A Victorian Tea To Remember

I can remember, not too many years ago, when tea houses where very popular in this area.
We still had the antique mall at that time, and since we worked it ourselves, we had a hands on experience with both customers and sellers.
Tea pots, tea cups, linens and lace were so popular.
Magazines filled with how to articles, of how to have a Victorian Tea at home.
Although I am only nine years older than my niece, I have always had a motherly type love for her.
I had not seen her for a few years, and out of the blue, she called and said, hey, let's have tea.
Well, that's a fabulous idea, I replied...be here at 1 on Friday.
So, I opened my cupboards to choose the linens and such to entertain my niece for our tea.
We also exchange a little gift when we have our teas, and much to my delight, when she arrived, she had not forgotten, because yes indeed, she had a little gift for me, as I had one for her.
Nothing expensive, instead a little token , a little memento to cherish the time of our tea.
A Victorian Tea is not just sitting at the table having tea, instead, it's a cherished event.
The attention given to the table setting, the selection of the tea, and what little treat such as scones is also special indeed.
We sat all afternoon, long after the tea was cold. It was wonderful, so special, and many stories were told,
If you love someone, and yet, seldom see them, have them over for a Victorian tea.
Have the table set pretty with ribbons and lace...have a little gift for them to take home to cherish as a remembrance of the event.
My husband took the photos you see, but, was not interested in partaking some tea, LOL.
He could not understand what the fuss was about, after all, my niece and I was only having tea.
But, after she left, he looked at my smiling face, and I knew he finally understood, the special thing about, a Victoriana Tea.

Christmas Shopping has wonderful Traditions

Holidays make life fun.
I do most of my holiday shopping on line.
I will confess, the Black Friday midnight sales were very tempting here in Hagerstown Md, especially since Prime Outlets has a Kate Spade store.
Today is Dec 3rd.
Ruby Lane shop owners are having a Red Tag Sale.
This tradition began last year.
It was so successful, that it will now be a Ruby Lane holiday tradition, several times a year.
Ruby Lane shop owners have a Red Tag list.
1 to 59 items that is listed in their shops, is reduced 30 to 60 %...the shop owner decides how much they want to reduce each item, and which item they want to include in their sale.
I think it's a fabulous idea.
Unique, because each shop owner can tweet, FaceBook etc the link to their own Red Tag sale, or, they can do the link for the entire site.
It's fun, and it's saving money, time, gas, and well, no long lines at the check out counter either.
The Ruby Lane Red Tag sale.
Here's the link to my shop's red tag items,
but, be sure to check out the other shop owner's items too..I have, and I am ready to shop shop shop.

http://www.rubylane.com/shop/rcantiques/ilist/,id=0,types=redtag.html

Sat Dec 3rd Red Tag Sale Don't Miss It

here is the list, remember, these items will be 30 to 60% off
http://www.rubylane.com/shop/rcantiques/ilist/,id=0,types=redtag.html

Collecting is Fun

Collecting is fun.

I think it is very important to collect what you like, not as an investment.

Today's world is so fast paced, that , one never knows what will be worth the dollars spent.

I can remember the days of The Cabbage Patch babies. People paid alot of money for those , and the those babies were hot for several years.

Whenever I have a house call to look at something someone is selling, it is always sad to see items collected because they were, at the time of collecting, a " hot " in demand item.

Don't let yourself be disappointed.

Enjoy your collections for what they are. And, when you are downsizing, or, have decided to collect something else, be glad you will get some dollars back for whatever you collected.

I collect many things. If I could get the money the books say they are worth, I would be sipping a tall cool drink in Hawaii right now instead of writing this blog.

I am writing this blog, because I have been downsizing my collections the past couple years.

Each item I have collected has brought me pleasure, and memories of the find.

If you approach collecting as a treasure hunt, you will enjoy the adventure of the find, no matter what it cost, and what you end up getting for it.

It's the hunt that makes collecting so much fun.

So, be a treasure hunter, and enjoy those finds, that's what collecting is really all about.

From me to you, treasure hunter, RC Linda

Antiques to Vintage in Living Color

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The Beauty of... by treasure_seeker

I love color, here are the things I found on Ruby Lane today.

Antiques House Call and the Pink Breast Cancer Awareness story

When in the antique business for as many years as my husband and I have been, word spreads if you are a good buyer.

