Kalembar Dune

I hate moving.  From my bed, my chair, my office, my house, my shop. It’s just too unsettling, and I, like Newton’s law, (An object that is at rest will stay at rest unless an unbalanced force acts upon it) am an object that prefers to stay at rest. 

Needless to say, however, life is of course fickle – and moving is an activity that has dogged me throughout my many years – not to mention marrying a guy that spent most of his summers moving furniture to make his college tuition..(which produces the most annoying commentary when actually moving – as in “that’s no big deal,” or “piece of cake”)  We have had 2 apartments, 5 homes, 2 cottages and I am now moving my shop, Kalembar Dune for the second time, BACK to where it used to be!

It is simply not for the faint of heart! You must be organized, patient, creative, and almost numb to the touch, as it wreaks havoc with your physical and mental systems.  When I was a up and coming engineer in the high tech glory days, I used to lay out and move computer factories.  Back then, when we were young turks and swaggered and ate glass for breakfast, it was no big deal. 

 Let me tell you that now – IT IS A VERY BIG DEAL. 

Raise your hand if you have had a meltdown when moving.  See! I count about a million of you out there.

But nervous breakdowns aside,  moving – like Spring – is also exciting, and although it sounds corny, really is a time for renewal and rebirth. So I am very thrilled about moving back to my old spot on the corner, with a new set of interiors, colors and ideas. 

We opened back in 2005, and in those years the world and our little ‘bury has changed much. We have come into and out of a recession, witnessed some unbelievable Romper Room antics in our nation’s capitol, (Miss Jean – where are you when we need you and your magic mirror??) and are hopefully in a recovery path for the upcoming decade.  

And our little Westie has grown up a bit –  We are now a foodie destination! Hooray and three cheers to the hardworking restauranteurs, new and old, that have created a buzz for us that ripples far outside the 02132 zipcode. (not to mention hooray for all of us home cooks who can now play hookey from the stove a few nights a week!)

So come and join us as we celebrate another chapter – we are re-opeing in the new space on June 14th!!

Long before Antiques Roadshow, American Pickers, or any of the other treasure hunting reality shows came into vogue, there existed in the population a small subset of us who were pickers. Yes, Pickers –  as in TRASH PICKERS.  (hence American Pickers)  I must happily confess that I was one of them, (still am) though decades ago it was not so “comme il faut” to shop in someone’s garbage, or wear someone’s give away clothes! (Hello – Goodwill has been around FOREVER!)

I still remember my young daughters squealing in protest on the way to school as I would swing the car over to the curb with a practiced manuever – bounce out from behind the wheel - and inspect whatever muted artifact had caught my practiced eye along the way…”No, Mom, not again..”

Way back when, In the Happy Valley of Amherst, during the swinging. streaking and somewhat psychedelic 70′s, there was a place called “Old Weird Harold’s” – a funky (before anyone used that word) second hand shop that specialized in second hand jeans for under $6. (And had a suspicious aroma wafting in from the back room..)

Not only beautifully worn jeans,  but Old Weird Harold’s had jackets – really sharp women’s suit jackets from the 1940s, (think serious Joan Crawford and Bette Davis) great fabric, slick detailing and to die for colors with padded shoulders - amazing urban attitude paired oftentimes with broken in jeans and Frye boots. It was my go to uniform for my Happy Valley days – truly funky but chic – but again – well before anyone knew of that catchphrase… and nonetheless – I loved my 1940s jackets.

Sooo – in the aftermath of our conspicuous consumption blow out – who would have EVER thought that there would be MULTIPLE  shows, websites, books, blogs, even, gasp, shops about JUNK.  Really!

May I just say – I think it’s fabulous??  Makes getting old a heck of alot more fun sitting along side, not to mention selling – all this “junk” that I adore!

 

So folks, take heart – it’s opening day – the boys of summer
are back –  and it’s“Go Red Sox” once again!

 p.s. Mike Lowell? I still have a crush on you.

There is just something very special about these 1950s Coro thermoset lucite necklaces – they come in wonderful colors, like this tangerine confetti style (above).  Pop any outfit with a splash of vintage color – and you have a hard to copy signature accent for your ensemble – day or night.

Enjoy!

Once upon a time, there was a young UMass coed from Westie whose definition of Spring Break meant only one thing – pahtay-pahtay-pahtay – most times in Boston, of course (the Ark/Lucifer’s/Copperfield’s – can you remember?) BUT if you had saved your bucks – you made the 26 hour drive to – where else – Fort Lauderdale, USA  - home of The Button -Big Daddy’s - convertibles and confusion - topped off by the endless promenade of cars and kids – the magic insanity of Spring Break.

Fast forward a WHOLE lot of years, and Spring Break becomes your worst nightmare, since as a parent you KNEW what went on during Spring Break and your precious little dumplings, a.k.a. the next generation of UMass coeds are off to the wilds of – hmmmm Ireland? the Dominican? Savannah?

Well we all survived, and the little dumplings are gainfully employed and flown from the nest, and I am still with my date from Spring Break all those years ago in Lauderdale… (note to all – Smart Fort Lauderdale has since kicked out the heathens of yesteryear, (us) and on a recent visit – we graying baby boomers had a much different (read: tamer) time on Los Olas Boulevard!)

Spring Break also means Spring – and in New England and Westie, we are currently suffering from a massive outbreak of Spring Fever, despite a rather whimpy and not very challenging winter. Bah! I said, and Tomato seeds were planted in their little pots, AND in the beauty of a 71 (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?) degree March day, I recklessly planted the baby herbs in their pots as well. Oregano, Basil, Cilantro and Chives – the sounds of a summer salad. ( What a wild thing we have evolved into!!)

And, as it was many moons ago – my “must haves” included a black 2 piece and a bottle of Bain de Soleil for my trek south, today – my “must haves” come from Jay the mailman as I covet my mail delivery – waiting for the new arrival of heirloom seeds, building a dream vision of my lush and green summer garden. A far cry from the Button, yes, but that’s ok too. (AND, I Curse the savvy marketeer who invented Amazon Prime, btw!!)

Enjoy my friends – Summah’s coming!