Last week we had a few give-aways over on Cactus Creek’s FACEBOOK page {more contests coming soon, including an epic prize that will happen on Jan. 4th – don’t miss it!!}  I digress… one of the holiday-give-aways was for the Friendship Bell Bracelet and my 3 boys picked the random winner.  A couple of people have asked me how that worked, exactly, and it turns out I videoed it for proooof.  HAPPY MONDAY!!!!  xofancy

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Technorati Tags: rustic, Vintage, Western

Another GIFT Idea from Cactus Creek… Cactus Creek GIFT CERTIFICATE. Available to use in the store, on the phone, on line, text it, fax it… whatever you need to do, we can get it for you!!

Several nominations available, just click on ‘ADD TO CART’ below!!

Technorati Tags: cactus creek, rustic, Vintage, Western

WARNING: THESE IMAGES ARE NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART, PETA MEMBERS, OR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEND ME NASTY EMAILS. I DID NOT KILL OR STUFF THESE CREATURES, I MERELY PHOTOGRAPHED THEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINDING OUT IF THEY CREEP PEOPLE OUT, OR IF PEOPLE ARE INTRIGUED ENOUGH TO GET THEIR OWN DEAD CRITTERS.

When I was in Texas I tried very hard to notice any new trends arising… I asked several dealers but usually it was the same answer: industrial, tattered, maybe a shift towards 70’s & 80’s styles {Lordy, that’s vintage now isn’t it??}.  But one dealer in particular {actually he is the owner of one of the most popular antique/vintage stores in the country} said TAXIDERMY.

I was just wondering what y’all thought??  I do love that show Oddities that is currently on the Discovery Channel; it is set in a New York retail store that specializes in the buying and selling of strange and extraordinary science artifacts.  And the trend for biological and educational charts has been around for a bit… maybe these are what are causing people to be interested in TAXIDERMY.  Or maybe it’s a regional trend?? 

I kind of like the critters but that might be odd, huh??  what are your thoughts & opinions??

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Round Top Antique Week

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Technorati Tags: Round Top Antique Week, skull chandelier, taxidermy, Vintage, vintage taxidermy

I first posted this in May of 2010 and it has been one of the most viewed posts here on CCD.com… I do love this look to no end!!  It’s a style that hasn’t faded much in the past year.  Many of the items have sold out so I have changed the links to go to the primary website… hope y’all are having a great week!!  xofancy

Last Fall 09 when we were in Round Top I was enamored by the Mexican Dresses that I remembered from growing up in Houston, but hadn’t seen in years. Back in the 80’s when I lived in the big city with my Mom it was high fashion to buy Mexican Dresses off the side of the road and pair them with a ribbon around the waist. {High fashion for 5th grade anyway} My Mexican Dress was purple with white embroidery… I loved that dress… anyway, back to the point.

So last fall during Round Top I went to a great party in a beautiful house and one of the first girls to greet me was a pretty blond with a short Mexican dress and kick a** cowgirl boots. Ahhh, welcome to Texas. Then I ran into this wall full of Mexican dresses at Punkies {ABOVE} ~ after perusing the racks of vintage and altered dresses I was smitten with the colors, the embroidery, the tradition. I was ready to take on the look.

Now I can hardly open a catalog, run into a store, or surf the www, without seeing these beautifully embroidered garments everywhere. Here’s a few that we’re loving for this spring…

Punkies Place altered Mexican Dress * Embroidered Sundress from Anthropologie

Mexico Roses embroidered skirt from AidaCoronado’s ETSY Shop * Tehuantepec Corset from El Interior {hand embroidery on red satin ~ scrumptious}* Mexicali Shirt Turquoise from Cry Baby Ranch

Acres Blouse from Spool No. 72 * Embroidered Maxi Dress from Forever 21 * Mi’ja Tee from Double D Ranch

