What a fun weekend!

I finished my taxes on Friday (yippee!), so thought I would reward myself with a fun-filled weekend. I started out by meeting my good friends for breakfast on Saturday to celebrate three of their birthdays. We had a great time over some good food at Honeyberry Cafe.

                               

On Sunday morning, I attended The Washington Street Market in Naperville. 

Mark Norkaitis of Room 363 always puts on a beautiful show.

There were several of these gorgeous over-sized wreaths available to purchase.

And just look at this fabulous painted piano. When I was leaving the market a gentleman was 'tinkling the ivories' fill the air with wonderful music.

The vendors are always top-notch at this market.

After the market, it was time to move on to The Midwest Meet-Up in Lisle organized by Jen Rizzo for local bloggers to get-together.

There was an array of snacks to munch on. Jen had her darling three daughters and sweet hubby helping her set everything up.

Then we got down to brass tacks and serious blogger business discussing the latest in blogging trends and social media.

Jen is the cute gal standing in the pic above. It was so great to meet some new blogging friends. My head is still spinning from all the information exchanged. I can't believe how much this industry has changed since I started blogging eight years ago.

These gals were so knowledgeable and really work hard at making a living through their blogs.

The Find

I recently discovered The Find Market Event located in Plainfield, Illinois. This is a once a month shopping market which opened last October. It happens to be not very far from where my daughter lives, so I decided to stop by last night on the way home from babysitting my grandson.

The Find is located in a warehouse-type space full of a wide variety of vintage treasures. They sell everything you can imagine such as furniture, architectural pieces like, doors, windows, shutters, spindles, etc., industrial items, bed springs, old enamelware, wooden ladders, quilts, chalk paint, vintage lampshades, suitcases, handmade tote bags, milk glass, silver serving pieces, corrugated metal letters, wire baskets, vintage tins, etc., etc.

There is even a cafe area where you can sit and relax and enjoy a beverage or snack under a unique chandelier made out of tiny lights and an old box spring.

The Find is open every third Thursday through Sunday of each month and you can find more information (as well as directions and exact location) at www.thefindmarketevent.com

Back to School

Target's back to school catalog arrived in the mail the other day. It makes me want to go away to college. Never mind that I'm a few decades too old for that! They have some pretty cool dorm room items. What fun!

Christmas Shopping

Mary Gulbrantson (aka Urban Farmgirl) recently opened a new shop in Rockford, IL. Mary usually sells vintage furniture pieces at various markets around the area. But she wanted a place where she could sell the "smalls" she loves as well, so when the opportunity to rent this awesome store front presented itself, Mary jumped right in.

I simply had to make the trek out to visit this shop for myself. Urban Farmgirl has already had two sales and I've been to both of them! The merchandise is ever changing so the shop always stays fresh.

The interior of the shop is amazing to look at. You can see more photos of it on Mary's blog here.

While I was at Urban Farmgirl last week, they were putting together this "Merry Christmas" banner by using some cards they sell from a vintage child's game. So simple and yet such a great idea.

I bought some of the cards to create my own banner which says "Merry Everything" so I can keep it all all year long.

All you do is punch two tiny holes at the top of each card and string the cards on baker's twine and it's ready to hang. Easy-peasy!

Back to the Grind

~ Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia ~

It's Monday morning and I'm back from a fun little get-away to Galena, Illinois. It's best known for being the home to President Ulysses S. Grant, but my friend and I were more interested in the shopping. We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast along main street (shown above) which made everything we needed within walking distance. I parked my car and never moved it until it was time to go home. 

Sunday Flea

 Room 363 and Whimsy Decor shared a booth. More photos here.

Jennifer Rizzo Designs had a wonderful booth.

Sunday I decided to go to the Kane County Flea Market. I haven't been there for a very long time, so I was surprised to see the new buildings. The weather was so perfect - sunny, a slight breeze and the temperature was about 80 degrees. I wish I could remember to take my camera out of my purse more often at these kind of things. There were lots and lots of beautiful booths with fun vintage items. 

Instagram Inspiration

I spent a couple hours at Barnes & Noble pouring over magazines today, in addition to my daily walk at the mall, looking for some inspiration. Those two places never fail to give me an unlimited supply of ideas. Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

1. Blooming Roof - Flea Market Gardens;

2. Fiber Pouches by Sharon Borsavage - Belle Armoire Jewelry;

3. Paint Stir Stick Mobile - Anthropologie;

4. Wheelbarrow Planter - Flea Market Gardens;

5. Rusty Heart - Flea Market Gardens;

6. Navy & Taupe Fashions - Lucky Brand.

Enjoy the weekend!

Weekend Fun

This was a fun weekend ~ busy and spent with good friends. I went to the flea market on Saturday and picked up a few good finds. Here is just a sampling of some of the vintage lovelies I came home with.

Sweet little chairs :)

Bottles galore!

Seam binding and lace in pretty pastel colors for spring.

A lovely tea-stained French towel, religious medals and mitten clips.

Market Monday

It's Market Monday over at Etsy Cottage Style. Check out all the lovely items by clicking here.

Shelly from Bella Rennie was nice enough to include my Rustic Eggs in her Etsy Treasury. Get a close-up of all these "treasures" by clicking here.

And Angela from A & B Originals also included the eggs in her Etsy Treasury here.

Thanks so much ladies!

Have a great week!!!!

Shopping and Crafting

Free Shipping on all Halloween Items in my Etsy Shop!!!

Art & Crafting Books - $5.00 each! Click here for all the details.

Great Prices on Cookbook Destash! Click here for details!

~ Photo Courtesy of Cindy Gilstrap ~

Learn how to make these lovely paper-crafting accessories for your Thanksgiving table by following Cindy's tutorial on the Joli Paquet blog here.

Happy Labor Day!

It's Market Monday at Etsy Cottage Style. Check out the great shopping links by clicking here.

Hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend.

Featured!

My friend Linda has a new website featuring darling accessories for your dog, called Mandy's Mudroom, named after her very own adorable pooch! Linda asked me to design a few items to sell on her website and when I opened my new issue of Romantic Homes Magazine today, I discovered this page. . . .

. . . with an ad for Mandy's Mudroom which features my Glitter and Glam Monogram Tag front and center!

In addition to the monogram tag, I designed a cupcake tag and set of birthday party invitations for you doggy. They all can be found right here! And be sure to check out Linda's line of sweet party "Poof-Poofs" for your dog's next party.