WEDDING BELLE

I need a Wedding Belle, a bride-to-be, to buy this dress!  If only I were younger, oh and single and much skinnier, I would have bought this dress.  Heck, even if I didn't have a groom, I'd buy me this dress and then find me a groom to go with it (not that its not equally as hard to find a good groom as it is to find a good dress).  I saw it at the Goodwill on the east end of Belleville yesterday.  Truly the most beautiful vintage wedding dress I've ever seen whether it was in a thrift store or an expensive vintage shop.  My guess is its from the 50's but I'm no expert.  Take a look at the photos and judge for yourself.  If I were also to guess size I imagine its around a size 6 in the waist but for a girl that has some of a bosom (cup C or D), again, no expert.  I SO wanted to buy this dress, it was only $30!!!!!!  But just didn't know what I'd do with it (yes, could resell it for much more but then I have to work to find a buyer) so I resisted temptation yet again.  Do you know of anyone?

This is the bust.  It has a pleated straight across front underneath and then the appliqued lace sits out in front on top of that, just like a lot of the dresses you see on the red carpet these days.  Just gorgeous detail and so in style!

Front of dress, of course my photo isn't doing it justice!

Upclose of bust on hanger, again my photography skills leave something to be desired.

This is a better photo of the upclose detail of the front of the dress.

Full front view of dress.

Will you just look at all that luscious tulle and wonderful applique, its uber beautiful!

Oh yes, you're reading that right, just $30!!!  I need to google "Will Steinman" and see what I learn, just so curious!

BIRTHDAY SHOPPING SCORES!

As a birthday present to myself I visited one of my favorite resale shops in Belleville (IL) today.  That was after my sister treated me to pizza at Papa Vito's on Washington Street in Belleville.  My favorite pizza and then my favorite shop, it was adding up to a great day!  And it got better from there!  Green Diamond  Emporium Unique Resale Shop at 732 South Illinois Street, in the old train depot, had just gotten in a load of new "stuff" that morning.  All from one donor - and there were some amazing finds!  As much as I wanted to, I couldn't take them all home so below are the two killer pieces I brought home and then all the other items I took a pass on.  But you might want to rush out tomorrow and try to snatch some of them for yourselves!  

If you need more information such as prices or if one of these items is still available, give them a call at 618-235-8431.  They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Another bonus is that you receive $5 off a purchase after you've gotten 10 punches, 1 punch for every $10 spent!  Their website is www.greendiamondemporium.org.

  

I scored this vintage concrete base, metal top sundial for just $20!                   (It came with its own bird poop!  LOL!)

I LOVE this park bench!  And I have been looking for one (check that, CHEAP one) for awhile.  I got it home and my husband said well I guess we can paint it - ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????  That's one of the great things I loved about it - THE PATINA!  I LOVE the "chippy" red finish!  And I scored this beauty for just $18!!! (Oh, and the fun quilt behind the bench was only $25 but I resisted the temptation . . . for now, tomorrow's another day)

Sweet vintage buffet/sideboard.  I think it was $40 or $50.

Fruit-topped ceramic canister set for $12.  I have a hard time resisting things with fruit!

Roseville Pottery Vase - said "as is" but for $40 (and knowing they usually go closer to $100 or more) it seemed like a great buy, but I'm not an expert on these.  I do admire Roseville pieces though.

Fun and funky vintage stereo console.  I don't remember how much this was but sooooo retro!

Vintage chifferobe.  Bad photo but cool piece.

Concrete birdbath.  That's a squirrel "climbing" up the base.  Loved this too but it was a little too steep of price for me ($80) and the condition of the bath itself wasn't great.  Maybe, if it goes to half price.

More creamware pottery but since I have around 60 pieces I decided I could resist.  But now if they go half price they may become harder to resist!

Vintage dining table painted gray with one leaf.

Nice old rocking chair with the rush (?) seat and back in very good condition.  I think it was  $40 or $50.

Ok, I don't know exactly what this is but I thought it was a fun and interesting contraption.  And just $8.

A pretty in pink hand sewn quilt for $50 (If I remember right).  Again, hard to resist but I have more quilts that I can use right now and I don't want to have to just store them away where they can't be appreciated.

Oh yes, I managed to get the sundial and the bench in the back seat of my convertible and off I drove.  That back seat holds a lot more than you think.  You just have to put the top down to get it in!

She Wins Silver!

I deserve a medal (or is that metal?) for this score at a second hand store in Belleville.  I bought a beautiful, vintage sterling SILVER and abalone bracelet made in Mexico yesterday (I bought it yesterday, it wasn't made in Mexico yesterday).  Yea, as Mike from American Pickers would say, "I popped on that for $9!"  As I like to say "SCORE!"  I got the bracelet (along with a few other small items) at the same place I got the $30 saddle a couple weeks ago - The Hilltop Corner Emporium in Belleville.  The shop is located in the old train depot at 732 South Illinois.  If you want to check their hours before going up there or you have any questions for them, give them a call at 235-8481.  They carry both clothing and household items but I gravitate towards the household, including limited furniture.  Clothes, shoes, purses and some accessories were 1/2 off when I went today but I'm not sure how long that sale lasts.  Oh, and things that don't sell after an amount of time are reduced to 1/2 off.  I don't advise waiting though, if you love something, 'cause it'll be gone when you go back.

BELLEVILLE FARMER'S MARKET

If you head to downtown Belleville this Saturday morning for their Sidewalk Sale, be sure to check out their Old Town Market while you're there.  The market is located at 1st and West Main and offers free parking.  The hours are 7:30 a.m.. till noon.  This week you'll find tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, plums, blackberries, other summer vegetables, fresh baked goods, honey and fine artisan crafts.

RAIN, MAN

I got this out of The Belleville News Democrat.  Belleville area residents are being offered the chance to be a little greener and for a lower price than other outlets.  The City of Belleville is teaming with Prairie Rain Harvester Inc. of Urbana to sell rain barrels for $65 a piece.  I saw in a magazine where a variety of these barrels were being offered from around $150 to $250, so that's a big savings.  For details, deadlines and pick up information check out www.prairierainharvester.com/belleville.  You need to order online by Aug. 12th or postmark your order by Aug. 7th.   I think John and I are going to try and place an order for a couple.