Category — Antiques, Vintage and Just Old Stuff

Everything old is new again. When a celeb wears a dress on the red carpet that was shown on the runway 2 years ago, stylists proclaim it “vintage”. Apparently I have alot of vintage in moi closet.

I attended a business luncheon at a country club in Ft Lauderdale, and the guest speaker had flown in that morning from LA. As expected she was dressed very elegant and professionally, but typically my eyes went straight to her bag. Vintage Coach: a very chic and practical black basic bag. I had one just like it… back in the 80s. Then a couple weeks later I spotted a very similar bag, this time in red, on a woman in Miami. I thought about it enough to email a couple friends and advise them to be on the hunt for vintage Coach bags from the 80′s: apparently they’re trendy again. But at what price?

I googled. And discovered that Coach has reissued Coach Classics: limited edition reissues that are available for a short time, and only at coach.com, and 4 stores: 2 in NYC, 1 on Long Island, and 1 on Rodeo Drive.

And then, I shopped moi closet. For some sentimental and inexplicable reason, I have been hauling my 80′s Coach bags from house to house, apartment to apartment, country to country. I believe TBG gifted me my first Coach bag when we lived in Syracuse in 1988. You laugh? You have things hidden in your closet over 25 years? Need I remind you:

I do remember finally donating one Coach leather duffle in British tan about 8 years ago, the stain was never going to come out, I was never going to wear it, and a moment of sanity overtook me.

But when I went searched through the highest shelves of my Chicago closet (yes, that closet that fell to the floor twice in the last 4 years due to overabundance) I discovered:

• 1 black classic shoulder bag
• 1 black classic willis bag
• 1 black janice legacy bag
• 1 black studio legacy backpack
• 1 British tan briefcase (a gift from my team when I left Syracuse: I think it’s a man’s case: love it!)
• 1 British tan portfolio
• assorted black and British tan wallets

With a bottle of leather conditioner and cleaner and about an hour, my bags and I were ready to appear in public.

But I have to ask: why didn’t I buy any red bags?

Chic and Classic: C’est Moi, C’est Coach!

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It’s time again for one of Moi favorite antiques shows: The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair™, one of the premier antiques shows in the Midwest, returns to Chicago April 29 – May 2 for its Spring show as a part of Artropolis. Serious shoppers and casual browsers will find a variety of collections at all price points and styles.

[Read more →]

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Take advantage of the beautiful Chicago springtime weather this weekend and visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s 11th annual Antiques and Garden Fair. Located north of Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, the 385 acre Botanic Garden features 24 gardens and natural areas, plus exhibition buildings, café, and walking and bike trails: combined they create one of the top educational and recreational botanical gardens in the country.

This weekend – April 15-17 – the Botanic Garden hosts the Antiques and Garden Fair in a tented garden as well as in permanent Garden buildings. Weekend events include: [Read more →]

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Saturday was a gorgeous sunny day as we strolled charming Los Olas Blvd in Ft Lauderdale, trying to decide which outdoor café to lunch at. Eventually we chose Mango’s – for the seafood salad – and continued strolling with our little beeper until our table was ready. We didn’t want to wander off to far, so I stepped inside of Ann’s Florist. I’ve passed the shop many times, but have never gone in: I was never looking to buy flowers. But displayed outside was a Hungarian baby bathtub, similar to the one I grew herbs in, so I was lured in: this was clearly more than a florists store.

moi rooftop herb garden

And when we entered: quelle surprise: a marché de fleur and brocante; the perfect combination of flowers, antiques, and baubles. I had just started to look over this tres chic and fun ottoman when BZZZZZ: our table at Mango’s was ready! [Read more →]

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Where will you be December 2 ? I’ll be waiting at the doors for the 10th Annual One of A Kind Show Chicago to open!

With over 600 vendor artists from across North America, this is the perfect opportunity for holiday shopping: and a little self-indulgent shopping too! Artisans offer every type of  personally crafted creating including: [Read more →]

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Somehow my crazy hectic schedule has granted me a free weekend in Chicago: I’ll be at the Jayson Home & Garden Warehouse Sale.

With prices 50-90% off they’re advertising everything but the kitchen sink including

• new and antique furniture
• holiday items
• accessories
• garden planters

the details:

Friday – Sunday November 5-7

10am-5pm

701 Albany Avenue (note: this is NOT the regular store location)

773.248.8180

www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com

Moi tip: Jayson is providing free local delivery: what’s not to like about that!

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Whether you’re in NYC or Chicago, this weekend is hosting two fabulous international antiques shows. I was originally planning on attending the NYC show, but looks like now I’m lucky to be in Chicago:

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair Fall show is Friday thru Monday, October 1 – 4. With over 100 dealers, this show is a favorite of mine, offering everything from furnishings to art to textiles to jewelry: a couple years ago I scored a gorgeous platinum neckchain studded with diamonds that I still wear at least once a week (see how great it looks below, even waiting at the busstop!). This year I’m very excited with the show’s new offering: Emporium. Emporium showcases vintage and modern pieces, including clothing and posters and architectural artifacts. [Read more →]

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I always liked Restoration Hardware, it reminded me of the early 20th century apartment my grandparents lived in. But I mainly browsed there: I very seldom bought anything except  gifts.

Have you visited the rechristened Restoration Hardware: Shabby Chateau Chic!

RH’s new motto is:

Reinvented.  Remodeled.  Reborn.

The offerings look like they were casually assembled from your world travels: [Read more →]

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I can’t make it to the Paris brocantes, flea markets or the Chatou Foire National à la Brocante et aux Jambons (the famous Chatou antiques and ham fair held outside Paris twice yearly) this month but you will find Moi at Jayson Home and Gardens Flea Market in Chicago Sept 24-26.

I’m a huge fan of Jayson Home and Garden, with a tantalizing blend of antique, vintage, and new furniture, lighting and accessories for the home and garden. I’ve found books and Christmas gifts, and drooled over beds and chandeliers. It’s like a European shopping trip all in one convenient location, with delivery!

Moi tip: If you can’t be in Chicago Sept 24-26, flea market surplus will be available online starting October 1.

the details:

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I’ve been reading sparkling reviews on newly-opened Chic Antique in Chicago’s Lake View East

• refurbished/refinished vintage furniture shop … proving once again that grandma’s oldies can look new and fabulous again with some artistic vision and fresh coat of paint: Chicago  Magazine
• everything from art deco bureaus to antique credenzas…revamped with her modern look: Daily Candy
• awesome pieces at an affordable price: Guidespot [Read more →]

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