Sunday, June 30, 2013

Hi, I'm AnnMarie and I Am a Vintage Junkie



For the last year or so since I opened my Etsy shop NaNa's Things, I have been so obsessed and passionate in the business of finding fabulous vintage items to sell in my shop, that I (almost) forgot how many fabulous vintage items I already have to decorate my own home with. Most of the items I am going to show you are things I bought in the early 80's.


All winter all I cared about was when the vintage hunting season was going to start, what I might find different and unique to make my shop stand on it's own from the multitude of vintage shops on Etsy. I didn't even care about the business side of it and making money. Then I found out I had to have hip surgery and all my plans were dashed for this Spring....or so I thought.

I have made a pretty quick recovery and although I still need a cane and there is pain (!) I hunted for and hauled my own vintage things out of the basement to decorate my front porch, which dates back to 1870. I am about a month behind getting flowers to plant and placing everything just so, but then that sort of thing is ongoing, isn't it?

The wooden crate filled with geraniums above is actually a box to collect grapes in the vineyards from the Taylor Wine Company in Hammondsport, New York. They have since gone out of business and I was fortunate to buy this crate many years ago. I found it hidden in the back corner of the basement. You can just barely see the stamping on the end of the box....

 
This long wooden pine box with a handle is actually called a Carpenters Bench and the craftsman would fill it with their tools and haul it around at a job. I fell in love with it but never filled it with anything. I "inherited" a bunch of wonderful old mason jars from the previous owner of my house and since they have been sitting on a shelf in the basement for years, I thought I would bring them out and let them see the light of day for once. The birdie is something cute I found at a gift shop. He looks like he is wondering what kind of birds he is sharing his nest with!


One of the best finds of my early vintage hunting days is this 3 tier bench. It was quite expensive for the 1980's and it was painted an ugly steel gray. I had to have it. I repainted it to match (probably shouldn't have!) and it became a decorative piece of furniture in my dining room for years.


Now repainted again to match my porch, it has become nicely weathered to display my various collectible items, like a Dietz lantern and a late 1800's kettle. The birds nest was found abandoned in my yard. I think the birds used the streamers from one of my son's birthday parties to help build the nest, which makes it all the more special.

 
If anyone knows anything about this bowl, I would love a comment. I have researched high and low and have come up with nothing!
 


This chippy, dirty, wonderful stool is a new old find. I filled my Kraft Pimento wooden box with faux geraniums for some color in a shady part of the porch.
 

 
 
 
Another new old find is this aqua, chippy, chair found in a big barn in my old vintage hunting neighborhood.  It was $2!!! I paired it with my wrought iron milk crate and collection of vintage milk bottles, setting it by the front door as if I get a delivery every Monday morning. My plant is in between flowering....it is a mass of lavender petite flowers when in bloom.
 

 
Whew! That was a lot! I have one more, well, maybe more than one more picture to show you. So many of you asked for a picture of me in my outfit that I talked about in this post, so here it is, despite the fact that I am not happy about how VOLUMINOUS I look in the picture!
 
 
I do have to brag about my necklace though, a last minute change I made to the outfit because when I saw it I had to have it! It is from a new shop on Etsy, Unique Chic & Rustics, run by a sweet girl, Jessica. Please check her shop out when you get a chance. Here is a close-up of my perfect accessory!
 
 
Okay, go have a rest on the front porch with some cold iced tea....I know I need too!
 
AnnMarie :)

 
 
 

 I am linking up with these Fabulous blog parties this week....

Sweet & Savoury Sundays
Let's Get Social Sunday
Amaze Me Monday
Marvelous Mondays
Bouquet of Talent Linky Party
My Favorite Posts Show Off Weekend Blog Party
Tuesday Trivia
The Scoop
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday
What's It Wednesday Link Party
Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop
Meet & Greet Blog Hop
Fluster's Creative Muster Party
Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop
Be Inspired
Aloha Friday Hop
Weekend Wonders
Freedom Fridays

30 comments :

  1. fabulous porch! I am crazy about porches and yours is porch perfection. I love all your collections.
    You look amazing in that wedding outfit and the necklace was the perfect touch!

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  2. I think I'm in love with your necklace!

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  3. I just want to come sit on your porch and relax! :0)

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  4. Wonderful and easy vintage porch finds! I think my favorite is the long carpenters tote with the vintage canning jars and the bird! Oh! I really like the bird's nest find too! The perfect pizazz for a wonderfully inviting "Come sit with me" porch!

