How Much is That Kitty in the Picture...

For anyone that owns a furry feline, you can feel my pain. Not only do I have a cat, but a dog that enjoys chasing the cat, but that's another post. So here I am at the computer minding my own business... 

Oh, that looks comfy, let me lay down right here. 

Ok, no computer. I'll just go photograph a few things..

Are you taking pictures of me? No? Will you pet me? 

Ok, back to the computer, let me just grab something off this shelf...

Why won't you just love me?!?!

Needles to say, he lives off of attention. Sometimes food and treats, but mainly attention. But the show must go on. Thank you for this cute kitty interruption, now back to your scheduled program: 

So in my travels, I come across a lot of neat people, places and things. (I could have just said nouns, I guess.) I don't always get to buy everything I want, but for the things I do get to call my own, there's a story and I would like to share that with you! 

This weeks story is about two little embroidered owls. I was driving home from who-knows-where and just a block from my house was an estate sale! How the heck did I miss that?  So I parked, grabbed $20 and walked over with high hopes. Books, clothes, piano, big furniture, oh shoot, there go my hopes, plummeting to a deep hole of leaving with nothing. Then, like a ray of freaking sunshine, there were these two framed owls, sitting all by their lonesome. 

(angels singing)

Oh hey, I'm awesome.

What the hoot! So am I. 

Vintage sharpie?! 

There they were, all in their 70's brown, orange and yellow glory. I asked the woman if she knew who made them and she said her husbands grandmother. She made them in 1978 and had them until she moved and he took them to their house, where I was currently fondling them (mental picture.) So if you think they are as adorable as I do, you are in luck! They are now up for sale in my Etsy shop here!

Even if you don't think they are adorable, which they totally are, you can still check out my shop. If you don't see something you love to the moon and back, or are looking for something in particular, let a sista know! I have a garage full of things, and I am constantly on the hunt. Be sure to like Poor Girl Picker on facebook too! Yes, I am stepping my social media game up! You can check that out here!

Smell ya later! 
-Stephanie 

*Want to be featured? Buy something from me! Turn it into something new! Send me a before, during and after picture! Its as easy as that folks!

**Know someone that has a barn, attic, basement, chicken coop, secret room, garage, or any other space filled with stuff that needs to be picked over? Get atcha girl!! PoorGirlPicker@gmail.com and we can talk about what you got, what I want, and maybe chew on some laffy taffy!

***Check out my Etsy page to see what kinds of cool things I have in store for ya! PGP Etsy Shop

You Can't Rain on this Feature Friday!

Rain, Rain, go away...

...come again when I don't have a flea market.

It's Saturday! Woohoo, the weekend! That means I'm supposed to be at a the Peddler, peddlin my super awesome vintage stuff! Nope. Mother Nature has other plans. Maybe the plants and trees are really thirsty or the sun needed to sleep in. Whatever the case may be, I am here with the pups, not peddlin my stuff. Wait a second. It's Saturday. That means yesterday was Friday, which means there was supposed to be a feature, and I don't remember posting one.... OH FARTS! I done did it again! So, excuse my tardiness, but please allow me to introduce you to this weeks: 

FEATUUUUUURE FRIDAAAAAY! 

Carly came to the Peddler a few weeks ago and was interested in some vintage Pyrex test tubes I had out. She told me that she had just bought this wooden pipe rack from a thrift store and her creative juices were a flowin'. The test tubes would fit perfectly in the rack, so she bought a handful and off she went to craft her little heart out! Little did I know crafting is something that comes naturally to her! 

Carly got in touch with me recently and sent me the pictures of her test tube creation. I found out that she has an Instagram account and an Etsy shop too! So I did what every normal person does and I scoped it out. Her stuff is super cool and original. I wish that I had a crafty bone in my body, and sometimes I like to pretend it's there. But then I don't measure correctly, the hot glue gun hates me, and there are two animals -make that three (sorry Jordan,) - that shed so much that I need an army of brooms and vacuums. So my "crafts" turn into "well, at least I tried, right?"  In addition to Carly's Feature Friday, I threw in some pictures of her other crafts so you can get an idea of just how awesome they are! 

Before...

After! Gosh dangit it's so cute! 

Um, yes! Re-purposed belts turned cuffs?!

Can I get one that says "picker" & I'll just walk around with my finger in my nose?

IN LOVE.

Cool lamp, check. Mint paint, check. Awesomeness, check. 

So whatdya think? I wasn't lying! This girl can craft! She was thinking silk flowers for the tubes, and I suggested candy, cause I mean, who doesn't want a shooter of peanut butter M&M's? If you have any suggestions, please feel free! A lot of her items are made from vintage and re-purposed goods, which is exactly what I strive for with PGP and Feature Fridays. To give these items another purpose and new life so that another person can love it is what it's all about! We don't always have to have the next best or newest thing. Sometimes its already in your house, yard, garage or waiting to be found at a flea market. It just takes a little time, creativity, and elbow grease to make it yours. 