We always paid well for anything we would buy from people in their home.

If we were not interested in the items, we would give advice as to how to sell the item etc.

Through the years, we have had repeat house calls.

This blog is about a very important one.

She was a lovely very healthy young lady.

Her Mother collected antiques. When her Mother became ill with Lung Cancer,  this wonderful young lady took care of her Mother till the end.

Her Father could not bear living in the family home, so, he called us to come to the house, buy what we wanted and advise as to what to do with the rest.

I remember that day clear as though it were only yesterday.

The daughter wanted to be sure her Mother's collection got the best attention possible.

We brought some things, and then gave advice on the rest.

A few years later, the daughter called us for another house call.

By this time, she had brought another home ( by the way, she was happily married to a wonderful man ).

She and her husband brought the home because it had a small apartment attached to it, which was where her Father moved to at the insistence of the daughter and her hubby.

Her Father had passed away, and again, there we were to give her advice and so forth.

By this time she had an adorable baby.

The next call was the following year. They were moving to the country.

She had boxes upon boxes of Mother's items stashed in the attic of this home.

She was attached to the items , because, after all, her Mother loved antiquing.

But, it was time to let go, especially since most of the items were not the type items one uses anymore or collects.

By this time, we felt as though this gal as ours. Her heart so devoted, so loyal.

Then, about 3 years ago, she called again.

We went to her country home. The baby had grown to be a sweet little girl, in elementary school, and a baby in the crib was one they hoped to adopt.

As we stood there in the foyer, looking at the things she was going to sell, we noticed she was parting with things that were not antique, as though making room for another project.

We joked with her about it, and then, it was though time stood still.

She looked at us, and said, " Well, last week, the doctor said I have Breast Cancer. So, I want to clear some things out, to make it easier to keep the house nice."

So young, my goodness...my husband and I both kept our composure and assured her that these days with the modern technology, and since she is so healthy, we assured her she will be fine.

We hugged her before we left.

Walking to our car, 2 beautiful dogs in a huge fenced yard barked happily at us, We told her, she had wonderful body guards..laughing at our comment, she said she loved dogs and moving to the country is great because they were able to adopt these 2 huge dogs and give them a huge area to run and have fun.

Time passes fast. Life keeps us very busy.

A few months ago, that young vibrant young lady that gave so much of herself, did not survive her Breast Cancer.

A life so full of love, so full of giving and plans and hope...gone.

So, when you see someone posting a pink Kaboodle style board, or walking a marathon for the cure , hopefully you will remember this story.

Breast Cancer just happens...it happens to anyone....even to healthy, young, positive people.

She would give me 2 thumbs up for this blog, as I know she wants me to spread the word.

Pink for the cure

Enjoy some fab rockin music when fab views of RC's latest finds R shown

The best is yet to come Big News at Linda Caricofe blog

It's difficult to keep up with all of the changes on the net.

But, it's important to stay informed, because if you do not, you will loose out on an exciting experience.

I have really worked hard on keeping up with the new trends and new apps on the net, while creating videos and blogs.

Add keeping my shops on Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza up to date, so you are looking at a lady that became over whelmed by it all.

So, I took a real break this past summer.

It did affect my public profile, however, it improved my personal daily life.

It helped clear my brain so I can function much better as a blogger, shop owner, and video producer.

I have several future projects on the chalk board that I am very excited about.

One is another blog site, besides this one that deals with the fun things on the net, a blog that's more visual with videos and style boards, while this blog returns to it's regular format of my past as an antique dealer..the stories I know you will enjoy.

Pickers is a fabulous hit show, therefore, I know, those of you that have stayed with my blog since it's beginning, miss my stories of my experiences...so, believe me, within a few months, those stories will once again be the focus on this blog page, while the visuals of videos and style boards will be on my other blog site :-)

So, stay tuned.

The best is yet to come,

best wishes,

Linda

Antiques are cherished treasures

The Treasures... by treasure_seeker

All of these beautiful things are found on Ruby Lane. They are true treasures that have survived the years with grace.

Antique to Vintage Sales New idea The Red Tag Sale

Here's a neat idea that I think many sites will follow.

Ruby Lane is having their first Red Tag Sale.

Ruby Lane is a site that has thousands of shop owners.

Many of the items in those shops will have a red tag logo on them.

For one day only, the red tag items will be 30 to 60% off !

