A Sensational September Brimfield

The Weather Gods were kind on this perfect September Friday for my second Brimfield Antiques Show trip of the year. The crowds were definitely back to pre-pandemic amounts, and the dealers' tents were packed with loads of treasures.

I will readily admit I'm a clothes horse, and I think it's partly because I've worked in the retail field for most of my professional career. I'm always on the lookout for vintage clothing pieces that 1) fit me; 2) are fun or unique; 3) are at the right price for their age and condition. 

I found this 70s Farah leisure suit jacket for $20 that fit all three criteria, so I went for it. I already have an identical one in brown with contrast stitching on the collar, pockets and cuffs, just like this one. I've seen this style listed at online auction sites for almost twice as much, so it was a good deal.

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I especially like the September Brimfield show because they usually have an abundance of Halloween and Christmas items, both of which I collect. This vintage Halloween greeting card was a great deal at just $5, and I don't think I've ever seen a greeting card this large – it's 13" tall! And, it has a notch at the bottom so you can stand it up and use it as a table decoration.

It's tough to see in this photo,
but the black parts are in felt,
which adds even more character to the piece.

Even the back is charming.

This is the inside message.
The "He doesn't need a mask" line is interesting,
given current times.

I already have a 70s Santa plastic popcorn door decoration, so this jack-o-lantern is a good addition to my Halloween collection – a bargain at just $10. These usually go for at least twice as much at online sites, though the orange is somewhat faded on this piece.

Yes, it's frightfully fun to be me!

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As usual, I found a few fun additions to my extensive vintage Christmas collection, including this mini pixie elf. It's face is different than most – not a typical happy smile, but mischievous for sure.

I dare you to lay a finger on my gold lamé suit.

And, what's a few more glass ornaments, right?

These are the rarer large size tri-tone ornaments,
which will hang on my silver aluminum Christmas tree this year.

Caught a gold snowflake ornament, too.

It's tough to find vintage greeting cards with no writing on them, so these were a great find at just $1 each. I especially like their tall vertical shape. I'm guessing they're from the 60s.

It's tough to see in photo,
but the red is in felt.

Love the embossing on the white part.

Love the star sequins decorating the tree.

Love how the design is carried through on the inside.

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Finally, here are a few photo ops I couldn't resist...

Say hello to The Witch from Agua Vista St.

 

This is a very large double-sided light-up Christmas stocking –
maybe it belonged to The Jolly Green Giant?

Happy End Of Summer to all... and to all a good night!

Summer Vacay 2021: The Beach Is Back

Despite continuing world chaos, I was able to escape for a brief August getaway to Provincetown. Fortunately, the town has retained its natural beauty, with shops open to more visitors, and indoor drag shows now hosting audiences with proof of vaccination – thankfully, required. 

The weather was steamy, so the beach was a welcome respite, and much less crowded than usual. 

I always discover new photo ops every time I visit, and this time I took a few pics of the bayside from Macmillan Pier.

Note giant blue Adirondack chair at the right.
This chair was previously on Commercial St. near Town Hall.

This year's new development includes a funicular to take visitors up to the Pilgrim Monument. I believe it's almost ready to open. The views from up there are amazing!

Going up?

The town was getting ready for Carnival week. This year's theme was Over The Rainbow.

Somewhere...

Here are a couple of seaworthy details I encountered...

The lady of the house is "prowed" to "sea" you here.

A mermaid sighting – I'm hooked.

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Public art is always colorful and intriguing. I especially liked this long mural outside of my favorite shop, Marine Specialties...

Time And The Town wall mural by Esteban Del Valle

We're fit to be tied.

Howl for your supper.

Just go with flow.

Art imitates art.

This is another mural, visible from near the seashell shop...

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I spotted this fun collage advertising upcoming shows...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"She's prettier than Elizabeth Taylor!!!"

 

A visit to "Providencetown" wouldn't be complete without attending a show or two. Last summer's shows were cancelled due to COVID, but this year they returned, and I was lucky to see two really funny ones. I hadn't laughed that much in at least a year and a half – truly!

"'L' is for the way you look at me."

In case you haven't received your shot yet –
shame on you if you haven't! – here's a little incentive.

🌞 Happy Summer! 🌈

Brimfield Is Back!

After a year-plus absence due to the pandemic, the Brimfield Antiques Show finally returned this July. Friday the 16th was a steamy summer day, but it was great to be back roaming the fields for vintage treasures. There was a good-sized crowd, but it wasn't overwhelming, and I managed to discover a few fun finds to bring home with me.

