ANTIQUE SHOPPING AT THE ORANGE CIRCLE

Today I felt like getting out of the house and walking around a little bit. So I thought "what better place then the Orange Circle".

I got in my car and drove to downtown Orange, CA. I found a great parking place and off I went.
It's called the Orange Circle because it's in Orange and there is an intersection that actually forms a circle. Here is a picture of it. Sorry it's not so great but it was a quick drive by.

In the middle of the circle you will find a pretty water fountain and benches where you can sit and people watch or rest up before you tackle another street of shopping.

It has that old town feel to it. There are lots of antique shops and little eating places for blocks.

This happens to be one of my favorite antique stores. So, let's go see what they have inside. Come on!

Ooh! Look at this space has tons of vintage linens. Don't you just love the pretty fabrics they had back in the "good old days".

Some spaces are prettier then others. At least I think so!

Hey, look over here! There are tons of pretty lamps. Do you need or should I say WANT one? There are tons to pick from in this space.

What the heck! Why is there a chicken in here? Oh wait, it's stuffed. But still! Who would want a real stuffed chicken? I'm sure someone will.

There are vintage toys...if you are looking for those.

Another pretty space with painted white furniture and pretty crystal chandeliers.

I think this spot is my favorite spot. I could kick myself for not buying that pink pottery. I had it in my hands and then talked myself out of it. I should know better!

This ladies space always gets my attention. It is full of vintage Christmas items. She used to have a lot of vintage Halloween items too but now she is down to only a little cabinet full.

There is something about old wooden windows that I just love.

Depression glass in every color. I love it!

Another space I love has vintage kitchen items. Again, kicking myself for not buying the little pink refrigerator bowls.

More pretty linen.

I could spend hours going from shop to shop. I get lost in daydreams about what times were like.....back then.

I wasn't in a spending mood. WHAT! I must go to the Dr. I think I'm sick or something. OK, I did buy a few tiny things, but not much.

So, do you want to know what I ended up with?

This tiny little rose tin. Don't ask me why. I just thought it was so cute and I'll find something to put in it for my office. It was only $1.75 so I went ahead and got it.

I also found this cute little vintage hankie. I'm collecting blue and pink ones for my bedroom. I want to do a vintage hankie hanging like Cindy, over at Romantic Home, in her room.

This was only $2.00 as it was marked 1/2 off.

I saw this cute 1919 book. It was the blue cover that caught my eye. I've been looking for some blue vintage books to use as props in my bedroom. I opened it up and started to read it. It seems pretty good. I'm going to read it before I use it.

For $4.00 I couldn't pass it up. I'll not only get to read the story but I'll have a great decorating look in my room.

Looks like this little saucer was lonely without the cup that must have gotten broke. It was sitting there all alone. So I picked it up. It was only $1.00. SOLD! It will go with my other plates on the wall in my bedroom.

My favorite thing I got was this vintage lace runner. Another 1/2 off item and only $4.00.

There were lots of spaces that had 1/2 off. Now I'm one who always loves a good sale but today I was a bit sad by all the sales. Why, you ask?

Well, I asked the cashier why so many people were having 50% off in their spaces and she said most of them were closing down. With times being tight now most people just weren't making any money at the antique stores any longer.

How sad! I hope things pick up soon. To me, there is nothing like being able to walk around and look at all the pretty things in person. EBay is nice, but it's not the same.

Well, that's it for today. Hope you had fun walking around with me. Did you see anything you liked?

*** UPDATED: Not all the photos are from the Country Road Antiques. I did go to other shops. In fact, all the things I bought were at a different shop. The 50% sale items were NOT at Country Road Antiques but at the other shops I went to. It seems Country Road Antiques is doing very well. I don't recall seeing many sales in there at all. I should have made that more clear in my post.

Also, if you have not signed up for my giveaway yet, please do so if you are interested. Just scroll down to the post or click on the link to the right of my blog.

Hugs,
Joanne

COTTAGE OFFICE SUPPLIES

Yesterday I opened my door, after the mailman had come, and found several boxes sitting there waiting for me. My eyes popped open and I quickly took the boxes inside and began to open them. It was like I was a kid at Christmas!

Here is what I got: I've been gathering things for my office makeover. I just love all these pretty pink cottage office supplies.

This sign is PERFECT! I can't wait to hang it up. Don't you think it's darling?
This little pink container is going to hold rubber bands. The pink is such a soft romantic color.
There is this sweet light switch plate cover. The lovely roses will be the first peek at what will await you as you walk in.
I couldn't pass up this hand painted stapler. I've never seen anything like it before and it was love at first sight.

I also got these cute little pictures to hang or prop up.
This little cherub on a bike with tires made out of roses is just to cute for words.
This dainty basket of roses with a ribbon hanger is just waiting for me to find the right place to display it.

I'm almost done gathering things and I am about ready to take the desk outside and paint it as well as putting some beautiful appliques on it.

Then I will pull the whole office together and show you all the before and after pictures. I think you will be surprised at how different it will look.

Hugs to all of you!

Joanne