Life Lessons Through Vintage

Awhile back when my grandfather was first diagnosed with terminal cancer I sat down and wrote a blog post about what it meant to me and how it took hearing the news about his cancer to realize that my grandpa had been a huge inspiration and sort of the kick start to how I began collecting vintage. It was this collecting passion that led me to my little business and that has become a very integral part of my life.

I was honored the other day when I submitted my post about my grandpa and what I had learned in the now almost two years I've been a vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories seller on Etsy to another vintage expert and she was interested in publishing it on her blog. Sammy Davis of Sammy Davis Vintage, not only showcases great vintage clothing and vintage retail experience, she's a firm believer in empowering others to do their very best and to succeed in our journeys of promoting vintage love. Through this message she's featuring stories that have inspired other vintage sellers to start their journeys in this crazy world of vintage retail.

The wonderful thing about Sammy is that she has a knack for taking stories like mine and turning them into lessons that other vintage sellers can learn from. She's taken my original blog post and tweaked it into a great lesson on building a brand for your vintage business. Take a peek at how she's turned my post into something wonderful, complete now with photos and more background history!

I'd love to read comments from you all about what inspires you - even if it isn't in vintage! Post your inspirations below!

Vintage Home Parties!

With the launch of my Zaarly storefront I decided to offer up some more service-oriented types of offerings from Vintage Baubles & Bits. One of these new services is the Vintage Home Party. Clients interested in a fun girl's day/night can contact me and arrange for a party complete with wine, cheese, veggies, desserts and vintage!

I hosted my first party on June 1st for a group of five gals in the KC area. To get the ball rolling on the project I hosted at my home. It was a lovely event, super fun and I think I succeeded in convincing a few of my guests that vintage doesn't have to seem old and that styles are recycled so much in fashion that some vintage is truly timeless!

Peek below for photos of the night's festivities and for a listing of what an event entails.

Want to have an awesome girl's night in? Looking for a fun party idea, complete with food and activities? I have the solution - Vintage Shopping Parties!


Do you and your girlfriends love vintage clothing? Hate digging through racks and racks of stuff trying to find something in your size or the color or era you're looking for? I have hundreds of vintage items, including clothing, shoes, hats, handbags and other accessories and I'd be more than happy to set up a private shopping experience for you and your girlfriends!


All I need from you is the number of party attendees, a listing of the types of items you're interested in (hats, shoes, dresses, blouses, skirts, handbags, jewelry) and sizes of the ladies and we can go from there! It's like a dress up party for grown ups.


The fee covers my time to curate selections for you and your friends. And hey, it wouldn't be a party without some extras - like two bottles of wine, a meat and cheese tray, a veggie tray and light desserts for some nibbles.


There is no obligation to buy, I won't be looking to build a team of vintage party reps and it's just plain fun and hassle free! Oh and since it is a party - there will be party favors and group discounts to boot!

Interested in hosting your own party? Message me for details!

Where to Find Me in Kansas City - Bitterman's Eye Candy

My second semi-permanent location is at Bitterman's Eye Candy, also at the corner of 31st and Gillham.

This store is so fun - everyone is sure to love it! It combines an old-fashioned candy shop with lovely vintage finds. I have a small drawer in a lovely, big, old counter that's filled with vintage jewelry goodies.

Bitterman's is open Thursday-Sunday from 11-4pm. Come pick up a sweet treat and take home a lovely treasure while you're at it!

Small Business Can Show Big Business How Customers Truly Deserve to Be Treated

I'm usually of the mindset that there is room for all kinds of businesses in this vast world and that we all serve our purposes. However, I like to support other local vendors/shops when I can. I love helping people achieve their dreams and be entrepreneurs. However, every now and then a big brand does something that really upsets me - they market in a very negative way or they make statements about their customers that are derogatory and demeaning.

Last week Abercrombie & Fitch was high in news feeds, but not for a good reason. Their CEO put out a blanket statement that their clothing was only for thin, good-looking, popular people and that they cater to that audience by not producing sizes past a large for women and by burning any damaged clothing instead of donating it, in order to only allow their brand to be on people that fit their ideal customer.

I work in marketing and advertising as my day job, I completely understand going through the process of figuring out who your target market is and creating products and advertising to reach that market. So yes, on paper the brand persona for A&F is probably exactly what their CEO described. However, there are ways of reaching your target market without blatantly stating who you DON'T want buying your product. A&F's CEO's comments show you the bad way. 

I've never owned an item from their shop, not purposefully, but because when I was in the demographic they were looking to hit, my family couldn't afford their clothing. After I became an adult and started purchasing my own clothing, I never desired anything in their shop and I just bought things I liked and yes, I started thrifting and wearing vintage pretty early on. I've never had an affinity for their brand. I now am in the category of being "too fat" for their store, which again, is ok with me, as I don't miss the "opportunity to be one of the cool kids" that A&F is apparently trying to sell you with their clothing.

Until last week I hadn't spent an ounce of brain power even remotely thinking or caring about A&F. I'm not their target customer and I get that. I'm not upset they don't advertise or market to me. I do however dislike big brands that are negative and market themselves in a way that makes their customers feel bad about themselves. The idea of "reverse marketing" or making your target market believe that they will not be something positive or good without your product is one of my least favorite marketing tactics. Being a kid/young adult is hard enough without a brand coming out and saying, "Look, you'll never be good enough to wear our clothing." What a horrible message!  

That said - I like this gentleman's idea (the video is great!)

And I like it because while it shows A&F that they have misjudged their customer base and most-likely hurt their sales, it does it in a positive way. While A&F's ideal buyer may be pretty, thin and popular, that doesn't mean they aren't also smart, socially conscious or that they like being talked about like prize dogs at the AKC open. The project started by Greg Karber gives customers a chance to take a stand by doing something positive with A&F's negativity - giving back to the homeless.

Checkout the #Fitchthehomeless project. If you have A&F clothing you're willing to donate, wonderful! And to all my thrifting sisters and brothers out there, consider throwing a few A&F shirts into your carts while you're out treasuring hunting and giving them to the needy :)

We in small business and especially in the vintage and resale market can do something positive to show a big business brand how customers truly deserve to be treated!

Where to Find Me in Kansas City - Cowtown Mallroom

Most of you know by now that Vintage Baubles & Bits has moved from St. Louis to Kansas City. We've also changed up where and how we sell too! Here's a glimpse of one of our new venues: Cowtown Mallroom.

Located at the intersection of 31st and Gillham in the midtown area of Kansas City and right across from Martini Corner - this old music venue, turned flea market is a fabulous way to spend a Sunday! Open every Sunday from 11-4pm there are two floors of crazy awesome vintage, antique and eclectic wares.

Vintage Baubles & Bits is located on the second floor. We have an alcove room that runs along one side of the hall. You'll see our green curtain and know you found us!

One of the coolest things about Cowtown is the live music - every week from 3-4pm a band or singer plays a free show! Yes you saw right - FREE. It's a great way to be introduced to local bands/musicians and have fun wondering around finding your perfect treasure.

Come see us soon!

My Favorite Ways to Wear Vintage Brooches

I posted awhile back about all the wonderful things you can do with vintage brooches (see posts 1-10), but "That brooch is cute, but I never wear brooches" is still one of the most common things I hear at a show. I don't wear brooches the traditional way very often either, so I get it. However - I have a few brooches that I adore and I do wear, but not the way you'd most commonly think!

I rock brooches the most often in two ways - as scarf holders and as necklace accents.

What do I mean by scarf holder? I mean that personally, I'm always frustrated when I get my scarf in just the right shape/style and then the ends start popping out or it comes undone. So I use a vintage brooch to help keep my scarf in just the style I like! This brooch was a part of my great-grandma's collection. It's a vintage Sarah Coventry Owl and my favorite part - the glasses move! I'm such a geek that this brooch makes me happy beyond words :)

My second favorite way to wear brooches is to combine them with vintage necklaces. I love taking two or three complimentary necklaces and then attaching a vintage brooch across them to tie everything together. It makes a statement without being too clunky or heavy and the best part - I can switch the brooch out to compliment any outfit! I personally like using flower brooches for this, but as long as the brooch is big enough, anything works!

What's your favorite way to rock a brooch? Share in the comments below!

A New Online Venue For Buying Local - Zaarly

The buying local movement is growing and there's a new site that's all about helping to connect people with vendors in their area that are providing unique or custom services. Whether you're looking for a new lawn service, some yummy cupcakes or you're interested in a private vintage clothing consultation - Zaarly has it all and it's all in your back yard!

I'm lucky to be in one of the first four cities that Zaarly has focused on here in Kansas City. I'm just starting my Zaarly adventure, but I think you'll find the site and the idea to be quite wonderful!

Here's a link to how Zaarly works: https://www.zaarly.com/howzaarlyworks

In addition to products being available online, Zaarly has started to host monthly Bazaars. The coolest thing about the Bazaars? FREE money!! You heard me! For everyone that registers to attend you'll get $20 to spend with the Zaarly vendors that day at the Bazaar. It's a great way to try out product and support artisans and vendors in your community.

I'll be at the April Zaarly Bazaar - it'll be held on April 28th from 3-6pm at the KC Guild. I'm excited to join this vibrant, growing community and I hope all of you who enjoy buying local will come out and support this new endeavor!

My Zaarly shop - https://www.zaarly.com/vntgbaublesnbits