Hen’s California Road Trip

How much fun can three women have while working? Too much fun! The Hens just completed a weekend jaunt down to southern California to meet up with some of our dealers and distribute rack cards and posters for our May 2 & 3 show. Popping into dealers’ homes and scoping out what they are working on always gets us excited about what they’ll bring to our show. And peeking in at their amazing décor is always a perk! So many talented people!

Our first stop was at Déjà VuAntiques at The Loading Dock in Orcutt, where Wendy Steller has her wonderful shop. It is always a treat to visit with our good friend Wendy and check out what new treasures her dealers are selling. Several of her dealers are in our show and it is always fun to peek into their booths. 

Kathy, Wendy and Carrie at Deja Vu Antiques in Orcutt

Next up was Industry Home in Santa Barbara, which is a must-see! Kate Hernandez’ shop is a one of a kind experience featuring many creations made by her sons, The Brothers of Industry. The talent in that family is colossal! And it doesn’t hurt that they are the nicest people in the world either.

Ventura is always a favorite stop for us. Lavender Blue is an amazing store with some outstanding dealers including our own amazing dealer and longtime friend, Victoria Stoehr. Store owner Mary is a delight and so much fun to gab with. Right next door to Lavender Blue is a fairly new shop called American Home & Garden. Definitely two shops worth stopping for.

Victoria Stoehr's booth at Lavender Blue in Ventura

Another of our favorite stops is The Rusty Bucket in Camarillo, owned and operated by dealers Chuck and Patty Hano Hano. This husband and wife team manages to collect and sell the most amazing authentic early American primitives, Native American art and unusual vintage pieces. We are always amazed at what is in their shop and what they bring to sell at our shows.

One thing we always make sure to do is to ask our owners and dealers about other stores and new finds that they recommend. We hit the jackpot on this trip and visited four amazing stores that were new to us! Farmhouse Comforts and Hoot N’ Anny Home in Westlake Village were great finds. Kelly of Farmhouse Comforts was so fun and we had a ball shopping her store for everything from hats to tabletop décor to linen spray. Jennifer’s shop, Hoot N’ Anny, was another visual delight. Her sophisticated sense of style and use of organic textures makes you want to move right in! 

Susi, Carrie, Kelly Laurenzi and Kathy at her shop Farmhouse Comforts in Westlake Village

Our nightcap after a long day visiting shops and dealers!

Simi Valley had two stores that we were thrilled to find. The first is Aubergine Emporium. Proprietress Pat and her tremendous group of talented dealers display and sell in a beautifully laid out shop. Nearby is the Shop Around the Corner, featuring a large group of dealers with nicely curated booths. With a wonderful dinner, a lovely hotel room and a gin or two, we Hens put another road trip behind us. Can’t wait to go back and visit everyone again!

The Hens

How Three Hens Tied The Knot!

In keeping with the vintage wedding feature for our May show, we Hens recently sent out a “Save The Date” email announcement featuring photos from our wedding days. The response we received from you via email and Facebook was amazing, so we thought we would share a few more details from our (almost “vintage!”) 1970’s wedding days. 

 

Hen Kathy had a very traditional evening wedding on January 24, 1970. The wedding took place in a small redwood chapel on Treasure Island located in the San Francisco Bay. Her two idols at this time were John Wayne and Audrey Hepburn; she married “her” John Wayne and wore a purchased gown reminiscent of Audrey, high neckline and all! The reception was an elegant cocktail party for 150 people held in the islands Officers Club which provided with stunning views of the bay and nighttime San Francisco skyline. An accordionist strolled through the club providing soft romantic background music. Very traditional, very lovely. Kathy and Nick honeymooned in Yosemite. Kathy was 19 years old.

Susi spied a beautiful handmade dress in a dressmakers’ shop window while shopping on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Going with her instincts and indubitable sense of style and creativity, Susi chose to have a wedding gown custom made. The top was made from an antique lace tablecloth and the skirt was made from silk. Her veil was a custom designed hood of tulle. Susi and Ken’s wedding took place on March 19, 1977 at St. James Church in Corona Del Mar with a dinner reception at the Sherman Library and Botanical Gardens. It was a very lovely affair enjoyed by the 150 in attendance. Susi and Ken honeymooned driving down the coast in an MGB with a surfboard tied on the back and then over to Yosemite. Susi was also 19 years old.

Carrie chose a beachside wedding in a gazebo on Laguna Beach on July 22, 1979. She and groom Dave had just purchased a brand new home and poured their savings into the house rather than an elaborate wedding. Carrie’s lovely wedding gown was a formal she had previously purchased topped by a beautiful see through shawl she made herself. The minister arrived at the gazebo on a motorcycle and preceded to dress in his pastoral robes right at his parking space! The small family reception was held at the famous Hotel Laguna. She and Dave honeymooned driving down the California coast. Following their honeymoon, Carrie and her new husband hosted an Open House reception for friends and family to celebrate their marriage and their new home purchase. Carrie was 21 years old.

Who says marrying young doesn’t work??

Thank you for your interest in hearing a bit more about our wedding days! We can’t wait to see you at the Paso Robles Event Center on May 2-3. Our fabulous show will be bigger than ever, and a special section of vendors will take part in our spring wedding feature: “Something Old, Something New: A Vintage Wedding Showcase!”