Flea Market Madness

I took a special trip to Nashville this weekend to visit my good friend Ivey (I wrote about her here, the way we met is prob one of my favorite stories ever).  A girl couldn't ask for a better hostess!! I was greeted at the driveway with a glass of red wine (with ice in it of course). She spoils me rotten. 

It just so happened that the Nashville flea market was going on during my visit.  How convenient!  Ivey had never been before so we thought we'd make an experience of it.  We had NO clue what to expect or what we were getting ourselves into.  

The insane line for parking should have probably been our first clue that the flea market was a lil bigger deal than we thought it was going to be. 

When we first walked in, we saw what you'd see at any ordinary flea market...

Tons and Tons of Socks

Shoes 

Lots and lots of shoes 

Knives 

Tons of fake sunglasses 

But this was no ordinary flea market....it was a GIGANTIC flea market.  With booths indoors and outdoors...as far as the eye can see.  And the further we explored the market...the better the treasures! 

Here are some of my faves that we saw

We saw lots of shabby chic old bed frames

LOVED THESE 

The one and only Colonel Sanders

Ivey checking everything out

Isn't this neat?? They had sooooo many awesome old magazines and newspapers

One of the MANY outdoor spots with lots and lots of junk treasures

I loved these old hat pins.  I have something similar to this in my office. 

This would look great in my front hallway where it would welcome guest as they come in.  

Lots of scones 

I wish I had a place for one of these 

I thought the mermaids were...ehhh...interesting to say the least. 

And who wouldn't want this guy in their home?!? 

We thought these would be cool to put magazines in

Of course when I no longer have the initials "JFG"...

Ivey REALLY wanted to purchase this lil guy, luckily her good friend talked her out of it...J/J. 

Scary, right?? 

It took everything in my power NOT to purchase any blue plates...even though I have the perfect spot for them.  I know there are other blue plates in the sea.  

Of course, the flea market brought out Tennessee's finest.  If you don't like to look for good deals at flea markets, at least go for the people watching.  It's safe to say that Ivey was a bit overdressed with her fancy Tory Burch flats...

Ivey bought a huge urn from this guy.  She told him it was for one of her plants.  He immediately asked if it was for a marijuana plant.  Yeah buddy.  Does anyone else notice his Spiderman shirt?? 

And I scored a pair of antique staffordshire spaniel figurines.  I was gonna pay $32 for them but Ivey talked the guy down to $30.  What would I have done without her?? 

They are gonna go on my bookshelf in my office.   I'd show you the bookshelf, but I'm not ready to reveal it yet.  

Here are a couple of things I've learned from frequently visiting estate sales, antique shops, flea markets, etc...

1.  ALWAYS BRING HAND SANITIZER. 

2.  Bring cash.  It's a pain writing a check for $3.00 and for some reason, I never bring cash!

3.  If your going with a friend, wear bright colors so it's easier to find one another. 

4. Good.Walking.Shoes.Period. 

5.  Use the restroom and eat before you go. 

6.  Dealers are more willing to make a good deal at the END of the LAST day....it's just one less thing they have to pack. 

7.  And at least attempt to negotiate a price with them...it's the name of the game.  I was too nervous to negotiate for my dog figurines.  I was about to cash out when Ivey asked the guy if $32 was the best that they could do. 

The Nashville Flea Market takes place on the last weekend of each month.  But our spiderman friend told us the biggest months are April and October.  It's hard to imagine that there will be 10 times as many vendors in April and October as we saw this weekend.  

BIG THANK YOU TO IVEY FOR HAVING ME THIS WEEKEND.  I've gotten so spoiled only having her live 3 hours away now.  I love it.  I was down most of the day today because I already missed her but fortunately she just became a 'FOLLOWER' and that cheered me right back up.  

However, she has said that she won't leave a comment...she's too shy.  I bet she'll give in soon enough...(insert evil laugh). 

Keeneland Shout Out

For all you Keeneland lovers,
I saw this today on the Southern Living website, click below to read the article. 

Wish You Were Here: Keeneland and Georgetown Celebrate the famed Kentucky track’s 75th anniversary, then hoof it on over to a charming nearby town for arts and eats.
 

Hubby and I are ALWAYS wanting to go to nearby towns and try out new restaurants, bed and breakfasts or Inns.  We went to Georgetown for the first time a few weeks ago (I was on a Craigslist hunch - but it was a disappointment) and it had the cutest main street with tons of historic ole houses that were screaming my name.  We'll have to add this place in Georgetown to our "after tax season to-do list". 

