My friend deals with vintage fabrics: silks, cottons, printed linens, boutis, and tapestries. She piles them in heaps in the back of her van. She goes wherever there is an antique market; Avignon, Béziers, Lyon or Montpellier, once there she lets her long blond hair down, straightens her Chanel and steps out in high heels. Not the usual attire for those who sale at the fair, but then she is not the usual attire type of woman!
Her home reflects her personality, cushions are covered in antique toile de Jouey, silks are framed as artwork, rock crystals sconces, her furniture is all 18th-century- except her blue Smeg frig. In her bedroom, roses have climbed up the outside wall slipping through the window that cannot longer shut: The roses are like wallpaper.
In her hallway there is a tapestry. 
My Pretty Woman friend calls me. She says we must talk. Urgently! When I arrive she pulls me inside, as if life is close to death, telling me she has met a man. Her van had stalled in an intersection, he pulled up dashing in his sports car, "After he helped me... he asked me out. Of course I said yes, we are to go to dinner this evening... and I haven't anything to wear." I looked at her sideways, giving her a loud thought, "You have nothing to wear, you who wears Prada like I wear jeans;" She reinstated her need, "...nothing to wear and I MUST go to Christian Lacroix and pick up something smashing!"
I think to l myself, because she is already on the planet of "Hot-Date-Ville," he hasn't seen all your clothes, he only saw you in your van, what did you have on then: Your blond hair, mile long eyelashes and some one-two outfit, do you think he even remembers what you were wearing? Then it hits me like a champagne glass thrown at the mantle: my opinion is not what she is after.
"Corey," in her charming English accent she teases, "You've often admired my tapestry?"
Stunned, I beg her not to sale her tapestry for a drive-by-date, "You'll regret it! You'll only wear the outfit once. Then it'll pile up with your other fashion plates. Just go to your closet, close your eyes dig around and pull something out, I am sure it will work." She is not convinced. Instead she slips the money for the tapestry into her Chanel bag.
I roll the tapestry and gently put it in the back seat of my car.
Several months later, my friend dines with us chez moi, at my house, with Mr. Sports car. He looks around admiring, he likes tongue-in-cheek-antiques, points to the tapestry and asks, "Corey, I love your tapestry. Don't you honey? Where did you find it?" I look at him him and laugh, "You won't believe this, it found me, the day you found Honey at an intersection..."
Note: This is a re post as I continue my Bed & Breakfast.
I just found a libray computer to read a few mail before starting my studies today. Your story made a great start of my day :-) Greetings to your friend and Mr.Sportscar.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 22 August 2006 at 08:43 AM
Such a funny ending to a great Corey-story!!
Posted by: gracie | 22 August 2006 at 08:57 AM
that is a great story like all the ones you tell us...
Posted by: wishesheros | 22 August 2006 at 09:24 AM
too funny !!!
Posted by: diana | 22 August 2006 at 12:38 PM
You're a living novel, Corey :)
Posted by: Shannon Lewis | 22 August 2006 at 01:44 PM
Oh , a story!
So, I sat comfortably in my red arm chair by the fire. I put on my specs and read....and read....and read. Corey, please my dear, WRITE A BOOK. Maybe you should put this story on paper and attach it carefully to the back of that glorious tapestry. It is part of it's provenance afterall!
Posted by: herhimnbryn | 22 August 2006 at 01:52 PM
Wonderful story..haha, I am always saying there is nothing to wear when my wardrobes are almost packed to the brim! That's the tragedy of being woman :) Love the tapestry, your friend's house sounds amazing.
Posted by: cruststation | 22 August 2006 at 01:56 PM
This is a perfect story - one that sets me imagining the holes that appear in her decor as her closet burgeons and Sports Car beams.
Posted by: Rebekah | 22 August 2006 at 02:43 PM
wonderful, as always.
Posted by: stephanie s | 22 August 2006 at 04:02 PM
Oh Corey, well worth repeating again and again! Travel home safely - wish I could have seen you again - next time!!! My thoughts and heart is with you and yours...
Posted by: Ulla | 22 August 2006 at 04:09 PM
What a beautiful part of the tapestry. The whole thing must be sublime. Great story!
Posted by: candy | 22 August 2006 at 04:33 PM
Your friend a lady of luxury that surrounds her but it takes a friend like you to make her see the tapestry!
Posted by: naturegirl | 22 August 2006 at 04:49 PM
You are a very, very good friend. What an angel!
Posted by: josephine | 22 August 2006 at 05:21 PM
Some people are just meant to meet. Great story and beautiful tapestry.
Posted by: deirdre | 22 August 2006 at 05:59 PM
The tapestry is beautiful!
I can't imagine selling it for more clothes, but we all have our passions and they aren't always easily explained.
I will often buy another old thing, while my friends will say to me..."You need to buy more clothes!"
Posted by: Mrs.Staggs | 22 August 2006 at 07:26 PM
That is just one of the best "how we met" stories I've heard in ages and a "rescue" thrown in too!!
Posted by: AnnieElf | 22 August 2006 at 09:37 PM
Lovely post - and I wouldn't want to part with that tapestry either! I saw some gorgeous tapestries at Blenheim Palace in England and in the private apartments of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 22 August 2006 at 11:56 PM
this story is as big a find as the other two!
