December Newsletter

Happy December everyone! How did this even happen? I swear it was just August a few weeks ago! Anyways, it's gonna be a December to remember in these parts, lots going on at the shop and in my life as well.

First off, I want to thank all of you for such a wonderful first year! I have met so many fantastic people, heard such great stories and insights, and learned so so much from the process of opening and maintaining the shop. You guys are all so interesting and I have learned much about vintage, fashion, traveling, music, culture, and the world from all of our conversations. I couldn't be more grateful for that.

Second off, December 2009 is going to be the last month for Fidget Finds at 10B Marlborough Street in Newport. This is not sad ending, but an exciting new beginning with a lot more wisdom and lessons learned than I had a year ago. Having a shop is hard hard work, more than I could have even imagined. That being said: ALL CLOTHING, SHOES, BAGS, AND HOUSEWARES ARE 50% OFF!!!!! (in the store.) Come by today until December 24 to score some super sweet deals. Tons of merchandise for $1 and $5!! Seriously, I need to get rid of this stuff. Save me from having to store it! I will also be bringing in yard sale-esque items as I empty out my apartment; frames, candleholders, fabric, books, you name it!

What am I going to be doing with all this free time on my hands you might ask? Well I'm going to be spending the first two months of 2010 traveling around Southeast Asia!! A friend and I are packing our bags and heading to Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia for some adventure, shopping, beach bumming, and inspiration. Upon my return I am going to continue selling the best vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories online as well as at shows like Design Hive, Rock N' Roll Yard Sale, and I'll be at the South End Open Market in Boston all summer. I also promise to make more super fun warm weather skirts and dresses.

On the December events note, I will be participating in Design Hive (www.designhivemarket.com) in Cambridge on Sunday, Dec. 6. Also, I am going to be selling jewelry and select clothing at "Chifferobe: A Jazz Age Cabaret", a burlesque event hosted by The Minsky Sisters at Tazza in Providence on Friday night, Dec 18. It's definitely going to be an amazing show. (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=174776944659&index=1)

To reiterate, thankyouthankyouthankyou for all your love and support over the past year and come by the shop and buy lots of wonderful things for SUPER CHEAP!! See you soon!

Love and vintage,
Nicole
fidgetfinds.com
10B Marlborough Street, Newport, RI 02840
401 378 8374
Wed-Fri 12-6, Sat 12-5

NIne Things I've Done in the Past Nine Months Besides Blogging (Obviously)

Part Six: Sunflowers!

One incredible Sunday Brian and I headed down to Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, Connecticut to check out this farm where they plant fields and fields of sunflowers to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We had so much fun frolicking in the cheerful blooms and eating delicious ice cream which they make on the farm. We also stopped at some interesting/scary and decrepid old antique places on the way where I happened to score some pretty awesome deadstock vintage jewelry. Per-fect day!!

Nine Things I've Done in the Past Nine Months Besides Blogging (Obviously)

Part Five: Fidget Finds The Shop

Fidget Finds rocked and rolled all summer long. I worked just about everyday in my super busy little vintage shop but couldn't have done it without the help of Mia, my bubbly redhead employee/intern who goes to FIT. I hope she learned as much from me as I did from her. I also started selling at Design Hive, and indie designer/craft/vintage mart held the first Sunday of the month in Cambridge, MA. These shows have been incredibly successful for me and are a great way for me to keep in touch with my friends in the Boston area. Come see me there on December 6!! I also started my own line of skirts and dresses made out of vintage fabrics. They were made in small batches, and the majority of them are one of kind. Most flew off the shelves but there are a few skirts still available in my Etsy. shop. Get ready for more styles next spring!!

Nine Things I've Done in the Past Nine Months Besides Blogging (Obviously)

Part Four: I Turned 26!

I was so excited to go to Block Island and of course it rained all day (like it did every other day in July) but my wonderful boyfriend had a plan B: the Museum of Fine Art in Boston and an early dinner at my favorite vegan Vietnamese restaurant, The Grasshopper, in Allston. The day was complete with gifts of owl clocks, cool books, and hairy tailed turtles. The weekend before I hosted a dinner party at my favorite restaurant (and place of employment) Perro Salado in Newport. There was dancing to Honky Tonk on the patio and mucho margaritas. Yum and yum.

November Update (hint: sale!!)

Hello All!

Hope your fall is going fabulously! As much as we hate to see the end of warmer weather it's kinda fun to start layering on textures and colors, and boots!! Gotta love fall boots. Well, as per usual, things are going, going, going on at Fidget Finds and November looks to be shaping up as one busy month! We've got lots of events, a change of hours, and a huge sale!

FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF NOVEMBER, EVERYTHING IN THE SHOP IS 25% OFF!

That's right, everything is on sale, from suede pumps to sparkly clutches and gold pendant necklaces to printed knit dresses. Make sure you come by and scoop up some great stuff now because when its gone, its gone.

NEW SCHEDULE AND FUN EVENTS!
: Fidget Finds will now be open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12-6. Saturday from 12-5.
: Come see me at the Design Hive Independent Designer Market in Cambridge, Mass on Sunday, November 1 from 10-5. The Design Hive is a great event featuring very talented jewelry and clothing designers along with vintage sellers from all over New England. It's a great way for those of you in the Boston area to score some Fidget Finds without having to come all the way to Newport. designhivemarket.com
: Rock 'N Roll Yard Sale, I am so excited for this one! The Rock Yard Sale is an event at 232 Westminster St. in Providence put on by What Cheer Records. There's music, records, indie designers, and vintage! What more could you possibly want? It's Saturday (shop in Newport will be closed) and Sunday November 7 and 8. www.myspace.com/providencerockandrollyardsale
: The shop will be closed on Thursday, November 12 to Saturday, November 14 because I will be visiting my sister in Florida for some much needed rest and relaxation
I know this is confusing! You can always just call me 401-378-8374 before you want to come in to make sure I'm there.

We've got tons of clothing in stock (way more than usual) and I just added lots more big gaudy earrings to the shop last week, most are $12 and under. I've been putting new garments up for sale online for the past few days and have actually been blogging again (check it out!! fidgetfinds.blogspot.com) Don't forget that we still have loads of clearance items for under $10!!

Enjoy all the beautiful colors on the trees and the few mild days we have left. I hope to see you all soon!

Love and vintage,
Nicole
fidgetfinds.com
10B Marlborough Street, Newport RI 02840 401-378-8374

PS- Sale is not for internet orders, in store only!

Nine Things I've Done in the Past Nine Months Besides Blogging (Obviously)

Part Three: Brimfield Antique Market

Brimfield is a magical place, a place where all your antique and vintage dreams can come true. I had the pleasure of attending twice this year, once in May and once in September. For those of you who don't know, Brimfield is the largest outdoor antique market in the world housing thousands of vendors for as far as the eye can see in Brimfield, MA. They sell everything you can possibly imagine from records to textiles to furniture to buttons to sculptures and everything else in between (including some really good falafels). I love to go and look at vintage fabrics and old jewelry. I've had some pretty great finds there, like my favorite owl necklace. Oh Brimfield, you have a special place in my heart.

Nine Things I've Done in the Past Nine Months Besides Blogging (Obviously)

Part Two: Flo Rida

We flew to the Sunshine State at the end of March, right when winter is really starting to get old. My sister lives in Fort Lauderdale so we had the pleasure of visiting her as well as the many other wonderful things that southern Florida has to offer. We stayed at the marvelously quaint Sunshine Motel in North Hollywood where we practically had our own private beach. I highly recommend this place if you don't mind mismatched pillowcases and cheesy art on the walls. It was super cheap and a perfect place to spend a week when you just want to lounge around. We spent some time in the city but the most memorable days were snorkeling in Key Largo (huge!! barracudas and the most colorful fish in crystal clear waters) and taking an airboat ride through the everglades (crazy peacocks everywhere and we almost saw a croc fight!!) We dined with the grandparents in West Palm and had a whirlwind day at Disney with tickets that my mom had days left on from years ago. We put about 1000 miles on our little rental car in a week! I haven't had two days off in a row since.

Nine Things I've Done in the Past Nine Months Besides Blogging (Obviously)

Part One: East Coast Road Trip

At the end of January I had the pleasure of going on a super fun roadtrip down the east coast to Savannah, Georgia which happens to be one of the most picturesque places I have ever been. We left Rhode Island at seven in the morning when it was a freeeezing 3 degrees outside! Of course Connecticut and New Jersey were hellish to drive through but Delaware was surprisingly wonderful. It was a landscape that I hadn't expected. Hey, thanks for the memories. We spent the first night at the deserted summer town (one of many we passed) of Chincoteague, VA where the horses swim every summer. The next morning we drove over (and under) the Chesapeke Bay Bridge Tunnel. It was really gray and cloudy which led it to being a really spooky and ominous fifteen minutes. We spent a million hours driving through North and South Carolina because I insisted on taking the backroads. (Sorry B, I had no idea it was going to take that long.) When you live in the smallest state you forget how big all the other ones are. 

After we arrived in Georgia, we had some really fun days wandering and getting lost around the city and outer islands. The parks, architecture, plant life, and southern charm really do set Savannah apart. Being able to wear flip flops in January didn't hurt either. We toured old buildings, went to art museums, and ate some delicious food al fresco. Next we stayed at a friend's loft in Charleston, South Carolina, another smaller southern city ripe with palm trees, pink buildings, cheese grits, and history. 

Our ride back home was a bit sad as we were heading back to much colder weather and of course, ending out vacation. We spent a bit more time on the interstate which enabled us to have a brief stop at South of the Border, which is totally worth it due to its amazing kitsch and hilarity. After a quick sleep in Baltimore we were back home. I had checked off two more states on the map that I had never been to before, and even came home with a civil war fashions coloring book.

You and Me and the Eastern Seaboard Make Three

I'm going to stop apologizing for going weeks without blogging. I've come to grips withe the fact that I am so busy with the store and my two other jobs that blogging multiple times a week just isn't in the cards right now. That being said, there will definitely be no blogging next week due to a ROAD TRIP!!!! My absolute favorite kind of vacation. I will be staying with my aunt in Savannah, Georgia for a few nights and then heading to Charleston, South Carolina where my friend has a house. I am so excited to explore these two cities, and everywhere else we might stumble upon along the way. I have always been intrigued by small coastal southern cities, they seem to have such charm and beauty. I think I might fall in love and move down there when it starts getting cold next fall. It is by no means going to be tropical down there but I'll take 72 degrees over 26 any day. I'm sure I will take lots of pictures and hopefully will have lots of good stories upon my return to share with you.