1st Find At The Farm, Donny Osmond And January Market 2014

It all started with a fun, new antiques show!

 I was really excited when I heard about this show…anticipating that it might just be the closest thing to Brimfield or Roundtop that would ever happen anywhere close to where I live.

While it truly didn't measure up to THOSE standards…it was a great show…but had a really bad turnout! I feel like it will do well if they get the word out and YES, the vendors were definitely the cream of the crop!

They even had a really yummy Mexican food truck there! 

Jim braved the chilly weather to get our fish tacos and chicken quesadillas! And I would've certainly loved to hear Tobi Fairley at the lecture the night before! I told you about her speaking at this event in my last post that you can see HERE!

However, when we arrived on Wednesday at lunch time this is what we saw….this is what I meant by a poor turnout…a beautiful, drivable pasture that simply held about 6-8 cars when we arrived. It should've been busting at the seams with cars and vans and trucks loading up to take stuff home!

I will say that  the tents looked great and held fabulous antiques!

And the farm…well…take a look! It was incredibly beautiful and from what I heard is owned by a well known Atlanta designer. Not sure…but that's what I was told!

Whenever I'm around a farm…I can so see myself enjoying this life!
 Until I think about it logically! But it sure is pretty to look at!

Here is another view of one of the tents…luckily generators were going inside to keep it warm!

I did get a few really great antique light fixtures! I am really excited about them and feel like they will do well…I love the clean lines on the one below!

From there we quickly drove to our favorite hotel in Atlanta…the downtown Ritz! It just works for this trip! Just a short block away from Market it is the place to call home when you are working like this! It makes this trip a real vacation…ok…I'm stretching the truth here! The time spent at Market is definitely NOT a vacation by any means! My legs are literally still sore with every step I take! 

But staying here makes it feel better!

A little luxury goes a long way with me….and then I read Tina's post from her stay at the Ritz in Laguna Beach, California ….WOW!!! She definitely wins! Please check out her post on their vacation HERE!!

Just seeing the different floral arrangements in the lobby for example make my heart glad…it's the small details that make a working trip into something better!

After getting registered at Market we were so happy to be having dinner at The Atlanta Grill inside the Ritz's downtown location. 

It was so nice to not have to leave the hotel and drive somewhere and besides that…it is definitely one of my most favorite if not my very favorite restaurant in Atlanta!

And then first thing Thursday morning we headed straight over to High Design at Market! It's always my most fun event there. Usually, it's in the afternoon and is filled with wine, champagne, fabulous food as well as fabulous new dealers available at market. This time it was a brunch and didn't disappoint one bit! They even had Chocolate Cheese Cake Crepes! Wow! Talk about rich!

Not to mention the Crab Cakes Benedict!

 And the fabulous floral arrangements everywhere!

I couldn't resist taking a few pictures…it wasn't until the end of the day that I saw a sign that said it was "strictly prohibited!" Hmmmm….is this where you ask forgiveness instead of permission? 

Not sure about this one!

The first vignette in High Design was strictly filled with antiques…and I mean SERIOUS antiques! 

Top dollar antiques…museum quality antiques!

I was happy to see at the end of the day that this gorgeous desk had sold!

By 11:30 it was time to head to the next building and up to the 14th floor to meet none other than the real Donny Osmond and his wife Debby! Seems they have a new home furnishings line! If you look at the picture above it's quite evident that no one gave a rip about the furniture…it was simply middle aged women…ok…my age women in line for their final chance at meeting the one that sang straight into their hearts as junior high aged girls! I think we heard every story about how each woman cried when they found out Donny had gotten married! Good stuff!

They don't call it "Puppy Love" for nothing! 

It was really quite entertaining!

I hate that our picture is blurry but the lady taking it for us just couldn't contain herself!

After that we had to re-wind and get back on track! I took a few pics of really great looking pillows to send to Pattie back at the shop…we had made a pact that I wouldn't buy any pillows that weren't antiques! And I didn't! But I almost caved with these!

Pillows seem to come and go just like boyfriends in Jr. High…but not the antique ones! 
They stand the test of time always!

(maybe Donny needs to create a pillow line!)

And then I truly fell in love…forget Puppy Love…these were gorgeous panels painted in that beautiful style that truly makes my heart skip a beat!

Ok…I'm getting carried away..but they sure were fabulous!

What I did fall head over heals for was this incredible pair of Italian gilt lamps made from 18th century fragments. Talk about stunning! They are now sitting front and center at the shop!

Next were these fabulous Selenite fireplace logs! They are cut from one crystalized column in North Africa to create these beautiful logs! 
What a great thing to put in your fireplace in the off season and it will look so elegant! 

I loved seeing how Tory Burch used them in her showroom! 

They look fabulous here! I even got some for myself to use in our own living room!

Next we simply perused the halls of market and took in the sights of all of our favorite showrooms…it's always fun to get ideas even if we don't purchase anything right away. 

These are places that we frequent often but I just love the way they present themselves at market...

Unusual and fun displays for sure!

And when the day was done it was time to head back to the Ritz for some "relaxing time" and "getting ready time" to go to dinner!

