You're Invited...

Hello there, dear readers! Did you have a wonderful weekend? I sure did. The three "f"s were in place: family, friends, and food. All was good.

Now. Way back in the spring, when I started my little Etsy shop, I wondered a lot of things. Most of them, like, "Will I ever sell anything?" or, "Can I even figure this out?" have been answered (the answer? Yes!). But I wondered other things. Like..."What's it like to be in one of those awesome treasuries that is super hot and stays at the head of the pack for days? Or weeks?" I also wondered what it might be like to be one of those wildly successful sellers with many packages to send out, and e-mails and requests to tend to. Well, this weekend, I got, tucked neatly in alongside heaping plates of leftovers, a taste of both of those wonderings. I found myself in this hot little collection curated by the super sweet Cara from Fanciness on Etsy. She rocks. And her beautiful collection got super hot. And I got super busy with sales, requests, and things to mail. And it was awesome.

Bee Vintage Redux

In fact, it was such an awesome experience, I felt the need to celebrate. So, I put on my party shoes, poured myself some egg nog, and fired up the laptop, and set about putting the shop into party mode. And you're all invited to the party! I'm celebrating with a bit of free shipping. You have until clocks strike midnight across Philadelphia tonight to take advantage. Happy shopping!

xo

Gobble Gobble

My dear readers, before I lock myself away in the kitchen, I wanted to take just a quick minute to give thanks. And today, I am feeling mighty thankful for the Kitchen-Aid stand mixer, ready-made pie crust, Martha Stewart, She & Him (Volumes Both- fabby baking soundtrack!), and the ability to watch movies through Netflix on my laptop...in the kitchen! For these things, I am truly full of thanks.

In all seriousness, dear readers, I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! All of you, no matter where in the world you are. Even if tomorrow is just another Thursday, take a moment and consider at least one little thing you are thankful for. We all have something, whether it's food, clothing, and shelter; the love of family and the good people in your life; or the perfect shade of lipstick. Be thankful for that.  Have a wonderful, fabulous, feast of a weekend.
xo

Something Baked, Something New

It's a week for trying new things, apparently. Not the least of which is that I'm making my first pies for Thanksgiving! Pumpkin, of course. Keep it simple. I'd like to tell you that I'm using a real, pumpkin-patch grown pumpkin. But I'm not. The thought of scraping out the inside of a can was so much more appealing than the thought of scraping out the inside of a pumpkin. I'd also like to tell you that I'm making my own crust. Again, I'm not. I mean, I'm a pie first-timer. Let's not get carried away! I'd also like to tell you that I'm making my own whipped cream. And I might. I did buy cream. And a can of Ready-Whip.

I'm also trying new things in the studio. It started with pictures. It was a veritable doily-fest in my little shop! So I'm working on that. Also being worked on in the studio is a fun little idea I got while cleaning out my sewing basket. Which is funny because it's a rather large basket, and I don't really sew....

It seems I collect vintage buttons. I wasn't really aware of this, but, when presented with all of these buttons, it became quite clear that I do. Now, not being a sewer, I really don't have much use for all of these buttons. So...

I got out some supplies, and my trusty awesome epoxy, and got to work. I rather like the results. A bit quirky, kinda fun, and most definitely granny chic. They'll popping up in the shop over the next week or so.

Try something new today. You might like the results!
xo

Happy Weekend

Happy Friday, dear readers! Bee is hitting the road this weekend. I'm packing up the lovelies, loading up the car, and dashing off to sell all of my inventory at a merry holiday bazaar. (A girl can dream, can't she?) I've also been thinking a lot about ginger ice cream, and how delicious it would probably be. Imagine it, after the turkey and stuffing has been cleared, dolloped alongside a big old chunk of pumpkin pie. There's a chance, albeit a small chance, that I will be attempting to make that. We'll see how that goes. Have a delicious weekend!
xo

Holly and Jolly

It happens every year, about two weeks before Halloween: I get possessed by the Christmas Spirit. At first, it's just little bubbles: a craving for egg nog, and urge to watch "White Christmas." But those bubbles keep getting bigger and bigger, and finally, by November first, we're at a full boil. Sure, I try to keep up an autumnal front. On the outside, I'm all pumpkins! and acorns! and pretty falling leaves! But on the inside, it's more like candy canes! tinsel! and pretty glass balls! I do my best to keep the merriment on the down low. I'll casually slip gift ideas into conversations, and let that lead where it may. I'll pretend to be aimlessly wandering around Target until woops! How did that happen? We're in amongst fake trees and glittery ornaments.

I'm usually pretty good at keeping up this front until the day after Thanksgiving. As soon as that Friday hits though, all bets are off. It's Christmas! The most wonderful time of the year! But this year, the lid blew off early. Last week, I bought a gallon of milk. The little plastic wrapper around the middle was decorated with trees and carolers and ice skating children. I squealed with glee. Literally. And then I figured, if the milk can be excited about Christmas, so can I. I'm gonna let my holly jolly flag fly. It's Christmas! And it's the most wonderful time of the year!
xo

This Is What Heaven Tastes Like

Not so many moons ago, I found myself in Paris while backpacking across Western Europe. I fell in love with all that it was, old and lovely and oh so Paris. I wandered the streets, climbed the Eiffel Tower, and swooned over the pâtisseries. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a well-appointed baked good. I ate pastries with absolute relish. I fell head over heels for crêpes too hot to bite into. Languored over pain au chocolat and bowls of coffee. And then there were the macarons. Whole towers of them, winking and enticing me from the glistening windows of Ladurée. They were just the most exquisite, perfect little bites of joy that I had ever sank my teeth into. I dream about them to this day.

A couple of moons later, I found myself in Paris again. This time, it was a blink of the eye- a layover on my way to Rome (don't I just sound so glamorously jet setting? ha!). We were held up in customs forever, and I had just enough time to grab a Vogue from the newsstand in my terminal before my flight took off. There would be no macarons this trip. Sorrows over the absentee macarons were swiftly drowned in copious amounts of gelato, and all was well and forgotten. For the moment.

The other day, my delightful aunt returned from Paris with a little gift. I am a happy girl.
xo

Feeling Stripey


I love me a good striped shirt. I really do. I have an entire wardrobe full of them to prove it. Long sleeves, short sleeves, tank tops. Paired with cuffed jeans, cigarette pants, or my beloved old denim mini skirt. Finished with flip flops, boots, or ballet flats. Striped shirts are my perfect everyday go-to.

Anthropologie/Urban Outfitters

 Normally, I like my stripes to have a boatneck and 3/4 sleeves. But sometimes it's fun to switch it up. Any of these would do nicely. Particularly the sequined J.Crew number-I can think of at least a dozen ways to rock that baby!




J. Crew


(from top to bottom: Anthropologie's Topsy Henley, Urban Outfitters' Peter Pan Striped Tunic, and J.Crew's Stripe Sequin Boatneck Tee)

Finding My Feet

This is a new world, this one in which I have this little blog. A new world in which I'm still looking for a proper foot hold. What should I use it to talk about? Me? Surely not, I'm dull and boring! My little shop? That, too, would get rather boring rather fast! Inspirations, pretty things? Thoughts and grand plans? A means by which to vent frustrations? Perhaps a happy balance of all of the above. Yes yes, I think that would do nicely! A dash of pretty, a sprinkle of grand aspirations, and a pinch of me. Eventually, maybe this thing will start to take shape. Bear with me, dear readers, as I try to gain my footing in this strange new world.
xo

Happy Weekend

Happy Friday to you, dear readers! Do you have fabulous weekend plans? The weatherman is promising some gorgeous weather here. I plan to take advantage of that. Wherever you are, and whatever the weather, make time for a bit of gorgeous this weekend. xo

Who Are You (I Really Wanna Know) pt2

(Inside The Actors Studio)

Happy Thursday, dear readers! Let's just jump into it, shall we? Without further ado, part two of my chat with James Lipton:

James Lipton: What sound do you hate?
Bee: People eating loudly. Chewing, slurping, mouth opened, yuck. It skeeves me.

J.L.: What is your favorite curse word?
Bee: Well, seeing as how I'm often in the company of tiny ears with a penchant for repeating, I need watch what I say, and what I most often say is a version of eff. Effer. Effing. Flipping. Flip. Frick. You get the picture.

J.L.: What profession, other than yours, would you like to attempt?
Bee: Archaeology. It fascinates me. My dream from the age of about 7 was to visit Pompeii. A few years ago, I did, and I was like a kid in a candy store. The idea of this entire city being buried for over a thousand years, and then slowly being rediscovered with such painstaking care, just blows my mind. It's the discovery. I suppose it's why I have such an affinity for antiques. I can't get enough of that stuff.

J.L.: What profession would you not like to do?
Bee: I don't think I'd enjoy driving an ambulance very much.

J.L.: If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Bee: Welcome. Bar's open. And then I'd saunter over and have a cocktail with all of the loved ones I've missed for so long.


Thank you again, Mr. James Lipton. That was fun. And now, dear readers, you know just a bit about me. It'll do.
xo

Who Are You (I Really Wanna Know) pt.1

It's occurred to me, dear readers, that perhaps, seeing as how I've invited you along on this journey of mine, that I should take a moment to allow you to get to know me. I've already told you about Bee, and how we wound up here, but I haven't told you about me. And I'm a bit hesitant to do so. It's not that I don't want us to know each other, dear readers, it's just that I'm a bit private. I mean, a girl's gotta have her secrets, right? Keep a bit of mystery about her? I like you, though. So I've decided to let you have a bit of a peek into my world.

