Flea Market Season Is Here!

Get there early. I know, I know … so boring. Everybody says, “Go early! Go early!,” but the truth is you can find average, good pieces all day long, and sometimes you can absolutely find great pieces at 2pm. But those great pieces aren’t normally the no-brainers, those are the risk-takers, the ones that you need to have a huge imagination for and a lot of guts.

But if you don’t want to have to turn on that part of your brain, then know that all the obviously amazing stuff will get eaten up by designers, store-owners, and collectors by 10am. Go early if you want incredible pieces. Go later if you want just good stuff. I shoot for 7am!

Don’t hoard unneccessarily. I have this rule for myself. If I wouldn’t spend $100, then don’t spend $30. But I have a Ton of stuff. Accessories are not what I’m lacking. If you feel like you don’t have enough “smalls” in your house then yes, buy cute, great, personality-filled accessories, but if you are worried about bringing more into your house that you don’t need, then ask yourself that question: “If this were $100 would I still buy it?” Then listen to your answer.

Stay away from the new stuff.  I know that flea markets are expanding and they are starting to include many a cell-phone cover and imported tablecloth, but in general avoid these. I’m pro-small business, obviously, but the flea market is not the place to be marketed to for your jewelry. What is acceptable are things that are made from vintage things — like pillows from vintage fabric, furniture from reclaimed stuff (although, come on, let’s get some innovative design out there, if i have to see one more “reclaimed wood and iron industrial bench” I’m going to get all Russell Crowe on it). For sake of time, just stick to the old stuff. The new stuff will just distract you while Mr. and Mrs. Fast-Paced-Johnson are buying all the amazing regency pieces.

Look high and look low. People often wonder how I find things that they don’t and one of the biggest reasons is that I have CRAZY EYES that have the patience of hungry 2 year old, also because I look really high and really low. Don’t forget what people are hanging on the walls or above their tents and don’t forget what is under the tables. You have to dig to be properly rewarded, so make sure you cover all the highs and lows of most booths.

Bring cash, but know they take checks. EVERYONE enjoys cash most and they will give you a better deal with cash. But if you need to most will take checks. If you promise someone cash but you don’t have enough, simply offer them a deposit then go to the ATM and bring the rest later. Give them your phone number and take theirs just in case. But if you are on the fence about whether you should bring your checkbook or not, the answer is YES, many take checks.

Haggle respectively. It’s EXTREMELY simple. Ask them what they are charging, counter with WHAT IS FAIR and then if you love it, tell them that you love it. I know people that have huge manipulative strategies, but I don’t. These vendors have spent hours, days, and tears finding the perfect pieces. Please don’t try to insult them by low-balling them unless you truly believe that they are overcharging. If you can’t even come close to affording it, then tell them that. Say how much you love it and how you’d use it but that it’s not in your budget. Then they might budge. As much as they are in it for the money, they are also emotionally involved with these pieces and they really want them to go to a good home. So if you make a case for how much you love it and how well you’d take care of it, then you can get the best discount. This isn’t meant to be manipulative. It’s common sense.

In short: Be nice, be grateful, be respectful. We are not in the mid-evil ages where people are trying to “getcha” all the time. These are real people, collecting things they love and trying to make a living. Be respectful and you’ll get the best deal. It’s that simple. 

Also!!… the more you buy, the better deal you get. I’m sure that’s obvious but just in case it wasn’t, know that if you combine items at the same vendor you’ll get a better deal.

What to bring: 

Cash money

Checkbook

Phone camera

Notebook to write down what booth pieces were in — you won’t remember, trust me.

Sunscreen

Bottled water

A canvas bag.

And that’s how you do it, folks.  Go forth, and shop. 

Oh, and if you're in Wisconsin. Don't forget to stop for some cheese curds and a beer at 8am. It's tradition. 

I HEART NYC

Why Hello There!

I just got back from the beautiful New York City with the hubs on Saturday. If you haven't been there you should go now...right now. If you have been then you know that it is a great spot to visit. You are so lucky to be reading this because 1. I love to shop and 2. I love to eat and here are the go to's and don't do's.

Before you book your trip stretch, do yoga, warn your body that it's about to get serious with the walking.

[DAY 1]

Fly into Laguardia, the airport itself is terrible but it's easier to get into the city and closer to Manhattan. Once you grab your luggage get into a cab, don't bother with Uber, make your life simple and join the yellow cab line. It's going to cost you about 30-40 dollars to get into the city depending on traffic. Wear your seat belt or don't if you want to experience a rush. (This is a whole new world with cabs and cars and lanes or lack there of.) 

