Category Archives: Uncategorized

Music Road Trip: Yusuf/Cat Stevens Concert: Upper Darby, Pennsylvania

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Hi there, Vixens!!!  2014 has had several high points for me (starting this blog being one of them), and two of the highest points were getting to see Yusuf/Cat Stevens live TWICE!!!

The first time was in April at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (he was one of the inductees who performed-read about that here) and the second time was Thursday night (12/4/14) at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

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Photos and videos were not permitted so I do not have any to show you, but I can share that Yusuf gave an unbelievably great performance.  My favorite moment of the night was when he sang “Trouble” from the “Harold & Maude” soundtrack.  And when he sang his cover of Sam Cooke’s “Another Saturday Night” he advised the audience he changed the lyrics to reflect his search for a job, not a woman, out of respect for his wife.  What a sweetheart!!!

The first single from his new release was another highlight.  If you have not heard it-Yusuf’s stunning version of the Edgar Winter song, “Dying to Live”, listen to it here.

I can also share with you one of my all time favorite stops whenever I am on the road:  a meal at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant.  I discovered this delightful chain of comfort food, old time candy with antiques on display when I took my first trip to Vermont nearly a decade ago, and I have adored it ever since.  The food is always good, the service is always exceptional and the charming ambiance cannot be beat!!!  (These are my personal opinions from my own experiences.  I am not a paid sponsor),

On my way home to NY the day after the concert I stopped at the one in Mount Laurel, NJ during lunch time & had one of my two favorite meals there:  breakfast.

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No one makes pancakes like Cracker Barrel, in my humble opinion!!!  Delectable!!!  And I was lucky enough to get a table right near the fire, which was perfect on a cold, rainy December day!!!

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How cozy!!!

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After I ate, I took a tour of the beautiful holiday decorations throughout the store:

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One of my weaknesses is for snowmen!!!  What a great idea to use the top of one on the tree!!!

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These bobble heads are sooo sweet!!!

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One of several gorgeous trees on display!!!

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What a pretty (and big!!!) snowflake!!!  I think this would look just as pretty hanging from a ribbon in front of an inside window!!!

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Sooo adorable!!!  Love the glittery vest and pink chubby cheeks!!!!  Has a retro feel to him….reminds me of ones I saw in the front yards of homes in my neighborhood where I grew up!!!)

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I wish I had a little baby in my life who I could buy these booties for!!!

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I did not buy anything this year, but I bought this cookie jar last year (my other weakness is for gingerbread people!!!).  I was lucky to get it after Christmas so it was 50% off!!!  Steal!!!

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Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!

Local Store Trip: Time Tunnel Antiques-Sayville, NY

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Hi there, Vixens!!!  Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Mine was good but did not exactly go as scheduled so I was not able to do any antiquing or junking (sigh 😦 ).

On the upside , I was finally able to retrieve the photos from my old phone.  So I am now able to share pictures with you from my trip to a great local store I went to In October:  Time Tunnel Antiques in Sayville, NY.

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Time Tunnel is a house converted into a store, so it feels like home from the minute you walk inside.  The ambiance is wonderful and it is chock full of finds galore like this “Serpico” movie poster (isn’t Pacino one of the coolest guys EVER!!!)…..

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and this vintage rotary phone…..

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and this totally girly trunk!!!…..

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and great vinyl picks…

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even eight tracks…

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and a 70’s record case for 45’s.

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But this old counter sign was my favorite thing in the store.  Isn’t it fabulous, right down to the prices???!!!  Someday, when I have that house in the country I dream about, I want something just like this hanging in it.  Too cool!!!

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My finds from this visit-three vintage shelf holders:

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Time Tunnel Antiques is located at 136 Main St, Sayville, NY 11782.

Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!

Time is flying by…..

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Hi Vixens!!!  So sorry I have been out of the blogosphere for a while.  So many things going on like…

My phone dying (after less than two years-two big thumbs down, HTC!!!) and having to be replaced by the iPhone 5c in a lovely hue of blue (after the first one I received in a funky pink/coral color was discovered to be defective-GEEZ!!!)…

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A new car-rather, a new SUV (a 2012 Honda Pilot) which will haul my antiquing and junking finds without a problem!!!)…

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A baby shower (how cute is this favor!!!  My cousin (and Grandma to be) Sharon has to be the most imaginative person I know!!!)…

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And this weekend a trip down south (to the Carolinas) to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with my brother, his wife, my canine nephew (Hercules is the pug) and niece (Apple is the Pekingese)…

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During the trip down to see them, while I am there and on the way back home, I do a TON of antiquing so I will have lots to share with all of you!!!

