Macabre sells

It's getting close to Halloween and macabre visuals seem apropo.  Many children's fairy tales have completely gruesome imagery and violence.  So then I came across this vintage postcard with the dog that had torn the arms and stuff off a child's doll (at first I thought it was a child and had to look closer as I wondered for what occasion this postcard would be appropriate.)  If you look in the background, the child is just crying like crazy as the dog tears up the dolly.

These and other macabre images definitely have an audience.  I bought the card to resell because I just knew there would be someone that would adore it.  And sure enough, it sold only a couple of weeks later. 

I just wish I knew what the intention of the artist and the company who created it were in the first place.

Macabre postcard, The Victory.  

Trinkets in Hollywood

Not sure what Hollywood Regency looks like?  It is glitz. It is glam. It is black and white. It is bright yellow. It includes a lot of brass.  It is fresh but it incorporates modern furniture with vintage elements like a crisp colorful upholstery. If you still aren't sure, check out old 1940s movies. Look at the styling of the homes.

Hollywood Regency?  Think Audrey Hepburn. Or Katherine Hepburn. Clark Gable. Marilyn Monroe. Vivienne Leigh. Elvis Presley. Rita Hayworth....or even Mad Men.

The stars were known for their cocktail parties.  At a cocktail party, you need room to move around and room to be seen.  The personalities are the focal point, not the room.  The room should be clean lined, with small furniture and perhaps some ornate artworks or mirrors. 

Here is a Hollywood Regency trinket box.  It is vintage and a bit dusty. But clean it up and this baby could sit on any piano or dresser in any Hollywood house in the Mid Century.

Teddy has been loved

Did you have a favorite Teddy Bear when you were a child? I did. His name was Teddy and he was a panda bear--not your usual teddy bear. I wore his ears bald dragging him around and then one night my older sister and I were fighting across the narrow space of the two beds. She had Teddy's head and I had his body. We ripped him in two and I was devastated. Teddy would be considered an antique now had he survived. And I do have other toys from my childhood that are antiques--though not in pristine condition.

These delightful patchwork Teddy Bears are well loved and have some slight scruff factor but darned if I don't adore them. I hope, when I get my RV renovated that I'll be able to find one or more of these adorable bears to sit on the bed.

Vintage or possibly antique patch work Teddy Bears still
have so much comfort and love to give.

A Rose by Any Other Name...

In the Mid Century (1950s - 1960s) Roses and flowers were a very popular home decor element.  The light pink/coral color and the greens are reminiscent of a set of pictures that had a place in my mom's bathroom for more than 40 years.

Now these rose/floral decorating elements totally Bohemian and truly Shabby Chic.

Items designed with roses could be found in bathrooms, in bedrooms, in living rooms, in dining rooms and in kitchens.  Some women went wild with their floral decorations.  And back in those days, most husbands gave their wives carte blanche to decorate however they wished.  I am sure that upon entering their overly floral homes some men wished they had thought better of that decision.

I myself had a mother who loved flowers and although they weren't EVERYWHERE in our house, they were prominent in the bedrooms and bathrooms.  When I first went out on my own as an adult, not only were my perfume choices full of floral notes, but my wingback chair in the living room had floral upholstery, my bedspread was floral, and many, many of the items in my closet were floral.

Vintage rose placemats.  Taking these beautiful roses into the kitchen
and dining room are for the truly rose loving fan.

Pops of Color

I recently watched a movie on Netflix about Iris Apfel.  That woman sure knows how to dress and express her creative self!  I was so inspired that the next day I dressed up and made sure that I was being true to my creative, artistic self.  I layered the bright colors that I adore in strands and combined it with clothes I had not thought to combine in the past. 

Last night, I watched a documentary made by a fellow blogger Advanced Style--featuring women over the age of 50 - 94 who dress in high fashion and don't give a hoot about what people think.  

