My New Obsession

A few months ago, I was shopping in one my favorite thrift stores and found a single gold glass that looked like one of these below.  I bought it for $1.00 or $2.00, I can’t remember.  The gold was sort of worn and I loved the vintage feel of it.   I thought it would be cute  to put flowers in.   A month later, I ran across an entire set at the same store, some had different patterns than I had seen before.  They were in great condition.  All the glasses were marked on the bottom and I was trying to find out what it meant, since I had never seen it before.  I had no idea who made them and when they were made.  I decided to go for it and bought the whole set.   I figured I would use the large one as a vase, the tumblers as vases or drinking glasses and the small ones for tea lights or drinking glasses (I multi function my glassware).  I just loved the glasses and had to have them.  Here’s a peek at a bunch of them piled up in my hall closet (I’m running out of room for all my glasses and mixed matched plates).  Fast forward to the photo below this one……

A few months ago, I get my issue of Architectural Digest and I’m flipping through the magazine, when I see this picture of Claire Weiss’s Apartment in NYC (see below).  Everything came to a screeching halt.  I read the article cover to cover hoping that they would share who makes these glasses since she had such a large collection of them.  There was nothing.  Since I can’t remember what issue I found this photo in you can see view the article here.  I decided to take a chance and email AD to see if someone knew who made those glasses.  I received a prompt email from Robert Rufino, Interiors Editor of AD.  He advised me he checked with Ms. Weiss and that they were called Shoji.  With a little more research, I found out that these were made by the Imperial Glass Company who produced these glasses between 1965 and 1979.  I was so happy to learn the source of my glasses so I could collect more.  In all my years of antiquing and shopping, I had never run across these.  I got an entire 15 plus set including the large vase for $75.00.  I just saw the vase on eBay for $1400.00 and the tumblers are selling on replacements.com for $25.99 each.  I’d say I got a bargain.  I’m in love with this bar and how she displays the various patterns.  Now I’m on the hunt for the other patterns and the ice bucket and decanter.  If you want o send me something for Christmas here you go, LOL!.

I was at my friend Nick’s house the other day and she had a bunch of trimmed kumquats in a little vase.  I commented on how cute they looked and she said she had a whole bag of them. I took a whole bunch of them home and filled four of the tumblers on my dining room table (see the photos below).  Next week it might be peonies and the following week it might be sparkling water for a dinner party.  Either way, I love the versatility of the glasses.  If you spot them on your travels let me know, I’m on the hunt for more.  I love a great bargain and I’d say I hit the jackpot on these.  Now, I don’t want to be fighting you on EBay for these!  LOL!

I can’t help but smile when I see these kumquats in my bargain tumblers.  Stay tuned Peggy & Fritz will be opening a little online shop in the upcoming months full of my thrift store bargains.  Why shouldn’t we all benefit.  Also, if you’re on Pinterest, stop by and visit.

 

PHOTO CREDITS:  Photo 2:  Thomas Loof, Photo 1, 3-5 by Peggy & Fritz

Affordable Art on Etsy

Yesterday I had typed this entire blog and was in the middle of copying something when my computer froze up and I lost the entire blog post. I was so frustrated, I had to step away and here I am again today trying to duplicate what I had almost completed Saturday.

I spent yesterday morning on Etsy looking for some art for my downstairs bathroom.  It has burgundy color walls with white wainscoting with maroon and white vintage tile.  I was looking for a sizeable painting or unique print for one wall, however, I wanted a beach theme.  As I was looking for something to match my bathroom, I came across some fun art that I thought might interest those that live near the beach or simply enjoy the ocean.

For those of you who don’t know about Etsy, it’s the Ebay for creative and talented individuals.  They carry art work, handmade jewelry and pottery, handbags, vintage items, etc.  You have to be patient because it doesn’t let you view 50 or 100 items per page and for me this can be frustrating.  However, don’t let that deter you from shopping.  It’s a great place to find a unique gift.  Here’s some of the fun things I found yesterday.

Black Baroque has fabulous art (see below).  She has long collected vintage books like most women collect shoes.  She uses antique illustrations from one book, with an antique page from another book to create unique works of art.  What I love about her site is she shows you how the art would look in a room setting.  I have taken a few examples to show you below.  She has all types of subjects such as:  shells, flowers, peacocks, elephants, food, etc.  Whatever, your fancy is, she has it.  I love these for a single picture, groupings of three, four, six, etc.  My favorite, the peacock below.

