Extravaganza -- Here We Come!

Come join us this weekend in Springfield, Ohio, for the September Extravaganza -- 2000-plus vendors, inside and out! Click on the link for show details. We are outside space 31 and will be there Friday from 7 am to 5 pm; Saturday, 7 am to noon. After that, we head to Burlington, Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati, for a show on Sunday.

This same weekend, the Country Living Fair will be in Columbus, just 30 minutes from Springfield. And while in the area, be sure to visit our friends at Sobo Style and Bloomsbury Loft; their links are on our blog roll. As our friend Heather said, "It's Antique-Lady Woodstock!" Don't miss it! xo

Lake Forest: "Showing" Off

One of the great things about a special once-a-year show like Lake Forest is that all the dealers bring out their best stuff. Every one's booth looks terrific. Here are just a few examples of some of the great finds:

A beautiful fall arrangement by Diane Passi, Wheaton, Illinois;

Adorable outdoor chairs with original vintage cushions from VanDaff's Interior Design and Antiques, Grand Rapids, Michigan;

Way-cool metal dresser, industrial sign and designer chairs from Amsterdam, Saugatuck, Michigan;

Halloween collages and steampunk jewelry from Altered Ever After, Lake Villa, Illinois;

Lovely grey mirror, Vintage Nest, Glenview, Illinois.

Chez rhubarb reign, we featured everything needed for a funky and sophisticated fall season!

I could go on and on; every one's booth was a feast for the eyes, and the weather was gorgeous. All that being said, the show didn't seem quite as busy as last year. I determine this by a very scientific formula: if I have time to look at my watch or visit the ladies' room in the first 2 hours of any show, we just aren't that busy. I did both. Sigh. However, we headed home sunburned and satisfied when it was all said and done. Next we set our sights on the Springfield (Ohio) Extravaganza, which starts Friday. If you are headed to the Country Living Fair in Columbus, remember that we are only 30 minutes away! 2000 dealers, inside and out. We'll all be there, waiting to "show off" for you. Come and see us. xo

PS: A big thank you to Megan Townsend for her set-up help and to Liz Bearwald and company from the Bentfork Bakery, Highwood, for the excellent cookies! And to everyone for letting me take pictures -- if I didn't use yours, it didn't turn out. I still luv ya.

Don't Miss Sunday's Lake Forest Antique Market

I just checked the forecast, and it is now supposed to be sunny and 74 degrees -- perfect antiquing weather!

For more information, http://www.lakeforestantiquesale.com/. A great show for a great cause! Come and see us. xo

Happy Labor Day!

Don't you love the delicious irony of Labor Day, where we all celebrate working by taking the day off? And what better way to spend a day of leisure than by attending the second largest festival in the entire state of Indiana -- Plymouth's Blueberry Festival.

We live on main street and do our best every year to get into the holiday spirit by hosting a Porch Party during Monday's parade.

Of course you are all welcome next year, however, you may want to crash our neighbor's party, too -- they have better decorations and lots of matching chairs. We are jealous.

My son made his hometown debut with the Pride of Plymouth Marching Band (at least we think that's him, as they all kinda look the same in their uniforms!) And my husband ran in the race.

In keeping with the spirit of Hoosier Hospitality, the parade features something for everyone:

princesses

pirates

bikers

and Republicans. After the parade, we head over to the park with our 100,000 annual visitors to see horse pulls, arm wrestling and 50s tribute bands (not to mention weird outfits, wild hair and
miles of craft and food booths.) We're exhausted by the end of the day and totally ready to get back to work!!

Thanks to one and all for coming out to support Kane County over the weekend. There were lots of great vendors and some super bargains. Furniture was a strong seller for us, as were smalls and projects. A special thank you to the Boyds for their excellent hospitality and to Lynda for sending not one, but two, banana-walnut coffee cakes home with me to share with my Porch Party guests. Those were a big hit!

This week we'll turn our attention to the once a year Lake Forest Antique Show. Check the show sidebar for specifics on this terrific event. Will have more details later in the week. xo

Come see us at Kane this weekend!

We're decked out for fall with a full load of furniture, smalls, projects and more. Don't miss it! xo

Transformation Thursday: 3/50 Project

Interested in transforming your local economy? Consider this: if half the employed population spent just $50 total each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate $42.6 billion in revenue. More than half of this returns to the local economy! Want to learn more? Visit the 3/50 Project, which incidentally started as a blog post. We love us some independents here at rhubarb reign -- don't you? Indie business is what it's all about. Many thanks to our friend at Musings of a Sea Witch for calling this important outreach to our attention. Thanks for joining us for Transformation Thursday. Click the link on our sidebar for more great ideas. xo

The Times They Are a Changin'

Well, the seasons anyway! The last week has been unseasonably cool here in our little corner of the Midwest -- even the trees sense that fall is on its way.

This was the inspiration for a change in our product mix at last weekend's Allegan Antique Market -- we were all about fall -- and had a terrific show.

We even threw in a little Halloween.

And while we're on the subject of change, check out this great article on "hacking" -- taking pieces from retailers like IKEA and upcycling them into custom creations. A new take on the word "hack" -- not generally a compliment according to the dictionary -- and on repurposing. Fascinating. There's so much creativity out there.

Thanks to one and all for coming out to support the Allegan show. One thing that hasn't changed -- we have the best customers in the world! See you at Kane. xo

P.S. Sorry if you checked yesterday and there was no post -- once again outfoxed by the camera battery!