What Collections Do You Have that Put a Smile on Your Face?

Every now and then while doing my Sunday flea market visit, I am reminded of my childhood and the events that took place in the life of our family largely due to the interesting objects I spot on the table of the vendors there.  I have fond memories of my days as a youngster staying at my grandmother's house and once in a while as I walk between the many booths I get a memory inducing whiff of something from days gone by. It might be that the banana bread vendor has just set out another fresh baked loaf.  It may be the dusty musty fragrance of the woman who sells vintage fabrics, pillows and drapery. 


Wonderful vintage linens...a must have for remembering
time in grandma's kitchen or closet.

 Or, on another front, I may spot an old night table lamp ...a pink crystal base and flowery lampshade in a dusty mauve color that looks exactly like the one grandma had next to her bed. 

These small crystal lamps were a very popular
nightstand item...and still are!

I don't know about you but I like to have these wonderful things surrounding me.  If I see an old book at a flea market for sale,  I open it up and there between the many pages I get a sense of the history of the person who it belonged to.  It makes me smile to read old poetry or a classic novel that is threadbare after years of use and enjoyment. 

A lovely vintage
perfume bottle

Sometimes I will spot a perfume bottle with just a touch of the remains of leftover White Shoulders inside of it and I find myself transported back to first grade and my teacher Mrs. DeReamer...she wore this perfume and I see myself standing beside her and sensing that beautiful perfume hanging in the air.

Some people say that the things we love to have around us are junk and sometimes that can be the case as in the various examples of hoarding lifestyle I have seen on television.  However, I am not one to hoard, ...I keep, take care of and maintain a glorious collection of history..my history in my closets.  If I see something that makes me smile to look at it because of the memories I get touching it and sharing it with others, then I want that thing with me.  I do keep the number of items I decide to have in check though. I know that no one can have everything and when I go who, after all, will even begin to appreciate these things?  I have seen people who pass and their families feeling more or less saddled with the baggage of their loved ones and induced to just either donate it or put it on the curb.  I shudder to think of that happening with my things, but it is a strong possibility so I try to be prudent about adding to my collection.



I collect Buzza prints because
they are charming and small.



Some of the things I love most are vintage botanical and flower prints, Buzza prints, small crystal animals, vintage vanity powder containers, small crystal vases and china (which you learned about in my first few blog posts).  I also collect unusual or strikingly beautiful cake plates and have several sets of sterling silver plated flatware which, one day, I hope to use daily in my own house to serve a group of my girlfriends for an afternoon tea ala Victoria magazine style.

These beautiful cake plates should not be saved
for just special occasions..if you are serving
cake, then the event is special!

 It takes more these days to make us smile, feel glad and grateful, and to give us a happy feeling.  Sometimes it takes more than another person that loves you to do it. Sometimes it takes surrounding yourself with the beautiful vintage things that you have thoughtfully collected over the years.  Be certain of your ability to house these things,  catalogue them, talk about and show them to your loved ones and find out who will be a good steward of your things when you pass.  You will find that our time on earth once you hit the half century mark is ticking away and being happy with your existence and your every day is more important than you know and the one thing you can insure that you have. Don't let anyone take it away from you!

I collect and have several of these Swarovski crystal figurines.  They are great conversation starters and
so pretty to look at!  The trick, however, is to know when to quit collecting one item and move
on to another or suspend collecting for a while.