Come See us this week at Deck the Halls in Waco!

Deck the Halls is an annual Holiday Gift Market Event benefiting the causes of the Jr. League of Waco. There are tons of vendors showing an assortment of wares in every category imaginable for hours of shopping fun! We will bee set up at a booth near the entrance. Look for our new Vintage Pendant Banners hanging above. Please stop by and say Hi! We will bee bringing tons of vintage inspired items for your gift giving needs.

In the Waco Convention Center

November 4 - 7

Click here for more info

Our store will bee closed Tuesday Nov 10 thru Thursday Nov 12 as we prepare for our Holiday Open House! Our Preview Party begins Thursday at 5:00 PM. We have tons of surprises in store you won't want to miss. Check back next week for more info on this event along with photo updates from our Jr. League Booth!

What's New this week & Homestead Antique Show Photos from Hico!

I was not on my game with photo taking. By the time I even remembered to get my camera out the booth had already been picked over. I am not a photographer and when ever Gina is not by my side you won't get quality photos. However, as promised here are a few shots of our booth. To see more photos, please Click here to read Theresa's blog.

Wonderful old galvanized bathtub with oak trim and Pig hoofed feet

At the entrance, we placed a branch in the center of an old patio table (where the umbrella would go) and simply hung "glittery" snowflakes and ferns all over it. It sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

Furniture made from vintage wine barrels and a wonderful matching set of old luggage

I didn't get to photograph all of our new bedding. Please stop by the store to see what we have gotten in NEW! It never displays properly as our bedding is queen on Antique Full Size Beds.

Tons of Vintage Ribbon piled up all $5.00 or less

Our Antique French Daybed has SOLD but we still have a few of these wonderful pillows made from Old French Grain Sacks complete with down inserts. Excuse the shadows and tent strap - I am not a photographer

Did you know that we custom make tables and other furniture out of reclaimed wood? We made both of these shown stacked here.

We piled up a gathering of old ironstone, pattern flowers, silver plate, old ledger books, sheet music, etc. in these over-sized large vintage chicken feeders on legs and sold every one of them. Who Knew?

A wonderful Antique Door with Wavy Glass - Vintage Basket full of Ostrich Eggs adorned with vintage men's shirt collars displayed on this Antique Rolling Cart

I wanted to Thank our gracious hosts Mike and Brenda James of Homestead who made this event super spectacular. I also enjoyed each and every other vendor and made some great new friends. I look forward to seeing you all again next year! I also was shocked by the support of our loyal Waco Customers who made the drive out to see us. Thank-you!

A few things New this Week...

There won't bee many more photo updates until after our Open House. You will just have to come in and see for yourself. We are busy bees getting ready for the Waco Jr. League Show followed by our Holiday Preview Party Nov. 12. Check back for more details soon!

We just got in another beautiful table (if I say so myself made by my incredibly talented husband) with a matching bench that has antique ball and claw feet. We can custom make you any table to any dimensions and style you desire. Call or stop by for details.

Reupholstered, Tufted, Ticking -Vintage Chair, Fabulous Collection of Lafco's Newest Candles that come from World Travels and a wonderful old crusty Locker

Remember we put out new things in the store each and every day and only share a sampling of them here on the blog!

Homestead Antique Fair in HICO, Texas

You won't bee hearing much of me while we get ready for this exciting event. I will post photos after the show, so please check back then!

Come One, Come All to Homestead's Tent Sale and Antique Fair in Hico, Texas

This Weekend October 23-25 10:00 - 5:30

Look for us in the Giant Circus tent adjacent to the Homestead Store in the architectural yard.

Particpaing dealers include - Bloom & Bee Swanky - Waco Texas, Bountiful - Ft. Worth, The Screen Door - Bluff Dale, Willownest - Burton, K Roberts - Fredericksburg, The Shabby "Y" - Ft. Worth, Sweetpea Collections - Athens, Sisters Secrets - Ft. Worth, Enterpise - Ft. Worth, Christie Nelson - Plano, Ranch Works - Hico, Colleen Irvin - Hico and I know a few more have since been added to the list.

If you have never been to Hico this is the perfect time to visit. You can make a day of it strolling along quaint shops and eating great food including Wiseman House Chocolates.

Bee Seeing You!

Item of the Week

Wine-A-Ritas

Not a Margarita, but a Wine-A-Rita

20% off this week

All you need is Ice, Wine and a Blender to make a delicious frozen beverage. Available in Wine Glace, Peach Bellini and now Cosmorita. For a non-alcoholic drink, mix with fruit juice. One package makes multiple pitchers full, perfect for your next party. Makes a wonderful hostess gift when given with a bottle of wine.

Item of the Week

TATINE PURE BEESWAX CANDLES

Starting Now and changing each week we will debut by Monday or Tuesday the Item of the Week. We will try to tell you detailed information about the product and it will vary from every department we offer. There will also bee a SALE attached.

