A craigslist round up

Over the past several months - Craigslist in Los Angeles has kind of blown...  I rarely ever check things out because I've been sort of disappointed lately.  But - today I've found a few things that are kind of cool and made me do a little double take. 

How has Craigslist been for you?  Anything absolutely amazing that you have found?  

These are kids sized chairs - but aren't they darling.  $100 for pair, available HERE

This is a little different - fun and funky!  But, that's what shopping on CL is all about.  Check it out HERE.  It can be sold as a pair or separate.

Clean lined coffee table and matching end table $100 (I'm not a huge fan of the matchy-matchy, but you can split this up into different rooms) I love this.  Available HERE 

Available in Redondo beach $55 Here

Gotta give a round of applause to Etsy

I don't know if you remember this post, but a few months ago I was at the Long Beach Flea Market and saw this girl walking around with this needlepoint hanging - and I was sooo sad she got to it before I did. 

Well... Today is my lucky day - because LOOK at what I found on Etsy!!!

I am sooooo excited!!!! 

Grandma Chic - and I love it!

"What is 'Grandma Chic'?" you ask.

It's a mixture of interesting swag lights, random-tongue-in-cheek wall art, bargello and needlepoint pillows, zippy wallpaper, and vintage/mid-century furniture finds all mashed up together - making a chic little mess.

And - I am totally feeling it.

images via Houzz

Vintage Bamboo furniture is my weakness.

I have 4 weaknesses when it comes to design:

1. Gold/brass 

2. Kooky ceramic animals

3. Campaign furniture

4. Vintage bamboo furniture. 

Do you have any trend or style that you ALWAYS go back to?

Now how gorgeous is this chocolate, ivory and purple dining room???  

And here are a two of my weaknesses in my own home:

1. This is one of my vintage Drexel dining room chairs.  

2. Here is my vintage bamboo mirror (from an estate sale) with my campaign furniture.  

(PS. The room has now been painted!)

Country Chic with an Eclectic Vibe!

 I am  not a huge fan of the country, shabby chic look.  

I appreciate it but personally, it's just not my taste.   

BUT - I do believe there are exceptions to everything and this room would be the exception.  

I think its great how this country styled home has punches of color and wow factors through some really fun accessories.

image via Country Living

Just throw it all together!

I've read in multiple places that the best rule of thumb when shopping at antique shops, vintage stores, flea markets and antique malls is to buy what you love - and you will make it work.

Here is the perfect example of that!

image via Decorpad

LB Flea Market Report - a couple weeks late.

As many of you know - I love attending the Long Beach Flea Market.  I tend to ALWAYS find what I am looking for, or something better.  Well.... the November market was definitely a tad bit different.  It rained all weekend, so the grounds were puddled - and even though the sun was shining - the turn out of vendors and shoppers were pretty low too.  Christine came with me this time also looking for a chandelier.  Anyway - now that I am looking at the pics, there were a few cool things - but it was definitely not a successful trip. 

All I know is hat the December market will be way better!

The jadite tea set were really pretty in person.

This chandelier was stunning in person.  

Christine has these exact pictures in her living room that she got in Palm Springs.
Pretty funny that we saw them at the LB Flea.

This Platner chair was awesome.  Christine and I stared at it for a while, it totally needed a fresh coat  of paint and a seat cushion made.

These were beautiful in person.

This was a gorgeous koi fish pitcher, but the price was way too high. :( 

Dainty powder room accessories

The trusting peacock chair.  

Geodes are so popular right now.  

You can never deny gold vintage bamboo

Vintage Gift Giving and a helpful little guide!

Going vintage can be a great gift idea, but can also be a challenge.  

So many things that we see at Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Jonathan Adler, Burke Decor, even Home Goods are inspired by vintage finds. 

I think its way cool to give someone the original instead of the copy. 

Here are a few tips when gift giving vintage:

1. Know your recipient - If they aren't going to appreciate it, pass on the vintage idea all together and just head over to Anthro.  Or if you know someone who loves chess and you come across an amazing vintage chess set - this could be a "WOW" gift! Find out someone's passion and go from there! Ya never know what you will come across.

