My Vintage Fir

I am not one for fur, even faux, but I am really into my fir this year. My Douglas Fraser fir that is! (Thanks for the clarification, Dad. So glad you read the blog!) Somehow, we scored a great tree this year. It is perfectly shaped, very fragrant, and houses our ornaments so well.  

After Christmas last year, I found a bunch of old glass ornaments. I bought lots at steep discounts with the intention to sell in the booth, but I also wanted to start an entirely vintage ornament tree. My mother in law gave me an entire container full of gorgeous blue, silver, and red ornaments. They were the perfect foundation for my vintage fir and I love that the ornaments are a family heirloom. 

I ended up taking the red ornaments off; they look great in the first photo, but they were so vintage that the red looked more pinkish in person and clashed with the other red in the room.

I especially love this year's tree because last year's tree was... 

 a bit unruly.

Better than the great shape of this year's tree is the history of the ornaments on the tree. In addition to my mother in law's ornaments, which were her mother's, I also got some great glass vintage ornaments with glittery snowflakes on them from my good friend Holly. Something no longer used in her family is now something that I adore and will admire each Christmas, fondly remembering the fun trip we took to Fredericksburg where I got them.

Decorating for the holidays has been so much more fun and meaningful with the vintage items that have been passed down to me or found in my travels. On my fireplace I have a stack of old old old Illinois law books from the 1800's that my dad gave to me, and my mom found the rusty old saddle stirrup in the pasture on the farm. Parts of home adorn my mantle.  

I put my poinsettias in an old porcelain bucket and a 2 gallon crock by the fireplace.

I bought this chair from Theresa at Marburger this fall, and it is far too pretty to keep in the garage. 

I think it may stay here permanently! 

This screen is the perfect display for our cards from friends and families.

I actually got crafty this summer and decoupaged these ornaments with missal hymns and glitter. It was a little bizarre to be making Christmas decorations during the summer Olympics, but I am so glad I did!

This glass (what do you call this?) is filled with ornaments from my grandmother.

My favorite poinsettia holder is an old olive bucket.

Wish I could claim I made this banner, but I could buy it for WAY less than I could even begin to attempt to make it. I feel this way about most things...

My front porch showcases an old sled that my mom gave me from IL. And those skates would probably fit me, but I don't trust myself wearing anything beyond heels, and even then it is questionable. If you are adventurous and in Austin, check out the ice-skating rink at Whole Foods downtown. 

And if you wear a size 8, you can borrow these skates!  

This side of the porch features one of the trees I found at Marburger this fall and an old milk jug I got years ago in Warrenton. The wheelbarrow was a steal years ago from Uncommon Objects. 

Andrew contributed the amazing light wrapping on the tree. 

Whether it is new or old, each holiday item has a story and brings back memories year after year. I won't always have a tree as great as this one, but it is what's on the tree that truly makes it special. This year's tree is the best yet because it incorporates family and friends, and that is what holiday time is all about. 

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Have a chic holiday week,

~Sarah 

How spoiled they will be

I cannot wait for Friday. No, I don't have any Mayan last day celebration plans like maxing out my credit card or living like it's 1999. It is, however, the last day of school for 2012...but even that is not the reason I look forward to it. (Though I won't lie, I am a tad excited about the break and the holidays).

I can't wait to absolutely spoil my 100 students. It won't be much since there are so many of them, and I only have each class for a short 45 minutes, but we are going to make the most out of our time. There will be goody bags, gifts, games, santa hats, "dance party Friday" lunch tutorials, brownies, candy, and candy canes. It will be a free day in more ways than one - not only will we take a break from our curriculum, but we also have a designated 'free day' from the Texas Department of Agriculture's "Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value" regulations, and I plan to take FULL advantage of this day of caloric freedom for my students. Every banned sugary item is welcome, and we might even play a rendition of Chubby Bunny (taking suggestions for a more Christmas-y phrase that has the same sound effect) with marshmallows just because we can. Let the gluttony and fellowship commence. We can return to health and routine in 2013 [and track starts in January].

Amid so much sorrow and heartbreak, may we find many moments of peace, joy, and hope this holiday season.

Have a chic week,

~Sarah

Ski ya later

I've been having a bit of a dry spell at the antique mall the last couple of weeks, but I guess the cold front was all I needed to jump start some holiday sales this week! I finally sold the most amazing pair of old red wooden skis; I will definitely miss having them around the booth at holiday time as they have been with me for two seasons, but I am excited they have a forever home now. 

I also sold the vintage time card rack and the velvety deer and fawn. Yay for holiday shoppers! 

Is it Friday yet?! 

Have a chic week,

~Sarah

Christmas at the Booth

The booth got a little holiday facelift today; though there were already lots of holiday decorations, I added a few new touches and rearranged to make Christmas goods the first thing shoppers see as they enter the booth. 

 

The soft feathery white tree is a new find from a fun jaunt to Fredericksburg with friends yesterday! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now on to decorating our tree. I am so glad that we got it before the first real cold front of the season. Shorts and flip flops today, gloves and coat tomorrow. Looking forward to some more seasonal weather here in Central TX! Stay warm wherever you are. 

Have a chic week,

~Sarah

15 weeks til Warrenton & fall footage discovered

Believe it or not, we are nearing the halfway point between the fall and spring Antique Week shows in Warrenton/Round Top! I can hardly believe it has been over two months since the festivities; I was reminded of the fun times at the fall show when I found these pictures that have yet to be shared on the blog (gasp!). How terrible of me to keep those from you! I think these are from the day when I got locked in the antique mall, so I guess I have an excuse for not having shared them. 

At any rate, here ya go - the pumpkins may be a bit dated at this point in the holiday season, but consider it a preview for fall 2013. This is how retail works, right? To all those neighbors who had their Christmas lights up and on in early November, I got you beat - my front porch is *already* decked out (no pun intended) in pumpkins for October 2013! 

Now back to fall 2012 in Warrenton... 

These first few pictures are the work of the lovely and talented Diane of Blends in Georgetown. She and her husband Roger always have gorgeous furniture to compliment Diane's fun frocks. 

 

 

Near Diane's space is a sweet couple from Iowa who always have great displays..I just spent 15 minutes looking for their card, but I can't find it! So sorry...

 

I heart this ladder full of clocks.

Luckily I took a picture of this great tent's business name  - Rodeo Royalty Roadshow! 

Here is the tee-pee that really trademarks their brand. 

I think I saw them at the Country Living Fair last spring too! 

 

They had a mix of Native American decor with Victorian-style pieces - soft and bold all at once! 

They had tons of boots and I bet they sold out with all the rain the grounds had that weekend. Ladies were sliding all over in their flip flops! Sadly, I don't think it has rained in TX since then.
My rain boots are getting dusty.

This new vendor had a great Halloween/fall scene. I believe they were first time vendors at the fall show, and I sure hope to see them back in the spring!

It wouldn't be Warrenton without fields of rusted junk!

 

  

 

as well as boots, body parts, and bikes...

 Really wishing I had picked up one of these Christmas sweaters.
The one on the right looks to have a built-in collar and cuffs.

My garage could benefit from some organizing space. These lockers are great!

Thanks for joining me on a little fall flashback. I can hardly believe that fall has come and almost gone, at least according to the calendar. We should be seeing the patio furniture and swimwear out in stores any day now. 

Have a chic week,

~Sarah, the Barn Chick at Barn Chic