Check!

It's not Christmas until I"ve taken a dozen obligatory shots of Mt. Brook Village's fabulous tree. It closely resembles the shots from the past 5 years but this year I took it from a slightly different   angle. Ta Da...!!!!!

Magical

I think that Mountain Brook Village needs to win some magical Christmas lights award. I drive through there often and it's still hard not to stop in the middle of the street and jump out for more photos!

O Holy Night

Christine's , Mt. Brook Village

 "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

Ooh la la!

Beverly Ruff  loves her poodles, and this one comes to her antique store in Mt. Brook every day.  She seems quite at home amongst the beautiful vintage linens and lace and was quite happy to pose in her pearls on the antique settee!

This post is for my dear Veronique (French Girl in Seattle blog) who is in Paris this very minute with her son. 

Le Beau Chapeau

The perfect Easter bonnet.  I might consider it but considering its size, I'm afraid I'd look like as my grandmother would say, " A bug under a collard leaf". Enough said.  I'm sure there's a tall, thin, elegant lady out there that will buy it and wear with great style!

Bagatelle in Mt. Brook Village

Closing Time

Gilchrist in Mt. Brook Village is hopping during the day.  It's always full of breakfast and lunch customers and the after school kids.  They started out as a drugstore many years ago, but now it's just their soda fountain that keeps them busy. Their freshly squeezed limeades are what they are known for and I'm pretty sure they still have the old fashioned milkshake machines.

Where Little Princesses Shop and Party

A Tiny Kingdom in Mt. Brook Village has it all figured out.  They offer party space for boys and girls as well as all the trappings.  Need a tutu or crown? Star Wars paraphernalia?  They have it and much, much more!

Arctic Blast in B'ham?

The weatherman says we're getting some sort of "Arctic blast" this week. I think that translates to "winter has finally arrived in Birmingham."  This happy fellow, that hangs out in the window of Mountain Brook Flower Shop most of the year, should be very happy about that!

Santa Needs to Shop Here!

Mary Charles' Doll House in Mountain Brook is a charming little shop that offers new and antique dolls, doll houses, furniture and accesories.  She's been in business for over 40 years.  This precious little shop is a delight for any little girl.

Mary Charles' Doll House

2820 Petticoat Lane

Mt. Brook Village

French Essence Right Here in Birmingham

For several years I've followed Vicki Archer's blog French Essence. I also have both of her wonderful books, My French Life and French Essence.  The photographs are by Carla Coulson, who I was fortunate to meet in Paris last January.  My friend Dinah Toro, owner of Charlotte Woodson Antiques in Mt. Brook Village is a follower of her blog as well.  She fell in love with the candles in Vicki's header so I emailed her and asked for the source.  Now Dinah is able to sell these fabulous Mathias candles from France. As a tribute to Vicki, we decided to photograph them on this exquisite French mirrored coffee table with metal inserts in Dinah's shop. Ohhh la la!

A Day Late....

and a Moon Pie short!  I was a little under the weather this week and let Fat Tuesday get away from me. I had these fabulous masks from Dinah Toro's Charlotte Woodson Antiques in Mt. Brook, so we'll just celebrate Mardi Gras right here today.  By the way, did you know that Mobile, Alabama has the oldest  MardiGras carnival celebration in the country??

All Twinkly

"It's like a fairyland!" is what I say every single Christmas when the city of Mountain Brook turns up the wattage in the village.  The trees are all strung and now they've outlined all the shops with lights as well.  The header photo is the gorgeous tree in front of Bromberg's Jewelers.