Fab Photo #2

Isn't she so cute? This photo postcard also came from Spitalfields at the same little antique store... What's amazing is that BBC Home and Antiques recently posted an article regarding underrated antiques - And old photos were listed! In particular, it mentioned old English store fronts. And what could be a better shop than a chocolatier?

Wouldn't you just love to be this little girl? What wonderful candies she must have sampled! Click on the photo to look at all the special treats in the window...

Sorry it's crooked - Im just learning how to use our scanner so bear with me:)

Fab Photo #1

My husband recently taught me how to use our scanner- Now I can't wait to share my ephemera!
This photo was purchased in London at a little antiques store in the Spitalfields area. I just love the innocence and nostalgia this image brings up.

The Duchess

I am absolutely sick by the fact that I can't go out and see this movie right away! Apparently, only the big cities get it right now (I'm so very jealous)!...
I'm a big fan of historical cinema (both fiction and non-fiction alike). Marie Antoinette, The Count of Monte Cristo, Gone With the Wind... Movies that take one to another place and time. And clothes, sets, and words that are simply divine.
Check out the trailer and movie facts here! I guarantee you will not be disappointed ...

Button Up!

I want to encourage all of you button lovers out there to join the National Button Society - A fabulous group for research and wonderment! Their bulletins are great sources for information on collecting buttons... Well written articles and beautiful images accompany each edition.

All the buttons pictured here are from my own collection - But if you're so inclined, copies are available at my Raleigh antique booths (except the orange buckle- that one's all mine!)...

Flappers and Philosophers

I am a big fan of anything 1920's - F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors... So, when I read my latest Kovel's, I found something worth pining over - A Flapper Cigarette Dispenser! What a grand thing!

The following excerpt is courtesy of Kovels on Antiques and Collectibles, Volume 35:
Flapper Cigarette Holder... (By the way, love Kovels- Recommend their free weekly updates and inexpensive monthly newsletter to any antiquer!)

Q: I bought this at a flea market. An elderly friend of mine told me that in the 1920s and ’30s these beautiful cigarette containers used to sit on bar tops. Can you tell me more about it?

A: Your flapper cigarette dispenser was made by Kindel & Graham about 1929. The inside of the dispenser can be filled with cigarettes. Then, when the button next to the flapper’s face is pushed down, a cigarette comes out of her mouth. Kindel & Graham was founded in San Francisco in 1909. It’s still in business, listed as a source for party supplies, balloons, carnival games and popcorn poppers, snow-cone makers, bubble machines, etc. Cigarette dispensers similar to yours have sold in the last two years for $120 to $365.

So -- I went to Ebay like a diligent sheep and found that indeed, they are selling for the latter. Since I can't justify spending $400 on a cigarette dispenser, I can only dream of finding one for a steal someday while hunting and gathering for my shop. If you are so inclined to learn more about these lovely ladies, find one here and here.

Spooky Spenditures!

Even though I haven't felt like getting everything decked out for the hauntingly spectacular holiday, I have done a little damage to my wallet! Explanation being, I was very disappointed with some of the Halloween merchandise available in my local community... Everything looked the same and wasn't really my style. So, I decided to venture out into the World Wide Web and boy did I find some fabulousness!
Two venues offered just what I was looking for - Victoria Trading Company and Bayberry Cove. I just thought I'd share my new found friends with you... Aren't they just wonderful?

"Falling" Into Autumn

I love Fall... It's the time of year when you can start thinking about sweaters and cocoa and hot tea... Ahhh....

In celebration of the season, I thought I'd share a beautiful lady all dressed up for a masquerade - This image is either from The Graphics Fairy or Miss Mary's Gazette, both wonderful sites for finding amazing vintage clip art and inspiration.

