What a great day! This morning, I got a phone call from some friends in NY who forgot about the time difference, so they woke me at 7:30am. I muttered something about waking and me and said to call back and hung up and went back to sleep. I woke up again at 9:30am and called Eric.
Then, I called my friends back, left them a message, and jumped in the shower. I ate breakfast, worked on the computer for a little while, and was out the door at about 11:30am to go to the Del Mar Antique Show. It took me about 15 minutes to drive to the Fairgrounds in Del Mar (where the race track is, and where Eric and I also saw EARTH, WIND & FIRE this past summer).
The parking lot is HUGE, but there’s a shuttle you can take that drops you off right by the entrance. I thought it was an outdoor show, but when I got there I realized it’s indoors. All the food vendors are outside, and they have lots of tables and chairs outside, so everyone goes out to eat lunch, but otherwise the whole show was in a huge building.
I got there a little before noon. Admission was $8, but I got a 50% off coupon online, so I got in for $4. Parking was $9, so I already spent $13, before I even got to the first booth!
It was a fantastic show with tons and tons of costume jewelry (I thought I died and went to heaven), vintage clothing, furniture, artwork, ephemera, china, crystal, knick-knacks, bric-a-brac, tchotkes, and decorative items. Anything vintage or antique you could dream of was there today.
I didn’t bring much money, because I’m not working and I didn’t want to spend a lot, but I ended up spending all the money I had, charging one thing, and then going to an ATM in the building and getting MORE money. Oy! It was just too much fun! I had spoken to Eric before I went and he told me to buy anything I wanted, because he wanted me to have something special for Valentine’s Day. That’s my guy!
I ended up getting a turquoise and white vintage cotton dress that fits perfectly, except that it needs a hem (I tried it on in the bathroom at the antique show). I also bought a gorgeous turquoise and silver clutch purse that matches great.
I got a really nice gold and blue stone vintage costume bracelet, which will go great when I wear my blue jeans. I found three vintage paper labels that would have gone on a candy or some other box. They’re so gorgeous and I will make color copies, so I can use them for decoupage. I just love that kind of art work and there is so much I can do with them, just by making color copies!
Sorry the picture's blurry!
The piece in the picture above that looks like a giant brooch is really something to sew on a pillow or purse. It's fabulous and I got it for a song!
These girls looked so adorable, I immediately fell in love with them! I asked them if I could take their picture and they happily obliged!
I also bought a few other little things (a chartreuse silk "New York Empire State Building" hankie for $2), and a few gifts for friends, so it wasn’t “all about me.”
I got the cutest little Asian-inspired satin purses for my little cousin Elise’s birthday. She’s having a “Candyland” birthday party, which I think is the cutest idea. These purses are envelope-shaped and have a snap closure and then a zipper inside. They come in all different vibrant colors.
Elise is having her party in February and when I saw these I thought they’d make perfect little party favors for all the little girls. I immediately called Ilene and sent her a picture with my phone and she called back and said Elise liked them, so I bought two dozen. They came a dozen to a package and were so inexpensive. I know they’ll be a big hit with all the girls.
One woman had a table covered with jewelry and there was a big sign that said, “EVERYTHING ON THIS TABLE – 50 cents EACH). I took a bowl and started throwing in rhinestone pins, clip-on earrings, and beautiful crystal earrings. I had about 30 pieces, but I edited it down and spent $10 and she gave me a few extra.
Then, at the booth where I bought the blue/white vintage dress, I started telling the woman that I do jewelry mosaics and she immediately pulled out a bunch of boxes and bags of miscellaneous jewelry and told me to see what I liked. I made a huge pile of pearl necklaces, rhinestone pins and earrings, beaded clip-on earrings, etc., and then she asked what I wanted to pay for it. It was at least a pound of jewelry and it was all great stuff, so I told her “$15,” and she said, “Fine!” She also told me she had tons more at home and would call me and I could meet her to buy more.
The most I spent on any one item was $25, so I really did get great buys, but boy it sure does add up! I’d really like to go back tomorrow, because it’s the last day and they’ll probably “slash prices,” but I don’t know if I’ll have the energy. I’m going to be up very early to direct Stacie’s video, so I have to go to bed at a decent hour. She and Elsa are picking me up at 8:00am!!!!
I walked around the antique show for almost 6 hours today. When I left it was almost 6:00pm. I was home in 15 minutes, got undressed, looked at all my wonderful purchases and then relaxed for a while. I had eaten lunch there (garlic battered artichoke hearts – OMG! They were SO good) and had an iced coffee, so I don’t really feel tired, because of the caffeine, and I hope it doesn’t keep me up tonight. I might have to take two TYLENOL PMs and go to bed early, to make sure I get a good night’s sleep!
It was a truly wonderful day. I would rather spend a day at an antique show than on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, or Fifth Avenue in New York. Looking at old things makes my heart palpitate and gives me such a rush. It’s my true passion, and I never tire of it!