Something looks different around here!

If you haven't noticed, there is a little something different about Bea these days...

It's not her new pair of shoes, or the couple of inches she grew over the summer, it's her bangs!!

 

I wish I could say they were a decision of mine, but Bea took her hairstyle into her own hands with a pair of these...

 

That's right, her safety scissors :) We had been doing a lot of projects with these over the summer, and apparently she got pretty good at using them!

 

She gave herself a new look just in time for the start of her new pre-school!

 

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This Business...

Each week of the Brimfield Antique Fair, I am reminded of what I love so much about this business and the people in it...
Support
Whether it's the dealer in the tent next door offering a helping hand to lift a heavy item, or watching your booth while you run to the restroom, everyone supports one another.  It's a genuine support, with nothing expected in return, but the simple understanding of what goes around comes around.
 Passion
From antique linens to mid century furniture and everything in between, each dealer is passionate about what they buy and sell.  Each piece carefully picked, something not just to sell but to add to a collection.  
Fun
Everybody works so hard, but also takes time to have fun.  At the end of the day, despite rain, and lack of sleep there is time for a BBQ on the field, or a dinner date with fellow dealers.

 

These simple traits re-assure me that I made the right career choice!!

A Blanket with a lot of History

The Hudson Bay Company started making its infamous "point" blanket as early as 1780, when it was introduced into the fur trade.  These heavy wool blankets were given a point system to differentiate the weight and size, which was identified by the indigo lines woven into the side of the blanket.  These awesome blankets are woven 50% larger than the final size and felted to create their great thickness and quality.

Something that was created so long ago out of necessity and pure functionality is now being used to decorate homes all across the country.  
This trademark blanket has created quite the following of collectors, and a popular item at Antique shows and shops all over.

The blankets come in all different sizes and colors, and are even still being made today.  Don't be fooled, there were many other manufacturers out there making these popular blankets, but look for the "Hudson Bay" label to confirm the maker.
We have been keeping our eyes open as we travel around to bring some of these blankets into our shop, and think they are a perfect item to take home with the Fall weather just around the corner!!

One Year in Review...

This week in August one year ago I left my corporate job to start my world of working local and focusing on my passion for Antiques and Home Decor.  It was the best decision I ever made, and I have enjoyed every day since.
  I haven't posted in so long,  so I need to bring everyone up to speed on what I have been working on!  
THE SHOP

The shop is looking great, with many thanks to my Mom who has been traveling the country to bring great items through it's doors.  Our customers have received our items so well, and the best part is we have so much finding them!

BRIMFIELD

 

We have moved over to the "New England Motel" field at Brimfield, and attended the May, July shows, and will be back in a few weeks for the September show!  we love the experience and atmosphere at this show, loyal shoppers return season after season with such great enthusiasm for antiques.  If you haven't attended, you should add it on to your list of things to do, and be sure to come visit our booth to say Hi :)


HIDEN GALLERIES

Hiden Galleries is a gallery located in Stamford CT that we feature some key pieces.  It is an awesome resource for decorators, and we love displaying unique and fun pieces here!
ONE KINGS LANE

Our most recent addition to our list of things that keeps us busy is the wonderful website called One Kings Lane.   If you haven't checked them out yet, it is worth a look see.  They have wonderful home decor items for sale at great prices, and recently added a Vintage and Market section where some of our items are listed.
CUSTOM SEWING  

 I have always loved sewing, and now offer custom sewing for items for your home!  cushions seems to be the most popular item this summer, but I have also done fun curtains and some duvets.  It is so awesome to see the items created on my sewing machine put to use everyday in home.

THE FAMILY

Most importantly over the last year, I have been able to focus on the family :)  Spending my days with Bea has been amazing, and I have been able to support Matthew and his business' success as well.  It has been an amazing year, and I have a feeling the coming year is going to be even more full of new ventures and happiness!

 

One for the books...

This morning started out like any other morning, Bea calling for me from her room.  Except when I went in I found her out of her crib next to the basket of diapers/wipes and other diaper changing supplies, like A&D ointment.  Apparently this was the same place Matthew found her the previous night while I was at a friends house for a little girl time.  Bea is all about doing thing herself these days, including washing her hair.  I guess she figured she needed a little shine because she squeezed almost an entire tube of A&D into her hair?! 

 Matthew rushed her to the bath, washed her hair and put her back to bed.  IF ONLY it were that easy to get A&D ointment out of hair.  Her hair was like an oil spill!

She thought it was pretty cool that she could put her hair in a pony, without an elastic :)
I did what any Mom would do, called my Mother, who suggested Dawn dish soap - it cuts grease on dishes and poor animals being saved from an oil spill!  
So we got in the sink and washed, and washed, and washed...

We of course used appropriate eye protection to prevent any burning.  But the Dawn soap just didn't put a dent in the "waterproofness" of A&D...

Her hair is completely "dry" in this photo.  According to my research online apparently this has happened to parents before and it is going to take about a week before it works itself out.  So, after five baths and hair washes in the past 12 hours I have given up, you win A&D!!  Bea will have to go with a slicked look for a while, but it doesn't seem like she minds :)

A Long Way From Home

As I am writing this, my Mom is still driving the long road home from Texas!  She packed up a selection of items from our shop a couple weeks ago and headed south with a fellow antiquer for one of the largest shows in the country.  The destination... Round Top Texas, population 90...

This was our first adventure to the big state of Texas, and like I have always heard, everything is really bigger in Texas!

This larger than life flamingo wasn't a purchase, but just proof that what they say is true :)
It was a long, grueling week for Mom... lots of heat and camping on the field, however the sunrise from the back of the truck wasn't so bad...

In addition to the experience of Texas, there were lots of great items to be found, like this burlap chandelier...

Stay tuned to see what items made it back to Vermont, and come visit us at our Shop - opening for the season this weekend!!

A Great Comeback

 Wallpaper is making a comeback in a huge way, I remember cursing it's name in my first condo as I ripped wall after wall of it down.  Now there are finally some GREAT wallpaper sources out there that have so many options to help transform your room.  Even wallpapering just one wall can add much needed style to any room.

My husband cringed when I mentioned I was going to wallpaper our kitchen and bathroom, but I reassured him I knew what I was doing :)  I decided to wallpaper one room in the kitchen that we had repaired due to a water stain, here is the before, during and after...

 I found this fun wallpaper at Graham and Brown, and the best part is that it was only $15/roll!  It took two rolls to do the one wall, but I love the way it came out!  My Husband was even impressed.

So there you have it, something I once hated, I now love :)