Honey, look what I bought!

Before Andrew has a heart attack, I must say that I am kidding. I did not buy this bus. (Or haven't yet at least.) I am, however, getting a kick out of envisioning his reaction if I were to drive this thing home and park it on the curb. Or better yet, pull it halfway into the garage and have it hang out onto the street. If I were to buy it (since it is still for sale...), I would have so much more room for junk than I do now! My current vehicle holds up to 7 passengers, and this one could accommodate 65; according to my calculations by rounding to the tens place, that's almost TEN TIMES as much junk to haul! 

How could you not want the Cool Bus? It is a cool magnet.

I am toying with the idea of giving the seller a call to see if I can take it for a test drive. Imagine how much fun I could have taking the Cool Bus on a spin! I might have to show up with fifty of my favorite people. This is one of the few only times that having my CDL and driving a school bus actually comes in handy!

I probably should explain why I have my CDL. Here in TX, many school districts require their coaches to also drive the bus to their game/meet/match. When I first heard of this 'duty,' I thought they were kidding. But they were very serious - I put off getting the training for as long as I could until I was told it had to be done. Once you get over the initial fear of getting behind the wheel, it really isn't that bad (other than the whole driving other people's kids around thing). I have to say I was a pretty quick learner - my bus trainer told me it was all that tractor driving back home! Showing my driver's license often gets a chuckle out of the clerk or TSA agent who asks incredulously, "You have your CDL?!"  

My answer will now be: "Yes. I drive the Cool Bus."

Just picture me right there in the driver's seat. 

The wheels on the bus go round & round, round & round, round & round....

Just so you don't hate me for putting that song in your head, here are some pictures of my booth at the Austin Antique Mall. This bus is parked on the same street of our mall in case you are interested in checking it out (and I haven't bought yet). Seriously, I have a picture of the contact information and stats should you really want to know more about the bus. But now, what you have been waiting for:

Have a chic week! 

~Sarah

Junk Gypsy and Rachel Ashwell Inspired Shopping

I just love the Junk Gypsies. My DVR is filled with episodes that I have watched multiple times. Andrew keeps trying to delete them, but I tell him that despite having watched an episode four times, I am not done with them yet. Each time I watch, I learn a new place to visit, a new trick to try, or a new trend in design. I truly find inspiration from the show and they make things I find intimidating to look so easy! Since watching the show, I purchased a sander and have taken the hammer to a few pieces. I also have the desire to take a shot gun to add charm to some buckets, but I don't think I will run out and buy firearms anytime soon.  

On a few recent episodes, Amie and Jolie head to nearby Brenham, TX from their home base of Round Top to find some funky treasures to decorate spaces. Brenham is home to famed Blue Bell Ice Cream; I had only been there once to buy my current junking vehicle - guess you could say that trip to Brenham was the official start of Barn Chic Antiques! I wanted to take a trip back to Brenham to hit up the hot spots where the Junk Gypsies shop.

 
The cute town square with the Antique Gypsy store in the gray. 

Some fun pictures of the Antique Gypsy's decor. 

 

 

 

 

It is hard to tell from the picture, but this lamp had beautiful birds on it - love!

Next up was Hermann Furniture and Antique Store. I have to admit this was the best [new] furniture store in which I have ever been! There were great accessories like pillows and bags that were very reasonably priced - and they have the charm of vintage. Take a look: 

 

 

 

 

This is a picture of The Brown Shed's space in the antique section. 

 

 

 

 

I love both birds and burlap - had to get this pillow for my bedroom!

I had a lot of fun shopping in Brenham, but because it was a Monday, several of the shops were closed - so I had some time to spare and hoped to hit up a few places in Round Top. I searched Theresa's blog to find her post about a few places to visit - she recommended a new place, Emma Lee Turney's, but sadly it too is closed on Mondays. Her other recommendation was Rachel Ashwell's The Prairie - ever since I learned of its existence sometime last spring in little Round Top, TX, I have wanted to visit. I mean, Rachel Ashwell pretty much created the Shabby Chic movement over twenty years ago. Perhaps you have seen her line, Simply Shabby Chic, at Target. Though her products are in many stores including Target, Michael's, and furniture stores, she has only four stores of all Rachel Ashwell merchandise: London, New York, L.A., and ... Round Top, TX (population 90).

