Tarlo & Graham

image; tarlo & graham

Surely you know about them? If not, you really should. Dare I say it, a Melbourne retail institution, these days. Always interesting, quirky, kitsch, wonderful. Beautifully curated. Always packed to the brim. And they do it their way. I love this place. If you can, drop by and see it, then you really should.

Off my pedestal now!

xxx

Loving The Attention!

image; the always inspiring blog, Advanced Style

Oh yes, the month of February is all about giving and getting love, don't you think?! And I'm not just talking of the 'coupledom' kind, in fact, that's the last thing I was thinking of (although, if you've got it, it can be a bit of fun...so I believe!!) No, I'm talking the things that money can't buy that make us feel real good - maybe for you that's walking your pet, or that first sip of your morning cuppa, or the sight of a glowing moon on a very dark evening, or that lovely 'connected' smile with a stranger on public transport.

Well, the Inaugural Galerie Montmartre Pop-Up Window is now installed down on Brunswick St alerting people to our 'loveliness' and I gotta tell you, the love that's been heaped on Galmont over the past few days has been quite overwhelming. It's been a collaboration with the lovely Pip Lincolne who has already blogged about it over at Meet Me At Mike's.

I'll be taking photos of my own this week and give you updates to the little tweaks we'll be making during the wonderful month of February. J'taime!!

PS. Hello and thank you to all those who have stopped by over the past 72 hours or so, it's been lovely having you here x

Christmas Decoration Envy...

image; jane hall - salvation jane

Yes, I have it. Yes, I'm that shallow.

If I knew exactly where Jane lived (we live in same postcode, I believe....or nearby neighbourhood anyway) then this may be the first time I'd ever steal anything!

I can so see this knitted nativity scene in Chez La Femme.

Salvation Jane has been a very welcome addition to the blogosphere in 2011 - in my humble opinion - go check it out here. Stylish, colourful, funny, irreverant; worth browsing.

The Design Files Open House

image; shelley t...who was delighted to see three of our posters in such esteemed company on art wall of kid's bedroom

If you are a Melbournite, you have two days to get down to Lucy's Open House. I know you know about it, a Pop-Up Shop like no other in Fitzroy. Superbly curated. Stunning choice of Australian crafted and retailed goodies for sale, including vintage and contemporary (oooh, part of an exciting launch at Galmont in early 2012) posters from Galerie Montmartre...of course! Even if you are not in the running to buy, there's never a reason not to be inspired. And believe me, you will be inspired!

40 Little Napier St.

Fitzroy, Vic 3065

10 - 5pm Sat/Sun

Oh Serge, you've done it again!

image; www.sergebloch.net/blog

I've blogged about my love for the supremely talented French illustrator Serge Bloch here and here and now take a peek at what he's created for Time Magazine. I love Monsieur Bloch's outlook on life; his 'simplicity' says so much. Always.

Ramblings of a Lapsed Cmas Card Writer featuring Raven & Lamb

I've actually allowed my head to start thinking of the holiday season...Christmas to be more precise. I know, I'm in shock as well, I actually have room in my brain to consider the occasion and how I'm going to spend it and with whom....and that very important detail to the interior-decorating wannabe like my good-self...how I'll style up Chez La Femme!

When I was a people-pleaser of the worst kind (forgotten yourself in the process kind, that is), Christmas for me was all about Christmas cards. I'd spend hours writing cards with enormous, personalised messages on each ensuring they were posted by the self imposed December deadline. I still love them, I love receiving them, but no longer have the time or the real desire to send them. That phase is officially over. These days I reach out during the year to my people and catch them up on my life...and what a debarcle it is! However, if I was the Christmas card writing person I once was, I'd be using these beauties from Raven and Lamb. I love what this team do.

Jane Foster's Paris

image via Jane Foster

I never tire of Jane Foster's art and I never tire of Paris - so this beautiful print is a win-win as far as I'm concerned.
Have a great week, folks. x

Anderson Children - la femme la likes!

images; jeremy veitch photography

Our web guy, Andy, is legendary to us. He does things behind the scenes, makes stuff really user friendly and talks to us about the techie stuff in lay person's terms. And he happens to be a friend first, so we love him before we even talk the work bits.

Anyway, Andy's beautiful Mama is one creative girl. When I saw the website to her newest venture 'Anderson Children', I just knew I had to share it. Having two boys means that it is Testosterone City around this place, not much in the way of feminine - altho Petit did say he thought I was 'so beautiful....I like the way your bottom moves"; and I did feel like Sophia Loren for the briefest of seconds - does that count?! So, it was no surprise that I delighted in every image on the website, cause these dresses are just so damn pretty. And beautifully styled and photographed too. Don't you think? I love the names of each garment and although I haven't seen them up close, I can just tell that the attention to detail would be exquisite.

This is one classy little enterprise. Well done, Paula!

Wedding? Did Someone Say Wedding?

image; daily imprint

There is only one thing about tomorrow's Royal Wedding that interests me - what is the lovely Kate Middleton going to wear?

'A garment can transcend, giving it a soul. I translate fabrics into soft and romantic silhouettes using natural fabrics...'