This place had been on my bucket list of Atlanta restaurants that I had to go to! It certainly didn't disappoint! It was fabulous!

I would go again in a heartbeat! Between the fried oyster appetizer, the lobster roll and the trout that Jim got for his entree it was a spectacular meal!

And on top of that it was such a fun night!

Loved, loved, loved the atmosphere!

And our sweet friends from the "Go Home" showroom sent us a complimentary dessert! So kind of them! Somehow we ALWAYS end up at the same restaurants as they do!

 It's gotten to be sort of comical!

Their Oyster Bar looked amazing if you simply wanted to sit there and eat oysters!

But guess what? After all of that fun we had to head back to Birmingham! And that was definitely ok by me! I was so ready! I love going…love seeing all of the merchandise and love seeing old and dear friends that we've made along the way! In fact, I need to apologize to the sweet women that came up to me and said they loved my blog! I truly was flabbergasted and as Jim says…"I hid behind him!" I didn't know what to say! I thought they were going to say they liked my sweater or something…it's a bit disconcerting to know that people really do read this blog and that some are kind enough to tell you that they like it! Thank you, ladies! I did not take that lightly and I appreciate your thoughtfulness! I just wish I knew your names! 

And then….there comes a time when the buying and spending stops and you return to reality!
 So that is just what we did and when we unloaded at the shop on Saturday I just couldn't resist taking a few pictures of the things we were able to bring back with us!

The English boxes, the creamware and brown and white transfeware are staples for us in the shop and always such a joy to bring back because there is such a demand for them.

But it's an even better thrill to bring back things you weren't expecting! Like this gorgeous side table that is truly one of the most beautiful that we've ever had in the shop! It was a real struggle to not bring it into the house first just to see…just to play and see what it would look like! But it's what this business is all about! Finding that one piece that someone else will fall in love with just like I did! If that can happen then all of this is worth it!

So…between the new Antiques Show…seeing Donny Osmond…and eating at the Optimist and staying at the Ritz…I'd say this was a worthwhile trip! If nothing else…I needed a get away of sorts…and I'm so excited about the things we brought back with us as well as the things that are yet to come from Market! 
Those new and innovative pieces that will make the shop complete…"Mixing the Old with the New…Layering Antiques for that Fresh Look!" exactly what Tobi so graciously talked about in her lecture! 
Hope you love everything that we've gotten in and I can't wait for you to see the fabulous new lamps, frames, etc…It will definitely be worth it!
Until then…trying to stay upbeat in this dreary season…definitely ready for some warm weather and some sunshine! How are you fairing in this winter weather? I would love to know how you cope with it! I don't seem to do so well…any advice is welcome~

My Husband Is Amazing! I Guess You Could Say He Can "Crash My Party Anytime"!

When the tickets ran out…Jim stepped in and got some…I don't ask questions but I sure do love going to see my favorites! Luke Bryan definitely takes the cake! I am head over heals in love….with his music! And I love getting to have fun and enjoy these concerts with my precious husband of almost 30 years!

 I don't feel one bit guilty declaring this! 

I am not naive though and I am well aware that I am married to a "one in a million" man! 

I mean, really!! I am WAY to old to go to a Luke Bryan/Florida Georgia Line/Thompson Square concert and then head off to market in Atlanta at 6:00 a.m. the very next morning!!!

(but he thinks I'm still young enough to handle it!)

Who cares that we didn't really leave our driveway until 8:30! 

We had such great intentions!

Anyhoo….you get my drift! We sure made the trip worthwhile and suffered through being tired to make market a wonderful experience as well! I am super excited about the things we have coming in for Fall and Christmas! Not to mention our everyday lamps, pillows, frames, etc….

Florida Georgia Line

But first things first….Just look at how close our seats were! It was amazing! Luke is probably the most fun, energetic entertainer I've ever seen! Not to mention just so darn cute! I've been told my youngest son resembles him in looks! I think he likes knowing that! As long as it's just in looks I think we are fine! However, I've been doing some "research" and I have yet to find anything horrible on Luke…I'm thrilled to know that his precious wife is in his latest video "Crash My Party."
That speaks volumes!

And you can see the brand new video HERE!

 Sorry for so many pics from the concert but it was AMAZING!!!!!

And my favorite part of Luke's concerts…the fact that he sits down with his musicians and he plays the piano…this is when I remind Miller that he should've stuck with piano lessons!

But hey…this post is really supposed to be about the Atlanta Market and what we found! We found some wonderful things….I just had a million Luke Bryan songs playing in the background of my thoughts as we shopped! Nothing wrong with that, right? 

One of our most favorite showrooms at market is Go Home. We have known the owners for years and always enjoy swapping restaurant information, etc…I was super excited to see these vintage Vespa scooters there! I could only think of my dear friend, Jeanne from Collage of Life. If you haven't ever read her blog you definitely are missing out! She has made even me fall in love with the Vespa! ( and I am a HUGE chicken!) There were several more in the showroom but so many people were admiring them that I couldn't get a good photo!

