Debra PalmenMar 32 minKeep Calm & Be a CatSo, it’s the day before Unpack Day at the Collectorama Antiques Fair. And the rain is fair belting down. Terrific. And the forecast is...
Debra PalmenJan 134 minThe Year of the Tiger - what does that mean?Happy Year of the Tiger! Well, almost. In celebration of the coming Lunar New Year, I have prepared a gift for Newsletter subscribers....
Debra PalmenDec 29, 20213 minDo Ninjas have Zen?Robertson Davies was one of Canada’s best-known and most popular authors. He once wrote, “Authors like cats because they are such quiet,...
Debra PalmenDec 14, 20212 minMembership Has Its PrivilegesOkay, this is a super-quick Newsletter. I know I'm not known for that, but this time it's different. Here's the deal: from now on,...
Debra PalmenDec 2, 20214 minThere's no Epiplaphobia around hereDo you have a phobia? Most people have heard of Arachnophobia, a fear of spiders. I’m putting my hand up for that one, especially the...
Debra PalmenOct 23, 20213 minUp, Up & AwayOne thing that Covid lockdowns have taught us is that lots of people enjoy working from home. And I’m one of them. My favored working...
Debra PalmenMay 25, 20215 minWe're trapped, but we'll always have ChocolateHere we are, still languishing on the Sunshine Coast. I miss London and Paris! But if you have to be trapped somewhere, this is a pretty...
Debra PalmenDec 14, 20203 minCan you be Robert Palmer AND a Disney Princess?So, one very odd year is coming to an end. Can’t say we’ll miss it. We doubt we’ll be able to go on a buying trip even in 2021. But you...
Debra PalmenNov 5, 20204 minWe're back!Well hello! It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. But you know, if you’ve got nothing to say, say nothing. And this year, not...
Debra PalmenApr 19, 20204 minSink or Swim“May you live in interesting times” is an old Chinese curse, did you know that? It’s certainly interesting times for us all right now....
Debra PalmenFeb 3, 20205 minWe shall overcome (bureaucracy), one dayI know, I know, I’ll never win the prize for Most Newsletters by an Antiques Dealer. But here’s my latest, very quick, update: as it is...
Debra PalmenDec 9, 20191 minAnd so this is Christmas ....Again? Already? This year has raced by. And everyone is busy, so I’ll keep this super short: Fabulous Beasts & How to Collect Them is now...
Debra PalmenOct 13, 20193 minAt last, the end is nearThe night ferry trip back to England was several hours through heavy swell. And seeing how we had enjoyed an early dinner of Moules a la...
Debra PalmenOct 12, 20195 minThe Three Secrets of French StyleAt last, after years of visiting Paris and observing an endless array of Glamazons in their natural habitat, I have unlocked The Three...
Debra PalmenOct 11, 20194 minThe Ups & Downs of a Buying TripHere’s the down bit: my laptop went into melt-down on this trip, crashing at every opportunity. Some days I couldn’t log-on, and after...
Debra PalmenSep 30, 20192 minHurricanes Hardly ever Happen HerePeterborough Antiques Fair is not one of the biggest Fairs, but it is one of our favourites. I do almost all my buying at the outdoor...
Debra PalmenSep 28, 20195 minMy Mission (should I choose to accept it)Here’s the Mission: Travel around England and France, buying 1000 nice antique and vintage things in 21 days. Find them first. Find them...
Debra PalmenSep 21, 20194 minSawasdee Kha!Guess where we are? Sawasdee kha! Greetings from Bangkok! Because, yes, we’re on a buying trip. An emergency buying trip. When I’ve told...
Debra PalmenJul 28, 20194 minA Surprise OpeningMy life rotates in a cycle of cruising along, taking it easy and watching too much of The Bold & The Beautiful, to OMG there aren’t...
Debra PalmenMay 16, 20195 minWould You Obey the Rules for Writing?Before I start, it might seem incongruous, but there is a reason for featuring these pretty fairy images throughout the Newsletter. Read...