I am dearly fond of all clothes from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.  I have decided to incorporate into my daily style vintage scarves, rhinestone brooches, lovely flowing skirts and delicious heels. As a woman who is at the very peak of the first half of my first century, I don't want to slide into the second half of my century being boring and blah.  I, too, like Iris, want to be fabulous, expressive and memorable in my personal styling.  

If you haven't seen Iris Apfel or the ladies from Advanced Style, you absolutely must see them.  Perhaps you'll think they are too over the top...but they are as true to themselves and as comfortable in their skins as they are in their varied finery.

Vintage silk scarves are full of beautiful color and oh so stylish
no matter what era we're in.  

Perhaps a Gift for the Teacher

I assume that most teachers receive many Holiday gifts that are charming and delightful if for no other reason than that the givers are sweet (mostly) and lovely little beasties, I mean, children.  But if I were a teacher, I'd love to receive a little school bell with a black wooden handle, or a brass apple to put on my desk as a paper weight. I might love to get an old church key so I could open a grape nehi or...after school, of course, a cold beer.

When you're ready to go shopping for the teacher's gift, consider a vintage or antique shop.  There's a veritable treasure trove of options from which to choose.  If you can't figure out where to go, try Flower Child Trends or Nifty Groovy online.

This Holiday season give your child's school teacher a unique gift
with a vintage history.

A Vacation in Sunny Florida

I got overwhelmed this past two weeks with many tasks and just had to catch up with some things at my home.  That didn't stop me from continuing to try to get all of my vintage inventory inventoried.  It takes time to photograph, catalogue and upload items to my online shops.  And I spent a couple of days working on upscaling some vintage furniture with a modern twist.

Luckily, I don't have to take a vacation since I live in the land of vacations.

Send me a (vintage) Postcard

I have always been someone who likes to write letters and cards to people and mail them.  I used to mail out over 200 Christmas cards every holiday season.  But I don't do that anymore because...well, no one does it anymore.  Who has time?  

Now I love postcards a lot.  If I'm going to send one, I sort of want it to be vintage and of course from the area I'm visiting.  Now that I'm in Florida, I sort of can't help myself during the winter and just have to needle my more Northern, Ice bound buddies about how wonderful the weather is here while they are snowed under.  

I've started a judicious hunt for vintage Florida postcards to offer to people.  You can find some of them at my shop at FlowerChildTrends.  

A great collection of vintage Florida postcards 

High Fashion

I myself am not exactly what could be called a fashion maven.  I normally have fly away fuzzy hair (my naturally curly hair meets Florida humidity).  I like to be comfortable for doing artwork, writing or sorting through vintage items for my sales.  

That said, I do know good style when I see it and I happen to have an extensive vintage handbag, brooch and scarf collection.  

I adore this vintage 1950s-1960s oil painting in its original frame.  It depicts a fashionable woman walking down a street.  Perhaps she is in Paris?  I was never able to decipher the name of the artist and actually don't care because this luminous piece of artwork is just a joy to behold.  

Parisian woman strolls down the road in
gorgeous fashion.  (Is she barefooted?)

Southern style biscuits and gravy

I had fully intended to include a photograph of the absolutely divine biscuits and gravy that my sweetheart made me for breakfast on Sunday. But I forgot to take a picture in my delight at eating that scrumptious Southern delectable. 

Then I had planned to take a picture to include here today when I reheated the left overs for lunch. Again, something about this Southern staple just fried my brain and I forgot the camera in my rush to get these goodies in my mouth.

I did not grow up in the South and until 10 years ago, had never ventured into Southern tradition or biscuits and gravy land.  For that matter, my  mammy didn't make gravy--she might pour the juice from the bottom of the roasting pan over our potatoes but she didn't fry it up with flour in a skillet, that's for sure.  So you can imagine my ignorance never having tasted this treat.

I wish I could give you the recipe--remind me and I'll see if I can wiggle it out of my darling man.

What I do know for certain is that the use of this vintage biscuit cutter has made many a weekend morning breakfast all the sweeter.  According to my sweetie, it just makes it so much easier to get the biscuit out than trying to cut them with a glass--which suctions the biscuit into the glass and requires a careful digging out.