You can find Carly's Sweet Creations (appropriately named) for sale at her Etsy shop here: Carly's Sweet Creations and be sure to follow her on Instagram @Carlysweetjones. She also has some pieces up for sale with the proceeds going to charity! One of the many reasons why I love doing what I do is it gives me the opportunity to meet awesome people and spread a little vintage love! Carly is definitely one of those people, and unfortunately she doesn't live in Buffalo, but maybe the universe will have our paths cross again in the future. 

Whether it's raining or shining by you, make today great! Maybe you've been inspired to dig around your basement and give new life to an old piece. In that case, email me and let me know! And check back at the Poor Girl Picker Etsy shop, as I have been adding, and will continue to add, new things daily! 

Smell Ya Later!

-Stephanie 

*Want to be featured? Buy something from me! Turn it into something new! Send me a before, during and after picture! Its as easy as that folks!

**Know someone that has a barn, attic, basement, chicken coop, secret room, garage, or any other space filled with stuff that needs to be picked over? Get atcha girl!! PoorGirlPicker@gmail.com and we can talk about what you got, what I want, and maybe mow down on some gummy bears!

***Check out my Etsy page to see what kinds of cool things I have in store for ya! PGP Etsy Shop

The Venue Menu: Buffalo Edition

Cool New Buffalo Flea Market Venues, 

(Covered in Hot Sauce.) 

For the past few years, Buffalo has been growing as a city. There are numerous articles about how cool we are (literally and awesomely), how hot our residents and sauces are, how dedicated our fans are to the Bills and Sabres, and how people are really making new stuff happen. Being here for almost two years myself, I have definitely seen the growth. There is something to do every night. (Even in the winter!) There are so many concerts, festivals, markets, pop-up shops, free yoga, drumming in Delaware Park, kayaking, ice fishing, sight seeing, I mean I could list for hours all there is to do. A lot of neighborhoods and abandoned buildings that were originally given up on are also seeing new life. Events are being held, small businesses are moving to abandoned storefronts on the west side, and people are renovating houses that need a little TLC. Buffalo is expanding rapidly with creative minds and progressive people. 

One of those originally-given-up-on places is Larkin Square. It has been renovated in the past few years and it is spectacular. They were able to create an environment and space that is safe, fun and accessible. (They = the Zemsky family.)  Larkin Square is located downtown right off Seneca Street. There is TONS of free parking (yes, FREE,) events during the week, and awesome lounge chairs, hula hoops and beer! Tuesday night is Food Truck Tuesday, Wednesdays are live music from local musicians and Thursday is the Larkin Market. I was lucky enough to be selected as a vendor for the Larkin Market and I couldn't be happier! 

There are tons of vendors ranging from artists, leather goods, locally made Fudge, coffee, jewelry, clothes and vintage! Its such a cool market in a really up and coming neighborhood.  Keeping an inventory for three flea markets hasn't been a challenge either. I mean, who doesn't like to pick?! I have been out and about filling Peggy with tons of neat stuff to bring with me. Check out my stand and the banner I made! 

Book case? Check. Clothing Rack? Check. Handmade sign? Check.

Turquoise fo lyfe. 

Those flowers are not for sale. 

I will not be at Larkin this Thursday, but I will be on Thursday the 28th. Jordan is usually down there too with his awesome juice keg. (Yes, cold press juice on tap!) 

Another really cool venue is Silo City. It is a complex made up of three abandoned grain silos. The land was bought by a local guy (can't remember his name) and he lets people rent it out for different things. There are music festivals, art shows, historical guided tours, kayaking or stand up paddle boarding the canal, and even weddings! Scott, who runs the Peddler, also organizes the Silo City Flea. It is a flea market on specific Sundays in the summer. I wish they were every Sunday, but one can only dream. Being around the huge buildings all day is really eye opening. They have been there for 50+ years,  are close to or higher than 100ft tall, and they were once utilized to ship and store grain. I almost feel like the spirits of the workers are there peering down from the windows... ok, no more ghost talk. For my viewers who are not local to western ny, maybe these pictures will make you feel like you were there. If not, you should visit so you can actually be here. 

 Getting it all up in and on Peggster. 

Peggy is a beast. 

Don't mind if I do... 

Don't worry ma, this was taken through the window. 

Said window.

Is it trespassing if you paid to be there? 

Lovin the light. 

Cats love Silo City too!

Wide open spaces. 

Sell! Sell! SELL!

Its a really cool venue and we have another flea market on September 7th, so you should come buy some cool stuff, explore an abandoned silo and take a walk down to the canal to see a barge go by. 

Wherever you may live, I hope you are enjoying the rest of summer, and all the seasons for that matter. I know Buffalo isn't the only city to have cool stuff going on, so: get out, explore, and experience what your town has to offer! 

See ya at Silo! 

-Stephanie 

*Want to be featured? Buy something from us! Turn it into something new! Send us a before, during and after picture! Its as easy as that folks!

**Know someone that has a barn, attic, basement, chicken coop, secret room, garage, or any other space filled with stuff that needs to be picked over? Get atcha girl!! PoorGirlPicker@gmail.com and we can talk about what you got, what I want, and maybe have cranberry goat cheese.