Shoes...

I promised to take the girl shoe shopping today, so we headed out to Nordstrom Rack. We went up and down 3 rows of shoes and it didn't look like she was having any luck at all.

I don't think so...


Do people really buy these?



And then she came around the corner with the biggest smile on her face saying "Somebody LOVES me!" She could not believe that she found a pair of shoes that actually look vintage!Black suede peep toes and a perfect fit. YES!!!

Rhinestone Clocks

Rhinestone clocks...there are so many beautiful ones to collect, and it's easy to get caught up in the frenzy of collecting them all! With so many unique styles and colors to choose from, it's hard to stop at just one. Phinney-Walker and Cyma are two makers that made wonderful quality rhinestone clocks.
A friend of mine has a very unusual one listed at the moment. It has rhinestones and pearls!
Go take a peek...Kathy has some lovely treasures listed this week!

I've watched them come and go on eBay for a few months now, and thought I would share a few of my favorites , along with what they sold for on eBay to some lucky bidder! With any collectible, the prices can fluctuate greatly from week to week, and when it's up for bids, it takes just a few bidders who have to have it to drive up the price. So what is a rhinestone clock worth? It's all in the eye of the beholder.


Sold : $382.00

Sold: $312.00


Sold: $303.00


Sold: $272.00



Sold: $241.00


Sold: $225.00


Sold: $126.00



Sold: $115.00

Flea Market Fun*

No..I didn't get to go the flea market this weekend. Had to work...ho-hum.
I spent Sunday at the shop and since it was a gorgeous sunny day, we didn't get much traffic. I think everyone was at the beach! I had some time to read a few magazines, and wanted to share with you a few tips on flea market shopping in this months 100 Ideas Flea Market Style, along with a few of my own.



So Before you Go...

I think the 3 most important things to remember are :

#1 Arrive early!
It's true.. I have seen some of the best finds leaving the gates within 30 minutes after they open. I have friends who arrive before dawn with flashlights, but that's a bit too early for my taste.


#2 Go with your GUT
If you see something that you absolutely LOVE..buy it. If you leave it, you may be sorry that you did.

#3 Emergency Cash
Bring a little more than you think you will really need, but fold it in your secret hiding spot and only use in case of EMERGENCY!


Don't forget to pack...

*Water & Snacks ~ There may be snack bars, but who wants to waste precious time in line. BYOW !

* Sunscreen , Sunglasses, Hat & Cell Phone ~ Even though it starts early, it can be hot by 8am in California. Always be prepared. :) If you go with a friend, you can always check in with them to help you decide..do I really need this? That's what friends are for. :)

*Tape Measure ~ Of course it would be nice to know if that special find will fit into your home (or car), but did that ever stop me from buying something? No.

*Magnet & Jewelers Loupe ~ If it's made of precious metal like silver, a magnet will not stick. A jewelers loupe is handy for checking hallmarks.

*Notebook ~ I don't know how many times I've made a purchase and forgot to write down the dealers space. I wish I had remembered my little notepad. You may want to take down a dealer's name and number for future contact!

*Packing materials ~ Don't you hate it when you buy something fragile and the seller has nothing to wrap it in? Well, I always bring a few thin sheets of bubble wrap, just for those occasions. I always put in some paper grocery bags at the bottom of my shopping cart.

*CASH ~ Bring plenty because you never know what you might find and have to leave behind. Most dealers frown on checks and some fleas have ATM's if you really get in a bind.

Dealing with the Dealers

* Be Polite ~ It really does pay to be polite. If you ask the price and it seems a bit high, don't reply with an eye roll and just walk away. Simply ask the seller, "Is this your best price?" 9 times out of 10 , they actually will give you a better price. If it isn't what you want to pay, a simple thank you would be nice before walking away. Come back at the end of the day. They may give it to you for less if they don't want to pack it back up.

* Bargaining Power ~ If you purchase more than one item from the same vendor, chances are you will get a break in price. And never ask for a discount after you’ve decided to purchase something. It might be a little too late.

...don't forget to buy yourself a bouquet of pretty flowers on the way out.
After all, you deserve it!

A Hot One!

It got up in the 80's today... I know some of my buds would trade their cloudy day for a little California sun, but I'm ready for a cool down! My girl asked me to shoot a few pictures of her for her future web site, so I got to play photographer today. Work it baby!! Hahaha..Hardly! If you only knew my daughter. She's very shy, but at 18 is just now starting to break out of her shell. I can't wait to see her website , but she won't even let me PEEK until it's done. She just made me pay for it. :(


(If you click on the image, the quality is much better)

