Visions of Sugarplums

Hope everyone is having a splendid holiday season. All the hustle and bustle- Such fun! Christmas carols and twinkling lights set the mood for a wonderful Christmas...
Wanted to share pictures of my shop window - We finished it just in time for Open House. The colors are so vibrant. And the backdrop is gorgeous. We plan on using it for Valentine's Day as well... You know, it's just around the corner!
I've tried to keep the store stocked with authentic Christmas decorations-- This 1940's stocking is a perfect example of the treasures you'll find here at Flotsam & Jetsam.
Antique children's books line the shelves just waiting for that enthusiastic collector.
A newly found Victorian wrought iron plant stand looks great with a seasonal floral display.

Be sure to be a good little girl or boy so that Santa will bring you a gift from Flotsam & Jetsam! See you soon ...

Hello Friends!

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I've posted. Time has flown by... It's amazing how caught up we can be in our daily lives. Travel, family obligations, work- It all conspires against us bloggers... Then there's the inevitable writer's block and procrastination bug (which has often bitten me!)...

On a personal note, I do have one other excuse- I'm 19 weeks pregnant! We are so very excited about Baby Newton. Next week we find out whether it's a boy or a girl... So much to look forward to. We will soon be a family of 3!
So, onto Vintage Thingy Thursday... We've decorated for Christmas at Flotsam & Jetsam and have some wonderful antique and vintage accessories for the holidays. The colors are simply divine! The ornaments add such sparkle to the shop - I wish we could keep them out all year.
I've already sold a number of the older ornaments including several Santas and a multicolored pine cone... Really splendid treasures. But we still have beautiful leaf diecuts and 2 tinsel Santas waiting for that perfect home.

Hopefully dear friends I won't be absent this long again! I hope to see you at least once a week- Let's say that will be my goal to check in 4 times during the holiday season. And I do have one post planned for the unveiling of my Christmas window. So, ta-ta for now and see you again soon!

A Magical Locale: Sweet Peas Antiques and Garden

Few and far between are those shops which make your heart go pitter patter with excitement and the thrill of the hunt. Sweet Peas Antiques and Garden is the latest boutique to open with fabulous finds and fantastic vintage goodies just waiting to be discovered.
Located at 894 Holden Road, Youngsville (near Raleigh, NC), Sweet Peas is just the place to find that unique piece for either your home or a gift for a dear friend.
One of a kind quilts, chandeliers, textiles, and other smalls are simply waiting for you to come and discover them!
Tracie and Linda, the owners of Sweet Peas, are delightful to work with and give each customer attention and time... The shop is a place where you can just wander to your heart's content.
The selection is breathtaking with different styles exhibited throughout the floor. The dominant look is still the ever popular shabby chic.
Just look at this beautiful tree branch display!

So, if you live nearby (or even if you have to drive a bit, it's worth it!) be sure to take a jaunt to 894 Holden Road, Youngsville; 919 554 0535

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday

I thought this wonderful shop would be perfect for a Vintage Thingy Thursday posting. Be sure to visit the ColoradoLady for more Vintage Goodness!

Sinister Delights

Dear Blogland -- What a vacation I've taken from you- Over a month... Wow! So much has been happening with the shop, Etsy, and Rubylane that I've really been on my toes. But now with fabulous fall here, I wanted to stop in for a little "chat".

My main objective is to share my delightfully spooky Halloween window. Isn't it just wonderful? It's even a little more sinister than I originally envisioned but I really think it still works. We used a variety of everyday antiques along with some magical props that set off the tone of this vignette. Weathered sculptures and busts add charm and sophistication while the crystals really add some sparkle (along with the crystal necklaces). We also used dark wood to help carry a more wicked look. So, hopefully my next post won't be a month from now- I also promise to try my best to catch up on reading everyone's writings... Ta-ta! And don't forget to visit Vintage Thingie Thursday for more vintage goodies!

School Days!

With the children back in school, I thought it would be cute to do a classroom scene for September's window. We chose a colorful quilt backdrop along with a gorgeous wooden frame. Details of the scene include a student desk, a "teacher's" chair, a radio flyer and some wonderful treasures sprinkled about. A porcelain doll and a worn velvet toy chest also grace the window.

