Hello everyone! I want to start off by extending a warm merci to all of you that responded and emailed regarding my previous post. Julie really has put together an amazing week in Provence and as all of the money raised by Passports with Purpose is going to Water.org, whether you win it or not, well, you are already a winner in my eyes just for having donated. And if you are waffling or just plain forgot to bid, please hurry as the fundraiser is finished on December 11th, just four more days away! So far, they have reached $35,000 of their $100,000 goal. Can you imagine what a phenomenal Holiday surprise it would be to offer your loved one any of the amazing prizes on offer?
Speaking of wonderful gifts, I have been looking forward to sharing a happiness-inducing store that I came across during my visit to the States. One of the many things that was so phenomenal about my trip was the timing. Not only did I get to have a perfect Thanksgiving (more about that soon) and delight in my Sister’s rocking birthday party (literally) but I got just the perfect dose of holiday buzz, minus the mania.
And no one did it better than Found in Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown District. Having grown up in a family who worked in retail (you can partially blame my Dad for Abercrombie & Fitch’s transformation from stolid safari to adolescent dreamland), I will admit to being ever so slightly a snob when it comes to a stores presentation. The lights are always too bright, everything can be taken in with a blink and there is little in the way of experience–no matter how earnestly the employees at Banana Republic try to make it otherwise.
Not so at Found, which is clearly curated with love by owner Mary Cambruzzi. I could have spent hours in there and would have if I were alone. As it was, I was a wild snapper with my camera, trying to capture as much of the ambiance as I could to share with you, so much so that one of the fellow shoppers asked exactly what was I doing with a suspiciously raised eyebrow! Does it sound odd that I would put a collective aesthetic on your tastes? But something tells me that if you are here, you love patina and the tiny details as much as I do. If so, then Found is very Lost in Arles!
The evening I was there was part of a special event and there was nary a space to stand. The line for the register stretched to the rear of the store and so with promises that I would return, I regretfully took my leave. Alas, my visits to the States are often a rambunctious run and I did not get the opportunity this time…
…and how would I have fit this 1930’s doll-house in my carry-on?
All of these candles are Made In Michigan…
…and the vintage finds are Made with Time!
Here in Arles, the Christmas lights have just popped on below my window, reminding me that it is the moment to extend the holiday spirit to my life in France! I have pulled down the boxes of decorations from the attic and will now wonder what to do with them this year…Are you in the same mood or not quite yet…? Found certainly has sparked plenty of ideas…
Found
407 N. Fifth Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
foundgallery.com
Tel.: (1) 734-302-3060
While the gallery is a big believer in “Shopping Local” they ship internationally and there is currently free shipping for all orders in the US that are over $100. They don’t have much of these holiday items on their website but everyone was so nice that if there is something that you love here, I bet they will be able to help you out. And no, this isn’t a “Sponsored Post” (I wish I was at that point! ;), I just like what they do.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend…it’s time to break out the vin chaud!…brrr…
Hello Leslie! Seems like there were some offers with Passports with Purpose that could be interesting to you–I agree! And I will have to dog through my memory about the whole A&F thing. I Do remember the stores "before" though and how high end they were. What a change!
And Remi and I were invited up to the cockpit only once–it was actually here in France (I think we were heading to Nairobi) and it was during the day but we got to see the Alps! It was a breath-taking experience, truly. I can only imagine what it must be like at night amidst the stars…
Bisous from Arles!
No Twitter for me Bella Ella. What am I going to say. "Walking Ben on the Rhone"…"Washing dishes with new 'ecologique' liquid"…? 😉
And hooray for the fb-retweet! Merci!!
What a great store! It's like Anthropologie's indie, off-beat estranged cousin! I love that they sell old billiard balls and "cute little sheep". Excellent visual merchandising. I wanted a few things and I'm only looking at photos, so I can only imagine what it's like to walk through there.
I'm glad you had a great trip and thank you for sharing Passports with a Purpose. I'll be retweeting/fb-ing it today!
Btw..do you have Twitter?
What a cool shop, exactly what I need right now to get my Christmas shopping done with.
So much character and personality!
Happy weekend!
Sylvia S.
It is such a wonderful shop, the kind of store you still find in France. I get very depressed by shopping malls, catalog stores, where everything is expected, mass manufactured and thrive to find stores like the one you featured.
Vero, something tells me you will like a lot of the fun stuff they have. But you certainly gave us awesome suggestions chez toi! Bon W-E!
Thanks Jackie et Bon Weekend!
Sister! You are getting your tree today?! Photos please! And no complaining about that boyfriend of yours, he just threw you one heck of a party. 😉 Did you go back to Found? It is killing me that I didn't get to buy anything from there!! Next year, hopefully…Love you!
Hi Heather, Such a cute little guy up at the top 🙂 and the snowman on the linen are adorable. Great little shop and perfect for doing holiday shopping!
Have a nice weekend and enjoy the season!
xxleslie
There is something very comforting and friendly about stores like Found. They provide needed respite from the crowded department stores at this time of the year. Lovely little store. I'm disappointed that I can't smell the candles off the monitor…:)
xx
Amelia