What's New This Week?

Dwell Studio Table Linens and these adorable bird napking rings

White Glass Pulls to add to our collection of hardware

Several new pieces of Primitive Furniture with their orginal wonderful crackled finish

Cabinet already Sold
Set of Four White Chairs SOLD

SOLD

I spent all day last Sunday paiting 5 pieces of Vintage French Provencial Furnuiture in all different styles. We have a pair of these dark gray nightstands.

SOLD

This chest is the sofest shade of french blue with an aged wash

Another wonderful serpentine chest

We also got in several more vintage evening dresses. This one SOLD as soon as I put it out.

The Swanky Girls

We had so much fun doing this photo shoot for an ad we currently have running. I wanted to share it with you and we have many more photos that will soon debut on our COMPLETED website currently in the making. Beverly, Debi, Amy J., Rebekah and Me shown with a view of our building.

2009 Vintage Style Show

Thanks again for everyone coming out to the 2009 Vintage Style Show ~ Somewhere in Time. This was the largest one yet and was a huge success. Hopefully these photos will entice the rest of you to try and make it out next year. The talk is on for a a show hosted by Bloom & Bee Swanky in the Spring here in Waco. I can't wait. We had over 80 dresses and it was hard to pick a sampling to share with you. These photos were generously taken by Randy Glover and all proceeds benefit the Historic Palace Theatre in Marlin Texas.

The above photo and next several is of our Very Own Shop Girl, Miss Rebekah. The camera loved her. Mind you, each model was only on stage about 30 -45 seconds and there really was no "posing time". She is such a natural True Beauty both inside and out and it has been such a joy to have her join our staff.

The dresses were amazing and the accessories even better though hard to see in the photos. This year we showed some of the prettiest hats and gloves I have ever seen! Enjoy!!!

I will now let the photos do the talking...

In a future post I will share with you some of the highlights of Vintage Style Show Photos of Year's Past. If you like what you see, please leave me a comment and tell me what other things you want me to feature.

What's New This Week?

Tall Queen Anne Vintage Writing Desk with Pigeon Holes and tons of storage (Shown far Left)

We got these in a couple of weeks ago and can't seem to keep them in stock. Our favorite, Milk Lip Balm, now comes in a stick. It has SPF15 and truly relieves chapped, cracked and wind burned lips. We're all hooked.

Our Mixed Media Department has gotten a few newly restocked vintage ephemeras including these skeleton keys...

these wonderful vintage coat check numbered 2 part tickets...


these vintage typewriter keys...

and these Vintage French and English Vocabulary Cards plus much more

SOLD
Vintage Rolling Drink Cart with Glass Shelves ~ Great for the Hollywood Glam Look

SOLD

Shop Girl Amy J. has been at it again.

A while back I saw the most fabulous dress made from tissue paper attached to a wire dress form on the Curious Sofa Blog (I can't seem to find it now - but know it is located there somewhere on one of my favorite reads). Just recently I saw another eye opener paper dress made from phone book pages on the Kazashop Blog. Here is our version. Thanks for the inspiration ladies! This antique wire dress form was dug out from the attic from a very old home on Austin Ave. here in Waco. It is not a reproduction though is in near mint condition. I gave Amy J. a stack of our recycled tissue paper from our cash wrap and sent her home with very minimal instructions. I couldn't believe my eyes with what she created and YES it is for SALE!!!

Come Join us For Tax Free Shopping this Weekend!

Texas Shoppers get a break from state and local sales Texas this Weekend (Aug. 21-23). All of our Barkologly Tees (which are now 50%) off, and our chic office supplies (all journals, bird legal pads, decorative folders, etc.) are tax exempt. This year lunch boxes also qualify.

The days for boring brown bagging are over! You can now carry your lunch with style and sophistication with these insulated fashion lunch boxes. We have several styles available and they are perfect for those of us always on the go. They have separate pockets for the necessary keys, lipsticks and cell phones and a unique design that keeps your snacks and water bottles cold.