If you haven't tried Southern biscuits and gravy, Lordy Lordy chil' you need to get sum!!!

Vroom Vroom goes the die cast model car

I live with a sweetie who happens to like cars.  He can mechanic them pretty well most of the time.  Occasionally he likes to watch them zoom around a race track and on a rare occasion he has even helped with several different types of races, most recently a race at Sebring featuring a Viper (don't ask me the details of the name of the race or the year of the Viper...or for that matter, the racer's name because I just don't know them.)

What I do know is that there are many die cast cars out in the world for those who love cars to collect.  Many of them feature vintage or classic car designs.  And as the die cast collectibles world gains interest with fans, some of the die cast models are even getting close to being vintage all on their own. 

The best ones are still boxed in their original packaging (as with most toys) which makes them pristine.  But of course, getting them out of the box doesn't make them lose their charm at all.

1/18 scale die cast model cars are a definite collectible item.
This collection was recently sold at an estate sale.

If you are seeking a unique gift to give to a brother, a son, a husband or dad, consider finding them a die cast model of their dream car--if you can't afford the real thing, at least they will know you are thinking of them.

Giddy-up Cowboy

I grew up in the Southwest. Cowboy hats were de rigour and no one thought anything of it.  In fact, I thought it was normal everyday wear for men. Until I went to the East Coast. And nary a cowboy hat did I see. In fact, I feel fairly certain, that anyone sporting cowboy hat, faded Levis and a good broken-in pair of boots would most certainly have been given the askance glance by the mobs of black/gray/white wearing fast-track speed-walker business suits of say, New York City or Washington D.C.

That is, if the said city slickers would have noticed long enough to look up from their mad-dash cell phone sprints to bother to see a cowboy.  There is, after all, a reason Crocodile Dundee resonated...

For me, a good Stetson hat, blue jeans and comfy cowboy boots have a sense of comfort and home. They mean slower (not necessarily less effective) moving, less rushing, more sunshine and wild flowers and maybe a touch of horsiness.  

Vintage brass horses or ceramic horse statues, vintage tee pees or other travel souvenirs are evocative of grass roots and earthiness. They connote solidness, steadiness, staunchness--someone you can count on. Okay, they might also conjure up rodeos and roughnecks, Dancing with the Wolves and Little House on the Prairie.  But that can't be all bad, right?

For a Southwestern flair to your home styling, add some vintage western wear or equine detailing.

A vintage collection of two cowboy hats circa 1960s, a wigwam/tee pee
diorama, and two vintage horse sculptures.

Primarily Pyrex

While I am a sucker for Pyrex and specifically adore the Amish Cinderella turquoise and white pattern of nesting bowls with the pour lips, I also find these vintage primary color Pyrex nesting bowls from circa 1970s to be just as appealing.  

I love the rich colors.  I love the clear glass bottoms.  And for baking, a set of nesting bowls is almost a necessity since you normally have to separate, sift and fold ingredients into each other.  

And on a shelf where they can be seen, they are a knock out.  If your hutch has glass windows or your kitchen shelves have no doors, these primary color Pyrex bowls are the perfect collectible for the vintage loving cook.

Gorgeous primary colors next perfectly in these Pyrex bowls

The Clothes I Could Have

I have said and will most certainly say it again in the future (hopefully not ad nauseum) that I love vintage clothing--particularly from the 1940s - 1970s.  And a little bit at a time I am adding items to my wardrobe that will reflect my own personal style and at the same time pay homage to the classic vintage styles I adore.

Luckily, I am fortunate enough to live near the Pinup Parlor Boutique where I can shop for my very favorite yet up to date styles.  Check them out at FaceBook  to see more specifically some of what I love there (their website has shopping but it mostly isn't the vintage styles I love). 

