Vintage Finds

I love the years that old things keep safe; they make treasures from the everyday. And, in them, you have the single opportunity to see just a bit of yourself, though worn and loved, frayed and a bit faded, wonderful still the more.

Looking for the vintage and the old, The Petaluma Antique Faire never disappoints...the size of my suitcase and the distance to New York sure does! I can home with just a wee bit of loot...$21 took these three treasures pictured above...a "Mother" motto plaque, a woven purse with a Lucite closure and a pretty luncheon plate for the ever growing collection of transferware dinnerware....

I could have filled a plane with all that I saw there -- hardest to leave behind was the Victorian plant stand -- a steal at $165 and the fabulous concrete garden statues that just couldn't pass for carry-on luggage!

...the offerings were delish and the prices unbelievably reasonable...but we were heading to the airport...and the bags were already bursting...

Here are some of my favorite booths, vendors and displays....

Last year I lugged home a bubble gum machine, the year before it was a wire dress form...but Nicky Bowen takes the award for most ingenious packing in 2008...she wore about 5 layers of clothing so she could fit her purchases in her bags! The step-in horse costume was a particular challenge!




Here's Marilyn's booth...it's among my favorites...

Here's she is with her hubby...she calls him her vintage "arm candy"...see her site http://marilynmarilynmarilyn.com/ for sneak peeks of what she'll bring to shows...but she doesn't take internet orders or hod items... so be there early and see her at Alemeda! I wanted to buy her entire booth and re-do several rooms in her wonderfully yummy palette and unexpected textures...

Magda found some lovely lace....she almost bought an old wedding dress...but no room!

...there were oodles of poodles that begged to be bought...

But best of all...

...look what I found at the Faire...a very "vintage" friend. Here's Michelle...we have not seen each other since 8th grade graduation in Queens when our paths diverged for high school. We walked to grammar school together in green plaid uniforms and knee socks...and it was a rare treat to have her walk back into my life on Sunday. She found me on-line and sent a note...she lives in Oakland now and knows Petaluma well, so what rare good luck that I was out her way for Halloween & Vine...We sat across from each other at a small table and caught up on 25 years, crying for the little girls we were and loving in each of us the women we have become...not too different at all, and still very much suited to each other!

This show is well worth your time and a drive... and you just never know what you might find when on the hunt for something "vintage".

xxoo Jen

Earth Angels