Vintage Tex

     The other day I came across a vintage boutique called Vintage Tex.  I was pleasantly surprised to see such a diverse shop tucked away among trendy boutiques and restaurants that line Colleyville Blvd. in Colleyville, Texas.  Vintage Tex, offers an array of women's, children and men's vintage clothing.

 A nice arrangement of women's accessories from hand bags to jewelry surrounds the racks of clothes from the 40's to the 80's.  There is plenty of sale merchandise to entice you to purchase a little something vintage.   Prices are affordable and the selection is diverse.  I will most definitely be back!

Hours:  Tuesday-Saturday 12-7pm

5005 Colleyville Blvd (HWY 26) 

Top 3 Vintage Malls in Dallas Fort Worth

Vintage Shopping Never Looked Better

     Having been with Lula B's Vintage Mall for nearly a year now, I have to vote it as one of the best places for vintage stuff.  With over 80 plus vendors this mall is housed with vintage furniture, clothes, kitsch, records, home decor and much more.  Lula B's is unique in that the vendors specialize in era's that include the fifties through the seventies.  The upstairs floor is dedicated to funky fun vintage clothing.  If you are looking for mid-century furniture this should be top on your list.  With a wide variety of chairs, lamps and credenzas.  Lula B's is located in the heart of Deep Ellum in down town Dallas with free parking. Prices are reasonable, the staff is friendly and the location is funky.  Sister store is located in the design district.

Lula B's East 2639 Main St. 

Lula B's West 1010 N. Riverfront Blvd. Dallas

     Next on my list is Dolly Python, located at 1916 N. Haskell in Dallas.  The selection of clothing is excellent but pricey.  The quality is no doubt fabulous, so I had no problem paying $50.00+ for a vintage wrap skirt..  Ambiance is dark and moody, with lots of nooks to find things.  Great place to shop.  

     Fort Worth is home to Montgomery Street Antique Mall.  With over 62,000 sq. feet of warehouse and about 170 dealers, it won't be hard to find what your looking for.  The mall is clean and well organized with rows and rows of glass cases filled with everything from rare books to fine jewelry and pottery.   I almost got lost looking around at all the colonial and mid-century furniture.  Prices seem reasonable and there is even a cafe.   

Montgomery Street Antique Mall 

2601 Montgomery Street Fort Worth 76107

If you have a top pic.. Please feel free to comment!  Don't forget to "Top Off Your Day With a Little Vintage."

Get The Most Out of Shopping an Estate Sale!

Estate Sale Here I Come!

Seeing that tiny sign "Estate Sale" on the side of the road is enticing..  I used to drive by that sign, with buyers remorse.  Wondering if I may have missed, that once in a life time opportunity, to find something really great.  Something I couldn't live without.  Now, I make the u-turn and drive back.  With my shopping bag in hand, I wait in line, ready to rub elbows with the rest of the shopping addicts.  In the end we are all searching for that special collectible.  You really never know what you may find.  So if you've never stopped for an estate sale, now is your chance to make that u-turn.  Check out these 8 tips to shop with ease. 

1.  Don't be Shy.  Always stop when you see a sign.  Get over your fear and do it!

2.  Do your research.  Scan the Internet for upcoming sales.  Most sales will have pictures.

3.  Early Birds Get The Worm.  If you know a sale is offering something you want, get there early.  Most sales will have early lines.  I personally like to take my chances.  I'm not one that wants to get up at 6:00am and wait three hours, but hey if you have the time give it a shot.

4.  Be prepared.  Always review the terms of sale.  Most companies only take cash.  So be prepared!  Credit card sales often come with added transaction fees.  

5.  Bundle.  Bring your own bags, boxes and tissue paper.  Bags free your hands up so you can keep shopping and tissue paper speeds up your check out process.

6.  Get your exercise.  Be prepared to move heavy items like furniture by yourself.  

7.  Bargain.  It never hurts to ask for a deal.  Most vendors don't like to be asked for discounts on the first day, but it never hurts to ask.  If your not being outrageous and you have other purchases, a dealer just may say yes.

8.  Save the best for last!  Typically on the last day of an estate sale, you can receive up to 50% off.  I really enjoy shopping the last day of sales.  Less crowds and better deals! 

Warning estate sales are addictive.  Happy Shopping!

Kyle Flea Market

Hidden Relics

     Just south of Austin is a small town called Kyle. If not for the huge billboard "Flea Market", you'd miss the market and the town!  

Just drive slow and turn off at the next exit.  A dirt frontage road will wrap you around to the grass field where you'll find vendors selling yard sale items like vhs tapes, toys, books etc. on wooden tables.  Once you've greeted everyone and rummage through a few boxes head into the warehouse for the real vintage picks. 

 I found most of the merchandise to be over priced but there was so much to look at.  Take these beer cans packaged to sell...