W.W.C.D.

Lately, I've been finding myself falling in love all over again with Charlotte...

Thanks to E!, I've watched Sex and the City almost everyday. 

I know I've mentioned before, but I'm not the most fashionable person you've ever met. 

So sometimes when I'm out shopping and I can' t decide on a certain item, I usually ask myself this question:

"What Would Charlotte Do"

It's a spin off of the W.W.J.D. bracelets

Remember these?? They were pretty hip in middle school (circa middle 90's). It was a friendly reminder "What Would Jesus Do" -  I MAY or MAY NOT have had 3 of them... But unfortunately I did not wear them for the "spiritual" aspect but rather "it's the cool thing to do" aspect.

So when I'm in a bind and can't decide, I think "W.W.C.D.??"

This technique is good for other things too, not just fashion. 

For instance, when I'm upset and I have a bad word that's just sitting on the tip of my tongue.  I think W.W.C.D.  and it saves me from having a potty mouth.  Or purchasing gifts, would Charlotte give just a plain gift?? Oh no, she goes above and beyond!! Should I go walking today?? Charlotte would (but in her case, she'd go running).

And I love that she has brown hair - sometimes I think my brown hair holds me back from super cute outfits. But she definitely pulls everything off with 110% CLASS.

Thanks Charlotte for being such a great role model!! And thanks E! for letting me fall in love all over again!

Happy Tuesday!
Joy D.

Magazines Please

So, I kinda get a lot of magazines.  Maybe you've noticed a couple of spots for them around my house. 

In my bedroom

In the "nice" living room

I think that's why I like reading blogs so much, it's like I get to read a whole bunch of magazine articles everyday!!

I found this picnic basket in our basement.  It definitely came from a pile of stuff from my dad's house.

I'm sad to report that this picnic basket has NEVER been used for a picnic.  It fact it was never used at all =(  Poor basket.  It was going to go in the trash. But now it is serving a purpose in my office. 

This chair is 2nd in line to get reupholstered...when I get a lil more spending ching ching.  Till then,  it has a throw on it to make it blend in a lil more.  

And then I was having a major problem with my magazines in the TV room.

They are usually scattered all over the floor, but I made a nice clean stack just for this pic.  The chair on the right IS next in line to get reupholstered.  I'm having my friend Beth's mom do it as soon as my fabric goes back on sale:

My friend dragged me out of my house during a "deep cleaning weekend" (I'm trying to get my spring cleaning done now so I can actually enjoy spring) and we went to our first estate sale. 

Look at the beauty I found:

I think it looks like the bamboo style that's super in right now. 

It had a price tag of $5.00 but the lady gave it to me for $3.00

So I painted it silver and I love the way it turned out. 

Problem solved!

Now to get that chair recovered and I will be 91.9% happy with our TV room.  Oh, and the table on the left is hopefully getting painted this weekend.

So far I get these magazines in the mail:
Good Housekeeping
Martha Stewart Living
Martha Stewart Everyday Food (even though I don't cook)
Veranda (my fav)
HouseBeautiful
Traditional Home
Southern Living
Southern Lady

I was watching Sex and the City 2 the other night (I know everyone hated it, but I kinda liked it - it had a happy ending) and I heard this quote from Carrie:
     "I've been cheating on fashion with furniture"

I keep telling myself that this is the LAST winter where I am gonna STOP spending money on the house and invest more in a winter wardrobe.  So far, I bought a new pea coat and that's it.  I think the next magazine subscription I get will be InStyle - I certainly need all the help I can get!!

Happy Friday to YOU.
Joy D. 

The Hogans

I may or may not have publically admitted here that I own EVERY season of Hogan Knows Best

I LOVED the show and I LOVED the family (of course this was all before Terry's came crashing down).

They just looked so happy.  Tear.  I tried to watch Brooke's show, but it just wasn't the same.  

Anywho.  Home is Where the Hart is left me a comment (she is super sweet - I've never actually met her but she leaves me lots of comments that I love to read) and said that she used to live like 5 minutes away from them and would see them all the time!!! I'm super jealous.  So I wanted to show her just how much I loved the Hogans.

I FOUND THEIR HOME!!! OH YEAH! 

And just to prove I didn't just find these on the internet...

 If I wasn't in front of their home, I would not show this picture to anybody!
Hogan's, I found your hood!

Don't worry, I'm not out searching for your house.  I promise.

OK.  Just wanted to share with HIWTHI - although she prob thinks I'm a creepy stalker now and has probably decided it should be best that we don't meet.  Ever.