VintageBliss

Show Daily-Texas

I'm still playing catch up a bit from being here and there the past few months. I wanted to share with you "the bible" of Texas Antiques Week-Show Daily Magazine. It is put together by a sweet man by the name of Lou, and his ever capable staff. The do the BEST job at promoting the experience of antiques week. As soon as I get to Zapp Hall, I go directly over to the market and pick up my copy. It has a map that tells you where to go to find all the goods. If you are a newbie to antiques week, you MUST bring this with you wherever you go! Recognize any faces on the front cover??

Last Fall I was contacted by sweetpea Coco of Revised, she was going to be writing an article for Show Daily about all the vintage trailers that come to the show. She wanted to put the Bliss Lounge in it, of course, I say yes! So here is her article about all the fun vintage trailers, and yes Miss Coco has a few of her own. Her and her talented husband refurb them and sell them, along with their many other talents-jewelry making, music making, vintage treasures. These two do alot!  Coco's trailer is just below my girl Heidi's trailer of Paris Montana. 

Here is the second page of her article, with me and the Bliss Lounge from last Fall. Love it! Show Daily does a great job at putting everything you need to get by in there. Make sure you pick one up, and I believe you can see the entire issue online. Check it out!

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

The Vintage Marketplace

Getting ready for this always amazing show with even more amazing friends. It's kinda like a friend vacation! I'll have pics soon of the goodies I have been working on. I've kinda been hiding out at home, because things are about to get crazy again! June and July are gonna be a blast! See you next friday and saturday at The Vintage Marketplace, check out their Facebook page for details and sneak peeks!

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

XA Saloon and Dancehall

This weekend my family and I went on a little road trip to Springerville here in AZ. It is about 3 1/2 hours from PHX. The drive is gorgeous and the weather is definitely COOLER! Cuz' it's heatin' up here in a AZ. We went to go visit my oldest son Anthony who is up in that area, and I had to make a stop here at the XA Saloon and their boutique called Gypsy Boots. Love the name. 

Springerville is quaint little town, filled with history and character. Michelle and Justin are the owners of these two businesses which they just opened the Saloon in January, her store has been open longer in a different location. I first met this sweet couple with Bobby at Country Thunder last month. They fell in love with Bobby's tin creations and our jewelry. They bought some to take back to their business.

Michelle sells lots of "cowgirl" wear, great jeans, and boutique style clothes, and of course Bobby Boyd Designs!

All the gals that work at the bar come and wear the jewelry and sell it right off of their necks! Not to mention they look pretty darn adorable!

If you can't tell Michelle loves purple...hee hee

Here's a look at the whole store, cool story about this building. It used to be a Diner, you all know I love old buildings and the stories they tell. 

Isn't it cool? 

This is her new logo that she had a friend draw up, I LOVE IT! SO dang cool!

Now this is the fun side of the old Lockhart Building that their two businesses are in...The XA Saloon. It is filled with history, and Michelle and Justin are all too happy to tell you about it. They have poured their hearts into this place and it shows! These are the original booths that were in the XA Steakhouse and John Wayne used to be a frequent patron of this place. He used to have a ranch not to far from Springerville. 

Their menus printed on paper bags from years past, check out the prices of steak..

They have great murals that were painted on the walls years past. There is a band that plays there every friday and saturday night, and they are GOOD! Justin re-acquainted me with the two-step, and I two-stepped my bootie off! I used to country dance a looooooonnnnnng time ago and kinda forgot, but not anymore-thanks Justin! The crowd is fun and lively here on the weekends and so nice. They made my Mom and I feel like we fit right in, and I know they will you too!

These are the rules that greet you when you come thru the door. hee hee

Michelle and Justin during their renovations of the building tried to use and save as much of the original fixtures and equipment as possible. This is the original icebox, they use it as the beer cooler, yum beer! They have 24 beers on tap here. 

Love this original sign....the worn weathered look is killer. This hangs above the pool table area.

Michael lately seems to making lots of canine friends, Michelle and Justin's dog, so sweet and calm. 

You can see it's pretty big place, from the moment you walk in the door they treat you like a long time friend. These two are living a dream, and I just adore that, plus they are getting married this Summer! So cute! If you are thinking of making a trip up North this Summer, make sure you stop by XA Saloon and Gypsy Boots. You'll love it!

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

Rhubarb-I love, hate it.

Rhubarb, I have a love-hate relationship with it. I absolutely LOVE the bitter-sweet taste, but it gives me kidney stones! It is the most yummy summertime treat when mixed in with certain recipes-pies, crumbles, whatever. It looks funny-like celery but is oh so sweet. So why I am making something with this devilishly good tease??? My oldest Son requested it, I can't say no. I have to give in. I haven't made my Grandmother's Rhubarb Crunch recipe in over 6 years because one Summer, I made it 3 times in 2 months----you guessed it-Kidney stones! Sucks so bad. 

I'm probably getting a stone just looking at these pictures! Kidney stones are the worst pain on the planet! I'd rather give birth again! Wait....no.....but its worse pain than that, trust me! I've had 7 of these bad boys! EEWWW, OOOWWW!