Having somehow caught a vicious cold from my dear hubby, I haven't been able to do much Halloween/Fall decoration. Sleeping late today helped put me in a better mood so hopefully some "ghosts" will come out of the closet this afternoon:) But I did want to show 2 extra shots of my special smalls. I have a tall curio cabinet that I snagged for a song via Catchpenny's and The Shabby Chic (Warrenton, NC Fabulousness!)... Anyways, this cabinet is filled to the brim (and still adding!) with my world of curiosities. I decorated the top with some old millinery flowers and an uncovered parasol. Click on the large cabinet image to see some of the small things I collect including old photographs, childrens pottery, handmade items and lots more!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things ...

As an antiques dealer, my favorite objects are those that fit in the palm of my hand - The wonderful world of "smalls."
I took a few pictures of the items I treasure - Some are things I've picked up at flea markets and antique stores; others are gifts from dear friends. Come with me and I'll show you my cabinet of curiosities!

First up is an old store display cabinet. I've set up vignettes around it to establish a sense of continuity in my decorating scheme. As you can see on top of the cabinet, I have selected tones of red and pink to create a warm look. The garnet memorial pendant was a birthday gift from my husband purchased at the Lady and the Librarian (refer to my favorite links for a quick view of their Rubylane shop). The cute pink velvet vintage head band is from Catchpenny's, and the shoes are from Isabella's booth at Gresham Lake. The lovely metal Victorian child bell is from Green Lion Antiques, owned by the fabulous Mr. Tim Green - Be sure to check him out on my links as well.

The last image on this post captures a favorite find- An original watercolor in the style of Howard Christy / Charles Dana Gibson. She was a true steal - I don't remember paying over $10 for this fabulous piece of art! I hung a cute vintage mask over the frame and draped some old millinery flowers over the top to add a feminine touch. Splayed in a small grouping are some button cards that I've collected- The red ones are cut glass and the other two are mother of pearl (MOP as well call them in the trade:)).

*Be sure to click on each image to fully enjoy the detail of the objects ...

Have a wonderful week and enjoy these first few days of Fall!

Off to the Fairy Market!

Mr. Goat is the newest member of my tiny treasures collection. He's most likely Austrian and turn of the century - A whimsical trifle which makes me smile and think of fairy tales and magic. Look at his basket - little carrots and veggies for the gnome market! Don't you wish we could see where he was headed?

What Have You Been Up To Mrs. Newton?

This question you may ask yourself when I talk of sprees to D.C. (and of being lazy with my last couple of posts!). Well, I decided to take a few pictures of the new beautiful additions to our home... For this post, I'll try to focus on the larger pieces; next time, I want to share the smaller things I've been able to find.

All the furniture was purchased from my friend Beth, proprietress of Osiris. Although she's giving up her brick and mortar store, she will thankfully still be online. But since she no longer needs her large book storage pieces, Ben and I graciously took them off her hands! (To our great benefit!)

The new old antique poster over the mantel is another fabulous find - I can't describe how lucky I was to find this original c. 1910 Pierrot image. Its color and style is just what our den needed!
Another great piece is this Art Nouveau wall clock - Although not from Beth, it did hail from another dear soul- Sam, Raleigh's Resident Designer:) Find out about him at SuzAnna's Antiques (he has the best taste and the most wonderful items!)... The Gothic watercolor is from DC though- a British piece simultaneously haunting and comforting - Truly an inspiring image of the beauty of decay.

The c. 1900 Art Nouveau armoire is a piece de resistance... I never thought I'd find something in this time period that would be affordable! And yet, we have been blessed with so many wonderful friends who truly love antiques just as we do. Just look at that hardware!

And so this is what the life of an antiques' dealer consists of - The ebb and flow of items to and from one's home. Even though these items are mine for now, one day they may be passed on to another lover of old. The last couple of weeks have been occupied with moving and primping, purging and collecting - Once again finding that the flotsam and jetsam of our lives is temporal.

Ode to Summer

" Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."

~Sam Keen

Southern Style: Baltimore Antique Show

Thought I'd share some beautiful images with you from the Baltimore Antique Show which took place over Labor Day weekend.

I love unusual items and there was no shortage of the like. Paragon Antiques, recently relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, had several religious statues and icons. Also available from Paragon was this fabulous 19th century French mannequin.