I have no skill whatsoever in sewing.  I tried when I was younger--even helped my mom make my prom dress--but I did not find it relaxing.  In fact, I found it bloody annoying and stressful.  Most certainly not my cup of tea.  While I have many talents and skills, I am not ashamed to admit that sewing is not one.  I mean really, the term for it is seamstress.  And that sums it all up for me.

However, should you be a person with that particular skill set and focus, there are plenty of us non sewing inclined folk out there waiting for someone to pick up these old patterns and stitch up some vintage bohemian goodness to gladden our rags. 

Vintage patterns can be found for a song (these 3, though their packaging is not pristine) were quite affordable even for someone on a small disposable income.  Look for vintage patterns in thrift stores, at estate sales and yard sales. If you want the packaging intact, you can also find them at antique and vintage shops and malls for a slightly higher premium. You can also go straight to the source, like Simplicity Pattern Co.

Mix It Up

I recently sold this vintage 1960s hand mixer to someone who is styling their home in Mid Century goodness.  It is a no-name appliance and the beaters were in pretty rough shape having beaten lord knows how many different batches of homemade delicacies over the years.  Its most appealing factor, for me, was this turquoise/sea green coloring.  And, in some weird way, the motor smell which elicited some vintage memories when I tested it out prior to selling it--you know that smell--the one that old appliances used to make but new appliances rarely do.  Perhaps that aroma is not especially desirable by the modern kitchen maven, but a vintage kitchen wench (sorry, taking liberties) would most certainly enjoy it as it mixed with the smells of home cooking.

Vintage 1960s hand mixer

Bake some cookies, save some bread

Vintage cookie cutters and vintage "bread loaf" coin bank

Although I am a passable cook, I am a far better baker.  It was always one of my favorite activities in preparing for holidays to bake dozens of different types of cookies, make candy, even to envelop myself in the process of making the very large recipe of 12 loaves of Patica, (the recipe here is very close to our family recipe but on pain of death I am keeping that a secret).  This Slovakian Christmas bread is very similar, I am told, to Stollen--without the powdered sugar.

Not only do I use the rolling pin that my mother owned, which makes me happy and brings back so many joyous memories, but I also have a lovely selection of vintage cookie cutters with wooden handles to  cut out the shapes from my favorite butter cookie recipe.  For me, there are few things that say "Holiday" more than a plateful of beautifully decorated shaped cookies.  And what a great gift to give to family or friends, especially if you happen upon a vintage platter or tin you can gift with the cookies. 

I know, it is only September, but since last year I really struggled with getting into the holiday spirit, this year I am working overtime and getting in to it way early.  Maybe I'll even have all my Christmas shopping, wrapping and baking done so that I can relax a little as they draw near.  In the meantime, maybe I'll go see if I can hunt down some Halloween shaped cookie cutters or at the very least, some leaves. 

Collect an Angel

Technically not truly vintage, but definitely very collectible!

I love these little angle figurines.  They are vintage 2000 so really technically not yet "Vintage"--give them another 5 to 10 years.  But they are highly collectible and each one has a unique name.  Made by Willow Tree from Willow Creek, these angels range in price from about $17 and up.  The originals are made by Susan Lordi, a Kansas city artist.  Only a few of the angels have been "retired" thus far.  

Her originals are carved from wood. Then they are sent to a factory in China where they are molded and made from a form of resin.  Finally they are hand painted. The figures and angels are created in a rustic or country style.  The fact that the faces are blank is an artistic decision meant to symbolize every one. The angels and figures are created to celebrate specific occasions or feelings. 

Even if these not-yet-vintage angels don't appeal to your vintage loving soul, it is always possible to create a unique vintage or antique angel collection.  One could in fact start with vintage angel Christmas ornaments or tree toppers, like this one my mom made for me 50 years ago.  A collection of misfit angels can make a truly lovely vintage vignette especially around the holidays.

Mid Century Milk Glass

A delightful collection of vintage white milk glass

Fenton Glass Company stopped making their traditional glassworks in 2011.  The Ohio company (also known by some to be a West Virginia company although the original glass factory was located in Martins Ferry Ohio) is still in existence but has changed focus to art glass and jewelry items.  It sold off it's proprietary glass recipes and molds in 2011.

I can't help but still find the traditional white milk glass to be some of the most charming and collectible.  Their signature hob nail look (the slightly rounded raised bumps) has been often imitated but rarely done well. It is in fact their hob nail milk glass line that enabled the company to become such a success.  During the Great Depression era, they focused on making functional glasswares that could be used in everyday households.

Since my mother and my grand mother had some Fenton milk glass around the house, it is a piece of vintage glass ware that I equate with the comfort of home and the nostalgia of my childhood.  Sweet times.  Happy memories.  Since the genuine Fenton article is no longer being produced, their glassware is and will continue to be sought after and valued.  

Another Cup of Tea

Cobalt Blue, white and gold gilt Royal
Albert bone china tea cup and saucer

Tea anyone?  I think I've mentioned that I love to drink tea.  I think I've also mentioned that I love to host real tea parties and to go to tea houses.  I've loved to do this ever since I was a child.  My mom would make a cup of tea for both of us and we'd sit out on the patio after dinner drinking and catching up with each other. 

When I went to college, there as a divine bohemian tea house about a block away from where I lived called Ginnies.  I could spend all evening on Friday and Saturday nights there with my then beau.  I'd try different teas and desserts and enjoyed seeing how each room in the tea house (a converted old clapboard home) was decorated.

Just about every place I've lived I've hunted down the local coffee or tea house.  Some have been disappointing to say the least and others have been hugely commercialized and just didn't have the charm of Ginnies' by a long shot.  In my travels, I've always loved best the tea houses where they served the tea from real bone china tea cups and saucers.  There's nothing the authenticity to make a cup of a tea a joy.

Lets Play Dress Up...Everyday

A sampling of the vintage purses and some
modern hand-crafted jewelry in a vintage suitcase
Offered by Etsy shops FlowerChildTrends and
EspressoBarDesigns

When I was a young child, I had a few very favorite activities that I adored playing.  One was of course to play dress up with my dolls and especially my Barbie...since my mom and I had created a number of home made styles and looks.  

But I also loved to get special permission from my mom to plow through her closet and find fun high heels, vintage scarves and rhinestone jewelry to play with.  Dress up is still probably one of my favorite activities and I adore having a reason to pull out my finery and go out on the town.  When my sweetie takes me out on a date, I switch from my mundane and utilitarian shoulder bag and put my phone, a tiny wallet with my cash, credit card and id and a little bit of lipstick to go on a special date.  I love carrying a vintage handbag or evening bag.

Some day, when I get the courage and a bit of extra cash, I'm going to begin investing in some 1950s style dresses and shoes that I can wear out on these dates and to lunches with my friends.  I love the style from that era (love the 20s, 30s, and 40s, and some of the 60s also).  I think dressing up with vintage loveliness makes our dates feel all the more special to me.

Upcycle and Reuse

Beautifully upcycled furniture and items from
Gypsy Angel Studios.

Carolyn of Gypsy Angel Studios does great work.  These pieces are currently for sale and I'd be happy to put you in touch with their creator.  

I LOVE what she did to that sort of awful lamp, which was, to be honest, pretty hideous in its previous incarnation.  Under her loving hand, it is now a perfect lighting solution in this seaside themed trio.  I love the soft-washed blues and greens reminiscent of the ocean...perfect for beach life or the beach front condo get-a-way.  

I always hate to see items go to the dumpster or landfill.  And I appreciate when a piece that is too far gone to sell in it's original state gets a loving face lift to give it a new life.  I am and always have been a proponent of upcycling and reusing. Brava Gypsy Angel Studios!

Trolls Under the Bridge

13 collectible Russ troll dolls from the 1980s. 

