One man's trash is another man's treasure...

Otherwise known as our forays to the brocantes, marchés aux puces, or flea markets, regularly held all over the area. My friends Lizzie, Alex and Erzsi are particularly adept at ferreting out the bargains, or adding to their collections of way cool stuff, always showing you something amazing they scoped for 2 euros. I never seem to find cheap treasures. In addition, I'm plagued by minimalist tendencies, but I do love to have a mooch.

Here's the scene on a crisp Sunday morning in October at the semi-annual brocante in Pézenas. Lizzie with her wonderful wooden horse tucked safely under her arm and Michelle with an excellent champagne bucket.

Here's what I bought, much to Henny's dismay. But you never know when you may need a fish tureen.

And just because she dissed my fish, of course it currently resides at her house, where she gets to look at it each and every day.

I can see my minimalist ideal slipping away when there are scores like this to be made!