Akira Isogawa - Australian Fashion Royalty

Victoria Mason Jewellery - Truly Original

beautiful & original, handmade by victoria mason

the bodgy, crappy copy made in bulk by god knows who

An unexpected joy of owning Galerie Montmartre is the tons of creative and inspiring business women I have met. Shopgirls rule in Fitzroy, we work hard and play even harder! I have been so fortunate to be part of a 'network' (gaggle, more like it!) of gorgeous women who, when our schedules allow, get together for food, drinks and chats....and funnily enough, business talk is the last thing on our agenda.

One of the great talents amongst us is jeweller, Victoria Mason. I love her adorable, quirky jewellery and passion for her craft. I sit on her website and smile at her cleverness. And obviously I am not the only one who finds her pieces enjoyable, because she has been ripped off with a less-than copy of her measuring tape necklace. I'm not quite sure how these people sleep at night, stealing the ideas of others with meagre offerings of shoddy quality items - they haven't been the ones dreaming up the whimsy, sketching, developing an idea and creating. They simply peruse websites and take from the blood, sweat and tears of others.

Well, bugger that ASOS, you have been sprung; I think you are pathetic.

Please visit lovely Victoria's site and see what a real talent produces to make us look even cuter(!)...there might be something very special that you could buy to show your support.

(BTW, Vic has no idea I have put this little post together.)

* And to another lovely creative, Crayon Chick, thanks for the mention in your blog recently. x

Serge Bloch Stamps

image; www.sergebloch.net/blog/

You may remember my post about Serge Bloch's illustrations here. Well, it seems that my clever little friend (why I am assuming this guy is small in stature is beyond me....!) has been at it again, creating stamps for his French companions to enjoy.

I love his work so much, rings every bell within me, as a lover of letter writing (not that I have done any these past months), would love nothing more than to stick these beauties on the front of an envelope!

Serge Bloch Genius

image found here

image found boston.com

image found amazon books

muddy photo one taken on the i-phone late at night (!) but too important for me to leave out;

the text that accompanies it says 'i can't wait....to play with my kids'

muddy photo number two says 'i can't wait....to show them the world' - you'll get there l'homme

When Petit-Petit was born 2 and a half years ago, he was given a book which I fell crazy in love with. It was the kind of thing I wished I'd written such was its simplicity, creativity and power. Over the last eight weeks, I have been drawn to books, texts and illustrations that inspire me and leave me feeling that there is hope. So, of course, I turned to my little friend 'I Can't Wait' by Serge Bloch and Davide Cali. Each page has one line of text, a pen illustration and a red tapestry thread used in a variety of ways - a bow, an umbilical cord, a frilly collar, blood in an IV drip, a scarf; you get the picture. This little book had me smiling, crying and knowing that everything is OK with the world. So I was so thrilled that this talented illustrator has a blog that can feed me beautiful images on a regular basis and help me feel good about the world and the way it turns.

Michelle Belle continues to guest post over at The Design Files, please go and check it out. Today we are seeing the tiny arrondisement known as Montmartre through the eyes of our Gen Y wonder.

Let the Madness Begin!

image; Bienvenue au Monde, Quarez, 1998; stephan t for galerie montmartre

The World Cup that is. I realise it is neither 1998 or being played in France, but I love this poster. I am a little bit interested in the World Cup, we're not a huge soccer (football) playing nation but we know what we're doing when it comes to fielding talented good sorts - check out our Captain for a start!

Worth mentioning is our assortment of vintage and retro World Cup posters at Galmont, they make fantastic gifts for the football mad people in your lives - check out our website under the Sports and Entertainment category.

And a teensy bit of gossip....if you are watching the action from the U.K, the follow up show (some sort of comedy panel thing?) is hosted by my Cousin. No joke. Not a word of a lie. I don't usually talk about what he is up to, but JC seems to be everywhere right now and he has created some hilarious British TV moments recently. So proud of him.

Off to enjoy a long weekend, including disappearing for 48hours all on my lonesome...have not done any such thing since the Petits were born, but think it is high time!! What are your plans?

See you Tuesday.

xxx

A Happy Home Indeed!

image; belinda g for the happy home blog

I can't believe it has taken me this long to show you the mini hallway makeover Belinda Graham created on her blog The Happy Home. This Mother, Wife, writer, journalist and all around fun girl somehow manages to find time to blog about her home projects - of which this is one. (Actually, I am always asking her how she finds time to do the actual home projects!)

And not only am I showing you because she uses one of my very favourite combinations - black and white stripes - but on her little gallery wall (close your eyes, Rockin Raina!!!) she has included a vintage mini poster; the gorgeous point of purchase sale piece for Parapluie Revel by Leonetto Cappiello from 1922....truly vintage....which she found through Galmont.

I love the way she has simply pegged it onto her wall.

Good job, B!

Total Balance et Moi

image; le rouge baiser, gruau, c1950; michelle belle for galmont

Someone thought me worthy enough of a little interview, but of course, I talk too much.....so what should be a little interview has turned into something slightly bigger! Anyway, you can pop over to Kate's blog and see what I am talking about right here.