When I was growing up, these troll dolls were everywhere.  And again, everything that goes around comes around and I see kids with troll dolls. In fairy tales, trolls were not especially nice creatures. Okay, in fact, they were fairy tale hoodlums.

In looking at these, I decided that I was not especially fond of these little creeps and am letting them go to a new forever home with someone who truly adores them. Interested?  They are for sale and I'll be happy to ship.  For me, they are trolls under the bridge.

The Holiday Countdown

It's official. The countdown to the holidays has started. Some of my favorite craft supply stores already have trees, ornaments and other decorations out. 

Look at these adorable vintage enamel canisters I picked up at an estate sale for a song.

As if those aren't adorable enough, these vintage Russian doll nesting Santas will bring holiday cheer.  I love decorating for the holidays.  

One of my favorite parts is hanging up my vintage ornaments.  My mom used to buy a new ornament each year--one for each of us kids--when we moved away from home, we all had enough to start our own tree.  Finding vintage holiday goodies is worth the wait for the perfect piece if you truly love the holidays.  Now is not too late to start...and not too soon either since the holidays are just around the corner.  

This is a Santa ornament my mom got for me
as a kid back in the late 1960s.

Miscellany

Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason for what collectibles catch my eye. I love old fashioned jewelry boxes with the satin interiors. I adore slightly rusty old tins. Old pottery jugs are interesting when you consider who made them, how they were made or for what use they were made.

So long as your items interest you or bring you happiness to look at them, it doesn't matter what you choose to collect.

Go with a Theme

When I create a vintage vignette, I sometime will coordinate items with a similar feel to create a theme.  In this small collection I've used the lacquer cork crane and bonsai sculpture combined with the set of two small brass swans to give this combo an exotic yet serene feel.

Vignette sampler

I love to combine vintage items into attractive combinations.  It is the styling of a vignette that makes it interesting and memorable.

Here is a combination of goodies on top of a dresser...three ceramic pomanders, a variety of teacups with saucers, a porcelain letter opener,  and vases. Altogether it makes a collection with a variety of  remarkable finds.

A Tisket, a Tasket

Sometimes all a house needs to make it a home is a finishing touch.  A rustic apple basket can be just the look.  Placed on a shelf or next to a recliner, filled with flowers, pine cones or vintage linens or magazines, a basket says this is home.

With a rustic basket stains are part of the charm.

Make a Collection

My advice when seeking vintage yumminess is not to just seek items that are worth money but to select items you love.  Whether it is based on a specific color or a type of object, finding items that make your heart sing is really what collecting should be about.  Make a collection that is fun to search for and joy when viewing it.

A collection centered around two red objects.  The silver and brass
tones harmonize this collection.

Classic Attache Case

My father had a leather, accordion briefcase just like this. His was a bit more beat up from years of use. I think he stopped using it around the mid 80s when my mom got him a modern briefcase. For my money, I still love this one.  It makes me think of Indiana Jones for one thing...and that can't be all bad.  It's also astoundingly roomy. And did I mention well made?  This is quality and in amazing condition for it's age.

Vintsge leather accordion briefcase

Have a Formal Meal

One of my favorite experiences growing up was the formal mealtimes we shared for birthdays, holidays and general special occasions.  The good china, silver, and linens went on display as a general rule of celebrations.  We ate plenty of good food cooked with live by my mom and spent hours at the dining room table telling stories and enjoying laughter together.

A good set of China is the signal for me that good times are ahead.  I'm now of the opinion that we should find more reasons to bring out the good China and savor every meal as if it was a party.

Mikasa Remembrance Fine China

Vintage angel

My mom made this sweet burlap angel Christmas ornament for me in the mid 60s.  I've kept it 50 years. It now has a place of honor in my home. Each time I see it I am reminded of my mom.  And that's the perfect reason to keep it close.

Popular in Gold

The 1950s through 1980s saw a huge trend in decorating with gold colored accents. One type of accent that I saw a lot of was Syroco molded plastic decorations--candle sconces, wall hangings in the shape of keys and trees, wall planters...