It depends on what the seller decides as far as the discount price.

And the Red Tag Sale will only be for one day. 

As you all know, I have a shop on Ruby Lane, so, naturally, I am excited

about this new idea.

I will be there that day shopping for bargains, and my shop will have red tag bargains too.

This is not a paid ad and I was not asked to blog this.

I am just excited over this new idea.

Sat Sept 24th, check the Ruby Lane site for the hours and details.

              Ruby Lane RED TAG Sale Sat Sept 24 many items 30 to 60% off don't miss it , http://www.rubylane.com/

The latest vintage is the new hot trend

Trends come and go in both fashion and life styles.
From what I have seen on the web and in the magazines, antique items are still wonderful treasures to have and cherish, but, vintage is in, because you can use it and wear it.
Recycling is smart.
It saves you money and also prevents over loaded land fills.
So, I reccomend you visit Ruby Plaza....the shop owner son that site, offer new to vintage...it's fabulous place to browse and shop, especially the prices..some are hard to beleive low prices.
This is not an ad...you see my styleboards on this blog page are most times Ruby Lane and Ruby Plaza ...not only do I have a shop on each site, but, I browse both sites everyday.
You never know what you will see there.
Here's some links...go on, take a break and enjoy yourself
Best wishes,
Linda
http://www.rubyplaza.com/
http://www.rubyplaza.com/shops/rcantiquestoo

 

http://www.rubylane.com/

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/rcantiques

Grand Opening of Treasure Seekers Unite Sept 3 & 4

I enjoy as many of the Ning and Social sites on line as possible, the more the merrier.

The owner of this one is a wonderful girl named Angie...she is very special because she strives to have a site that has what members like .

She has changed her site several times, to make it better for the members.

She is having a grand opening event on Sept 3rd and 4th.

This site is for shoppers and sellers to enjoy.

It's also a site to talk, they enjoy talking a lot on this site and you will never be bored.

One member is Father Time, that fellow appears to always say good morning , what a fab way to start the day, a good morning from someone who enjoys the name, Father Time.

I think the group Father Time is on in the mornings  is called Coffee Break...it's one of the many groups you can join on this site free.

Want to know more about selling, or what to know where the shop owners love to talk shop?
Then  join Treasure Seekers Unite.

This is not a paid ad. I have enjoyed Treasure Seekers Unite a long time, and so, I am passing the word to you, because I recommend it.

I have included a link to the site, and a link to my video that tells about ning and social sites and more...I talk to you in the video, no music, just me talking to you..set up like the SNL News Updates format.

So, come on, spread the word, and join Treasure Seekers Unite...a place where you can visit anytime , any day, the site is always open...and it's free to enjoy and see.

Here's the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM7igd8Xp6c

And here's the link to the site, http://www.treasureseekersunite.com/

Thanks for reading my blog, be sure to add me as your friend on both my FaceBook and on the TSU site :-)

Best wishes, Linda

What I wore when I went shopping today

now, come on, it's not just a photo , LOL, click on this link and read the short blog , while you are there, please " heart " it .

Best wishes, Linda.....here's the link,

http://www.kaboodle.com/blogs/vintage-meets-new-the-perfect-blend/what-i-wore-when-i-went-shopping-today?context=&contextParam=

On line Vintage Victory site is fab eye candy pin ups, fashion, & more

Have fun on this site FREE.
It's a fabulous site for everything vintage, especially pin ups...love those pin ups, don't you :-)
These people are friendly and go the extra mile to show they appreciate you.
Lots to do and see here, so, click the link and join today.
This site is today's RC pick, don't miss it
See you there, best wishes, Linda

Can teach an old dog new tricks

I have been absent from my favorite on line haunts lately.

I usually visit the ning or social sites every day.

But, so many things have been changing on line, that I decided to try to learn some of these new things.

It all started with the new Face Book changes.

I am very protective of the RC Antiques name, so, I had several Face Books under that name such as RC Antiques on Ruby Lane. I created these face books several years back, and honestly forgot I had the extra accounts till I read about some FB accounts were going to be achieved if there is no activity on them.

Well, Ruby Lane is very important to me.

I think Ruby Lane is a site that has such wonderful ideas as to what shops that sell antique to vintage should be, so, naturally, I had to at least save that one FB account. I needed 25 members...or , " likes ".

