Meet Mary...a Picker's Profile

Every weekday at 10 AM you'll find Mary Cartwright waiting at the entrance of the Sugar House Deseret Industries. She waits with the other "pickers" for the doors to open and the race to begin. The race to find second hand merchandise to resell. As the backroom doors swing open and the carts roll out, the pickers swarm but Mary always waits patiently for her turn at the cart. She is one of the polite pickers. There are some here who grab and claw their way around the carts, elbowing others out of the way. Mary looks for vintage and contemporary home decor and small furniture pieces she can spruce up with a little paint. She then brings these treasures to local consignment shops like Emilie Jane and Home Again. She estimates her take home pay after about 35 hours of work per month is $800. Not too shabby for a part time gig.

You meet the nicest people at the DI!

Love, Kelly

Red, White and Blue

The Fourth of July is almost here. Are you ready for the fireworks? Second Hand Chic is Red and White and Blue all over. Show your patriotic spirit by dressing up your home this month in the colors of the flag. Start with a vintage 48 star flag for $48. That's just a dollar a star.

You'll be ready for the high seas in this authentic U.S. Navy cap.

Get out in the yard and pick some berries for that special holiday pie. You'll be so stylin' in a pair of these rubber boots.

A set of vintage paintings. Cute decor for the littlest patriots in the house.

Are you ready for summertime camping? Stock up on enamel ware in our favorite July colors.

And remember, folks...nothing says "I Love America" quite like a Shirley Temple commemorative plate.

America Rocks!

Love, Kelly

Housework

Customers come into my shop and ooh and ahh over all the cuteness. They say, "Wow... your house must be soooo adorable!" In reality, I spend so much time making my shop presentable that my own home resembles a ghetto. I've lost all interest in housework. I've spent lots of time online lately, perusing blogs by other shop owners. They post pictures of their fabulous homes, beautifully put together. I have to wonder how they do it. Do they really live in these homes or are just sneaking into their neighbor's house when they're on vacation and taking photos? Four years ago, when I opened Second Hand Chic I imagined that I would make so much money I could afford to hire a housekeeper. How delusional of me. Maybe I should put a collection jar on the counter asking for donations to my housekeeper fund and everytime one of those customers says that my own home must be beautiful I'll point to the jar. But for now, my husband and I will have to continue to live in filfth. Maybe we should just move into the shop. The bathroom there is spotless.

Love, Kelly

We're Having a Wet One!

I've always wanted to live in Portland. After the soggy springtime we've had here in Utah maybe I won't have to move after all. This is the wettest spring I can recall in my twenty years living in Salt Lake City. I'm loving it and the yard has never looked better. My husband is grateful that he can spend his evenings doing something besides dragging the hose around. I've heard a few compaints about the rain. I think we should think of this rare rainfall as a gift and enjoy it while it lasts.

Watch out for that pesky garden gnome. You never know where he's going to show up.

Love, Kelly

Let's Go Shopping at Age Cage

This is the first in a series of posts profiling small local businesses. First stop...the Age Cage. Co-owners, Lisa Gibbens and Liz Blair opened the Age Cage in the fall of 2007. We have been neighbors since Second Hand Chic relocated in Sugar House. The Age Cage is just across the parking lot from our shop and it has been great fun getting to know these two gals!

As you can see, the Age Cage specializes in retro vintage furniture and accessories from the 50's, 60's and 70's. They always seem to find the coolest vintage sofas! And on the weekends they play the grooviest tunes from the 70's. Disco Lives!

So, next time you're in Sugar House stop by and check out the Age Cage.

Age Cage

2030 South 900 East Suite F

Salt Lake City, Utah 84105

ageCage@qwestoffice.net

801.486.4999

Love, Kelly

The 3/50 Project

There has been lots of talk lately regarding the economy. People are concerned but don't know how they, as individuals can make an impact and get the economy back on track. Well, there is something you can do to stimulate your local economy. The 3/50 project was created out of necessity to get the message out about the importance of supporting small locally owned businesses. Think about all the small independent businesses in your community that you shop at and how you would miss them if they were gone. They need your support now more than ever. Your money is what keeps those businesses around.

If just half of the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.* Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that. Now that's a stimulous plan that the government won't be paying for!

For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain only $43 stays here.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Save the local economy.
For more information go to:
http://www.the350project.net/home.html



*Cinda Baxter 2009 all rights reserved.

Garden Party

Summer is here and it's time to spend some time outdoors. Invite your girlfriends over for a casual tea party in the garden. Make it special by setting a pretty table.

Mismatched china adds charm to your table setting.

Add some elegance with a centerpiece of vintage ribbon roses or better yet, gather a bouquet of fresh flowers from the garden.

No tea party is complete without the tea!

For a vintage look, fill a wire basket with goodies.

Add some sparkle to the table. Get your fancy silverware out of the buffet. No need to polish!

Don't forget to wear a pretty apron. You may want to have a few extra aprons on hand because when your girlfriends see how cute yours is they will want to wear one, too!

Have fun and bon apetite!

Love, Kelly