I am hopelessly in love with this man! Yes, I know he is wearing bloomers and tights along with a funny hat and clunky shoes…but I don’t care! I love him anyway! 
I must confess that I am addicted to faïence pottery from Quimper, France…starring my favorite little Breton man!
Baby Kitty thinks I’m crazy…so what else is new?…to fill my house with images of my favorite little guy! Not only is he on my Quimper dishes, but he’s on the walls! Do you see him in the picture behind our illustrious co-host? And I can’t forget the cookie tins, playing cards, cookbooks, tea towels and various and sundry other forms in which you will see the little Breton man depicted at my house!
But since he is hand painted by different artists, he doesn’t always look the same. And honestly, sometimes he looks better than others! However, one thing has been the same for a long time…I have dreamed of finding this man at a Goodwill store! Yes, that’s right! I freely admit it! I have been cruising the aisles at GW in the hope of finding this little man and taking him home with me! lol Then it happened…
…while Goodwill hunting with my friend Linda at Nina’s Nest, I saw this little man peering at me from the shelf! Be still my heart! Can it be? I clutched him to my heart, too afraid to look underneath to discover the truth! Finally, Linda took it from my grasp to find out. Was it really Quimper pottery? At Goodwill?
Ummmm…no. Oh, well! For a few wonderful seconds there, I was giddy with excitement! However, he was only $1.91 so…
…he hopped in my cart anyway! Now I just have to decide what to do with him. Doesn’t he look right at home among all of the real stuff in this completely Quimper vignette on my breakfast room hutch? See him sitting there beside the candle holder I found recently? 
Or here he is as a mail sorter on my kitchen table…sitting next to the rooster salt and pepper shakers from my friend Babs at Upstairs Downstairs. Aren’t they cute? I love this idea...and it's an easy transformation! Admittedly, he is not the handsomest little fellow…
…but even some of the authentic Breton men are not so good-looking either! Do you recognize him now? Can you tell him from the real ones? He’s little man number two! 
But isn’t he handsome now…filled with toast and looking like he belongs in my Quimper breakfastscape! (Yes, I just made up that word!)
He may not be real, but he sure is cute, huh? Ahhh…nothing like an oh-so-frenchy breakfast of bread, butter and jam with café au lait...served French style in a lug bowl! Won’t you join me?Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my Quimper ware! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Kara at Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
Jill at French Cupboard for Voilà! French Inspiratin on Thursdays
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Linda at A la Carte for Junkin' Finds on Fridays
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!
You made my heart stop!! I just told my Mother that one day I would find a set of Quimper at a yard sale or resale shop for next to nothing! I thought you were living my dream!! LOL Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteyour collection is amazing! Yes I would of brought the little toast holder home! he fits right in,
ReplyDeleteI almost croaked when I saw the title of your post. I know that finding Quimper at Goodwill is your "holy grail". Sooner or later it's bound to happen! And I bet I'll hear the hoots of joy all the way in Texas LOL Kat
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you always find neat things. I need to stop in more often. Real or not it looks great in your breakfastscape. Have a great weekend. I would love to join you and Linda sometime if I'm not babysitting!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you found that at Goodwill. I'm lucky to find melamine at my store. LOL Good going!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, if you hadn't told us ..I would have thought he was the real deal..and for $1.91 what a steal! Looks beautiful with all your other pieces! Great find..makes me want to go Goodwill hunting!!
ReplyDeleteMiss Bloomers
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteA very good imposter! Sure would have fooled me, too! What is there about "treausre hunting" with friends? Isn't it just the best? I adore your liberty with made up words. . .blogging is a great way to broaden ones' vocabulary! HA! Delightful post.
Fondly,
Pat
Oh no Debbie! We are in love with the same man, you know the one in bloomers and tights........
ReplyDeleteI love your framed poster on your wall. Your Quimper Collection is lovely. Thanks for sharing.
~Emily
The French Hutch
I really enjoy your blog, it is always so informative. Thank you!
ReplyDeletehttp://ohasparkle.blogspot.com/
Have you ever been to the Goodwill online auction site? I have seen Quimper there!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely "breakfastscape"! Next time try Mascarpone instead of butter, less fat and calories and waaaaay yummmier!
Doing the happy dance for you Debbie..I look all the time at the swap meet hoping to find pieces for your collection..maybe this Sunday I will wish me luck..Hugs and smiles Gloria
ReplyDeleteAh, your new man is so cute, and fits right in, even if he is an imposter! Love the breakfastscape, great word :)
ReplyDeleteI check every time I go to a thrift store, too. Cute breakfastscape even though he is trying to masquerade as a real Breton!
