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"So this is Christmas, for weak and for strong. The rich and the poor ones, the war is so long... A very merry Christmas and a happy new year, let’s hope it’s a good one without any fear." These well-known lyrics from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1971 Christmas song ring true once again. We're fighting a different battle now for sure, but it's a battle nevertheless. And though much has been cancelled throughout 2020 and this holiday season because of Covid-19, Christmas has not been cancelled. We may have to celebrate in different places, different ways and break with some traditions this year to keep healthy and safe, but we can still celebrate Christmas in ways that promise yuletide cheer, laughter, and time well spent with loved ones both near and far. 
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There's something so magical about Christmastime... when treetops are glistening, lords are leaping, and chestnuts are roasting on an open fire. We may not be mixing and a-mingling in large groups this year, but we can still create plenty of magic for ourselves and our families, for no magic lasts longer than that which we create together. 2020 has certainly been frightful, so we're here to help make your holiday season a bit more delightful!   1. Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Style Carved and Painted Hall Tree by Louis Chambry 2. Nina's Paris L'Original Marie Antoinette Loose Leaf Tea Tin, 3.5oz and Nina's Paris Fete de Versailles Loose Leaf Tea in White Gift Tin, 2.82oz 3. 19th Century French Restauration Period Walnut Settee or Bench 4. Les Anis de Flavigny All Natural Lemon Mints and Ravissant Organic Honey and Beeswax Lip Balm by Apis Cera 5. Antique French Louis XIII Style Bleached Oak Normandy Buffet 6. Favols Strawberry Marshmallow Jam, 9.2oz and Favols Apricot Jam with Lavender, 9.2oz 7. Famille Perronneau Maritime Lavender Honey, 4.4oz 8. 1930s French Art Deco Period Walnut Armchair or Lounge Chair 9. Large 9-Light French Painted and Parcel Gilt Two-Tier Chandelier 10. Laguiole Jean Dubost 3-Piece Boxed Cheese and Wine Set 11. Herbs de Provence Tea Towel by Torchons & Bouchons 12. Antique French Louis XVI Style Painted Medallion Back Side Chairs, Set of Four 13. Ambroise Handcrafted French Beeswax Pillar Candles from Provence, Box of 2 and Faustine 100% Organic Amber Candle by Apis Cera and Lucienne Hand Rolled French Beeswax Alter Candles from Provence, Box of 9 14. 18th Century Painted French Louis XVI Period Commode or Chest of Drawers 15. Aux Anysetiers du Roy Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Fondue 16. 19th Century Country French Louis XIII Style Walnut Side Table with Drawers 17. Famille Perronneau Orange and Lemon Honey Sweets 18. Large 20th Century Handmade French Artis Flora Tapestry One of the best ways to create a little magic is to deck the halls with French antiques and inspired gifts. From one-and-done presents that make the whole family happy to tasty stocking stuffers and Secret Santa surprises, Lolo's elves will find the perfect gifts for the naughtiest to the nicest on your 2020 list. Let us make things merry and bright with a beautiful painted and parcel gilt chandelier. Or help you stay cool under the mistletoe with lemony fresh French mints as you await that first Christmas kiss. We can spice up the kitchen for the cook who spends more time there than ever before. And you can get comfy with jolly old Saint Nick in an Art Deco chair as he reads Christmas stories to all. Covid has taken much from us, but it can't steal our holiday season or Christmas cheer. This year, spend more time rocking around the Christmas tree while Lolo decks your halls! Joyeux Nöel  Unlike the strictly decorative vases d'Anduze we discussed in the previous post (Part 1) that served no real purpose during the 17th and 18th centuries except to bring joy and beauty to the homes and gardens of those lucky enough to afford them, the famous earthenware jarres de Biot did in fact serve a utilitarian purpose. Before the beautiful earthenware jarres de Biot became popular as jarres pour le jardin, they were originally used to store grains and flour and were later used to preserve and transport olive oil.  Jarres de Biot, Cote d'Azur Villa