This week Tatine Pure Beeswax Candles are 20% OFF! 100% Green, 100% from Nature

Artisanal Cathedral Style Candles are Handcrafted using pure beeswax and only 100% pure essential oils. The wax is derived from a totally natural process using no chemicals, and supports the beekeepers in the U.S. The packaging was created from 95% recycled materials and was printed with vegetable basked inks. Burn Time is 60 hours. Available in Citron Vert, Lavender Barreme, Orange Sanguine, Falling Snow, and Pumpkin. Rustique 100% Pure Beeswax Bistro Cubes Unscented for the table, Also Available. NOW 20% OFF

What's New this Week!

A few new vintage chandeliers, this one being all original. Check out those swans. The larger of the two is a vintage TV light but would make a beautiful nightlight.

We got in a HUGE and I mean HUGE assortment of vintage ties and scarves for you to shuffle through. At only $1.50 each you can purchase one for everyday of the week. I love seeing how all the girls are wearing these NOW and these wonderful vintage 1940's wing tip, sling back pumps are just waiting for their Cinderella to walk in and fit them.

Found an assortment of old cosmetics that just make me smile

New old alter style mirror (not sure where it came from or original purpose ~ but so awesome) and this tin display stand (SOLD) great for petifores or small treats at your next party

Lots of pristinely white painted vintage frames and these great old round mirrors...

A Rare Opprotunity!

HELP WANTED

We are looking to hire someone immediately for part time customer service. Hours needed are Tuesday thru Friday Mornings and occasional Saturdays - approx. 20 hours per week. Please e-mail Resume for consideration. For More Information contact me amy@Beeswanky.com

The Position has now been filled, but we may bee looking for more help in the near future. Please continue to send resumes to bee saved for future considerations.

Ms. T's Famous Blog Party

I am always so late getting news to you all, but I am on my way to Warrenton / Round Top of the BIG Texas Antique Fair and I wanted to let you know about Ms. T's Famous Blog Party!

First of all, this event is hosted by Theresa of Garden Antqs Vintage. You honestly can't go ANYWHERE here in Texas in the Antique World without people knowing who she is. I would call her the reporter of all things Vintage. She knows everyone and everyone knows her. If you want to know where the best places are to shop or what events are coming up you MUST follow her blog. I owe her much gratitude. She has covered Bloom & Bee Swanky on many postings and I have had many new customers and made new friends due to her wonderful reporting. We were blessed with her presence at last Fall's Open House and I am hoping to entice her to come set up with again sometime in the future.

A Blog Party is a party to bring all of us Bloggers who love old Junk as much as the next together. You never know who you might meet. Unfortunately, I missed the last event and died when I saw this photo. Here she is with Debbie of Curious Sofa and Elizabeth from Elizabeth House -my 2 all time favorite retailers who have been the most influence on Bloom & Bee Swanky. I have had the opportunity to meet with Debbie on a couple of occasions. She was kind enough to even meet with me personally for a couple of hours to talk shop while we were in Round Top. I can't say enough about how kind and generous she is. Before we opened the shop downtown, Bev and I headed all the way to KC just to shop her wonderful store and turned around and drove straight back. I know we are a little crazy, but that is how fabulous she Really IS! We were going to head over to St. Louis to see my other favorite designer Elizabeth, but sadly this was the week she was closing shop to move on to better things (read her blog and you'll learn why). I have never had the pleasure to meet her in person; hopefully one day. However, she did call me on the phone once and I thought I was going to DIE. This is how generous these 3 Super Stars Are. One of the reasons I continue to work so hard during these tough times is the people that you meet. Antiquers are quite honestly the nicest people you will ever come across and I hope you will get a chance to come to the Blog Party to find out for yourself.

At the last Blog Party Sue of JunkMarket held a Book Signing.

Here is our Very Own Susan Skinner in Line!

We are having a rocking good time!

This Year Stan Williams will be there signing his New Book The Find.

You won't want to miss it.

Tonight at 6:00 in front of Zapp Hall in Warrenton.

Bee Seeing you There!

While you are there head on over to our Waco's own Kettle Korn brought to you by Mark and Susan Skinner. They truly have the best snack food there. Careful it is quite addictive. Right behind their trailer they have a booth of some of the most fabulous finds you won't want to miss. They are located in Warrenton. Turn like you are going into the Diamond Shamrock and drive to the back parking lot. You can't miss it. Tell them Bee Swanky sent ya!

What's New this week?

Wonderful Old Medical Cabinet with Original Curved Front Glass Shelves

Our Newest Unexpected Finds
I could not capture the beauty of these... You Must See them in Person!
Cravings By Lisa Monore
Sold Exclusively with us here at Bloom & Bee Swanky
Real food items coated and fired with .999 Fine Silver on Sterling Chains
Shown here are a Milk Bone, Cracker Jack and 2 Fruit Loops
We have several others in the store including Fritos, Cheetos, Coco Puffs, Tic Tacs, Marshmallows and more...

