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Monday, January 20, 2014

The Gypsies do Mount Dora

If you're not familiar with Renninger's Antique Extravaganza in Mount Dora, Florida, you should be!  You can find whatever antique treasures you seek at bargain prices.  The Extravaganza occurs three times a year and covers 117 acres with 800 vendors from all over the country.
Dealers usually go on Friday to load up on the wonderful deals, while the general public shows up on Saturday and Sunday.  Don't tell anybody, but you can sneak in on Friday too if you pay the slightly higher admission price. 
       We always visit our friend, Irv, who has the best watch parts stock you've ever seen!  See that's Irv next door with a couple of really cute puppies. (Anne needs to take pictures of every dog we bump into when we're about. It's really quite time consuming.) You will find many of Irv's treasures in our Gilded Gypsy jewelry!
This year, we found Sandy and Bob whose booth was brimming over with fabulous Victorian buttons. They even had a bowl of sterling silver thimbles featured in one of Martha Stewart's magazines.  All we could offer was a photo spot in our blog...which really isn't a photo spot of them, but rather one of me looking through their buttons.
     One of the lessons we've learned through the years is that antique vendors give better deals to customers who are charming and friendly.  Needless to say, we've scored many times (notice the halo over my head).  It pays to be pleasant and appreciative. 

Be sure to take cash because most vendors give a better deal that way.  Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking all day.  Many folks bring their "granny carts" with wheels or their Red Flyer wagons to transport their purchases.

  The carnival food smells are quite tempting...yes, we gave into the urge dining on some delicious fajitas.  Be sure to sample the glazed nuts.  (Yeah, we had some of those, too.  Anne wanted to share, but I said no, that I wanted my own bag. I think she said I was selfish.)

If there is something unique you seek, surely you will find it at the Extravaganza.  The trip invariably yields items we've never seen before, almost like visiting a museum! We come home exhausted but elated every time! Check out www.Renningers.com for dates of future Antique Extravaganzas. Maybe we'll see you there!


                                                                 ~Marie and Anne~


P.S. (I made Anne take my picture with these cute gnomes
even though she rolled her eyes.)




  


Friday, January 17, 2014

Whose Shoes?!



“A lifelong friendship can be ignited by a spark felt at that moment of instant recognition.  You recognize your complimentary opposite, yet feel the kindred spirit of a shared sameness.”  ~The Gilded Gypsies

Marie and I have been lucky enough to be best friends for 42 years.  Over the years we have become two volumes of the same book. We have retained very different personalities and styles, yet we share a history.  A lasting friendship is like a marriage of sorts. Each person has to be different in complimentary ways, yet similar enough to wear well.  Extroverts are attracted to introverts because both parties can’t share the stage at once. Examples of classic friendships include Lucy and Ethel or Oscar and Felix.  


Take a look at these pictures.




We feel these epitomize the polar opposite aspects of our personalities. Guess who’s Lucy and guess who’s Ethel. One is flashy and creative whereas the other is steady and reliable. No really, guess! Who’s who among The Gilded Gypsies? 

Marie likes to think she’s the creative genius behind this operation, whereas I am really the glue holding the entire project together, i.e. “Head Gypsy.” In fact she’s shouting in the background right now that she is INDEED the principle player! “Okay, Marie you win, you’re more important.”  Oh but we jest. Truly we are the best of friends and this project wouldn’t exist without both of us. 


Tell us about that friend that brings out the best in you.  ~Anne

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Anne and I are headed to Renninger's Antique Extravaganza in Mount Dora, Florida on Saturday!  800 vendors on 117 acres. Woohoo! We'll share our fun soon!  Stay tuned!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Shhhhhh. Whisper.


Sometimes I have to be reminded that life can
be quiet, because frankly most of the time I am terribly busy living life out loud. There is a certain beauty in simplicity. Therefore with that in mind I created some quiet necklaces like the quiet earrings that Anne created.  Be quiet, Marie.


The best things in life are nearest:  Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you.  Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson