B... Brimfield. Take 1!

So, I have been MIA....again!  Well, what can I say.  I return with Brimfield news though.  Not only did I hit Brimfield last week, I hit it twice.  I was there Tuesday, opening day, in the rain.  I then returned on Saturday for the 2nd to last day for the good deals and it was perfect sunshine.

I am going to do a full debrief on all my purchases later this week, but I thought I would give you a little teaser today.  I bought this adorable school desk that I am currently hiding from the husband.  I have absolutely no need for a small kids desk as I already have a few.

It was the drawer under the chair that got me.  How freaking cute!?  I had not plans on buying this, especially given the $50 price tag.  But, when the dealer told me I could have it for $30 (without me even asking)... I could not say no.  $30... total steal.

I think I am going to paint it with white Annie Sloan chalk paint and put it in our family room as a little craft spot for the wee one or perhaps in our new (almost finished) playroom.

Wanna know what else I got?  You have to check back later this week for the other goods!   Until next time...xoxo

L.L.... Locker Love!

 Did you see my post last week about Brimfield.  There were these AMAZING lockers there.... the perfect shade of blue!   What would I do with said lockers?  What wouldn't I do!

I came across this photo ages ago and it has stuck with me.  I love how the wall was cut so the lockers fit flush into the wall!!!  

Photo via Design Sponge

But.... I love these too.  Lockers work in an entry, family room, nursery, kitchen.... you name it!  

Photo via Decor8

Photo unknown

Photo via Apt Therapy

Photo via Hello Friend

Now I just need to find me some lockers.  Well, I would also need to find a place to put them.  Details... !  Until next time...xoxo

B is for Brimfield!

Yep, it's back!  I was not sure I would make it to Brimfield this year as the usual suspects (my mom and my aunt) could not unite as my mom is on crutches.  But, luckily my friend KB stepped in and went with me for her second Brimfield trip.  You can always count on Brimfield for some wierd things.... like wax Pilgrim sculptures!  Don't me and my pilgrim friend look cute!?

Have I mentioned that I LOVE Brimfield?  I wrote about it here, here, here and here and more times than just those.  I did not have anything on my list this year- which was sad.  When we bought our house I always had a long list.   When I was working on Avery's nursery- I had a long list.  Dare I say that I am running out of things that I "need"?  Well, that did not stop me from buying a few things!

Loved this clock.... did not buy! :)

I have a thing for lockers right now, but did not buy!  

Still love letters!  I did buy these small letter tiles.
I think I will add to bookshelf front in Avery's room!

The letters were actually all in a big bin, I had to figure out what to spell and then search for the letters I needed. 

At a different booth- found more letters.
Bought ones for my niece who has a name that you will never find on a mug or pencil! :)

My favorite purchase of the day.... these adorable baby shoe molds.
I actually bought two pairs.  I think they will make wicked cute book ends!

I also bought a baby gift for a friend- but don't want to share that just yet! :)  Cannot wait for the July show.  Until next time...xoxo

U is for Update!

I have had a CRAZY few weeks.  I will have to admit that this has prohibited me from being able to really do my best blogging.  I will fix this soon though... I hope!  But, I will also say that I am long overdue for some updates to you.

As I mentioned before, I have been my sister's interior design consultant and in some cases "buyer".   She wanted a gallery of vintage mirrors above her couch.  Remember?  I shared some inspriation here.   My mom and I then proceeded to buy her all her mirrors at Brimfield this year.  Rembember?  Here they are and some more here.

I then went over her house and helped her pick an arrangement so they would be a perfect collection when hung.  Well, today we have our update of the finished product.  Check it out! :)  Apologies for the BAD quality photo, only had my IPhone which is clearly filthy!

 

Looks pretty great, doesn't it!  I want this in my own house now too.  Until next time...xoxo

S is for Swedish!

I love Swedish design.  Every year when I got to Brimfield I stop at one vendor who sells amazing (but very expensive) Swedish furniture.  (See photo from left)  The many shades of grey, blue and cream always make my heart go pitter patter!

Want to know more of what Swedish Design involves.  Check out the definition on About.com.  In short, Sweden has dark depressing winters so they strive to make interiors bright, light and cheerful!    Swedish design is based on using the colors cream, soft yellow, tan, grey, soft greens, muted blues and some splashes of gold on everything (furniture, accessories, floors, fabrics and more).   It is simple but with European flair.

Check out these Swedish Design Inspiration Photos!  

Photo via Daisy Pink Cupcake

Image via Cote De Texas

Photo via  Home and Garden Chat

Photos via Elegance Refined (from Domino)

Photo via Vintage and Chic

Now, with a messy husband and baby on the way... Swedish design is not in my immediate future.  But, oooh how I wish it were.  So pretty, so clean, so light and airy!  Oooh la la!  Until next time...xoxo

B.... Brimfield!

Yes, it is that time of year again!  It is the last Brimfield week of the year.  Being 7 months pregnant and a stressed about work stuff did not stop me from my tri-annual trip with my mom and Aunt.  The weather was perfect for our trip yesterday, especially after July which was brutally hot!  It was crowded.  Though I had a GREAT time, I bought very little.

We did manage to get a few things!

My Aunt bought (as gift for me) this adorable little child sized roll-top desk.  Price $50!

I later saw it in another booth (missing the roll top) for $150, so I feel great about our bargain. This may get painted white.... I have some time to think about it! :)  The photos don't even capture how cute and little it is!

I got these metal large diaper pins.  

I am not sure what they were orginally used for, but thought they were cute.  I think I will spray them white and hang them on a cute ribbon in the wee ones nursery.

Finally, my mom and Aunt bought some Pewter!  They love their Pewter and got some great deals.  

Brimfield isn't again until next May!  By then I will have a 5 month old! :)  Until next time...xoxo

P is for Purchases.... Brimfield Purchases!

So, I did a first this year.  I went to Brimfield two days!  Thursday- I went with a few of my girlfriends.... super fun.  It was their first time.... so I showed them the ropes.  On Friday, I went with my mom and Aunt who I always go with.  We have Brimfield down to a science... where to park, where to eat, which walking route to take etc!  It was a fun... but hot few days!

I love Brimfield!  It is one of my favorite things to do ever!  This year.... most (if not all) of my purchases were for the baby's room.  One of my purchases I am keeping secret as it is part of a DIY project I will unveil at a later date! :)

Here are some of my purchases!  


Cute Chenille bench ($30) and vintage chenille stuffed animals ($10 and $14)

Tiny chair for baby's room ($30).  I will paint white and recover seat.  Thanks Aunt Michele!

Vintage Peter Rabbit Books in French and Spanish (and 1 English).  LOVE!

Cream iron and crystal chandelier for nursery ($160).   Photo does not capture it cute factor!  So cute!  Thanks Mom! :) 

Mirror that I want to hang above crib ($65).

Mirror for my sister's collection for above her couch ($60).  This will get painted white.

Another one ($45).... he gave us a "good customer" discount! :)

Just another trip to Brimfield and more cute finds! :)  As I said ... keeping a few things to myself for future debut.  So... stay tuned!  Until next time...xoxo

PS- Still time to enter giveaway!  If you have not yet entered- you have until Thursday at 5pm EST!  

F is for Flea Market. Here are some of my past Brimfield purchases!

This is Brimfield week!  If you don't know what I am talking about check out my past post where I explain!   I am so excited.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Brimfield!  I shared my purchases from my visit there in May, but I thought I would share some of my favorite purchases over the past few years.  My house would be empty if it were not for Brimfield!

Here are some of my favorites! 

Sideboard...$175!  Looks great with my just refinished farm table!

Mirror for above sideboard... from late 1800's.  I think I paid around $70 bucks!

