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Come visit us at The Vintage Laundry website and look through our gallery, shop our online store and check out our Vintage Rental and Workroom!

Two Words, One Finger

The life that I think I lead and the actual life that I have are two distinctly different states of being.  Each comes with its own appalling revelations and pace.  That is to say, that the past week or so has left me a little ruffled, unsure of myself, and questioning every move.  I appall this state of being and I have something to say to these feelings … and I'm sorry to say it involves two words and one finger.

Hence, the touch-y, feel-y quote above.  Just needed to remind myself to live an authentic life and relish the messy unplanned parts, as well as the perfectly planned ones.

Happy Thursday to you!

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I Be A Grinch

Thanksgiving has come and gone. Black Friday is underway. Merry old soul or not, the Christmas season is officially upon us. And, this Monday will mark what is called "Cyber Monday," which to me, sounds a lot like the business-end of a pervy 1-900-number conversation, only online. 

This year, my sugar plum imagine-ings have been slow in coming - my festive spirit missed it's flight and is on stand-by, and I'm thinkin' this lack of merriment basically makes me a heathen! And as it turns out, my children and the Hubbs agree with the "you-be-a-grinch" diagnosis.  So, I've put together a Christmas playlist on The Vintage Laundry Spotify and I wanna share.

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Girl Please! Pink and Gold

PINK VINTAGE PLATE  |  GOLD FLATWARE  |  PINK GLASS STEMS  |  DAMASK NAPKINS

We at the Vintage Laundry are kind of partial to pink, and when we pair it with gold and make it all vintage, well, all we can say is GIRL PLEASE!! 

In our opinion, this lovely combo can make anything more elegant, without a smidgen of pretentiousness.  We've taken some gold-plated flatware and gold-rimmed vintage plates, paired them with some pink glass stems, finished it off with vintage Damask napkins and Presto! ...your table is a showstopper!!

So, forget silver and gold this year and check out The Vintage Laundry for an arsenal of pink and gold vintage entertaining essentials to make your holiday table unforgettable this year!

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Don't Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle

Take a sneak peek at our first-ever magazine/catalog!  Full version available December 1, 2013

I feel about the premature promotion of Christmas sales and holiday shopping the way some people feel about plastic surgery. It's a tragic reflection of our beauty-obsessed society . . . unless I need it, in which case, nobody say anything.  

Enter the first-ever issue of our magazine/catalog, Comfort & Joy.  I hope you find inspiration in our Holiday Issue, we searched far and wide for content for these pages and we're hoping that you will find our festive playlists, exciting Christmas decorating ideas, and vintage gift ideas from thevintagelaundry.com worth the read. Here's a sneak peek of our full version that will be published December 1, 2013.  Make sure to follow The Vintage Laundry on ISSUU so that you won't miss any issues!

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The Crack Cocaine of Antique Shows

I'm an antique show slut.

I visit shows all year long, selling and shopping. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than visiting with and making purchases from my fellow vintage and antique dealer friends.

One of my all-time favorite shows is Antiques Weekend in Round Top, Texas.  Round Top, in case you're unaware, is the crack cocaine of the antique's show world and happens to be going on right this very minute (September 21 - October 5, 2013!) The field that I set up in is called The Texas Rose and is located directly across from Marburger Farms at 2075 South State Highway 237, Round Top, Texas 78954.  You'll find directions from Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio here.

Bottom line, I "owe" this show; I wouldn't own my own business or be an out-of-control vintage collector (AKA hoarder) without it!  And the only shopping advice I have to offer is to forget portion control … it is futile! … there are just too many vintage and antique goodies to pass up!

I just drooled …hmmm … perhaps an intervention is in order …

**Note**
I emailed these clips and photos to my talented son, Noah, and he put this video together for me.  He even supplied the music for it!  That's him on the guitar, playing one of his original tunes!!  

