Vintage Weekend...

 I don't know about you,  but when Spring hits,  I start to get all excited about looking for vintage goods!

 Antiques markets are open,  Garage sales start happening,  and people start cleaning out their basements...

 So my friend Molly and I decided to head out of town on an adventure to go see the Kane county Flea market in the outskirts of Chicago.

 we had always heard about it,  so we of course had to check it out for ourselves!

  we loaded up the truck, packed the ipod, and hit the road!

first stop was to my sweet friend Jenn's house for a yummy taco dinner and a visit with her adorable family,  then the next morning we were up early, ate breakfast and hit the market.

 Now when it comes to flea markets or antiques shows,  I don't mess around,  I like to fly through them,  I know exactly what I want and am always surprised at what I find...

So here are a few peeks from our trip and some treasures I scored from the show....most made it down to the shop,  but some I squirreled away for myself (i just can't help it sometimes)  ;)

Cool old signs, too expensive for my budget,  but super cool nevertheless....

the thing about Flea markets is that they will let ANYTHING in...so we had to weed through a lot of garbage to get to the good stuff,  but I was oddly drawn to these pieces of work....

i think they are kinda cool....

great way to recycle old ceiling tin....make FRAMES!

 I found a couple of cool things like an old zinc prep table from a restaurant and a sweet old postal cubby from New york that my friend Jenn told me about.

I also found some great small things like old metal boxes and coolers,  I have this thing for green boxes,  don't ask me why.

vintage film crates make excellent plant boxes right?!

or even TRUCKs make great plant boxes!

this is probably one of my favorites, I love the Graphics on it....and I certainly don't mind the rust,  it will make a great planter too!

 Now we ended up finishing the show,  grabbed dinner and hit the road back to home starting at 8:30 Saturday night....I drove 5 hours back home....totally not a fan of night driving,  my hands completely calloused from gripping the steering wheel,  white knuckle express thankyouverymuch!  but we made it home safe and sound!

 Of course I WOke up the next morning and totally got to work,  scrubbing the funk off of my newly scored pieces....because I am kinda driven like that ;)

um,  can I tell ya how DISGUSTING this piece was!? it took me HOURS to get the grease and grime off.

but oh man,  how fantastic it turned out!

now in between the cleaning I of course HAVE to have some time with my family,  so i took a break from scouring funk and went to a vintage car show with my people.

can I tell you....I love old cars.

they just don't make them like they used to.

the amount of detail on them is extraordinary.

i mean look at this steering wheel

how fine is that!

mr. cool with the cool old van...

the kids were getting into it,  I think Fiona's looking to see what's under the hood  :)

now on the way there I saw this fine old truck for sale...

the PERFECT red truck

one I have been looking for,  forEVER....

Hello gorgeous!

..... sadly Ian wasn't sharing my enthusiasm or vision.

i mean how cute would that be with my little red shoes logo on it right!?

and too funny that we saw one at the show all restored as an example....

Ian still wasn't sold on the idea,  but hey, it's o.k.

I still have my Mini cooper,  and am SUPER thankful he bought me that!  :)

I think I must have been a man in a former life because I love cars so much,   I would love to learn how to restore them.

in fact,  I LOVE what this one person did at the car show to theirs....

isn't that fantastic what they've done with the vintage license plates on the floorboard!?  Love it!

 anyways, in another time of my life maybe I'll work on cars,  but for now,  I had to get back to cleaning....

so i finished the zinc top table and loaded it up onto Ian's truck, took it down to the shop on Monday and rearranged.

I LOVE it's new home....

so happy how it turned out....

 

Happy with the little postal cabinet too...

now since it's spring of course I NEED to visit my favorite little greenhouse 

and stock up on spring plants for Mother's day! 

we have SUCH a cute little collection!

So needless to say I have been running around like a crazy person since I got back,  rearranging and cleaning things,  along with making things too.

 We have a ton of stuff coming up in the future.....this Friday (may 7th) is midnight madness (or moonlight delight... I can never keep that straight) regardless!! we will stay open late until 11:00pm at night!  that night is always a ton of fun,  our downtown really comes alive,  so come visit!

also don't forget to pencil in on your calender that on May 15th

from 11-1pm

I am having a Matilda Jane trunk show at the shop!

if you have never heard of this clothing line....well take a peek,  it is the CUTEST stuff around!  they have both a little kids line AND a fabulous adult line that is wonderful!

 She will have both lines available to take a look at,  to feel, touch, absorb and basically bask in the vintage inspired goodness of it all!

 



So on that note,  I am off to bed.....dreaming of all the wonderful things this time of year has to offer....with a head full of ideas and dreams...can't wait to wake up and start all over again tomorrow!

:)

XOXOXOXO

 

Comments

[kristen]

that's it. i'm moving to ann arbor.

[Lizzie Swinney]

I enjoy your blog daily and think your new items are wonderful. I noticed on the wall on the left side of the new table is a house shaped piece of art. I am really drawn to house shaped art. Is it for sale and if so could you share the price. Thanks Lizzie

[angie]

Hi Catherine! Sounds like a fun trip. I love the things you bought. They look great in the shop. I just love looking at your displays. Oh and yes, that red truck is the coolest.

[laurie magpie ethel]

Awesome sounding trip and great finds. Loving Duro Dan - that guy is one cute decal. Always loving your shop and all you do with it...just so dang happy and colorful!

Yes, that license plate floor is the coolest!

[michelle]

Love that table! I also love your greenery. That moss in the toy truck has inspired me to raid the sandbox. What greenhouse do you go to?
I make my hubby take me to buy plants on mothers day.

[jackie]

Thats in my town...love Kane County. Hope you ate some veggies from the street vendor there...so yummy!! Great finds! Your displays are always amazing!!

[paula]

Good times! Looks like you scored lots of cool goodies - Working hard and keepin' it fresh ;) Your shop never gets stale.

Pssst . . . Are my eyes deceiving me or is that a little doggy peeing on the tire of the orange and black SS?

[Janet]

Love this post - love your shop - are you selling the zinc top table or is it "home"?

[jennifer dedonato]

Wow so many cool things in each picture...I would have been going crazy over some of the items. And that red truck I want it.

[janae cairns]

I have one of those tin ceiling tiles and LOVE it! And Matilda Jane, so CA-UTE!!

[MEG DUERKSEN]

i was at kane county the same day you were! :)
i didn't see you but i saw those same booths.
i wanted one of those signs but just like you....to expensive.
they were awesome though.
your blog is such a happy place!