These lightweight, durable items can still be found. Some people are up cycling them by spray painting them.  That's better than having them land in a trash heap.  For myself I cannot bring myself to spray paint them. Once done it cannot be undone and a mid-century treasure is lost forever.

Give It a Man's Touch

A vintage photo lens in the original box, a brass maple leaf coin tray, an antique leather baby shoe, a pack of vintage playing cards in a "book" binding, and a brass golf desk pen all together make a masculine vintage vignette suitable for any bachelor pad or for any man cave.  It all comes together when you find just the right items to place together.  

Vignettes with a masculine feel

Romantic Notions

I am a girly girl.  I love lotions and potions, lipstick and perfume.  I think the idea of a vanity filled with vintage perfume bottles and a vanity mirror tray is very romantic  The interesting shapes of the miniature perfume bottles make me think about movies with Audrey or Katherine Hepburn, full body swim suits and swim caps, powder puffs and rhinestone brooches.  *sigh*  Sheer Bliss.

A collection of vintage perfume bottles on a vintage vanity mirror tray.

Give Luggage a New Life

Although I might have a hard time doing this to a vintage suitcase, I DO love the upcycled decoration on this 1950s era Samsonite suitcase.  I suppose if the exterior had too many scratches or damage it would be a lot easier to commit to doing this to luggage.  How adorable would this look as vintage decor in a home or studio?

Upcycled vintage suitcase will liven up any decor.

Judge an Event by its Signage

I went to the Fancy Flea Market in Plant City a couple of months back.  At the entry to the fair, this was the signage and decor that greeted visitors.

For me, it was a sure sign, (sorry, pun intended) that the market was going to be full of charming delights and home wares that would cause me to Squeeee in glee as I flitted from booth to booth.  And I was completely right.  I'm looking forward to attending their next market November 6th and 7th.

Happy Trails

I soooo love this adorable vintage upcycled RV that now serves as a flea market shop.  I love the pink flamingos and the sweet floral curtains.  It would be amazing to find a retro RV that I could renovate and take to our local flea market every week.  Hmmmm, keeping my ears and eyes open for the deal of a lifetime so I can take Collector's Emporium on the road.

Vintage camper turned vintage store.

Adorable Rustic Planters

Are you getting ready to get rid of a mattress soon or happen to see one at the curb on trash pick-up day? If so, cut open the mattress and pull out the spings.  Let them sit out in the rain for a few rainstorms, secure them to a wooden board, place your favorite flowering plants in pots and Wah-lah, instant rustic garden planters.

Rustic garden planters.

For All Your Little Vintage Treasures

I love to make and wear jewelry. I also love to collect rhinestone brooches.  We all have our little vintage treasures.  It feels great to find a well-kept vintage treasure box, also called a jewelry box, in which to store those vintage rhinestone beauties.  

Here is a charming little Farrington original jewelry box with red velvet and satin lining on the inside and tiny red roses all over the outside.  Alas, I do not have the key to lock and unlock this sweet thing, but that certainly does not detract from all her charms.  It will travel with me when we take out the RV--after all, a girl's gotta have a place to keep her shiny stuff even when she's camping.

It is in incredible condition!  And the best part?  I paid $2 for it at a garage sale.  SCORE!

Farrington original Mid-Century jewelry box.

Love the tiny red roses all over this Farrington jewelry box.

There is Always Time for a Tea Party

Recently I decided to have a tea party for my friends.  We used china cups and teapots.  We had tiny little cucumber finger sandwiches, cream cheese finger sandwiches, home-made scones, a little crudite platter, cookies and cake.  Oh, did I mention real cream?  Have you ever had home-made scones with cream? All I can say is YUM.

The best part (after the yummy goodies) was getting to use fine bone china tea cups and vintage linens! We live in fast times full of technology and speed of light activities.  I recommend taking some time to brew a fresh cup of tea.  And use the good china.

Sutherland Fine Bone China Mid Century tea cup and saucer with gold rim and roses.