Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, 

from my home to yours!  

  

It Can Wait

pro·cras·ti·nate (pr-krst-nt, pr-)


v. pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates

v.intr.

To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.

v.tr.

To postpone or delay needlessly.

[Latin prcrstinre, prcrstint- : pr-, forward; see pro-1 + crstinus, of tomorrow (from crs, tomorrow).]

pro·crasti·nation n.

pro·crasti·nator n.

It happens every year without fail.

We've hosted a holiday party for 15 years in a row 

(Well except last year when it was cancelled because of the blizzard!)

and every year I find myself way behind.

The party is Saturday night.

We're expecting about 80 people.

The tree is up.

A couple of the rooms are decorated.  

I'm blogging instead of finishing up.

I like to say I work better under pressure.

My kids say that's giving myself too much credit.

They say I'm a procrastinator.

I say, I'll think about that later.

In the meantime, check out last year's decor here.

Keep On Truckin'

I never thought I was a pickup truck kind of girl

Ever since I had kids my life has required a minivan

But lately my business has really taken off

The Kramer Angle is in three locations!

I've been racking up the miles on the Honda Odyssey and shoving as much furniture as I can in the back in my quest to fill my shops.
Which has made my husband, oh, a tad cranky!

So, a few months ago I found myself daydreaming about buying a pickup truck like this one.   

Vintage cool, right?
I love the whitewalls, the candy apple red finish and could definitely see myself hauling my industrial chic finds back to the barn in this beauty!
But they're not exactly easy to come by, not to mention easy on the checkbook.


So, instead I set my sights on another truck.


It belongs to my absolute favorite brother-in-law in the entire world!
Who also happens to read my blog! 
(Hello, Ron!)
Ron is awesome!   
Cool, calm and collected and always on the cutting edge of technology.   
He likes the good things in life.
Like an awesome truck.
He has a a Toyota Tundra, like this one:

So, I hinted around, I pleaded, I begged, I appealed to his ego in an effort to get him sell me his truck.
I explained
a suave, sophisticated, smart man like himself should be driving a more current model truck.
A 2008 is so beneath him.
But, he didn't buy it.
He didn't even budge.
(I told you he was cool!)
The truck is still in his garage.

Defeated and disappointed I set out to find a truck that would suit my needs.
Extended cab.
(To stash my smalls!)
Eight foot bed.
(To hold the big stuff!)
4x4
(No excuse to stay home!)
And this is what I came up with.
A 1998 Chevy Silverado
Extended cab!
Eight foot bed!
4 x 4

I picked it up today.

Now all I need to do is find some of those hitch hanging bull testicles and a gunrack for the cab and I'll be all set!
Sweet!
Let me know if you want to ride shotgun!
I'll pick you up!

Best Intentions

Sometimes best intentions go awry.   

Take my intention to post photos of what I picked up in Florida on my buying trip.

Remember that one?   

When I promised to post photos of the incredible industrial lighting, stools, baskets, and salvaged porch spindles-turned-lamps?   

Ahh, so you do remember!   

I confess!
I haven't  gotten around to it yet!      

I've been too busy getting ready for another 

barn show!

This one's close to home.

In Gambrills, Maryland 

(3250 Bottner Road)

We've decked the barn with tons of antiques, architectural salvage, vintage accessories, and holiday decor!

Check it out here for some sneak peeks at what you'll find at this weekend's show.

Like custom burlap table runners with ruffled trim! 

(In red, chocolate, black and natural)  

Stop by and say hello, I'd love to see you!   

Another Barn exclusive - burlap stockings.  

 You're going to love this lamp!   

A custom made French linen lampshade with opalesque buttons topping a salvaged porch balustrade repurposed into a lamp!   

(We have two!)

Beautiful ornaments and a sneak peek at one of those custom burlap and duckcloth runners I was talking about!   

Thankful

Well, I'm back from my shopping trip!

And I don't mean the "After Thanksgiving, Black Friday sales!"

(Which I have zero interest in!)

No, I'm actually back from my first official buying trip for my business.

Not an ordinary trip up to Delaware, over to Virginia or across the bridge to Maryland's eastern shore.   

No, I do that kind of shopping all the time.

This time, I actually got on a plane and flew south to Renninger's in Mt. Dora, Florida for their antique extravaganza!   

It was:

Illuminating!   

(I bought eight lamps!)

Salvaged parts industrial lamps!

Repurposed newell post and surveyor stand lamps!

Entertaining

(Why do people walk around with birds on their shoulder?)

Exhausting

(Three days of sun, heat, walking gets tiring!)

Heart-warming

(I met the nicest people ever!)

Energizing

(I absolutely can't wait to get started on my next show!)

Creative

(Designing industrial inspired tables and chairs with a dealer!)

Amazing!

(I'm living my dream!)

I flew back home last night with one of my sons.

The other is driving home with my husband today 

(14 hours!)

with a minivan loaded with my purchases!

How great is that?!!

(I'll post pictures of what I bought tomorrow!)

Dream Girl

I'm a big dreamer.

Not in the world peace, big thinker kind of way.

(Although that would be nice!)

No, admittedly my dreams are much less intellectual than that!

Sometimes I dream about people that are on my mind

(Maybe you?)

or 

situations I'm fretting about 

(Like how can I possibly get everything done.  

 An anxiety dream I guess.)

But lately I've been dreaming about "stuff"

"Stuff" in terms of inventory for my business.

I keep dreaming I've stumbled upon out of the way places loaded with the most amazing antiques, architectural salvage, galvanized tables with big industrial wheels, vintage store fixtures or the coolest props I've ever seen.

And it's all free!

They're happy dreams that keep me giddy while I sleep.

I wake up excited, thinking of the display possibilities, marveling at my amazing luck, imagining about my customers' reactions to my great finds, wondering how I'll get my new-found cache home!  

And then, reality sets in.

Oh, it was just a dream!   

It wasn't real!

I still need to get out there and find great stuff!?  

But it's okay, because I'm energized and ready for the challenge!

So, I'm off to find the goods!

Today, in fact!

I'm flying off on my very first official, out of state, treasure hunt to a far-away place where 2,500 dealers will be selling their goods.   

I can't wait!

At last, a dream come true!

(I'll keep you posted!)   

First Dibs

Once a year we hold a First Dibs Party at 

Chartreuse and Co.

It's a fun and festive way to kick off the holidays!

And it's tonight!   

(Click on the link above for directions and hours)

The barn is absolutely packed with the most amazing holiday decor, vintage finds, repurposed goodies and antiques we've ever had.

If you stop by this is what you'll find in my space: