On a recent rainy day, I went to the antique mall with my daughter who just graduated college, looking for some bargains for when she will soon move into a tiny one-room apartment for grad school. I love antiques because they remind me of my childhood. But I realized my daughter doesn’t know the history of some of that stuff, so it was a fun opportunity to share some of those long-gone things–and memories–with her. Here’s my walk down memory lane…see if you share some of them…

Remember when yellow smiley faces were everywhere? They still make me smile.

I swear I had this exact same puppy! My daughter described it as “creepy” (thanks, dear). But I recall mine as being significantly more beat-up looking and possibly a bit chewed around the ear, clearly signs of toddler love. Then I suddenly remembered something–it squeaked! Sure enough, I picked it up and…wala! Squeaky puppy, yep.

I love when people take old jewelry and make art out of it. 

This desk (below, right) would fill my daughter’s entire apartment. But I told her I needed it. This desk is a writer’s dream.  Maybe it was fashioned for a duke, like one that sits behind his mahogany desk and glares across at a young fop in a Regency novel. Or is that (probably) the wrong time period? Then maybe a gothic lord banging on it, demanding his ale? (No, not that time period either.) But anyway, sitting behind this desk would make me feel manly, big, and powerful. All pluses when you’re struggling to pound out a story. I’ll take the gorgeous oriental rug it’s happening to sit on too! Load it up, boys!

I don’t even want to know what this animal is (below, left) or why people used to wear it around their necks.

Sconce, anyone? Ew, is that a real deer leg? Enough said about that!

My daughter found a framed pic for $6 which she bought, otherwise we went home empty handed but greatly amused. And she discovered a new love for Fiestaware. A great afternoon!

This week (and until July 19), please visit my Author Facebook page and take a chance on the big giveaway my Montlake Romance sister Sandra Owens and I are doing together to celebrate our upcoming joint release days. We’re doing some flash giveaways in between, too, and all you have to do is comment for a chance to win!