Speaking of trinkets and baubles, Beth Niquette of The Best Hearts Are Crunchy won the $50 gift certificate to my shop (both online and here at my brick and mortar). I can't wait to see what she picks!

Just a Spoonful of Glitter ...

For this week's Vintage Thingy Thursday, I wanted to share a wonderful treat with you all... Vintage glass glitter from Germany. The shine and patina let you know it's authentic and special. I just purchased a large quantity and am so excited about it! I can't wait to find that project that needs just a touch of magic! Hopefully the "antiquers" of Kensington will love it as much as I do...
Everyone has been asking for more shots of the store, so I've finally gotten around to taking some photographs. As you can tell from the images, I have a passion for anything small and interesting...
A closeup of some tiny bottles and an antique purse frame
A bit of Shabby Chic complete with dolls, china, and silverplate!
Inside a magic cupboard!
A new display brightly featuring red!

More tiny trinkets to discover...
A cabinet of curiosities!

So, you've taken a little trip into Flotsam & Jetsam. Be sure to take home a bit of the magic with you. And come back when you're in need of just the right gift (for either yourself or that special someone)!

She's Got Game ... And Prizes!

That's right- Vintage games that is! Fresh from a Maryland estate are these fabulous c. 1940s games in excellent condition.
I've never seen a fully intact classic Lotto game before- What a fantastic find~ Even the simple Bingo cards are lovely- And a perfect activity for that next family holiday!
Just look at this Parcheesi game! The board is so bright and colorful- Perfect for a home vignette.

I've linked up with the Colorado Lady's Vintage Thingy Thursday (albeit late) - Be sure to check out all the lovely little bits and baubles bloggers are sharing!
A little aside note: I recently hit my 200th post mark! Yeah! I'm so thrilled to have reached this milestone that I wanted to do something a little special for all of you readers. In honor of this occasion, I am giving away a $50 gift certificate to my 2 online shops: Etsy and Rubylane. You can spend the amount at either both or just one of the boutiques... Your choice. I add things weekly so there's always lots of fresh merchandise.
To enter, simply leave a comment on any post between now and August 30th. Each comment counts so be sure to check back regularly for new posts.
Good Luck!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Antique French Embroidered Ribbon

I've always had a special place in my heart for vintage textiles, especially antique trims, ribbon, and lace. Even though I don't sew, I think lace and it's variants are simply divine. The more ornate the better. The early pieces are especially unique, and the care taken to create them is amazing. The quality is apparent even at a cursory glance.
Vintage Cotton Trim

Perfect for dressing up that simple top, vintage trim can really add a new dimension to clothing. Many high end shops such as Anthropologie already use this concept on a variety of its pieces, although their laces are new.
Wonderful Black Embroidered Lace

I've just listed some examples of this obsession in my Etsy shop. I plan to continuously update the site with these treasures. Hopefully someone will discover my trove of trims... And will love them as much as I.
Antique Lace Medallion

Blissful Elegance

One thing that always perplexes me is how to categorize my style. In all things, I love good quality and fine craftsmanship. But these features can be seen in both elegant objects as well as "cutesy" informal pieces -- And I love both. So, my shop is a mismatch of different styles and eras. But for today I thought I would share three of my more sophisticated items ...

I believe this little shell piece is German and from the turn of the century. Its graceful lines and lovely tones make it a perfect accent for any decor. The cherub is especially beautiful ... The feathers add a little bit whimsy to this pièce de résistance.
Porcelain cherub on shell $125

What a lovely little bit of history this is! A handmade velvet doll box also dating to the late 19th century. The worn exterior only adds to the romanticism of this darling little object. Can't you see a precious doll nestled inside?
Antique Doll Box $145


If you remember this post, you'll recall the fabulous auction box I found with feathers, tiaras and other such whimsical items. This blue velvet beauty came from the same treasure trove. I believe this particular hat to be Edwardian c. 1905. What a beautiful piece this is! Truly, a fabulous find...
Antique Velvet and Feather Hat $55

I hope you've enjoyed this look around Flotsam and Jetsam. Be sure to visit my Etsy shop for more bits and baubles - I've listed several new items including decorative clock hands, a c. 1950s button box, and vintage tatting thread. Enjoy!

Be sure to check out more Vintage Thingy Thursday at The Colorado Lady's Blog ...