The Kitchen Saint
I am officially Italian. I bought my olives for the year.
They - and a years worth of olive oil - arrived straight from the olive farm. I’m stocked up for the year. 10 giant jars thats what I was told a single young woman of my standing should order for the year. Seeing these jars in my kitchen I think they might have pulled one over on me.
I have tomato sauce boiling on the hob.
Garlic.
Basel.
Oregano.
Passata.
I even have a Saint standing in my kitchen. The Kitchen Saint. This one is Joseph but If you look at the posture of his hand he’s more a Joe, yo yo yo. (Hmmm Italian American Joseph??) . Hes indo-Portuguese bought in Mumbai years ago. I remember the day. I took a driver to the Theives Market and went on an adventure past goats tied at antique shops and automotive parts stores with rolled up garage doors. I walked into one shop and fell in love. Come with me the vendor said. I texted a friend. I am about to do something stupid. Here's where I am and whom I’m following. I gave him the name of the shop where I’d been and got on to the back of a motor bike and slipped through the streets of Mumbai. We arrived at the warehouse. It was dark. And filled with people “making antiques”. Here I chose my Kitchen Saint. Joe. Yo. Yo. Yo.
My grandma Minnie Iola after whom I’m named had a Kitchen Witch. She hung high in the corner of the kitchen watching all she cooked, long family dinners, conversations in the afternoon. I love when all my aunts would gather around the table. Laughing. Food coming out. Meringue pies. Apricot cookies. Grandma’s cookie jar. My Kitchen Saint reminds me of those Christmases, and Easters and Thanksgivings spent with family. Family. I miss my family more than you can imagine these days.
I love my life in Europe. But it’s been a long year.
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The universe of "Merveilles de Babellou"
It is in the historic heart of the Saint-Ouen flea market, the largest antiques market in the world, that Isabelle Klein opened “Les Merveilles de Babellou” at the Marché Bert, in 2008.
With its expertise in vintage fashion, it contributes in its own way to the heritage of this emblematic institution, by presenting a very specialized selection from the history of great French fashion designers and brands. More than a country, it's a whole universe to discover in a refined setting.
Indeed, owning rare or exceptional pieces is a luxury when these flagship models are part of the history of fashion. Beyond the cultural endorsement of a trend, vintage luxury is a dream, a journey through time that meets the dual requirement today of being both unique and eco-responsible.
Specializing in fashion jewelry from fashion designers including those from Chanel, Isabelle Klein has assembled a large collection of luxury clothing and accessories paying tribute to the history of fashion.
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