Galentine's Day

I've almost always enjoyed Valentine's Day (I know, insert groan here, I'm that annoying person who genuinely likes Valentine's Day), but Galentine's Day is pretty up there for me now, too.

I went to a Galentine's soiree Friday night at my friends' Emmy and Michele's house, and it was a girliness explosion in the best way possible. Otherwise known as right up my alley.

A gift exchange, brunch foods, pink champagne, heart decorations everywhere, and no dudes. Amy Poehler would fully approve.

It was quite difficult to give the gift I had brought to someone else. Mainly because it was a cupcake bath bomb (complete with a tiara on top) and a vintage ceramic unicorn figurine. I chose two of the most obnoxiously feminine gifts I could find, so of course, I wanted them. I picked up both gifts at a local shop called The Regal Find, a vintage-meets-handmade store that's my new obsession.

But the gift I received was definitely on par - candy, candy, candy, and a large tub of egg-free, edible cookie dough. It's almost gone.

So, here are some photos that represent my Galentine's Day experience. Yay for ladies.

Curly, curly hair and pink lips. Ready to get my Galentine's Day on.

A close-up of my oh-so-sparkly J.Crew earrings

My lady-ized gift that I sadly had to give away

My Anthropologie wristlet for the evening

Let the Galentine's-ing begin!

Even Pandora was dressed all girly-like for the party

Mood lighting

This is a Wisconsin-inspired trivet I made at the party. Of course, Coco had to get in on the action. Maybe I should have just named this blog post, "Two Adorable Pictures of Cats."

The Elkhorn Flea Market

As a writer, it should come as no surprise that I love objects that have a story. I have my fair share of Target and Ikea items in my home, but the majority of my decor can be attributed to flea markets, antique stores, garage sales, and thrift stores. I enjoy speculating about whom they belonged to, where they came from, and how old they are. And I happen to be a sucker for cast-off's, imperfections, and underdogs.

In fact, my very first published piece appeared in The Walworth County Week newspaper, and it was about the Elkhorn Flea Market, an event that I have been frequenting since I was 12. It covered my tips and tricks on flea market success, and boy, was I proud of it.

My piece in The Week. Yup, that's me circa 2004.

My trip to yesterday's flea market proved, as usual, to be a treasure trove of amazing oddities and collectibles. I have been to my fair share of flea markets...Cape Cod, Florida, even Paris...and I think this is one of the best ones I've ever been to. It's only five minutes from where I grew up.

I love how creative sellers get with their booth displays. This flea market is packed with Pinterest-worthy imagery. 

This seller knows exactly how to announce the types of wares she purveys. 

A Wes Anderson-worthy vignette

A very fancy pig

A plethora of vintage signs. How much do I want to hang up that bowl of ice cream in my kitchen?

Antique bottles in whites, creams, and lilacs

And as usual, I found vintage goodies to add to my collection. Many times, I turned to my mom and dad and said, "Why isn't my house bigger?" Usually I want to take home about 88% of the items at the flea market. 

An embroidered bracelet from the '60s. I like to imagine that a hippie wore it.

 

A (non-working) men's watch that I plan to stack with sparkly bracelets

A kitschy tea towel that's totally apropos, seeing as how I am a vegetarian.

A mini Museum of Science and Industry pennant from the '50s

And I got a gorgeous vintage French science print that showcases various mushrooms, set in an old window. I'd show it here, but it needs some picture wire, so I'll be posting it when it's properly hung in my house. 

I like to think of antiques as inanimate versions of rescue animals. They're just looking for a good home. And there are plenty of antiques in need to be found at the Elkhorn Flea Market. 

Upcoming dates for the Elkhorn Flea Market: August 10 and September 28

No time to flea? Get the look with these Etsy finds. 

Chippy Letters 

Vintage First Aid Kit  

Brass Pig

Soda Fountain Signs

Purple Glass Bottle

Embroidered Bracelet

Men's Watch

Veggie Tea Towel

Chicago Pennants