I spent a good bit of last weekend digging through bins, and shelves, and racks full of vintage. I used to do this several times a month but now I'm lucky if I make it to the thrift store once a quarter. It felt good to be back in the game and I scored big time!

I've not really been in the mood to shop for clothes lately, instead focusing my efforts on finding unique household items. Things I can use for flower arranging, crafting, and decoration. Here's what I found:

+  4 flower frogs

+ 2 rolls of crushed velvet ribbon, one red and one biege

+ 3 2yd lengths of silk ribbon in navy, hunter green, and cream

+ 4 carved wood napkin rings

+ 1 hand-carved wood tray

+ 4 small amber glass vials

+ 3 bottles of essential oils- lime, violet, and rosemary  

Funny how they all turned out to be little things, nothing larger than a dessert plate. I can't wait to use all of my goodies in a few upcoming projects ranging from Christmas gifts to photoshoots. - b.

In mid-May I had the chance to travel north to the sleepy town of Brimfield, Massachusetts with our buying team to attend my very first Brimfield Flea Market. I've wanted to experience this world famous market for years and to say it was a dream come true would be an understatement. I was there to catalog their experiences and collect inspiration for a series of posts on BHLDN's blog B-Inspired. What I ended up with was a new appreciation for the creativity of our buyers, and memories of great times with a team I love more each day.

Days started early, with Dunkin Donut coffee in hand and layers of clothes to shield us from the pre-dawn chill. We'd hit the fields by 6AM, and visit tent after tent of chotskies and treasures. The buyers were a well oiled machine; scanning tables and quickly flitting through booths like the pros they are. Each group had their own mission: Accessories was after vintage jewelry and exquisitely detailed handbags, while Decor was after embroideries, unique metalwork or woodwork, and paper ephemera. In some cases their field finds are a perfectly curated capsule for our stores' vintage assortment; while for others the journey has just begun as they'll inspire products in the months to come.

I did manage to squeeze in a few tents for myself this trip, bringing home a stuffed Indian elephant (random I know) and a hand embroidered shaw from the Victorian Era. They're both helping finish up that living room project I started months ago. I think I'll need to go back to Brimfield, and next time bring a small fortune and a Uhaul. - b. 

I think pretty much everyone has heard of the Rose Bowl Flea Market, and Brimfield, but did you know there's an antiques fair in Texas that dwarfs them both? It's called the Round Top Antiques Fair, and last week I had the unique opportunity to see it for myself! 

The fair started over 40 years ago as an excuse for Houston socialites to escape the city in the spring for some good old country living. Even today the town of Round Top only has 90 citizens, minus the two times a year 100,000 people flock to the surrounding fields to rummage the wares these vendors are hocking. Covering 20+ miles along highway 237, and its connecting routes, this antiques weekend is no joke. Just about anything and everything is for sale and whatever your budget there's a venue filled to the brim waiting for you. 

But why did I go you might ask? I was sent for work, to assist in buying pieces for display in our upcoming shop-in-shops. We have new locations opening in Seattle and Georgetown at the end of this week and we were in desperate need of antique trays, frames, and chandeliers to merchandise our products on. I was beyond excited when they asked me.

I've always had an intense love for anything vintage, and treasure hunting is one of my absolute favorite past-times. Not to mention: I've never been to Texas, or at least that I can remember (I was born in Fort Hood, TX). It was 80 degrees and beautiful the entire time we were there. The blue bonnets were in full bloom, and as pretty as a picture. Mexican food and bbq are not only plentiful but indescribably delicious. And finally, I got out from behind my desk for 4 glorious days.

That's not to say it wasn't difficult at times. You're on your feet for 12-16 hours a day, sweating, bargaining, hauling, organizing, and shipping. There's no exhaustion quite likes it, but I'd do it again in a heart beat. To help find the one-of-a-kind treasures that make our store experience so unique, was a once in a lifetime experience I wouldn't trade for anything! My one regret is that I didn't get a little time to look for something for our new house. I guess that means I'll have to go back (shucks).

I just never know what my job will have me doing next, a thrill I'll never tire of. - b.