Round Top Roundup Spring 2011

Now is the time when you sit through a bunch of grainy pictures I took last weekend and then you golf clap for us -- a trio of dehydrated bargain hunters willing to brave the dusty Texas fields in hope of discovering hidden treasure. Unfortunately, we picked the last day of the market to shop, so let's just say the glint of golden goodness was rare. However we did meet a lot of vendors desperate to lighten their loads before packing up and heading home, thus we did not go home empty handed. And in between wheeling and dealing Karly art directed me take a few pictures here and there, so to thank her you can throw your hands in the air and wave 'em around like you just don't care. Let's do this.

Straight off the bat Karly scored this giant vintage anatomical chart for a whopping $35. Some little hussy was huffy because K got to it first, so picking it up later in the day as she stood by and watched her precious go home in the hands of another lover was awkward.

I really wanted to buy this vintage tole chandelier for the Inlaws' new house, but then I remembered, oh yeah... it's not my house. Dammit.

Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Dontcha?

Sigh.

Karly and I both spied the Dad pillow from across the proverbial room, but we were not so impressed by Mom.

We forced our Chinese friend Diana to buy this huge mirror because we're racist like that, but it will fit perfectly in her entryway. Also, it was FIFTY FIVE dollars. Five - Five. Vintage 60s from a Palm Springs estate. We don't see a lot of stuff like it around these here Texassy parts, y'all.

This is what we normally see around these here parts. I'll give you a few moments to reflect on the full situation.

Love love love these ginormous Buddha heads. Love.

My megolamania appeared in full force, as I was mostly attracted to very large things. And obviously the giraffes and I have a mini affair brewing.

This hand hooked rug was large and in charge. I really like the colors.

Ok, so every year these dudes have a baby head display, but I felt that they really stepped up their game with the addition of creepy troll man .

Karly bought this bamboo lamp for $7 whole dolla billz. Despite her oft repeated mantra of "No more brass, no more horses," she also bought some brass door pulls with horse heads that I forgot to take pictures of. Duh me.

She also talked me into buying this vintage Persian brass milking stool for $35. Ike thinks it's his new drum, but Karly suggested we use it as a kid stool for later on. I'm hoping "later" will be about 10 years from now, since I am nearly apoplectic at the thought of Ike having access to the counters.

That's it for this year's tour of the dustbowl that is the Round Top antiques market, where you can buy leggings with bell bottomed ruffles sewn onto the legs.

I think you know why I didn't take a picture of those.

Howl Interiors: Decorate Like You Give a Damn!

Last Saturday Karly and I accompanied our bff on an alcohol soaked wedding dress shopping extravaganza (holy jeebus, Sunday sucked), and we happened to pass by Howl's new storefront on South Lamar while hoofing it across Unbridaled's parking lot. I've driven past this place a few times and their siren sign always calls to me. Each time I've fought the urge to U-turn in the middle of Austin traffic, fishtailing and tires squealing all 70's car movie style. Did I mention that the sign is eye catching?

It promises a carnivalesque good time, and it delivers. Come on, let's take a little tour.

The first thing you need to know is that this place is dark and moody, and my ancient point and shoot just can't handle anything other than rainbow flecked crystalline sunlight with grace and aplomb, so sorry for the janky pictures.

I'm going to go ahead and say this place is one part Uncommon Objects, one part Uptown Modern, and no parts Room Service. If you aren't an Austinite, let me translate: there's some rust, some burl -- both 70s and antique, and there are zero ceramic owls.

Karly already has her first purchase wrapped up and ready to go. Too bad we are po bitches.

We both deemed this lucite couch worthy of our love and affection. I am burning that pillow with my mind, though. Firestarter style.

Jesus don't want me for a sunbeam.

Cousin It the goat wants to live in Ike's room.

A gorgeous olive burl Baughman table just like the one I found for my buddy's house. The elephant is trumpeting his seal of approval.

I found the store to be charming, and the proprietor to be adorably adorable. The prices ranged from holy %^* expensive to quite reasonable -- they had a flossy Paul Evans/brutalist barrel chair in dire need of upholstery for about $250, which is not bad for Austin prices. I was hoping to find a bit more modern in the mix, mostly artwise. I'm on a big antiques jag right now, but I feel like all that patina needs some edge to sharpen it up.

Hopefully Howl is reading this and will call me with a bargain basement de Kooning or Sol Lewitt... fingers crossed!

Friday Thrift Store Score

Yesterday I realized that I've been moving like a zombie through life, with no time to do anything other than the bare minimum of dishes, laundry, child care, work, autopilot blog posts, rinse and repeat. With my first few minutes to spare in what seems like eons burning a hot hole in my pocket, I scooped up Ike and headed to the thrift store. Ah, the thrift store -- a smelling salt strong enough to bring even the grayest zombie back to pink and rosy liveliness. A creamy salve soothing enough to heal any wound. Too bad it doesn't do taxes and toilets, but a quick trip to the thrift store will fix just about any other problem I've got going on with its miraculous selection of crap I don't need but desperately crave. It satisfies my inner hoarder, and cheaply at that.

Anyway, I bought a heavy vintage vase covered in gorgeous green glaze, one that speaks to me of precious emeralds and malachite mysteries. This ain't the best picture, but y'all get the drift.

If you've been struggling just to tread water lately like I have, then I hope you find some time this weekend to hit your local thrift and uncover a treasure that speaks directly to your heart.

Hopefully for less than $5.