I immediately posted my dilemma on my Linda Caricofe FaceBook and within a day, my RC Antiques on Ruby Lane FB was saved, thanks to my many on line friends.

Then, somehow, I happened upon a new type of networking and shopping. I found 2 sites that are really cool.

Polyvore is a beautiful site that is basically fashion. I am still learning the tools of that site. Notice the New York graphics below this blog. I created that using Polyvore's tools.

But the site that really captured my attention is Kaboodle.

It's a site that is for shoppers, and for people to showcase some of the items they sell.

I will caution sellers though, that Kaboodle is very sensitive to spam, so, you must be careful if you join that site just to promote your items...be sure you read the rules before posting.

I joined it as a get away retreat. I do create style boards with some of my items on them, but, I create many style boards just for the fun of creating something beautiful or something fun.

The link to the style board below is one you will enjoy...although it looks like you have to cut and paste the link, you should be able to just click on it and you will see my mermaid style board, I promise your eyes will smile, and your mouth will say, wow

I will tell you this, once you learn how to create a style board, you will be hooked..it is so much fun.

You can also blog on this site.
And it's all free, that's right, have fun for free and make wonderful friends too.

From me to you, this old dog is learning new tricks, so can you

http://www.kaboodle.com/member/treasure_seeker/styleboards/something-fishy-going-on-here?showPublished=true&forUserId=AAAAAUAlXYkAAAAAAvU_Gw&p_ret=%2Fmember%2Ftreasure_seeker%2Fstyleboards

The Like Me vintage things RC has added lately video show

A little cheesecake to get you to enjoy my video :-)
I hope you enjoy the music I selected fo rthis video...the lyrics are true to the heart.
The items shown are available in my RC Antiques on Ruby Lane and RC Antiques Too on Ruby Plaza shops.
So, please watch my video, it's made from my heart,
http://youtu.be/s0RDQckONmM

RC Antiques created image by using Picasa PikNik News Up Date

Be sure to stay tuned in this week

I will be creating a new video series, " RC Antiques Vintage News Updates "

I will post the video on the blog, so, instead of reading the news, you can watch the news.

I promise, this will be fun, AND informative.

Sometimes it nice just to hear the latest instead of read the latest.

I will be the host ( or anchor person ), so, you know it will be good :-)

The face behind the networking RC Antiques revealed

I have been on the Internet since 1997.

In those days, I listed items on ebay that were from our collections and the estates we would buy.

I was simply, rcantiques. It was only natural to have my email under that name and so forth.

Eventually , I also used RC Linda when signing some emails etc.

I am not college educated, just the average Joe..or, should I just refer to myself as the average person since I am a lady, not a Joe.

I've come a long ways.

Not due to survival in these hard economic times, but, due to

my unquenchable thirst to surf the net.

And therefore , as the years went by, and as I became more comfortable with the net, I began to use my face as my trademark.

It was a bold move.

But, I wanted be become human, instead of a name or market or commercial.

This move has worked well for my on line shops, RC Antiques on Ruby Lane and RC Antiques Too on Ruby Plaza, because it's nice to see who one is buying from.

I also think it has helped my blog and my videos.

My most hit videos are the ones that have myself as host, instead of the ones I enjoy creating with OneTrueMedia.

Now, let's look at today's world on the net, compared to let's say, 2 years ago.

My hard work has actually created a barrier when I want to just enjoy myself on the net.

When I join a site, due to my name, RC Antiques, or Linda Caricofe, some sites either wonder why I joined, or , some think perhaps I am lurking, trying to learn things from the site...and if I am not extremely careful, and I should underline the word careful, my name can sound like spam.

Sites that are not vintage or antiques related, are fabulous if one such as myself can fit in...even FaceBook has become sensitive to net workers or business names.

Remember the old saying, " darned if I do, darned if I don't ", yep, that seems to be my predicament.

I have come up with the idea of creating different avatars using my image, to fit whatever site I want to join.

So, when you are surfing the net, and see various different images of ole RC, believe me, it's not for vanity's sake...it's ole RC trying to remind the public, this RC is just the average person, not a company.

The Internet, fascinating how something so advanced, can actually be so difficult to get around.

So, time to get downstairs and stand in front of that mean camera and take some more photos. The older one gets, the meaner the camera is , and at this point, I am about ready to name one of my mannequins, RC :-)