A quick background, Kate is Kate James, business and life coach, meditation teacher and owner of Total Balance, now a beautiful friend. L'Homme and I sought out her assistance at a hectic time in our lives to keep our business on track...

I love Kate's blog, it is always a calm haven in amongst all the fun and stuff in my google reader.

Homelove - I'm a Winner!

I can't believe that it has been almost a month since I won this wonderful, wonderful collection of bits from Megan Morton to celebrate the release of her interiors book, 'Homelove'.

I haven't yet had a chance to publicly thank the gorgeous MM. I was one of ten lucky people to win some of her favourite things via The Design Files. I was sooooo excited! This package arrived at the very right time for me. It was seriously like a piece of love sent via the post; just fabulous, like the architects of the competition. Thanks so much, Megan and Lucy!

Included; loaf of bread from baker friday, limited edition print from Castle and Things, Miss Frou-Frou nailpolish, bauwerk paint, vintage spoon from the propery, canvas bag from murchison-hume, signed copy of homelove by megan morton, mushroom stamp from kikki k

Pink Magic vs Farty Pants

image by shelley t; a teensy corner of petit-petit's room, where 'pink magic' resides

I am a major Christina Gordon fan, her cutesy Blythe-like art gets me everytime. I walk by her artwork most days, so it seemed an obvious choice when I was creating a nursery for Petit to get him a little something. Petit has since moved rooms, the little portrait has gone with him, they seem quite happy.

In the meantime I found one for my bedroom, which I love, she makes me very happy. So of course, it was only fair that when Petit-Petit came along, he got a little something special. I chose an artwork that wasn't too frou-frou.

image by shelley t; close up of 'pink magic'

Here she is, she is beautiful and looks great in the space. I am extremely happy and so was Petit-Petit....right up until about three months ago. Suddenly he was calling me and asking me - in 2 year old language - to remove the 'scary girl'. So, she has sat on the floor of my bedroom. Every now and again I sneak her back, but the little bloke notices every single time!

image by christina gordon; farty pants

So I am thinking of a permanent replacement....a little while ago Christina created this latest work for her partner, cutely entitled 'Farty Pants'. I know he is wearing a mask as well, but surely if I explained 'Farty Pants' to Petit-Petit he would be more welcome than the little dark angel 'Pink Magic'. I mean, you know boys....they are all about bodily functions, making smells and laughing at each other's, right? Maybe he would see the funny side and decide the rude little boy could stay? I might have to buy him and find out...

Hurrah! Femme Gets a Facelift!

Look how beautiful and shiny lovely Femme de Montmartre is looking!
Thanks to Pip for her gorgeousness and generosity and thanks to all of you for voting.

As you can see via my very sophisticated methods featured in the photo below; number 3 header was the winner by quite a substantial amount. I am thrilled with the outcome.
And then, in the very same sophisticated manner (ie. torn up scraps with voter names written on them) I randomly chose a winner who is
Camilla at Designalogue Blog!
You take home this gorgeous girl, Camilla, please contact me via my email (galerie.montmartre at gmail.com) and I will see that this gets to you. Congratulations!!

Undressed and Gorgeous!

'undress' by kat macleod; turquoise beaded detail, red lace; pink cellophane hair; flash not included...

a feminine piece deserves some feminine framing; note the gorgeous detail in the matt? oh how i love it; framed to perfection by creative framing in burwood, victoria

i was sure you were enjoying the flash as much as i was....



'undress' at home; la chambre, chez trbuhovich, february 2010

She has arrived! Just look at her, that adorable, irresistable young thing glancing at me over her bead-enhanced shoulder everytime I walk into my bedroom. Look how comfortable she has made herself amongst my bedside bits. Just gorgeous, thank-you so much, Kat Macleod for that gorgeous show which means I can own a little of what you do. I love it!

Pip to the (Interim) Rescue and a Giveaway!

1.

2.


3.

I've had some great conversations with retail and blog friends about the importance of sharing knowledge and how some lovely creatives are a little reluctant to do it in case someone steals an idea or does something even better etc. I'm of the opinion that chatting things over and sharing ideas can only help your own creative process. Oh believe me, I used to keep things to myself for fear of being ripped off.....never told a soul about my desire to have a yellow and grey room as a teenager, for example! But as I've become older, more self assured perhaps, that attitude has g.o.n.e.

I think Pip over at Meet Me at Mike's comes from the same school of thinking as myself. After this post, I had an email arrive and the gorgeous thing had provided me with some headers, until mine had been sorted. I mean, how is that for generosity?! It's not like the girl has a book to write, a blog to run, a retail space and a family that needs her attention. Oh no, she is going to help this little Femme get her teensy blog looking schmick.

God I love that girl, her enthusiasm and zest for life and others is inspiring. Thanks so much, Pip!

So, now over to you, dear readers - I am going to use one of these blog headers while I get my own act together. I would love to hear which you like the best, please leave a comment with either 1, 2 or 3 (and a comment, if you so desire!) and whichever has the most votes will be the one used. And I am going to choose someone at random, for taking the trouble and send a little vintage love courtesy of Galerie Montmartre. February 28th is the closing date. Hurrah! (That's my cyber impression of Pip!!!)