Fun in the Big Easy

I took a very quick trip to New Orleans this weekend. I have been there dozens of times for both work and play, but no jazz fest, trolley rides, or Bourbon Street for me this time; I was there to visit a very dear friend. She and her husband are welcoming their first baby this weekend. I'd like to be able to say I helped out, but I can only say that if 'helping' includes getting a culinary tour of some great establishments in their adorable neighborhood. They are definitely ready for Baby, so we enjoyed a few lazy days of shopping and dining out. I got such a different view of the city seeing it through the eyes of residents and staying in an old home. Even when I'm not searching for it, I managed to find some vintage charm!

This is their precious abode. Standard features on old homes in New Orleans are super high ceilings with near floor to ceiling windows. I loved how elegant all the window coverings look inside, and the molding around the windows provides a beautiful frame on the exterior.

This building is at the end of Aden and Dan's street, and the Mississippi River is on the other side on this building. Being from central Illinois, I loved that this building says "Illinois Central Railroad." This line goes from New Orleans to Chicago and passes by my hometown.
Old brick warehouses like this are all over and give character to the businesses.

I guarantee that grocery shopping would be more enjoyable if my store
looked like the store where Aden and Dan shop.

I love color, and this city's houses are bathed in bright shades! I stayed in a neighborhood just off Magazine Street and enjoyed the varying colors within one house and throughout the block. 

This house features four colors: eggplant, olive, lemon, banana, and papaya.
And the exposed brick is weathered perfection!

I couldn't pass up a stroll through an antique mall.

 

 Next door is a locksmith with antique hardware.

And somewhere near that is a store that sells funny things like these:

I know several people who would like these items. I'm not one of them.

These, however, I could go for. Probably should have bought a pair, but that's what socks are for, right?

Someone tapped into their creativity for this waterfall design.

Cute little vintage boutique. 

 

 

 

Aden and Dan also exposed me to a New Orleans tradition: snoballs. These delicacies are made of super-fine crushed ice and any combination of syrup flavors you desire.
While I was there, I had a raspberry, blueberry, and coffee cream snoball. Delicious and refreshing!

Even the Big Easy has blue balls.

Of course I was referring to jars.

Have a chic week,

~Sarah

New goods at the booth!

With the sale of two relatively new additions at the booth this week, it was time to revamp the 'entrance' to my space this weekend. 

I found the cute scalloped shelf at the Austin City Wide Garage Sale last month, and the awesome rusty black and blue metal cart came from Marburger. They were just courting before, but because the same customer bought them together, I see a long happy future for the pair.

 So I brought in a scene reminiscent of summer: strawberry trays, rusty mailbox with flowers, beatup baseballs, and a classic vintage Schwinn bicycle in the best state of rust and wear!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you all survived tax day 2013! A little piece of tax advice to anyone who is considering a booth in an antique mall - be sure to find out if the mall pays sales tax for all goods sold in the mall. I found out 8 quarterly payments later that my mall does. Now I am up to my ears in amended state sales tax return forms! But the light at the end of the tunnel is a nice refund (hopefully?). Then it will be time to go shopping! 

Have a chic week,

~Sarah

Marburger Tent H = Heavenly!

In my last post about Marburger Farm's spring show, I highlighted Tent A - which was A-mazing. And equally as great was Tent H. The designers here had amazing displays with quality vintage items...and at a great price. That explains all the red SOLD tags hanging on many pieces just a few hours after the show's opening Tuesday morning. 

I started at the far west end of the tent, which is where I found the stunning Time Worn Interiors space. I stayed in this booth for awhile, just taking it all in; everywhere you looked was a great mix of industrial with farmhouse chic. See for yourself how great Theresa's space is:  

 

CRAP = creatively reused aged paper - I like that acronym!

 

 

 

 

 

Nearby Theresa was another Kentucky-ite, Tricia of Red Door Antiques. I first met Tricia about a year ago at the Country Living Show in Austin, and then saw her again at Marburger last fall. Tricia is great with featuring a collection of items, and this time it was colorful spools of thread. 

 

That's a pretty fancy tricycle!

A little further down the row was Cottonseed Trading Company. I adored their use of field-fresh cotton; I don't even know what you call it - stalks? The lovely couple who runs this business shocked Karen and I by telling us this was their first show - and they didn't mean at Marburger - they meant ever. We could not believe our eyes - any first show is incredibly stressful and overwhelming, but to have your first show be Marburger?! I bet they are the first to make their grand opening at the show of all shows! They are pros already! 

 

 

Look at the table centerpiece - a galvanized bucket with branches (stems, stalks?) of cotton, adorned with gorgeous jewelry - never would have guessed cattle tags would look great on a necklace, but they do here!

 

These red sold signs were everywhere in the booths of Tent H!
I gotta get up earlier next year...

The final vendor I will showcase is the renowned House Wren. It was so hard to take pictures in here because the tent was FULL of shoppers! And, red tags.  

 

 

 

 

My photos don't even begin to show how amazing Nancy and Mike's space was - please visit this link, which takes you to their Facebook page. They have an album of gorgeous photos taken in the evening that showcase all the industrial lamps Mike designs. 

And one more photo (from Tent G):

Only in Texas. 

Mark your calendars for October 1 - that is the opening day of the Fall 2013 show at Marburger Farms. I will certainly be there. Maybe I can even catch the ringing of the bell at 8am. I need to get a room - who's coming with me?!

Have a chic week,

~Sarah