hope you like it, Deb! And I hope you like it too, lovely Bon Bon readers. I will be back in a week or so for another visit. Until then, be well!

Melis

Paris

2011-03-01T09:00:00.001-05:00

Playtime

2011-02-21T09:28:00.007-05:00

OH! How I wish I could be here in NY to see Playtime the children's trade fair, straight from France and Tokyo and here now, for it's second season and this one has with a pop-up boutique!
(I love Pop-Up Boutiques).

It's not the kind of big Javits Center exhausting-walk-until-you-drop style show--this one is absolutely...beautiful, every corner brings surprises in a gorgeous raw space on Mercer Street in Soho- here you'll find all the most talented designers, toymakers, artists designing for children (including my favorites Bensimon (little sneakers!) and Ketiketa) this season made even more exciting with... a Pop-Up Boutique!!! Should be incredible, with designer samples from , Coral & Tusk, Agua by Trash-a-Porter, Lalé, Wovenplay and more.

I wish I could be there to be welcomed warmly by Hortensia and Sebastien and Marie and their crew and see what new surprises they have created this season. I will be in Paris of course, their hometown, exhibiting my "adult" stuff but, I promise, Bonbon is making a children's line so I can show at Playtime...Really really...

82 Mercer Street
March 5-7th,
Register here.
Run don't walk!

Paris Fashion Week -You are INVITED

2011-02-17T11:35:00.004-05:00

Paris + London

2011-02-15T15:58:00.007-05:00

Did I tell you that Jim's going to meet me in Paris for his brithday (the last day of the show, March 8th!) and then we're going to chunnel over to London for a few days and see Ann and Charlie and hangabout?
Yeah. It's true.
Can you come?

some from the last one and a few from the new collection "les étoiles du monde".

Be My Valentines

2011-02-14T11:07:00.011-05:00

Dear Lovelies,
Thank you for being such wonderful blog friends and introduced me to such a big wide creative world. I am so lucky that you come here and care about what I do, give me advice, leave such kind and supportive words, push me further. And thank you also for allowing me into your worlds and letting me care about who you are and what you do. You have opened up my world.

I am thankful for getting to know so many of you in real life, out from behind the ways we curate ourselves here and into real friendships with real heart that have added so much depth to my life over the past few years.
With love on Valentine's Day,
Deb

p.s. I elected myself chairman of my own Valentine board---trés romantique, non? I hope you do something nice for yourself today. I'm going to lunch now.

images from mschweitzer, julia roitfeld, hitchcock blonde, gardenmama, and love poems can be bought here

My Two (Valentine's) Cents

2011-02-11T19:26:00.010-05:00

photo courtesy of le bernadin (thinking big this VD)

1: Whether you're coupled or singlish, take someone you love to lunch. Or make them take you. Go someplace fancy or at the very least delicious. Why botehr going to dinner since Valentine dinners are amateur hour. Just have a long lingering lunch and try not to leave until you have to or until the poor servers have to set up for the nightmare that will be February 14th dinner hour.
2: Make someone a valentine. Don't go out an buy a card, unless it's gorgeous like these. or these. Otherwise, make one. Draw a heart, cut it out and give it.

Saipua

3: Flowers? Buy yourself some. Something romantic, like these would be nice.

4. On your way home , get some St-Germain, the insanely delicious liqueur that quite possibly was made by some kind of god. Get these ingredients while you're at it and make the most delicious heavenly cocktail you can even imagine. Or do the one with whiskey, the Paris Manhattan, which I find romantic too you know. I've been drinking these all week, just for practice and never during work.

The St. Germaine Cocktail:
1 1/2 parts St-Germain
2 parts Champagne (a rosé brut is more beautiful fo sho)
2 parts club soda or sparkling water
A twist.

Add the St-Germain last.

5. Then put on a little OK Computer and drift off into some kind of love induced haze. Seriously, you do not need a partner for any of this.

Be My Valentine Live

2011-02-08T13:49:00.009-05:00

I love Valentines Day. I love it because it's a good day to remember to love. Love your family, your good friends, your animals. Know why you feel the love. I don't think it has to be particulary for "lovers" but just for feeling love. For appreciating someone else. That and the color combo of red and pink is mind-boggingly beautiful to me. Vanessa sometimes has to put a stop to my over use of it.

I'm also working on a collaborative Pop-Up event with Breck from Sesame Letterpess and Denise from Denise Fasanello flowers for little Valentines Pop-Up at the Brooklyn Flea this Saturday, February 12th. We'll have a special edited table of Love-ly items just for the occasion and a gift box special: a set of special-edition Bonbon Love earrings, a Sesame Letterpress card and little bag of Papabubble Valentine candies for $45. Half the profits from the box will go to the American Heart Association.
Ain't love grand?

O Sweet Spontaneous P: Takes From a Photoshoot

2011-02-08T13:06:00.008-05:00

Saturday we had a small photoshoot to create some graphics for the Fall/Winter Collection I'll be bringing to Paris on the 27th (that soon? ayeeee!!)

P. came over to help me style the shoot which was mostly shot by my
sweet and talented husband and the collaboration was fun to say the
very least, inspiring to say the most. Maybe I actually conned her
into it, always enamored by her incredible eye and her own beautiful photos,
I'm not sure which, but she added so much to the entire day. Here's a little
sampling of some cast-offs, some by me, some by P some by Jim,
fun none-the-less, especially when we talked her into
wearing some of it and letting Jim unleash his beautiful
soft-washed photo style that I love so much, especially for
this shoot which we agreed had to be "watercolory"...  
Maybe it was something about the sum of the day, but
she left this behind, as she ran to catch her gypsy-cab, her
voice trailed, "I think you'll like thisssss..." 

O sweet spontaneous  earth
how often have  the  doting        
fingers of  purient philosophers
pinched  and  poked   thee,
has the naughty thumb  of
science prodded  thy    
beauty.
how  often have religions taken
thee upon their scraggy knees
squeezing and
buffeting thee that thou mightest conceive  gods     
(but  true
to the incomparable
couch of death thy
rhythmic  lover        
thou answerest
them only with                       
spring) 
-- e e cummings

Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining for Valentines

2011-02-03T15:02:00.011-05:00

New Collection is Looking Up. And Is Up: And Here Too.
Orders for Valentine's Day come with a little bounty of real bonbons, sweets from right here in my neighborhood for orders by Feb 10th.

The collection is dedicated to my father, who told me once that every cloud has a silver lining, so we made little beaded clouds out of the antique seed beads Vanessa and I have been addicted to buying for a few years. Each piece is unique, each one just for you imbued with a lot of love, hope and optimism, now more than ever.

P.S. I bought some new fonts.

Monday Dose of Inspiration: Thinking Pink (and Red)

2011-01-31T10:55:00.011-05:00

Ethereal thinking in shades pink to red thanks to Issue 9, Bloom Magazine. Looking for inspiration for a soft but colorful photo-shoot we are opting to do next weekend. Will break for color, just enough to soften the thought of more snow, looking for ways to keep chins up, looking for silver linings. I am comforted by the gorgeous imagination in these.

After a weekend under the weather, wrapped in blankets camped out on the living room floor, riveted by the revolution in Egypt, the bravery of the people, the effects on the region and the entire world, Monday is still tenuous but still a new day to stand up again.