Precious little vintage items

Hey, Everybody!

Hope your weekend is going well! I'm working on a lot of things right now, but took a little break and went with my sister to this craft and antique mall that I actually used to have a booth in called the Alton Exchange (you can also check out the facebook page here ). I found a few little things that made me oh, so happy and just wanted to share them with you today.

I love, love this place...it is so well organized and there are a TON of booths to give you so many options to find something special. Plus, Terry is one of the greatest gals around; she works so hard to make the experience in her shop one that will keep you coming back time and time again.

As I wandered the rows and rows of unique and ever changing vintage, antique and handmade booths, I picked up a few things that just seemed to pop out at me last night.

Here's what I got...


A closer look will reveal a couple of little facts about us, I guess...

These little 'ashtrays' were just sitting on a shelf together. I got both for only $5! They were pristine and unused. I thought they were the cutest thing for a bookshelf or table. Had to have those...

 I also happened upon a rack with many different pieces of jewelry. These little handmade bead bracelets were only $2! So, of course, I had to have two! Sure, I could make them myself, but I really do love supporting local artisans whenever I can. I think it is super important to buy local and to support the creativity in each other whenever we can.

I am obsessed always on the lookout for old wooden boxes, cheese boxes, sewing machine and cash drawers, etc. My sister snatched up the sewing machine drawer that we saw at the same time (a little healthy competition is good, right!?) but I found this little guy on a shelf, and it was only about $5! A vintage Wisconsin cheese box--right up my ally. I've got some ideas stirring around for this...

I seem to unconsciously be drawn to the color turquoise (or teal). I hadn't realized this until I was putting all the pictures together...



I also picked up a 10 yard roll of burlap garland. Now, I know I just bought some of this in St. Charles that I used on my Christmas tree that you can read about in this post, but this is a little bigger, and it cost half as much...HALF!!!  At only $12 bucks...imagine all the possibilities!

The other thing I found was just about as random as you can get. Up on a shelf I noticed this Jewish/Hebrew item. It had definitely been used, and I was curious. Noah and I are always on the lookout for unique items to honor his Hebrew roots and this was too good to pass up. It's a napkin holder, of all things! When Noah met us at the Exchange after work (yep, ladies I've got a husband who loves to go antiquing as well as work on Hot Rods in a garage!) I showed it to him and he had to have it. He said "That will look great..." and we both finished simultaneously with "...up on a shelf in the kitchen."
It's great to be married to your best friend.  :)

Anyway, I hope my little findings inspire you to go picking through an antique mall in your neck of the woods. Imagine the treasures you could find, not to mention how happy you can make some local vendors, right?

By the way, I have a big P.S. As you may already know, I have another blog called confessions of a thinkaholic. I also regularly submit blog posts to a fantastic website called tiny buddha, and my newest (and third) post is up on the site. You can read it here, if you're interested. It's titled "Letting Go of Fears and Worries About Getting Things Done." I so appreciate it if you do, but no worries if it's not your thing! Both my blogs are completely judge-free zones; I just want you to enjoy yourself while you are here.

Just know that I appreciate you and am so happy you stopped by today!

Nanette

*Coming soon...Valentine's Day decor!

Christmas Traditions...Olde Town St. Charles

Wednesday night we made our annual trip to Olde Town St. Charles in Missouri for their month long Christmas Traditions festival. I've been having a little lack in motivation in getting in the "Spirit" of things, so this was a blessing...and it did the trick!

(Plus, I desparately needed a brake from a tedious exciting project I was working on at home...)

The town hosts late night shopping, dining, carolers dressed in period clothes, carriage rides, and Santa's from around the world, as well as many other characters, all walking the streets with their lanterns. There were street vendors selling roasted chestnuts, cocoa and cider, funnel cakes, and good cheer. It was just what I needed.

All of the old buildings were decked to the hilt, making for a lovely tour up and down Historic Main Street.

Many restaurants along the street had their fire pits lit and diners were enjoying dinner by the fire.

All the shops windows were dressed brightly for the season. It made for a beautiful display of window shopping.

                                                  A flute player and drummer...
                  

The gazebo was decorated, too. What's that hanging up there? Let's get a closer look...

Well, who could resist the kissing ball? Obviously, not us! (And our son was such a good sport to capture this moment!)

Speaking of our son, here is a rare photo of two guys you rarely capture on camera. The bearded one on the left is my "little boy"...and the other fellow needs no introduction. He is representing the American Santa. Like I said before, there were so many all dressed from the country they originated from.

Another example of the characters that were spreading holiday cheer up and down Main Street.

I didn't get a picture, but we did take a carriage ride. Sleigh bells and all! We had a great time and it really got us in the Spirit of the Season.