The website said to call about store hours, so I called to see if they are open. A nice lady answers the phone and I say, "Oh, great, I called to see if you are open and I guess you are!" She told me that they weren't actually open, but she invited me over to take a look since she was working in the store rearranging. She asked how long it would be before I got there, and I guessed about thirty minutes. She said OK, so I typed the address into my trusty smartphone and headed out of Brenham. 

I very much trusted the phone and watched my vehicle, the blue dot, get closer to the red dot, my destination. One of the directions was to turn onto Wagner Road from FM 389...the road actually looked like a driveway and I drove past it the first time. My blue dot starts heading off course so I realize my mistake and turn back on course...which took me to this gravel road - with over two more miles to go!

  

I am still trusting my phone, and drive down the dusty road.
I pass this beautiful windmill and had to stop for a picture. 

Finally, my blue dot aligns with my red dot on my phone and it thinks I have arrived at my destination. This is what I see up the tiny gravel driveway.  

Could that really be it? I thought for sure I was in the wrong spot.

Just as I was reversing, I see this banner on the fence. Guess I was here after all?

Loving this rustic Texas mailbox. 

I venture up the lane in hopes I am not trespassing, and then see this great rusted out truck with "The Prairie" logo. I must be here!

At this point I wasn't sure which building was the store, and then I catch a glimpse of the shabby sign.

[Sorry for the Blogger problem with colors here.] I go up to the door and knock. I was greeted by the very sweet and gracious Marie (I think that's her name! How awful of me to be unsure about this - I was so caught up by the surroundings I might have been a little distracted!). She invites me in to take a look around. We get to talking, I bought a fun t-shirt, and before I know it, she is taking me on a full tour of the property! I can't even express how amazingly beautiful this place is. I adore it and want to so badly to stay there at some point. You most definitely need to visit Rachel's blog to see for yourself how gorgeous it is (and you can see even more pictures here). I did take a few photos of the outside of the buildings, but they don't even begin to do the place and its scenery justice. The Prairie is simply country perfection, renovated to modern standards yet with the charm of the past preserved. 

Marie told me lots of stories about the buildings and some of the decor choices. They are a special event venue as well, and I can only imagine how gorgeous this setting is for weddings. I did find some pretty amazing pictures of a couple's elopement (my kind of couple!) at The Prairie.

Best of all, the people of The Prairie are so warm and inviting - just as a Bed and Breakfast should be. I wasn't even there for an hour but I felt welcomed and at home. Marie, I can't say thank you enough for making my Monday memorable. I had a great time and I do hope to make it for a longer stay in the future! I hear Danny's breakfasts are mouthwatering. 

Should guests drive in the appropriate entrance, this is the side of the house that faces them.  

This symbol is the graphic on the t-shirt I bought; the U.S. flag, flown atop the Texas state flag, followed by Rachel's home country of England. Little did I know that the lane you see on the far right of the picture is the actual entrance to the property. I learned as I drove past it on my way into Round Top that I came up the back driveway! Guess the smartphone doesn't know everything...

In case you ever visit, this is the view of the house you should see! 

  

What a day it was - started out visiting some fun places in Brenham, then toured the most wonderful bed and breakfast, and even got to see a practice concert of young musicians at Festival Hill - which is another one of those places you wonder, "How did this come to be in tiny Round Top, TX?" I had never heard of this magnificent place until I saw it on Junk Gypsies, and Marie suggested I stopped by as they would be having a rehearsal. I am so glad I did! 

I sure enjoy watching Amie and Jolie Sikes' adventures in junking and decorating - and I thank them for inspiring mine! 

Happy 4th of July and may your celebrating be safe. 

Have a chic rest of week, 

~Sarah