Shopping on the Road

One of the joys of a road trip is the knowledge that just ahead is another antique mall.  I’m not the type who can spend lots of uninterrupted hours in a car, so I plan shopping stops along the way.  It usually works out to a thirty minute stop every hour or two, which is just right.

That plan went awry when I encountered the mega-mall above.  Can you tell from my photo that this place had twenty-two aisles?  After two hours in the place, I realized that I had to just skim the unbrowsed remainder, which was about one third of the building.   And because  of it I had to skip the next few stops.  Yes, the life of a vintage shopper is full of drama.

And now for what I liked, but did not buy:

This was just an ordinary novelty print blouse, cute, but take a look at the label.

A Jack Daniels Famous Original.  I’m quite sure it has nothing to do with the whiskey.

This was really cute, but made from the cheapest materials, like they would do for teen consumers.  Kate Spade ought to re-do this one in nicer materials.

This is from a straight skirt, embroidered with raffia.  I’ve seen circle shirts with this type embroidery, but never a straight one.

One seller had a stack of deadstock acrylic Boy Scout sweaters, probably from the 1970s.  If they had been wool I’d have bought one for myself.

I hate seeing military medals for sale all jumbled up this way, especially a Purple Heart.  It just seems to be so disrespectful.

One place had the absolute best idea for displaying paper items.  It was so much easier than flipping though a stack of stuff.

And there were lots of pretty things to see.

Do any of you remember these little snap button hair rollers?  My Great Aunt Mary used them.  Don’t believe that part about “pretty in the hair.”

This is “The College Girl at Basket-ball” a print Harrison Fisher did for the Ladies Home Journal around 1908.  Note how he made the bloomers look like a skirt.

And finally, women, this herb tonic was good for what was troubling you.  Note that the alcohol was purely for solvent and preservative purposes.

 

Making Lemonade

I’d planned not to tell this one, as it makes me sound like I’m really losing it, but since it turned out better than expected, I thought, what the heck.  I bet at least a few of you will be able to relate.

I had big plans for Friday.  It was, as far as I’m concerned, the day that signals the beginning of Flea Market Season – the twice yearly Big Antique Spectacular at the Metrolina in Charlotte.

The only problem was, that the Spectacular is this up-coming week, not this weekend.  I tend to always double-check dates before setting out on a two and a half hour drive, but our internet was down Thursday night and Friday morning, so I just dismissed the thought and hopped in the car anyway.  I was literally at the gate before I realized that I had the wrong date.  I had assumed that because today is the first of the month, that this would count as the first weekend.  Wrong.

I was so irritated with myself that I sat there for a minute, and then called my support system (also known as Tim).  He let me whine a little and then reminded me that at least I had the time and money and health to be able to make the trip and instead of lamenting the day, I should make the best of it.  This was seriously NOT what I wanted to hear.

So I turned the car and headed toward home.  About 20 miles in I happened to think of a store I’d planned to visit after the flea market, and so I though since I was getting off the highway anyway, I ought to revisit an antique mall I knew of in the little town of Belmont.  It was a store I’d not been in for about two years.  It was one of those places that couldn’t quite decide if it wanted to be a home decorating store, or an antiques store, and so was not really a favorite.

But I did stop, and I was very pleasantly surprised.  Not only was there less new stuff than I remembered, there were several booths that were made up of the types of things I like best.  You know, shoes and clothes and hats and such…

The rack in the above photo was full of boys’ shoes from the 1920s through the 50s.  I mean, it was brogan heaven!  At first I thought the shoes were mens’, but then I realized that the sizes were smaller – sizes that would fit many women.  I ended up buying only one pair, white bucks that will go great with a borrowed from brother type outfit from the 1920s, but I’ll probably revisit them and see if the shoes are comfortable enough to actually wear.

Some of the shoes were Sky Riders.

This photo of the entire booth is quite busy, but you might be able to pick out all the 1930s womens shoes.  They, like the boy’s shoes, were all deadstock, and in wonderful condition.

Instant picnic – just add food and lemonade!

Here’s my terrible photo of the cutest dress:  Swirl with a hunt scene faux apron.

I carried this around and for some reason did not buy it.  It was probably that pesky voice that reminded me that I already have 5 plaid jackets.  Still, this one IS Black Watch, and IS Pendleton…

One booth had loads of these adorable button cards.

These was no label that I could find on this wool blanket, but I loved it so much.  I mean, it would match almost any decor!

And finally, the interior of a hatbox, and yes, I did buy it. I’ve gotten to be very careful with my purchases, but I’m not crazy!

So where is this little vintage paradise?  It’s Piccolo Antique Mall in downtown Belmont, NC.