27.6.10

What a crowd at the Ocean Beach Street Fair!

by Cordelia Mendoza
This photo says it all! The crowd was enormous, particularly in the afternoon. I was in the middle of it, manning the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association's booth. We sold tons of t-shirts and OB souvenirs and raffle tickets to help pay for the event and also to raise money for the 4th of July fireworks.
I just had to share this photo - it's a big WOW!


Our morning volunteers, a very fun group. They made me laugh.

19.6.10

We're dressing the store for the FOURTH OF JULY!


So the fourth of July is getting close and, to me, it seals the deal that summer truly is here. I love this holiday and everything it stands for. The red, white and blue flags and decorations are comforting in a way, reminding us how lucky we are to live where we live, in spite of current affairs going on. So we're pulling out the flags and dressing up the windows for a holiday that celebrates our country's birthday. . .
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Postcards have celebrated our country since the late 1800s - they pretty much say it all: Below are some of my favorites:




More to come . . .

14.6.10

Just back from the California Antique Show in Los Altos

by Cordelia Mendoza
What a show! Friday afternoon I arrived in San Francisco after a delayed flight, then headed to my friend Jerilyn's son, Christopher and his wife Barbara's lovely home in Bellevue. Their babysitter arrived and we headed for the
gala opening of the California Country Antique Show, The weather was in the 80s, even in the evening, which I found very pleasant because the show was indoors as well as outdoors at the . It was held at the Hillview Community Center in Los Altos.
Los Altos is a great town.
They have a charming downtown area where we had lunch at a quaint Italian Delicatessan on Main Street.


Here are some photos of dealers at the antique show. There were vendors from Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas and all over California. The best of the best in 18th and 19th Century American antiques (there were a few French things thrown in which made me very happy). There was a lot of Staffordshire pieces, too, and the architectural pieces were awesome - just beautiful, from early stone (not concrete) urns, outside architectural ornaments from Victorian homes - wonderful things that I eyed. I bought an architectural half round over-the-door piece for my home. I'll post a photo later when we unpack it.


There was a lot of buying going on, that I saw anyway. I was with a group of friends and every single one of us bought and there were a couple of people in our group that found some higher end treasures to buy. I hope the show was a good one so it will continue. So many shows are dwindling or closing.


Being so close to July Fourth and the summer upon us, there was a lot of American flag items. Very festive!



And, finally, this is one thing I bought. It will go above a door in our home.

12.6.10

On being inspired . . .

by Cordelia Mendoza
Summer is here and I feel inspired by it. When a new season is approaching, in retail it's all about the displays and merchandise and making it all work for what ever the season is. I feel like whatever season we're in at the time is my favorite, until one is ending and we're slipping into a new season. It's the freshness of a new season that's so exciting. So summer is what inspired me today. June gloom seemed to be fading a bit today. We have sunny skies and pleasant temperatures to look forward to in the next couple of months.