Tuesday, February 28, 2012

KANE COUNTY Returns This Weekend! Plus Bookend

While the wall calendar and ground hog may not agree, the season opener of the KANE COUNTY Flea Market signals the start of spring! Join us this weekend and you'll agree. We've been shopping in four states to bring you lots of great stuff for home and garden. Just click the link on our show sidebar to go straight to the promoter's website if you need more information. But by all means, plan to be there! Can't wait.


BOOKEND

Wow! My pile of books-waiting-to-be-read is growing every day! Just finished "Wonder Struck," by Brian Selznick, which was recommended by one of my favorite customers. It's 617-plus pages, but I was done in two days. If you loved the movie, "Hugo," hit the YA section again and grab this one by the same author. Explores many of the same themes -- the importance of family and curiosity-cabinet-style magic among them -- but from a different angle. Bet you will love it too. So, what's next on your list? Leave a comment and let me know! xo

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Tax Man Cometh: No Blogging Today

Today, I'm working on the business's year-end close for our accountant, which unfortunately, leaves me no time for blogging. Or anything else more fun than bookkeeping! But I thought you might get a kick out of seeing a side of the business you generally never do, our office:

That's my desk on your right -- piles neatly stacked for our CPA -- and Joe's on the left. Wish me luck -- one more day should do it! xo

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Come See Us This Saturday at Wheaton!

Come join us this Saturday at the DuPage (IL) County Fairgrounds for the Wheaton Antique Market! Early buy is 6 to 8 a.m.; regular admission is 8 to 3. Be sure to print the coupon below for HALF-OFF during general admission. We've got LOADS of new smalls and graphics, plus projects and some lovely furniture. Click the link on our show sidebar to visit the promoter's website for additional details. And visit us on Facebook for a look at what we are bringing. Can't wait! See you Saturday. xo


Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day: DIY, plus Bookend and Grayslake Report

Happy Valentine's Day! I know, I know. It's not everyone's favorite; too much baggage. But set that aside for a minute. A post from Anthropologie's online newsletter last week got me thinking about the holiday in a slightly different light:

Their idea is simple: do a little something nice for yourself today; you don't have to wait for someone else. While it is clever marketing on their part, it is still true that only when our own hearts are full, do we actually have something to give away. So take it! Be nice to yourself today. I've got my prosecco and a big stack of magazines for tonight. Let me know what you get up to.

BOOKEND

And speaking of clever marketing, I'm finally getting around to watching Mad Men. It is really fascinating -- love the clothes and sets. Not sure how they actually get any work done with all the drinking, smoking and romance, but the marketing discussions are really interesting. One episode yesterday talked about trying to upmarket a traditional department store. How one sweater in the window sends a different message than 100. Good stuff.


GRAYSLAKE REPORT

Once again, a scary drive for us coming around the lake, but a great show. Super busy both days. Really appreciate everyone coming out. Starting work today on Wheaton. Check back later this week, both here and on Facebook, for a look at what we are bringing. And come see us!! xo

Friday, February 10, 2012

Grayslake: We're Thinkin' SPRING!

Know the groundhog said it's still winter, but the milder days we've had mixed in here and there already have us thinking SPRING. Join us for this weekend's Grayslake Antique Market and see what we've found in anticipation of warmer days. Plus, we've got wonderful new furniture, lots and lots of smalls, wonderful graphics and projects galore. Don't forget to print your HALF-OFF general admission coupon. Just scroll down!

You can also show the coupon on your phone at the door. Need more information about Grayslake? Click the link on our show sidebar, just to the right on your screen. See you this weekend!! Can't wait. xo


Monday, February 6, 2012

Favorite Things: DuPage Expo Show; Plus BookEnds

Much as I hate to admit it, I still get the jitters before every show. They usually start sometime on Thursday and slowly build up a head of steam, rising to a crescendo during set up. That's usually the time I'm asking myself once again, "WHY do I want to do this?"

But then the doors open, and I remember. Because I really do love it and can't imagine doing anything else! We had a ball at the DuPage Expo, seeing so many of our favorite customers and getting the chance to catch up with dealer pals.

The weather was great for early February; sales were brisk Saturday and steady Sunday. People's booths looked terrific. There were lots of new dealers, too, trying the show for the first time, which is always good to see.

Just a few of my favorite things were the original-orange-finish industrial stand in the photo above; our early 1900s ledgers, pictured below:

and this sweet little vintage oil:

I also bought these awesome old canvas pennants from our show neighbor Mark McKee:

And these fabulous Victorian Mardi Gras medals from friend Diane Landry:

I'm going to do a whole post on those once we get closer to Lent! All in all, it was a great weekend. Many thanks to all the wonderful customers who came out to support the show. We are always so grateful. Heading out tomorrow to shop for Grayslake. Join us to see what we find!! xo

BOOKEND

Two of my favorite pals recommended "The Language of Flowers," by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, which I always take as a very good sign. And I have not been disappointed. Set in modern-day San Francisco, the story follows the life of Victoria, now 18, who grew up disillusioned in the state's foster care network. On her own, she's now struggling to find a place for herself. Her innate talents with flowers open some surprising doors for her. But as she has already learned, the flowers' subtle meanings can be deceiving. A plus is the guide to floral symbolism at the book's end.


Thursday, February 2, 2012

This Weekend: EXPO MMXII Kicks Off!

Join us this Saturday and Sunday, February 4-5, for the DuPage Expo Show in St. Charles, Illinois. We've got a great load planned with lots of new furniture, smalls, handmades and more. Plus our first peek at spring -- you know the outdoor/garden season is just around the corner, so get a head of the competition's game! Event details are only a click away on our show sidebar. Remember to print out the red coupon below and present it at the door to receive HALF-OFF regular admission, thanks to Zurko Promotions. See you there! We know you'll score big. xo