Aix-en-Provence........and Corey

On the Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence - October 2008

We planned to meet late morning under a statue on the Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence's main street known for it's fountains and ancient allée of plane trees. The previous night's heavy rain, and showers that morning, still had me up bright and early, anxious to meet both Corey, and her cousin Judy with husband Chris, visiting from California. As you can imagine, my dh and Chris chatted about sports and guy stuff, while we three gals had more important things to do, like antiques hunting at the morning market!

Many of you are familiar with Corey Amaro's beautiful blog Tongue In Cheek where she shares details of her life with French husband and their children in Provence, and her visits home to California. Corey is funny and has a great sense of style, both of which are captured by her camera. Meeting her made me realize, yet again, that the blogging world is amazing in the way it brings people together who share similar interests.

Corey writes/photographs fabulous articles for well known magazines such as Victoria, Romantic Homes and Somerset Life, and images of her own French village home have been an inspiration to me. She also directed me to her friend Nathalie's beautiful house La Madone in Apt where I stayed last month (see recent posts).

Corey, camera always at the ready, and Judy at the Aix market.

Plenty of small antiques available - always have an extra suitcase!

We snapped each other across one of the many historic fountains.

Great photo opportunities around every bend in the old cobbled streets and alleys of Aix-en-Provence.

Following market browsing and purchasing some small antiques - great bargains because Corey knows all the dealers who were kind enough to discount purchases Judy and I made - the five of us enjoyed a relaxed and delicious lunch. Corey then offered to show us more of Aix - historical buildings with amazing architecture, delightful shops, and even took us to a large brocante for more bargain shopping. Judy and I knew we had to stop before we needed to arrange for a container to ship our treasures home!

Small treasures discovered at La Rotonde ~ Vente Depot.

We said goodbye in the late afternoon. The sun did come out when the rain stopped, the day was lovely, and I was thrilled to have spent time with a special friend and members of her California family.

Be sure to get a copy of December's Romantic Homes where Corey's article 'Christmas Surprises' celebrates the season at Judy and Chris' beautiful home in California. Toile, red transferware, and many of Judy's antique treasures are showcased.