Countdown to Round Top Texas- Day 1

I have saved my personal favorite for last which you may have already guessed is
The Junk Gypsies

 

The Junk Gypsy Co. started with a little bit of faith and a whole lot of heart and soul. The girls traveled like gypsies collecting roadside treasures and tattered grandeur, meeting kindred spirits and storybook characters along the way.

Their path was paved with starry visions and dreamy discoveries that made their journey all the better. Through hard work, late nights, and long roads the mother-daughter team was able to develop The Junk Gypsy Company into a thriving business.

So, dare to dream and dream to live and join us on our magic carpet ride… but hold on tight…it gets a little wild! ~ excerpt from http://www.gypsyville.com/

I discovered these ladies while surfing the net one day in 2004 luckily right before Antiques Week, I made the drive to  Round Top and Warrenton, Texas for the first time shortly thereafter and fell in love with their tent, displays, merchandise, and their way of life. They make it look so easy, but I know its alot of hard work. 

Deer heads with Tiaras! I love this!!

What would you do with these??

Tuesday morning its off to the Texas Hill Country with Mom and Daddy! Everyone is happy and healthy and the weather forecast couldn't be any better,a looks a little warm Tuesday but then the highs will be 76!! OMG!! Thats some great Antique-ing Weather

I am bringing my camera with an extra set of rechargeable batteries and I will be posting pictures asap!!

Hugs

~Leslie

Countdown to Round Top Texas- Day 3

Paris Montana

Last Fall, while wandering through Zapp Hall Field in Warrenton, Texas and  passing a little time before the Junk O Rama Prom, I happened upon the Blacktop Boudoir, a dream of a little airstream all pimped out Paris Montana Style!

Paris travels from Arizona where she will be opening her first store Paris Montana Design Studio & Boutique in Scottsdale AZ on April 7th only 3 short days after returning from Warrenton!! Busy Girl

Paris seen here with her Boudoir display

OMG!! LOVE!

So much bling, so little time

Paris Montana Wear! LOVES IT!!

 Discovering this stuck back in a corner was quite a treat. I quickly rounded up my sister and mom to come and check out her jewelry with me. We struck up a conversation with Paris who was one of the nicest genuine people I met during the week. I can't wait to see her again.  I hope she is out of the corner and is featured front and forward where she belongs.

For more information please visit her website http://www.parismontana.blogspot.com/

Hugs
~Leslie

Countdown to Round Top Texas- Day 4

The Soap Lady

I discovered The Soap Lady in Sommerfield Place Field (next to Zapp Field)  in Warrenton Texas about 4 years ago and I have been using her soap ever since.  I love the way this soap makes my skin feel and smell. I have given the bars as gifts numerous times.  Her soap is handmade in Victoria Texas

Here are some great facts

All Soaps are handmade and wrapped in vintage chenille. They all have the same vegetable base-Saponified Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Vegetable Oil & Vitamin E. Most contain goat's milk which is softening to the skin. Not only are they wonderful for your skin, but they smell great too. Soaps lather up well and last unbelievably long! Each bar weighs 5-6 oz. - much larger than most handmade soaps. 

 
Over 50 differnent scents to choose from. Some of my favorites include Gardenia, Patchouli, Magnolia, Orange Patchouli. There is a new one called Almond Sandalwood that I will be trying. I just opened my last bar earlier this week and will be replinishing my supply next week when i stop by her tent, because I can't go to Warrenton and NOT see the Soap Lady!!  For more info go to http://www.thesoaplady.info/

Hugs

~Leslie

Hug

Countdown to Round Top Texas-Day 5

The next 5 days will highlight one of my favorite vendors in Warrenton, Texas. They are living the "dream" and I try to give them my support by buying something from them every time I see them, but they make it so easy with incredible merchandise and awe inspiring merchandise displays.................


   Today is Jill Suzanne          

Jill is located in the Little House on the Field right at the Foot Bridge. This beautifully shaded spot is a perfect location for her rather large tent. Jills merchandise includes, Antiques and Old Style, Architectural Elements, Candles and Accessories, Garden Art and Iron, Jewels, and other Unique Finds that you have to see to believe. Any time I smell Creme' Brule' I think of Jill and her tent.

If you are in Warrenton during the next two weeks please go and check it out. If you can't make it. She has a website.
http://jillsuzanne.com/ 

Hugs
~Leslie

Countdown to Round Top Texas- Day 6

Hello Friends, The big day is getting closer. I just checked the weather and it looks like we may have to endure some rain, not too much, but i will finally get to wear my rubber rain boots I bought two years ago

Arent they adorable!!??

