The Quest For Valentine Perfection Is On!!

You are on the last leg of your quest for a special item for that special person in your life!  Now, don’t get me wrong, you can shop for yourself as well.  You can be your own special person ready for a Valentine’s Day treat!  We are having our Sweetheart Sale this weekend, February 11^th & 12^th, so it is a good time to stop by.   The selection is wonderful!  You will find traditional, fine antiques all the way to sweet up-cycled or shabby furniture.  There are lots of great pieces of tableware for setting your special table.  We have a great selection of collectibles as well.  Depression glass, pie birds, Josef Originals, etc.  Take time to stop by this weekend and check out our special treasures!

Sweet pink Depression glass set

Try some mix n' match china on your table

                         

Sturdy old kitchen farm table

Now this is a bed!!

Classic sofa and love seat set

Would you believe this is a bed??

Nothing beats turquoises in your kitchen!

Beautiful antique piece!

Sweet little pie bird collection

                         

Mid Century is always a favorite

                                     

Sentimental Sweet Tidings Ahead!!

Valentine’s Day has been celebrated as a romantic holiday since 1382

when Geoffrey Chaucer wrote a poem about St. Valentine.  Valentine’s gifts and cards really took off under the reign of Queen Victoria (who was apparently very romantic) in the mid 1800’s.  The English spent billions each year on cards, candy and gifts.  There is something to be said about taking the time to personally write a note to a special person instead of an e-mail!  In our age of “speed"  a lot of the personal touch in communication has been lost.  These little vintage gems are not just for giving as sentimental gifts.  They can be framed and displayed throughout the year.  Look for those that have historical significance or recognizable signatures if you are a collector!  In the meantime, enjoy the wonderful artwork, mechanics and sentimental values of these little treasures!  Come check out the variety of vintage valentines we have ready for you at South End Antique Mall!

Consider using vintage boxes for your favorite chocolate!

 

Hearts Are "Aflutter" in Aurora This Month!

Are you a shopping procrastinator?  We have you covered! February is a special time in Aurora!  February 11^th – 14^th is “Bring Your Love to Aurora” week.  This is the big Valentine’s Day celebration for all the antique stores in Aurora.  South End Antique Mall is no slacker in this department!  We have a great selection of special items for your special person.  Our own store-wide sale will be February 11^th & 12^th with the entire store offering 10% off.  Many vendors are giving even deeper discounts!  This will give you plenty of time before February 14th to get your shopping done.  We have a great selection of vintage and contemporary jewelry, vintage valentines, and special little trinkets and gifts for just about anyone.  Stop by and visit us for coffee, cookies and a great shopping experience!

Pretty In Pink!!

We have so many talented vendors here at South End Antique Mall!  This new space is a great example of creative shopping and staging!  This space features “Pink” all the way through.  This room is chock full of beautiful pieces that have classic design and were specially selected for the pink theme of the room.  If you love cottage theme décor or just plain “pink”, stop by and check this one out!  Just make sure you don’t stop at this room alone but check out the rest of the store as well.  Cottage, mid-century, shabby, BOHO, antique, you name it; we have lots of examples to choose from!

Living Life In The Good Old Days!

Were the “good old days” that good??  Some of us have been challenged this last week with the loss of electricity and the ability to get to our favorite market for supplies.  In the “good old days”, this was normal daily life.  The center of the house was a huge iron stove with beautiful chrome trim.  You used it as a cook surface, an oven and a heater for the home.   I have used one of these and am here to tell you, it takes talent!  You wasted nothing but used old fabric scraps and worn out clothing to make quilts and rag rugs for the floor.  You only got the butter after you milked the cow and churned the cream.   The food you stored to get you through the winter was put up in glass jars and crocks.  No grocery store on the corner!  I am sure there are many things about the “good old days” that were truly good.  No distraction from electronics allowing more face time maybe??  Those great old things that kept our ancestors warm and fed are still available to us to use as decorations or to learn to use again!  Who does not like the idea of fresh butter or a crock of homemade sauerkraut!  The winter weather threw us for a loop this last weekend and we closed the store for the safety of our customers, vendors and employees.  Things should be back to normal on Monday so come on in and see what you missed from the “good old days”!

This beast has a handle that attached and was used to iron clothing (after heating it on the wood stove)

This was an "agitator" for washing your laundry

I know some of you have used these!  This is a hand crank butter churn and would still make wonderful butter today!

No "non-stick" surface cookware!  Just very serviceable enamelware that is still useful today.

It is not a bad idea to have a few of these oil lamps around today.  Great when you lose electricity!

Those old rag rugs make beautiful additions to your home today.

                                         

Time To Spiff Up Your "Cave"

The last decoration is put away and you finally have time to look at projects you have had on “mothballs”!  Maybe some of those new Christmas gifts have inspired you to do some redecorating.  You hear a lot about “Man Caves” these days.  Picking a theme and doing a room in that theme gives it your own special touch.   We have a great selection of items just for your new “cave” whether it is a “woman cave” or a “man cave”!  Vintage signs, framed game boards, hunting and fishing themed items, etc.  Come take a stroll through the mall and see what you can find!