11 questions for me!

So, it almost feels like homework(but fun homework no one is grading me on!) and since it is Sunday, and I have procrastinated till now--I will complete the "Tag, You're it" request from Stephanie at Ruby Rose--one of my all time favorite shops full of inspiration and wonderful vintage finds just up the coast in San Luis Obispo.

Stephanie answered her 11 questions and here are the one I have been asked to ponder....I will do my best! Hope you don't get too bored!

Here are the rules:

The Rules:

....you must post the rules

....answer 11 questions the tagger posted for you

....create 11 questions to ask the people you tag ( I will get to that)

....tag 11 people (I will get to that, too)

....let them know you've tagged them (And then, I will get to that)

and here are Stephanie's questions for me:

1. Dinner party--What six people would you love to have at your table?

If I were at a fantasy dinner party (and mind you it wouldn't be one that I hosted!)--the six people I would love to be with are:

Brad Pitt (just to see if he is really as good looking as he appears on the screen--yep!), Ellen DeGeneres (I love her personality and I think it would be hilarious and I think I could be best friends with her), Bill Clinton ( I heard he is very down to earth and makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room--ok--let's see if that is true), Rachel Ashwell ( I love creative people and she started such a huge movement in my world), Carol King (I am old and I listened to her a LOT growing up), and my husband so he could share all these cool people with me!

2. Flash back to 17--What did you want to be when you grew up?

Stephanie, these are good questions!  I wanted to be an art teacher. Slam dunk. There was no other career for me. I was so inspired by my elementary art teacher and even assisted him when I was in high school--preparing for my future. But alas, I found out my senior year of college that I didn't want to do that after completing the entire program and getting my B.F.A. in art education!. I still did quite a bit of art teaching throughout my life---as a volunteer in  my children's schools and I taught photography for the Boys and Girls Clubs for a while, too!

3 What does a perfect day look like to you?

I am fortunate and grateful  to actually live a life that feels perfect most days. I wake up rested, and it is low tide. My husband and I go to our favorite secluded beach and hike in on a weekday when no one is there. The walk there is magical--and I love when it is foggy and cold--the birds are chirping, the trees are misty, the scents are fresh and invigorating, the path is perfect and then we hike down the bluffs and see our beach! We see the fields of pebbles and find tons of sea glass and sea-ramic (which are pottery shards).  When I am doing this, my mind is clear and free and I dream of great ideas and if I have a problem, I always figure it out at the beach.  My other kind of perfect day is one that I had yesterday! I went to amazing yard sales and found treasures that make me "know" that I am doing the right thing with my life. I LOVE the thrill of the hunt, and bringing the "vintage goods" to my stores!

4. Favorite movies?

I like mysteries that have me trying to figure out "who did it" or thrillers that aren't gory. All time favorites like "Sound of Music" and "Wizrd of Oz", too.  I see a lot of movies and the ones that I think about for days afterwards--that inspire me in some way are the ones I remember. I see plenty that I forget in an hour.

5. Online shop or "touch and feel" shop?

I am definitely a toucher at shops. I love thrift shops (of course) antique shops (of course), garden shops, and my favorite chain store is Anthropologie. I do buy on ETSY sometimes, and I am never disappointed.  I have to touch fabrics for clothing, though!

6. Who or what has had an impact on your life?

Having children had a huge impact on me. All the stages. The challenges (of which there have been so many and still are) are really life changing. My son has Crohn's Disease and when he went to a camp for kids with Crohn's and he realized he wasn't alone--and this changed his world --it also had a HUGE impact on me. I realized my other calling was to be a facilitator for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and I lead a support group and I am extremely involved with CCFA. I love helping people.

7. I have a 16 year old--What advice would you give her now that you can look back on that age?

Have fun and play every day. Don't take anything too seriously, especially relationships with boys. 

 

8. What would surprise us to know about you?

I not only run my 2 Whimsy stores, but I started a photography business 35 years ago, that we still have today!

9. What five things would you grab if your house was burning down?

my sea glass marbles, family photos, a few jars of sea glass, not much more...

10. Do you blog daily, weekly, monthly? What do you do when there is a lack of inspiration?

I do a twice a week regular blog post ---New Finds and Vintage Fashions.  This schedule keeps me hopping--it is a LOT of work but fun. I love the virtual world and so much I need to learn.

11. Fly or drive to a vacation?

LOVE road trips--and the ease and comfort of driving...but it has been too long since I have actually had a vacation and I am READY! I want to get on an airplane and go somewhere I have never been, which is a lot of places--like the whole world!

Whimsy selling on Etsy! And 2 features for WHIMSY

click on the photo above to go to the driftwood treasury

We are proud to announce that we have officially started selling on Etsy,

and we were so pleased that we were included in two featured treasuries which

you can browse at above and below....

click on the photo to go to the romance treasury

Hope you will check our Etsy offerings

(VINTAGE and our own WhimSea Originals)

often!

And we will always have our famous A,B, Seas so we can ship to you

whenever you want!

whimsy on etsy!

Green News at Whimsy!

We're very proud to announce

Whimsy Antiques

to be the first certified Green Business in Carpinteria!

read all about it here!

Our Magazine feature !

What does a tree have to do with Whimsy's latest feature in a terrific

magazine? Absolutely nothing!

BUT, since I didn't post the drafts from DECEMBER (December 29 and 16th)--

I needed to get your attention to scroll down a few posts and see

the 2 posts about the magazine article about Whimsy!

I am sooooo sorry about the delay--it was (and is) mighty exciting!

A closer look at the WHIMSY magazine article!

In case you aren't able to get ahold of the Carpinteria Magazine--

here is a closer look at some of the images.......

I was so thrilled with the editorial as well--

it was beautifully written by Fran Davis

and photographed by the keen eye of Liz Muraoka.

