PresentPast Collection

Texas Junkin'n Day Three

Hey everyone, I thought you'd like to see a little more of the Junk Gypsies. Here's the main entrance to their tent.

Here's Mama Gypsie loading new goods. We've seen them buying more inventory around the shows. I'm guessing they are selling like hotcakes.  Here's the tamale shack. Haven't tried them yet but isn't their building hysterical?

There are lots of great old buildings scattered all across these small towns.

I have so much more to share and I think I'm going to have to wait until I get home to give you the full blown stories. We had the Blog Party which was so much fun, are still eating pie and may switch to cake today, and have been spending money like water. See? Lots to share! Thanks so much for coming along with me on this great trip, more to follow! Hugs, Heather

Day Two

Swedish furniture guy, oh my! Really beautiful stuff here. I seriously could load up a freight train with his things.

There are also acres and acres of French finds. Some things were a bit on the spendy side but it didn't stop people from laying down the cash. I've seen one dealer spending thousands everywhere I go. Apparently she's in from Wyoming. Who knew?

Here's a few peeks at the Junk Gypsies spot. Lots of fun funky Texas style here.

Of course, I had to pick myself up a Vagabond pillow. Too cool to pass up! Check back in later! XO, Heather

Texas Junkin' Day One

Howdy Ya'll. I've been going non stop since I landed in Austin. This place is packed! There are tents and dealers as far as I can see. Here's a few shots from Day One. It might be short since I ran my laptop battery down trying to find an internet connection. I promise there will be more in the days ahead, now that I know where I can connect.

Aren't these barstool slipcovers cute? I'd love to have some made in burlap or antique linen. I'll add this to my inspiration to-do list. Oh, and I thought you'd like to know we've been eating a very healthy diet of pie. Pie for breakfast and pie for lunch and yep, there's pie on the dinner menu. But don't worry, they are very small mini pies. Texas mini pies. YUMMY!  I'll check back in soon. I've shot hundreds of photos already. I think I'll edit them at night and try and post lots more in the next day or so.

Oh, and the stories we have already. Unbelieveable. Famous people, crazy people, really nice Texans, ostriches and peacocks! Some wild happenings at Round Top! Chat soon, Heather

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'm headed to Texas, the big state full of great bbq, boots, cattle and antiques! This is going to be one heck of a girls get away. I'm going to take lots of photos for those of you who will be coming along with us via Blogland. You will be with us in heart and spirit. For those who are attending Round Top & Warrenton we will be meeting on Sunday the 30th around noon at Zapp Hall for a Blog Party. It's going to be very informal, just a bunch of gals taking a break from shopping and/or selling to get to know one another. Hope to see you there!

Romantic Country Office Feature

The latest Romantic Country magazine is out on newsstands now and has a feature article about my home office. It was such a priviledge to be included. I had the best of intentions of photographing my office today to show you some of the changes that have taken place since they shot the original photos but time has escaped me.

You can see that Bella wanted to make sure she was in as many shots as possible. Apparently she loves having her picture taken. Or maybe just wants to make sure everything is running smoothly.

Sweet Girl calls my office Where's Waldo because whenever I ask her to get something for me from the office she says, "I'll never find it, it's like Where's Waldo in there!" But to me it seems so organized. Go figure. I suppose it only needs to be organized for me, others won't understand my madness. I mean, system.

My dear friend and editor Fifi also had me do some photography and styling with this issue and it was terrific working with her and to be included with such a talented group of contributors. I'm looking forward to sharing some of my other works with you very soon.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter holiday weekend. The weather here was just gorgeous and our brunch was delicious. I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked to but this one of The Man and I pretty much sums up the day.

Happy and full of love from the guy who tells me he loves me every day and is always proud of my accomplishments, great or small and celebrates in my joy.

Preparing for Easter

I'm still in my nesting mode and have been Spring cleaning and preparing for Sunday. I started to put together Sweet Girl's Easter basket and thought you'd like a peek. She's not a regular reader of my blog so I think I'm safe in showing you.

There's a mix of vintage and new items which makes it so perfect for her. She has a large collection of vintage costume jewelry that she wears regularly and I know she will cherish the tiara. Every year she gets a new swim suit in her basket, it's nestled down in there somewhere along with a pretty summer blouse and other goodies.

