Posted: March 27th, 2013 | Filed under: Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: nashville flea market | 4 Comments »
Yes, I know it’s now WEDNESDAY that I’m finally posting this, but this is the first time I’ve had to sit at the computer since the flea. Good flea..nay, GREAT flea. I would have loved to stay and forage for hours, but as it was..I had a little over one hour to see and split. It was very cold, so my frozen fingers snapped as much as I could for you..most of these were posted on Instragram in real time.
What did I bring home? Two things….
I got a deal on the nesting teak bowls since a couple of the “petals” were damaged and another piece of string art.
I have more to share..the pantry is coming along and some recent local travels I’ll try and get posted in the next day.
Posted: March 13th, 2013 | Filed under: DIY, Our Projects | Tags: Ikea Kitchen, kitchen, pantry | 2 Comments »
I know this has been incredibly slow going, but the un-fun prep stuff takes awhile with little to nothing to show for it. BUT, that said, starting this weekend, things should start moving a little more quickly. We can’t install cabinets until the wall is up to code, with an outlet for every 4 feet of counter space. Plus outlets for under cabinet lighting…oh, and we have a switch hanging from the ceiling that needs to be dealt with.
We decided after taking out the wall last weekend that it was worth the splurge to get an electrician in. The CC is pretty good with electrics, but he’s one guy with a day job, and for what we need done, a team of 2 guys is going to get us ready to roll in about 4-6 hours. They come early Friday morning, which means Friday night, we can start busting out some progress. We have one lot of cabinets sitting in the garage waiting for assembly. I’ll probably drive to Atlanta sometime next week to get the second lot and the other bits like handles etc…
As a reminder of what we had on this wall of the kitchen…this is as it was the day we looked at the house….
…and this is how we’ve been living with it.
We eliminated all the wasted space behind those tiny bi-fold doors, but never quite finished.
It’s a project, so that means only one thing….OTTOBOMB.
This is our highly scientific way of showing the electrician where we generally want the outlets.
More later….I HOPE!
Posted: March 10th, 2013 | Filed under: Travel | Tags: Bluegrass Underground, Cumberland Caverns, Infamous Stringdusters, North Mississippi Allstars, PBS Taping Day Three, The Wood Brothers, Yonder Mountain String Band | 10 Comments »
We took a break from pantry wall demo and spent the day in, or shall we say, under, McMinnville, TN. I have been dying to go to a taping of the PBS series Bluegrass Underground ever since I first heard about it, shortly after we moved here. The gist: About 90 minutes away from Nashville in Cumberland Caverns, there is a giant acoustical gem 333 feet below the surface called the Volcano Room, with a grand, historic chandelier and dirt floors. It’s killer.
The artists who play will likely end up standing next to you after their set to hear the rest of the show. It’s super casual, very intimate (capacity 500) and just an all around amazing experience. There’s no booze, therefore the shows are “all ages”, so we took the Things for a unique concert experience. We got MIXED REVIEWS. I know. In 15 years, I’ll be looking for a follow up review.
We went on a walking cave tour before the show, which was not only educational and beautiful, but also gave us first choice of seats before the general admission is allowed in. Even if you’re not interested, do the 11am tour if you want to sit up front. You have the option to forgo the climb up and down through the Mountain Room for the Christian based sound and light show, and can rejoin the group when it’s time to head into the show. I might skip that if I do it again, but since it was our first time, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I knew from my research I had 6 minutes of controversial Creationism in the tour, so I was prepared and it was fine. It makes them happy, and who am I to let my discomfort with organized religion ruin their fun, or mine? We’re there for a positive experience.
Once in, we grabbed some food and sat down to watch a few sound checks and take in the scene before the rest of the groups arrived. I really can’t recommend this enough for anyone who enjoys music. It’s a pretty special place that seems to work its magic on all those who perform there…everyone seemed genuinely thrilled to be a part of it all.
Our lineup was Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The North Mississippi Allstars and The Wood Brothers.
An all around outstanding day, not soon to be forgotten.
For information on air dates/channels for the PBS series, go here.
Posted: March 6th, 2013 | Filed under: Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: brass flower ashtray, Road to Hell Series | 2 Comments »
Thanks to all who commented and made me feel a wee bit less of a loser on the debut of this series! Guilt loves company as much as misery does, in my opinion.
This is the second, and to date, my most “famous” RTH item since the intended recipient was informed of her loss. What I found for her instead was actually a much better fit and has been greatly enjoyed, but when she saw the one that got away, I got the dagger eyes, and luckily, forgiveness. Right, Lauri?!?
For those new to the series, the gist is: I go vintage shopping to find something great and unique for a specific person. I buy said something. I cannot give it away. I have named this series Road to Hell
(or RTH for sensitive ears) because, as the saying goes; The road to hell is paved with good intentions. My intentions really are quite good…until they aren’t.
This gem is still one of my favorite finds. It was scooped up at Garden Point Antiques in Etowah, Arkansas several years ago…maybe 6 or 7? It is a replica of a vintage Gucci design and marked TAN under each petal and the base. The Gucci pieces sell for hundreds, mine…notsomuch, but I don’t care. I bought it because it was unique and fun, even though I don’t smoke. I doesn’t really scream “ashtray” anyway.
How was I outed? Girlfriend one (shopping companion) to girlfriend 2 (gift recipient) said in a conversation of that day’s treasure hunting and finds, “….. and I saw the one you didn’t get!” and we are still laughing about it…BUSTED. I’ll leave it to her in my will, so it will find its way eventually.
Posted: February 28th, 2013 | Filed under: Just for fun, Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: Road to Hell Series, Vintage Brass Owl Bottle Opener | 10 Comments »
So, while most of us would never want to admit we’ve been anything but generous and selfless stalwarts of society, reeking of rainbows and unicorns, there is also that pesky thing called reality.
Something less selfless happened today that is a semi-regular occurrence. I feel the shame, but I still do the deed…again and again.
I go vintage shopping to find something great and unique for a specific person. I buy said something. I cannot give it away. NOTE: This only happens with vintage finds. If there is something new I’m buying for someone else, rare angst. I know I can get one myself should I decide I want to pursue it. Eccentric vintage modern fabulousness? WAY harder.
It gets worse.
Then, to ease my guilt, I end up buying something a wee bit more extravagant for the giftee, as some bizarre rationalization for keeping something they never even knew about. WHO AM I?!
So, all that to say, I am starting a series called the Road to Hell, so I can show which items have made me such a selfish, greedy lost cause. Because, as the saying goes; The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
We’ll start with today’s transgression. A brass owl nutcracker, found at the new and improved Old Made Good. For all those nuts I crack.
Yes, he’s missing an eye (sound familiar?)
So, go on, admit it…what is your favorite “gift” that never made it to the intended recipient?
Posted: February 22nd, 2013 | Filed under: Shoppin' and Junkin' | Tags: nashville flea market, string art | 8 Comments »
Happy Weekend! Here’s a quick round up of things we saw today at the Flea Market.
This was a small, child sized Barcelona chair made of plaster. If it were concrete, it might be great for a garden/patio, but I think it would disintegrate…it was already chipping away, but quite a fun find.
Kathy ended up taking this little chrome and faux burl formica gateleg table set for her kids to use for creating and crafting without guilt.
There’s always one…..
You know you’re getting old when the Zima sign is “vintage”.
Did I find anything? Well, yes I did…..
One eyed baby owl and mama and a likely knockoff Bertoia. Not a bad day.
For a round up of all Nashville Flea Market trips, go here.
