THRIFTING, CINNAMON ROLLS AND CAPE COD

First things first. Big apologies. I've been neglecting my blog a little recently.  It's just that I've been on the road a lot. Last week I was in Cape Cod helping my Mom open our house for the summer rental season. It involved a lot of cleaning, gardening and raking leaves. We also took down a 25ft (dead) tree in the backyard.

 *My mom took this pic of me. She was thrown off a bit by my new camera and didn't quite capture the entire leaf pile. Who knows what I was doing?

Luckily, with rainy skies halting some of the outside work, we were able to visit many of the fantastic community/ church thrift shops and estate sales on Cape Cod. You've definitely heard me talk about them here. I managed to pick up 22 sets of glassware, some great milk glass, brass candlestick holders and Mad Men-like martini sets. These will all be coming to Octavia & Brown as soon as I can get them photographed. I might also need to throw a fantastic retro party too!

While I was in Chatham, I did manage to sneak in a cinnamon roll (or two) from Marion's Pie Shop. They are the size of your hand, but so soft and doughy.  Marion's also makes the most delicious chichen pot pies, but you have to get there early, because they sell out everyday...

Now that I'm back in NYC, I have a friend staying with me from San Francisco. She's a fellow foodie, we've been eating our way around NYC. More on that later this week...

From One Estate to the Next...

This weekend I was back in Cape Cod for one last glorious weekend. The weather couldn't have been more perfect for shopping estate sales on Saturday. I picked up an amazing set of wooden folding chairs from a beer garden in Brooklyn, two lovely red trash cans and numerous sets of glasses.

The niche world of estate sales, home of antique dealers and collectors can be a little intimidating. The free-for-all race, digging through treasures in someone's home and finding the best sales definitely takes a little getting used to. To help, I thought I'd put together a list of tips for shopping estate sales.

1. There are two kinds of "estate" sales. Those run by professional companies and those run by families. In general, I tend to favor the sales run by professional companies. While the prices may be a little higher (due to commissions), the items tend to be better than at a glorified garage sale. Plus, most companies tend to place pictures of the items online up to a week before the sale. I use these pictures to figure out which sales to attend and those to skip.

2. Map out your estate sale route the night before. Grab a local paper the day before (I used the Cape Cod Times) and look in the classified section under estate sales/ yard sales. In general, I try to pick estate sales that are fairly close to each other, so I can hop from one to the next. My goal is usually to try to go to at least 4-5 in a morning.

3. Make a list of items you are looking for and do a little research the night before. (I use eBay as a simple gauge for pricing). Try to figure out how much the item is worth and how much you are willing to pay for it before you go.

4. Estate sales start early in the morning (usually on Sat and Sun) and as expected the best items are sold as the doors open. Make sure to get the sale 20- 30 min before the sale starts. Most dealers starting lining up around this time and you have a better chance of finding that unique piece at a great price.

5. Don’t forget the attic, basement and garage. Attics are usually full of linens and hidden treasures, while basements and garages usually have great tools, gardening and outdoor items.

6. All sales are final! Be sure to check glassware for any major chips or digs before you purchase. Furniture should be inspected to make sure the piece is structurally sound and that the wood isn't splintered or repaired.

7. Usually everything is for sale, so don't forget to look at the rugs, curtains and blinds. (Some estate sales also sell old doors, windows, etc).

8. At estate sales run by professional companies, staff are usually located in each room to help. If you find something you like, leave the item where it is and grab a staff member and have them write up a slip for you. Use these slips to pay at the end and then go collect your items. (This ensures that the item is marked as yours and you don't have to lug it around the house.)

9. Bring cash! A lot of smaller estate sales don't accept credit cards, so make sure you have cash on hand. 

10. Have fun! The best part of an estate sale is the thrill of the hunt. Whether it's uncovering that amazing painting, or snagging an oriental rug for a steal, have fun with it!


Any other tips or something I've missed, please feel free to share.

Beach or Lake?

Growing up on the East Coast, I had my fair share of summer days on the Delaware and Cape Cod beaches and at the New Jersey Shore. Despite the dark seaweed-filled water and the sand flies that were vicious in the summer, I loved the hot weather, the soft sand beneath my toes and the bathtub-like water.

When I moved to San Francisco, everything changed as I became a lake girl. Summer days spent on the rocky shores of Lake Tahoe were fantastic. The beautiful, natural scenery was welcome change from some of the lively people watching at the beach. Hours spent in the water were quickly replaced by short dips in the frigid lake to cool off. The water was crystal clear, so I could see what I was stepping on which was a plus, but the rocks made it hard to get in and out of the water.

As we head into summer, which do you prefer the beach, the lake or staying on dry land?

Feelin' Thrifty...

Last week, I took a day off from Brimfields to explore the thrift shops of Cape Cod. I was amazed to find a huge network of thrift shops that spans every church, breakfast mission and small town on the Cape. 

While thrift stores on the Cape carry books, clothes, music, furniture and a whole bunch of other stuff, I found that they're great for picking up smaller items such as glassware, candlestick holders, vases, etc to decorate and entertain on a budget. People usually drop off full sets of glassware and plates, as opposed to the miscellenous one or two glasses that you normally get in the larger cities. Be prepared to dig for treasures, as most thrift stores are packed with donations.

Additionally, people that rent out houses on the Cape for the season, as well as year-round residents, will usually drop off donations prior to and at the end of the summer season. These are the best times to score some larger finds such as couches, dressers, etc.

A few of my favorites finds from the day included several sets of vintage champagne glasses, a black and white fish-eye photo from the 50s, a Dorothy Thorpe creamer and sugar bowl, and a silver plate flower frog.

* A side note, thrift stores are also a way to meet some very interesting people from the Cape and get a few great stories, as most employees are part-time volunteers. 

To check out a list of thrift shops on Cape Cod, click here.

Home Again...

After a whirlwind week with very limited internet access on Cape Cod and at Brimfields, I am back...

For those who have never been to Brimfields, it is a must-see for every vintage hunter. The town of Brimfields swells from 3000 people in the off-season to nearly 30,000 people during the three times a year show. I was initially overwhelmed by the acres of vintage and antique treasures. It's impossible to see a fraction of the show in one day, or even two.

The show is divided up among several fields, with different markets opening on alternating days. Each market offers a slightly different feel with some focusing more on antique furniture and architectural salvage, while others offer industrial tables and lamps and mid-century finds. A few feel like a never-ending flea market of small treasures. My favorites of this show included Heart-O-the-Mart, The Meadows and Mays. 

A very cold, soggy start to the show, did not deter any of the buyers, flying in from up and down the East Coast. Stylists, interior designers, antique dealers and part-time vintage hunters all come for the great finds at the show...

Wearing my oldest high school sweatshirt and sneakers (to keep warm), I scoured rows and rows of glassware, picking up several sets of vintage champagne and wine glasses along the way. I also found several cool signs, industrial bins, old wire lockers and mirrors... 

Here are a few things I would have liked to have taken with me, if only I had more room...

More thoughts and pictures from the show coming this afternoon...

Chatham for a Day...

I'm back after a long travel day from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts yesterday. Currently, my mother and I are staying in the quaint town of Chatham, MA about 1 1/2 hours from Brimfield, MA on the "elbow" of Cape Cod.

Filled with adorable shingled houses and white picket fences, this coastal beach town is gearing up for the summer season.

Despite the small size, Chatham plays host to a number of great restaurants. My favorite is the Wild Goose Tavern. During the summer, a lively institution not to miss is the Chatham Squire.

Tomorrow we are off to Brimfields (I can't wait) and I will be sending updates throughout the day...