My first treasure of the day was this Italian glass genie bottle in a beautiful blue turquoise color for $20. It has grapes and cherries on the sides with a tall hobnail stopper to complete its magical shape. The stopper has a very small chip on the tip, which is hardly noticeable. 

This side features grapes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This side features cherries.

This bottle brings my genie bottle collection total to four. I already have a matching pair of two amber bottles with a grape design in my living room, and another Empoli amber bottle with a waves design, which is on top of a console in my bedroom.

I have recently seen bottles like this listed on auction websites for $85 and more, plus shipping, so this was a bargain.

 

My unusual find of the day, picked up on a whim for $30, was this Schrafft's candy metal store display rack. 

"Can you imagine anyone speaking French to
the counter man...at Schrafft's?" - Gloria from Auntie Mame.

I did a bit of online research and discovered Schrafft's was founded in Boston in 1861, based in Sullivan Square, Charlestown, and was once the largest candy factory in the world according to the New England Historical Society. Later, a Schrafft's restaurant chain was formed with at least one famous location in NYC.

I decided to place this piece in my office/guest room. I also found the ombre tri-tone Christmas ornaments at Brimfield for $1 each.

I experimented with different display options, but I even like the vintage character of the piece on its own.

I also read online that in the film, Breakfast At Tiffany's, in the famous scene where Holly Golightly is standing on 5th Avenue in front of the Tiffany's window, she's holding a cup of coffee and danish from Schrafft's. Truly iconic.

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Here are a few interesting visuals from the day that caught my eye...

Nifty 1950s table. Love the two-tone top!

Cartoon cutout perhaps of Betty from The Archies?

I can see clearly now...this dealer has enough glasses to host a large banquet.

See you in September!

2020 Visions of Christmas

Hallelujah! 2020 is nearly over, and it can't be soon enough for me. I'm sure most people around the world feel the same way. Despite all the mayhem (largely political), anxiety, horror and tragedy, there is always room for hope...and more Christmas decorations. 

In a year with three cancelled Brimfield Antiques Shows, and few other antique shopping opportunities, I managed to score a small handful of new vintage holiday items, either online or during one of four brief CT visits. Hopefully, as 2021 progresses, there will be more events available to attend safely.

Living Room

As usual, my living room features the main Christmas event, including my full-size artificial tree decorated with mostly vintage ornaments. This year I used all C-7 white lights with a couple of figural bulbs – one snowman and one clown – two bubble lights near the top, a lighted plastic angel with blue wings at the very top, and three lighted ice bulbs.

In keeping with the all white lights theme, I used C7 lighted ice bulbs, new this year, for the fireplace mantel. I also added three lighted white snowy owls, all purchased online specifically for this year's display. The frosted white icicle ornaments and two tiered silver bottle brush trees are also new from a discount department store.

Peace be with you...and no tweets, only treats allowed.

Who's a pretty snowy owl?

This center owl is actually much brighter than the other two,
so she's more difficult to photograph.

 

The cutout white paper doves are new from an online shop. I played with several layouts and finally decided on this vertical oval design. If I put them up again next year, maybe I'll try a different layout. The Peace sign is from a discount department store.

Hallway

This past fall, I found these poinsettia sconce shades at an antiques shop in CT for a bargain price. There are six of them, but I only used four. These sconces are not wired, so they're purely wall decorations. 

Bathroom

I only decorate the bathroom with a few holiday touches. This year I saw this flamingo shower curtain online, and for about $12, I thought it would be fun to go along with the bath's Hawaiian decor theme.

Home Office

During one summer visit to CT, I found a new antiques shop on Rte. 1 that had some fun treasures. I picked up this 1950s aluminum wall tree for $30. I've seen similar ones on online auction sites that are listed at $125 or thereabouts. It's missing a few branches, but came with its original cardboard box. I think someone may have spray painted the branches green (except for the center top one), but I can't be sure. I added the green vintage ornaments, which I already had. 

Part of my pixie elf corner.
They're either trying to spread cheer
or mischief.

The center pixie elf is really mad,
and boy, did he have a LOT to be mad about this year.

Papa Pixie Elf is new this year from the same
antiques shop as the aluminum wall tree.
He's thinking about the good old days,
which was pre-2016 – at least.

New tinsel tree ornament
 (set of 3) from a holiday
gift shop in Granby, CT.

And finally, my "Erase 2020" tree, which I hope I won't have to put up again for many years to come. The last time I put it up was in 2009, another crappy year for different reasons.

Santa is happily waving goodbye to 2020.

If you look closely at his eyes,
they're slightly rabid, as if he's thinking,
"WTF happened?!"

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