 

 

Cassia Beck is from Brighton, U.K. (see below) who enjoys all things vintage.  She takes her camera everywhere and enjoys flaws and blurs in her work.  She believes these imperfections create the atmosphere behind her photos.  She also has a blog http://cassiab.blogspot.com/  with incrediable photos.  What I love the most about her work is the soft color palette, which tends to be my personal style.  The four pictures below are postcards.  I love all of them, but especially the row of garages or buildings.  I use postcards often as art.  I buy an oversized mat and frame so the picture/postcard really pops and stands out.  These four would look great in a group setting.

 

These are four separate pictures that I put together from her collection.  I envision these in a little girls room. 

Magic Marking Art (see below) is an artist and mom of two teenagers.  She is also a teacher of art as well out of her home studio.  She paints mostly on canvas but also on wood.  Take a look at her wood paintings in her shop Magic Marking Art.  They are unique and would make a great display on a table or leaning against a wall.  These two below were the ones I was considering for my bathroom.  I prefer the top one because of it’s softer color palette.  If I end up buying it, I will take a picture and show you how it looks in the bathroom.

 

For those of you who like beach and surf scenes, I love the ones below.  They would look great as a series or individually.

 

 

These bicycles (see below) caught my attention by Den 10 Studio.  See what she says about her work.  I think this about sums up how I felt about this picture.

“I am creating art prints that I define as “art for the youthful spirit.” Art that inspires a fresh and optimistic attitude, and reminds us to savor the things that make us happy. There is something about the simplicity of an object that reminds us of a moment in time that we enjoyed. This art was created with those moments in mind...the little moments that refresh the soul.”

Living at the beach we are pleasantly reminded of the feeling of being a kid.  In Manhattan Beach people ride all types of bikes ~ sometimes colorful, sometimes rusty, sometimes double, people with dogs in baskets, kids in tow, but everyone is smiling and the best part ~ it’s all ages.  It’s that blissful feeling of riding along the strand with the wind in your face makes you feel like a kid.  Like Den 10 Studio says, “it’s refreshing the soul”. 

Bragging Bags can customize these photos (see below) to say whatever you want.  If your a guy (likely they are not reading this) ~ what a great way to propose. Girls pass on to your brothers or guy friends.  OMG!  Wouldn’t this make the most romantic proposal if it said, “Will you marry me?”  There are so many great gift ideas that you could do with these photos.  It’s the perfect gift for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Wedding, anniversary or use as a save the date for a wedding or simply let someone know your thinking of them.  If your looking for a creative gift, this is it!

 

I spotted these and I had to post them for my New England friends.  Laura Trevey's lobster and crab’s are perfect for that beach house in New England.  Plus, it makes me miss Maine lobster and crabbing as a kid.  How cute would these be framed in a living room or a kitchen.

You know I love to show you all my great Bargains. I’ve been looking for reasonable vintage beach paintings on Ebay and Etsy.  Here’s a cute little picture (I use cute little a lot) I scored on Ebay a few weeks ago for $17.00 including shipping. It was a vintage signed oil painting that was so charming, I had to have it.  It’s only about 8” x 5”, but it’s darling.   Most of the ones I tend to gravitate towards are not in my price range, but just like a flea market occasionally you come across a great bargain.

Hope you find what your looking for!

Bargain of the Day

I was in our local TJ Maxx / Home Goods store the other day and found this gorgeous necklace and bracelet by Lenora Dame.  Our local TJ Maxx has the BEST jewelry if you are looking for affordable pieces.  They tend to have unique pieces and often carry name brands at a fraction of the price. I spotted these pieces and had to have them. The necklace and bracelet reminded me of a vintage pieces you would see at a high end thrift store like Decades or the flea market.  I love anything with pearls, it’s the Connecticut girl in me.  I scored this necklace for $39.99 and the bracelet for $29.99.  Originally $70.00 and $60.00.  Even at full retail, I would have bought it.  It’s my guilty pleasure finding great deals and saving $50.00 just made it sweeter.

Of course, the minute I got home, I googled the designer to learn more about her and her jewelry.  Her studio is located in Chester Country, PA.  I knew there was a reason I liked her designs, I’m from Chester, CT.  Lenora Dame mixes vintage jewelry, flea market finds with new materials.   Her pieces can be found in retailers across the United States as well as Europe and Asia.  Upon further research many celebrities as well as wardrobe designers for hit t.v. shows wear and use her jewelry.    She has three collections bohemian, retro, and romantic. The necklace and bracelet (see below) are the two pieces I purchased.  I loved how they had a flower look to them and the clasp on both the necklace and the bracelet has one of the pearls.  I thought that was a nice detail.

 

I was taken by the various styles and pieces in her collection.  I love finding jewelry that looks chic, classic, and elegant but is affordable.  This alphabet necklace and bracelet is a good conversation piece (see below).  I might have to buy it for myself. 

