Bidding Buds

All of my friends know where to find me on Wednesdays - at the auction, and today was no exception.

It's one of my sources for the  

merchandise I stock my shops with.  
(The Barn Show)
(Chartreuse and Co.) 
(Wild Rose and Co.)

And you never know what you're going to find!   

Like this:

I passed.

And this:

Passed again.   

Not only do I (usually) find great things, like this,

I've also met some really interesting people.  

They're the regulars.

Dealers like myself who are there every week, 

year-round sizing up the offerings in 

rain, snow, sleet and hail.

(Seriously!)   

The regulars are an "interesting" lot to say the least, a cast of characters like you've never seen before.   

You name the personality, I can point out which dealer fits that description, the good, the bad and the ugly!    

I have a couple of personal favorites with 

whom I've developed little

 auction friendships between bids.    

And as I was driving home today, 

I started thinking about them 

and it dawned on me that I should 

share them with you!    

First up is Michelle,  of 

The Vintage Source

I blogged about her last year, 
but since she's one of my favorites, 
I'm doing it again!

I actually met Michelle a couple of years ago 

when someone told me about  

her monthly sale in Compton, Maryland.

It's a hugely popular event, held in an old country store, with a 

loyal fan club customer base.   And if it weren't 

for the fact my Chartreuse sale is held the same 

weekend every month, I would be the first 

one in line at every sale because her shop 
is loaded with antique and vintage finds, 
painted furniture, and unique home decor.   

So, instead, I get to spend time 

with her at the auction.    

She's just one of those women that is very 

supportive, interesting to talk to and willing to share lessons 

learned with other people in the business.   
She's not competitive and this non-competitive girl loves that!  

She's lovely and I consider it a treat when I get to see her!   

My other favorite is Dan of 

GoodWood in D.C.   

My first memory of Dan is from a couple of years ago 
when I was bidding against him 

for a vintage dress form that now 
resides in my shop displaying super-cute 
custom made aprons, belts and jewelry.  

(I guess that tells you who won that one!)  

Unfortunately, I can always count on Dan to be my chief competitor for the really cool stuff I want for my shop!  
In fact, when my husband is at the auction I always point out to him the pieces I'm sure Dan will bid on,  because at this point I've watched him enough to  know his style!   
And I'm usually right!

I guess we have similar taste.

(Really good taste I'd say!)  

And although I've never been to the shop 

he owns in D.C. with his wife, 

I've read the press, 

(and there's lots of it!)

been to their website 

(here)

and witness first hand week after week 

what he's buying to fill the shop, so trust me, 

it's gotta be good!  

So, if you're ever looking for awesome 
furniture and unique accessories for your home, 
check out their shops!  


The Vintage Source
GoodWood 

Tell them Gail sent you.

(And maybe you could encourage them to stop bidding on the same things I do!) 

In my next post, I'll re-introduce you to Drew.   

I also met him at the auction.

(read this post)

He doesn't have a shop, but he does have a barn in Pennsylvania that is my kind of heaven!

- Gail - 

Going Home

This is Cedar Point

(The world's great amusement park!)

(No kidding, it really is - voted so every year!)  
 

It's on the shores of Lake Erie 
and has been there since 1870

And in many ways, it's where my story begins

It's where I went when I first left home

To work with 3,500 other college students

while living in dorms on the peninsula

It's where I learned my real home will always be there, comfort zones can be too restricting and that sometimes you need to take chances

It's where I met my husband, 
also a college student working at the park

It's where our story began

And this week, like every year, 

since I left in 1988 to marry that boy, 

we went back to chapter one

To remember who we once were

Only now our children are with us

Shane - Chapter 8 
and

Jacob - Chapter 9 

We tell stories, point out landmarks, 
meet up with long-time friends 
still lucky enough to work at the park, 
year-round as directors, managers, v.p's.

We envy their jobs - where every day is spent in amusement and long for the good old days

Before the less than romantic chapters were written

And someday, when the kids are off on their own, taking their own chances, 
and writing their own stories, 

we plan to buy a little cottage
on the lake 
and live another chapter

Until then, we keep "writing" 
and I remind myself, 
you can go "home" again! 

(Photo found here)

An UGH and some Ahhhhs.........

Let's start with the "ahhhhhs":

School's out!

It's a Chartreuse and Co. weekend! 

I'm heading to the motherland (Ohio) 

on Sunday for my family's 

annual trip to Cedar Point

(our happy place)

Now for the "ugh", and it's a big one, 

because it rocks my world:

There's a mouse in my house and if 

we don't catch it and any stinkin' friends 

it brought along - we're moving!

I. AM. NOT. KIDDING!

The kids will adjust, right?

We'll find a new house, 

maybe something on a lake .....

rodent free 

and Coco Too Rocks

Rita, Fran and Lew

My friends, Rita and Fran, of 

and Coco 

(and fellow Chartreuse and Co. dealers)

opened a second location a few months ago 

and asked our mutual friend Lew, 

also of Chartreuse, to join them there.

The trio are hosting an antique show on the grounds of their shop this weekend, and you should definitely check it out!

You'll love their shop and you'll love them!
Collectively they're the funniest, craziest,
loveliest and most talented
group of women I know, and you'll be so glad you met them!

It's definitely worth the drive!