25 Days & Blog Party News

Good Sunday morning to you!!  We are 25 Days away from the shows starting. Can you believe time is just flying by so fast.  I am so excited to announce the special guests that I will have at the Blog Party this year. 

Go ahead and mark your calendars.  It's Sunday, March 27th at 6pm!!  This year I've invited Diane from Rosa and Josies' to come and show her beautiful hand made jewelry.  Here's a quick peek at what she does:

She is just super talented in finding vintage items and making them into works of arts.

Also, Gina from Peacock Park Design has a wonderful surprise for you bloggers that attend, so you don't want to miss seeing what she is bringing.  It's going to be awesome!!  You know Gina has wonderful merchandise and I just love how she displays it too.  See what I mean:

This was her booth last Spring at Marburger Farms that her and several others quickly put together.  Of course if you shop The Dallas Market and other markets you've no doubt seen her things. 

Here's the blog party button:

Created by the ever talented Diane!  Thanks Diane and so hope you'll make plans to attend.  Looking forward to seeing you all there.  There'll be more news about the party as we near the show dates!

Longing For Spring

Many years ago I discovered Mary Randolph Carter's book, Garden JUNK, and just fell in love with this "view with a room" as she called it:

Now with the great weather we've been having, I'm longing to find vintage elements and create this room.  I could spend hours here.  Look at all the great elements.

Here's another view:

Look at what else she used:

Great vintage chairs and table and architectual things.

I'm linking up with Debra of Common Ground for this post.  Happy Vintage Friday to you.

30 Days & Counting

30 Days and the countdown begins until you can shop until you drop!! 

Here's the scoop: 

• Not all shows open on the same day.  I know for some this is hard to understand.  The show I'm at, Zapp Hall, opens on Friday, March 25, but the Bar W show and several others will open about a week before our show opens.
• Then, there's Marburger Farms.  They won't even open until Tuesday, March 29. 
• The Big Red Barn Show opens that Wednesday on March 30. 

• For more info. when all the shows open, check out The Show Daily.  They'll have all the dates and maps and where to shop.  If you've never been to these shows, it covers several towns that are all near each other and the Show Daily maps this out for you.  This is a must have at the shows if it's your first time.  You should be able to find a copy at the shows.

Check us out, we were in the last Show Daily issue, which you can now view online:

I recently read in a new magazine that mentioned flea market tips while you are at the Round Top shows, but I don't agree with what they said.  The article said to "not" bring a shopping cart because the grounds were too bumpy and to bring a large canvas bag instead. 

• I disagree, because if you are buying several things, after walking for hours carrying those things they can get heavy.  Besides a cart will allow you to bring drinks and snacks and the grounds aren't that bumpy that you can't roll the cart around.

The Spring shows are also very different than the Fall shows, weather wise.  It seems so hot in the Fall and much cooler in the Spring, so don't forget to dress in layers. 

• It can be cool starting out but it will probably warm up before the end of your day.  They are forecasting a cooler show this time.  You almost always have to bring clothes for all seasons when you're in Texas.

Here are few more helpful tips:

1. Wear Comfortable Shoes - remember you are in the country and the grounds can be unlevel.

2. Dress in Layers (see my note above).

3. Bring a shopping cart with a liner to carry your purchases in (also see my note above)

4. Bring water and snacks. You need to stay hydrated while you are shopping and snacks will help you keep your energy so you can keep going.

5. Bring cash and small bills. Some dealers do not except checks, while most do, but only a small few accept credit cards.  Also, remember a lot of dealers are no longer excepting OUT OF STATE checks.

6. Find a show map to become familiar with all the shows that are here and try to arrive as early as you can at the shows for the best selections. See my note above about The Show Daily.

7. Bring a small notebook and pen to write down what you've purchased and it will also help you remember if you need to go back and pick up things and where it's located. It may be helpful to bring a small measuring tape if you are needing to measure something.

8. Be nice when working with vendors. You don't know just how hard we all work to find you the coolest things we can, clean it, price, haul it and display it, and courtesy can go a long way in this business.

9. Remember to inspect what you are purchasing. All sales are final and you can not return an item and expect to get your money back. Shows vendors are also required to charge tax, so if you do not have a tax number, you will have to pay sales tax. However, if you do have a tax number it's always a good idea to carry a copy with you because many will require to see it.

10. Bring packing materials, blankets, bubble wrap etc. to wrap your purchases in when you get back to your vehicle. Bungee cords or twine are also helpful when tying things down to your vehicle.

11. Ask vendors if you are looking for certain items but maybe don't see it. Sometimes they have merchandise that is still in their trailers or they may have it and your eye doesn't see it. Also, if you are uncertain about things ask the vendors questions. If you are interested in something the vendor can sometimes offer more information about an item.

12. There are always parties you can attend at the shows. Find out through the vendors what parties they may know of. Here are just a few that I know of:

• Friday, March 25: Clutter Show Opening Day Party at 4pm
• Sunday, March 27: **My  Blog Party** ~ you do not have to have a blog to attend. More details to follow about this soon.
• The Texas Rose Show Monday evening party on March 28
• Junk Gypsy Prom on Thursday, March 31! Don't Miss It.

13. There are some great places to eat during the shows. Ask around, you never know where you might find a place to eat at that otherwise may have been hidden from you. You know there is Royer's at Zapp Hall or Royer's in downtown Round Top, both places offer great food. And there are several other places we like to go in the evenings that are in different towns, Joe's Place in Fayetteville is a favorite as is The Cactus in Burton.

14. Watch the weather for the shows. It can be storming one minute, sunny the next, cloudy and over cast on another day and snowing before you know it. Yes we have literally experienced every one of these weather conditions during one show. It happened during one of the Spring Shows, only in Texas!

15. The most IMPORTANT ONE is to have Fun!! This is your time to find cool stuff and just have fun doing this.

Hope to see you at the shows!!

A Dream Come True

 When Heather Bullard first mentioned that there was the possibility that my booth at Zapp Hall might be published in the upcoming issue of Flea Market Style Magazine, well I can't even begin to explain my excitement.  I was over the top happy to be considered for their wonderful 2nd publication and I almost couldn't contain my excitement.  Then, you really start getting excited when the emails start going back and forth about it.  Wow, this is a dream come true!!

This is my booth they published (on page 27) of the newest issue of Flea Market Style Magazine:

I want to first give a shout out to my friends Joe and Jermonne of the Barn House Boys for sending me a complimentary copy of the magazine.  You guys rock!!

Look they even mentioned Kristin of Faded Prairie and Laura of 52 Flea and so many other bloggers. 

This is definately exciting news and I couldn't wait to share it with you.  But there's more...

Now that Ann of The Tin Rabbit has posted about the feature they did on her beautiful place, I can now update my blog to include this. I am so super happy for her to be featured in FMS and you must get the magazine to see her great place.

I was super excited to help Heather with the photo shoot at Ann's place.  Even though I wasn't able to stay long to help her, it was still the most fun watching her in action.  Margo was another assistant helping out too.  And boy does Heather work to get a photo shoot just right.  I could tell her mind was going 90 to nothing coming up with style ideas.  Heather is one of the best stylist and photographers around.  I did want to mention that one of my garden chairs was used in the photo shoot.  Here it is:

The chair sold during the Fall Antique Show, so if you were the lucky one that bought it, you now own a piece of history.  Be sure and stop over at Ann's blog to read about the feature done on her gorgeous garden shed.  Ann does occassional sales from the shop located next to her home in Melrose Texas and she's also in The Heritage Antiques Shop in Lufkin.


Next up is Jo Harmon, who has a space at the Hunt Co. Flea Market in Quinlan Texas was also in the magazine.  Here is what was included about Jo:

I spoke with Jo earlier today and she had no idea!  She did give me the okay to post this about her since she doesn't have a blog, but she needs one.  Jo is open every weekend in Quinlan and after this publication I'm sure her place will never be the same.  If you are fortunate to shop with Jo you know she works hard to find you the best vintage items around Texas.  Click on her name above to get a preview of what she finds.

There are so many great articles in this issue.  I see a long Holiday weekend enjoying my magazine.  

Thank you a million times FMS for including me in this issue.  I am beyond grateful and am so happy!!

Vintage Inspired Shop

I received the newest issue of Country Living this week and there was a store in the magazine that really caught my eye.  The store is Billy Reid.  This name just seems to roll of your tongue, sounds like a movie star's name, the next big box office hit, Billy Reid staring in his own designs.  There are six Billy Reid boutiques in New York City and throughout the South to include Dallas and Houston.  After drooling over the website I can see why some may think their fashions are going to be a hit, but what I was drawn to more than anything was the use of vintage items.  Now that will always catch my eye.  Take a look:

Can you see the ironstone plates hanging on the wall.  See I would go in the store just for their displays, kind of like I do with Anthropologie.

