Fall & Winter SHOP OPEN DATES!

Just a quick note to announce our open dates for the shop through the rest of 2013!

We had such a huge response last year to be open more during the Holiday season - so this year we will be open EVERY WEEKEND until Christmas in the month of December!

Yay!!!

You can always find updates and photo previews of shop goodies before each opening on Facebook!

Hope to see you there!

goin' to the chapel...y'all

tap...tap...tap...is this thing on??

WOW.

How long has it been since I have done a blog post?? Waaaaay too long. 

And as usual, I am coming late to the party on my post about my new ADVENTURE for the fall. I was going to post this some time ago...started to type...then became a little sad realizing no one probably reads my blog anymore since I haven't done a meaningful post in well...like...forever!

So, I announced what was happening over on Facebook and Instagram and left it at that. But lately I have had a wave of "hey, I can do this! I can hunt down my vintage goods, run my shop, sell at the flea, paint a bazillion pieces of furniture each month, have a meaningful life AND blog."

I can..................right?? {hee...hee!}

So starting with THIS blog post I am back at it. 

(cue the trumpets, I am standing with my hands on my hips, Super-Hero style!)

Urban Farmgirl is going back to being a regularly active blog. I can do this!

Yay!!

Anyway, on with the fun stuff. 

A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of once again spending some time with this amazing couple. 

Kevin and Layla from The Lettered Cottage were traveling through the Midwest and we had planned to meet on her way through Illinois. 

When Layla first texted me and asked if she could stop by my shop...I about died. The shop had just come off an 'open weekend' and it was a hot mess. It was practically empty, and looked like a tornado had ripped through it. Talk about wanting to just DIE. Layla is coming for a visit and this is what she is going to see?? But, after my usual quick panic and freak out session, I reverted back to my calm self and thought 'it is what it is' and I just rolled with it. It was real. It was authentic. And it meant we had an awesome weekend at the shop. How could that possibly be embarrassing, right?

{it still kinda was, but don't tell anyone - ok?}

So, there was a little of little of this...

And a whole lot of talking and laughing!

A few minutes after they left, I get a text with this amazing photo....and the idea to sell vintage goods inside that ridiculously amazing chapel!!

Ummmm....and since I suffer from serious wanderlust, LOVE selling my vintage wares, and a fly-by-the-seat of my pants kind of girl, I of course could not type YES fast enough! I think I responded within   about 2.3 seconds that I would be there! No need to give me details, just tell me when and where and I am there!

So, on October 19th I will be found selling my vintage wares at the chapel building in Layla's neighborhood along with some of the most AMAZING ladies in blogland. I am so honored to be among those selling, and I have no idea how I fit in with all their greatness, but I am sooo happy to share their company! You can go here to check out the vendor line up and the details. 

Oh, and the other REALLY fun part?? I get to road trip with this girl all the way down to Bama because we are going to be sharing a space that will be decked out with all the vintage goodness we can pack in a trailer! Remember when Oprah and Gayle would go on their "Big Adventure" trip every year?? 

Yeah, I have a feeling it's gonna be something like that. 2 girls in a truck, hauling a trailer we have no idea how to pull, and trying not to whack it into everything in our 1,600 mile path from Illinois to Alabama.

The question is...which one of us is Oprah and which one is Gayle?

Someone call us a camera crew, I feel a new reality show coming on!

Hope to see some of you there! It is going to be SO. MUCH. FUN!!

owning a shop - my most important rule!

Each week, I get tons of email and Facebook messages from girls with a dream like I once had. They want to open a little shop that is all their own. 

I sometimes feel as though I should write a series for you all on opening your own vintage shop, so I am working on that idea. I am taking mental notes of lessons learned and when I have been at this a little while longer, I will give you some helpful hints of what to do to help your dream come to life. It is very different than a 'gift' or 'decor' shop....there is a whole side of things most of you wouldn't even suspect would be involved in a 'mostly' vintage type brick-and-mortar shop. 

My immediate circle hears my one most important rule all. the. time so I thought I would give you this tid-bit as my 'mantra' of the moment...

Honestly, I think they are sick of hearing me. But, to know me is to hear me. So they will have to deal. :o)

My number one rule for anything in business, or life for that matter...is:

DON'T WASTE YOUR RESOURCES! 

Simple as that. As the owner of a new and pretty successful little shop, I cannot stress enough how important it is to acknowldege that fact that you cannot do it all. 

Let me repeat that.

