2010 Resolution Sale

Hey faithful followers! I know I've been MIA the past couple months since starting my new job but I have kept you all in my thoughts and miss being a part of the blog world on a regular basis. Now that the holiday season is over and I'm now back to some more regular working hours (have any of you worked retail during the Christmas season? ...ya, umm, I'm still recovering) I'm hoping to be around here more often.

Anyway, all that said I'm starting off the new year in my business by cleaning out the farmhouse, purging out some of the old and refining my business 'style'. So to start I have marked down a number of items in my etsy shop and there will be more to follow. Stop by and see what's on sale www.theClassicFarmhouse.etsy.com.

Also, for anyone who is a follower of my blog take an extra 10% off all sale prices and an extra 20% off full price items for the month of January! Just make note in "message to seller" that you follow my blog and I will refund the difference within 48 hours of purchase.

Farm & Flea Market Weekend

A new dear friend of mine had invited me to join her this past weekend for the Skagit Valley Antique & Flea Market in Mount Vernon, WA. We had planned this a few weeks ahead and I was so excited to get away even if just for a night!!!

After a rough start with a dead car battery we hit the road and headed to my friends parents farm for the night. Ever since my trip to Spokane last spring I have been obsessed with wanting to move to a farm so needless to say I fell in love as soon as we pulled in the driveway!!!

The setting was so serene and what is that I hear? ...ya, that would be nothing!!!! Oh how I loved it!
I wish I had taken way more photos as the interior of the house was even more wonderful and a vintage lovers dream! Every nook and cranny was full of treasures and stories to be told.
My bedroom was on the upper floor and was oh so cozy with a comfy bed, vintage decor, painted wood floors, slanted ceilings and the quaintest view.

Can you spot those two lonely wrought iron chairs and the wood bridge...I just love it!


I could have just hung out at her parents (who I greatly enjoyed meeting and getting to know!) farm all day but we (my friend, her mother and I) didn't want to miss the good deals and headed off to the Antique & Flea Market.

It was a gorgeous day and just right for shopping. There were 7 or 8 barns to go through so we didn't waste anytime and started browsing. I had no idea what to expect but was not disappointed. Again, I wish I would have taken more photos, as well as more money and possibly a trailer. Between the three of us we packed my smaller SUV to the brim! Here are a few things I found:

I got a few other things and then of course my friend and her mom got some very cool things as well. There were barn loads more of items!!! There was even a booth that most everything was 25cents! I could have spent so much more and will be marking my calendar again for next year...in fact I can't wait!

Now I just have to decide what to keep and what to pass on...want to help me decide?

Favorite Find Friday

Some people are quick shoppers when it comes to bargain hunting. They browse quickly, grab the items they want and move on to the next location. I on the other hand am a little more methodical and take my time when examining pieces. I look beyond the surface and often have vision for things others don't.

On a recent thrift store trip with a friend, who seems to be a browser like me, we stumbled across a lovely piece of white english ironstone. It was tucked on the bottom shelf and I almost overlooked it but am so glad I didn't. Besides a tiny chip on the underside of the inside lip and a much needed cleaning it was in beautiful condition. It was marked Mason's Ironstone on the base and while I didn't recognize the name it did appear old. So for $13.99 I decided to take a chance.

I do love this piece but I knew it would be a perfect addition to my mom's pretty collection of vintage white ironstone/ceramic pieces. My mom was thrilled with this new piece and after a little research found out it was a late 1800's or early 1900's english ironstone tureen and definetly worth more then I had paid for it. So now I can only hope it becomes a hand me down when she finds a new trend!

So what kind of shopper are you? Do you hit a sale at a fast pace, grabbing every item that catches your eye and knowing immediatley that you are taking it home with you? Are you the type to touch and feel every item looking for the one that puts a smile on your face and a song in your heart? Or do you miss out on all the great finds because you just can't decide if a certain purchase is right for you?

Dual Purpose Dining Table

I never look at things in a conventional way so when deciding on the right desk to desk to put in my new office I dug out an antique dining table that had been sitting in the garage since last summer. My dad actually picked this table up at a garage sale for me for $15...bargain hunting obviously runs in the family. I loved it but didn't have a use for it at the time.

After a couple quick coats of pinkish paint (my own mixture of mistinted paints...I love those!!!) it was ready for use. However, it was a bit smaller then I wanted but luckily I had hung on to a large piece of glass I found at Pottery Barn during their annual University Village Sidewalk Sale for a mere $5. (The U Village sale is a must visit... I haven't been able to find the 2009 dates yet but it is typically in mid-late June) Actually, if you want to get technical the glass was free as it also came with 2 other pieces intended for side tables that I sold at a past garage sale for $5. Anyway, the glass was the perfect fit and I now have a new desk for less then $25!!! That includes the piece of wrapping paper I placed under the glass for another pop of color.

The best part of this desk (table) is that it has four extra leaves and even another set of legs for the center which make for a super long table just perfect for the occasional large gathering...got to love dual purpose pieces!!!

Favorite Find "Friday"

I am late. I know it's a horrible habit to start but I totally forgot to post my Favorite Find on Friday! I must have been so caught up in my excitement for joining the Friday Flea Market. Well now that I've got my confession out of the way on to my Favorite "Friday" Find.

It all started a few weeks ago when I sold a lovely set of vintage bergere chairs that were just a little too formal for my space. I truly did love the form, texture and unique style of these chairs but in a home that is less then 900sf with limited seating comfort has to be a priority. After I found a new home for this pair my corner by the fire place was looking bare and I began dreaming of a large overstuffed chair and ottoman set with great form and style that you could curl up in. I challenged myself to a budget of $50 and kept my eyes peeled every place I went for that perfect bargain.

There is a Salvation Army in Auburn that has two locations, one of which is designated just for furniture and larger items, that I stop by when I am in the area. I normally browse fast through the furniture section to see if anything jumps out at me. When I did I passed by a chair with an ottoman sitting upside down on top of it and tucked rather tightly between a bunch of other pieces. It was hard to miss though due to it's bright color and bold pattern. "Hmmm...this is kind of cute and might just work" I thought to myself, but after a glance at the fair, yet over my budget, price tag of $80 I kept browsing.

One thing I like about this specific thrift store is they often have 50% off sales (especially on or around holidays) which can result in great deals on furniture. I'm not sure how I had missed the sign when I first walked in but on my way back to the front I spotted a sign that read 50% off yellow tags. Now of course I had to rethink every item in the store I had looked at and set off to browse again. But wait? Could it be? I rushed back over to the chair and lo and behold it had a yellow tag!!! It was a risky color for my space but for a mere $40 I had to try it. It was in such great shape too with only a couple very unnoticeable flaws. I quickly paid, packed it up and headed home where it is now nestled into the space right next to my fireplace.

At first I was a little unsure of the color and pattern in my space but it has really grown on me and definitely brightened up my living room. It is now my favorite space for morning devotions and the chair that guests don't seem to want to leave.

So what great items have you found lately? Leave a comment or link back to a great find on your blog...I would love to see what you've discovered!