Have you ever wanted something for so long you began to think it would never come?
Well that is how I have felt for several years about our newest addition...
And then the other day...there she was...waiting for me.
She seemed so out of place at a roadside sale, stuffed behind Mickey Mouse chairs, a child-size picnic table, and a plastic mannequin sporting a large Hawaiian shirt.
She certainly did not fit in.
Her good looks may have gone unnoticed by many of the passersby that day...but not by me. She stood out like a queen...like a Hollywood starlet...just waiting to be given the adoration that she deserves.
I walked as fast as I could {without trying to seem too eager}, and asked the man selling her, how much?
Sixty-five dollars was the answer, and she was sold before I heard the words.
Err...actually...before I had time to look to Joshua for the money that I certainly didn't have on hand...and before I realized he was in the mood to haggle. And this sale was smack dab in the middle of the Lilac Festival, with crowds of people and no way to pull up and put her in the car. She would need to be carried...like a lady...several yards away.
I never think when I spot something I have longed for.
Thankfully Joshua is always a good sport. Went to an atm and wasn't even upset he didn't get to ask for a lower price. It's a good deal, he assured me. He didn't complain as he had to carry her {and she is a bit on the heavy side} all the way to the car...past all of the gawkers.
I am a lucky girl. Well...Mae and I are both lucky girls...because now she will be loved and adored.
Prized in our home...
I dressed her up a a little bit for her first photo shoot. I am sure she will see many different looks throughout her life here.
I hope you enjoyed this first "meeting"...I am sure there will be many more to come...
On a side note...Joshua and I are going to Buffalo/Niagara Falls with my family for the weekend to celebrate my sister's graduation from college, so I won't be around to read all of your lovely comments and emails until I return. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and before I go, I wanted to share with you the lovely flowers "Renoir" gave me for Mother's Day...he likes color ;)
I hope they brighten your day as they did mine...
Till next time...
Oh, she's beautiful! I dream of having one like her...still looking and dreaming.
Posted by: Debi | May 16, 2009 at 02:19 AM
I can imagine how happy you must have been :-) She looks wonderful in your decoration!
Posted by: Valerianas Studio | May 16, 2009 at 04:04 AM
Woo hoo... what a beauty!!
I can see why you are thrilled to welcome Mae into your home Alice. I'd like one like her too.
Enjoy your weekend away.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
Posted by: Kerryanne English | May 16, 2009 at 05:07 AM
She is absolutely stunning, Alice! Such great condition too. I love how you got one with the wire at the bottom too. I'm so glad you have finally found Mae and she is so lucky to be in your beautiful home. Have fun while you're away :)
Posted by: Natasha Burns | May 16, 2009 at 06:25 AM
You lucky duck!!! How wonderful Mae is, and what great condition!!! Oh I am so envious of you, but I know she will love being with you!!! Oh and kudos to your hubby, what a good sport! Have a super weekend!
Margaret B
Posted by: Margaret Bouwmeester | May 16, 2009 at 06:32 AM
She is wonderful! I can only imagine how you must have felt when you first discovered her and then you picked her up as your very own for the first time. Dontcha love when great things like that happen?!
Have a super weekend!!
Posted by: Suzann | May 16, 2009 at 07:23 AM
oh Alice, I'm trying not to be jealous here! I, too, have been looking forever for a mannequin...can't believe your good fortune, how you just happened upon her!! So, I know it could happen like that for me too. I'm on a road trip now....maybe....
Anyway, she's a real beauty, can't wait to see more of her ensembles!
Hugs,
Sandra
Posted by: sandra blanks | May 16, 2009 at 08:32 AM
OH congrats! She is a beauty and love her wire on the bottom. That is a good price too...have a great weekend.
Posted by: Denise | May 16, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Alice ~ she is awesome and oh my goodness what an amazing find !! They are not easy to find at all and she is wonderful !!
I can't wait to see all of the different things you do with her ~
xoxo,
Lori
Posted by: Lori | May 16, 2009 at 08:49 AM
congratulations!!! My great Aunt who was the best seamstress on the planets name was Mae... so I know she will bring you lots of good things!!!! xoxo laura
Posted by: laura dellaporta | May 16, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Alice, I'm so excited for you that you've added Mae to your family! She's beautiful! I would love to have one of her relatives come live with me someday. And YAY for your hubbie being such a trooper! Tell Renoir that the roses are absolutely stunning! Enjoy your trip!!! ~Lori
Posted by: Lori | May 16, 2009 at 09:15 AM
Love Her!!! What a great find!!! I know how you feel my husband found my Izabella at a tag sale for $30.00. She's not as old as Mae and she wasn't in great shape like her either but with some new fabric and some hot glue she looks wonderful. I've been wanting a dress form like Mae for a long time also. Isn't it funny when you stumble upon something you have been wanting for so long that nothing else matters at that time and that you can't wait to get it home. Enjoy her!!!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 16, 2009 at 09:30 AM
I have been looking for one as well. Don't you love it when you chance upon something you have wanted? Meant to be. Enjoy...
Posted by: Robin | May 16, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Oh, my goodness, you are truly a lucky girl!!! I have been wanting one like that for the longest time, and I know that, one day, she will just be waiting for me somewhere....
Posted by: Isabel ~ Maison Douce | May 16, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Gorgeous!!!! I'm so jealous! I'm on the look out for her sister!!! I've been searching too! What an absolutely great find! Congrats!!