You CANNOT do it all. Try as you may, it is impossible to do all the things necessary to make your shop the very best it can be! Learning to recognize that and be willing to let go of the control a little is not easy. Because lets face it, if you have the ability to steer the ship enough to own your own shop, you have to have a little bit of 'control' in your personality. That is not a bad thing, to me it just means you can carry the weight. You bear the responsibility and you are not afraid to act and guide in the appropriate way. 

That being said, what I mean by 'don't waste your resources' is this. You need to surround yourself with the very best people you can. This may mean an accountant, employees, a cleaning crew, a handyman and for me...a stylist. 

I am sure you all know Susan from the blog fame Maple & Magnolia. Well let me tell ya, bringing Susan on board was one of the best things I have ever done in my LIFE!

She is my wing-man. Wing-woman? Wing-girl? Whatev. She is my words of wisdom. The girl that snaps me back to reality when I am thinking crazy. We plan. We plot. We work out the details. She cracks. me. up! She is my friend, and she is my stylist. And it could not work out any better to have her be a part of Urban Farmgirl. 

And here is why. 

When you work a bazilliion hours hunting down the vintage goods, dragging them home, cleaning them up, painting 80+ pieces of furniture each month, repurposing things. pricing them, selling it all, sometimes shipping it and doing all the millions of behind-the-scenes details that go along with owning a shop, you NEED help. {whew...I am tired just typing all that!}

That is my advice for the day. A little something for all of those that have asked me about how to bring their dream to reality. Do what you love. And be prepared to work double the amount of hours you think you will. {wink...} but most importantly, surround yourself with good people. 

Did I mention that since the shop is only open twice a month, we tear and down and rebuild it with new displays and merchandise each time we are open?? Crazy. But important!

So I guess what am trying to say....it is ok to let go. It is ok to ask for help when you just don't have enough hours in your day to get it all done.

And if you have someone as fabulous as Susan available to give you the hand you need...you grab her and hold on tight! 

And did I mention she sews some pretty fabulous pillows, too?? They are amazing. We carry them at the shop! And all those cute buntings you see? Yep. She sews those. too. 

See. Told you she was awesome. {wink...}

If you haven't read her blog post today, you have to click over and read it...and the one before that since they go together. The girl is hilarious!

Are you close to Rockford, IL?? We would LOVE to see you in the shop sometime! Stop by for a visit! Here are the open dates through Summer. 

Nada Farm Sale - GIVEAWAY!!

Anyone have time for me to sneak in a last minute giveaway???

Entries start today, and I will pick a winner Thursday night at 9pm central time! 

The lucky winner will receive 2 admission tickets to the Nada Farm Sale, and 2 of Anne Marie's dreamy cupcakes AND a little surprise from my shop! (you will LOVE it...I've made up a little basket of vintage goodies AND a little something extra from my shop for the winner!)

Here is all you need to do to enter:

 Leave me a comment on this post telling me what one vintage item you would like to find at the Nada Farm Sale that would make your heart flip!

For additional entries:

 Hop over to my Facebook page and SHARE my post about this giveaway. (leave me a separate comment here letting me know you did!)

(photo take at the May 2012 Nada Farm Sale)

I am sharing a HUGE booth again this year with Anne & Julie from Tattered Tiques in Barrington, IL! 

Ok, girls...GOOD LUCK! Hope to you see you at the Sale this weekend! And if they are still calling for a little rain, don't let that scare you away. The barn is BIG and most vendors are inside. Along with the Bakery, which has the cupcakes. That is the most important part, right?? {wink...}

Exhilarate Rockford - Put on Some Positivity!

{ This post is a shout out to my peeps from Rockford, Illinois. }

We all love our Hometown. It is the place that wraps its arms around you, no matter how long you have been away. Familiar faces, streets, businesses...it is home. 

I live in Rockford, Illinois. And I love my town. The hubs and I travel quite a bit, and when all is said and done...we always end the trip saying what a great time we had, but we are ready to go home.  I want to see my guys behind the counter at my local hardware store. I want to eat a Hawaiian Burrito at my favorite restaurant. I want to drive the tree-lined streets with the houses I dream about living in. It is the simple things that make me love this place. 

Recently, it has been sad to see Rockford making a certain 'list' that a large magazine publishes, ranking cities based on their perceived desirability. {I am not naming names because I think the whole idea is ridiculous, so why even go there.}

Rather than feed into such negativity...I give you the "Put On Some Positivity" campaign!!

Daniel & Michael Hopkins of Oblique Ideas are the great minds behind a website from my town called Exhilarate Rockford. It is an organization that collects snippets of appreciation and improvement (all phrased positively) about Rockford and publishes them online. They want to uplift our city, give everyone a chance to express their pride and love for the town where they live. They have a simple mission. Share and spread positivity about Rockford, Illinois. 

Simple as that. It really is not a hard task. Focus on the good. Spread the love. Pass it on. You can do it!

While they have been providing a format for people to share the reasons why they love it here online...they have taken what you have said and turned it pride you can wear!

I don't think I could say it any better than the brothers have said it themselves...

"It is about reminding people of the good things so that they will care more about their city. It's about changing the way we think, to know why we want to work so hard to solve the problems we face. That is what we are all about. We don't want to ignore the problems, but we do want to highlight the assets, the organizations that are helping, and the great places in town people should visit. It is all about sharing some love."

Amen to that!

So if you want to show your support...and share some Rockford love...visit Exhilarate Rockford. Leave a short note telling everyone what you love about this magnificent city!! 

Rockford has shown my little shop an unbelievable amount of love and support. It is because of all of you that I am able to be a part of this great city!! To return the favor, I want to help spread the positivity, too! This weekend, Urban Farmgirl is carrying the shirts that are the cornerstone of the "Put On Some Positivity" campaign! Want to wear your pride on your back?? Stop by the shop and pick up a t-shirt in support of Daniel & Michael's project! 

{Shirts are $23...come in sizes XS-XXL. They are a heathered charcoal gray, 50/50 cotton blend. Super cozy and comfy, I promise. I am wearing one as I type this!}

Want one shipped to you? I am happy to spread some Rockford love across the miles...just drop me a note with the email address you use for PayPal and what size you would like and we will get one out to you right away! 

(Shipping is an additional $5)

this and that around the shop...

So much fun has been happening around here! The shop is AMAZING, life is good and there are new adventures around every corner! Although I have not had too much time to blog, I have been thinking about all of you, trying to keep up on what is going on mostly through Facebook and Instagram.

They have taken the place of blogging these last few months since the shop has opened...I love how quickly I can post photos from around the shop, or keep in touch while I am out hunting for cool old stuff. 

 I feel like I don't have much going on these days other than what happens at the shop, and hate to bore you over and over with more of the same..but...it's what I've got going on lately, so here we go. My girl, Susan {from Maple & Magnolia} was kind enough to snap some photos between customers the last time we were open so I actually have something to show you! Things were already a little picked over, but you get the idea of what we've got goin' on!

Since we are only open only 2 weekends a month, we have this crazy need to change it up each time it is open...we tear it all down, bring in new things and style it completely different each time. Crazy - but SO MUCH FUN!

The displays are all about color these days...must be because we are so over this gray Midwest winter weather...so we are rollin' spring in, ready or not!

All these photos were from the last weekend we were open...but you should see this weekend's display!  Spring-like - but a little rustic {which is my FAV!}, mixed with new painted furniture pieces and finds from my latest picking adventure through Indiana!

{I will try to show some preview photos on Facebook tomorrow night!}

The shop is open this Thursday 10-6, Friday & Saturday 10-4. 

I hope this little cutie stops in again this week. This is sweet Miss Georgia Claire. She came marching in with her cape on...spotted my vintage tiara's and we KNEW it was the perfect photo op with one of our new chalkboard style prints...

I could not have planned this better if I TRIED!! 

Some things are just meant to be!

Isn't she just adorable??

Ok, I am off to bed. It has been a busy week!

Hope to see some of you Thursday at the shop!

just a little peek around the shop...

Well, hello out there! Anyone still reading this little ol' blog??

 I still trying to find the balance between the new shop, getting my Etsy shop off vacation mode, painting furniture and my 'real' life. I just wanted to stop in and say "hi" today and give you a little peek into what has been going on around here. I will be back to blogging very soon...I just need to find my groove again. 

I have been getting a lot of emails and Facebook messages asking me to show pics from around the shop...so here you go! I had to snap these quickly between customers, so they are not the best pics, but you get the idea of what we've got going on over here at Urban Farmgirl. I only wish I could have taken them earlier before the displays were picked apart. I need to remember to 'schedule' photo time for before the shop opens! {maybe I should write a book later on all those little things a new shop owner needs to know but it too busy to think about on her own! Haha!}

Anyway....we go...

I'll just be quiet and let the photos do the talking!

 I can't believe I made it through all those photos without any 'talking'...so rare for me! Haha! I am off for another day of fun at the shop! Maybe I will see you there!

{We are open 10-4 today...but our next sale event isn't until Feb 21-22-23}

If you are in the area, stop out and say "hello"...I am putting a few new things out today that were not available the last 2 days!

2202 Rural St - Rockford, IL

our city...our story

It feels like forever since I have posted! Since my new brick-and-mortar shop opening at the end of November I have been one busy girl! The shop has had amazing success, and I cannot THANK everyone enough for all their love & support since I opened the doors! Each time I am open for one of my sale events, it is such a fun time! 3 days full of friends, music, laughter and shopping! 

Good times!

I have something new at the shop this week I thought deserved a little shout-out. I know these are specialized for my city of Rockford, IL...but I know I have some readers out there with ties to my city so thought I would share. 

Pablo Korona is the man behind the video series, Our City Our Story. The series showcases some of the really great things about our city through a series through web-videos he has produced. The are beautiful to watch, even if you have never visited Rockford!

My personal fav if about Mainframe. A local artist named Jeremy Klonicki makes the most amazing light fixturing and scuplture out of salvaged materials. His work is nothing short of AMAZING! Really, if you like things made from salvaged material like I do...you are going to LOVE it. Promise. Just in case you missed it...here is the link again. {wink...}

Anywhoo...Pablo needs to support making these beautiful videos...that is where these gorgeous necklaces come in.

Each necklace is made from a vintage trasit-token from Rockford and has been hand-crafted by my friend and local jewelry artisan, Mona Lindvall. {You can also find Mona's jewelry at Urban Farmgirl and on Etsy!}

She has backed each token with an authentic copper Wheat penny, chosen for its symbolism of prosperity. Something out city once had, and desperately needs again. Each has a sterling silver, hand-aged chain and solid-copper ring. 

100% of each sale of the necklaces goes to support Our City, Our Story so Pablo can afford to continue telling the stories of what makes our city great! 

So if anyone out there loves Rockford, or wants to support the love of out city...I would love to pop one in the mail to you! They are $45...shipping is on me. :o)

Isn't it great to see someone willing to use their talents to showcase the good in others? That is what makes Pablo's videos so moving...you can feel the passion for bringing the love of our town back to what it once was. I am so lucky to be able to support him...just another things that makes having my little shop all worth it. 

So happy to be back in blogland again...I have missed you all! See you again on Monday with another post! The shop is open this weekend, so if you are in the area pop in and say Hi! 

pics from around the shop...

AMAZING. 

That is the first word I can think of to describe how the grand opening of my little shop went last Thursday. As I have been reflecting back over the last few days I am still stunned at the crowd that came out all three days to support me and my adventure! I will never be able to express how grateful I am to each and every one of you that either sent my supportive words through email or came in to say 'hello' last weekend.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

I was so lucky to have Traci on hand to take photos for me...I didn't have a chance to get a single photo all weekend!

Here we are right before I opened the door...

....and then then just a few moments later...

It was like that pretty much all night! I was advertised to close at 9...but couldn't shut the doors until 11! 

And for all of you that have emailed and left comments - YES! Urban Farmgirl T-shirts will be for sale online, too! $25 includes shipping! Email me if you would like one! urbanfarmgirlandco@yahoo.com.

It was such a wonderful weekend! I opened the door with a shop full of vintage goodies...and shut the lights of Saturday night to a shop picked clean with the tables almost bare. I am gearing up for the next opening...the shop will be full of new goods! Hope you will be able to stop by!

Shop address:

2202 Rural St. 

Rockford, IL  61107

December Open Dates:

December 12th - 3-9 

(it's a Christmas open house, so come for treats and giveaways!)

December 13th - 10-6

December 14th - 10-4

December 15th - 10-4

Hope to see you there!

GRAND OPENING of Urban Farmgirl - the shop!

I have been painting furniture, hunting for amazing vintage finds and working up all the magic I can to pull it all together...all in preparation for the most important dates in my little shop's history. The grand opening weekend!

  Thursday night will be special - the very first shopping night - full of food, fun and giveaways! I do hope you can join us!

In addition to featuring my painted furniture, there shop will be loaded with my favorite vintage finds as well as the work of some of my very favorite bloggers. You will find the most amazing handcrafted jewelry, photography and home goods from around blogland! I am so very honored to have the opportunity to support these incredible women and their craft! 

I have received so many wonderful emails from girls traveling from afar...and from those right here in my hometown that are making the trek to my little shop's debut. I can't wait to put a face with the names I have known for so long and to make new friends right here in my own town! 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all the wonderful emails, Facebook & blog comments I have received from every one of you in support of my new adventure. I means more than you will ever know! Whenever I feel moments of doubt or nervousness about what I am doing, I just think of those and it make me confident that this little shop is going to feel the love! 

Hope to see you all on November 29th!