sunday antique fair

My friend, J, and I went to a local antique fair yesterday.

I love antique fairs, sales and cute stores full of all things vintage. You readers know this, of course.

It was nice yesterday to stroll through the aisles, imagining what we might do with the 595 dollar, perfectly worn farmhouse table. Or, all the cute littles (a few of which made it home with me).

We also got caught up on the everyday life of the past week. I am so thankful for Sunday antiquing.

- my vintage finds - wooden letters, valentines, wood-handle bottle opener, bottle brush tree, ornaments -

- vintage ornament (eyed first by J) - most likely from west germany, mid-century -

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I purchased the little pictured below back in December. Also a trip with my friend, J, we took an hour

and popped over to a couple antique shops just a few blocks away. This little girl was sitting on a shelf in a

glass display cabinet. I saw her, hesitated for awhile, but finally asked to have the case opened.

Once in my hand, she had to come home with me.

- cast iron toy, only 1.5 inches tall - rare and likely early 1900's -

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pajamas and antiques

My favorite summer mornings are those spent at home in our pajamas, with no plans.

We have not had too many of those yet this season. Though our activities have been fun, it is nice to now have a few weeks of nothing. So, what do you do with your plan-less summer mornings?

Today we had breakfast out back. (Perhaps, I still need to share pictures of the finished garage, patio, backyard...) The kids and I chalked the driveway and because they were playing so nicely, I decided to spend a few minutes photographing my recent antiquing finds. Here they are!

Okay, the finds in these two pictures come from an antique mall. While antique malls are not my favorite, sometimes you can find a good deal. As you can see, I found a few!
The glasses were added to my mishmash of vintage glasses we use for everyday - under $10.
The brown, ribbed bowl and plate is McCoy - only $6!
The pots are McCoy and USA - under $10.
Vintage, last supper painting - $10.
I have a weakness for the little Christmas figurines, these are marked Japan on the bottom - $20 (but
there were three more in the set - my Mom and I split them).

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The goodies in these pictures are from another shed sale- same place I told you about here.

The wooden rack is from an old church pew. It will go on the wall next to Koko's bed, for books - $3.

The piano bench needs a little work, but is perfect for the upstairs landing - $10.

You can probably tell, I also have a weakness for small, framed stuff - all pictured here were under $10.

I have a smallish collection of baby and children's items as well - elephant tin $1.

Apple crate - $4.

Vintage, local advertising tray - $5.

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Have any questions about my finds? Please ask and happy antiquing!

antiquing: shed sale

Is it plant Friday yet?! I am anxious to post tomorrow.

In the meantime, I have to tell you about this sale I went to with my friend a few weeks ago.

Normally, I would know about sales like this, but being new to the new city, I had no idea. When J told me about it... I mean, of course we were going!

The sale was well into the country. J even took us the gravel road route, so then we would have

the full experience. I loved it. We had our coffee and my boys were with us. The back roads reminded

me of driving to the lake that my family goes to every summer. You only find these kinds of roads in this part of the country. It was beautiful.

Many cars were already there when we pulled in to what appeared to be a little farm.

There was a red barn and many sheds, large and small. It was windy and a little cool. The buildings were perfectly rustic and full of lovely displays of vintage stuff. I say stuff only because there was a bit of everything. Lots of wooden benches, wireware (yes!), furniture, fabric, planters, windows and doors from

old houses, all kinds of containers, and some littles (smalls) and decor.

I would love to have a shed full of cute, old things. Perhaps, I will some time. For now though,

the items I purchase have a purpose and a place in the old house (yes, hubby, even my collection of items

in the basement).

- we found it! -

- inside the red barn -

 

- many gals making final purchase decisions! -

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Here are some of my purchases-

- seating for the patio, $40/pair -

- old, painted bench, $35 -

- checkered, metal tray, $2 - time for lunch! -

- hanging, wire plant basket, $5 -

The vintage garden trowel was $2.

The mini tools, picked out by S, are for he and his sister- they use them for making fairy gardens.