3 J Workshop Olivia Mexican Peasant Dress from Missouri Bluffs *DIY Mexican Dress from TheMexicanDress.com {oh, how I would love to make one of these on my own!! My own fabric & colors & embroidery…} * Vintage Mexican hand Embroidered dress from Vdingy’s ETSY Shop

PILLOWS, too!! If you have an old Mexican dress that doesn’t fit anymore, an embroidered hankie, or tea towel then you can always turn them into a pillow. {I think I’ll call my Mom & ask her about the old Purple Mexican dress…}

Embroidered Pillow Cases from La Mariposa Imports * Mexican Folk Art Embroidered Pillow from Appel Jar’s ETSY Shop

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Rustic * Western * Vintage Merchandise LINKS

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Technorati Tags: embroidered dresses, mexican, mexican dresses, mexican pillow, Vintage

 
A big CONGRATS to Family H & their new baby cowgirl!! 

This ‘Retro Roundup’ Blanket looks snuggly and warm - without all of the pink and purple – perfect for this baby girl!!  There is also a burpy set, round up bib, and moses basket for anyone else looking for a baby gift!!

I’m so happy for you guys…  xoxo

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Technorati Tags: baby blanket, cowboy, Vintage, Western

Without question Pottery Barn’s famous walls of black & white photography have influenced the trend to pair common photos with mismatched frames.  Whether you have a simple photo of a child in an over-sized frame, or a dozen photos spanning a 12 foot wall, photography is a classic option for bringing character and charm to an otherwise big, bland space.   

I would love to have a private collection of images from my favorite photographer, but our strict, ‘family-of-5′ budget won’t allow for such indulgences.  The next best source of images with a Rustic * Western * Vintage vibe is from books and magazines {and calendars!!}.  Here are just a few of the many sources that will provide you with a plentiful supply of images for switching out whenever you choose…

COWBOYS

COWGIRLS

NATIVE AMERICANS

RUSTIC

CLASSICS

Combining images like those found in the books and calendars above, along with family photos, postcards, horse show ribbons, and concert tickets, creates an interesting focal point for any room in your home. 

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For great frames you can always go to Pottery Barn, Target, or your local hobby store.  Have fun with it and enjoy changing the pics out every now and then to keep it from getting old!!

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Technorati Tags: black & white photography, rustic, Vintage, Western

One more BIG THANKS to my Aunt Quetta and her family for treating us to Bawlmer last weekend!!  Here is a quick Round-Up of the Rustic*Western*Vintage finds from our trip out East…

{I couldn’t find many “cowgirls” in Baltimore – if you’re out there give me a Holler – I hope to visit again next summer!!} 

• Ben Madrid’s Santa Fe Trading Company in New Market, MD
• Housewerks – Architectural Salvage specialists in Bayard Station
• Red Tree - a phenom store in Hampden

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Technorati Tags: Baltimore, maryland, rustic, southwestern, Stores, Vintage, Western

Saturday we visited Housewerks, a store in Baltimore that is dedicated to architectural salvage. I had read about Housewerks on several other blogs, and the store certainly lived up to the promise of being unique.

Located in the Valve House of Baltimore’s historical Bayard Station {a venerable building LOADED with character}, Housewerks is packed full of beautiful stain glass {BELOW}…

vintage signs and fixtures {BELOW}…

antique furniture and hardware * plusthe requisite garden fixtures that complete the architectural salvage shopping list.

Housewerks is certainly a store that should not be missed when in the Baltimore area – especially if vintage is your thing. 

I was actually most impressed with the building itself.  The basement’s stone walls and brick catacombs screamed ambiance and I immediately imagined crystal chandeliers, burlap tablecloths, white roses & candlelight.  It would be a magnificent setting for an extraordinary event.  I later read on the Housewerks website that the building is available to rent (for information click HERE * send my invitation HERE).

{For more pics Click Read More below}

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Technorati Tags: Architectural Salvage, Baltimore, Housewerks, maryland, Vintage