Drop off your luggage at the hotel, check in if you can or just leave your luggage with the bell hop. Tip? No Tip? I still don't get it.

We stayed at the New Yorker in Madison Square Garden neighborhood. Not my favorite place to stay but has a lot of restaurants, shops, and entertainment around it.

Put on your walking shoes, my preference are TOMs they saved my life last year after the 3 pairs I brought with decided to murder my feet. Not kidding, there was a crime scene in between each toe.

Now just start walking...any direction. Get lost you will stumble across some great places if you have the time. Thanks to Anthony Bourdain's suggestion we ran into his recommendation PAPAYA DOG. This is hot dog with sauerkraut, it actually tasted pretty darn good. It's a hole in the wall place with 2 tables and a couple bar height chairs. It's were the locals go for lunch and super cheap!


Favorite neighborhoods are Chelsea and Meatpacking.  Chelsea has a wonderful shopping area including West Elm, a two story Tjmaxx, lots of furniture stores, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Anthro, honestly it is one good thing after the other. From here head over to the Meatpacking District and walk the High line. The High line is an old railroad that is now turned into a beautiful walkway filled with flowers, art work, wood lounge chairs...quite relaxing. Underneath the Highline lies the Standard Hotel who has a packed Biergarten. Everything costs 8 dollars --Bier, Pretzels, Brats. The only thing missing was a Polka Band. Is that a Milwaukee thing?








 If you're looking for a little pampering get a blow out at Dry Bar. For 40 dollars you get a wash and blow out. It's really nice to be on the other side of the chair sometimes.

If you rather not then stroll around the neighborhood and find yourself some cute little boutiques and bars. I love this little place called Soapology, they have some standard concoctions of shower and bath scrubs but they can also mix together aromas for your liking. The hubs got a Tabacco and Caramel Cologne...AH MAZING. Story, is also a great store to visit, changing often with all new products and stories behind their products, hence the name.

For Dinner head over to the Frying Pan--Maritime 66. It's a sunk ship that was brought up after 3 years from the Chesapeake Bay and restored. Grab a drink, their Sangria is delicious and refreshing as well. If you are easily seasick grab a table on the dock--less rocking :)

TOTAL MILES WALKED--12.46















[DAY 2]

Grab a Bagel at Brooklyn's Bagels and Coffee Co. they are located all over the place. Honestly the best bagel I have ever had. They had a wide array of cream cheese ranging from Jalapeno Salmon to Cinnamon Raisin.

If you find yourself loving Chelsea you may want to spend another day there or head over to SOHO. SOHO is an Art District. TONS of Interior Decor Shops, Art Galleries, Shopping of all sorts.

If you are looking for something sweet MOMOFUKU has a to-go window with ice cream, cookies, and pies. As a matter of fact, I picked up MOMOFUKU's book which has all of the recipes this little bakery has to offer plus more. It's rich and a little piece of heaven. It's a good thing there is so much walking on this vacation. HA!

Don't be scared to talk to the locals, they know the go to places where you can blend in. Hide your Nikons and Garmins and drown yourself with the NY lifestyle.

ABC Kitchen. I kid you not. Put this in your travel plans. It is stunningly beautiful inside and the food...I am speechless-- was decadent. It is romantic yet laid back, traditional yet modern. I had the bow-tie pasta with a white wine reduction and caramelized onions with veal meatballs. I am drooling as I write this. The hubby had a shaved asparagus wheat crust fire stone pizza with a cream cheese base. It will not disappoint. Of course we had to order dessert even though I hit my capacity. I decided on the a chocolate cake with a marshmallow frosting and the man ordered carrot cake. I pretty much had to be rolled out of the restaurant.

TOTAL MILES WALKED--14.2



















[DAY 3]

Leaving Manhattan and ride the subway out to Brooklyn. At first we walked and walked and I was unimpressed until we backtracked to the subway and made a left instead of a right. 7th and Bedford led us to Williamburg. The walls were filled with graffiti and the streets were filled with hipsters and tourists. Stores with Etsy inspiration followed by restaurants of every culture. Cute bars on every corner. One thing that was a little irritating was the wait for everything. Prior to visiting I read a couple blogs and came across one that had written that it was laid back and you literally have to beg your server to come over. They aren't in any kind of rush. In fact we waited so long in one bar that we guessed how much our drinks were and hopefully left enough. I wasn't in any kind of hurry but you can only sit for so long before you want to venture out and see more.

