Daily Dose of Dust

I love all things dusty, vintage, and forgotten. Okay, well maybe not all things, but lots of things. Lots and lots of things. I remember dreading trailing behind my parents while they toured countless antique malls through Kentucky and Tennessee. I was always holding out for the end of the day when we were promised an evening of horseplay in the hotel pool. But somewhere between the continental breakfasts and chlorine saturated evenings, something happened! The dust must have gotten to me... because my house is filling with artifacts of yesteryear!

I have my favorite places..I have my favorite people...and like the famous Cheers song.. they know my name. Flea markets and antique stores...for some reason these have become "posh" or the "it" places to be shopping. Some people assume flea markets are full of knock off handbags and sunglasses. Which I totally agree, you will have those... but you will also have SO. MUCH. MORE. Especially if you aren't afraid to get your hands a little dirty!

About a year ago I was at a local market where I saw a regular vendor. He always has odd, cheap little goodies and that day was no different! He had a brown cardboard box filled with ancient bingo balls. I felt like they had called my winning cover-all number: B6!

The sign on the box read "Bingo Balls: $2" I approached him, ready and willing with my two dollars. But the best part of this open market, you are never fully expected to pay the full price, or so I thought! I proudly handed over the two dollars and expected to be given the box of bouncy balls. He laughed loudly and exclaimed he couldn't believe that I thought it was for the WHOLE BOX! It was $2 PER BALL! But because he got such a chuckle, he let me have the whole box for two dollars. Now, the lesson here is not to be so cheap that you cause a fit of laughter. The lesson is: make friends and be kind.

I have an obsession with visiting the markets when its warm. The sunny days bring out the winter hobbits like me chomping at the bit for a dusty bargain! But where to go when its cold?? Let me tell you... they are called thrift stores. I know. There is a stigma. But hear me out... okay?

I could quote Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" all day long... and no these are not my grandmas clothes. But this sure does look like my great grandmas buffet! And you know what? It is fabulous! I am still learning how to rehab all of my goodies but one project at a time, I can only improve!

Now back to thrift stores... stigmas are thrown out the window! Antiques and vintage finds are the items that are fueling HGTV right now! I am over filling my house with the over priced pressed wood    when well loved, quality pieces are available. Give me a shelf that has lasted 100 years over a shelf that will wilt when wet. Come on, say it with me, "I will no longer buy sawdust. I will no longer buy sawdust." Its really liberating when it becomes your mantra! Trust me!

I can almost sense your trepidation... I know, its not easy to sit down the Swedish meatballs and little pencils in those well-lit monstrous aisles. The best part is, you don't have to! My house has trinkets from the glorious "Red-Dot" store... I have frames from I-Kant-Escape-Anyway (so I must buy more).... I love their knick knack decor, but the truth is, I can find cheaper, more quality items if I keep my eyes peeled and my imagination open!

So my challenge to you, as we see 70 degree weekends on the horizon... If you dare, walk on the wild side. Browse the open air markets and see what you may find! You never know, a daily dose of dust might just be the cure to what ails you!