Finding Vintage / farmhouse

Memorial day is on the horizon, Covid is still looming and family traditions are going to be modified. Whether it's your family reunion, clambake or BBQ we are all reshaping how we can still enjoy our summer rituals.

In many coastal communities clambakes and lobster bakes signify the start of the summer. Although we might not be celebrating in the same ways we have in the past we can still enjoy fresh clams and striped bass if you know where to look.

Fisherman are still fishing. We want to support local restaurants as well as the fisherman in our local communities and one way to do that is to continue to enjoy your local seafood. You can start with your local Fishermans Association or Chamber of Commerce to find out what programs they are offering to support local fisherman. 

Programs like Community Supported Fisheries follow a CSA model where you pay for the season and in return receive fish each week. Not all communities offer this kind of program but if they do it's a great way to structure your weekly meal plan knowing you will have local and fresh fish.

You can continue to support fisherman in many coastal communities by purchasing seafood fresh off the boat. Buy off the dock? What could be fresher than this. Again, check your local Fisherman's Association to find out if your community has this program. How it works: you arrange to meet the captain at a marina or harbor near you and you can purchase the days catch fresh off the boat. Just caught striped bass, scallops, clams. No middle man. The fish and shellfish that is local to your area will likely be readily available.  It's a win for the community because you are also supporting the fishing industry by buying direct.

The Local Catch is a great online resource that connects you with local fisheries around the country and provides you with an amazing list of resources in addition to keeping in mind core values, fair pricing, the ecosystem and supply chains. localcatch.org/how-to-buy-direct/

The Cape Cod Fishermans Alliance connects you to local fisherman where you can buy off the dock at various harbors around the coast of Cape Cod in addition provides a "Stories from the Sea" podcast and videos to further educate people on the life and passion of fisherman. capecodfisherman.org

Other resources to keep in mind are to check Buy Fresh Local Seafood Facebook groups, checking listings to find out what seafood markets are open in your area and connecting with local farmers markets which will be re-opening.

We are quarantined (  #stayathome ) which has brought many stresses to our household. It has certainly forced a slow down and because of that we are having more family dinners for the six of us.  

Coming up with new meals is a challenge but it’s also an opportunity to be thankful.  Setting the table each night reminds me of a time my kids never knew.  A time when I was a child and we would have to set the table for dinner and show up when we heard “ DINNER” yelled throughout the house.  (That part might actually be the same.) 

I’m not a great cook but I am a good hostess, which means I can set a darn good table with themes, props and centerpieces. Back in the day, it was important to follow the rules of how a table should be set ie. the flatware should be placed to the left and right of the plate, the water glass placed just above the spoon and knife.  Those rules don’t apply if you are trying to create something special.

My non rule-rules to follow:

Mix and match: There’s nothing I love more than mixing up my vintage blue willow plates with other blue and white patterns.  Using varied pieces of antique tumblers or cut glass so each place setting is also different.

Napkins are another category on their own.  They can be placed traditionally under the fork but could be on the plate or in a glass. Using tea towels or even swatches of fabric (washed) leaves endless possibilities for color and texture at your table.

Napkin rings are a fun touch.  Vintage napkin rings are not that difficult to find it you have the patience to scout the glass cabinets at antique shops.

Lastly the centerpiece could be the first thing people notice as they approach your table. Flowers are always amazing and make a table feel fresh and alive but it doesn't need to stop there. You could fill glass containers with candy or anything depending on your theme. Instead of one centerpiece use several but scattered.  Anything goes when it comes to the center of the table.

Lastly, use what you have!  I’ve done place settings with vintage Hardy boys books under each plate so that the dinner party can take a fun turn when everyone reveals what mystery book they have.  I’ve set the table and used house numbers placed at the center of each plate instead of place card settings.  I’ve also used different antique brass figurines placed at the top of each plate setting to add an interesting touch to each plate.

Whether it’s your kitchen table, your dining room table or a tray table, setting the space can be just as important as the meal.

“After all, the way a table is set contributes to the ambience of a meal as much as the food and wine” - Martha Stewart.   

Repurpose, recycle, re-use and now REBAG. The world of consignment has changed over the last few years.  Where once there were few now there are many. Even more than that, they've upped their game.

Rebag has locations across NYC as well as California and Florida and their shops are filled with Hermes, Chanel, Alexander McQween - you name it.  Condition and authentication is everything which is why each of their bags comes with the paperwork to prove it's the real deal.