Vintage chandelier (was already re-wired)... now hanging in my bathroom.  $150

Small tin tile mirror from the Tin Tile Lady!  I forget how much this was!

Another piece from the Tin Tile Lady!  I have two of these, they need a new location in my house!

Tin tile mirror.  This is the original one I bought.  Love it.  Hangs over sink in bathroom.

Coffee table purchased for my sister's condo.  ($80)

End table purchased for my sister's condo after we bought the coffee table! ($30)

I also have a boatload of jewelry I have purchased at Brimfield.  I will do a post another time on vintage jewelry... one of my obsessions!

I cannot wait for my Brimfield trip later this week!  Until next time...xoxo

B.F......Brimfield Finds!

Last week I did my tri-annual trip to Brimfield with my mom and my Aunt.  I was not feeling so great- but that could not stop me!  Brimfield is absolutely one of my favorite things to do!  A few years ago, when we first bought our house, I always had a long list of things that I was looking for.  Now, my list is shorter but I always come back with stuff!


Don't know what Brimfield is?  It is a GIANT Antique Market in Brimfield Massachusetts that opens three times a year in May, July and September!  It is open for a 6 day period beginning on a Tuesday and ending on a Sunday.   There is expensive stuff  and affordable stuff.  They have everything from classic and antique to weird and kitchy!  Looking for furniture, antique windows, jewelry, textiles, garden paraphernalia, civil war memorabilia, pewter or Nancy and Ronald Reagan slippers (see below).... they have you covered!

This year I went with hopes of buying yard stuff (arbor, bird houses, bird bath, trellis, etc).  As I have mentioned our backyard is currently undergoing a makeover.  I came home with a bunch of other stuff but not a speck of yard stuff.

We purchased some mirrors for my sister's condo which I am serving as sister/designer.   I have previously bought her a coffee table and end table (for her living room) at previous Brimfield shows.  She now wants a collection of vintage mirrors in various shapes and styles for the wall behind her couch.  She was having trouble getting started, so my mom and I took matters into our own hands!  We have three so far and can likely complete this collection at the July show! :)

I bought an amazing furniture piece- not sure what to call it.  Is it a curio cabinet?  China Cabinet?  Sideboard?  Whatever it is... I did not need it or really have a place for it, but I love it!  I asked for the price assuming it would be in the $300 range.  When the guy told me $150... I thought "crap, I have to buy it".   I was scared to show my husband as he is annoyed that I have a furniture buying obsession (end tables in particular), but even my husband liked it!  I have to put stuff in it, but I have placed it in my guest room where it looks cute as can be.

I also bought an old tin tile mirror for above the dresser in our other guest room.  (This is my second one.)  It was marked $120, but when I asked for the best price, he sold it to me for $95.  Bargain!  

I have a thing for antique tin ceiling tiles.  There is a woman there who has a whole booth focused almost entirely of tin tile things.  I am a frequent customer.  She is super nice and remembers me every year.  This year she even said she had a photo of me she took from a previous show.  Yes, I have bought a fair amount from her!  Because I love tin tiles, I had to buy this wall piece.   I have not hung it yet, but I think it is so pretty!   My mom and I also picked one out for my sister and instructed her to hang it above her bed!  It does not photograph very well, but has a ribbon to hang once I decide on a spot!

My mom and Aunt are pewter collectors.  I mean really... they have an addiction.  They picked up a few new pewter items for their collection including this adorable ice bucket for $10!  Again, another bargain!

 Have I mentioned I am obsessed with tin tiles?  I bought these small tin tiles for a buck each.   I will strip the old paint off them and do something cool.   Not sure exactly what I will do with them, but I have a few ideas!

My aunt bought this adorable old school style water pump (next to bench) that already has the perfect place in her yard!  It totally goes with the theme and style of her yard!  Was a good deal for $80, but boy is that thing heavy!

Is it July yet?  Cannot wait for the next Brimfield!  Until next time...xoxo