OMG! it's so damn good!!!! I may have to have a little taste! I can't give out the recipe it is a Samsal family secret, I've been sworn to it. I'm sure there are plenty out there. You probably won't get kidney stones from it like me, because you will control yourself and only make it once, right?! You see my Dr. told me that it is very acidic, you wouldn't think so, but it is. He gave me a long list of acidic foods, and you have no idea! Anyways, this was to perk up your Summer cooking, but I think I ruined it??? I'm off to see my oldest, can't wait, it's been awhile, some of you know the story, others who don't -that's a whole nother post. Have a great weekend!

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

Tattered Bliss Slips

Since I'm finally home for awhile I've been able to start creating some of my favorite things again. I got an order for some of my altered vintage slips that will be going to Farm Chicks! gaahhhh, I soooo wanna go to this show, but at least my slips will! 

The back of the slip is covered in cream colored feathers. It so soft and demure. Adore.

This one just has gorgeous caramel color to it. 

The backside is a train of floating roses.....

This one is a bit hard to see because it was so bright outside, but it is a pretty light blue.

It has a layer of this gauzey-type material that I dyed to match the dress that "floats" down the backside. 

I've got more that I am working on for The Vintage Marketplace show in a couple of weeks. Think...Seaside Mermaid Slip.....

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

Zinnia's & Third Thursday

New and new in my booth at Zinnia's at Melrose. I've brought in lots of new vintage and awesome finds. Both booths have been filled up with some fabulous finds. 

I picked up these way cool lighted arrow signs and a heart. I had to keep one for myself!

This shabby chippy pink wood trunk is the best. 

Booth no.2 has these super cool and chic Industrial "poof" ottomans. Great for a loft or boys room.

Union Jack anyone?? 

This would be perfect in any art studio filled with treasures! One more thing....don't forget this Thursday is Third Thursday-an  event that has been going on for a few years now on 7th Ave, and is just a fun time to have with the girls or a friend. Stroll thru all the great shops that have been around for years- Rust & Roses, Sirens & Saints, Melrose Vintage, Paris Envy, Figs, Qcumberz, and of course Zinnia's. On Third Thursday we have 20 % off everything in the store, every vendor. So get here and get the goods! Hope to see you!

Blissfully Yours, Tricia 

Published!-Casa Da Sogno

A while back I was contacted by Casa Da Sogno magazine and my awesome friend Rita about doing an article on my vintage trailer-the Bliss Lounge. Of course, I say yes! My little pink palace on wheels getting her fame in Italy! Yippee!! Casa Da Sogno is the Romantic Homes printed in Italian and distributed only in Italy. Gorgeous magazine with great articles just like our Romantic Homes. Rita has had a couple of articles published in there as well as some other Gypsy friends. 

I sent the best pictures I had at the moment. What do ya think?? 

Rita translated the article for me:

A Pink Trailer

Tricia Samsal sells at Vintage Fairs but also like to have a relaxing place for the customers.

Bliss Lounge. That is what I named my Lakewood '61 trailer, Tricia says. It was given to me by my special friend Linda Carpenter. She was busy getting another project finished and not enough time to work on this one, so she gave it to me as a gift. There was a lot of work to do but my parents did help a lot. I named it Bliss Lounge because my business's name is Vintage Bliss and I wanted to give it a retro relaxing name.

Naturally there is a lot of pink, pink is a color that makes me happy. A wall is covered with postcards from my customers. Great touch with the stove and refrigerator pink. Tricia continues by saying that there is a bed in the back and a removable table and a hidden bed for the guests. I sleep in here when I do the two weeks fair in Texas.

I don't sell much inside the trailer because the customers are just curious about the decorations and the product doesn't sell much.

I receive most of the compliments by guys. It's very feminine but the guys adore the trailer anyway. When I am in the freeway other drivers always give me thumbs up! It's Fun

It's funny how the article translates. Yea! A biggo thank you goes to Rita for putting the bug in Casa Da Sogno's ear about my little trailer! 

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

Peachy!

Doesn't this look yummy???!!! It was! hee hee. Yesterday my family and I went out to a local Farm here in AZ called Schnepf Farm. It is a great place to take the kids and family. Every Spring they have a Peach Festival. I wanted to go for years, but just never did, so finally this weekend worked, and a bonus being Mothers Day. I knew my Mom would love going to the Farm, because she always talks about having her own farm, If I could buy one, I would just to see her running around with some chicken and goats! LOL. Anyways, they have the best, most crisp peaches you'll ever eat! That is hte best kind of peach-crisp-no squishes!

My son Michael and I, poor thing hobbled all over the Farm with his crutches so we could pick peaches. Mean mommy,lol.

I'm so glad we got there at 7:30 in the morning for breakfast because by the time 8:30 rolled around there was a line 100 people deep for peach pancakes! I guess we weren't the only family with a peach pancake breakfast in mind!

And what's my Mom on the farm without a picture of her in front of a tractor? 

I got a little ahead of myself there...here we are ready to dig in! Schenpf's is a gorgeous Farm, so many ideas I have with this place.....

Sister and my niece Amaya, yea she's a character. 

Michael killed his....nothing left! Of course, only my son wouldn't like peaches...but lots of whipped cream! Go figure..

ANd what do you do when you are done eating peaches?? Go pick more to take home! 

Yummy! We picked 14 pounds of peaches! Peach cobbler, anyone?

Dad goin in for a good one....

Michael "crutch-hands" got in on the peach pickin' action. 

There's a train for the kids too. Just a cool place to spend some time. 

My boy leanin' up against the peach trailer...

This old truck was sitting on the property begging for it's picture to be taken. So then i had to come home and play with photo editing and make it look even cooler. I'd love to do some photoshoots with this oldie but goodie! Hope you have a great Mothers Day, hug yo' mama!!

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

Urban Barn Street Faire

Last weekend I went to Urban Barn for their 2 Year Anniversary Celebration and Street Faire. Just like all the roses that were blooming on the property-so was the Barn. Great stuff everywhere, and blooming business. I love going to the Barn, it's like a second home to me.

Here's my set up, a little bit of a menagerie...

I always bring altered art supplies....

I can never pass up gorgeous vintage garden goods...

I fell in love with these from one of our vendors. Yes, I did buy a few for my booth at Zinnia's. So cute!

My girl Priscilla was selling these cuties! Soooo awesome!

I tried working on making lots of jewelry, but only got a few pieces made. This one turned out cute. More of these to come...

I hijacked this sassy thing that came to shop, and made her pose in front of my trailer--you can see I twisted her arm..lol. Isn't she awesome??? Love it!

I loved this idea from Mary Kay, I have one of these in my booth at Zinnia's, I may have to make my own little shopping cart garden....

Then on Sunday the gals from Kim's event came for a day of shopping. This is cutie pie Jenn from GA. We've bumped into each from time to time at different events, and she is a sweetheart. One day I'll get to go to GA and hang out in her neck of the woods!

This is sweetheart Tiffany from WA. She is an amazing photographer and just all around sweetie. I can't wait to see the pics she took of the trailer. WA is another place I am wanting to go to so bad. It's on the list, maybe this summer??? I had a ton of fun seeing all these fun girls and catching up. Can't wait to do it again!

And my friend Cindy was here from TX, took this pic of me. I liked the way it turned out. We usually don't like photos of ourselves, but this one, I'll take. Thanks, C. I'm taking a bit of a break for a few weeks, well not so much a break-just working from home. I need it, I need to be home for awhile. But no worries, I'll be ready for  The Vintage Marketplace the first of June! See ya then!

Blissfully Yours, Tricia

Affaire at Tiffany's Vendor Night

Last Thursday I took off for the vendor night at Kim's Affaire at Tiffany's event. It took me what seemed forrrrrreeeeevvvvvverrrrrrr to get to LA with the trailer. I didn't need the Bliss Lounge for this event but needed it for the Urban Barn event the next day. So needless to say parking in LA with a vintage trailer is probably the most stressful thing on the planet! The roads are bumpy, and packed with  non-sympathethic drivers. Anyways, thank GOD! my friend Lisa was just pulling up at the same time. We stood in parking spots for each other while we parked, and I had to drop the trailer in a gas station parking lot, un hook and then find a space for the truck. It was a process, but we did it! Yippee!

I had always heard about Kim's events from other friends, about how great they were, and they were all right! She goes amazingly over the top to make sure everyone has a great time. I got there just in time to setup and have a few minutes to take in everyones tables. Kim's decorations for the Tiffany's themed event were all gorgeous. The best I've seen. I loved all the blue and pink. Just my style.

This was the photo spot she created for all the girls that were coming, and they all pretty much dresssed up Audrey style. It was really cute to see all the glamorous outfits. I did my best with what I had in my closet-two layered black vintage slips and the most gorgeous vintage Saks fifth Ave pink heels with vintage rhinestone show clips. I was dying for an excuse to wear them, and this was it!

Hee hee!

This is my menagerie of a table, filled with supplies and goodies.

Lisa with her table of creations...

I fell in love with this mixed media collage from Kecia. One day I want to make something like this. More playing in the studio....it will come. Love it!

More of Kecia's creations

Jeanie Oliver's clothing and accessory line...

Robin Dudley-Howes whimsical creations...

The wings on this were made of resin covered paper. So cool. Another medium I want to play more with. Resin-on the list....

This was the banquet room filled with the Tiffany's ladies...

I was thrilled to see my Silver Bella roomie Christine. She is so sweet and I haven't seen her in such a long time. Loved hangin' out even if it was for a short while. She had the coolest vintage pink gown on. Of course, I loved it even more that it was pink and she was the only gal in the room with a pink gown on. LOVE!

I had a blast. One day I'll get to go to one of these events as a guest and not a vendor. They always look like so much fun. And they get the coolest stuff and take the coolest classes. Hope you liked the pics. More tomorrow from the Urban Barn weekend.

Blissfully Yours, Tricia