Thanks for browsing --hope you enjoyed seeing

Whimsy on the pages of the great Carpinteria Magazine!

Check us out in this great Magazine!

We're in the new Carpinteria magazine!!

A while ago, we were told that Whimsy was going to be featured in the

Winter issue of the gorgeous Carpinteria Magazine.

Our challenge was to create a Fall/Winter look in the heat of summer,

when the photographer was going to shoot for the article.

It was actually a blast to redo an area with a purpose in mind,

and they seemed to appreciate our efforts as they snapped away.

It was wonderful to see the creativity the folks at the
magazine have, as they put together a perfect
selection of photographs for the spread.
We were so pleased that they covered both our stores!

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Winter 2011 edition of the

Carpinteria Magazine~

where you will see Whimsy featured among it's pages.

Whimsy featured on Elizabeth House Shop Talk

Please take a look at the post on Elizabeth House Shop Talk where

Whimsy is included in a great series created by the very creative

and talented Elizabeth Maxson.

We're being featured here!

A Sweet Yard Sale

I have been to thousands of yard sales in my lifetime, at least.

But this morning I happened on the sweetest of them all.

A darling young artist created an assortment of eye-popping and I am sure

equally delicious cupcakes in a color scheme after my own heart.

And, while I am on the Specific Carbohydrate regime for health reasons,

I wanted more than anything to buy them all!

The flavors were exotic too, by the way.

Yum!

Did you hit any wonderful sales this weekend?

Meet Cheryl

Why did you decide to become an antique dealer?

It's a thrill to go out and see what's waiting to be discovered. It never gets boring, each day there is something new. After finding treasures, one of my favorite things to do is research about the things I've found. I am completely fascinated with the history of items.



What is your decorating style at home?

Kid proof, lol! I am a Mother of two precious little girls.





What do you like to bring to your Whimsy clients?


Only the best. Whether its architectural items or fun games, everything is hand picked by me.





What is your philosophy regarding using antiques in today's world?

You'll find a lot of repurposed items in my space. Their is such beauty in chippy, tattered and torn items. I hope it inspires people to do a little repurposing themselves. It's truly rewarding to know something that could have gone to the dump is now enjoying a new life.


Thanks!


Cheryl

Whimsy in Westways Magazine !

Both Whimsy stores were recently featured in Westways Magazine in the SHOP

section of the great article! The feature came out in San Diego a few months ago and the June issue in the LA region. We have had many folks drive up from all over with the article in their hands. We welcome you to discover both our stores so please stop in and say hi!

Both shops open 11-5 everyday.

Whimsy (Home and Garden)--5042 7th Street 805.684.7211

Whimsy (Town and Country)--962 Linden Avenue 805.684.1222

Katherine Andjelopolj (Lavelle) visits Whimsy!

It was if a ray of sunshine entered our shop recently. Lovely Katherine Andjelopolj (Lavelle)

from Johannesburg, South Africa paid us a visit and purchased a lovely vintage floral pin and a bracelet to complete her already, vibrant outfit. She told us she is an artist and we enjoyed her colorful and friendly peronality! Thanks for being the Whimsy customer of the Month!

Wonderfully Made features WHIMSY at event

The lovely gals from Wonderfully Made recently had a large event in Santa Barbara and asked if they could "borrow" a truckload of furniture and decor. They came and picked out what they wanted and we delivered the lovely load for their May event with 500 women in attendence. Whimsy also gave them coupons for both shops so we are hoping to see you all to pick out some fun furniture or vintage goodness for your own homes! Thanks so much for choosing Whimsy!

Our Whimsy Family...

We'd like to introduce you to Gale.

She is one of our wonderfully talented and valued vendors here at Whimsy.

We've asked her a few questions and she graciously agreed to be interviewed for us!

Whimsy ~ What is your decorating style at home?

Gale ~" We live in a 1920's Spanish Style home. We have tried to keep to the style of that time with vintage lighting and warm wood tones. I surround myself with pieces I love and that make me feel good"

Whimsy ~ What do you like to bring to your Whimsy Clients?

Gale ~ " I like to bring a lot of variety from different eras. I'm always thrilled when they love an item especially one that is like what their parents or grandparents owned."




Whimsy ~ What is your philosophy regarding using Antiques in today's world?

Gale ~ "I think that it is wonderful to reuse antiques. Almost everything in my house is preowned and I always wonder who had it before, and how they used it. I find the quality of the older thing far surpasses present day items. Reuse of items is more important today than ever with space at such a premium."


Whimsy ~ Thank you Gale!

Please check back soon to meet more of our Whimsy family.

Online Magazine Features WHIMSY ! Check it out!

Last month we we so pleased that a wonderful online magazine called Chic Galleria wanted to feature us in their December issue. Please read the feature with the following link:

http://chicgalleria.com/living/antiques/whimsy-antiques-supports-green-living.php

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Read all about Whimsy!!!

So much fun in the world of Whimsy! We want to share what other stores and lovely people have written in their blogs about Whimsy.

Please take a look at the links below for lots of fun stories and pics:

http://abagofchips.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/carpinteria.html

http://www.hiddeninfrance.typepad.com/hidden_in_france/2007/08/carpinteria.html

http://littlefrenchgardenhouse.blogspot.com/2008/09/whimsy.html

http://theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/2007/03/beauty-and-bathtub-that-is.html

Willow Ridge Catalog Shoot

What a fun surprise that Willow

Ridge Catalog which is a national

women's clothing mail order publication chose our Whimsy on 7th to photograph their models yesterday for their Spring catalog.

They were here for several hours, borrowing props from within our store to use for their shots. It will certainly be fun to see how it turns out! The director from the shoot promised to drop off some catalogs as soon as they are printed.