LOVE ALWAYS...

I'm usually not a big glitter person, but I want one of these cute banners from Nice for my apt...

SEE YA, IRENE

Hurricane Irene has come and gone, thankfully the damage downtown was minimal. Here are a few before and afters from around the West Village...

The calm before the storm and a gorgeous sunset...

No bread for you (or peanut butter), apparently PB&Js are a staple of the Hurricane diet...

Still no one was brave enough to buy anything perishable...

This dog felt embarassed about his rain jacket and wouldn't hold still for a pic...

 Stores starting closing early on Sat in anticipation of the storm.

 Not surprisingly a lot of the bars stayed open...

 The  aftermath, a lot of leaves and branches down.

How did you survive the storm?

ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE...

Hurricanes, earthquakes and more. Mother Nature is certainly not happy with the East Coast at the moment. Hurricane Irene's touchdown in NYC this weekend seems like the perfect time to clean out my closets and get organized.

Wire Baskets, Hudson Goods

I'll also be stocking up on candles and flashlights just in case...

 Mini Roses Candle, Diptyque

Wooden Flashlight, Areaware

 If the TV and Internet go out, there's always the radio...

Solar Powered Radio, Brook Farm General Store

 

Since they're shutting down the subway tomorrow at noon, I wish I had one of these to get around...

Roadster Classic, Linus Bikes

But will probably just need these...

 Hunter Boots

Hopefully I won't need one of these, but good to have just in case...

First Aid Kit, Best Made Co

For those in the NYC area, stay dry and safe this weekend! See you all on Monday...

VINTAGE LAMPS

How fantastic are these vintage lamps I spotted at Housingworks? They seem like the perfect end of summer shade...

Celebrities, Videos and More at the FLEA

This past Sunday was a great day at the Brooklyn Flea! So many things happened, it's hard to know where to start. First, Jessica Biel (yes, that Jessica Biel) stopped by the booth and bought a beautiful set of crystal glasses. She was very sweet and chatted for a little while. Before she left, she also picked up a travel decanter set as a man-gift for J (as in JT?) I hope so! Her friend bought this great sign...

Then the producers from the new ABC talk show, The Chew (it's the one with Mario Batali and Clinton Kelly) came around and did some video taping at the booth. They were interested in this vintage egg crate and ended up purchasing it for the show. Stay tuned starting Sept 26, to see how they use it...

 

I talked to a number of amazing people at the flea and I always love hearing how someone is going to use an item from O&B. One customer bought these Sears oil cans to use as display in his Brooklyn-based pet food store. How cool!

Overall, it was a very successful, wonderful day at the Flea. Can't wait to go back again on August 28. If you're in town stop by and say hello!

WILL LEATHER GOODS

A slightly worn leather bag is an accessory that never seems to go out of style. The other day, a woman walked in with the most amazing leather bag. She told me the name of the company, Will Leather Goods. I forgot to write it down and promptly forgot about it. How happy was I to stumble across the another cool bag by Will Leather Goods, while checking out one of my fav blogs, Convoy.

I hope the either the Hopper or McQueen will soon be finding their way from Eugene to NYC soon...

Hopper, Will Leather Goods 

McQueen, Will Leather Goods

SPOTTED IT...

Just spied these awesome vintage-inspired menswear plates from West Elm. So cool, I want all of them...

FINDING VINTAGE...

This weekend, I roamed around checking out some of the coolest little fabric stores in Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Red Hook looking for some vintage fabric for a project. My favorite find of the day was from the adorable Brooklyn General Store, where they stock an ever-changing selection of vintage fabrics from the owner's private stash.

After many hours searching, I found some great fabric, but came up mostly empty handed on the vintage front. Yesterday's rainy day seemed like the perfect time to scour eBay and Etsy. Here are some of my favs...

Loved the colors and abstract print of this tablecloth...

Mod Tablecloth- Gallivanting Girls

Swiss Dot fabric, popular in the 1950s is always one of my favorites

Dotted Swiss Fabric- Callida

 Blue-Tan Mod Op Art Fabric- CaffeineQueenie

Love this abstract chevron...

Vintage Fabric- Carersattic

I think "groovy" might be the right term for this fabric. Love the details...

1970s Ink Pen Girl- RainyDayStoryVintage

Big, bold and graphic fits the bill...

 Vintage Fabric- The House of Oliver

Red and White Dotted Vintage Chenille Fabric- alorasadorables

Straight from the Netherlands, bright, bold and mod

Bubble Gum Fabric- Fabbits

 

Mod Yves Saint Laurent Pillowcases- Dazzleship

Do you have a go-to for vintage fabrics? 

GREAT SALES AND GOOD STORIES...

Great sales and good stories made up my first show at the Brooklyn Flea. Despite the forecasts for rain on Sunday, the weather held out and it was a beautiful, sunny day in Williamsburg.

We had traffic in the booth from the moment we started setting up. Many people stopped back again once they had scoured the flea. Compliments on the items and booth definitely made my day.

Bright fabrics and vintage photos from a local NYC photographer helped draw people in...

The set-ups in the front were ever changing as things sold and were replaced with other objects. We had one guy squeal with delight and run over this leather liquor travel set...

In the beginning we put out all the glassware and the tables looked full and overcrowded. Careful editing is always key and we ended up putting some of it away until later in the day. 

As a suggestion from my friend Tara of The Prippy Handbook, team Octavia & Brown sported brand new uniforms for the show. We gave out the "uniform discount" to anyone wearing a striped shirt later in the day...

Over all the show was fantastic. Thanks to everyone who came out to check out the booth. Can't wait to try it all again on August, 21...

GOING MARIMEKKO BOLD

The last few days, I've been working on the set-ups for the show this weekend. Looking for some inspiration, I headed over to the Marimekko shop at Crate & Barrel, where I picked up this gorgeous, bold fabric for the tables.

The colors on screen, do not do it nearly enough justice. Here's what it looks like in person...

While at Crate & Barrel I also spotted these fantastic lamps. The bright cord is a perfect accent. I already plotting to get two of these for my bedside tables.

 Mack w/ Cord Lamp

SPOTTED IT...

I love seeing items that I sell on O&B show up in the pages of interior design magazines. The latest are these fabulous glasses that the team from Lonny Magazine styled in a portable bar for stylist, Lisa Stasiulewicz. 

Image courtesy of Lonny Magazine July/ August 2011 issue 

I found this set at an estate sale in Massachusetts. Love them!

Set of six silver rimmed glasses

GETTING READY...

This week, I'm in full prep mode for my first outdoor show on Sunday at the Williamsburg Flea. I've been playing around the set-ups this afternoon, trying to figure out what to bring and what to leave. While I'd love to bring everything, I don't want the booth to look too cluttered.

Here's where I am so far...

 I'm thinking about color blocking everything...

This one still needs a little more work. I think I need to add more height...

If anyone has any tips on setting up a great display, I would love to hear!