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: