Sale Alert: Totswap

Hi neighbors! I just wanted to let you know that there will be a fabulous kids consignment sale in Timonium at the state fairgrounds this weekend. It's called TOTSWAP, and I cannot rave enough about it. I go seasonally to pick up great clothes for Baby Z at low prices. Items are 50% on Sunday, and $1 on Monday.

Around Town: Flourish

Hello everyone. Today I wanted to tell you guys about a lovely new shop that just opened called FLOURISH.  I stopped in for the first time not too long ago, and just can't get enough it! It sells handmade items by local Baltimoreans. They have wonderful hand poured candles, a wide assortment of teas, beautiful greeting cards, jewelry, books, soaps, art, clothing, and more. The owner is a pleasure to talk to and very knowledgeable about all of her merchandise. It's definitely worth a stop in, if you get the chance.  Take a look around.

Around Town: Charlotte Elliot

In the market for a striking antique African mask or some vintage Asian artwork? If so, you should go treasure hunting at Hampden's CHARLOTTE ELLIOT. They have tons of global antiques, out of print books, and vintage clothing & jewelry. If you want to add an extra layer of sophistication to your decor they'll definitely have a piece for you. I feel like a real grown-up whenever I shop there :-) Here are some of their current offerings.

Around Town: Antique Exchange

 A while back when I first started blogging I did a post about ANTIQUE EXCHANGE. I wanted to update things because since that time I've gotten a better camera, and the store's merchandise has significantly changed. The store is located in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood at 3545 Chestnut Avenue. They're one of my go to sources for accessories (after scouring the clearance section at Homegoods and local thrift stores of course). They typically carry decent priced vintage/antique occasional tables,  storage pieces, and art. The owner also stocks a large selection of stunning textiles, though they can be somewhat pricey. There's a little sale section tucked away on the second floor in the back where you can frequently find discounts up to 50 percent off. Have a look around.

 

 

Around (Another) Town: Kensington Antiques Row

Recently a kind READER suggested I head down to Kensington, MD and explore their antiques district. Not one to pass up a new antiquing adventure, I decided to check it out during my most recent visit to the DC area. I'm truly grateful for the tip, because I'd never heard of the district before, and had an exquisite time perusing the stores. Though there are several nice stores in the area I most enjoyed Jill & Company and Sally Schaffer Antiques. The two stores are connected and specialize in country americana antiques.

 Beautiful baskets were a noticeable theme throughout. I'm a sucker for vintage baskets, anything with beauty and utility gets a gold star in my book.

There were also several gorgeous quilts. It was like being in an impressive textile museum. It was hard to pick which one I liked the most.

I was also a fan of this pair of chairs.

I thought the rooster lamp and solidly built old porch swing were nice finds too.

Beautiful folk dolls could be found scattered throughout the stores.

 This dining set made me jokingly beg the hubs for a new house so I'd have some place to put it. He suggested I start up a decorating business instead so I could put it in someone else's house. I just may take him up on that suggestion.

Well, that's all! I hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week.

Sale Alert: Weekend of 7/25-7/27

Hi locals. There are a few good sales going on this weekend that I thought I'd tell you about. First up is THE SURPRISE SHOP's annual $5 bag sale taking place the 25th and 26th. Any merchandise you can fit inside of one of their provided bags, is you guessed it, $5! Next, is TOTSWAP a large baby and kids consignment sale being held at the state fair grounds in Timonium the entire weekend, on Sunday select merchandise will be 50% off. Lastly, I wanted to highlight the Cedarcroft neighborhood's summer garage sale starting this Saturday at 8am.

Have a lovely weekend!

Around Town: The Wise Penny

One of the things I love about living in Lake Walker is its close proximity to awesome thrift stores. My favorite thrift store is THE WISE PENNY, located at 5902 York Road next to Senator Theatre.

On my latest trip I lucked up and got this cute Jack & Janie sweater for the baby for only $1.50. You can't beat that!

Here's a look at some of their other merchandise.

They often have very nice evening bags that are reasonably priced. There's also a bridal section if you're getting married (sorry I forgot to take a picture of it).

The kiddie department is definitely worth a look. Most pieces are $5 or less, and if you browse carefully I promise you'll find something you like.

The men's department is the best of any thrift store in the area. They regularly have great men's staples like sports coats and polos. You can get a nice Brooks Brothers shirt for under $10.

You can find nice drinking glasses, tea sets, and more.