2. Whatever you do purchase - make sure that it is in pristine condition - Chipped glass or ripped linens are not good gift ideas. Ever. (Unless your recipient is into the shabby chic look or its signed by Elvis or The Temptations... pass!)

3.  Know a little something about what you're giving (if possible).  It would be so nice to include a notecard with a small description about the item.  If its Vera linens, Culver Glass, a fabulous find at your favorite vintage shop... etc. 

4. Get creative with your Ebay/Etsy search words - here are a few of my favorites: Culver glass, Imperial glass, Fenton, vintage linens, vera, vintage tray, Candlewick, gold bamboo, vintage glasses, vintage owl (yep! that's what it says).

5. Wrap it carefully and beautifully. - If you are shipping your item, make sure to wrap it properly either in bubble wrap or acid free paper (for linens). Also - vintage pieces are special items - so I'd definitely wrap them with neat paper and a beautiful bow (black and white newspaper print and a red grosgrain ribbon always looks sharp!).  

Grouping of 12 vintage linen tea towels.  A fabulous hostess gift.  Find it Here on Ebay.

Vintage gold bamboo magazine rack via Ebay

Amazing Culver vintage glasses (set of 4) from Ebay 

Turquoise Imperial Glass votive holders. Get it here: Ebay
Urban Outfitters has copies of these candle holders in stock all the time. 

Pink and gold serving piece set.  Would be great for a girly-girl - jewelry holder... From here on Ebay

Vintage set of 8 napkins Get it Here on Ebay Another fab hostess gift!

For the home decor enthusiast these are unreal. Available at Etsy - Here.

A great thing about vintage is that many of times, the prices are incredible.  For instance, this bracelet is  $10, where you can by brand new copies of this for $88 at Henri Bendel.   So its not always the amount you spend, but what you search for. Available here at Etsy

Awesome vintage pair of gold bamboo picture frames. Available here @ Etsy.  

Set of 6 Culver glasses (can you tell I like Culver....) available at Etsy - here

Be careful when buying framed art for someone - but if you absolutely know they will love it - then go for it.
Available at Etsy - here

Set of 8 vintage Vera coasters get it here on ebay I absolutely love these.  Vera has a new coffee table book that looks awesome.  Check it out HERE.

Vintage Costume Jewelry Bracelet from Ebay here.

Another set of vintage Culver glasses from ebay, here

Set of 6 glass grape cluster dishes.  Really cute for entertaining. From Etsy - HERE

Shop like a designer....

Tip: All you need in a room to make it pop - is one show stopper.  For instance in this room via In Style Home (2004) are those amazing silver ball lamps.  The entire room vanishes because your eye immediately goes to those lamps.  So keep that in mind when you are looking at something fabulous.

For instance - these lamps below (which I stupidly left at the Long Beach flea market a month back)!  Pretty unreal. 

image via The Glam Lamb

Moroccan Wedding Blanket - LOVE

A few years ago my best friend, Christine turned me on to the Moroccan Wedding Blanket - and I've been drawn to them ever since.

How glam are these pair of blankets?

Amazing kids room - and these would be more divine in my bedroom.

(LOL - or Christines!)

image via This Pretty Space

Multi-tasking a piece of furniture

I like spaces that read "smart." This bar cart makes the perfect end table/night stand, and then can be transformed to use its bar cart duties when its time to entertain.  It is beautiful and functionable.  

Gotta love that!

Image via Dragonflies and Wood

Fabulous ebay find - vintage gold bar cart!

Some of my friends drink like fish.... and I like to entertain them! 

This vintage-glam bar cart would be quite handy.

Get it here

I love a happy ending

I think of rooms as stories.  For many of us - we move into homes and apartments that need updating, lots of paint and umph! Here is a living room - that is the quintessential vintage home (it looks like this could be LA -- my apartment had the exact same feel) It needs lots of paint, and fab furnishings, and a spectacular layout.  This home mixes high and low price points with vintage finds and I absolutely adore it!

Grabbed these pics over at Bazaar of Serendipity!

Isn't the redo just absolutely amazing!! I just love this entire look and wouldn't change a single thing!!  See... you gotta love a happy ending!