Please stay tuned!!!

Local Sale With A Cautionary Tale

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The Islip Antiques and Collectibles Fair is one of my favorite shows.  I try to hit it every year.

It is held on the grounds of the Islip Art Museum, a stunning old building which was a private home, then an orphanage and now home to the museum, the Islip Arts Council and several Islip offices.

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It overlooks a lake with lots of daily visitors…..

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and beautiful reminders that fall is finally here!!!

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The weather the day of the sale was more reminiscent of summer than fall but it was beautiful nonetheless.

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I saw great stuff beginning at the first booth I walked into…..

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I L-O-V-E-D this leather camera bag but there was no way I could justify the $275.00 price tag.

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I adore old bed headboards and footboards.  Some day I want a whole house of them!!!

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Trunks, too!!!  These look great as coffee tables, at the end of a bed to hold extra pillows and blankets or anywhere else you need extra storage!!!  And they can be painted any color you choose.

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There were great Beatles items at every turn…..

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and pop culture galore!!!

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Do you remember when Jimmy Carter was President and his brother-Billy-came out with his own beer???

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How cool is this metal phone book stand?  This would make a great entry room table (just add a basket on top to corral keys and sunglasses and a mat below to leave your shoes on) or a small kitchen island.

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Each book covered a different county.

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And now for my cautionary tale, fellow Vixens:  I found this GORGEOUS roll of pink linoleum flooring at the sale.  I had instant fantasies of how great this would look in the country dream house I want someday.  I pictured it as the floor of a first level powder room, the laundry room or the butler’s pantry-maybe all 3!!!

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But while I was waiting to ask the dealer how much the flooring cost, I talked myself out of it.  I thought about how small my current place is, and why I should use up valuable storage space now for a dream that is years away, how I might not be able to find someone to install it, etc.  I worked myself up in to such a state I walked away telling myself I needed to fix my current place before bringing in things that I want someday.  But since the sale I have had SEVERE non-buyer’s remorse.  I should have bought it.  Sigh!!!  😦

I always tell people they can always find room for something they want-they just need to be creative.  I could have stored this in my trunk until I made room in my apartment.  Next time I have to remember to take my own advice!!!

My find at the show:  A flue cover.

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On my way home, I stopped at my favorite farm stand for some produce and picked up a few gourds.  They are now on top of my fridge with some of my antiques:

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Until next time, fellow Vixens, happy digging!!!

Local Sale: The Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department’s Antiques Flea Market

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This time of year I do not even have to leave my county to find great antiques shows to attend, and one of them is held in one of my favorite cities  on the north shore of Long Island-The Cold Spring Harbor Fire Department’s annual show.

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The biggest reason why I love this area is because of the view of the harbor.

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Despite the dreary weather (and the oppressive humidity) the sale was still busy.

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I saw some dear old friends…

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and some interesting pieces (this would look adorable in a flower garden)…

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this mid century modern table top…

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a garden squirrel…

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and these gorgeous candle holders which I swooned over…..until I saw they were $125.00 EACH!!!  Needless to say I passed.

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I did not buy anything there so I treated myself to lunch at my favorite sushi place (Show Win-Northport, NY) and later a pedicure (don’t you love the fall color!!!)

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On my way home, I stopped for a few groceries and was treated to these lovely displays:

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Pumpkins and mums-two obvious tell tale signs of fall!!!

Until next time, fellow vixens, happy digging!!!

 

Happy Birthday Boss Man!!!

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Photo courtesy of Eric Meola.

Happy birthday to one of my heroes, Bruce Springsteen.

Before I discovered his music, my world was so dark I forgot what light was like.  Then I bought the “Born To Run” album and heard the words that changed my life:  “What else can we do now except roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair.”

Thank you for every note of every song.  What you have given me, let alone the world, is immeasurable.

B-R-U-C-E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Photo courtesy of americanicons.com.

Welcome Fall!!!

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“Autumn…..the year’s last loveliest smile”-William Cullen Bryant.

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How do I love fall?  Let me count the ways:  Pumpkins, falling leaves in beautiful hues, crisp air, Halloween, comfort food, my yearly trek to Vermont, cozy sweaters, warm blankets, the first frost, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”, apple picking, gourds, weekend getaways to New England, snuggling weather, warm cider, fairs & festivals, mums, pansies, acorns, pepperberries and Thanksgiving, just to name a few.

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall”-F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Oh, and let’s not forget antiquing, estate sale-ing and junking!!!

Happy Autumn, fellow vixens!!!