It was a gorgeous fall day when the Country Living Fair came to town a few weekends ago. And I was there bright and early Friday morning just as the gates popped opened.
There was not going to be a "you snooze, you lose" excuse going on here. I was an early-bird and there were worms I wanted to get!
I was a woman on a mission. A mission to find some fun, unique goodies, but also be a little selective and NOT buy everything in sight.
I've been to the fair before and I know that there is a LOT of really cool stuff and it can be overwhelming and confusing to see that much stuff laid out in front of you.
But you can't have it all. You just can't.
You know you're in trouble when the very first booth you stop at is chock-full of goodies though.
Cute. Cute. Cute.
Blackwater Folk Art makes this very cool (and did I say cute?) repurposed folk art. It ranged from bright and bold to rusty and crusty and everywhere in between.
And it's made from reclaimed building materials and storm debris, so right up my repurposed-loving alley.
But this was only my first booth.
I kept telling myself you need to pace yourself, girl. You've got this!
Since I had an early-bird ticket (you get in 1 ½ hours early to get dibs on the best stuff), I had time to poke around some other booths and really see what was there.
And then I could double-back and grab what I really, really wanted before the hoards of people descend when the gates open for reals.
Now there is a LOT of farmhouse decor,
fall accessories
Like this Car-Snac thermos set.
Or this chippy turquoise (!!!) rocker that would have been so darn cute on my front porch with a few pumpkins setting on it and a plaid throw casually draper over one arm.
and vintage goodies to be had at the fair.
But I was not expecting THIS!
I found my peeps at the Country Living Fair!
I can't tell you how surprised and excited I was when I turned a corner and saw a WHOLE BOOTH devoted to blowmolds.
And it wasn't just Christmas. It was fall and Halloween also!!!
The booth was by Wizard Of Oddz and if you can't tell, she is a fellow lover of these plastic little guys!
After I was done geeking out at all the blowmolds, I gathered myself up and continued on with the rest of the fair.
Besides stuff to buy at the fair, there are demonstrations and food, but who has time for that?
I did stop at the vintage trailer area so I could take a peek inside this Airstream though.
Because if there's a vintage trailer and the door is open, I have to stick my head inside.
I just have to.
I thought this trailer was very unique. More Boho than Glampy if that's a thing!
Loved it.
You can see more of this trailer on their instagram page - @trailerandwagon on Instagram.
I could go on and on and show you around the fair, but I know what you really want to know is . . .
So what did you buy?
There are a couple of things that I bought as gifts, so I can't show you those (as if my family actually reads my blog 🙂 ).
But I was super excited when I found this vintage Holiday thermos that has been on my "to-find" list for a while now.
Every year when it gets close to Christmas, I scrounge around on Etsy trying to find a reasonably priced one and never have the best of luck. And I've never seen one out in the wild. Never.
And then boom! This one pops up in front of my face at the fair.
I'm sure you'll see it again when the holidays come around.
And I bought this vintage galvanized watering can that had been painted black at some point.
Lacey is very impressed by it.
I thought it would look nice on the porch for Halloween with maybe some fall flowers stuck in it.
Or spooky skeleton body parts.
Either or.
And from the first vendor I showed you, I bought this fall leaf.
I know! I actually stuck to my word of checking things out first and then doubling-back to buy stuff!
You can see it in action on my Farmhouse Front Porch Fall Decor Tour HERE.
A House Of Hawthornes Quiz For The Ages:
OK, now comes the fun part. There is something in the photos that I bought and have not told you about yet.
Is it:
A - a blowmold, because come on, blowmolds!!!
B - the doll stroller, because you are pregnant. Congratulations, Pam.
C - the vintage trailer, because if you're going to spend over $1,000 at the show, you might as well have something BIG to show for it.
D - all of the above, because Pam hit the lottery and is going to buy us all houses in the south of France. Woo hoo!
So what is it?
AND THE ANSWER IS . . .
The doll stroller!!!
As soon as I saw it I immediately thought of how cute it would look at Christmas with some greenery and vintage ornaments in the seat part. We'll see where it ends up, but I am envisioning it on the buffet cabinet maybe.
Who needs room for plates and silverware, when you can have a doll stroller on top of your buffet cabinet?
December update - OK, it did end up in my dining room at Christmastime! You can see it on my Vintage Rustic Christmas Decorations tour.
Updated for 2024
In March of 2022, the Country Living people announced that all Country Living Fairs were canceled due to ongoing Covid concerns. There has been no further word from them regarding the fairs since then and no future dates have been mentioned. To be honest, I have a feeling they have just quit doing these fairs altogether which makes me very sad!
