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.

Join the over 100 national and international antiques and fine art dealers exhibiting this Spring. In addition to the antiques sale, The Fair hosts a calendar of special events including an exclusive preview night party, presentations, book signings and a toast to England’s new royal couple. All show details and schedules are listed on the website: Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair.

What will catch your eye at The Fair?

wearing my necklace from The Fair

• paintings and posters
• jewelry: rare stones, casual vintage jewelry, coins (see my necklace!)
• furniture: chairs, beds, bureaus, tables
• accessories: lamps, mirrors, statuary
• textiles: clothing, pillows, wall hangings
• tableware: dishes, silverware, glassware

And a whole lot more!

the details:

Moi Tip: Mark Your Calendars: The Fall Fair is scheduled for October 14-16, 2011!

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:

• 100+ exhibits of garden antiques, gardening products and services from the US and Europe
• Belgian landscape architect Peter Wirtz speaking on “Formal and Informal in Contemporary Garden Design”
• flower arranging demonstrations
• The Fair promises treasures available in every price range

the details:

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!

love the pele-mele board in the corner!

After a leisurely lunch with TBG, we return to Ann’s Florist to continue investigating the brocante. I love the ottoman: it would look fabulous with my creme bergère chairs: and covered with the two coordinating fabrics (one French manuscript, the other an English postcard) it would give some fun to my formal living room: $425.

Every corner of the shop was filled with flowers or little vignettes of antiques and collectibles: glass ware, Swedish candlesticks, Eiffel Towers in glittering cardboard or shiny metals, pillows, picture frames, mirrors, books, flowerpots: all treasures you would happily cart home in your valise after a week’s shopping in the French countryside!

So happy I finally found my way to Ann’s…I’ll be back!

Moi Tip: After all that shopping TBG was hungry again. So we stopped in our favorite Florida sweets shop: Kilwins! We strolled the River Walk licking waffle cones dripping with home-made ice cream. And bought a few slices of fudge. And caramels: for later.

The Details:

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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:

• clothing and accessories
• jewelry
• ceramics
• kids clothing and gifts
• photography
• sculpture
• gourmet foods
• holiday items

I love the Chicago show, but was unable to attend last year. But: I was able to attend the inaugural NYC One Of A Kind Show, and scored this fabulous re-styled vintage coat from Creative Coats:

And of course I bought gifts: especially loved was a beautiful necklace from Sue Rosengard Jewelry similar to this which my mother loves:

Exhausted from all the shopping? Not to worry: there are plenty of gourmet cafés, lounge areas and even a big-screen television so you (or your husband) can rest-up between shopping spurts. Show amenities include a licensed child care center, coat check, complimentary bag check, gift-wrapping and curbside package carryout: everything to make your shopping as convenient and hassle-free as possible: they want you to be happy!

One Of A Kind Show and Sale: Chicago

• Dec 2-5
  • Thursday, Dec 2: 12 – 9pm
  • Friday, Dec 3: 11am – 9pm
  • Saturday, Dec 4: 10am – 7pm
  • Sunday, Dec 5: 10am – 5pm
• Merchandise Mart, Kinzie and Wells Streets, Chicago 60654
• Tickets: (a ticket is good for all 4 days)
  • Adults: $12
  • Senior and Students: $9
  • Children 12 and Under: free

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!

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.

If you’re in NYC this weekend don’t miss the Antiques and Art at the Armory show. With over 60 high quality dealers in a prestigious Upper East Side location, this show is as good for people watching as it is for antique shopping. Friday through Sunday, this show was traditionally held in the winter and is now debuting an earlier season.

the details:

Moi tip: If you’re at the Merchandise Mart don’t miss out on the other events going on at The Mart:

• Luxe Home Open House Saturday October 2 showcases products and vignettes for home design and renovation
• Dream Home thru December 10 features a Chicago designer showhouse

Moi tip encore: Both shows offer lectures and talks to expand your knowledge of antiques and antique shopping:

At the Merchandise Mart:

• Leigh and Leslie Keno will discuss good design
• Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV will discuss home renovation

At the Amory:

• The Royal Oak Foundation presents a series of lectures and panels by antiques and design experts

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:

tower clock from France  $1495

an Indian cart table $1695

Palladian Mirrors $999-$1499

Corinthian Column Floor Lamps  $969

I have to admit I have some similar pieces. But mine are original (and less expensive, minus the international shipping) and carefully dragged home from Moi travels. It’s nice to see RH and I have similar tastes. And now I know where to go when I need to accessorize without travel.

Moi tip: Restoration Hardware does stock some authentic vintage pieces, such as books and boxes, but the vast majority of their designs are newly manufactured and meet current standards of comfort and durability. If you’ve ever purchased an antique chair, you know how important modern comforts are!

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:

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

And just around the corner from Moi Chicago apartment! So Tuesday afternoon I set off, frappuccino in hand, to check-out Chic Antique in person. Sadly it was not meant to be: the sign proclaimed Closed. The shop is open Thursday – Sunday.

Thursday afternoon (of course: did you think I’d wait any longer!) I returned to Chic Antique. Owner and interior designer Crystal Blackshaw wasn’t in (she was at her studio around the corner, which I’ll visit another time) but I had time to ooggle this chic little jewel box of a shop. And a gem it is with all the vibrant colors:

• Chinese red cabinets
• hot pink fabrics
• celery greens
• glistening golds

In addition to the re-designed furniture in the shop, Chic Antique features antique/vintage:

• picture frames
• lighting
• jewelry
• clothing
• fabrics

For a quick minute, a couple times a month, I take a peek at a the pretty little bits shared on

French Bleu Vintage

How did I find this site? Simply by googling 3 of Moi favorite words! And what did I find? Lots of pretties and charmings to warm my soul on a cold rainy day made for indoor shopping. Not all blue, and not all vintage; not even all French. But all the lovelies make me happy…

a collection of 4 vintage glass frogs $28

crystal perfume bottle with stopper $8

metal rosette candle sconces $50

Moi Tip: If you like the shop you might also like the blog: French Bleu Vintage

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