Here's a couple photos from around the house. Little bits of Spring here and there.

We'll be having brunch at out house after Sunrise Service and on the menu this year is:

• Lobster Scrambled Eggs
  Spiral Baked Ham
  Potatos Au Gratin
  Belgian Waffles
  Strawberries & Whipped Cream
  Deviled Eggs
  Fresh Citrus Salad
  Lemon Tarts
  Angel Lush Cake
  Coconut Raspberry Cookies

Doesn't that sound delicious? We'll be dining al fresco on the patio and I'll be sure to take some photos of the celebration. I would love to hear what's on your menu or what Easter traditions you share with your family. Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!

Comforts of Home

A day at home. Just what I needed. It's been so incredibly busy for me lately and to be able to stay home and putter around the house doing normal chores is the perfect cure for the hectic pace I've been keeping. There were laundries of fresh towels and sheets to be tended to.

And yesterdays orders all packed up and ready for the mailman. Followed by a sushi lunch on the patio with a couple new magazines to browse through.

Next was watering the garden, hosing down the patio furniture, cleaning cobwebs and getting ready for the Easter celebration at our house on Sunday. Sounds like work but believe me, it was very relaxing. I took my time and puttered around all day. My sister called me during the day to make sure I wasn't working and that I was actually taking a day off. I assured her that indeed, it was a day of rest. Isn't it wonderful how comforting a day at home can be?

Jewelry Findings

Here is a glimpse of the recent stash I've been collecting on all my flea market excursions. There are always those little projects in need of some vintage bling. I've put together some new Vintage Trinkettes for you as well. I hope you like the new selections. I know that many of you are incredibly creative in remaking vintage jewelry because I've purchased lots of it. Can't get enough of it. There are even a few Etsy shops I stalk daily in hopes of new treasures.

I've also put the Vintage Metal Number Tags up for sale in the shop and hope to have the ledgers ready in the next few days. I've been a busy little bee around here this weekend. Please tell me some of you are doing some fabulous things this weekend. Living vicariously through you sounds perfect about now. Well, that and maybe a nice dinner on the patio.

Texas Buying Trip

In about two weeks, I'll be flying to Texas to attend the Round Top/Marburger Antique Shows on a buying trip for the shop and upcoming Present Past events. It's going to be a girls get away trip this time and I'll be meeting up with my dear friend Carol and a few other friends for the week long flea marketing extravaganza. We'll be staying in a guest house on a working cattle ranch, should be lots of fun!

I'd love to have a little get together on Sunday, March 30th with other fellow bloggers and shop owners who are planning on attending the shows. I was thinking about making it a lunch time social at Zapp Hall since there are limited restaurants in the area and many evenings are taken up with big parties such as the JunkoRama Prom. If any of you are interested just drop me an email (presentpast@sbcglobal.net) or leave a comment here and I'll start compiling a list. Can't wait to meet you!

Also, if any of you are veteran attendees of these shows and have any information on the can't miss spots to see or yummy places to eat, don't hesitate to leave your recommendations. Already on the agenda of Not To Be Missed are Carolyn Westbrook, Junk Gypsies, D'Ette Cole of Clutter, Willow Nest, and Theresa of Garden Antiques. If you know of any more great vendors, please fill me in. Oh, and I was thinking about doing a few Texas Diaries here on the blog if you're interested. That is if the Cattle Ranch has internet, oh please let them have internet.

Treasure Hunting at the Rose Bowl

Back by popular demand are photos from my flea market trip today. This is especially for all of you who are still stuck in snow flurries and gloomy weather. Let's go shall we?

There were plenty of colorful textiles today. Beautiful pillows, aprons, bark cloth fabric, tea towels and prom dresses are yours for the taking.

And there was row upon row of artfully displayed wares from the vendors all tempting you to let go of your cash.

For those of you who adore buttons this was the place to be. Tables full of button rainbows!

Now we can't forget to take a peek at our favorite vintage bottles and chandelier bling. They are hard to pass up. We can always use another chandelier, right girls?

Well, I hope this post brought a Smile to your face. My pocket book came home a little lighter, I made 3 trips back to my car to unload. I'll have to save my finds for another post if you'd like to see them. For now, I'm off to have some frozen yogurt and watch movies. Thanks for coming along today, it's so much more fun sharing it with you!