Then, as if the Vespa wasn't enough…be still my heart! 
Look at all the "Louis" stacked up and ready to go! For a mere $12, 500.00 we could be the proud owners of these beauties! 

( Jim didn't fall for it for one second!)

Oh, and here is the trunk that took my breath away!! 

It was only $13,000.00! Just pocket change, right?

From there we walked around to get our bearings and what did I see but an entire display of gorgeous blue and white that once again had me thinking of Tina and her blog, The Enchanted Home.

That night we ate at the restaurant at the Ritz so we wouldn't have to get out…we were truly tired! But truth be told…this is my all time fave! My "go to" place…and it's not like we are sacrificing…their food is amazing! We shared everything!

The appetizer of Lobster Salad over Fried Green Tomatoes, The Atlanta Grill Salad which is my favorite salad in the whole world…the Braised Short Ribs and the Filet Oscar..Oh my! We were stuffed! And we shared! We even got the "half portions"! You tend to snack your way through market anyway…so it's not like we were depriving ourselves at all! Don't EVER think that!

I can truly say that I've never, ever, ever been so glad that a day was over with! I was THAT tired from the concert and going to Atlanta! I was thrilled to wake up and know it was a new day!

And a new day it was! I was even in the mood to take some "daring" pics!

I had to be "that " person and get a view of the Apparel Mart! It always overwhelms me and I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to weed throughout these showrooms just for samples…it's truly NOT worth it! Before I had my own shop I would've felt differently…trust me!

We didn't buy one stinking thing except some personal Christmas gifts on Friday so Saturday had me ready to go! The first thing we found was our very needed and extremely searched for bench! Since the company we've always bought our benches from closed I've searched high and low…and in the middle…you name it…I've looked there! When I found this booth I was more than happy! I ordered so much stuff…just to avoid having to pick it up ourselves! We changed the size and the color of this bench but I couldn't be any more thrilled with it than I am! This cushion is just for "looks", thankfully! And we ordered ours in black…I cannot wait for it to arrive!

After purchasing our very needed and sought after bench…I began to seek food and drink! I always love seeing the presentations at Market! It's usually so fun…and this didn't disappoint! Loved these dispensers!

This sign seemed to catch everyone's eye! I wish I'd taken a pic of the hoards of people leaving the escalators to try out this gummy bear concoction! It was quite funny! Even the owner got tickled when I asked to take his picture!

And then finally, it was the end of Saturday and we had wonderful dinner reservations! However….we had sampled Fox Brother's B-B-Q from Atlanta at 4:30 after a demonstration they did at Market and we were more than stuffed! 
Then, we got back to the Club Lounge at the Ritz and lo and behold….

There was the Potato Bar!
 Oh…My….I think Jim went back 4 times! Ok…maybe two of those times were for me..but who's counting! I mean potatoes topped with caramelized onions and braised short ribs? Really, Kevin? Who can't resist that!!!! And yes, THAT IS A RHETORICAL QUESTION!
We quickly cancelled our dinner reservations because I was one very full and exhausted cookie! I also have horrible feet issues going on here…I will NOT show you pics but just imagine water blisters on every toe thanks to a lot of walking in New Orleans and then standing ( ok…dancing ) all night at the concert and then walking at Market for two days….wow…I just wanted to lay in my bed and cry…but…I didn't cry, we rented the best movie I've seen in YEARS!!! Yes, you heard me! YEARS!!!

Safe Haven!
 Watch it! It was incredible!
And it was the best medicine anyone could've prescribed for me!
After that, I felt somewhat rested!
Sunday morning we met with some people at their wharehouses and I was able to bring a few things home with me. That's always better than having everything shipped! Here is a glimpse at what we saw and what came back with us! 

We saw fabulous arrangements that I loved and especially loved the "barrel" type container it was in!

Loved these vintage trunks but not sure how well they would do in my shop!

I thought this container was so pretty above that I ordered it just for myself! Love the nails and the iron work on the leather!

And the best is always saved for the last! Just look at these fabulous "Chapti" plates and 17th Century Altar Sticks! Love the iron buckets and FABULOUS antique Aubsson and Needlepoint pillows! This is definitely where my heart lies! Right here in antique heaven! I love seeing "vintage" and "modern" just as much as the other person…but when it gets down to the wire…I own an antique shop for one reason…I sell and I love antiques! And I truly appreciate the history behind each piece! But it sure is fun to wander through and pick and choose from the other…from those things that intrigue us and make us wonder if perhaps we should change to become like everyone else. I need to quit doubting myself! In so many areas!

Can't wait for Market Day this Saturday but I REALLY can't wait for it to be over so I can put out all of these fabulous finds from the July Market!

Hope to talk soon! Sure do love all of you and look forward to reading your blogs since I've been MIA lately! Wow….who would've thought having Miller home for his first summer in college would be this busy! Even HIS schedule is killing me! 

He's working at my dad's hospital from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. everyday…so…that means that when I get home from work he is here and he is hungry!

I am SO NOT complaining, though!

 In less than a month he will be back at Auburn and I will be crying and wishing he was still here! 

Till Then!

P.S. Happy Birthday, Luke! I didn't even know it was today until my husband told me!