Want It Wednesday: Raising The Bar

Vintage Bar Cart, Hollywood Regency Glasses, Faux Horn Bar Tools

Book 'em Danno: Remix: Decorating with Culture, Objects, and Soul

You know 'em, you love 'em, you can't get enough of the husband-and-wife team behind the blog AphroChic, Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason. I love their take on upcycling.  The pair always manages to live "green" on the glam side of things.  In my travels through the interwebs today I came upon a cover shot of their new book, Remix: Decorating with Culture, Objects, and Soul, a lush style guide that mixes high-end pieces with travel finds and artisan objects, and then immediately went to pre-order my copy.  Authors Hays and Mason have always managed to blow my socks off with their genuine, personal style online and I'm sure I will continue to be rendered sock-less with this offering, as well!

So, if you're all about stylish, unforgettable rooms, then I have a feeling this book is for you!  The title will be released on November 5, 2013 but can be pre-odered here.

Thingy Thursday Revival

I admit freely, without apology to anyone, that I'm a collector slash hoarder slash "if-you-don't-want-it-I'll-take-it" kinda chick.  If someone put it in a garage sale, I bought it.  If someone trashed it, I dumpster dived it.  There is not a minimalist bone in my body and I have the junk to prove it.  I come by this green-recycler-obsessive-compulsive behavior, not because I abhor overflowing landfills (which I do,) but because I'm neurotic - and I'm only sorta kidding here!

So, to make myself feel better about all that, I've decided to resurrect a weekly post that I began a few years ago and then let wane.  It's called "Thingy Thursday" and as the name suggests, it will serve as a vehicle to showcase collectors and the "thingies" they collect.  The plan is to begin with my own personal collections next Thursday, accompanied by specifics and rules and regs for a contest we'll be hosting on our Instagram and Pinterest.

But while you wait with baited breath for next week's "Thingy Thursday" post, I have a few archived posts that I would like to share with you from my friends, Stan Williams, author of The Find (also known as The Elegant Thrifter) and Lynn Goldfinger-Abram, the woman behind the marvelous online store, The Paris Hotel Boutique.

Take a look and walk away, as I did, with a case or two of collection envy!

Want It Wednesdays: Cheetah, Cheetah, Pumpkin Eater

MAXI VINTAGE COAT - Etsy/Doreen's Vintage  •  LOUIS XVI OTTOMAN - The Vintage Laundry  

ITALIAN CERAMIC CHEETAH - 1stdibs/Fat Chance  

Retro Redo: A #Brand New Space for Evolve Media Austin

At The Vintage Laundry we believe in being aggressively colorful.  We know that the colors we choose to surround ourselves with reflect our style and kind of become a signature of sorts.  We firmly believe that color can affect our emotions.  So, when choosing a color palette, we think about the mood that we want to create … Do we want to feel reflective and peaceful?  Or do we want to feel energized and happy?  

During our collaboration with evolve media on their interior design branding, we decided to choose not only a representative corporate color palette but a collection of patterns that speak for their company, as well.  As evolve media has worked with me to rebrand my existing website, I have been impressed by many things, but a few of their most arresting characteristics are how creative, ambitious, and spectacularly focused these young women are on increasing my company's visibility online.  Their knowledge of social marketing and branding accompanied by metric tons of enthusiastic energy is, I'm happy to report, contagious!  The branded decor path that we have chosen for evolve media has resulted in  an interior design aesthetics that has broken out into stripes and chevrons with spots of gold!

The only prescription we can think of is to make two Pinterest posts, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and make sure to get plenty of tweets and share our designs on tumblr.

Retro Redo: Mid Century Credenza

Recently, I had the pleasure of hiring the marvelously talented women of Evolve Media in Austin to help me brand my website, boost my social media marketing, and increase my search engine visibility.  Evolve Media's principal, Morgan Avary, and her marketing director, Shelley Schmidt, have analyzed my existing website, researched my niche in the vintage and antique industry, and have developed a two-part branding plan that will be implemented and launched within the next couple of weeks.  "Excited" really doesn't fully cover my enthusiasm and anticipation for this "strategies implementation!"  And, as if that wasn't enough, my company and I have had the added bonus of working together with Evolve Media in an interior design collaboration that will, in essense, brand Evolve Media from the inside out! This finished project is to serve as an example of how they create brand identities for their clients.  The plan is to take their company's color palette and implement it within their interior design.  This will further cement their corporate identity and serve as an example of just how far a business can take its branding strategies.

