Visiting Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar - Fun Things to do in Orange Country

Last week I met a good friend for lunch at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar. 

 

I can't believe how many times I have passed by this beautiful place and always wondered what was behind its entrance on Pacific Coast Highway and was too busy or distracted to stop!

If you haven't visited, it is time to grab a friend and have lunch there also. You won't be disappointed!

 

It and is the perfect place for all ages. The Gardens provide a museum of living plants, displayed amidst a setting of immaculate gardens, patios and conservatories linked together by wide brick walkways, beds blooming with seasonal flowers and bubbling tile fountains.

A Sunny Saturday January Garage Sale Morning in Laguna Beach, CA

It is a beautiful sunny Saturday garage sale morning after a few days of heavy rain in Laguna Beach where I feel very fortunate to reside. So hopping out of bed and hitting the sales early is something I look forward to, especially on a gorgeous day like this.

The family at my first stop was moving to Northern California and selling their 1920's beach cottage, so they had motivation to sell their treasures.

 I am very excited to have purchased this beautiful mahogany leaded glass door for my new selling spot at "The Barn" in San Juan Capistrano.

I will be opening my spot there on Februaury 1, in less than 2 weeks. I will be filling you in on "The Barn" and highlighting my space and others who are already there for those of you who live close or are planning a visit.

Vintage Handbags to Set You Apart in Style

Five Fun and Unique Vintage Bags

I just love the uniqueness of a vintage clothing or accessory item and I have to say vintage bags are the most exciting to unearth at a consignment store or an estate sale for me. 


I think my favorite find is the Whiting and Davis enamel white button mesh bag in the lower center. It has fun tortoise shell handles and its lining has the signature logo of the company.  I think it is a perfect accompaniment for a summer look with casual or dressy styles!


Going around clockwise, the red leather handbag is not marked, but has a cute shape and will look spectacular with my favorite denim. 


The top center tangerine patent leather clutch makes me smile just holding it with its optional hidden gold chain handle by Bell Purses of Calif.  It has that perfect "POP" of color for spring. 


Next is a 1950's sophisticated slim, rectangular, black suede purse that exudes timeless style. I found it in its original plastic bag, and after opening it, I couldn't believe its pristine condition even though it is over 60 years old.  It was made by American company - Koret, Inc. Koret was also the licensee for designer labels such as Christian Dior and Hubert Givenchy. Under the  inside pockets is an inscription, which states Koretolope  Made of "Non-Crockable" Kid Suede. I am not sure of the exact meaning of the inscription, but it has a  smooth and luxurious feel to the suede and certainly is an indication that Koret used superior quality materials for its handbags.  


And last but not least is a gorgeous antique mini evening bag, probably from the turn of last century with lucite or bakelite cutwork enhanced by crystals and edged with rhinestones. Inside there is a little mirror in the flap and just enough room for a small comb and lipstick...perfect for an evening out.

Like I said in the beginning, I love the individuality of these handbags, and I hope you enjoyed reading about their stories.  Please take a minute and tell me about your favorite vintage bag and its personality!

A Fabulous Find

Vintage Louis Vuitton Makeup Case

One of my favorite finds when I was out junking on an early weekend morning was this fabulous vintage Louis Vuitton makeup case. It was an estate sale in Newport Beach and I happened to be the first person outside lined up to enter.  Standing at the entry and peering through the iron gate, I spotted this amazing case in a heap of random objects lining the pool area. Who could have thrown this treasure in with such mundane items such as pots and pans and picture frames? When the gate flew open at the designated time of 8:00 am, my feet freed themselves like two weeds being jerked from the earth and flung hurling to the mound of debris clutching the prize. Sadly, when I opened the lid, it was very soiled, the mirror was shattered, and the key was missing. But when I heard the price was $200.00, I knew it was going home with me. From this point on, the story of my fabulous find just keeps getting better. Upon paying, the seller said he would take $50.00 off because of the condition and Louis Vuitton at South Coast Plaza, replaced the mirror and key at no charge. When I arrived to pick up my refurbished case, much to my surprise was a similar trunk showcased at the entrance to their store titled “Flower Trunk 1910” and thus was my inspiration for my very own “ LV Blooming Case” which I will cherish forever.

South Coast Plaza Store Showcase

Simpler Times...

   Few things make me happier than uncovering a relic from my childhood that evokes a delightful memory from a simpler time. While I was out “digging” last weekend at an estate sale in an original 1950’s house in an old Santa Ana neighborhood, I came across these authentic, child’s 1950’s leather, hand-stitched cowboy boots. 

1950's Vintage Leather Child's Cowboy Boots

What surprised me most, was the amazing condition they were in, especially since back then, way before video games, children got their action adventure fix from playing games like Cowboys and Indians. I pleasantly recalled my best friend Billy who lived in the house behind us, coming to play totally decked out in his wrangler attire. I was his “girlfriend” at age 5, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to take on a rugged role and battle with me using our plastic weapons.  He cherished his cowboy boots more than anything, and now I have a much better understanding of why. What an innocent era it was with Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, and Hollywood making heroes out of cowboys and fashion icons out of cowboy boots.

Welcome to Junking for Style in the OC

I never thought that I would take pleasure in digging through others grubby garages and unorganized boxes of possessions, but after extracting beautiful handmade antique laces and French jacquard ribbon during my first estate sale I was addicted. Maybe it was because I have long appreciated the richness of very old textiles. But most likely this admiration stems from a love to imagine creating something fabulous from something old or perhaps I feel a bond to it because I was the one who created something similar to it in my past life! Either way I have a strong connection to anything with a history.

Today I went to a family estate sale and something this morning inspired me to finally start sharing my experiences as a junker. What I love about digging through other people’s stuff is the adventure and mystery.  There is something intriguing about screeching up to the address that your GPS has led you to, and never knowing if there is going to be that fabulous French enamel pin that you had missed out on last time, or antique hand woven fabric that you just read an article about in a style journal.

I think part of my reason in deciding to share my treasure hunt on this particular beautiful, sunny OC weekend morning is hoping that if I share with you, I will also work through the anxiety I am feeling. Let me back up and explain why I am feeling anxious. Tragically, it has to do with realizing that I had missed out. I had just pulled some very interesting World War I photos from an old manila envelope, paid for them, and upon returning to my car, realized that there were some documents that had most likely described the historical significance of the photos. Why the light bulb flashed when I got back to the car, I’ll never know, but the anxious part starts when I raced back to the envelope strewn garage and saw a man pick up that particular crumpled container just as I turned the corner.  Oh the horrors! I understand that I will never know what exactly was in that illusive packet, but I did learn a valuable junker’s lesson…take it all on the first pass, you can discard later, because there’s a good chance you won’t get a second pass!