What's in Your {Vintage} Suitcase?

Vintage luggage always catches my eye at an estate sale or flea market. These pieces are the ultimate in vintage chic storage. I have quite a few pieces, but have become more discerning in selecting a new case for my collection.



These gray pieces were actually found on three different shopping trips, and two of them were from the thrift store. I love the gray color, a bit different from the typical beige case but still neutral to go into any room. Plus the darker color hides a few of the scuffs they may have suffered in their previous role.

I look for flat, not sloped sides so that when the pieces are stacked, they will be level. Then I can arrange a few things on top of the stack for decoration as well.

I also like to hold out for a piece that's in good shape, with all the latches and handles working as they should. Most importantly, I open the suitcase up and if doesn't pass the sniff test, it doesn't come home with me. There's no use in having a vintage suitcase for storage if it smells nasty. If it does, everything you put it in it will absorb that smell.

I have tried to remove the smell of mold or tobacco from a piece or two with sprays, baking soda, kitty litter and good old-fashioned sunshine. None of these methods has worked to the point where I'd like to store my things inside and take the chance that they might take on the odor. If you have a way to remedy this, please share!

Many of my cases have such pretty interiors that I don't mind seeing the delicate lining. The colors are usually unfaded and quite beautiful, especially on the women's suitcases.

This set is currently in my craft studio, hiding my many punches. Those by Martha Stewart reside in the top case as I use them most often. They are also the best looking--I love the off-white color.

The function of these cases is never permanent, I seem to move them around as needed and have quite a few in my bedroom to hold my scarves and out of season clothing. There are many pretty storage baskets, cubes and cases available in the stores today, but these suitcases have the most charm! 

Dreaming of the {Paris} Flea Market

I'm at the point in my life where the destinations I've yearned to reach need to happen soon. I'm not getting any younger (darn!), the kids are grown and all but one have careers. My youngest daughter has traveled more than I have in her twenty-something years. She finds a way... using study abroad, bus or road trips across the country, youth hostels and internships to follow her heart across the globe.

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She inspires me to follow my own dreams of visiting Paris. I want to see the Eiffel Tower light up at night, capture the beauty of European architecture through my lens and of course, visit the flea markets.

I have learned over the years to appreciate the fun of the flea market without coming home with too many treasures. The large ones are easy to leave behind. The only things I really consider myself a collector of would be vintage greeting cards and postcards. They are easy to tote, inexpensive to collect and don't take up hardly any space in my home. I also enjoy taking pictures of items I know I would have no place for or those that are beyond my means; it's my way of holding the memory of a treasure without the burden of ownership.

Maybe I will need to think small, as in paper and tiny trinkets, like these beautiful keys. They are more intricate than those I have seen in the States.

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What would be on my larger item shopping list? Perhaps a beautiful chandelier like this one, a pretty reminder of the trip each time the lights were aglow. I would never tire of it's beauty.

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There are even travel agencies that cater to a woman's desire to shop the flea markets of Paris... A quick search noted two I've added to my Pinboard. Perhaps this is the way to go... traveling with like-minded women under the guidance of an experienced tour group.

Have you been? Do share your tips and treasures with a comment below.

The Paris travel book is ordered, it's time to plan!

Fun at the Flea {Vintage Ceramic Christmas Tree}

This sweet vintage ceramic Christmas tree caught my eye at the flea market last weekend (and of course ended up coming home with me). I went to the market on the last day of the event. The vendor said many people had looked at the tree and passed it by.

Maybe it was the dust mixed in with the glitter, the little berry tree topper (below) that had come unglued, or the broken light fixture... all totally fixable. It was a great deal and will be perfect on my desk at work or maybe here at home, where it awaits repairs.

The flea market is so enjoyable to me because I can spend so little money, enjoy the sights of all the vintage treasures, and bring some little bits home to admire. And if I tire of them, I know that by donating them to Goodwill, they'll find another person to love them (for a little while).

Pretty {Vintage} Christmas Icicles

Check out these vintage Christmas plastic icicles I found at the flea market. I haven't seen these large icicles before. I have lots of the smaller, thinner, glow in the dark icicles. There were 18 of them, and the sweet vendor gave them all to me for $3. They are in great shape.

I think they'll make a nice addition to my new white flocked tree. They'll add just a little more sparkle, and you can never have enough sparkle!

This picture below shows both sides of them. One is clear and the other has a mirror finish. They are really different.

I'm getting anxious to begin gathering up my Christmas decorations. I don't want to put them out yet... just look through them and see what I have; that's half the fun of decorating anyway!

Simple Fall Deck Decor

The blooms have faded from my garden candelabra, but I can't bear to pull out the plants. This piece was picked up at a flea market a few years ago, and is always a joy to fill each spring. All lit up with candles, it's really a beautiful addition to the garden view.