So, without further adieu, it's time for a little show and tell from the last few days of our collaboration. We started with a mid-century credenza that Miss Avary purchased from The Vintage Laundry's Prime Time Custom Collection. As it happens, my client is crazy for turquoise, and as a matter of fact, it is one of the hues in her company's corporate identity color scheme . . . so, of course, we had to use it on the credenza.

Some paint, a smooth surface roller, a drop cloth, an hour and a couple of creative minds, and Voila!, a stunning, totally reworked vintage credenza, ready to serve as their coffee bar in their common room.

Make sure and check back frequently to see the progress we are making on this venture!

VINTAGE RENTAL

In September of 2010 The Vintage Laundry began to offer event decor and prop resource rental for brides, event planners, designers, stylists, home stagers, photographers, as well as film, television and print professionals.  This new service makes our vintage inventory available to give your wedding, photo shoot or event your own individual style. We rent one of a kind pieces for whatever your needs may be. LeAnn has an extensive collection of vintage linens, clothing, furniture, china, glassware, silver, lighting and architectural pieces that continues to grow. You can find the perfect vintage pieces for your event in her online inventory. And if you don't see the vintage piece that you had in mind contact LeAnn for a custom search - she loves any excuse to shop!

Please contact us for availability and to reserve your pieces here.  And make sure to check back often, because our inventory will continue to develop.

WORKROOM

Did you know that The Vintage Laundry offers a workroom to clients so that they can re-work their own existing furniture?

LeAnn Stephenson's background and experience in graphic design and illustration  has helped make The Vintage Laundry workroom a virtual plastic surgeon for your  existing furniture and pieces that she finds for the shop.

The Vintage Laundry is available not only to interior designers and stylists, but also to consumers all over the country. The Vintage Laundry's furnishings are mostly vintage items that have been brought back to life.  LeAnn searches to find classic pieces with good bones to reinvent.  She uses new upholstery or maybe a fresh coat of paint to make each re-worked find a one-of-a-kind piece.  Supporting her personal belief is that that customization in the home is like couture in the closet.

My Very Own Marathon Man

 Me and my boy at a birthday party in 1996, all dressed

 up like hippies.  What a cutie!

All of us, at one time or another, have had to overcome adversity, and I'm here to tell ya I'm no exception.  Over the past year my little family, my son specifically, has been challenged with a personal trauma.  And in a rare display of restraint, I will give him his privacy and not disclose what that has been, but proudly tell you that he has worked diligently and triumphed in his struggle.

My son is a good and noble man and I am and always have been so very proud of all he is, has done and aspires to do.  So, to have witnessed his world being brought down around him these past twelve months has shattered my sense of reality.   I've watched as he was pummeled by a debilitating condition and stood by proudly astonished as he has picked up the pieces and once again found his greatness.  He has exhibited and I've witnessed the marathon of inner fortitude it has required for him to overcome his trials and tribulations.  

Words fail me when it comes to expressing my pride and admiration, so, I've decided to train for and complete a marathon.  I want it to be a symbol for this past year that my son has had … kind of dedicating the run to him and all of the hard work he has done this past year getting through to the other side of his tribulations.

His suffering has helped the whole family learn how to cope with adversity and rise above it. And because I'm me and I have to make a story or document everything in this blog, here are some things that my son has taught me . . . things that I think I can physically express and learn from through running a marathon:

A. He was willing to change himself. Marathon training will require a new schedule, new priorities, new diet, and a new way of looking at life. His survival through this trauma required that he not only be open to change but that he celebrate that change.  I'll try my best Noey! 

B. His recovery happened one step at a time. I cannot become a marathon runner overnight. It will take patience, time and a step-wise process to train my body to perform and run 26.2 miles.  There was no instant gratification for you, Noey, and there will be none for me.  

C. No guarantees.  Training for a marathon, like surviving diversity, is never a sure thing. There are no guarantees that I will make it all the way to the race or be able to finish it after starting, but Noey has taught me that the possibility of failure should not be a deterrent. Noah has been able to stay true to his goal, even when there was no certainty of getting to the other side, all habits that I will take with me into the training process . . . 

