Brimful of Antiques on the 45

I grew up in Wakefield. I live and breathe the words of  Springfield. But my heart, my little wooden heart, belongs to Brimfield. 

Sunday Funday took on a completely different meaning as my friends Katie, Jill, Jill’s unborn baby and I piled into the Jeep and took off for the largest outdoor antiques fair in the world.  Brimfield takes place three times per year (May, July and September) and each show lasts six days. Today was the last day of the July show so we knew some dealers would be packing up to head home but it’s also a great time to get some deals.

What do they have at Brimfield? Everything. Seriously. Whether it’s vintage clothes, rusty awesomeness, gorgeous furniture or even vintage vinyl, you can find it at Brimfield.

I followed this sign. It brought me to an empty table. Sounds about right.

I followed this sign. It brought me to an empty table. Sounds about right.

The day was warm, to say the least. It was 96 degrees. That’s only two degrees less than a terrible boy band! It was stifling. I was a sweaty mess. A swess. Jill procured not one, but two frozen lemonades over the course of an hour. But that didn’t stop us. (It stopped us briefly at times, and we may have stayed JUST a little longer in the tents that had fans…) I ended up with a small haul (for me) taking home  a vintage dress & skirt (at 50% off!) and some planters but I think if I had more time and was more hydrated, I could have done some serious damage.

I wanted to buy these but I didn't. I regret it.

I wanted to buy these but I didn’t. I regret it.

Hat and red lipstick. Bodyless head after my own heart.

Hat and red lipstick. Bodyless head after my own heart.

Brimfield is gourd-geous.

Brimfield is gourd-geous.

One of the shopping tips for such a huge event is that if you’re looking for something in particular, make a t-shirt that says it so folks can help you when you’re poking around their booths. If I had made a shirt for today, it would have said “creepy clowns” because for some reason, they have been cracking me up lately. And we found a few that stole our souls hearts.

KILLITWITHFIRE

KILLITWITHFIRE

CREEPY CLOWN CANNIBAL

CREEPY CLOWN CANNIBAL

Some of the booths were just so cool in an awesome cluttered, colorful and unique way.

Do these chairs only look cool if you buy 20?

Do these chairs only look cool if you buy 20?

Crazy for Crates!

Crazy for Crates!

I love birds.

I love birds.

Poppin bottles.

Poppin bottles.

So much death. And it looks AWESOME.

So much death. And it looks AWESOME.

I definitely want to head to the September show, maybe even for more than one day. I know we didn’t even get through 1/10 of the market today and I would love to be able to just take it all in, talk to some dealers and boost my closet and collections. And maybe this time do it with 85% less underboob sweat.

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How Bazaar!

Well, I guess it’s time to put my money where my mouth is. (Which, by the way, is a gross saying. Money has SO many germs on it. Don’t put money ANYWHERE NEAR YOUR FACE, but I digress.)

Along with the always fabulous Mrs. Mathison, one of my mentors and founder of Country Design Home, I’ll be at this week’s Macy Street Bazaar. Held in the parking lot of one of my favorite antique stores, Mill 77 Trading Company up in Amesbury, Mass., we’ll be selling some of Mrs. Mathison’s beautiful vintage and refurbished furniture, china, teacups, some killer luggage racks and lots more.

Would love to see you there and catch up in between my reapplications of sunscreen. Come spend the hot day checking out some cool vintage finds, you never know what might catch your eye! (And if you put money near your eye, it will likely be conjunctivitis that you’ll catch, I cannot stress this enough).

Hope to see you there! xoxo

Mill 77

Hello My Baby, Hello My Honey!

Hi! Welcome to Rita Jo’s Vintage. Although this is my first entry during this blog  journey, this ain’t my first rodeo. Ok, that’s a lie, I’ve never participated in a rodeo. What I mean is, vintage has always been a part of my life. I grew up with an attic full of treasures and always  loved every pin, fur coat or tin steam shovel we uncovered and have truly incorporated these items into my life. From wearing my Nana’s clip-on earrings to decorating my apartment with items from the past, the more unique, the more I love it.

Luckily, I’ve been allowed to take some of these items and use them as my own, but I’ve also made the hunt for new (but old) treasures to bring into my home a major part of my life. I’m hoping to share some of my adventures at auctions, flea markets, antique stores and street finds on this blog and would love to hear your stories as well so please don’t be shy.

I’ll also be selling some of my finds (a one-bedroom apartment is a little limiting) and dropping some knowledge on what I know about what I find.

If you have any suggestions, requests, etc. let me know! I’m looking forward to this journey and hope you are too.

Vintage is the way to go. Can you dig it?