ReplyDeleteHey Debbie...you got me curious about the Quimper stuff so I looked on eBay. It's pretty affordable if you buy a piece or 2 at a time. Any hints on how to make sure it's the real thing? I loved this post. When we were visiting Scotland a few years ago all the inns had the little toast holders. Just wonderful. Thanks, Ann
ReplyDeleteYou really have a gorgeous collection of Quimper, Debbie. I just can't get over your Goodwill! You always come away with the best things. And this is incredible. The little man does look a little different but what the heck!! Everyone needs a toast rack! Hooray for you!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
Well silly me...I am not familiar with the Quimper collection. Will you still be my friend? I have a feeling not many will realize your latest toast holder is not the real thing. :) Now that's something I don't have TOL..."thinking out loud" I must look for a toast holder. I do love your collection and nice to know about it.
ReplyDeletePlease come over and tell me if you know anything about my French platter. I DO LOVE IT!
Enjoy your weekend, sweet friend.
Donna
Oh well, good try! I did find Crate and Barrel at the Dollar Store. Does that count? :)
ReplyDeleteYou really do find the best things at GW!! I think he looks really happy at your home! hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection!! I want to come shop with you, our Goodwill rarely has anything that great.
ReplyDelete~Michelle
China sure is a very good imitator. But who can tell, right? Just take out the "mede in China" label....Christine
ReplyDeleteDebbie, keep looking. It could happen you know! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is a cute piece. In all the years I've collected I've never seen a Quimper toast rack, so that could have been a clue too. LOL But who knows there could be an authentic Quimper toast rack for all I know. LOL
It looks great with the other pieces. You are getting a nice group going for your table, or breakfastscape, I mean.
Curious, what is the mark on #5?
Thanks for sharing and enjoy the weekend. ~ Sarah
Cute little Breton man!.. and he can make breakfast too?? I'd say he's a keeper. ;) I like the little toast trolley and lug bowl with cafe au lait. Nice way to start the day. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteAs long as he makes you happy, that's all that matters!!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe plates are so cute! Love your blog. The photographs are always so beautiful and clear.
Linda @ delightblog.blogspot
We he's pretty darn close!~Ames
ReplyDeleteDurn it!! He may not be the real thing but he sure is cute! *winks* I have faith that you'll eventually find the real deal there Debbie! Seems everything shows up at the GW sooner or later. And your breakfastscape looks great! Vanna
ReplyDeleteAw....he's like a little homeless kitty that needs to be rescued and brought in to join all the pure-breds. Okay...sorry, I do get carried away. He's cute and there is nothing I love more than toast, butter and home-made jam so I think he rates a special place in your home. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x5
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, I would have grabbed him too! I am always on the look for Quimper but rarely have luck. I think the new piece is wonderful even if he is an imposter.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
I'll bet that someday, at Goodwill when you least expect it, you WILL find a real one! But in the mean time, What a great find, it blends right in with the real ones perfectly! It looks fabulous holding mail or toast. Your strawberries look delicious and are reminding me that I have some in the refridgerator.Thank you for joining in on the fun at Masterpiece Monday and sharing your beautiful dishes with us! Mary :O)
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie.....What a perfect place for "le toast" - love it! It fits right in - a man galloping by on horseback would never know the difference! Another GW score! Linda
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie, I think he's wonderful. I would have thought for sure he was real. He definitely looks like it. Your vignettes are all so pretty. Love that breakfast. I must be hungry. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteHe looks right at home Debbie!
ReplyDeleteI thought to myself if she really found that at GW, then I need to move closer to her GW! lol.
I love your pretty tablescape too!
So frenchy, you make toast look good!
Hugs,
Cindy
Debbie, you always have the best luck when it comes to shopping for these treasures! How are you? I can't believe I haven't posted in about a month. Come visit, I finally found something to write about! Hi to the staff!
ReplyDeletexo, Bonnie
Well now, Debbie, he is a handsome fellow. As always I envy your Glorious Goodwill!
ReplyDeleteYou never know what you're going to find at Goodwill -- and even though it was a Chinese piece I think it fits in well with the rest. And at that price . . . no one will ever know unless they look on the bottom!
ReplyDeleteThe imposter is perfect for your collection. Do you think you would have bought a toaster holder if it were the real thing, at a high price? I love the idea of putting toast in a holder. On a trip to England at one of the hotels they served breakfast that way. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Love your collection and colors.
ReplyDeleteLinda
you are so lucky, that stuff is so hard to find and so expensive at shows. YOU DONE GOOD! RC
ReplyDeleteWhat a collection you have! And mixed in with your authentic French pieces, no one will ever notice your one made-in-China piece. I really like it holding the toast--I'd love to come to your house for breakfast!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks so much for linking up. It's so nice to be home, and to be able to check in and see what everyone is up to. Love ya. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteThat would have been the find of the year if it had been the real thing. But you know, I can't tell the difference. Looks authentic from here.
ReplyDeleteI really like the white rooster salt & pepper shakers. They are great! The bloomer boy is really neat. I've never seen him before. You have a lot of wonderful treasures featuring him and his bloomers. I love the cat!! Your pictures on the side of your blog made me smile. Our cat loves nothing more than to stick his head into a tall glass of ice water, just as soon as we are not looking!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection of Quimper. My Grandmother collected it and she had some very unusual pieces. She mostly collected vases and bowls. ~~Sherry~~
ReplyDeleteYour collection is really nice! I'm so glad you got this piece even if he's not the real thing. I love that it's a toast caddy.