You can bookmark their site Country Living Fair or follow their Instagram page to check in on them every so often just in case they change their mind. And if they make any announcements (or respond to my repeated emails) I will let you know here as well.
Judy
I guess- All of the above!!! Thy may never come your way again!!!
Pam
I would love to have BOUGHT IT ALL, but it was the doll stroller actually. I thought it would be fun for Christmas decor. Maybe put a little greenery and vintage ornaments in it 🙂
Leslie harris
I had to laugh at your peek inside that trailer not only looking inside but getting that quick picture in there too. Aren't bloggers funny? Looks like such a fun day loved seeing all the Fall eye candy?
Shearer Debra Schlegel
Wow! I must put this show on my bucket list when I retire! Wow! Such great things in one place! I am hoping your answer is D and you won the lottery! Blowmolds?? All of those in one place? What a hard time to choose! So happy you had fun and thanks for sharing!
Pam
It was actually the doll stroller. As soon as I saw it my mind raced ahead to Christmas and how cute it would look with some greenery in it.
[email protected]
what a lovely show. great merchandise. you have an eye for what works.
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks
I don't have a clue, but I can't wait to see! Love what you got though! And that display of pumpkins at the beginning...WOW!
Pam
The doll stroller. I'm thinking of using it for a Christmas display at the house.
Karen Steinmann
Has to be the blowmolds probably a Halloween one. Right? Missed the fair this year. Had other weekend plans. Loved this show. Loved the recycled tin pumpkins and fall decor.
Pam
I wish. The blow molds were a little out of my price range for blow molds, since I'm used to being the one to find them at estate sales. It's different when you have to pay retail for them 🙂 I ended up getting the doll stroller though. Thinking of using it for a Christmas display in the house.
Cathie
Is it the bowling bag in the first picture? The Fair looks like so much fun! Anything you buy would be great! Thanks so much for sharing.
Pam
Ugh, I went back to get that later in the morning and it was gone already. My whole looking around before I buy thing, doesn't always work 🙂 I ended up buying the doll stroller. Thought it would look cute for a Christmas display with greenery in it.
Sarah Franklin
Would love to have been with you! I think it's the doll stroller.
Pam
YES!!! I loved that thing. The colors are perfect for Christmas decor.
Nana Diana
I think you bought a blow mold but probably just to make me wrong you bought that plaid zipper thingy...or the tricycle. Whatever it is, I bet it is great. Love that booth with the repurposed tin art in it.
Hope you have a great weekend. I'd say you did a good job of search and find before buying! xo Diana
Pam
Doll stroller. I need one like a hole in my head, but I thought it would be cute at Christmas with some greenery in it.
Fonda Rush
Uhhh...was it a blow mold? Now, gimme my prize!!!
I'm glad you had fun. Columbus is where I was born and raised for the most part. I know it well, and I miss it terribly.
Pam
NO!!! The blow molds were fantastic, but I'm used to paying only a few bucks for them at garage sales. I bought the doll stroller to use at Christmastime. Might put some greenery in it???
Kim Reiter
OK I'll take 2 elves and a black cat....blow molds of course! Great fun. PS love the dog
Pam
I would have wrapped my arms around all of them and drug them home with me if I could 🙂 But I ended up getting the doll stroller. I thought it would look cute as Christmastime.
kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
Ahhhh what a great time and love all your treasures. That watering can is awesome. Lacey is adorable too. Happy Friday and Happy Weekend.
Kris
Courtney
Well, I'm really hoping it's "D" ..but I'm going to guess "A" ..love your finds and the tour!
Pam
Oh, no. It was "B", the doll stroller. I wish I could have grabbed some of the blow molds, but they were out of my blow mold price range 🙂 I'm going to use the doll stroller for Christmas decor. It was the perfect shade of red for the holidays!
chris tucker
blow molds is the expected answer so i am going with the stroller 'cause i always buck the crowds ha ha xx
Pam
Yay!!! You are correct! I thought it would look cute at Christmas with some greenery stuck in it!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
Great finds...you look like you were in a fall buying mood, so I am guessing the scarecrow blow mold! Looks like such a FUN day!
Pam
I think Mr. Scarecrow must have been a very rare one, because he was very much out of my price range. I ended up buying the doll stroller. Thought it might be cute/quirky for Christmas decor 🙂
Suzanne
OMG I want to go so badly but I live in Nothern California and everything I see that I want is way to large for my suitcase. Love all your treasures but what I love most is Lacey! What kind of dog is she?
Pam
She's a labradoodle (1/2 lab and 1/2 poodle). Sweetest dog in the world!