So do you think he'll be the next Ralph Lauren or even Tommy Hilfiger.  I'm linking up with Debra for her Vintage Inspiration Friday posts, so be sure and stop over her blog too.  Happy Friday to you all.

Barn Sales on a White Wednesday

Have you ever been to a Barn Sale? 

Barn Sales aren't a new concept to us junkers. 

Just look at what The Barn House Boys have accomplished in such a short time frame. 

Then, there are our local Texans that hold sales,

like the girls from The Red Shed in Grapevine Texas,

The Grisham Barn Sale in Flint Texas,

my friends Mickie and Brandy that hold The Accumulations Sale in Dripping Springs Texas,  

The girls at Rusted Gingham,

The Queen Bee Barn Sale in Deer Park

and this weekend is The Old Red Lumberyard Sale in McKinney Texas.

Holding a Barn Sale rather than owning a shop or renting space in a shop, 

allows you the freedom to sale your things

while not being tied down to set hours and

there's more freedom in being able to

go out and find things and then put them together for the sale. 

I've thought all along this is probably the best way to sell your vintage finds. 

The first time I heard about this was in an old issue of Country Home magazine

that featured Sue Whitney & Ki Nassauer

in a sale called The Second Hand Rose. 

They held quarterly sales and were open for a few days only during the sale.

What a great idea!

While Texas is known for the Big Antique Shows

that are held twice a year in Round Top and Warrenton Texas

(and the surrounding towns)

and yes this is coming up next month,

we also have either a Flea Market

or Antique Show that you can attend

almost every month in one part of Texas or another,

I think the idea of having a Barn Sale several times a year is a great concept. 

My friend Vintage Rescue Sue recently did a post on barn sales in her area,

 check out her blog above for details. 

Also, Fifi's lastest issue of Romantic Country magazine

listed several Barn Sales and this one at Ekster Antiques sale looked really great:

(source: Ekster Antiques)

So tell me, is this something that would interest you? 

If so, would you drive hours to go if you knew the merchandise was great?

Curious minds want to know. 

Do you know of a barn sale in Texas that you go to that I haven't listed?

I'm also linking up with Kathleen for her White Wednesday posts.

Blog Love & Love To You All

I thought since today is Valentine's Day that I'd share some new blogs with you.  I first want to say that I hope you all celebrating today, even if it's by yourself you still deserve to celebrate.  I haven't shared new blogs with you in a while and these two new blogs are really worth sharing with you.

The first blog I want to tell you about is A Beautiful Mess which you may have already discovered from having seen them in a recent issue of Romantic Homes magazine (click here to see).  Their displays are just delightful and they really have a great eye for finding cool stuff.  Their store is located in California, just wish they weren't so far to visit:

See what I mean about the cool stuff they find.  I really love the concrete statue on the table, even though it's missing part of the concrete on it's legs, it's still really cool.  Go over and see all their wonderful things on their blog.  They were also recently featured in The New York times as well.

The next blog belongs to Beverly of Glory B's Cottage.  Now she's a Texas girl and while I haven't had a chance to see her in a while, she's always worth visiting:

Beverly loves all things white and you can take a peek at what's new at her shop on her blog listed above.  So, tell me, do you know of any new blogs you've recently found and want to share.

Speaking of sharing.  Here's the man I've shared over 30 years of married life to.  What a journey it's been.  Some days I love him to pieces and other days (well we just won't mention that one today).  I do want to wish him a Happy Valentine's Day:

He did really good this year ladies!!  Much love to you all this Valentine's Day.

Booth Redo

Saturday we headed down the road to McKinney to redo my booth at The Antique Company Mall, but because of all the detours we didn't arrive until late afternoon.  I hurridly added new things, moved things around, and on my way out took only a few pics of the other booths in the shop.  I finished just in time before the shop closed.  Here are the redo's:

Of course you know my husband has to put an old bike in the booth:



He's already sold one, so who knows maybe this will sell too!

