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Friday, 1 April 2011

the french basket...


Breaking out the baskets puts me in a good mood. That is not to say that baskets are only a spring and summertime accessory but that is how I associate them - with a spring in my step and a market, full of fresh produce, to conquer . I wonder if there is such a thing as 'too many baskets'. I would disagree but I am certain the men in my life would not.  I have been buying, or should I say collecting, these straw lovelies for more than fifteen years...

These baskets live everywhere in our home. In the bedrooms they are full of anything your heart desires, in the office tissue paper and ribbons overflow, by the pool they hold the towels and the sunscreen and in the sitting room they are by the hearth with pine cones and lavender. The car has a couple in the boot, ready for the market or any other shopping occasion. I use them as 'gift wrapping', for hostess gifts, as a handbag and travel bag and even for Santa stockings. French baskets come in all sizes and weaves, with or without leather handles and binding. Every time I leave the house to go to the market (which is about once a week) I promise myself no more but inevitably I don't listen to my own advice and come back with another. I convince myself that the handles are prettier or the straw a shade different to the myriad of others ...the truth is I have a basket habit.....xv

my daily click HERE

image - vicki archer

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44 comments:

  1. Anonymous1 April 2011 at 10:04

    I love your posts so I nominated you as one of my 15 favourite blogs and a One Lovely Blog Award. You can see more about it at my blog www.cassmob.wordpress.com. However as the "requirement" to nominate another 15 bloggers is onerous I don't expect you will necessarily want to do this. I just wanted to share your great site with others. Pauleen

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  2. Francine Gardner1 April 2011 at 12:19

    When in France or Spain, I cannot resist these baskets either, I guess we are both baskets addicts, I have to add I am also an espadrilles "nut" and keep stacking them in my closets...buy them in all sizes and colors for house guests. Have a great week end

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  3. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen1 April 2011 at 12:21

    J'adore the French shopping baskets too. I bought a big sturdy one when we were there and used it every single day. I'm not sure how I got it to fit in my suitcase, but I brought it home with me and consider it a prized possession. Thanks for the great ideas for more uses for them.

    If I lived there, I would have a stash of baskets too. I like the neutral ones you've chosen for the photo. What do you think of the brightly colored baskets and do you use them for decorating? I've stayed away from them for shopping for fear they would clash with the clothes I was wearing.
    Sam

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  4. Anonymous1 April 2011 at 12:44

    Good morning, I have just meet you thanks to GLoria my cousin and I m going to stay near you.
    have a beuatiful day
    bibi

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  5. Jennifer1 April 2011 at 13:22

    These are terrif! Perfect for everything - I'd use them to give gifts in too - pasta, my home-made sauce, fresh herbs and a crusy bread, favorite bottle of wine. Or a dvd, pop corn and a cozy throw. Fresh flowers and a relaxing cd. Hmmmm - I guess you can tell I love my friends and enjoy treating them special? Jennifer stop by sometime jennsthreegraces

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  6. Callie Grayson1 April 2011 at 13:44

    I so want a few of these pretty baskets for my home and for my walks to the market. They are on my list of wonderful things to buy for my home this spring!!!

    It's a good habit to have :)
    Xx
    Callie

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  7. Barbara@HausDesign1 April 2011 at 13:51

    I can understand - they are irresistable! I bought one in France last year and I love it...it also makes showing up for potlucks and school functions when we need to bring something to contribute for the event much more stylish! Fun post.

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  8. villas in provence1 April 2011 at 14:01

    I remember having one of these baskets years ago! They're so versatile! I wonder whatever happened to it. Hmmm.

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  9. Tara Dillard1 April 2011 at 14:08

    Most days are 2 basket days. Lunch in a little basket, work files in another, as I travel in my little van (stuffed with antique wicker which holds more work items).

    Some days a 3rd basket is needed, those are lecturing days.

    The best days are 4 basket days. The French basket with long leather straps is stuffed with gown & toothbrush because I'm spending the nite somewhere for my job.

    Do you judge your days this way too?

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  10. Jeanne Henriques1 April 2011 at 14:41

    Market basket love, I can relate. I bought my first one at a market in Mosman years ago. From Australia to New Zealand, it was a feature in our porch entrance for years. It is still going strong all these years later. We will be in France for two weeks later in the year and my first thought went to that basket and the opportunity to buy more :) Best wishes Vicki...

    Jeanne xx

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  11. Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass1 April 2011 at 14:52

    Love, love baskets, Vicki. You have impeccable taste. I love teh Santa's stockings. Great idea, especially since our stocking will not hold the larger gifts!
    Thank you for sharing.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  12. Daniella1 April 2011 at 14:56

    These are lovely! I'm still on the hunt for one just as pretty in Canada... love these kinds of baskets!

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  13. Amy1 April 2011 at 14:58

    They're gorgeous!

    I have to tell you about the basket my mother got me for Christmas. It's a small wicker basket attached to a walking stick - perfect for taking on walks in the garden and holding fresh-cut flowers. I feel like a country lady when I take it outside!

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  14. hopflower1 April 2011 at 15:03

    Yes; I, too, have one in a wonderful spring-fresh green weave with leather handles. They are wonderful, and carry everything from Farmer's Market finds to books and tools for work.

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  15. Cheryl Gerbera1 April 2011 at 15:11

    I love these baskets. They are perfect for everything. From market to beach, you name it.

    xo
    http://sourcherryandcurlchocolate.blogspot.com/

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  16. hostess of the humble bungalow1 April 2011 at 15:22

    I have a French market basket on wheels...love it.

    Baskets are dispersed throughout the bungalow and they are great for concealing what is inside.

    Love toting a large one to the farmer's Market too or the Beach in the summer.

    Oh this basket post really speaks to me!
    Have a great weekend Vicki!

