Flea Market Finds

Thursdays are the big day at one of the local markets. I always work a long day, so when an opportunity presents itself to get a Thursday off...I leap at the chance! This sterling pendant was the buy of the day! The seller had it marked super cheap and it is a fabulous piece! The same seller had these beauties! The amber one is a button that Donna spotted! And the other I thought would be pretty with a shawl. Fabulous day at the market with my lovely friend Donna . It was chilly but we had a blast, and met some great characters~ part of the fun at the market is the people you meet! Some great vintage fabric, now that I am sewing I keep an eye out for it! This great vintage toast holder that is now a home for all my loose desk papers. Just wanted to share some of the fab finds.

Time off

Just a quick hello dear friends. I have been taking some time off for reflection, fun, mischief, and much needed selfishness. I think sometimes when we concentrate most of our lives on taking care of everyone around us, we lose the ability to see who we are. Take some time off for you. Go have fun. Check out some fun I had.......

It is my first tattoo. It is of 3 of my favorite vintage buttons from my collection. I have had all 3 for a very long time. My tattoo was done by Matt, who I have known since he was about 13. I always knew if I was going to get a tattoo I would want him to be the one to do it. I love it :)

Be well friends

xoxo

Rock Paper Scissors

I had the most wonderful day off yesterday. I spent it with my lovely friend Beth. I met Beth through the Etsy street teams (EtsyNJ and FDL). I am *so* very excited and a wee bit jealous (ok, ALOT jealous) of her...she is opening her own brick and mortar shop!!!! So I took a drive up to have lunch and see if I could lend a hand. The moment I walked into this lovely space I must admit to falling in love. She is still setting up, but the "vibe" is FUN. Just like the shop name, it all says, stop in, and play for a bit. You see, to me, creativity is the part of you that is completely free spirited, like a carefree child. Creating is a chance to just be you, to practice living in the moment. Beth has succeeded in creating a space that will certainly nurture this. She has an eye for all things beautiful. So, where is this FUN shop Rock Paper Scissors? Well dear friends, if you are anywhere near north Jersey you have to go. Or maybe you will take a road trip, you can spend the day Saturday and then head on to Short Hills mall Sunday. She is located on Bloomfield Ave in Montclair, NJ. What does Rock Paper Scissors sell? Oh my...Vintage fabric, lace, buttons! Vintage and funky jewelry making pieces, and a stunning array of papers. Something for everyone. Beth will also be offering classes in all things creative. She is one of my favorite Etsians. A master at sewing and beautiful jewelry maker. I can't wait to go back for the opening!

I spent the day winding beautiful vintage ribbon on stunning vintage wooden spools. I have to tell you, I would gladly be paid in merchandise for work. Ha! If you could call it work. I found it to be completely blissful to sit on the floor and have 2 huge bins full of ribbon and trim surrounding me! Friends, to me, it just doesn't get any better than that....Good thing she didn't have me playing with the vintage buttons :) Well...there's always next time!

Distractions While Waiting

Great news! Today I got confirmation from the surgeon that the biopsy came back as benign!!! Thank you to everyone who sent out prayers and good thoughts. You really helped me through a scary situation *hugs* .

Last Thursday, my lovely neigbour Donna and I took a trip out to Colombus. This is another huge outdoor market that is a short distance. I always work Thursday, so it was a treat to be on vacation and able to go on the busiest day. We found lots of goodies. Not my typical finds, but fun and exciting none the less! I think one of the best parts about shopping at the market is the people that are selling. For the most part they are an interesting group of characters. Each with their own story. This is why I am in love with vintage shopping. The pieces themselves have stories. A lace collar that is over 100 years old. Who wore that collar? Did she save up to buy it? Did she make it? Did her love present it to her as a gift of his affection. Did he admire her and how beautiful she looked in it? Ok, I am getting a little carried away, but how can you not fall in love with vintage?

At one booth we went to the seller had a bunch of old pictures just thrown in a plastic tub. This upset my friend Donna, as it should have. These are people's history. It's sad enough that it ends up at a vintage market, it should at the least be treated with respect. I think she got through to him. He seemed touched, she was visibly disturbed by this and ready to buy the whole tub of photos just to organize them...She is the best I tell you!!!! So the same guy was selling these gorgeous print blocks from India. Donna spotted them , I would have just breezed by them, they looked like lumps of black coal..lol...ok so I tend to tune out the stuff I am not on a mission for, I need to be more open minded. They are stunning! So this started me on asking him where he was from in India, and I told him where my hubby was from. He then told me, I fell in love with an American girl. Oh at that statement my heart melted. Just the tone of his voice when he said it. Too sweet. And sure enough on his business card, his wife's name is Pam. What a love story that must be :)

Sunday is Market Day

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes! I go back this tuesday for a biopsy, I am nervous about the procedure, but optimistic that it will be ok. So this morning I woke up super early and went to the Lambertville market with 2 of my lovely girlfriends, Michele and Michele :) I have been going to the market every other weekend for most of the winter. I just discovered it last summer, so I have been hooked. This morning it was AWESOME! Packed with people and treasures! I am looking forward to an awesome summer of shopping! I have a theory that there are certain "days" as I call them, some are "button" days, "lace" days, etc... today, was a bit of both. Within the first 5 minutes I found a lovely bowl of all white buttons, alot of shell. Then it just got better from there. The best part of the day was spending time with my friends, not thinking about the biopsy and just enjoying living in the moment. I wanted to share some of these fun finds with you, there's even a bag of vintage fabric scraps that Michele spotted! Can't wait to spend more Sunday mornings out shopping with you ladies! Even Bella, got a new apron!

xoxo