Friends! Welcome back to the weekly update. I can’t wait to tell you what happened this past week and share with you all the shopping I did out in the wild, particularly at the Country Living Fair in Rhinebeck, New York.
Coming back from that trip I am feeling high! Well, not like I really know what that’s like, but there was this one time in college. I drove to Arizona with my roommate (where she was from) and (since it was the very early 80s) we ended up at a John Cougar Mellencamp concert.
The people in front of us were smoking pot the entire time, and that was the first and last time I was soooooo high (from all the direct second hand smoke). This high is a lot better, as it doesn’t give me the munchies and also doesn’t reek like skunk.
But back to my feeling of euphoria. You know the kind, where you just feel super inspired and cannot wait to go get something done! Yippee. Let me tell you all about it.
The Country Living Fair
Back in July, I saw the fair advertised on social media and I have wanted to go for a long time. Long ago when Bungalow 47 was an actual home decor shop, one of our employees went to one and brought back the best pictures of all the gorgeous displays. We even wrote a post about it. So I have been dying to go myself!
Since this year has been a tough one in many ways, I figured I would treat myself. My hubby said “go for it, you deserve it” so off I went. First, let me just say any excuse to go to New York in October is always my favorite. The colors, crisp air, and all the beautiful scenery makes it so much fun.
The speaker line up was full of designers and industry people that I have followed for many years, so I was so excited to, not only shop, but to listen and learn! I purchased a VIP ticket for the weekend, which was totally the way to go! Not only do you get up close parking and early admission, but they give you a cute tote bag, and access to the VIP tent with treats and extras.
So much inspiration in every booth
The fair is all about shopping, fun, connections, and they even had music. It was held at the Duchess County Fairgrounds. There are some really large booths that go all out! I mean like, Ralph Lauren store level of display. There were also booths that had great stuff, and really good displays, like a really good antique shop level.
There were also smaller booths that had great products, and simple displays. And there was a section for “the makers” with their newer goods that were handmade. Basically, something for everyone.
I hate when I hesitate on something and then regret not buying it. I went back for these brass plates, and they had already been snatched up by someone. Never leave what you love behind!
How I get it all home
When I fly somewhere and plan to shop (as I often do…shocker), I either plan ahead and bring a duffle bag that I check on the airline or I just hit up a store and buy a box. Man, I can tell you stories about the weird ways I have gotten things home (via air travel) over the years.
But it’s not that hard. I brought some packing tape with me, and hit up the local Lowe’s for a heavy duty moving box. Since I have status on Delta, I don’t have to pay for my checked luggage. But even if you don’t, airlines usually charge like $25-50 for a checked bag, which is waaaaay cheaper than shipping a box of this size with UPS.
I reserve all the breakables for me to hand carry in my carryon bag, so I know they are safe. Everything else gets packed neatly into a box, and/or my suitcase, with clothes wrapped around them for padding if needed.
Sadly, big items need to be left behind. I really loved this pine sideboard, but this would be a stretch checking in luggage on Delta, even for me, hahaha! So I talked to it a bit, and told her how pretty she was, then said goodbye.
Much more to tell
In the coming weeks, I will be sharing all the design inspiration I got from all the talks I heard. The panel discussions were amazing and very entertaining! Mike Wolf from American Pickers was a highlight. I will go through all the notes I took, and share the highlights later.
Once I was away
Apparently, while I was out of town, Kevin had a party with all of his friends!
I caught them playing cards! He had a pretty good hand!
Okay, just kidding. This isn’t Kevin, but probably a long lost relative. These funny taxidermied guys were in one of the booths at the fair! Of course, I had to take a picture cause it was too hilarious not to.
As if I didn’t buy enough
Before I left for my trip and started spending money with wild abandon, I did purchase these for my kitchen. They are so much better than the photo! Sometimes you never know, and I love the quality. I am figuring that they just might even get better with age, and the all the washing, as the fabric is really cool and usable for everyday. I think they will be super cute with all the table layering I intend to do.
I wore my favorite pants while at the fair, and had a few people come up to me and ask me if these were the “famous” ones, as they had them too! I seriously cannot believe how comfortable these are, after a million washings, and I wear them everywhere!
I also brought these shoes and wore them a few days there. They are soooo comfy for walking a lot, and look so much better than a tennis shoe. Frankly, I never even wear tennis shoes for places with a lot of walking. My go to shoe for Disney World and things like that are these sandals. I have them in a different color, but they are amazing for travel and they don’t make my feet hot!
Okay friends, I think that is it for the week. I need to get my ducks in a row and back to a few projects so I have more to share in the upcoming weeks. I am dying to get things done so I can start decorating with all the crap that I bought too! Keep your fingers crossed for me. Love you, bye for now.