I miss France, Provence in particular. Traveling in the footsteps of Van Gogh and Cézanne to discover the unexpected, stopping for a picnic lunch and a glass of rosé along the roadside, and snapping selfies in a field of sunflowers with the hot yellow sun beating down sounds dreamy right now. Summertime in Provence is especially beautiful — with its gardens, meadows, and even forests filled with a profusion of colorful blooms. But there’s something magical about the gardens of Provence. Classic or contemporary, cottage or formal, these fairytale-like gardens conjure up scents of fragrant lavender and citrus, sounds of babbling brooks and bubbling fountains, and sights of tree lined paths and manicured shrubs and mazes. Layered with pea gravel or crushed limestone and filled with vases d’Anduze and jarres de Biot, they seamlessly connect the inside to the outside.  Father’s Day 2020 is just around the corner. Only a few days left to find the perfect gifts for dear old dad, grandad, or any other special father figure in your life. Whether he's a genuine classic that can cook and bake or a man that’s game for anything, Lolo French Antiques 2020 Father’s Day Gift Guide has something that’s perfect for every type of dad.  1. Antique Wooden French Hat Molds or Blocks, Set of 3 2. 19th Century French Empire Period Walnut Bibliotheque or Bookcase 3. 19th Century French Cast Iron Clockwork Rotisserie Spit Jack 4. Large Open-Sided French Standing Willow Baguette Basket from Boulangerie 5. Antique French Louis XVI Style Mahogany Bouillotte Side Table 6. 19th Century Country French Louis XIV Style Hall or Window Bench with Storage 7. 19th Century Custom Made Solid Wood French Drafting Table or Architect's Desk 8. Vintage 1970s Italian Leather Club Chair 9. 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Walnut and Cane Porte-parapluie or Umbrella Stand 10. Set of 6 Leather Swivel Bar Stools 11. 19th Century French Tapestries Depicting Life of French Nobility, Set of 4 12. Fine Wax Bust of Franz Liszt by French Sculptor Paul Gaston Deprez, Signed 13. 19th Century Primitive French Walnut Balance Scales 14. French Jacquard Poissons or Fish Tea Towel by Coucke; French Jacquard Le Homard or Lobster Tea Towel by Coucke 15. 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Walnut Bureau Plat or Desk with Leather Top
Ever wonder whether it's a Rococo or Régence? Louis XV or Louis Philippe? A Bergère or Fauteuil? Each week, we will highlight a word, term, or phrase to help identify antique furniture, periods, and styles.  RAFRAÎCHISSOIR
ra•fraî•chis•soir [ra-fre-shee-swar] noun [ra-fre-shee-swar] 1. a table of the 18th century having a cooler for bottles and shelves for plates so that occupants of a room may self-serve themselves libations without outside interruption. Origin: < French, literally refresher For centuries, earthenware vessels were a standard in French kitchens, especially those in the South of France where the weather was much warmer. Charming, yet utilitarian pots, jars, jugs, and bowls, with their bright, beautiful glazes, were once used to preserve everything from duck and geese to jams and oils; collect milk for the making of cream and cheeses as well as for rinsing vegetables and washing dishes; for serving water or wine in the home and the fields.  Bread has always been important to the French. For centuries, it was their main food source — their staff of life literally. The tale of Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, callously responding to the news that French peasants were starving from a lack of bread with the much quoted line, “Let them eat cake,” is questionable, but her subject’s hunger and anger were very real. It was their suffering and feelings of resentment that led to bread riots, the storming of the Bastille in 1789, and the eventual beheading of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette by guillotine. Today, bread is considered more an accompaniment to a meal instead of the main course, but it’s still a part of every meal. And the most popular bread in France is the baguette.  French Baguettes
Valentine's Day is almost here, and whether you love it or hate it, there's no escaping this day of candy, cupids, cards, and kisses. Restaurants create special menus, bars concoct special love potions, and florists design special arrangements. Sometimes, however, the best Valentine's Day gift you can give (or receive) is the gift of uninterrupted time together — no matter if you're consciously coupled, uncoupled, or somewhere in the middle and it's complicated.  Brrrr! The weather outside is frightful — one of those cold, rainy days that makes you want some good ol’ comfort food to warm your soul. On days like this, there’s nothing better than a steaming hot crock of soupe à l’oignon (French onion soup) to beat back the cold. With its flavorful broth, caramelized onions, crispy bread, and yummy gruyère cheese browned on top, soupe à l’oignon is the quintessential French comfort soup.  Lolo's French Onion Soup
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Mimi Montgomery
When this self-described Francophile is not reading or writing about all things French, she's dreaming up charming new ways to showcase Lolo French Antiques et More or traveling to France with Lolo to buy delightful treasures for their store. Mimi, Lolo, and their new French Bulldog, Duke, live in Birmingham, AL. 
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