The Polka Dot Flea 2015 Part One, The Preparations And Set-up

The 2015 Polka Dot Flea is over and it was successful beyond our wildest imagination!  

One of our wonderful sponsors Barr Display provided this lady mannequin who spent 3 days holding up all of her purchases on her bike.   They also provide stanchions, shopping bags for customers, and grid work for a temporary office space...Love you Barr Display!

It started with taping off the booths on Thursday and then setup day on Friday

We had beverages and snacks laid out on the ticket booths during set up on Friday...Vendors get mighty thirsty and hungry while setting up their booths 

I often say "We" when I talk about anything involving the Polka Dot Flea.  I am referring to my son Bradley, the two of us ARE the "Polka Dot Flea"...We completely share every aspect of the promoting, organizing, and running of the Polka Dot Flea.  He does most of the social media, computer work, graphics, coordinates the staff and runs the majority of the Flea on show days.  I do most of the marketing, finances (Yuk) , layout, and creative touches...Our collaboration works out well and I could not do it without him!    

Once "We" had the venue ready on Friday we welcomed our vendors

They were lined up with trailers as far as the eye could see.

We had our amazing staff ready at 7 separate unloading doors.  Within 20 minutes all of our vendors were at their doors unloading and escorted to their booths by our wonderful hostesses.  Having an organized show and making it a pleasant experience for our vendors is our number one priority.

And the set-up began! We had 1 staff member for every 6 vendors and they were willing to help in any way they could.  All of our staff have walkie talkies so the communication between everyone is excellent!

This adorable photo booth was set up courtesy of our amazing sponsor Adjectives Market who also hosted a vendor party on Saturday night....A million thank you's!

We followed the bicycle theme all the way through the show starting with the poster

Then Saturday morning at 9am it was.....Show Time! 

I all but cried when we went out early to collect admission and hand out Polka Dot Flea shopping bags.......We could not believe the line!

It wasn't long before they were out of the Florida heat and in 21,000 sq feet of air conditioned shopping bliss....They came.....and they came..... A steady stream of shoppers all Saturday and Sunday!

I'll be back soon to bring you inside the Polka Dot Flea!

The Pink Paper Rose a vendor from New Jersey

In the mean time you might enjoy reading this wonderful article about the 2015 Polka Dot Flea that was in our local newspaper the Orlando Sentinel on Monday!

I'll be back soon

Happy Creating

Carol

Mary Lou's Lounge At The Polka Dot Flea

The Polka Dot Flea is just over a week away and I am moving at warp speed.....Actually, I've been at warp speed for months!  

Today I worked on Mary Lou's lounge

The Polka Dot Flea venue is a huge 21,000 square ft indoor, air conditioned space, and I knew my Mom would appreciate a place to....

.......Sit a spell.  My son suggested we call it "Mary Lou's Lounge"

I'm using all of my outdoor tables and chairs for the lounge and made some pillows to put here and there

  

Then bought some outdoor plants and wrapped them up in fabric and old lace

I'm not sure if it will be a hit, but I know my Mom will appreciate it!

The show is coming together perfect...We have the best vendors, many are celebrities and legends in this part of the world.  Take a look, I have listed them on the Polka Dot Flea FB page HERE

We even found out "Sisters On The Fly" are coming!  They are the largest outdoor women's group in the US and since the Central Florida Fairgrounds has 600 camping spots, they are coming to camp with their vintage trailers and enjoy the Polka Dot Flea just steps away.....How cool is that!

We know for sure that "Little Miss Pitstop" is coming

I'm so excited!  I can't believe it's almost here.  Next Thursday June 12, we measure out the booths and load the truck.  Friday we set up the venue and my booth from 7am-12pm, then the vendors arrive to set up from 12- 7pm.  

Then Saturday and Sunday June 13-14 from 9-4....

.....It's Show Time the 2nd annual 

Polka Dot Flea!

I will be doing Polka Dot Flea FB posts before and during the show and will be back with a blog post as soon as I can.....Wish me luck, and thank you, for all of your input and support.   If I don't get back to you right away it's because I'm busy hyperventilating!

Happy Creating!

Carol

Lavender For The Polka Dot Flea

I have been a busy girl getting ready for the Polka Dot Flea

Remember when I showed you the flower cart I purchased? I asked if you thought fresh flowers would sell at the Polka Dot Flea

You mostly said "No"....  Many of you suggested dried lavender  Thank you, you're geniuses!...I loved the idea!

