Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Tales of the Traveling Tote #30 & Giveaway

Hello, tote traveling troupers! Join me as I recount my travels in this 30th edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote. This past quarter has been mostly a sleeper for me, especially when compared to moving in the last quarter. Winter - a time for resting, rejuvenating, and reorganizing - and that's primarily what I did.
I started pulling out spring decor on February 15th. Starting with the bookcase in the great room, I think it may become my seasonal decor display area. While a few of the spaces within (read: far left) will be stationary Mr. P. books and mementos, I'll switch up the other cubbies. Several MacKenzie-Childs items hatched for spring, both here and on the credenza opposite this bookcase in the great room.
A little neighborhood fountain center and drug store is one of the few remaining non-chain pharmacies in our town. While they're know as a pharmacy, I think they're better known for their throwback fountain dining. Their hotdogs with everything (see south of the Mason-Dixon West Virginia definition of hotdog with everything in this post) are the best around. It's one of our lunch spots we like to hit in our neighborhood, and the decor checks out, too.😉
My local Panoply sister and I have been back into vintage and antique shopping again. We've had a couple of private purchasing situations, as well as estate sales. But the best news to report is we attended our first auction since the pandemic hit in 2020 the last weekend of February. It was like a homecoming, seeing all the familiar faces, making random purchases, and enjoying a West Virginia hotdog, lol.
Auctions are a lot of fun for people watching, and our resident auctioneer is quite entertaining (seen in the far L frame of the above collage photo, sitting at the podium with ballcap). Sometimes we come away scratching our heads, wondering why we even bought certain things, but generally it's all good. I scored a Lalique France signed crystal bowl, handmade pottery lamp and antique Singer portable sewing machine at this particular auction. 

February ended with another outing at our local Arts center for a very entertaining show, Scott Brdalee's Postmodern Jukebox Grand Reopening Tour. 
If you've never heard of PMJ, this is how they describe what you can expect when you attend one of their concerts (from their sponsored event page, as viewed on Facebook):

Now, the wait is finally over and Postmodern Jukebox, the time-twisting musical collective known for putting “pop music in a time machine,” are set to make the ‘20s roar again! Arriving in Charleston on Sunday, February 27th at the Clay Center, The Grand Reopening Tour will bring PMJ back to thrill music-starved audiences, performing some of modern music’s biggest hits in the classic styles of bygone eras. 
As always with PMJ’s dazzling live shows, The Grand Reopening Tour will feature an ensemble of multi-talented singers and musicians bringing Bradlee’s generation-spanning arrangements alive night after night. The core ensemble is often joined by surprise guests to make each concert unique and unpredictable – making for one of the most thrilling live music experiences of this and any other time period.
For a band so deeply rooted in Jazz Age aesthetics – though their time warps have touched on virtually every major trend in popular music, from doo-wop to Motown to hair metal –the coming of another twenties was obviously a symbolic milestone. Ironically, the original Roaring 20s was itself ushered in by a worldwide flu pandemic.

It was a fun show for this music- and dance-loving, Flapper girl!

NOW, ONTO THE GIVEAWAY!

The Traveling Totes Tribe is offering another giveaway and Emily at The French Hutch is our giveaway sponsor this time. One lucky reader who leaves a comment on Emily's post today will have their name thrown into the hat for an opportunity to win this MacKenzie-Childs luggage tag. It's perfect for a gym bag, or any travel piece you need to keep visible identification on. 

Be sure to check out my other traveling sisters' posts to see what how they spent their winter season months.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Kenzie and Miss Taylor @ Pandora's Box
Jenna with Miss Coquille @ The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply (you are here!)
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie with Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Cherry Kay with Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women

Join us again on June 1, 2022 for another edition of Tales of the Traveling Tote.
Thanks so much for your visit. I love reading your comments, and be sure to leave one on Emily's blog for a chance to win our token gift. Stay safe, and Happy March (and soon-to-be Spring!).



28 comments:

  1. I think the best the winter has to offer is the excuse to hibernate and relax. Your bookcase is a great area to showcase collectibles and seasonal treasures. I’m ready for the chicks and bunnies to return! Love how the black and white floor of the pharmacy soda fountain mimics your Courtly Check tote. :) My first job was at our local drugstore working behind the soda fountain. I have fond memories of being a ‘soda jerk’ :) I know you and your sisters must be happy to attend auctions again to pick your wares. Looking forward to an antiquing post. Happy March. ♥

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  2. Good morning, Rita. I love the signs of spring within the cubbies of your bookcase! I need to get busy with a little spring decorating. An auction is always fun and entertaining. I used to frequent them often, but haven’t in many years. I know I would love Postmodern Jukebox, does it get much better than music and dance?! The local pharmacy sounds like my kind of place. Wishing you a wonderful week and maybe a few more sightings of spring!

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  3. Oh, I miss going to auctions and haven't been for about 4 years - i will have to see if there are any local ones coming up soon! The "pharmacy" looks like a place I would enjoy - a few times a year I crave a good hot dog! - and it matches our totes!! Love your beautiful book unit to share your holiday decor!

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  4. I have to say we've been doing a lot of the same here. Winter is for cozy and relaxing and rejuvenating. A few early spring cleaning fits hit early here and I was a whirlwind, lol! I love your bookcase and you have it looking lovely decorated with some special pieces. I do love a good hot dog at times and your pharmacy sounds like the perfect place to find it. Nice you and sisters are enjoying the fun of your antiquing again. Nice you have the arts center, I'm sure you enjoy that. Happy March Rita......

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  5. Good Morning Rita. Lovely to see the signs of Spring in your cubby after a good Winter's rest. Would love to spend some time in your pharmacy and attend an auction or two. Auctions can be really entertaining with a good auctioneer. Sounds like you have one. Happy March.
    Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland

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  6. Rita, Love the Spring/Easter display. It's the perfect area to display seasonal pretties. Your MKC items are adorable. The pharmacy is so cute! It's so nice to have a locally owned place to have a quick snack in such a cute, nostalgic setting. My husband loves good hot dogs! Your finds are really nice ones! Your outings sound like great fun! We're in the process of cleaning up after 2 recent ice storms (hiring guys to cut up the larger fallen trees, get pine limbs off the roof, etc.). Huge oak trees are down and the pines were decimated from the weight of the ice after the 2nd storm. We're beginning to have nice weather so we're happy to finally see the sun and warmer weather. Come on Spring! Thanks for sharing such fun events with us. Enjoy your week! Clara ❤️

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  7. Winter is the perfect time to be cozy at home and do a little rearranging! Especially after your very busy fall moving and getting settled. I am so glad you've been able to go antiquing and to auctions again Rita, and the old fashioned pharmacy with a loaded hot dog sounds wonderful! The musical sounded very fun, I know you enjoyed that! After today I am putting Mardi Gras away and must bring out my MKC Spring chicks!
    Jenna

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  8. The musical sounds wonderful! I've done some decluttering and have started spring decorating. Sadly, thrifting options have been limited here since the pandemic. I love that small framed rabbit painting! Blessings, Cecilia

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  9. I feel your joy on attending a good auction/estate sale etc. Winter has it's way of hibernating us and when we 'break' out....glory be!!! There's nothing like that 'rush'. The old fashioned drug store is something I would definitely frequent...especially if they had 'real' malted milk shakes! I'll bet you had a hard time sitting still at the musical! Love your Spring decor....mine will be out soon. Happy Spring!

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    1. Susan, so funny you should say break out - that's exactly the phrase my sisters and I use when we hit the road for antiquing fun! It is definitely a rush! Thanks for visiting. Happy Spring to you, too!

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  10. I agree winter is a time to relax and stay cozy. Your bookcase is lovely. How special to change things up a bit. I know you and your sister were happy to get out and antique. Your pharmacy is lovely and so fun. The checked floors and old fashioned soda fountain. I love that. Having an hot dog and and milk shake would be heavenly there. The musical looks like fun, always good to get out. Bring on the bunnies and chicks.