One of the best displays at the show was created by The Elephant's Ear of Jackson, Mississippi. Importing directly from Europe seems to work well for this designer- Look at these wonderful pieces!

Last but certainly not least is this lovely fairy oil painting... Entitled Nymph a la Piece d'Eau (Nymph at the Fountain), the image was painted by Guillaume Seignac, a French man born in 1870.

As you can see from the pictures, the Baltimore Summer Show is a cabinet of curiosities with its acquisitions for sale.

Rest for the Weary

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

After traveling to DC several times in the last couple of weeks, I am really beginning to feel the impact! Hopefully, a few days of routine and rest will help cure my slagging demeanor. For now, I will try to give you all some eye candy and a quote or two. I'll also try to have up some pictures of my recent finds!

Images of Beauty

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden is a delightful journey to another land- The land of Britain with its flora and fauna. Mrs. Holden's thoughts are detailed in lovely paintings and words... Much in the style of Beatrix Potter. She has written her favorite poems and observations in a collection kept in the penmanship it was originally written.

What makes Country Diary a book to be discovered lies not only in its words and pictures but also in the author's life. Edith Holden was born in 1871 at Kings Norton, Worcester. While in Warwickshire, she wrote and illustrated the treasure I mention here. She continued to paint and write and published several books focused on animals; sadly, it was her inquisitive nature which led to her tragic death. While gathering buds from chestnut trees at Kew, she drowned in the Thames at the age of 49.

I encourage you to find a copy of this book for your personal collection- Each month is breathtakingly illustrated and will be a lovely addition to your seasonal decor.

"The last of our summer visitants has taken his departure; About a fortnight ago a chiff-chaff was constantly to be seen hopping about the Gooseberry bushes in the garden; - the last to leave us, he is usually the first to arrive. But the tom-tits are returning in great numbers ..."

-- The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, Edith Holden, October 21

Whimsical Wares

Hi all-
Before I start my series of book reviews, I thought I would share a view recent purchases ... If you're a regular reader of my post, you've probably gotten the hint that I like stuff. Not just any stuff mind you - Interesting, quirky stuff. And that's what I'm going to share with you today!

A few months ago, in either Country Home or Country Living, Poppy Treffry (http://www.poppytreffry.co.uk) was spot lighted. As a big fan of either previous mentioned mag, I took their advice and looked up the seller. Fabulous stuff- Tea cozies, bags, quirky kitchen supplies- Fun all around. Problem is - a little pricey. So, I passed and looked longfully at the bags. Speed ahead to first big Rubylane sale - Celebration time! You got it- I bought my Poppy Treffry bag! The bag is the one with the butterflies ... Whopee! It's crossing the big wide ocean now. Let's hope it's doing OK.

See the fun, fun, fun wreath- Courtesy of Katie Runnels at www. theconstantgatherer.com. Be sure to check out her links page and see her shop on Etsy. Did I say fun yet? She's a Savannah College of Art Alumni and lives in my home state of South Carolina ...

Ok- so, yes, I did buy a second pocket book this month. But I do get credit b/c the last one I bought was like 4 months ago and it was a steal (Coach for $20 at Gresham!). Anyways, the "Dream Boat Tote" is made by Lori Marie at Pretty Little Things (www.lorimarie.com). She has been featured on Martha Stewart twice, Parents Magazine, Lucky and tons more. And she's super nice! What more could one ask for??? Her little totes are adorable- Several months ago I went for the Doll Face Clutch:) So cute and looks great in the Dream Boat Tote!

The oh so precious gnome tags were a definite hit for me! I had no idea the quality and craftsmanship of these little guys when I ordered them from Shaving Kit Supplies on Etsy www.shavingkit.etsy.com. A definite must for anyone who loves red hatted small people:) And the freebie she sent was so cute- One of those vintage style pipe cleaner Halloween thingys!

Well, now that my wallet is empty, I should go back to work. I've gotta put some Halloween things out at the booths and list some new finds on Rubylane. I'd love to know if you've visited so please take a moment and comment - I'll be sure to reply back!