Girlfriends Guide to Estate Sales Event Recap

We had the very best time on Saturday in Candler Park.  The Girlfriends Guide to Estate Sales was a hit and meeting all of you was the highlight of my week.  We sipped mimosas, chatted, shared secrets, tips, and the very best swag bag with each of the live participants.  For ninety minutes Nicole and I talked and shared all the things from how to find a sale, how to prep, what to hunt for, and how to find details about and clean what you purchase. All of this while absorbing the talent and incredible art from our host Shannon Coppage in her new space, The Studio at Candler Park. I can't say it enough, it was sooo good. 

Our purpose in creating this event was to really kick off a pop-up shop Nicole and I are doing in the amazing art studio Shannon owns.  We have shopped, collected, and curated a fun collection of items you can shop while perusing Candler Park and Shannon's stunning studio.  There is everything from amazing bar ware and charcuterie supplies to cheeky needlepoint and brass galore.  Now that the event is over the items are open to be shopped by all, giving our attendees first dibs on all the goodness. I picked up two things from my friend's wares and I can't wait to show it off.  I snagged a cheeky needlepoint sign and a darling sterling and glass cream and sugar set.  Nicole has amazing taste, you will love what she dropped off for sale. 

I really want to spotlight the amazing vendors who partnered with us to create a swag bag we were honored to present.  It was filled with amazing products from women owned small businesses, all whom donated their products and their time to us.  I can not tell you how thrilled we were to share their goods and tell the world about their businesses.  On top of that, I was introduced to a number of great new to me small businesses.  

Now they need to be introduced to you. 💗

Grey Stone Needlepoint - @greystoneneedlepoint, Owned and operated by Shannon Zimolong, this darling shop stocks everything you need from canvases to accessories.  You know I love all things needlepoint and this shop is a must follow, and a great resource for all your needlepoint needs. Shannon included a darling project bag (isn't the yellow so cute) and an amazing Beginners Guide to Needlepoint.  

Patricia Sone - @patriciasone, Another amazing needlepoint shop, Patricia specializes in teaching and designing canvases and her products are only available to retailers.  You can shop her work but checking her website for retailers near you.  She donated darling 2 inch square self finishing canvases and I can not wait to stitch mine.  

Meadow Lane Monograms - @meadowlanemonograms, You know my severe love for all things monogrammed and this was an exciting add for me.  Kathy Grabner does an incredible job choosing new and fun monograms and puts her personal touch in each item she creates.  In my opinion all items are made better with a monogram or personal touch and she and I share the same mindset.  She donated a darling pink and green topiary cocktail napkin for each grab bag and they were a huge hit!

Initial Offerings - @initialofferings, Kim was in my mentor group at the Southern C and I have adored getting to know her work and she her create such magical designs.  I was so excited she applied to participate knowing you all would love her creations.  I think her designs are full of life and she does such a great job making the same gifts special.  She created notepads for our attendees and I know they will love them and want to order more from her.  Located here in Atlanta, in case you all need something locally, and ships super fast! 

House & Crafts Co - @houseandcraftsco, these cookies!  I can barely tell you how much I loved them.  So cute, so perfect for our event and soooo delicious.  When I said I was working with her my favorite nurse commented quickly and said you will LOVE her.  She was not wrong.  Her cookies are just as delicious as they are adorable ... I would order from her again and again.  She is also a local for anyone wanting to order in the area.  I mean, the ears on those Staffy cookies.  I just can't. 🐶

Jules & Bing! - @julesandbing, A full service personalization shop in Cincinnati, Jules & Bing! carries everything from new baby items to wedding gifts and everything in between and is a one stop shop where "beautiful embroidery and personalized memories meet".  They created darling leather luggage tags for our guests inspired by our shopping road trips.  I hope they are inspired to take a trip of their own, and find some amazing goodies. 

Augusta Needlepoint, @augusta_needlepoint, This adorable shop was on our must do list for the first road trip Nicole and I took.  It was only the fourth needlepoint shop I ever visited and one of my favorites.  I love the tradition of visiting the local shop when I am out of town and I snagged three darling canvases from this precious store.  They sent needle minders for each of our attendees and I hope they see them and remember our time together. 

Kandles x Kate - @kandlesxkate, Kate makes the best taper candles!  Hand painted and each one individual I just love how unique and fun they are.  She created black splatter candles for our goodie bags and topiary ones for Nicole and I.  I love how fun they are paired with a great vintage set of candlesticks, can you think of a more darling gift?

Mae Wearable Art - @maewearableart, My love for this girl runs deep.  She is so kind, so creative and I was not at all surprised when she stepped up to pitch in for the goodie bags.  She makes amazing jewelry and she created these darling pieces for our bags.  I could not love them more, and the blue is my personal favorite. 

Petite Paperie - @petitepaperie_, Jennifer creates vintage inspired stationery and I am here for all of it.  I love her designs and how they truly look as if they could be a note your grandparent wrote years ago.  Her designs are so precious and I was thrilled to see her send two sets of notecards, a willow pattern + a chippendale chair.  Aren't they so cute?  Do not even get me started on her letter seals ... these are absolutely must haves for someone like me who loves to write and receive letters.  My Nana would love Jennifer so much, and you will too. 

In the Curious Kitchen - @inthecuriouskitchen, MK Hennigan is one bad a*# women.  She cooks and creates the yummiest cocktails and is constantly inspiring me.  I so wished I loved the kitchen the way she does, you can just see it in her videos.  MK made bourbon balls for our guests and I can tell you these are truly soooo good.  She sent me some a while back and I have saved them to share with my dad this week.  I can't wait.  You can purchase her bourbon balls online along with other great items.  I am telling you, you will love her. 

These incredible women worked so hard to create items for us and our precious guests and I am so deeply thankful.  They are all amazing, have incredible items for sale and I hope you visit and shop with each of them.  They most definitely have my stamp of approval and business. 💗

It was truly an amazing day, and I can not thank everyone for coming and watching online.  If you missed out you can still watch online ... purchase your ticket here. 

We had some questions about how to clean linens you find at sales, and as promised, here are my tips.

When purchasing linens, do not buy anything with a rust stain, I have no luck rust from linens, so I would pass. With yellow stains and age ... I have a friend who helps me and this recipe is very near hers.  You need white vinegar, powdered tide, and oxi clean.  Using hot (not boiling) water and mix in 1 scoop of oxi-clean, 1 scoop of tide for each gallon of water.  Your best bet is a large Home Depot bucket as the mixture will expand when it is mixed.  Let it sit for up to 48 hours, and do not worry when the water turns brown, it is working.  After the allotted time, pull the items from the mixture and rinse, rinse, rinse until you remove all the soap. It will require lots of rinsing. Once the soap is removed, pour 2 cups of vinegar in two galloons of water and give each piece a vinegar rinse.  Follow this with a plain water rinse and do this until the item no longer shows signs of soap, it may take 4 to 5 rinses. Then simply let your items air dry completely.  I have read that some people will then run the items through the washer (without soap) and then let them air dry.  No heat ... your items need to air dry.  Good luck, most items I have given to my sweet and precious friend come back perfect.  Remember old linens means old fibers and there have been times a piece didn't hold up.  Apparently the butter stains was the glue for those.  😂

Have the best Tuesday ... maybe I will see you at an estate sale!

All images by my darling friend Nicole