    Hostess
    XO

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  17. Joanna Brazier1 April 2011 at 15:23

    Hi Vicki,
    On our last visit to Provence, I bought a few baskets at the markets and also at that quirky little "basket,hats,espadrilles" shop just out of St Remy - most were left behind at our host's house, but I managed to bring one back to Perth and even passed the rigorous screening of the Australian customs officials!
    Each day when I shop at my local Fresh market I carry that basket and remember our happy stay in your glorious part of the world.
    Best wishes to you,
    Joanna

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  18. A Gift Wrapped Life1 April 2011 at 16:27

    I never see good baskets around here, obviously shopping in the wrong world. They would be hard to resisit! You can't have too many, can you? Much love. XOXO

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  19. The enchanted home1 April 2011 at 16:50

    Those market baskets are fabulous, multi purpose too..they look classic and great with anything. Beautiful!

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  20. Divine Theatre1 April 2011 at 17:08

    So pretty!
    Please come visit my post on my most recent shelter pet in need and enter my GIVEAWAY!

    Andie

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  21. La Petite Gallery1 April 2011 at 17:14

    That reminds me to get my tote and pack it for NYC. Those are lovely.

    yvomme

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  22. Splendid Market1 April 2011 at 17:15

    I share your addiction..I have so many different colors and sizes from so many lands, I can't resist them, and they are pretty easy to bring home.

    I love you description of uses -- I'll have to pull a few out of storage to use around the house.

    Have a great weekend.

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  23. Anonymous1 April 2011 at 18:22

    http://amuse-bouches.tumblr.com/post/4212795816/punkrockbarbiedoll-i-want-this

    I am quiet sure you will love it ! I was thinking of you and your garden when I saw it ! French basket are really so useful even for wood, wool (laine) ! Sunny Side

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  24. Velvet and Linen1 April 2011 at 18:30

    I too can't resist a lovely basket, Vicki! Particularly old French ones.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

    xo
    Brooke

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  25. sharon santoni at my french country home1 April 2011 at 21:03

    totally, essentially French! Great post Vicki, I remember your Xmas stocking post with all the goodies spilling out of these lovely baskets.
    have a great weekend
    Sharon
    x

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  26. Renée Finberg2 April 2011 at 02:52

    i agree with all....
    i can not see one of these hand baskets and not think of paris.
    and all the yummies i could put in it.
    xxx

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  27. Andi2 April 2011 at 03:26

    I love these baskets, have several them and use them all year long for this and that. They last forever! I am loving the daily click - great idea!

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  28. Karena2 April 2011 at 04:31

    Vicki I really love the ones with leather trim and handles!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  29. Cathi2 April 2011 at 04:35

    I have one of those baskets and I take it everywhere with me - from work to the market and I love it! Happy weekend Vicki! xxoo

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  30. Heirloom treasures2 April 2011 at 10:14

    I love them too. My daughter sells them in her online shop and gave me one for Christmas filled with goodies and I love it. It sits on the trunk near the front door ready for the farmers market xx

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  31. Christina2 April 2011 at 15:25

    it sounds like a good habit to have! i could use some more baskets in my life. might help with the organization around my house.

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  32. snippets of thyme3 April 2011 at 00:41

    I did see the baskets all over the markets. I also did, indeed, regret that I didn't carry a few of these home with me! They are lovely.

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  33. Angie Muresan3 April 2011 at 05:55

    Love the French baskets! Sadly, I have too few. Must get more! Wishing you a beautiful weekend, Vicki.

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  34. Norma Bennett3 April 2011 at 06:01

    Practical yet stylish and therefore quintessentially French.

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  35. Zita - Mlle Magpie3 April 2011 at 12:57

    These are the quintessential basket! I don't think one can have too many of them, Vicki. Not possible :)

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  36. D. Jean Quarles4 April 2011 at 06:33

    I, too, love those baskets. Just wish I could find some.

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  37. Anonymous4 April 2011 at 22:52

    Hello Vicki, I love your blog very much. The baskets on your photo are not French. They are made in North Africa. French baskets are much more intricate and beautiful. There is a Basketry Museum in Provence:
    Musée de la Vannerie
    "La Glaneuse"
    Avenue Philippe de Girard
    84160 Cadenet.
    Here are some examples of French baskets:
    http://www.vannerie.com/liste-produits.php?id_rub=44
    You can find some exquisite baskets made by artists in France. I have a wide collection here at home that I purchased from a shop in Paris a few years ago.

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  38. Alison Gibbs5 April 2011 at 00:26

    Love these baskets too

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  39. Unknown5 April 2011 at 01:00

    I love these baskets and have been wanting to buy one for years only to decide that as one of my little pleasures I would buy one in France when visiting. Well I am arriving in St Remy de Provence 3 months from today and am looking forward to purchasing the genuine thing. I just hope they are easy to find. Love your blogs :)

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  40. Renae Moore6 April 2011 at 03:10

    I would love a trip to Paris to fill up those baskets with all sorts of treats! Oh and I would love a little jaunt to Lille too!
    ox

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  41. emily-kallista17 April 2011 at 10:25

    omg! my friend bought me a basket just like these ones for my birthday a few months ago and I have used it every day since! It is probably mny favourite thign I got for my 21st... I bring it to work, and uni... a handbag has basically just never been big enough!

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  42. Stephen Mitchell9 June 2011 at 19:24

    You may be the first to write of these baskets without mention of Jane Birkin et son panier.

    Great blog for those who love Paris!

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  43. Celia Lindsell23 July 2011 at 11:32

    Best espadrille I have EVER seen. Great classics, as you say so so comfortable. And so cheap, perhaps not the Chanel ones. Thank you

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  44. Olive and Branch for the home23 March 2012 at 22:33

    We, bien sur, love them too!

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