SOLD

Set of Beautiful Brown and White Toile Dinnerware
34 Pieces of Vintage Mason's "Wetteau" for only $125.00
These cannot bee shipped.

The Dash

(photo courtesy of News 8 Austin)

The dash is a free shuttle that runs between Baylor University and Downtown Waco Monday through Friday and every Home Football Game. It will drop you off where ever you want on this route so take advantage of it and dine or shop in Downtown Waco during your next lunch brake. Why risk loosing your parking space when you can ride The Dash for FREE! Click here to watch the video that News 8 Austin covered including interviews with Leah from the Olive Branch and Yours Truly. You can also read it here!

The Dash runs all day right in front of Bloom & Bee Swanky. Bee Seeing You!

Where the Heck has Amy Been?

HERE ...


AND HERE!

I have been out of town the last week attending the Las Vegas World Market. I was thrilled to find some fantastic new finds to offer you for the holidays. As soon as I got back Beverly and I headed down the road to the famous Antique Alley for an afternoon Junkin Trip. We only had a few hours to make this trip but made a haul.

When we were unloading, Bev said, "It already looks like a booth" - so I grabbed my camera and took these snaps at only a few of the unexpected finds we found. We found a road side farm stand that grew these little perfectly round little pumpkins. Hurry in as we already have all of this out in the shop and many things have already sold!

SOLD

My favorite find of the day ... a framed 1905 cover of Ladies Home Journal Magazine.

Strange ~Women in Caps and Gowns carrying Pumpkins

I picked up tons of jewelry including stings of pearls, vintage sterling pieces, more Owls, cameos and much more. I love this antique pull out beveled shaving mirror.

As you stroll down the streets of Vegas, you past down multiple arrays of fountains. I leave you with a view of my husband making a wish in front of this one - I couldn't resist the bees!

What's New this Week?

We are now carrying the full line of Tokyo Milk. A new collection of divinely scented fragrances, soaps and lip balms. They feature unconventional combinations and edgy Victorian prints amp up the cool factor of every bottle. My favorite is Paper and Cotton with a blend of coriander, white sage, Birch wood and tundra moss.

Just IN... these wonderful monogrammed pendants from Grandmother's Buttons which are created with actual vintage uniform buttons from the early 20th century.

Everyday we are constantly bringing out new vintage smalls. I love this new porcelain crested French Sconce and this working Retro Make-up Mirror with bulbs going all the way around!

Central Texas Doll & Toy Show

This Weekend the Central Texas Doll Club is conducting their 28th Annual Show!

Saturday Sept 12, 2009

General Exhibit Building H.O.T. Fairgrounds

4601 Bosque Blvd. Waco, Texas

Open 10:00 - 4:00

Admission: Adults $5.00, Children $1.00 with ALL Proceeds benefiting TOYS FOR TOTS

Featured Above is our Very Own Becky Porter in her last year's booth!

Becky and Beverly

Even if you are not a lover of Antique Dolls, they have tons of unique Antique and Vintage Items. We are very fortunate to have such a nice event in Waco. Bee Seeing you There!

The above 2 photos are a sampling of just a few of the items Becky has for Sale here at Bloom Bee Swanky. If you see something you might bee interested in don't hesitate to call us (254) 753-2292 or email us and we will ship it to you anywhere.

bye bye Bertha

Brenda James owner of Homestead, stopped in and purchased Bertha. It was sad to see her go, but I know she will make lots of friends in her new home full of Texas Chic opulent displays. If you have never visited Homestead, RUN there. It is truly the most fabulous shop. My husband and I have made it a tradition to stop in there on our anniversary trips and some of my most favorite pieces in my home have come from there.

Mark Your Calendars

I will bee setting up at an Antique Fair hosted by Homestead in Hico - October 24-26. I have started saving back some special pieces to take there and I will post more details about this special event soon!

After the Croft Art Gallery Opening, I did a late night stroll by our shop. I love the way the words in our windows reflected on the store merchandise. I wanted to share this little piece of our magical world with you!

Croft Art Gallery

The Swanky Girls will bee out on the town Friday evening. We will first stop here for the Grand Opening Reception of the Croft Art Gallery featuring Joseph Drew. My newest dear friend Katie Croft owns the gallery and we are so excited and are anxiously anticipating this Downtown Waco event. We are then heading over to Peter and Summer Ellis' official send off party as they are leaving us to do mission work for the next three years in Africa. Don't worry, we will still bee offering her jewelry. Click here to see her new display in our shop. Finally, we are heading here for deserts. Hope to Bee Seeing you Downtown!