Anthropologie holds a very soft spot in my heart… not only because I would love to own everything in their home wares department but also because they were the first store in the US to sell MY FRENCH LIFE… and well before it was officially published in the US… When you are an accidental author like me, to have a book that is yours sitting in pride of place in such a gorgeous shop is seriously heady…it is some years ago now… and old history… but whenever I see anything Anthropologie … I always remember. My daughter’s friend was on holiday in New York… and shopping… which is what we all love to do in the ‘big apple’…. she sent a text to my DD telling her that my book was in Anthropologie…. I told my DD that she must be mistaken as MY FRENCH LIFE was only available in Australia… She sent back a picture… she wasn’t mistaken… and that was my first experience seeing my words in print, in situ… it sounds silly now, but it was so exciting, so incredible… to have a book for sale in New York and in one of the greatest stores… it was more than a dream come true…
I am often asked how I came to write and be published… and I describe it as ‘accidental’. It was all about being in the right place at the right time… I believe in fate..in chance… events that happen that can change your course… outcomes that you would never have foreseen or predicted… I did not set out to write my story, I did not imagine writing a book or a second and I never imagined writing a blog… but I am so happy and grateful that I have… chance encounters change lives… That is what happened to me… Writing is difficult… and I don’t pretend to be good at it but I do hold true to writing from the heart… The words may not be brilliant, the phrases not perfect and the grammar not always correct… but if the sentiment rings true and the accounts are honest… then small errors may be forgiven… That was my premise at the outset and it is still my way forward today…
Why all this reminiscing? As we head into summer I have decided to take the plunge and buy some china and glassware from Anthropologie for our farmhouse… I have always loved their colourful and chunky dinnerware… their embossed glasses… it’s the perfect mix for lazy lunches and relaxed dinners… I can see those beauties mixing in with my simple white porcelain from Pillivuyt… I feel like some colour… a little change on my table… I think it all started when I posted those pictures of Kathryn Ireland’s home in France… the way she blended such sunny colours with her white backdrop got me thinking… thinking about all things bright and beautiful… thinking about buying a mix of patterns… So I am jumping…jumping into a colourful world…
For the table… I am loving the watercolour petals plate… the meadow sweet dinner plate… and the natural world plates… For the glasses, I cant’t resist the fleur de lys…. especially the rose coloured glass…
Anthropologie … here… (click into dinnerware and glassware… and you will find where I have been lead astray…)
European readers can find them here… and here…
***
For some serious table setting inspiration these are my go to books… This weekend I will be pouring over these… summer guests start arriving next week…
Alberto Pinto: Table Settings… here…
Flair: Exquisite Invitations, Lush Flowers and Gorgeous Table Settings… here...
***
and for some very pretty blog inspiration…
Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend… xv
What a thrill that was for you, to see your book in such a beautiful shop! I can imagine your joy. How lovely. And how lovely your summer table will be, with new colours! Cheers!
I could not agree with your more dear Vicki, about writing. I have come to learn that ANYTHING we do in this life must be honest, done with the most sincere sentiment, and in all things, FORGIVE. I have seen your books in our local Anthropologie (I shamelessly admit to spending wads of cash there!) and let me tell you, your books are a big draw for us Francophiles here! I think that I have been learning to just “BE.” Not to try too hard, to try to impress, but to just be yourself. There is a purity in revealing what you are passionate about and this purity is much sought after in this world of phoniness and over-achieving. I think my goal these days is to just SHARE what I love and if I am fortunate enough, like you to be in the right place at the right time, that would be fabulous. But through blogging, I have already experienced some of that and it has only fueled a new fire in me to continue to express myself in art and what little writing I can practice to share what I love.
I love your dinnerware! I wish you a most pleasant and wonderful weekend en plein air, à la Provençale! Anita
Hi there! I just found your blog and I’m so happy that I did
Thank you so much for a great and amusing blog 
Best, Carin
I have some lovely ceramic plates from Anthropologie in my own home, a piece of my New York life that I’ve managed to bring home to Australia. I can only imagine how excited you must have been to find your book stocked in Anthropologie. I’d be over the moon!
I love the colourful jump, they look gorgeous…and I loved hearing your story, I can only imagine how exciting that must have been.
xxxx D
Hello Vicki
Thank you for telling us your story on publishing. What a thrill to have had your book in Anthro., without your knowing.
I always head to their china section and admire the dishes. Wish I had space to add some but I enjoy giving their pieces as gifts.
Have a delightful weekend.