Check out Egg-a popular breakfast and brunch spot. Located just a block or two from the water. Again slower then molasses but delicious.

Than grab a blanket and take a nap at the local park for an hour.Wear your sunscreen otherwise you wake up with a little NYC Sunburn.


TOTAL MILES WALKED--6.49 









 [DAY 4]

 Today was tourist day. Last year we didn't really dig ourselves into all the attractions and when we went home and people asked what we did. All I said was "shopping and eating". I figured that couldn't be my answer this time. This day was dedicated to the 9/11 memorial, the new World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, and Wall Street. I must say I am not the tourist type but truly enjoyed being an ant in the big city. A starbucks on every corner and walking shoulder to shoulder with a stranger. It was our last day in town so we walked 5th Avenue again, a quick walk through times square and dinner at an Indian restaurant that I seriously cannot remember the name of. It was one of those things where you look inside and say let's eat here and never read the signs or front of the menu. But it was delicious.

TOTAL MILES WALKED--8.48


There you have it. Do you know more then I do about New York? Wonderful share it with me because we are going again next year. Best Places to visit? Restaurants? Bars?

-H

{diy} Moisturizing Puppy Shampoo

Happy Monday!

Today's post is going to be short and sweet. As some of you know, there's a new puppy at one of the Blonde Brunette and Brass headquarters. We've had her for not even two full days and she's been taking up 98% of my time. Phew- I really did forget how much work these creatures of cuteness are!! Without further ado, I'd love to intoduce you all to Polly:

We got her from the Humane Society on Saturday and have been non stop with her ever since! 

Her and Manolo inspired me to do this little DIY for today, since there's nothing I wouldn't do to make sure my pups are happy and healthy. 

Homemade Moisturizing Puppy Shampoo

+supplies+

Distilled white vinegar

Essential oils (Doterra is my must have!)

Dr. Bronner's pure-castile soap

Glass airtight jar

Rosmary

Coconut oil 

First I boil about 3 cups of water on the stove and drop a bit of rosemary in to steep. Remove the water from the heat and let it cool down to a tiny bit warmer than room temperature.

Once the water is cooled, remove the rosemary and pour the liquid into a bottle. I use a glass bottle with an airtight seal. Then add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar (for odor removing) a heaping tablespoon of coconut oil (also moisturizing), 5 tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap and 3-4 drops of grapefruit essential oil. Close the lid tightly and give it a good shake until everything is combined.

I'll be sure to include little Polly and Manolo pics in future posts!!

What to do with the Hair

It's summer, well not really. But it's May and that is pretty much when things get crazy. Weddings, and Showers, and Picnics oh my! The hair is always the main concern for us girls, of course once we figure out what we are going to wear. Speaking of what to wear have you ever used Rent the Runway? Seems to be the go to these days. I have yet to try it, however I do have some weddings this fall that I would like to give it a go. Let me know if you would agree, I love feedback.

So where were we? Oh, Hair that's right. Hair is my job and my life. I love it. I did a little experiment and brought in some girls and played around. I tried to pick some easy styles that you should be able to do on yourself. Yes, that right! They can be made clean and crisp or torn apart and messy, you chose. Lindsay and I are here to guide you, teach you, and whatever else you need from us. So give it a shot and tag us on instagram @blondebrunetteandbrass #blondebrunetteandbrass.

I know most of you are thinking this is my go to for my workout at the gym or cleaning around the house. Believe it or not it is also one of the most requested updos for a bridemaid. It is simple, classic, and looks adorable with a knee length dress.

Bring the bun down low for something a little more elegant, romantic, mature. Add the texture, nothing is perfect so why make your hair that way?

Braids, everyone loves them. Also requested a ton in the bridal world. And thanks to Elsa from Frozen the trend is now braided to the side and pulled apart.

Any who doesn't love a ponytail? A clean classic style that we woman should have mastered by now. The only addition is to wrap a piece of hair around your ponytail to give it a formal finished look.

Of course there are many many other styles, like the french twist and the romantic curls down. And I am sure you can figure something pretty cute out once you turn your curling iron on and sit in front of the mirror for a couple hours. Just don't stress about it. Hair has made a huge turn, it all about organic and loose and imperfect.

Last but not least, if you haven't seen the beach waves that we did a tutorial on check them out here for short hair and here for long hair.


Oh and one more thing. Hair curls better on day 2. Don't forget to use dry shampoo. Take a selfie.

-H