Bringing a little fall to the back deck with these gourds, I decided to put them in place of the candles. It's a touch of whimsy, but also keeps the gourds a bit more out of reach of my golden retrievers.

I'm amazed that they stay on the candle bases. These orange gourds brought the beauty back to a summer container planting. They're just as beautiful as the flowers were.

 

Vintage Religious Images

Here are the scans of the images on the beautiful prayer cards I picked up at the flea market a few weeks ago. They are all high resolution so that you can print and use them in your craft projects.

Aren't they gorgeous? I have a few more I'll scan as well. Enjoy!

Mary

Linking up to:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Beautiful Vintage Images of Mary {from the Flea Market}

Just a quick post before I head out to work this morning... Visited the Lake County Flea Market this weekend and was pleasantly surprised at the number of vendors and great merchandise! This one has been struggling to gain it's former size since moving to a new location several years ago. I'm hopeful this weekend was a sign it's coming back into it's glory.

I picked up these beautiful cards this weekend. All featuring gorgeous images of Mary. I hope to scan them in the future so you can use them in craft projects but wanted to share {beautiful} glimpses of them with you now. Enjoy--and have a wonderful week! Check back Wednesday for my Share the Love Link Party.

Silver Tray Centerpiece for Spring {At Last}

I went to the flea market last weekend with a list. Actually, this list is one I continue to refer to in antique and thrift stores as well. One of the things on the list was a large rectangular silver plate platter with handles and feet. The handles and feet part were important to me, I like the detail they offer. 

 

I have seen big trays before but either the form wasn't what I was looking for, they were missing the details I was looking for or they were priced too high. The luck of the flea market was with me as I did find a tray at a great price.

As I was deciding where to use it I brought out all my other trays and set them aside. I kind of liked that stacked and layered look! The trays used together were much more interesting for a centerpiece than the single tray alone. Not to mention that it's nice to free up the cabinet I was storing them in!

I added some blue eggs I had found at Home Goods last year and some dried moss from Michaels. I had some green moss too, but I liked the way that the gray moss lets the eggs be the star; acting as a neutral backdrop between the bright eggs and shiny silver trays.

 

Best of all, the stacked trays can work with lots of seasonal elements, candy or trinkets to change it up throughout the year.

The newest addition to my silver collection has found its spring home--front and center on the dining table all dressed up for spring.

Now I can concentrate on the other items on my "to find" list. Crystal chandeliers, champagne coolers benches and armoires are some of the items that always catch my eye. And vintage luggage. Can you ever have too many pieces of vintage luggage? 

When I initially began shopping at flea markets and antique shops I was always buying smaller things. Now I find myself confident enough in my style to look for the larger pieces. I also have the knowledge to know a good price when I see it and concentrate on quality as well. 

I'm so glad the weather is warming up--all the better for flea market season! What items are on your list? Do share!

Linking up to:
WEDNESDAY
Faded Charm
THURSDAY PARTIES
Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Transformation Thurday @ the Shabby Creek Cottage
A Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday on Tuesday
Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple
The 36th Avenue
House of Hepworths
FRIDAY PARTIES
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Tatertots & Jello
The Charm of Home
Freestyle Friday @ Happy Hour Projects

Turquoise Blue Fiestaware {Hello Spring}

This shade of blue is so bright and cheery. Perfect for spring or any time of the year.

I couldn't resist this set of four Fiesta glasses. A set is so much harder to resist than a single, don't you think?

They were so inexpensive... $8 for the set. Who could resist them? They are newer pieces, not vintage at all. I didn't care. I bought them for the beautiful color and the timeless simple design.

They are the perfect size for my breakfast table setting, holding just the right amount of milk each morning.

I never know what I'll find at the flea market. That's one of the things I love about going--you never know what treasures you'll find... old or new or beautiful blue!

Thanksgiving Wreath {Most Unique} with Pheasant Feathers

Strange and beautiful. That's my words to describe this wreath I spotted at the Grayslake Antique Fair and
Flea Market this past weekend. The colors are your typical autumn reds, greens and a touch of bronze. And there's a feather at the bottom. A pheasant feather, which has been showing up in autumn decor the last few years. But there's something more. The body of the pheasant.

 Here's a closer view. Strange, yes. Also quite pretty. Look at the gorgeous colors on the body of that bird. Greens and blues muddled with the brown and gold--simply gorgeous! This wreath didn't make it home with me. It was a bit pricey at $125 and the bird would not have held up well on my front door facing the elements.

I admired it all the same and the vendor didn't mind me taking a picture to share. What do you think of this most unique Thanksgiving wreath?