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p.s.  i still owe you pictures of my friend's back porch, and i think i should photograph her finds as well

weekend: flea market

Our weekend was not restful, but it was fun and productive.
Hubby changed the sink and toilet in the main floor bathroom. We had family dinner with friends, and Sunday I went to a spring flea market. Too bad it does not actually feel like spring.
 Flea markets are always hit and miss, but I still find myself wanting to check them out whenever I can.
And I did find a few gems amongst the booths filled with items for the non-antiquer.

- small plaster orange for wall, may postcard with 1908 postmark, elsie the cow creamer -

The little house is my favorite purchase. You know I love littles, so I am sure you're not surprised.
I always flip stuff over and look for any markings. The markings tell you a lot- this little house is stamped "occupied Japan." Read here to learn more about occupied Japan figurines. Wondering what I will do with it? I saw it and wanted it for my terrarium.

I also scored this cute mirror for ten bucks. I plan to hang it in the upstairs landing.

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vintage wireware

My friend, Kylie, emailed me some photos last night.

She decided to put her dishtowels on display, too. I love the basket. Apparently, she also had a terrarium day last week. I think it was the same day as mine. I love it when stuff like that happens.

Here are her photos-

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You all know I love antiquing.
I am working on a post that will show you how I incorporate my finds into my decor and everyday use in the old house. Vintage wireware is something I am always looking out for, and usually I cannot resist if I find something cute, or reasonably priced, or unique...

Most wireware can be used practically. I think this is because most pieces are baskets. Baskets are useful and versatile, and they can be incorporated into any design style. Everyone can use another basket.

Here are a few ways I use vintage wireware in the old house-

- a friend gave me this tiered office basket - we use it for mail -

- i purchased this vintage grocery basket a long time ago - pictured here -

- vintage egg gathering basket -

- not sure what these two were originally intended for -

- my recent purchase - i was going to use it for a plant, but it's cute with a jar -

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in the details:

let me know if you have questions about anything you see in the photos

check out this website for terrarium ideas and inspiration

weekend: sunday

We were too burnt out on Sunday to tackle a project.

Hubby knew I needed a few hours away. It is hard for me when hubby travels, especially when it's a full week. Managing three children and all of their activities and shenanigans is hard work when you are by yourself.

I heard about a local antique fair happening on Sunday, so this was the perfect opportunity for me to recharge. A friend went with me, so that was even better. I met this friend last fall. She was at a girls night gathering I was invited to by the first two moms I met in the new city. These two moms have embraced me from day one, but you still have to be brave when walking into a group of gals you do not know.

Trying to make new friends is this weird and hard thing. You tell your story, but not too detailed.

You ask the other person questions about their life and try to figure out what you might have in common.
You wonder if this person will be a good friend.
If you're in survival mode, like I was and maybe still am, you try not to cry.

This friend is easy to talk to about silly and serious stuff. I remember meeting her and her children for a few park play dates (when it was still warm... five months ago). I remember thinking, I want to be her friend.
I certainly have met some great gals and I feel like and hope friendships are forming.
I guess things happen in life and in friendship if they are supposed to, and you have to trust that.

I am thankful for new friendships. And hooray! I found someone that likes to frequent antique fairs, too.

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- my finds from sunday -

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friday morning

There was a new dusting of snow when I woke up. Weird.
I brewed the last of my favorite local blend and off we went to school. Earlier in the week, a gal I've been wanting to get to know called me, and I was excited to meet her for coffee. We chatted and gave our quick life histories. We were supposed to go for a run, but like I said- snow. Cold too.

I had some time between coffee and preschool pick-up.

I didn't feel like going back to the old house, so Koko and I stopped into a favorite antique shop. There are
a few cute shops right in the neighborhood, and I find myself dropping in if I have time to kill.

Perhaps this is not a good thing.

I always find something(s), usually small things (smalls or littles, whichever you prefer).

Larger items are also on my list. I want a chair or small bookcase to put under two of the windows in the living room. I will know it when I see it. And as usual, Koko and I had a few m&m's from the
vintage candy machine.

 It was a good morning and I am thankful.

- the treasures i picked up today -

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hearty

I do not love February 14.
I do, however, love making my kids happy. Last night before I went to bed, I set everything out
to make coffee cake- Grandma S's recipe of course. I did not sleep well, which is not unusual for me lately, so I did not make it out of bed by 6:45. I walked straight from bed, down the steps, through the kitchen, opened the coffee jar and took a big sniff of Vienna beans. It worked, and I had enough time for baking.
It was a good morning and the coffee cake was yummy.