Helen xx
lovely story..good on you! from downunder south australia
I can’t even begin to imagine seeing a book of mine in Anthropologie. And what an exciting way to find it …through a friend of your daughter’s…and in NYC! I have a collection of colorful Mexican plates. When I use them, everything else is neutral except for the pop of the plates. They are so special because my husband would bring a different one back every time he travelled to Mexico until I had a set. Good luck with decorating your country home!
Beautiful thoughts this morning…anything is possible.
I remember being one of the lucky ones to win your book before it was in the US a year away and actually being in Anthropologie(Atlanta, Georgia)and there it was before its time. I quietly thought, this is my friend and I have an autographed copy…if people only knew how great she is…smiling I walked away.
Thank you Vicki for all the time and effort you have put into “French Essence” what a gift!
I love Anthropologie tableware as well, which reminds me I need to visit there this weekend to pick up more bowls…love the teacups you’ve shown here!
I was excited, also, when I saw your books in Anthropologie and Ballard Design in Atlanta.
I can see the china pictured in this post in your home. You must make pictures. I enjoy your posts each day and daily click. It is a special treat each day to read and view.
You are a wonderful writer and I drink in every word.
Vicki, I lived in NYC for many years and I remember seeing your book in Anthropologie on a visit there! Beautiful book…
Jane
Flora Doora
I remember seeing my name in print for the first time and actually running a finger over the letters in disbelief. And your honesty is above all while we are so faithful and love visiting your blog first and foremost everyday (and yes, I am speaking for my fellow readers and not invoking the royal “we”). You always inspire me to try and be as truthful as I can to what I am feeling when I write or prepare a post–even if that means including silliness! Especially if that means including silliness!!
Bon weekend,
H.
Hello Vicki,
I am happy to say that I “discovered” you and your lovely book at our Anthro in Chicago! And now that I have found this blog I feel like we are becoming old friends! Thank you for bringing a little bit of France to me everyday!
Karin
Hi Vicki, I love this post. And I love your writing from the heart. I’m jumping into color, also. It seems that I dip my foot into the spectrums and then I pull it back. Don’t think I have the confidence, yet. But it will come with practice. Colored glassware–love it.
Have a wonderful summer day.
Mary
so enlightening! love the pottery!
Anthropologie ahhh a wonderful shop + So happy to hear the back story about your book + What a thrill for you that must have been. In S CA they have a delicious shop at the Grove. Happy Weekend to you, dear one. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
It is a huge deal that your book was in Anthropologie!!! I can see why you would have been so honored and excited upon hearing your first book was available there…very, very cool! I love Anthro and often go in to their store just for inspiration as they are so very good at display.
It was very sweet of you to mention my blog, thank you so much!!!
xo
You’re right, writing isn’t easy but you are most definitely good at it!! I love the charming dinnerware from Anthropologie. And I do the exact same – mix it up with my white Pillivuyt and Apilco. And since I am a sucker for tabletop books, I also own the Pinto and Joe Nye volumes. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!!
Anthropologie is not the only place where I have seen your books, Vicki. I am sure you remember the recent story where I mentioned I had “found you” in that tiny little gift shop, on tiny Bainbridge Island, in my corner of the Pacific Northwest!
Well done, either way. Back in Seattle, where summer has finally arrived, it seems (even though nights are much chillier than they were in Nice two weeks ago…) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
What a thrill…leave it to ANTHRO to have your book!I think I already told you I read it from cover to cover visiting my girlfriend JANE in Melbourne a few years back!YOu MUST meet JANE.Do you ever go to Melbourne?Anyhow, I too adore ANTHRO and just love their window displays!Always so simple but breath taking.I was in BELGIUM once in an antique shop and there was a beautiful old plant stand…………SOLD guess who had purchased for the NEW YORK store!!!!!!!ANTHROPOLOGIE!They do get around the world!I’m sipping my LATTE right now out of a pink and blue cup I too purchased at Anthro many moons ago!!!!!!!!You willnot be disappointed.
Today off to get the YSL ECLAT (spelling?)stick!!!!!!!!!!
xoxoxo
Dear Vickie,
I love their china too…I have to resist the urge to buy always because I have the biggest collection of mismatched items : ) I did find my way to your amazon list and am happy about that. WIshing you a beautiful weekend.
Chaque fois que je le peux lors d’un séjour aux Etats-Unis, je fais un saut chez Anthropologie, et je rapporte toujours au moins un petit quelque chose. J’adore!
Those patterned cups and saucers are cheery.
I love wandering through the Anthropologie shops. For me I find it a bit of sensory overload as it is all so beautiful and tempting, I never know which gorgeous treasure to purchase and I either over buy or buy nothing at all!