August Third Thursday Event

Tonight is Waco's August Third Thursday Event. Shop or dine anywhere in Downtown today, then take your receipt to the Hippodrome Box Office for 2 free tickets to tonight's showing of Alfred's Hitchcock's VERTIGO. This is an amazing experience to view Hitchcock on the large screen in an Old theatre - the way is was meant to bee viewed! We will not be open late tonight - Sorry! As you can tell our shop as been really picked over (thank you loyal customers). Bev and I are traveling down the road to get a load of furniture to restock with. Check back with us soon and hopefully you will bee able to attend the FREE movie in downtown tonight proudly presented by the Waco Downtown Merchants Association and the Waco Performing Arts Company!

Wowzers

I came in today, on one of the few Saturdays I have off, and found this. Amy J. has the job of keeping the mannequins dressed and she amazed me today with this creative display. You are actually viewing the back of her "dress" made from vintage gloves and old crochet.

Another creative and very simple display idea ... made by Debi ... a candle holder made from an old spool of string surround by an old BED SPRING. LOVE IT!!!

Party Review from the "254"

Our Open House ~ Hand Made in the 254 ~ was held last weekend and I want to thank everyone who came out. We had people drive in from all parts of the state to visit us and I was shocked at the turnout and support for this Indie Girl Shop. I was so busy behind the cash wrap most of the weekend trying to soak it all in and forgot to get my camera out but for only a couple of shots. Luckily Gina stopped by and took a few for me. Below is only a few of our very special customers who have all become friends and bits and pieces of some of our new vignettes.

Dolly, my second mother, I dedicate this Blog to you...

Pat Moss - left and Dolly Dameron -right

Dolly is the founder of Shabby Tiques which is where I got my start that lead me into running the formal ShabbyTiques.com . I can't even begin to explain the influence and friendship she has given me over these last 9 years. Without her there would bee NO Bloom & Bee Swanky! She is truly the most beautiful person I know inside and out and she has taught me everything I know about this odd business of vintage retail.

Mary Boyd - Left Mrs. Becki - Right ~ A future post on this lady to come

I am blessed to have finally found the perfect Shop Girl

Amy J.

Golden Keyes Parsons, Book Signing

She SOLD OUT of books! - YEAH!

Paper Wings Designs Artists Jessica and Mary during their Trunk Show! If you didn't get a chance to stop by during the Open House, we will continue to have their art for Sale. You need to come see what New Birds have flown in!

Future Excited Bee Swanky Shopper in Training at our Cash Wrap!

Rebekah, our Newest lovely Shop Girl (shown far right) showing a group of girls our selection of Vintage Belgium Lace Draperies!
Rebekah is superior in Customer Service.

Summer Ellis showing a customer a custom piece of jewelry made just for her!

Debi Pick, Our Staff Merchandiser popped in on Saturday Morning to help me twirl the displays again after so much furniture went out the door on Friday. This is one talented lady who I owe many creative displays to and she never seases to amaze me. After a Junkin Trip, I unload my truck with whatever I happen upon, a hodge podge of stuff really, no thought process or plan. In no time, she makes it look like a million dollars. So my secret is OUT! She can do the same for your home too - Call us for details.

Our Famous Soap Maker, Daniel Benes, soon to bee world renowned on a future reality TV Show in the making.

Cathy Hill - left and Glass Artist Kim Whitney - Right. Sorry Kim for the blurriness!

Baylor Students, Come One Come All

We have those one-of-a-kind Finds for your dorms and apartments!

I leave you with a shot of Beverly (Mrs. Becki in the background ). I suppose you would call Beverly my manager (without the manager pay). She does everything for me including cleaning, making sure my bills are paid on time, helping with the shop girls, filing, following up with customers and vendors, you name it.... I couldn't run this shop without her. There is never a day that goes by that we don't talk on the phone at least three times. Her husband is always saying, "I didn't know we had a red headed daughter". She is also one of my best friends and I value her guidance as she always helps me through the hard times. She hates having her photo taken, so you have to bee very sneaky. This is how she looks all the time - always laughing and never without a smile on her face. Bev- Here's to many more Junkin Trips down the Road!