Be sure to stop by when you get a chance. They're on the corner of York and Belvedere. Select merchandise is currently an extra 30% off!

"Livin' in a world that's oh so fast, gotta make ya money last." ~Erykah Badu

Sale Alert: Stoneleigh Community Yard Sale

Hi locals. Sorry, I am sooo late posting this, but this Saturday (4/26) from 9am to noon the Stoneleigh neighborhood is hosting it's annual yard sale.  If you're new to area and unfamiliar with Stoneleigh, it's a neighborhood in Towson just up the street from Lake Walker heading north on York Road (to your right). You can read about some of the items for sale HERE.

Sale Alert: Timonium Totswap

For any of you locals in the market for reasonably priced baby and kid items, TOTSWAP a huge consignment sale is happening this weekend in Timonium on York Road at the state fairgrounds. Sunday all items are 50% off. I'll be checking it out and reporting back on what I find. I've got a feeling I'll be impressed as it's rated one of the best consignment sales in the country. Have a great weekend!

***UPDATE: I checked out Totswap today and it was a total bust. It could be because I didn't go on the first day so all the good stuff was gone. It's probably best to save your time and gas and pass this one up if you haven't been yet :-(

Worth Your Money: Amazon Prime

There are not many bills I look forward to paying, but when it's time to renew my Amazon Prime, I quickly hit the pay button. If you don't know about Amazon Prime, it's a service offered by Amazon that gives you unlimited shipping for a year. They also throw in extra perks like free instant streaming of selected movies and television shows, as well as selected free music. For a household like ours it's a real steal, we regularly milk the heck outta that baby! Though we try hard to shop local, Amazon is our go to source for certain hard to find items, and any large sized purchases that won't fit into our tiny car. We get waaaay more than our money's worth in shipping, plus free entertainment when we've exhausted our going out budget for the month, or just want a night in.

Around Town: Wee-Sale

Ever heard of WEE-SALE? They're a group that sponsors seasonal pop-up children's consignment sales. The sales are open to the general public for three days straight, and there's currently one being hosted in Greenbelt.  They offer baby clothes, baby gear, toys, books, and shoes. I was curious about the event, so I decided to stop by. All-in-all it was a pretty good experience. I picked up several outfits that were reasonably priced (a total of $44). I didn't get any baby gear, as a lot it was a bit tattered.

They are hosting events in Annapolis and Charles County in May that I may pop into. The sale in Greenbelt lasts through the weekend and on Sunday all merchandise is 50% off.  It's a great place to get cute cheap clothes. The hubs and I have agreed to buy only used baby clothes, with the exception of onesies. So far, it's saving us a small fortune.

Worth Your Money: LL Bean Totes

Recently, I got two new navy blue L.L. Bean totes from my company Originull Networks (one in size medium and another in size extra-large pictured above). I wanted to blog about them, cause well, these things are awesome! They are affordable, classic, extremely durable, and constructed in the USA. If you treat it right, one can last you a lifetime. They provide a more sustainable and stylish alternative to plastic and paper bags. I can think of about a million and one uses for them, from weekenders, to grocery bags, to toy storage, to gardening storage, or to hold laundry. The size you'll want will depend on your needed function. I find the medium to be a good size for a light grocery trip, while large would be ideal for more substantial shopping. Extra-large is a bit overbearing for shopping usage, and would work better for laundry or storage. If interested you can purchase one here. Occasionally, they go on sale so be on the lookout.

Around Town: The Lily Pad

We just found out our friend Robert is expecting a baby boy this spring. Unfortunately, he and his wife live all the way in Seattle so we probably won't be seeing them soon. Since we can't see them in person I thought it'd be nice to send them a special baby present. Just up the street from the house on York Road in Towson is a lovely kids consignment store called The Lily Pad. I've driven by a gazillion times but never dropped in. I figured now would be a good opportunity to see what they offer. When I went in the store was filled with a well curated collection of moderately priced goodies, including clothing, strollers, toys, shoes, teething rings....you name it.

 

 If used clothing isn't your thing (though I personally highly recommend it especially for baby clothes) they also have a few new clothing items with the original tags still one them. Like this little number I ended up getting for Robert and his wife. The outfit was a whopping $8!

Which left room in the budget for these gorgeous pink overalls, that I think I'll give to one of my little cousins when she turns one. I plan to take them back to The Lily Pad in a few months and have them monogrammed for her. 

"I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living." ~John D. Rockefeller