What traditions does your family share this time of year?

Thanks so much for reading today!

Have a great weekend!

Nanette

Dining table decor

The Fall Festival wasn't the ONLY thing we did Saturday. We stopped off at Michael's and Hobby Lobby, too, where I got some pretty good deals, if I say so myself. I don't usually buy things for the house, that don't require installation right now (we're trying to remodel and repair a few things), but I had some 50% and 40% coupons burning a hole in my pockets (well...apps) and they were all going to expire Saturday and Monday, so I used 'em up!

This is what we bought....

This huge hurricane vessel with the tin pan was $30, the candle holders were $5.99, and the candle was $12.99...all for 50% off--EACH! So, I got the vessel for $15, the candle for $6.50 and each candle holder for $3! I had to make separate transactions, but I didn't care. It wasn't too busy and I never do that, so I didn't feel too much like the "Krazy Coupon Lady."

  Then we went to Hobby Lobby where all of their knobs and pulls were 50% off. I have my moms jewelry armiore that she'd had for about 17 years. I want to repaint it cream and it needs new pulls. I wanted black and I found these that were small enough to use. They were all $1.50 a piece. Then, Noah and I saw the large knobs and decided we had to have them. If we find a large piece of furniture that we want to refinish and use for a side bar or buffet in the kitchen, these would go great on that. At 50% off, they were a steal, as well. The bird hook was only $3 and it has a little bit of a blue patina to it. I loved it. I'll figure out what to do with that after the holidays.


                                              

Sunday we took a quick run to Wally World to pick up some fall-time provisions. I needed some more burlap (I have a stock pile of it...I LOVE burlap!) and while we were waiting for the lady to cut the fabric, Noah found this fabric while browsing through the Halloween fabric. He was attracted to the skulls and spiderwebs, people, but he KNOWS what I like! I got a yard of that, too.

I'm going to make a pillow cover, but I like it so much, I think I'll keep an eye on it and pick up some more before it's gone.

Anyway...this is what I ended up doing with the table scape at first...

 The burlap I bought had this great fringe already done at the ends. It's a fluke, but a pleasant surprise.

I cut a piece of it to fit the area I wanted a runner for and did a small zigzag stitch along each raw edge to waylay the fraying. This burlap frays immediately. It's messy, too. I popped it in the dryer for a couple of minutes to air fluff the little loose strands off then ironed it, then I sewed my stitch. I love it.

 I didn't quite love the look I was getting with the first arrangement, so I removed the leaves and brighter sunflowers. This is what I was left with. Much better, I think! This is more my style...

 I like the simple subtle colors with the glow of the candles.

 Less is more, and less color helps everything stand out without getting "lost".

I stayed with the burlap theme, and tied hemp twine around the smaller pillars to match the larger candle I bought from Michael's that came with a wax twine tie.

 I'm kinda likin' this new style...What do ya think?

The next post is going to be all about the outside...Our porch gets an Autumn update...

Fall Festival

Well, Saturday I kept my word and took my sister to the Fall Festival in Lebanon, IL. It was SO cold! Cloudy, too. Not at all like the past years. Nonetheless, we walked the street and looked in all the craft booths.

There were a ton of vendors, braving the unseasonable 54* weather...

 The whole street was decorated for Autumn, providing a bit of a sunny atmosphere, even amongst the clouds. But, everyone was still bundled up against the chill...

 All the storefronts were decked out for the Spooky season...

I found this woman and her Mother selling these most adorable wine glasses. She hand makes them, of course, but I thought it was such an original idea. She doesn't have a website, but I have her contact info, so if you're in the area and would like to order one from her, drop her a line. Just leave a comment below and I'll get it to you. I just thought they were neat, and she was a nice lady.

I don't know her at all, I just thought her idea was cute and wanted to feature her here. She was super nice, and agreed to let me take her picture, but was a little apprehensive about whether my blog was just Pinterest. I think she was just concerned that someone might copy her idea. You wouldn't do that, would you? Please, order one from her, if you like them. A lot of work goes into these handcrafted items. I'm sure it would make her day if you did!

We ate at the very popular Dr. Jazz soda fountain and grille. It has the 50's diner feel and taste, too!

If you love ice cream...you must try this place!

  They always have their windows dressed to impress with different 50's era toys and games. The one thing that is always the same...

                    ...the old television set playing black and white shows from way back when.

 Inside is no different. It really is a blast from the past with the old drugstore look.

There's even a long counter you can sit at to have a soda or share a malt with your sweetie!

 Even though it was cold, and the diner was full and busy, we got a pretty nice time out of it. We ventured on to do a little more shopping, but that's for the next post!