Houdini

You would have thought that the house was on fire by the way I was grabbed my shoes and pulled on my jeans. I had the fright of my life yesterday morning. I let both pooches out in our enclosed front yard to do their morning biz. I heard them barking at someone walking by with her dog, and then I only heard Sophie barking...so I went out to check on them. I saw Sophie, but Ivan was GONE. I was still in my robe mind you, and I ran inside , pulled on a pair of jeans and threw on a sweatshirt before darting out the door. I ran down the street (and I have not ran in YEARS), yelling at the top of my lungs, IVAN!!! There were 3 kids across the street staring at me like I was some kind of nut. Now that I think back, I probably looked like one. So...after a few minutes of running, screaming and no sign of Ivan, the tears started flowing and I ran back home to get my car. Well well well..guess who was waiting for me in the driveway? I grabbed him and held him so tight I think he almost lost consciousness... I still could not figure out how in the world he got out, so I called my husband who suggested I let him out in the yard and just watch and see if he tries to escape again. Sure enough..the little booger went to a spot where he managed to squeeze under the picket fence gate. I know it's a bit late for a name change, but Jenna said we should call him Houdini. Here's the little escapee after I brought him in..he was pooped!

Now how can I stay mad at that face?

It's taking over

I LOVE our Bougainvillea, but I hate the mess it leaves behind. It blooms year round and with each passing year, the bushes seem to double in size, which means double the clean up. The blooms feel like thin paper and fly everywhere! I guess I shouldn't complain because I'm not the gardener. Every year my husband cuts them back and they just flourish by Spring.

A friend of mine dried a bunch and draped them over a rod in her kitchen window.It looked AMAZING , but when I tried it, the blooms were falling off and the color was nothing like hers. She told me you have to cut them when they are completely dry, and I may have left mine on a table in the moist air overnight..oh well! I'll try again.



I love the 3 color combination, and there is a light pink which we don't have but I may just go looking for it!

Isabella

I had every intention of adding Isabella to my store, but after I finished her, I'm having second thoughts. I spent over 2 hours on this gal! Maybe I should enjoy her for awhile longer... or maybe she will show up in the shop. Hmmm...what's a gal to do!

Hats by Miss Jenn

Besides dress making, Jenna has been busy making hats recently. I would say that her favorite era would be 1930's and 40's. She loves using old rhinestone buttons and millinery trim. She recently discovered an eBay seller who has pages of millinery listings. I think she may drive me to the poor house very quickly.




and my personal favorite...

Hey Handsome!

It was a day of pampering for Mr. Ivan so I thought I would share his "before" and "after" photos with you. He sure was a scraggle head!


You aren't going to leave me in jail, are you Mommy?


I'm FREEE!!! And I can SEEEE!!!


Home Sweet Home...

My husband said he looks like a girl...SO??? I happen to like the bow! :)~

Happy Birthday to my girl

Our daughter is celebrating her 18th birthday today.
Wow...18. I still think of her as my little girl, and I guess I always will.
She still refers to me as "Mommy," and although that will soon change,I'm enjoying it for now.


I surprised her with this vintage Bauman salesman sample dress form that came to me with an amazing story. A friend of mine inherited 3 of these from her Aunt just recently. Her aunt was a dressmaker during the 1940's in New York, and she met her future husband on a train ride to New York. He happened to be a traveling dress form salesman!

My daughter has been sewing since she was 12, and I could not think if a more fitting gift than this dress form! As a favor to my friend, I will be selling one of these dress forms for my friend on my web site in the
near future!

A Favorite Shop

One of my favorite shops of all time is VIGNETTES, located in Ocean Beach, Calif, just minutes from downtown San Diego. I happened to stop in this this past Friday, with camera in hand. I was greeted by the lovely owner Lori Chandler, and three of my long time friends ; Susie Krejmas, Beth Parks and Susan Darnell, who all sell their wonderful treasures here at Vignettes.. Joy Gabler of The Vintage Rabbit has a charming little nook with the sweetest little adornments for your home. Lucy of Paris Flea Market has an amazing room filled with exquisite finds. It was great to see my friends, and before I knew it, I had spent well over an hour there. The ladies were bringing in their newest finds just as I got there, so I had to pick up a few goodies for myself. I wanted to take Susie's aqua table home, along with a car load of things,including that fabulous seashell box purse! After telling my bud Susie that "my husband would kill me if I bring that home", she quickly responded with " well, we don't want any killings!" We had a good laugh.

Vignettes is a must see shop if you are in San Diego, and I can honestly say it is worth the drive, even if you live in the LA area. Just a warning though...you will never want to leave , but you will be inspired by the beautiful collections that are waiting for you.
Vignettes ~ 4828 Newport Avenue (619) 222-9244

Enjoy!

A peek at a few items coming to eBay and the web site this weekend.

Goodbye Gates...

I bid a sad farewell to my favorite old pair of iron gates this week. :(
I had hoped to use them in my own shop someday, which I still dream of...
They were just too big to use as our driveway gates, and as much as I would have loved to kept them, we received an offer that we couldn't refuse. Those gates were solid iron, and it took 3 men to lift each one..and they were BIG guys!