This bracelet in natural limestone coral is classic and you can wear it year round.  She offers it in coral and turquoise as well.

This mesh flower bibbed necklace is stunning.  I wish I had somewhere to wear it.  Made with Czech glass and pearls.

This rose shelled necklace is gorgeous.  I picture it with an all cream suit – simple divine.  Simple earrings and no other jewelry.

 

This fabric beaded choker would be fun for summer.

She has a number of decoupage bracelets in a variety of fund colors.  Perfect for spring, I especially like these three pink decoupage bangles.

Wouldn’t this make a cute gift for a young girl?

 

Whatever your personal style, there is something for everyone.  They make great signature pieces without breaking the bank.

Valley Girl for a Day

Saturday morning, I was fiddling with Peggy & Fritz, researching, etc.,  I stumbled across the blog, French Kissed.   She had a great piece on antique grain sack bags from a store called Bungalow, and mentioned there were other antique shops in the neighboring area.  The pictures were so beautiful, that I wanted to take a peek for myself.  With, the weather being dismal, at the beach, I decided to take an impromptu trip to Agoura Hills.   I discovered as I was leaving, that my camera battery was dead, (note to self ~ you started a blog, always keep the camera charged) hence, the reason for the fuzzy pictures taken by my blackberry.

First stop was Bungalow Antique Shop ~ see below the photos of those gorgeous grain sacks from 3 Fine Grains.

 

My pictures do not do these grain sack's justice.  You MUST check out French Kissed's blog for more detailed pictures.  How, I would love to redo my wing chairs in these grain sack's.  The graphics and writing are so classic.  Love the stool below as well.

A better display of unique ways grain sacks can be used:  pillows, bedding, foot stools, framed in pictures, upholstered on chairs, sofas, etc.

I spotted these pendent lights made out of Mercury Glass and bubble glass mixed with wire.  

This cabinet was a steal for $275.00. My camera couldn’t quite capture the pattern on the cabinet.   I wanted to take it home and paint it celadon green or Caribbean blue.  It would  look great in a kitchen with dishes, food, baskets, etc. or in a bathroom with soaps, rolled towels, perfume bottles, etc. 

Some of the other merchandise in the store.

   Next, I made my way to the Agoura Antique Mart owned by Maria and her husband David Bartolet. 

I wish I could have captured on camera how lovely their store is.  They have a great selection of chairs, fabrics, white pillows from vintage linens and clothing, etc. I had so much fun wondering around their store.  Their staff was friendly, courteous and one was even getting ready for a dance show :)  

 

I was contemplating this beautiful blue jar, made in Italy for my fireplace.  The color was perfect and like all things Italian, it was simply, GORGEOUS!

My purchase, or should I say bargain of the day, was a portrait of a lady – See Below.   Over the last couple of years, I have randomly collected self portraits at flea markets, antique stores, eBay, etc.  I look for a certain color palettes, especially, soft neutral colors.  I try not spend more than $75.00 a painting ~ this presents a challenge in LA, where people charge $150.00 to $500.00 for unknown artists or unsigned pieces, just because they can!

I’m not sure why, but it makes me sad to think someone's portrait has found it’s way into an antique store or a flea market. My lady, as I call her, will be hung in our stairwell along with some other unknown portraits, once she is reframed.  I must say, she’s rather sophisticated,  and I love how she is wearing a broach.  The quality of the painting is really nice, and it was signed by Jeanett Van.  I wonder if this picture is Jeanett herself, or if she painted it of someone else.  I love to think about who they are and where they are from?  Did they have children? What did they do for a living?  Were they happy?  What was the purpose of the portrait? Ah!  The questions go on and on.  I guess, I will never know, unless of course, someone recognizes one of my beautiful unknown ladies.

Overall there are five or six antique stores in this complex, and it’s well worth the trip.  All the owners and staff are friendly and make you feel welcome, while browsing.  They also seemed to have a lot of regulars, which, I would be as well, if I lived closer.  I will definitely go back, so, I can better capture the stores ambience (something you just can’t do on a blackberry).  If your out in the Valley stop by and tell them Peggy & Fritz sent you.

 Agoura Antique Mart - 8863 Agoura Road - Agoura Hills, CA  91301 - PH:  (818) 706-8366 - www.agouraantiquemarkt.com

Bungalow - 28859 West Agoura Road - Agoura Hills, CA  91301 - Phone:  (818) 879-8698 - www.bungalowantiqueshop.com

Within Bungalow:  3 Fine Grains - Phone:  (805) 630-3726 - Contact:  Kymberley Fraser - www.3finegrains.com