brocantes

{brownie camera thrifted in switzerland!}

i had a lot
of
expectations
when i moved
to switzerland.

amazing
dairy products
&
fondue,
efficiency,
everything
neat & tidy
and
costing
a lot more
etc...

i didn't
expect
that
there would be
and
reasonably
priced
thrift shops
(aka brocantes).


{vintage wooden box}

i was
wrong.

thrift shops
here are
great.
seems like
the swiss
appreciate
a good deal
like
any one
from
any country.


{cabinet- needs some work}

i won't go
into how
happy that
makes me
but those
who know me
know
one of
my great joys
is thrift shopping
(or antique hunting).


{wooden caterpillar toy}

i am happy
to report
that
although
i lost
my dear
value village
compadre
in dc,
my friends
pip & tom
both love
thrift-shopping
like i do.
one of
the first weeks
i arrived
tom made me a map
of all the stores
in neuchatel.
i knew
that
we would
be fast friends.

the thrift
stores
are not as
obvious here.
many of them
are tucked away
in places
a rookie
like myself
would not
have found
(at least
for a long time).


{old dutch tea/chocolate tin}

when
my mom visited
we had
a great time
hitting
all the thrift stores
weekly.
hunting for
baby clothes
and other
household supplies.


{vintage dental mirror}

now that
i have a baby
i am
a little
gun-shy
about venturing out
with her.
grub knows
the best way
to lure me out
of the house
is to
suggest that
we go thrifting.


{baskets for my yarn}

i have found
many household items
(clothespins, mugs,
bowls, knives, etc.)
as well
as interesting
odds & ends
(shown here)
that make
our apartment
feel more
like a home
(instead of
an ikea showroom)...


{vintage chropractic chart}

it's a beautiful
day out,
so
i am off
for some
swiss thrifting
this afternoon-
wish me luck!

xo