My adventures at the Antique & Textiles Show at Pickwick Gardens

First and foremost, I did not bring my camera after all. But mostly because I knew I wanted to get lost in the world of vintage and lugging around a big clunky camera was not in my plans for this little magical trip.

So, off I drove to Burbank, stopping to get a latte and croissant along the way. I arrive and I'm immediately smitten! I can feel the energy around me as other woman "coo" and "ahh" over vintage dresses and costume jewelry. At last! A place where like minded girls are all under one roof and can relish in all of these pretty little things. Sometimes I feel like such a big nerd when I find a pretty vintage dress in a shop, I run my fingers through the fabric and hold it against me imagining the stories behind the garment. La! La! La! I'm so pretty!

There are two big rooms, one on the right and one on the left. Both rooms have vintage clothes, accessories, and textiles (linens, aprons, blankets). I go into the right room first. Lace blouses and pretty floral prints and billowy chiffon dresses all catch my attention first. 15 minutes of being inside and I've already asked three different booths to put something on hold for me.

I must not be impulsive! I will practice control!

I am not there for jewelry or handbags. So, I don't look through any of the booths that have them. But trust me, there are PLENTY to choose from varying in price ranges from "nearly broke college student" to "thank God my husband is with me and he's footing the bill" (haha!)

I feel like a hummingbird flitting from booth to booth. Oh! Oh! a green velvet hat from the 1940s, oh it looks so perfect against my dark hair! Oh, it's $100! (sad face). Oh my God! Oh my God! It's a vintage Versace! Someone else grabs for it. No! No! I saw it first! The dark navy chiffon and silk rustle past me in a blur. (another sad face) Ooo what is this grey 1950s day dress with the big lace collar? That would look so great with black tights and mary-janes. Oh, no! What?! You don't take Visa? Arg!

Many of the booths take credit cards if their prices are higher. Almost all the booths I went to that had reasonable prices only took cash or check. Lesson learned. Bring your checkbook!

I'm inexperienced at these things. I hear other women haggle for prices. I'm not brave enough to do it. But, if you're good at that sort of thing, go for it. Bargains are to be had here!

Hey, who's that? She looks familiar. I know her from somewhere. Keep walking, walking. Oh, look at all of these gorgeous Victorian dresses! So much lace! Eggshell, cream, beige, cafe au lait colors... I am swooning! There's that girl again, and that other girl, and that other girl.

Oh! It's Tennessee Thomas. And the other girls from "The Like" except I don't realize this until much later. And I recognize Tennessee from theFashionspot forums, but I'm shy when it comes to strangers so I don't say anything. I notice her colorful 70s mini dress and mirrored novelty 1950s straw bag.

After a couple hours, I am hungry and know I might lose control if I stay longer. I pick up business cards, introduce myself, enquire about an AMAZING AMAZING 1930s cornflower blue silk dress cut on the bias with a gored skirt and capelet and I want to cry because I can't buy it (it's $345 and I have no need for a formal gown) but somehow or other this dress and I are meant to be together. It's DESTINY!

I leave clutching three paper bags in my hands. I am floating. I have three new treasures to add to my closet. HOORAH! HOORAH! What a great day it has been!

And if you've read through this lengthy post... here are my new treasures!

(See, I practiced restraint ^_^, only three things!)