I spent the afternoon helping with E's friendship party at school. I like the new friendship title.

In the evening, I met a friend for coffee at my fave local coffee shop. It was nice to chat and I am thankful for her friendship. Lloyd and I did not celebrate, but he did give me a small gift with a card that said,

"happy i love my wife day."

- our hearty cake -

I never thought to decorate for February 14 until we had kids. Kids get so excited on this day.

We kept it simple with vintage cards, homemade hearty, felt garland and a little love.

in the details:

LOVE decal - found it on etsy

hearty felt garland - red felt and fine red glitter from any fabric store, twine

weekend misc.

I know I am not the only one who sits down on a Sunday night wondering where the weekend went.

Where did the weekend go? I feel like it was busy. Today is Monday.
I want another day with my family.

We spent more time than we planned at Lowe's on Saturday morning. We dread telling the kids we have to stop at one of the big hardware stores. I am certain they have the stores memorized.
One morning after I dropped my daughter off at school, I broke the news to my four-year-old. He started to cry and said, "I don't love Lowe's."

Are we the only ones who divide and conquer? You go get the 1x2's and I will put in the paint order.
Meet back in lighting so I can convince you we need to change another light fixture.

We got so close to finishing my closet this weekend, but we took many breaks to referee games of Scrabble (best game ever), to play outside and to make Dad's chili. I also popped into a favorite antique shop.

No school today, but it's quiet. I love pajama days with the kids.
The drywallers finished up this morning and it has been snowing for a few hours. Why is it so quiet when it snows? I stand in front of the window watching and listening. Like the kids, I don't want to miss one flake.
If you look away, those perfect, graceful swirls of snow may not be falling anymore.

*****

 

weekend antiquing

- nevermind the winterized, crusty old windows. we call it charm. -

I had a lightbulb moment two days ago. Our weekends are usually stressful and I finally figured it out.

Do not leave the task of grocery shopping for the weekend. I didn't realize how much it was affecting my mood, and eating away at our family time and opportunities for fun stuff, like house projects. Ha!

I will say, though, that I look forward to my weekly visit to Trader Joe's just like I did in our old city.

You are welcomed by a wall filled with lovely, fresh flowers. The store is small just like our favorite big city markets, and I always have a favorite staff person who knows the day I shop and remembers the conversation we had the previous week. I know many of you have the same feelings about your local TJ's.

Had our new city been without a Trader Joe's, it would have been a deal-breaker.

What I really wanted to tell you about is the time I spent at an antique fair this weekend. Not enough time, but only two other people would spend an entire day with me at an antique fair. Mom and Kylie.

The kids stayed with a sitter and hubby and I joined friends for weekend antiquing and lunch downtown.

My finds this weekend had a theme, which is not usually the case.

Kylie and I have this thing with arranging displays of our treasures. We both love littles. I've been told that littles should be referred to as "smalls," but whatever.

Littles are so fun to display on the window sills of the old house.

 

 

I always learn something new, meet someone interesting and learn something about myself when I go antiquing.

The best resource for finding quality antique fairs is visiting with the folks at your local antique shops.

You can also check here, here, or here to see if there is an event listed in your area.

Christmas at the old house

We moved to a new city, into the old house, only five months ago. I have moved many times before, but this time hurt. I carry around a pit in my stomach everyday.

I ache to go back to our warm and sunny home.

I want to feel the sun stinging my bare shoulders.

For now we are here, and we are trying to make it work. Part of our commitment with this move, was to live in and improve an old house.

I think we did improve the old house for the Christmas season. Vintage decor, lots of sparkling cinnamon candles, holiday happy hour for the neighbors, an eight-hour baking day with the kids and Christmas music playing until we (not even the kids) couldn't stand it anymore.

I think the old house improved Christmas for us this year, too.

Have you heard Barenaked Ladies version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen? It is amazing.

 

My vintage stuff looked great in the old house. Some is not old, like the centerpiece.
You can find the cute trees and penguin here.