Here's are a few pics around the shop:

Nancy's booth:



Barbara's booth:

Make Your Reservations

Are you looking for a romantic place to take your honey, where you can eat and shop all in one place.  It's beautifully decorated, I'm sure they'll be candles lit, the food will be delicious, and then while your honey sits and drinks coffee, hot chocolate, or tea you can shop the store.  Are you wondering what place I'm talking about.  Well, before I mention the name let me give you a little background about this place before I go any further (I know you'll want to go once you find out where it's at).

Okay, the other day my husband and I were minding our own business, driving in the cold, anticipating the Canton Flea Market.  When we stopped at the light in Athens Texas.  Then, we see this woman, in the window, waving and blowing kisses at the customers as they drove by.  Imagine that.  It's early morning and there she is flirting with men, no shame about her.  Of course, my husband acted like he wasn't looking.  Even covered his eyes but left his fingers open (so he could see to drive, right).

I decided that I would confront this person on our way back from Canton.  I walked right up to her and asked for her to explain herself.  Here she is for all to see:

She wouldn't even face me!  Imagine that.  She just kept saying "talk to the hand"!!  She said her owner taught her to say that.

So, I decided to move on.  To wander throughout the store.  To see all the other lovely things I had seen from the windows.  This vignette really caught my eye:

See how romantic and pretty it is, with rose petals too.

Look at this bed, all dreamy looking with sheer curtains and the pop of red pillows:



Look at this beautiful settee and I loved the velvet fabrics too:




Since the color Gray seems to be a popular color right now, look at all these pretties:

 

More gray things to look at:

This store is really one of the pretties stores around:

This is how one of their other windows is decorated:

You've probably guessed it's Winnie and Tulula's in Athen's Texas and you must make your reservation at The Bistro while you still have time.

Here's one more surprise.  There's going to be a trunk show here on February 18-19 with Skip To My Lu's creations.  Take a look at what she does:

So, if you can't make it to the Bistro for a romantic dinner at least try and make it out to the trunk show.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  I'm also linking up with Debra for this post, so be sure and visit her to see all the other Vintage Inspriation Friday participants.

White Wednesday in Round Top

If you've read my blog for any length of time you know we are steady looking for a place near Round Top and I love to look at old houses too.  I found this one on the internet the other day and just loved the "old" about it.  Look at the tin roof and I'm sure at one time it was a grand place.  The person that took the picture indicated it was in Round Top, but I can't recall that I've ever seen it. 

(seen here)

Part of the charm of this part of the country is all the scenery that's here and the sight seeing you can do.  One place we often visit is Festival Hill.  They have a lot of great buildings and I believe you can even stay on their property.  Their gardens always look so pretty in the Spring time.  They also have various buildings you can also visit.  This one I really like because it reminds me of a stone structure that you would probably find in another part of the country:

They have several other buildings on their property and I'm especially fond of the old church there.  Speaking of old churches, there are several you can visit in this area as well:

In Round Top there is the smallest Catholic Church that sits near Warrenton on Hwy 237.

This gorgeous piece of property can be seen in Winedale, which is just down the road from Round Top:



If you come to the shows this Spring you should take a drive and see all the beautiful scenery here.  I'm also linking up with Faded Charm for her White Wednesday posts.  Hope you are staying warm!

45 Days!!

Are you wondering what I am referring to when I say "45 Days"? 

Well, it's 45 days

until the big Texas Antique Shows start
in Round Top/Warrenton.

  Of course, for us vendors it's less than that

since we'll be there a few days setting up.
Don't forget we are at ZAPP HALL (right in front of the hall)!!

  Can you believe another antique season is almost upon us. 

The time just seems to fly

 and you know these 45 days will surely fly by

and we'll be in the beautiful country

 before you know it! 

I can't wait and

I'm already getting excited

just thinking about all the great treasures I've found for the show.

So tell me, are you coming?

Have you made plans to come to the best antique show in the world?

if not, you still have time!!

See you soon.

Heaven To Earth

Each time I visit Laurie Anna's in Canton, I always enjoy stopping in and visiting with Rebecca DeJohn of Heaven To Earth.  She has space in Laurie's shop and her designs made from nature are just beautiful.  This past Canton I had a chance to visit with her and see her new creations.  She finds her things naturally in the woods and then it's her creative eye that makes them into works of art.

There's Rebecca, she always looks so pretty and has the best personality too:

A while back, she was featured in the Dallas Morning News, which you can read here.  Here are some of the images they showed of her studio:





Click here for more pictures of her studio.  I hope you'll check out her things the next time you are in Canton at Laurie Anna's.