French bric-a-brac

November 12, 2008 suesbent
Tags: Almost French, French Vanilla, shopping

My first reconnaissance for local French stuff took me to two shops: French Vanilla in Mornington and Almost French in Dromana.

 

Almost French is a tiny shop in a small strip of about five shops on the outskirts of Dromana. Surrounded by eucalypts and the nearby State Park where kangaroos and emus can be seen regularly, its location is not one that would catch too much passing traffic – especially the French enthusiast. A cleverly arranged shop window invites one in to browse the lovely objects. There are cushions, merino rugs, printed motif quilts, candle holders, glasses, bags, soap, jewelry, lamps, pictures, napkin holders, and more. The space is not cluttered as there seems to be only one of anything. It is quirky and “almost French” as the names describes.

 

French Vanilla is in Main Street Mornington vying for attention amongst the many gift, fashion, and home-ware stores there. Inside you will find bags, clothing, home-wares, candles, lotions, inspirational books, and a selection of Putumayo music CD’s. The store ladies were dressed in feminine clothing and accessories. There really isn’t much to associate itself with France apart from some bags with French motifs.

 

These two stores did little to satisfy my desire for that French feeling that I found while I was in France. And for me it is not about bric-a-brac. I find more beauty in a vase of roses from my garden than some quirky dust-gathering ornament. Still I had to look as this is the point of this little project. My search goes on…

 

Driving home via the coastal road along the winding cliffs of Mount Martha with the blue Port Phillip Bay beside me and playing Italian music in my car did remind me of the coast near Sorrento Italy and Nice France. If I ignored the typically disappointing Australian architecture along the hilltop, I could almost imagine myself in Europe again.

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