Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

June is the most popular month for weddings. A tradition that was started by the Romans choosing to marry in the month of June to honor Juno, the ancient Roman goddess of marriage.
Just recently, I attended the wedding of a dear family friend. When it came time to buy the wedding gift, I struggled with the tradition of purchasing a gift from the bridal registry. Eliminating the guesswork of what to buy the newlyweds, every bride registers for exactly what she wants or needs.
So what is my dilemma? As I scanned the registry I found many nice gifts, but I knew that back in the antique store I could purchase a similar gift with higher quality and a better price.

Antique stores are the perfect place to find sets of china, silverware, fine linens, crystal, and stemware. I have sold many exceptional sets of china for the price of one place setting from a department store. In addition, I have yet to find linen from a department store that matches the quality of antique linens. The next time you are invited to a bridal shower or June wedding, consider buying a gift from an antique store. I guarantee you will find the perfect wedding present.

I would like to share with you the "perfect" wedding present I found at the
Elk Rapids Antique Warehouse for my friends wedding.



Of course when I found these Tiffany Crystal Candlesticks, I wanted them for myself. I exercised great restraint , knowing the Bride to Be would love them. I added a pair of taper candles from a local candle store, my favorite dinner recipe and the following sentiment on nice card stock all wrapped up in the original tattered Tiffany blue box.

Something Old
-A pair of Tiffany Crystal Candlesticks from an Antique Shop
Something New
-A pair of beeswax taper candles
Something Borrowed
-A favorite recipe for a candlelit dinner
Something Blue
-A woman’s favorite, “Tiffany Blue”

I am happy to tell you the wedding present was a favorite of the newlyweds.

An Elk Rapids High Tea

I had the pleasure once again to design a table for the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention. As a table designer you create a table design and provide the table settings for 8 guests.

The Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization with a mission to: "provide awareness and education, eligibility screening and initial medical testing for breast cancer. The primary focus will be to assist all individuals living within Antrim County, Michigan who are not otherwise covered by public or private medical programs and whose personal financial capability would discourage preventative testing.”
ACHT began simply driven by two local women who wanted to make a difference in their community. Today they are supported by over 550 individuals and more than 200 local businesses.

Please take a look at the table I designed.



The table setting is a fine bone china from England. The pattern is
"American Beauty" by Royal Albert. This beautiful china was loaned to Antique Living by Carl and Rose Hatfield of Potbelly Antiques. I had the pleasure of choosing a set of china from Carl and Rose's personal collection of 35 sets of china . If you are ever in Grayling, MI stop in and see their Antique Shop,
Potbelly Antiques
4729 N. Down River Road
Call ahead for hours 517-348-8578.

The green depression water glasses are the Colonial Block pattern by the
Hazel Atlas Co. 1934-1937. The glasses were loaned to Antique Living from the personal collection of Marilyn Dork of Miss Marilyn Antiques. Stop by the
Elk Rapids Antique Warehouse to see her charming antique booth.

Many Thanks to both of you for helping me to support the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention.

2nd Saturdays Outdoor Antique Market

I am excited to announce the first Antique Living show. Please join us on 2nd Saturdays this summer for an Outdoor Antique Market at the Elk Rapids Antique Warehouse. Antiques, Vintage Finds and Unique Treasures are waiting for you to discover.

Long Lost Lilacs

When your in the Antique business, there is always something you wish you would have kept for yourself. As the lilacs begin to bloom in Northern Michigan, I am gently reminded of the lovely lilac dishes are parted with last year. I can only imagine the new owners delight, as she sets her table this spring with the lovely lilac dishes.

Take a look at the pictures. I think you would agree.

Pussy Willow's

I just love pussy willow. I had to share with you these fun pussy willow dishes from W. S. George circa 1954. The W. S. George Pottery Company was a United States pottery manufacturer with facilities in Ohio and Pennsylvania between 1904 and 1960.






From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pussy willow is a name given to many of the smaller species of the genus Salix (willows and sallows) when their furry catkins are young in early spring. These species include (among many others):

•Goat willow or goat sallow (Salix caprea), a small tree native to northern Europe and northwest Asia.

•Grey willow or grey sallow (Salix cinerea), a small tree native to northern Europe.

•American pussy willow (Salix discolor), native to northern North America.

Before the male catkins of these species come into full flower they are covered in fine, greyish fur, leading to a fancied likeness to tiny cats, also known as "pussies". The catkins appear long before the leaves, and are one of the earliest signs of spring. At other times of year trees of most of these species are usually known by their ordinary names.

Did you know in The Sound of Music when Maria asks Marta what one of her favorite things are, she replies "pussy willow" (during the song "My Favorite Things") ?

My "Deer" it's finally spring.

A sure sign that the long Northern Michigan winter is finally ending is when the deer come out of the woods and into the open fields to graze upon the grass covered in snow for many months.


This was my inspiration for this centerpiece. I created this as a celebration of the new spring season using the following items.

The base for the centerpiece is a found piece of driftwood.
(I use this all the time and change with the seasons.)

The faux birch bark candle is from Target.

Deer moss for the forest floor,available at any craft store.

Several collected rocks from my daughters.

And a charming family of vintage celluloid deer I acquired from an antique auction.

Happy Easter from Antique Living

Just wanted to share with you some of my favorite Vintage Easter finds from the Elk Rapids Antique Warehouse.


A rusty iron basket with a folk art chick and a lovely Easter egg candy container from Western Germany.




A couple of charming Egg Cups.