Ki and a Whale of a Garage/Junk Sale!

This weekend I was fortunate and privileged enough to spend time with Ki Nassauer, formerly of Junk Market and now with Junk Bonanza and Junk Revolution, when I stopped at her garage sale. I didn't get there until after noon as my first stop was at Mustard Moon. When I did get there, there wasn't much left. The few things I would have loved to have gotten my hands on were snatched up just before I arrived. They were purchased by a former employee of hers, Julie, who had worked for her during her Junk Market sales in Long Lake. Isn't that how it always goes! Lucky girl!

It was later in the day and the rush was over, so we did have a chance to visit some, and what a lovely woman she is. No wonder she has been so successful. She's talented and sweet! I call it a privilege to say I know her and wish her much success in all her new ventures. She tells me she's got a few things brewing, plus her column in Country Home, and her up and coming

Junk Revolution website. I'm anxious to see all the fun things she'll have for sale on it! You go girl!

Ki working the deal! Notice the stash I missed out on!

Ki and myself. It was an awfully cold day for a garage sale!

Mustard Moon Occasional Sale

This past weekend I had the fun of venturing out for the first time to an occasional sale in Carver, MN called Mustard Moon. I had heard many wonderful things about it, but hadn't had the chance to experience it myself until now. I have to say it was quite the jaunt for me, but well worth the trip. The owner, Jane Hall, does a fabulous job of displaying her finds.

This very quaint shop is actually located in the basement of an old building on one of the main streets in Carver. To get to it you'll have to go down a very long and narrow staircase. But when you get to the bottom you'll find many nooks and cranny's filled with all kinds of interesting and unique vintage items. From paper goods, to industrial, to rusty farm pieces. There's something to be found for everyone.

Here is a taste of what you'll find!

Mustard Moon is located at 300 Broadway, Carver, MN (952) 361-3282; You can find them on the web at OMustardMoon.com. They are only open once a month so be sure to check the dates before you go.

The Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest...with Ki Nassauer and Linda MacDonald

It's that time of year . . . and soon little ones dressed as Ghouls and Goblins will be out and about with their trick or treat bags, knocking on doors throughout the neighborhood. And in honor of this yearly ritual, Ki Nassauer of Junk Revolution, along with Linda MacDonald of Restyled Home have asked me to share with you a unique one of a kind "Junk" Pumpkin Decorating Contest they are sponsoring. For all the juicy details, just click onto the link on the side of this blog. Be creative, have fun and good luck! The contest ends October 31.

FUNKY JUNQUE - One of My New Favorite Things!

On a visit to to see my son at college in Fargo, that's right Fargo - ya sure you betcha, I discovered one of my new favorite things. A small store located on a quaint street in beautiful downtown Fargo named "Funky Junque". It seems a little out of place from what you would assume to be the norm in Fargo. The idea we get from the now famous movie by the same name, is a picture of a town that is somewhat behind the times. But Funky Junque is far from that. It in fact, it may be a little ahead of it's time.

Funky Junque, a store owned and operated by Kriss LeCocq, is filled with wonderful vintage finds, lovingly married with many new items. You'll will find great vignettes displaying old rusty farm pieces refurbished as candleholders, chicken feeders filled with sand and tapered candles used as a table centerpiece, and large church windows used as a backdrop to a picnic table. You will also find shelves loaded with many new items such as dinnerware and glassware, tablecloths and rugs. Clothing and jewerly are also some of the items you'll find.

So if you happen to venture to Fargo, you are a current resident, or just want something to do, be sure to check out Funky Junque. And don't forget to say hi to Kriss, and tell her Lanette sent you, ya sure you betcha!

A store ladder filled with rusty pillar candleholders

A Picnic Setting with Wonderful Large Old Windows as a Backdrop

Simple Table setting - Love the Orange!


Romantic Dinner Anyone?

An Old Dough Bowl filled with Stone Letter Magnets

I fell in love with these metal Allium flowers!

Kriss' Funky Junque is located at 516 Broadway N.Fargo, ND 58102-4417 or you can contact her at 701-235-9600. Her website is http://www.funkyjunque.com.

Matthew Mead and Entertaining Simple

I've sung his praises before on this blog and he's at it again! I don't know how he does it (if I did I'd bottle it) but he's come out with another wonderful book. And if you don't already have it, you need it! It's title, "Entertaining Simple", is simply inspiring. And let's face it, with the holidays fast approaching we all could use a little help in the kitchen. In it you'll find pages filled with beautiful pictures and fabulous ideas. The entertaining recipes and tips are for those like me who are on a tight budget and ideas that even the average person can whip up. You'll definitely impress your guests if you use the valuable information you find in this book! It has something for everyone.

You can get a peek of this book on his website at http://www.entertainingsimple.com/index.php?option=com_flippingbook&book_id=2&Itemid=1 and it can be purchased at bookstores throughout the US and Canada. You can also purchase it directly at http://www.amazon.com/Entertaining-Simple-Matthew-Mead/dp/0470174994/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222686508&sr=8-1

Let me know your thoughts on the book. I'd love to hear them!

Signs, Signs, Everwhere Signs

I love signs! Old signs, new signs, new signs made from old wood . . . you name it. I think they add to the industrial feel I have in my house. There's so many places you can put them, and so many ways to use them. Whether in a kitchen, outside on a porch, over a door way, where ever you feel like adding them. Here are a few of the ones I have in my house.

This is a street sign from England. I was told it was over 100 years old. It was way to heavy to hang it (it's cast iron) so I use it on my table as a centerpiece. It has to be one of my favorites!

I have this one hanging over my stove. It's made from old wood.

This sign I found and it had no stand but was double sided. I improvised!

One ringy, dingy . . . this was a sign that came out of an
old phone booth. Needless to say, it sits by my phone.

Another one of my many street signs sits above my cabinet.

I love these European house numbers. I put them on everything!

The other side says "Hello"!

This sign goes perfect upstairs with all my room numbers on all
the bedroom doors! I also have old hotel keys I'm gonna add to
it. It'll go along side of a "No Vacancy" sign I purchased!

I have quite a few of these store signs I use. I have one by my phone that states, "Please limit calls to 5 minues". Like that'll ever happen!

I'm sure you've see these.

This hangs above a door.

So there you have it. A small sampling of my sign obsessions. I may need to see a therapist. Hope you enjoyed them and they inspire you to get your own sign obsession!