D. Noah's comfort was revoked by his commitment.  I may have to endure injuries or failure on my path toward completion of this run but I will learn from my son's example that success requires discipline and focus.   I've been doing a lot of research on this topic and have read that marathon training is all about learning how to manage suffering to enhance strength and endurance.  Again I will draw on my son's example of not running away from suffering.

When this event fell upon our family,  it was difficult for us to take in the larger picture, to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but somehow we've survived. I would have thought that this event in my son's life would have crushed him, but, in the end, it has brought out the strength and sweetness that he has always carried inside.  I'm so grateful to all of our dear friends and family for all of the support and love that you have shown us through this terrible time . . . may God bless you all. 

So, like the grapes that make up a fine wine, Noah has accepted the crushing force that entered his life a year ago, allowed himself to be broken, and emerged from the process a new man, stronger and more marvelous than he was before.  

I applaud you my darlin' boy and I dedicate this venture into a marathon run to you and all of the hard work you have done . . . I love you more than words can say.

Chew On My Glove?

Interesting phone conversation with the Hubbs:


THE HUBBS: Hi my love! What 'cha doin'?  

ME: Who is this?! And how did you get this number?!  

THE HUBS: Umm . . . . what?

 ME: ... Scott? . . . . Oh, I couldn't tell that it was you . . . . I thought you were some pervert saying you were going to chew on my glove . . . . or maybe watch a glove shoved on a dove or . . .

 THE HUBBS: Okay, okay . . . . I get it . . . . WOW, there's something really not right about you, huh?!  

ME: This is what I've been trying to tell you for years.  

THE HUBBS: Why aren't you home yet?  

ME: Because I'm lost in the maze of crap merchandise in the store. And I have the strangest feeling that I'm about to be eaten . . . . . by my own inventory.  

THE HUBBS: Well, of course you do.

 ME: I think I better do City Wide this weekend and have a "$5 Finds For All Kinds" Sale.  

THE HUBBS: Like the $5 Footlong at Subway . . . . clever.  

ME: Yeah, like that . . . . except without the deli-meats and and the plastic gloves.

THE HUBBS: I'm thinkin' this is the weirdest phone conversation we've ever had.  

ME: Not. Even. Close.

The sale is at the Palmer Events Center here in Austin. I'll be set up behind the red skirted info desk. There is a $7 charge to park in the garage or there is a free parking lot at One Texas Center on the Southwest corner of So. First and Barton Springs Road, as well. Pick up a copy of this week's Austin Chronicle for a coupon for $1 off admission found on page 23.

Saturday morning between 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m., City Wide offers early shopper passes for $10 each. This allows those who so choose to have early access to the show and get first dibs on vendors' merchandise before the general admission customers enter at 10 a.m. I hope you get a chance to come and see me, cuz I have some really marvelous $5 goodies this show! Have a great weekend and I'll see every back here Monday!


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Sultry Slipper Chairs & Versatile Vintage

Hi and happy Tuesday!  We've got some new vintage at the store and I can't wait to show it off! 

First on the list is this sexy little slipper chair, c.1960, has a tufted seat and back with grey/blue linen upholstery, graceful cabriole legs and a gently curving back.  It is amazingly comfortable and beautiful at the same time.  I can see this in the bedroom placed beside a mirrored side chest topped with a sparkly lamp - with maybe a gilt mirror above that  . . .  the possibilities are endless!  Gorgeous!  You can see more details here.

Price: $250

Condition*
Excellent, vintage piece newly upholstered

Dimensions:

seat height: 18 in.

back height: 34 in.

depth: 26 in.

width: 26 in.

***Free shipping within the United States***

Versatile Vintage Etagere

Next is this versatile vintage etagere is tall and narrow and made of polished chrome and looks like something Milo Baughman would have designed.  But here's the kicker . . . It can be a lot of different things - the side pieces swivel so that they're parallel and glass can be placed into it to make a shelving display - or as a screen/room divider (as shown in the first photo) - or I was thinking it could be put on the long side and a longer piece of glass put a top to make a coffee table or scatter cushions along each side for seating for a Gypsy chic dinner party! The options are endless ...  You can see more details here.