ReplyDeletehttp://inthehammockvintage.blogspot.com
i am your newest follower thru GFC.
ReplyDeletei am loving your obsession about the man in baggy shorts. Isn't he cute...and all over your place...interesting!
http://www.diyandmore.com/?p=322
Hey girl...great treasures..love how he fits in so good with your others! Hope you are having a great week..Picket
ReplyDeleteLoved this post. How I wish we had a Goodwill like yours! Not much at all in ours..
ReplyDeletedarn..that happens to me..I wanted to say what a fantastic find that was! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteLove your new little man! Too bad he wasn't the one you were looking for, but for the price you got, no one has to know!!! Yes, I need to hit your goodwill, ours, well we'll say it lacks.
ReplyDeleteHe's terrific!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Hi Debbie! Well, no matter, the little guy is awfully cute in his tiny tights! :) He does look great with your other Quimpers!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
I don't know too much about quimper so your post is a very valuable one. Thanks so much and I love all your pieces. ~
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteHe looks like the real deal...thanks so much for sharing him at NTT!
Blessings,
Linda
Hey Debbie, How adorable is this little "mocking" man. He totally looks like your other Quimper pieces. I would never had known if you'd not told me. And, you are so creative in all ways you came up to use him. Love it all! Aren't you enjoying the warmer weather? Now, the rain of the past few days I'm tiring of. :) Hope you are doing great! ~CC
ReplyDeleteWell, I love your new man...maybe it is best to stop now...it might hurt his feelings to know that you don't think he is "real!" This was a fun post to read and all your Quimper is beautiful. Joni
ReplyDeleteQuimper or not.. a wonderful piece to go with your outstanding collection. You have some very lovely pieces.
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, I had to drop by again to thank you for sharing this at my new party. I truly appreciate your friendship and support of my blog. Thank You!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
What a wonderful collection. Even if he's not an original he's cute. I have never seen this pattern before and I think it's very special.
ReplyDeleteHe looks so happy with his other friends! I think I've said this before...you must have the best Goodwill ever! What a great collection you have. Aren't you planning a trip soon?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Quimperware! What a beautiful collection you have.
ReplyDeleteQuimper is so special...I love French Faience, too...usually lean toward the Luneville Strasbourg...also collected the Spode Luneville. There have been some really interesting Quimper pieces on eBay lately...not that it looks like you have any trouble adding to your gorgeous collection. Thank you for sharing your beautiful designs. Cherry Kay
ReplyDeleteWho cares where it's been made, it's just gorgeous your little man, I would've fall in love with him too!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd more so, if I saw that price. I love all the uses you've given him.
Happy St. Pat's.
FABBY
Well...your dream ALMOST came true. It was good practice for when you find a French Quimper man! And your new one does your toast proud! Good luck with your search!
ReplyDeleteHow cute, Debbie! This little-man imposter fits right in with the real thing. I like how you set him up with the toast. It was a lucky find, indeed.
ReplyDeleteHe is an excellent copy of the real thing... looks great with your collection.
ReplyDeleteReally cool to find such loving treasures & it works at your home.
ReplyDeleteJob well done...
Happy TS & great w/end ahead.
Greetings from chilly Stockholm,
/chie
You crack me up Debbie! Your imposter looks great mixed in with the authentic! Your breakfastscape looks fantastic!
ReplyDelete~ Tracy
Great Collection.... hard to believe you could find such Treasures at Goodwill~ guess you were the Lucky one!
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Hi there. I just found your blog. I noticed your piece from Goodwill and I just bought a solid white one from Goodwill. I thought it was a taco holder, and i like the way you displayed the toast and the mail.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I have a question. At a yard sale last weekend, I got a STEAL on some brand new, never used dishes. They are Noritake Gala Cuisine, Pattern: Conservatory from 1991-1997. When I bought the set, I got them home to realize I only have: dinner plates, cup and saucer, and bread and butter. No salad plate or bowl. The pattern is discontinued. I was wondering if you have a suggestion on how to inexpensively supplement with another pattern. Thanks for any help!
Have you tried eBay? I would keep an eye out there...and then cross your fingers that more shows up somewhere! It may take a while, but that happened for me...at Goodwill of all places! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSuch Pretties!!! Thank you for linking them up at Whassup!! Hope to see you again Wednesday :)
ReplyDeletexoxokara
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteIt is all so very beautiful no matter if it was made in China or found at Goodwill. Love your breakfastscape. LOL Thanks for linking up!
Sherry
No matter where it was made, you got a real find with this set. Impact is there with a fraction of the cost. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, My faux Quimper mixes with the real Quimper on my shelves too, and although it might have been a little disappointing, I would have LOVED finding this faux Quimper at GW at that price! I think someone in your area has decided to replace all of their wonderful French treasures with modern junk, and you are getting all of the benefits of their purge! I'm so jealous! thanks for linking. laurie
ReplyDelete