I am still thinking about the one that got away yesterday. It was a beautiful, real wood "gentleman's bureau", huge with big, deep drawers and chunky doors on a roomy cupboard. The thing was too massive to get into my Xtrail and I would have had to rent a truck ASAP to get it out of there...and then what? Wrestle it into the shoebox/condo until such time as I had proper room in which to use it? No, it was entirely impractical but, still, it was gorgeous and at only $400 it was an absolute steal...for someone else.
One has to anticipate a certain amount of jostling at this show. Charlene Close, my decor diva soulmate, and I pointed our elbows out and dove into the fray. No one likes getting shoved around and butted in front of but that's just the way it is. If you can't take an hour or so of it, then stay away! You'll only end up in tears or in jail!
And there's little sense in even going unless you're there first thing. We were third and fourth in line when the doors opened yesterday morning and when they did, it was like a swarm of starving birds filled the building and started picking at the precious carcasses. Money started changing hands and stuff started getting carted out, almost right away. I bought a heart-warming wall plaque for $15 bucks (regular $40!) and the must-have item of the show: A trendy and sturdy canvas shopping bag. Charlene picked up a few items and I got a couple of other little doodads. Now that I've been to France, I could authenticate a number of things for sale in the "Provence" boutique, like metal door knockers in the shape of a hand. Some were actual items I had seen in use in Provence, and nowhere else I've been. Other high end stores sold off excess inventory at stupid-low prices and that's what it's all about.
The show is good for the soul and I don't tend to talk or write about it before it happens, lest even more decor nuts show up and crowd the joint. But I will suggest to Kimberley that she give some thought about those size 10 jeans. A little breathing room would be much appreciated and perhaps even inspire some of us to spend even more.