Vicki – I love this post and your story about becoming an “accidental” author. You mentioned sounding silly about how excited you were upon hearing your book for sale in NYC, … au contraire! It’s so delightful to know just the memory still brings you such joy! You inspire me … btw French Essence sits right here on my desktop
Vicki, you are way too modest about your writing abilities, I love the way you write, and the way you connect with us, your faithful readers!
I adore your Anthopology book story, what a thrill!
have a lovely weekend
Sharon
xx
Vicki…you do write from the heart….it’s as if you’re talking directly to me. (And French Essence was just like that too.) What a moment it must have been when you first heard that Anthropologie NYC was selling your book. Isn’t it a great store…I only discovered it in Edinburgh last year…since then I’ve done some online shopping with them (from Australia) and their service is fantastic. I’m sure whatever you buy from Anthropologie for your table will be fab!
Chere Vicki! I have those lovely rose-colored glasses…and I drink and LOOK through them often
A dear friend gave them to me a couple of years ago…they are so pretty.
I can only imagine your excitement at that moment…I love what you say about writing from the heart, because in both of your beautiful books, I felt as if a friend was telling and showing me her story…
How thrilling that phone call must have been!!
And Anthoropologie…oh, my weakness. I just bought yet another tea mug…I am completely hooked. Enjoy the colors!
xoxo,
- Irina
Vicki I can’t resist their homewares either – such a fabulous shop. Interesting that Jillian from http://thedreamersgarden.blogspot.com.au has a penchant for Anthroplogie teacups as well! Please keep writing – it’s like a really wonderful book and the beauty is that there’s no end! Have a lovely weekend F x
Hi Vicki, Remember those pretty dishes that you bought in my shop in Maussane? Do you remember me, the american that had the deco shop in Maussane? You even photographed them in My French Life. I have your book. It came out the year after I closed the shop. I’m still in Maussane, though. I met up with your real estate friend, Valerie last winter and I told her to give you a hello from me.
Carry on! I love your blog. I kind of live the same life: I’m in Provence, my 2 daughters live in Paris and my son lives in London. Well, I’ve never been to Australia but there are more and more of you in Provence.
Sincerely, Diane
Dear Vicki,
I never knew you were an “accidental” author. It is such a wonderful story. I had assumed you had it all planned out. I too believe that chance and a bit of luck can change the course of our lives, as I’ve had a bit of luck along the way myself. But underneath your success is a lot of hard work and I admire that.
I am a big fan of Anthropologie too and love their artful selection of books. I might just wander over today…. Have a lovely weekend.
The Helianthus Goblets from Anthropologie are calling my name, thanks for the intro Vicki.
I am little scared of looking at anything else as its all so, ooooh ‘From the deep’ dinner plate is very boysie, ooh natural world plates too, oooh…..
It’s going to be so pretty! Can’t wait to see your new pieces in action
I love Anthropologie and it is tight up the street!!
Vicki, Your table will be lovely!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Neat story, Vicki. I love Anthropologie. My first purchase from the store was years ago when I bought myself a birthday present– a cute little jacket. Here in the States, a lot of my girlfriends love them because they think their clothes & housewares have a very European vibe.
As far as you writing goes: it keeps me coming back over & over!
Cheers!
Keri
Neat story, Vicki. I love Anthropologie. My first purchase from the store was years ago when I bought myself a birthday present– a cute little jacket. Here in the States, a lot of my girlfriends love them because they think the clothes & housewares have a very European vibe.
As far as your writing goes: it keeps me coming back over & over!
Cheers!
Keri
I have both of your beautiful books and they are just the type of merchandise that makes Anthropologie what they are! Years ago I bought some small cocktail type glasses from Anthropologie and to this day they are my fave! Looking forward to seeing your new tableware! Happy weekend! xxoo
So glad you got those pretty dishes Vicki. I have so many from Anthro. I also love that style book, a friend gave it to me for my birthday. Hope you had a lovely summer weekend!
xo Mary Jo
Great photos, amusing blog! See you next time:)
I so enjoy your blog. I often wonder why I like things French so much and Italian for that matter. Am I from a former life in Europe? Is there such a thing as reincarnation? If it is true, then I must have been French or Italian. But go figure I am 100% Irish, born and bred in the US. Well anyway your blog is brain and eye candy after work. It is calming. I like how you make it easy to purchase your ideas/products, how easy is Amazon! I enjoy reading about your kids and how important they are to you. Thank you for giving me such a nice place to visit after work.
Thanks, Rita
love this story, great combi elements your book in new york and the Anthropologie in Provence