So, I ordered lavender...Lots of lavender

Then tore strips of lavender polka dot fabric and wrapped the bouquets and hot glued on a silk flower

I used a bushel basket from Barr Display (They have tons of different sizes and styles)

And made it look old and worn by using apple cider vinegar and steel wool...You can see a post on the method HERE

 A sign for the garden cart......"Lavender For Sale"

A little up date on the Polka Dot Flea...

It has taken off beyond my wildest imagination! The vendors are the "Best of the Best", many of them are "Legends" here in Florida and they are coming from as far away as New Jersey.  This is only my second annual Polka Dot Flea...Now, to be honest, being a show promoter is not easy, or for the faint of heart.  It is a lot of hard work and attention to detail...Being a little OCD is a great trait to have.  The success can also be attributed to the fact that this is the only air conditioned show in Orlando

I have been spending my time hanging posters in every establishment in Orlando and distributing 15,000 postcards.  Updating the Polka Dot Flea Facebook almost daily, the website, spending hours and hours corresponding with vendors, laying out the venue, hiring and scheduling staff, measuring and re-measuring the venue, booth layout...etc..etc..etc!

It's coming up soooo fast, but despite all of the work.....I am having more fun than a girl deserves!!!  I'm getting so excited, I just can't hide it!

Happy Creating!
Carol

Hollywood Regency Bathroom Reveal

Where have I been?....Finishing up my Hollywood Regency master bath remodel!

Remember my Hollywood Regency Bedroom redo HERE? 

Well, the 30 year old master bathroom wasn't cutting it.....Yep, one thing leads to another!

I was stunned at the price of bathroom vanities.  So, I bought this antique buffet for $200.  I love that it is higher than standard bathroom vanities.  Then I found the perfect silver and green vessel sink $99 and faucet

How about a free used toilet!

  

What....My friend that owns Adjectives Market opened up a second store that was previously occupied by a design store.  When he had to remove the toilet because it no longer met building codes he asked if I would like it?  Oh my gosh, it is an amazing  Kohler toilet with a great design and a double flush. I love FREE!  Yes, I bleached it first.

Glass shower doors and a blingy row of tiles in the shower upped the glam factor

Here's a little tip......Bathrooms are not remodeled frequently...Over my dead body will I ever redo this one again!  So, no matter how old you are when you do your remodel, you should take into consideration that you may age with this bathroom.  Towel bars can't be used for grab bars, but grab bars can be used for towel bars.  Grab bars have come a long way baby!  All of the bars in this shower are the newest and greatest decorator grab bars from Home Depot.  So, when I need them they will be there.....In the meantime they will hold towels.

I have always used one of these soap dispensers in my shower, $19 from Bed Bath and Beyond.   I hate a shower cluttered with bottles.

This looks like just a mirror, but.....

It is also a medicine cabinet....A big medicine cabinet...How fun is this to peek into someones medicine cabinet lol!

I love this wall shelf, I think it goes with the whole Hollywood regency/ art deco look.  I'm on the look out for some great nick naks for it...Silver...Mercury glass...The fun is in the hunt!

So, there you have it Bathroom done......Check!

So, whats next?  It's 7 weeks until the Polka Dot Flea, the show I started last year....That's keeping me busy!  

If you follow the Polka Dot Flea on Facebook you can see all of the happenings and the amazing vendors we have lined up!

Happy Creating!
Carol

Shabby Fabric Easter Wreath

Since I'm hosting my family for Easter dinner I wanted a wreath for my front door

I loved this fabric garland that I made and showed you on a previous post HERE  and thought it would transfer well to a door wreath

I used a wire wreath frame and tied torn fabric strips around it

Then hot glued on styrofoam eggs

And a bunch of bunnies I've had forever......I don't even know where I got them....Maybe an estate sale?

And there you have it, a wreath for my front door....Not great, but it will do!

I'll be busy this weekend preparing for Easter dinner....This is my family's traditional Easter menu, it's the same every year....It never changes. 

Honey spiral cut ham

Cheese potatoes

Caesars salad

Deviled eggs

Green bean casserole

Brown and serve rolls

mustard mayonnaise sauce for the ham

 I always find it interesting what other families prepare for their traditional Easter dinners.   My girlfriend was telling me that she always makes lamb shanks...Eww I say!

Source Graphics Fairy

.......What's on your Easter dinner menu?

Happy Creating

Carol