As we creep on down Hwy 237, we are getting closer to my favorite Field Zapp Hall, but we are saving that for another day. Lets hop on over to Granny McCormicks Yard. If you turn down the road next to Granny McCormicks House, there is some great parking in the back, it will cost you $5 which goes to local charity and I don't mind paying it at all. Then you just have to get out of the car and start shopping. There are some really great vendors with new and exciting things as well as tons of Mexican Imports.

 Just past Grannys and through Renck Yard is the Campbell building which is always entertaining and full of great items. The old lampshade repurposed with antique lingeris, slips and old stuff hanging from it was just adorable and found in the back yard of Campbell.

I couldnt find a shot of this place during Antiques Week

 Keep walking and shopping through Third Base Field (Third Base is a resturant) Das Gruene Field, which is where the "Linen Lady" is, she is right on the road and has a tent full of Linen Fashions, always a fun time here then as you reach the end of the right side of the road at St Johns church field. St Johns Church sells BBQ and this is a good place to have a mid day cup of coffee and regain some strength

 We can jump across the highway and go to Tree Park Field which is a great field for bargains and good prices as well as Robinsons Field, Dillards and Little House on the Hill and we are DONE!! for the day : )

Tomorrow we will begin at the Foot Bridge with Jil Suzanne

 Hugs
~Leslie

Round Top Texas 10 Day Countdown-Day 8 and 7

OK, So I started the 10 day countdown a day late. So I will be squeezing Day 7 and 8 together into one Mega Day, because it is officially 7 days until we leave for our little trip to Warrenton.

Yesterday we left off at Marburger Farms and are headed straight for Warrenton and straight for Coles.

Air-Conditioned, over 200 dealers, Clean restrooms. Coles takes us about 2-3 hours to go through. Last year the vendors that were outside of Coles were good also, found some great bargains. My favorite pair of Cowboy boots were purchased at Coles in the Fall. I wore them for 2 whole days and they are so comfortable. Don't miss going toColes

Across the side street from Coles is Excess, its THE place to find Architectural Artifacts. HUGE doors, arch elements, chairs, ironwork, signage, really cool old stuff........this yard is alot of fun to discover 

On down the road from ExCess is Clutter, a cute little place with really cool and clever items. They usually have a clearance area in the back that is very afordable. Won't take long to walk through here..........

Clutter sits on the edge of North Gate Field and Bar W Field. Its just your basic field of antiques, a few places to eat. Absolutely a great way to spend the day. The only problem is restrooms. Only port a potties in this area, probably why we don't stay very long.........

Across the  street is a new venue, less than 3 years old called The Marketplace. Not alot of antique dealers here, mostly crafts and market goods. NICE restrooms, great environment, a stage with entertainment at night, but not alot of vendors in the Fall, but we are hoping there are more this Spring. We are staying in the RV park here. Curious to see how it goes...............
http://marketplacewarrenton.com/

Ta Ta for now!!
Hugs
~Leslie

Round Top Texas 10 Day Countdown- Day 9

Good Morning! Planning our trip to Warrenton/Round Top Texas involves a strategy to cover as much space as possible on any given day. Much like Disneyworld, you  cannot see everything in one day, probably not in one month, but last year i think we did pretty good with how we planned each day to make sure we did'nt miss too much. We usually go in the middle of the week. The weekends are traffic jams and chaotic, but still worth it!!

I have broken up the next 9 days into sections of the Antiques Week, each section can be done in 1/2 day, so following this plan would involve 4 whole days.  I am also including some of our favorite "hot spots" and "haunts" that we make sure we hit each and every time.

http://www.antiqueweekend.com/N-shows.htm#Carmine

LaBahia-Carmine
If you are traveling Hwy 290 and exit Hwy 237 La Bahia will be the first sign of Antiques that you see. It is a rather small show, but it is a great place to start your trip due to the fact that it is really laid back, less pricey, decent restrooms (inside), up close parking. Its a great place to get your feet wet.

 Get back on the road and your next stop is Carmine (Prounounced Car Meen)-See the HUGE red tent with a flag on top.........Once you turn right in Carmine you can see Antiques on the right and the left. Take a few hours to hang out here. Parking is easy and prices are good. There is a soul food restaurant that will knock your socks off on the right side of the road, I wish I could remember the name of it, just follow the scent. Yummy

Back on the road and you will see on the left "The Big Red Barn" We've never been. They have an entrance fee that we just cant bring ourselves to pay. A little further down the road are little tents and shows that we sometimes stop and look if we are making good time. Round Top is coming up soon. It is mostly a town square with little or no antiques, mostly crafts and market goods. Good restroom close to Richard Schmidts place on Mill St. Dempseys has great food (killer black bean burger)  at good prices when you can't get into Royers due to the fact they are booked weeks in advance of Antiques Week.

Marburger- Entrance fee. This is the Taj Majal of Antique Shows and is one of the top ten in the country. At least 9 HUGE tents with 350+ dealers on 43 Acres. This is where the high end dealers buy for their clients. Be prepared to pay. I love this place for inspiration, since I can't afford the prices. Inspiration is Free here!

Pretty much all of this will take an entire day and you havent even seen Warrenton yet. So prepare!! Get those comfortable shoes out!! Take your vitamins!!

Hugs
~Leslie

Texas Antiques Week-10 Day Countdown- Day 10

10 more days until Antiques Week in Round Top and Warrenton Texas.
Today I would like to talk about what I will be looking for during my 4 days of non-stop shopping.

Here is my top ten list of items
1. Inspiration- I am always inspired by all of the creative and happy people that endure the elements to show at the antique shows. I love to see whats new, whats old, and what else I could find to make jewelry out of that no one has ever thought of before, or putting my own spin on things. Inspiration is the only thing that is FREE and there is tons of it!!
2. Padlocks- I have just recently sold out of all of my padlock jewelry on Etsy, So I am busy making more. I am looking for padlocks of all shapes and sizes, the lighter the better.

3. Rusty Hardware- door hinges, drawer pulls, cabinet pulls, hooks, if its rusty I may want it! No telling what I could do with it!

 4. Petticoat- I want one for me! I need one!! I will buy one! enough said

I do not know these ladies but I am loving that blue petticoat with those boots!!!

 5. Cowboy Boots- OK, so I own like 6 pair, but I do not own a brown pair, so I will be searching for just he right broken in pair to wear home
6. Brooches- I love Rhinestone Brooches, the bigger the better, but I need some smaller ones also for my padlock jewelry
7. Watches/Metals- I will be looking for some small antique watches and round circular metals to add to some of my charm necklaces. You just can't have too many.......right??
                                                                           

8. Old Chain/Junk Jewelry- my stash is getting a little light!! Must have replinishment!!

9. Belt Buckle- Well, a girl cant wear a pair of boots and a hat without a good belt buckle!  Looking for a Lone Star beer buckle FOR A GOOD PRICE!
10. Skeleton Keys- I own probably 10 right now, which is low. I need more!! I love KEYS!!!

Gearing up for Warrenton Texas

Round Top/Warrenton Antiques Week is one of the highlights of my year. Luckily it comes in the Spring and in the Fall!! Twice as much fun! Since I live in Southeast Texas the roadtrip is 4 hours and its time well spent with my awesome parents and my sister. We enjoy the time out of our busy lives to reconnect and we have a ball!! I will be doing some "research" this Spring for a possible "Retreauxgirl Repurposed Jewelry" tent in the Fall.......very exciting!!

I discovered Warrenton by finding the Junk Gypsys online and pretty much stalked them to Zapp Hall! Their tent is by far the best in all of the miles and miles of tents.

There are 3 things that you "must have" to survive a week of Antiquing, beside the obvious.....$$$ money!

1. Comfortable Shoes- When I say miles and miles of walking, I mean it!! You would think that tennis shoes would be the most comfortable but I found this red pair of cowboy boots at Coles in Warrenton in the Fall and they fit like a glove and I will wear them for days!!

Think about it..........this picture times 20! Seriously!

I am thinking about blinging out some small padlocks to hang on the sides

2. You need a crossbody handbag so that your hands are free to shop and carry your beer
My budy Robelyn from Red Neck Chic   http://redneckchic.blogspot.com/  is making me a custom handbag and I will meet her for the first time at the Zapp Hall fields.......very excited!

I love this bag on her Etsy site but need a longer strap

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/65849424/evelyn-in-an-affair-to-remember

3.  Cool Jewelry- This is the most fun, Mom,  Laurie and myself deck ourselves out with tons of gaudy jewelry, pearls, a little Retreauxgirl of course, silver, all kinds of unique stuff. I will be wearing my padlock jewelry all week. I just bought these today, can't wait to see them in person. Business cards will be passed out!! Yay!!

Also a "must see" is the Junk O Rama prom, after going to Warrenton for years, last year was the first year we went to the "prom". We sat at Royers for hours and people watched and had the best time!! You should check it out!

I don't know these people, but this picture exemplifies the Prom!