Now, in addition to being private, I'm also a bit shy, and not the best at getting conversations started. Oh, I'm good in a conversation that's already taken flight, but not so ace at starting them. So I've decided to invite along a friend today to help get this ball rolling. Dear readers, allow me to introduce Mr. James Lipton, who will be introducing me by way of his famous questionnaire, borrowed from Bernard Pivot.

(Inside The Actor's Studio)

Good morning, James Lipton! And thank you so much for stopping by to help me today. Let's get started, shall we?

James Lipton: What is your favorite word?
Bee: Good question, James. I'd say it's probably facetious. My humor tends to run dry, and I like to point out the obvious by utilizing a bit of facetiousness.
J.L.: What is your least favorite word?
Bee: It's "siren." I hate that word. And I can't pronounce it, so I won't. I say that an emergency vehicle went by blaring it's "WOO! WOO!" I'm also not overly fond of the word "moist."
J.L.: What turns you on?
Bee: I'm going to assume we're talking creatively here, James. In which case, color and good design. And old things. I go absolutely ape in front of a wall of paint chips, or when turned loose in a really good flea market or antique mall. I tune out everything else around me, and my mind starts racing with possibility. It's a rush that's all at once euphoric and overwhelming. It's the best.
And just in case you weren't talking creatively, tall men with a wicked sense of humor ;)
J.L.: What turns youu off?
Bee: Ignorance, close-mindedness, an unwillingness to learn from or accept differences.
J.L.: What sound or noise do you love?
Bee: The quiet that comes with stillness. There's always sound in that quiet, whether it's the ocean; the chatter of birds and critters; the sounds of the house in the dead of night, settling into itself after all of the years of sheltering life and families; or even the sound of traffic and people passing by the windows. They are the sounds of peace and contentment, and I love that.

At this point, James Lipton and I decide to take a break. There are beds to make and laundry to wash, and pretty things waiting to be made. Please come back tomorrow, dear readers, and I will bring you part two of our delightful conversation.
xo

Knowing Me, Knowing You

Hello, dear readers! I thought today it might be nice to introduce Bee to you, since I'm hoping we're going to be spending lots of time together!



(Bee Vintage Redux)



I'm Heather, and I make things. Lovely things. At least, I think they're lovely. (Judge for yourselves!). I was one of two Heather B.'s in my kindergarten class, the second alphabetically. Heather 1 got to be just Heather, and I was Heather B. I liked that, it was special. I insisted on being called Heather B. all the time. Eventually, my parents started calling me Bee, and it's always stuck.

(business cards then, business cards now)

I've been making things since I was a small girl, and putting tags and business cards with the things I made, all with some sort of bee themed name. Hence, I named my little shop Bee Vintage Redux, because I take vintage and "redux" it, and I am Bee. (Confession- I'm not overly fond of the Vintage Redux part of the name, but it is what it is, and what it is it shall stay.)

The name Oh, Bee came from my sweet assistant, my dear baby nephew, The Boy. We have a book that we read together a lot. I mean, a LOT. We read it so much that we both have it memorized. It can be read to the tune of "Jingle Bells", which it quite frequently is. When we come to the OOOH! part that would come before the "jingle bells" part,  we make a very big deal of it. Sometimes he just sings me the OOOH! part, and I substitute in a myriad of odd words. One day, one of the words was bee. And here we are.

There is so much more to tell you about this girl called Bee. Tomorrow, dear readers. I'll give you a peek into my world then. Perhaps I'll bring a friend along...
xo

Onward and Upward

(image source unkown)

                                                              

Oh, hello there! How lovely to find you here! But of course you're wondering, "Where is here, exactly?" Patience. We'll get to that, over time. First we need to find some footing. Perhaps we should begin with how we started out on this journey to here. Gather 'round, and I'll start the tale.

Once upon a time, way, way back in the early spring, a young girl found herself wondering what she should do with her life. She had some ideas, and, oh, they were big ideas. But this girl, she's more of a small actions type of girl. So she took some of these big ideas, and planted them in the ground, and started to tend to them with curiosity and all of her small actions.

Before long, one of the many big ideas the young girl had planted began to sprout. Surrounded by a flurry of very small actions, this tiny sprout blossomed into Bee Vintage Redux. The young girl (who had always been affectionately known as Bee to her closest family) stood back at smiled proudly at all of her hard work. But she knew that this big idea was still very small, and would need much more love and cultivation to grow into  one of the big ideas she longed for it to be.

Of course, there were still other big ideas waiting for their chance to bloom.  So the girl gathered up all of her small actions, and her tiny sprout, and set out further down the garden path, dropping small actions wherever she went. And that is where we find ourselves, dear readers, tending and growing, travelling onward and upward through this crazy garden. Watching and hoping for all of these small ideas turn into big realities that I can't wait to share with you.  I hope you'll come with me on this journey and allow you to share with you my trials and tribulations, my ideas and inspirations, the things I love, and the occasional amusing tale. I'm not quite sure where I'm going or how I'll get there, but it would be such a pleasure to bring you all along.
xo

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