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  5. Thanks for the wonderful tour! Some great finds here, especially the chair and milk bottles by the door. Brings back memories!!!

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  6. Hi AnnMarie! You have such a good eye for what will work! and what a busy lady you are...on Etsy too.

    Your dress is so pretty and light, it looks just like summer. And thanks for the close-up of the necklace, it was hard to get any detail in the dress pic!

    Peace in Christ,
    Ceil

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  7. I love, love, love your treasures! My favorites are the wooden boxes of red geraniums...just beautiful! It's not summer to me until I have geraniums!

    Thanks for joining us for Let's Get Social Sunday!

    Love, Joy
    Yesterfood

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  8. Wow, I am *swooning* over those crates and that gorgeous aqua chair! And you are lovely in that dress!

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  9. I have to say that chair is my favourite piece and what a bargain!

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  10. I think your "wedding outfit" looked just stunning. The porch tschotskis are what makes your porch so memorable - perfect place to sit with morning coffee and the paper.....

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  11. Your porch is wonderful. I really like the Kraft Pimento box.

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  12. I love your style - a part of me has always dreamed of living in a very old house and following the character of it in furnishings and garden. You've done a magnificent job! I especially love the chair with the plant in the seat and milk bottles looking like a page out of many years gone by. And you look lovely in your wedding outfit!

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  13. I love how you converted the crate into a flower box. You have found so many great vintage pieces over the years!

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  14. LOVE your site! Thanks for stopping by madefrompinterest.net. Following you on bloglovin! Deb - The Oldest Sister

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  15. LOVE your site! Thanks for stopping by madefrompinterest.net. Following you on bloglovin! Deb - The Oldest Sister

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  16. Ooooh... I love everything on your porch! Our home was built in the 1930s, but does not have a large porch. We added one in the back. -Marci @ Stone cottage Adventures

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  17. Hi AnnMarie, I love vintage too :) So much character and history in a piece of vintage. I'm currently re-doing a 1972 Frolic Camper. That's the biggest vintage piece I currently have - lol... It's been a real challenge but everytime I go in it I am in awe. Have a Happy 4th! Found you at Katherine's.

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  18. Hi AnnMarie. Your front porch looks so inviting and I love all the vintage collectibles. Thanks again for following me and I am now following you. I am following on Bloglovin and on your regular follower list on your sidebar. I am going to google how to add my button and we shall see..Happy 4th..Judy

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  19. You've collected some beautiful unique pieces.

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  20. Well, maybe we can become a tribe (http://www.morethanmommies.net/2013/07/pass-it-on-blog-tribe-you-gotta-have.html) a really good read. I am a vintage junkie too. I am buying all the time and like you I forget that I have stuff too. Enjoyed your post drooling over your treasures. New Follower from Aloha Friday.

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  21. Everything looks so pretty!

    Helen
    Blue Eyed Beauty Blog
    Exercise Encouragement GROUP Blog

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  22. Hi! found you at Aloha Friday hop. will come back to read some more. following you now via bloglovin'.
    Gem
    http://journallyours.blogspot.com/2013/07/friday.html

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  23. Love your finds...and that wonderful footed bowl is my favorite! Thanks so much for sharing at The Scoop! Hugs...Debbie

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  24. Hi, Ann Marie! You have a gift for vintage items that for sure! So many lovely things to decorate that gorgeous porch. Your outfit is gorgeous as well. And your new necklace is the perfect touch!

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  25. You have so many fabulous vintage treasures to adorn your front porch. I LOVE the 3 tier plant stand and your wonderful crates and wooden containers.
    And BTW, you look gorgeous in your outfit! So glad you included a picture of you all dressed up!
    Mary Alice

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  26. Your house is awesome, your vintage goodies are great, and your outfit is beautiful! And so is the lady in it. :)

    So sorry to read about your hip pain, hoping you are all better soon!

    This is a great season for hunting vintage...will be sad when it comes to an end. But for NOW...what FUN!

    Jillian

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  28. Oh I absolutely LOVE your porch....I have a serious love for vintage, as well... And you are gorgeous, not voluminous...lol!

    Hope you're having a great week!!

    Suzie from
    Dorothy Sue and Millie B's too

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  29. Your porch is so fabulous! I love it!

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