It's a concept that makes sense. Clients on the forefront of fashion now have a better way and higher standards as far as dings and dents go so buying someone else's well loved hand bag is a brand new experience. With an amazing selection and instant gratification for the buyer and seller, this shopping experience provides the high end hand bag market with stiff competition.

We went to Rebag at their SoHo location at 390 W. Broadway. True to a luxury hand bag buying experience, Laura and Gabby personally walked us through the process without pressure but to educate us and give us the personal attention you would get with any high end experience. Their knowledge on the handbag industry as a whole and their knowledge on each brand was actually amazing.  It was a true boutique shopping experience with personal attention but also exceptional products to back it up. The Hermes Constance Bag Box, the Birkin bags, the Stella McCartney Falabella Fold Over Crossbody in Vegan leather, the Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag limited edition Jeff Koons Da Vinci print. It goes on and on if you search their website. Rebag is so worth the trip but if you cannot get to one of their shops their online selection is vast and moves quickly. I personally made a purchase and will for sure be back.

If sneakers are what you covet but you can't afford those Yeezys then welcome to Urban Necessities. With two locations, Las Vegas and New York (at 599 Broadway) their expansive collection of sneakers shows that the second hand market is alive and thriving.  Condition is everything - those Adidas Pharrell x NMD 'Human Race' Noble Ink sneakers might be high end but if they're covered in scratches and holes you're not buying and the sneaker market is everything right now.

Urban Necessities also uses the latest technology to make the buying experience easy.  Choose the sneaker, use your phone to hover over the bar code and a link immediately pops up to guide you to the details, price and other pertinent facts about the sneaker you love.  Even if you're technically challenged you can figure this out.  In a market where customers who love their sneakers can never have enough it makes sense to jump into the second hand market. Adding the technology to the shopping experience just kicks it over the goal post as far as making this an easy shopping experience. 

Whether it's hand bags or sneakers the vetting process is strict and for these luxury items it should be.  You're still paying a premium but not what you would have paid in the luxury department store which allows you to keep up with the trends at a better price point.  With both of these experiences, the hand bags and sneakers are laid out like candy with walls of color for consumption.  

As someone who shops other peoples goods for a living it's great to see this at the high end level as well.  I'm still not afraid to dig through a second hand store like the Buffalo Exchange (Their Chelsea location) to find myself a Gucci belt (with lots of ware) but this ups the game and I'm all in.

I've always loved vintage fashion and it's never been more on display than it was at the Brimfield Antique Show this September.

Every year that I exhibit and shop there seems to be a resounding theme. One year it was rocking horses, another year it was tobacco wraps, and this year it was vintage clothing.  If you're new to the vintage clothing game you might think "yikes! Moths and other peoples clothing." and yes, there's that.  On the other hand it's a time capsule of history.  A wool blazer with a perfectly matching wool skirt and large round glasses, very Jackie O. A mustard yellow dress that is part turtleneck and part plaid skirt but all one piece, very Brady Bunch but just as fantastic. Finding a vintage Valentino wool coat (as I did this summer) that completely translates into my current wardrobe or even a polyester jump suit from the 60" that may not translate but you can appreciate that it has survived this long is part of the fun.  

I love hats and appreciate that a milliner hand created this piece of fashion.  I luckily came across an estate clean out a few months ago where the owner of the home had been a manager at Filenes Department store from the 50's on.  It was like being in a time capsule with vintage clothing from Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Saks and brands with yellowed labels like Jean Barthet New York.  It was a fascinating walk through time but the hats were what drew me in.  All that work to create something so beautiful and my fear that they would get tossed led me to the purchase of six hats.

The vintage clothing market is vast but it's a fun place to get lost in.  If you're looking for some places to shop. Here are a couple of shops that are clean, well-curated and have lot's of great pieces. 

Bitsky Vintage & Upcycled Goods @bitskyvintageupcycle  She is out of Sturbridge, Mass. and has an incredible collection of vintage bags and hats as well as clothing.

Vintage in Vogue. This shop has two locations: Orleans and Provincetown, Mass. and has an incredible collection of truly authentic vintage goods.  She is an expert at curating pieces up through 1970. Stepping into this shop is a fun time-travel experience. Along with the clothing there is a large selection of vintage wedding dresses if you're in the market.