My daughter had a great time looking for barbies and toys.  I rather liked people watching and viewing the tiny rooms filled from top to bottom with stuff.  We quenched our thirst with a a soda and walked the hallways peeking into each room hoping to find a hidden relic.  At the end of the venture, we ended up with a bag of cheetos and a few pics!  I don't think I would plan a day trip around this flea market, but if you are driving to or from Austin, it's worth stopping by for kicks.

American Flea Market

                                  American Flea Market

Whoever said money can't buy happiness 

simply didn't know where to go shopping.  ~Bo Derek

    

     Albert Lafarge wrote that one of the first American flea markets began in 1873 on the Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas.  The market still thrives today, attracting vendors selling new merchandise, art, funky junk, vintage and more.  It's a buyers paradise!  
    After moving to Texas, I was fortunate to experience a Monday trade day and wow was I surprised.  There were hundreds of booths.  I mean hundreds.  Why I was wearing cowboy boots, i'll never know.  I could barely get through half the market.  Tired soles lead me to a lemonade stand and there I sat.  Without a purchase in hand I vowed to return.

    I wasn't ready to give up.  I tried my luck at another popular venue in Fort Worth.  The Saturday and Sunday flea market in downtown.  The market is set in cattle barn #1 at the Will Rogers Center.  It is on a much smaller scale, with just a few rows of vendors.  They offer jewelry, vintage toys, junk and old dolls, which happens to be my daughter's favorite stuff.  There are plenty of doo-dads for everyone. 

    With popular shows like American Pickers and Antique Road Show, you can't help but want in on a good deal.  With the new trend of repursing vintage stuff, a flea market is a great place to start without braking the bank.  Happy Picking!

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura

"Often while traveling with a camera we arrive just as the sun slips over the horizon of a moment too late to expose film, only time enough to expose our hearts."-Minor White

     

     When I discovered this darling Brownie Holiday Flash camera at an estate sale, I couldn't resist paying a couple bucks for it. I thought it would make a nice addition to my etsy shop, but then after holding this rare beauty in my hands, well I couldn't part with it.  The collector in me just wouldn't let it go!  
      It is now nestled atop some old books and knickknacks on a shelf collecting dust, but not for long.  I am so excited to purchase a roll of 127 film and take a couple shots.  If only I could find a frozen roll of film for this camera that someone may have forgotten about!  Unfortunately, the film was discontinued about ten years ago and finding a roll of film for sale is rare.    

     

     Kodak introduced the Holiday Flash in 1952 and discontinued the model in 1962.  I can't image why?  Back in the day, this camera cost $5.00.  I just love it.  The size is so compact, light weight and frankly darn cute. 
     There is nothing to compare the feeling you get when you load a roll of film in a camera, advancing it and then clicking the shutter.   The anticipation of not knowing whether you captured the perfect shot; well that is a magical moment.  Our modern day digital cameras offer us instant gratification, but there is nothing like a little vintage to remind us how we got here!  This little brownie beauty is staying with me.  I'm counting on a roll of 127 film to magically appear!

Nostalgia

Nostalgia

     For many of us, we are drawn to vintage things because it reminds us of the past.  There is a bit of nostalgia that grabs hold of you and won't let go.  You can't live with out that piece of jewelry, or maybe it's a similar painting your grandmother had.  Seeing the object triggers a memory and you fall in love with it.  For a collector, there lies one of the beauties in collecting.  Walter Benjamin once said,

“Every passion borders on the chaotic, but the collector's passion borders on the chaos of memories.”

― Walter Benjamin 

This chaos of memory that Benjamin talked about may hold true for a vintage collector.  For myself it does.  I often fall in love with something "kitsch" because it conjures a childhood memory and with it comes a desire to acquire the object.  Now, Walter Benjamin may not have meant for his chaos to be expressed as a desire to acquire something based on one's memory, but for the sake of this blog post I will leave it as such.  

Which brings me to the topic of  my post.  Today, I celebrate my 40th birthday.  A celebration so epic that it comes with a whole lot of passion, chaos and well baggage.  With all my personal baggage comes forth the beauty of my collection.  Each of the pieces I am sharing with you today have been given to me as a birthday gift.

My husband just gave me this for my 40^th. This painting is by an unknown artist Reynold.  I know what you’re thinking; it's a Lee Reynolds!  Sadly, it’s not.  I absolutely love it anyway.  The simplicity of the birds against the chaotic background of texture drew me right in.  It measures 41"x 41" in a thick teak frame.  This painting was purchased in Austin Texas. 

This is my first piece of mid century art.  I purchased it in San Diego several years ago.   This is a lovely Jere 69' enamel and metal wall sculpture.  Need I say more..

Lastly, this is a striking woven wall hanging with a gorgeous hand painted tree.  It measures 62" long.  If only you could see in in person.  This painting is as stunning as it is big.  There is something really magical about the movement of the tree that the artist was able to capture.  The artist is unknown.  It was purchased in San Diego.  

Many thanks for those of you that check out my blog today.  May you have as much passion in collecting mid century art and furniture as I do.  Don't forget to "Top off your day with a little vintage".