Posted by: mikaelah | 23 August 2006 at 01:37 AM
LOL!! What a great story! How funny! Funny funny funny! Did he think it was charming? Did he give her a bog 'ol kiss??
:)
Posted by: Amber | 23 August 2006 at 01:50 AM
what a great story...how amusing for all involved!
xo mary ann
Posted by: mary ann | 23 August 2006 at 03:20 AM
One more wonderful story..........so exciting to meet someone like this....
Posted by: Jann Mumford | 23 August 2006 at 05:17 AM
I just love this image! The way she is finely dressed yet holding the tree reminds me of Marie Antoinette. With all her pomp and finery her REAL love was actually seen in a longing for nature and kindness and simplicity in the little cottages she spent so much of her time in. I have been thinking of her lately, and may use this image in a post about her if that is okay with you...
Posted by: wendy | 23 August 2006 at 06:16 AM
what a great story corey..true you should write a book.
delphine
Posted by: delphine | 27 October 2007 at 11:19 AM
I love this post. Now I know where is the tapestry from . I would love to write the same story about me . Well , I have to wait at the intersection ...
Posted by: le petit cabinet de curiosites | 27 October 2007 at 11:39 AM
Hmmm, I think I'd sell my tapestry for a Lacroix dress too.
Posted by: Nora | 27 October 2007 at 12:15 PM
sitting on the edge of my seat............who would have thought being teased by fantasy would be this much torture!
Posted by: Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa) | 27 October 2007 at 12:35 PM
A wonderful story of being in the right place at the right time. This tale is new to me, and as usual you have brought a smile to start my day off right. I love a story to go along with my treasures, it brings them to life. The best things in life are the unexpected.
Tea and flea sounds like a delightful adventure!
The video from matchmakers was hilarious!!! I love those guys!
Posted by: jeni | 27 October 2007 at 01:51 PM
Nice story, Corey. I think I might need to meet your tapestry friend when I come visit. Unless of course visited her would cost me more than my trip :)
Posted by: My Melange | 27 October 2007 at 02:24 PM
That is such an O. Henry kind of story.
Speaking of bed and breakfasts, I've been recently thinking that you should honestly start up a bed and breakfast.
Posted by: Shannon | 27 October 2007 at 03:04 PM
Love you
You are always a rich tapestry in my life.
Love you
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 27 October 2007 at 04:05 PM
Great!
Are they still together?
Posted by: rochambeau | 27 October 2007 at 04:15 PM
Corey, I'm sure she would not have sold the tapestry to any one else but you!! I love starting my mornings off with your blog! Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl | 27 October 2007 at 05:21 PM
What a delightful story, loved it!
Posted by: robyn | 27 October 2007 at 05:43 PM
Hee-Hee, is that frenchy enough for "giggle"?
Kare
Posted by: Kara Garber | 27 October 2007 at 07:38 PM
Corey, this story is too delicious - a bit of a take on O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi", no? Are Pretty Woman and Mr. Sports Car still and item?
Posted by: Dorian | 27 October 2007 at 08:03 PM
Hi Corey - I have been away and then under the weather for a week or so. Have been enjoying catching up and what treats I have missed! Beautiful table settings, divine menus, interior design styles. All my favourite things. I think my interior design ideal is Fr-anglais - a combination of the understated comfort and fading grandeur of the English Country House with a very liberal sprinkling of the elegance, charm and attention to detail of the French interior ..mmmmmmmm....I should love to see your friend's house, hope you are enjoying the tapestry, even more so with such a great story attached. Jx
Posted by: Julie Ann | 27 October 2007 at 08:23 PM
Thank You Dear Corey for my lovely visit with you. As always, it refreshes my soul.
Hugs, Donna
Posted by: The Decorated House | 27 October 2007 at 10:30 PM
oh oh I'm happy to know Miss M. Antic Dealer love life, it's like to read Gala or Hello magazine, all about "people" private life, I enjoy the blog love life all the same.
Posted by: Kitem | 27 October 2007 at 11:34 PM
Tapestry - that is actually a perfect word for
your blog - a tapestry of so many beautiful
thought and ideas and feelings and
collectibles:)
Posted by: maddie | 28 October 2007 at 12:47 AM
You are a wonderful story teller?
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | 28 October 2007 at 02:33 AM
another lovely story from our great storyteller =)
hope they're still together
Posted by: pusa | 28 October 2007 at 02:46 AM
Is this a true story? If so, I'd love to see photos of this lady's house etc.
Posted by: Bronwyn | 28 October 2007 at 03:48 AM
I liked this so much... xo Nita
Posted by: nita from red tin heart | 28 October 2007 at 08:34 AM
Oh! I love this story!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | 28 October 2007 at 07:21 PM
WOW! Love the story. That's a keeper!
Posted by: teresa mcfayden | 28 October 2007 at 11:30 PM
FanTAStic! I am glad you reposted.
Posted by: Alison Whittington | 29 October 2007 at 12:18 PM
hilarious corey! this wonderful, what a laugh you all must of had!
Posted by: elsa | 29 October 2007 at 01:31 PM
hahaha! i hope this is all going into a book! wouldn't that be a volume full of marvels! the 1001 nights of french antiques!!! the world is waiting...
Posted by: mimi | 13 November 2007 at 01:45 PM