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  11. Rita, our winter has definitely been one of hibernating. Today is sunny and mild, and I've been in the garden weeding. Feels good!
    Love the idea of an old fashioned soda counter. I grew up with one, and fortunately we still have one here in Austin. I need to take Miss Merri Mac!
    Happy to know you are back at auctions and live performances. What fun!!!

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  12. Hi Rita,
    You've really inspired me to pull some of my storage bins and rummage through all of my Spring goodies. I love all of your Mackenzie childs touches especially those sweet little chicks!! Thanks for the inspiration! Beautiful as usual!!
    Kathleen

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  13. Your bookcase is styled so prettily with you Spring decor, Rita. Going to the auction must’ve been like old times, and talking about old times, what a fun music venue you went to!! Why am I suddenly craving a juicy hot dog??! What a cute place!

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  14. Your local diner looks like a fun lunch spot. We like to eat at places like that when we come across them. As for the MOST fun you've had lately (from my perspective) is getting back to the auction! We've been able to do that around here for awhile now, and it was great to see everyone again.

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  15. I'd love it if the postmodern jukebox came to my city! It looks like my kind of thing! And so is that adorable diner/pharmacy/fountain. They don't have many of those any more. And finally, three cheers, returning to the antiquing world. You're back where you belong, Rita! I can't wait to see what future displays fill that gorgeous bookcase! (I'm getting ready for spring, too!)

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  16. Gosh, Rita, I think my long comment was deleted when I pressed Preview to correct spelling.

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  17. I think that your bookcases and my crystal cabinets are cousins. We have the same hardware. Bought in the 70's, we've used it ever since. We seen a bunch of music performances lately, too...from Elton John to the horrible new production of Oklahoma. If you have a chance to see the latest Broadway version of Oklahoma, I strongly recommend that you take a pass. I was late to the party today, but I'm finally up and posted. External hard drive problems, where all my pictures reside...finally solved. Hope that you'll stop by for a visit. CherryKay

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  18. Looks like your tote bag has had some good times! The show at PMJ sounds like it was a lot of fun!

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  19. Always fun to be surrounded by things we enjoy in our home and do a little rearranging! I have been doing that daily. LOL I'm glad you've been able to go antiquing and to auctions again. Once I retire at the end of April, I am going to seek out going to an auction as I haven't been in over 30 years!

    P.S. I think we should all enter the Golden Ticket sweepstakes that MKC is offering from March 3-6, and perhaps one of us will win the trip and get to be a ceramic maker for the day, and have lunch with the amazing ladies!

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  20. So fun to hear you are out again going to estate sales, antiquing and attending concerts. The performance sounds fascinating. I love seeing the soda fountain and thinking about a old fashioned hot dog.
    Love your spring touches.
    Have a lovely week.

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  21. I always loved going to auctions, but haven't been to one in years. Wishing you a beautiful Spring in your new home. I know many surprises will pop up for you to enjoy!

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  22. I love how you styled your pretty bookcase with the MacKenzie-Childs pretties. I also enjoyed your trips out and about, especially the soda fountain. :D
    I would love to go to another auction in New Orleans, but I would like to downsize first and see what I might need or want!
    I love getting glimpses of your new home, Rita!

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  23. Love all your adorable little rabbits and spring decor.

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  24. It looks like you've been having so much fun lately! We have not been to a play since 2019 but hopefully soon. Your bookcase looks gorgeous too decked out with such pretty touches of spring. Thanks for sharing Rita! Your posts always brighten my days.

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  25. Hello dear Rita... Isn't it nice to start to get our lives back? I love all of your MC Spring decor! It sounds like you are happy and enjoying you new home. I'm so happy for you. PMJ Sounds like my kind of show. Enjoy the rest of your week and get back out there and shop!!

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