Home at LAST!

It's been so long since I've had a moment to sit down and tell all you Nesters what's up at the Nest!  Phewww....WHERE to begin?

As you may know...I started the journey to create a Nest of my very own.  My very first ever brick and mortar (just a crazy term....) store.  I feel like I've been in a Bugs Bunny cartoon!!!  Every time the end was near, another bomb/anvil fell.  The building started out life as a log cabin in 1794 so needless to say it was a bumpy ride.  All in all...the building is a dream! A store I am proud to call The Robin's Nest!

Home Sweet Home

While the eggs were hatching in the Nest, I took my show on the road!  I had the opportunity to be a Country Living Fair vendor in Nashville, TN and Rhinebeck, NY.  What a thrill for sure! My motto..."have junk, will travel".  We loaded up Opal Estelle (my birdie van), hitched the trailer and headed out on the open road!

Nashville Country Living Fair

Rhinebeck, NY Country Living Fair

Gotta say it felt a little weird not to be a part of Chartreuse & co, having left there in Feb. of this year.  FAITH seemed to be the hardest thing to achieve! (insert the song "FAITH" by George Michael...as this became my theme song!) Loading and unloading...buying and selling...all that lead to 4, count 'em FOUR storage units that were dumped unloaded/moved into the new store on July 1!  I opened the doors on Aug. 1!  And if that's not enough... The Robin's Nest got a little local press to boot!

WHAG News Coverage

And now the real works begins..... saga to be continued!

Here we go AGAIN!!! It's Road Trip Time at the NEST! Should I be Scared???

Well, it's been a few months since my last road trip, see part 1, pt 2, pt 3, and pt 4 to catch up.  As usual, I'm getting the itch to hit the road again. Let's face it, it's the BEST part of this crazy vintage business.  It you buy/sell vintage you know what I'm talking about!  Vintage shopping is my drug of choice. The thrill of the bargaining, finding the unusual, figuring out what to do with the crazy treasures that I find....I just can't get enough.  Not to mention the amazing people you meet along the way.  My crazy antics and shenanigans keep me entertained as well.  I live, breathe and sleep VINTAGE!!

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I'm heading back to Texas!!  I had such an amazing treasure hunt back in February that I'm hittin' the road AGAIN! Gal pal had planned on making the journey with me...but, unfortunately that's not gonna happen. SOOOooooooo....long story short, I'm going myself.  This seems to have caused quite a stir with most of my friends.
Friend 1: "I can't believe you're going by yourself"
Friend 2: "You are sooo brave"
Friend 3: "I could never do that"
Friend 4: "I'm so scared for you, I'll pray for you"


 Maybe it's me....maybe I'm just too crazy to be scared. But to tell the truth, fear has never really entered into a decision to hit the road, either with friends or by myself.  I'm concerned about where the best vintage treasures are, lodging, finding gluten free food (I pack one suitcase filled with my goodies so I won't starve!!!) and will my $$$ run out before I get home. I am a ROAD WARRIOR!!  I love to travel and hunt for vintage gold along the way.  The lure of the road is not something I can resist.  I must have hundreds of places to shop before I die....gotta check 'em off.

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Experience has taught me to just go with it.  If I stop and think about all the bad things that could possibly happen to me, then I don't think I would go anywhere!  It could be that this lack of trepidation could be partly to blame for all the highjinx I get myself into.  I mean really, (insert Robin's motto here...) "I'm an intelligent woman, how hard can it be?" So with a start in Texas, thru the great town of Nashville, I will drive 1600+ miles, aka 23 hrs. back home.  I've got a disco playlist in the making.  My goal is to learn "Rapper's Delight" by heart.  (My challenge from Gal Pal)

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So my bags are almost packed, got hubby going to the bank to get my stash of cash and I'm finishing up my play lists.  Now the BIG question??? How on earth am I gonna wake up hubby at 3:30am to take me to the airport.  This early bird ALWAYS gets the worm!!!!

I'd love to hear what you think about my travels!!  If you have a great road trip story....please share!!!

Have a good one,

Robin

Hittin' the Road "Nest" Style.....Part 4

I hope you've been following along....I'm telling 'ya, it was quite a trip.  If you need a refresher you can find Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 here.  The rest of the shopping trip home is not nearly as eventful.  However, I think you'll get a kick out of some of the items gal pal and I saw as well as our guilty pleasure.

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At this point in the trip.....

• We've had a truck fiasco
• Been called names by a man on the phone
• Learned how to wear,size and buy chaps
• Joined a drinking club in Texas
• Been blinded by diamonds and stories from drunkin' ladies

It's time to go home!!  Drive straight home, you ask??  Heck no!!  Two girls and a 26'truck????  We're heading to Nashville!

I have to say, although our time was short in Nashville, it was a blast to be there!  Gal pal and I learned a lot in our 36 hrs....thought I'd share.

Burger Republic in Nashville, TN

• Most antique/vintage shops aren't open on MONDAY!! Yikes! We were there late Sunday and all day Monday.  Wishing for a do-over on this one!
• Best burger I've ever had in my life.  I have celiac disease, so anytime I can get a gluten-free bun with a killer sam-mich....it's a great day!!!
• Truly some of the nicest people I've ever met!
• Some amazing artists live in Nashville.
• Some wackadoodle artists live in Nashville.

A picture's worth a thousand words so I'll show you what I'm talking about......

Bed Pan Banjo....everybody needs one!

Booby Art

Fantastic Shop.... Two Old Hippies

Hot Flash Fan

Mod Egg Chair

Christmas is never very far....

Truly Funky

Hand Crafted Terrariums

I hope you enjoyed tagging along with me during this bizarre, amazing, crazy vintage treasure hunt.

I'd love to here your stories!!!!

Have a good one,
Robin