Price: $650

Condition*
Excellent vintage condition, with some minor oxidation to the chrome appropriate with use and age.

Measurements as etagere:
height: 82 in.
depth: 26 in.
width: 26 in.

Measurements as screen/room divider:
height: 82 in.
depth: 13 in.
width: 48 in.

Measurements as a coffee table/gypsy chic table:
height: 26 in.
lengrh: 82 in.
width: 26 in

*glass is not included
**This item must be picked up at the shop or shipping arrangements made by buyer***

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Internal Vision: Aleksandra Nogina & Crafthunters

Seems I have a new crush . . . the recipient of my infatuation is a blog called CRAFTHUNTERS. The creator and editor of CRAFTHUNTERS is Aleksandra Nogina.

Only a year old, launching in May of 2011, the sight is dedicated to the craft world: here you can find cool crafthunters’ pics, some fresh and simple DIY ideas from across the craft stylish universe and, of course, meet the most talented craftsmen on the planet.

Noginas' goal is to discover some new names in the craft universe and dish on what she loves, desires, and admires. It's a ideal blog for those of us whose style is defined by an internal vision.

P.S.: To become a crafthunter read here.   Follow her on Pinterest here or like her Facebook page here.

The video above is just one of the many brilliant things that I found on her site. I keep being surprised by how ordinary things can transform into . . . Well, watch for yourself how to wear a shirt . . . . .

Happy weekend!

Video courtesy  CRAFTHUNTERS

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Simply Brilliant: Puchsia & Furple

Classic and iconic . . . . Coco Chanel

Source: Uploaded by user via LeAnn on Pinterest

I've always been a pink/fuchsia junkie and now purple is inching its way up the list as another favorite color.  I love both colors, most often together.  If you design a dress, bottle a perfume, glaze some china or snap a photo of a field with lavender or fuchsia or pink somewhere in it . . . . I'm hooked!

And just for funzies I like to transpose the first letters of the colors purple and fuchsia . . . . to each his own, as they say.  So recently I did a little research and discovered that purple symbolizes mystery, as well as royalty. And fuchsia is said to be associated with emotional stability . . . . which is why I guess I'm drawn to it . . . . I could always use a little more emotional stability . . . . just ask my psychopharmacologist!

Here are some very inspirational and brilliant images that I have pinned on Pinterest . . . hope you enjoy!

More brilliance! Fashion designer Katie Ermilio

Source: google.com via LeAnn on Pinterest

Corrie Bond is a brilliant photographer!

Source: 2c.com.au via LeAnn on Pinterest

Can you imagine the lovely fragrance?

Source: Uploaded by user via LeAnn on Pinterest

"Lacque de Chine" ; Gold/Amethyst- Haviland.  hmmmmm . . . . I have a birthday coming up in June . . . . hint, hint!

Source: bloomingdales.com via LeAnn on Pinterest

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A New Addiction . . . . Like I Need One More of Those

So, I've got to share a new addiction.... well, it's not really a NEW addiction, but it is an addiction!  Like I need one more of those - Am I right?!  It's called Pinterest.  So here's the deal, Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  It lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web.  People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.
Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people.  Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.  To get started, request an invite.

Today I would like to share a few of my boards with you . . . . So, here goes . . .

Gamine Girls

I love the gamine look that seems to be synonymous with Audrey Hepburn – you know, the put-together in an off hand manner – like she was just on her way to the market or something.  Also, the classically outfitted looks of Katherine Hepburn appeal to me, as well.

Puchsia and Furple

I transpose the first letters of the colors purple and fuchsia frequently.  I love both colors, most often together on a dress or in a painting, or in nature.  I've read that purple symbolizes mystery, as well as royalty.  And fuchsia is said to be associated with emotional stability....  which is why I guess I'm drawn to it .....  I could always use a little more emotional stability .... just ask my psychopharmacologist!

Saffron Nice

Yellow is the color of sunshine.  I associate it with joy, happiness, and creative energy.  The color yellow reminds me of my childhood, when the world around me seemed to be filled with peace and harmony.  Plus, yellow is the color of my favorite spice ....  saffron!

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