Tracy
Posted by: tiedupmemories | May 16, 2009 at 09:59 AM
I too have a dress form in my post today, and two other people who link to me have those expandable wire dress forms in their posts. It's a dress form kind of day! xo Joan
Posted by: Anything Goes Here | May 16, 2009 at 10:53 AM
now you make me want one! love her and what a great find you got! I am still searching for one.. have a good weekend..
Posted by: fitty | May 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM
What a lovely find! She is just gorgeous! I have been also searching for one too! Hope you had a wonderful time with your family this weekend.
Posted by: Sheila R | May 16, 2009 at 12:09 PM
What can I say-she is beautiful!!! Don't we love these type of things.....Mannequins especially....Hugzzz...Tiina...
Posted by: Tiina | May 16, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Oh, I just found one myself and am in love. She is slightly more humble and needs some TLC, but lovely nonetheless. A friend named her Isabella for Isabella Rosselini. So Bella quietly occupies a corner of my studio until her transformation is complete.
Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault
Posted by: Eileen @ Star's Fault | May 16, 2009 at 01:27 PM
Mae has found the perfect home! How nice to get her to the car safely without a hitch - way to go, Josh! Can't wait to see all the different looks you'll have for her, Alice. Sounds like Mae has been waiting for you and was meant to live in your beautiful home.
xo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie~My Petite Maison | May 16, 2009 at 02:26 PM
Mae is simply beautiful! good find, way to go :) I can't wait to see her look change like the seasons.
Posted by: Lizzie | May 16, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Yay Alice! I am so glad you found your Mae!!! I know exactly how you felt when you spotted her...I had wanted one for such a long time and finally spotted my "Buellah Belle" at a flea market! I couldn't walk fast enough over to that booth, then didn't want to act too overly eager when I asked the price, haha! Mae has found a wonderful home and I know she will love her life with you, and she will be so happy with the new wardrobe I'm sure you will give her! Can't wait to see more of your beautiful Mae! Hope you are having a great weekend!
(((hugs)))
Milli
Posted by: milli wagoner | May 16, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Oh my gosh Alice!! Congratulations on your new addition to your family! LUCKY LUCKY you!!!!! I am still waiting to find one ...hopefully soon! So glad your Josh is understanding and willing to haul her for you! LOL
I can't wait to see all her new looks in the future!
Blessings~
Posted by: Sandra Boothman | May 16, 2009 at 06:20 PM
She is stunning!!!! I cannot wait to see more of her as you bring even more beauty to her!
xo,
Lesley
Posted by: Lesley | May 16, 2009 at 09:46 PM
Hi Alice,
Thank you for introducing us to Mae....she is, indeed, lovely. I have a family of 5 dress forms....and each has its own "personality"....it's like dolls for grownup girls! Hope you enjoyed your sister's graduation....my son Dan is in the middle of exams at Buffalo Law School right now! Enjoy playing with Mae and I look forward to seeing her future fashion statements!
Be well, Laura
Posted by: Laura | May 16, 2009 at 10:33 PM
She's beautiful.
I'm sure she has found a wonderful home.
blessings and have a good time.
barbara jean
Posted by: Barbara Jean | May 17, 2009 at 03:19 AM
She really is lovely....congratulations! Love her coloring and wire bottom!!!! Enjoy!
Posted by: jennifer | May 17, 2009 at 08:40 AM
You are so lucky! I just spotted one of these over the weekend--same price-- but her neck is broken away from her bodice. Still trying to get my husband to figure out how to fix her! ...vicki from oklahoma
Posted by: vicki nett | May 17, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Well ah swan as my grandmother use to say in amazement. This indeed is a wonderful find and a great buy. I've seen them go for so much more.....
Ciao
Posted by: Glenda | May 17, 2009 at 03:33 PM
What a beautry indeed! And $65 was a steal! I got mine about six months ago & I love her. She doesn't have the same base as yours. ENJOY HER! And I know you are right about the outfitts changing. :)
I would love to find another. Wouldn't it be fun to have a mani party here in blogland? I know one was done before. Far before I got my beauty.
Posted by: Charlene | May 17, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Oh Alice...she's absolutely breathtaking!!!! I would have done the exact same thing sweet friend! I'm so happy for you and she looks perfect in your home. I look forward to seeing her more on your blog ~ wishing you a wonderful week, xxoo, Dawn
Posted by: Dawn @ The Feathered Nest | May 17, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Hi Alice,
Now Joshua has two beauties in the house. What a lucky, lucky guy. Have a wonderful time with your fam.
Hugs,
June
Posted by: June | May 17, 2009 at 08:02 PM
What treasured finds - Mae and your husband! Definitely keepers!!
Posted by: Dru Cabral | May 18, 2009 at 09:39 AM
What a beautiful mannequin - I've always longed for one too so I completely understand how you just had to get your hands on this wonderful vintage find!
Carolyn
Posted by: Carolyn | May 18, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Can't wait to see Mae as she transforms into many different looks~I bet she was relieved when YOU bought her and she didn't end up going somewhere with someone who wouldn't love her at all. (aka Black Beauty)
Posted by: Debbie Keady | May 18, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Oh Alice what a beautiful mannequin!! I am so glad you found it!
Have a wonderful week with your new entry!
Hugs
Federica
Posted by: Federica | May 18, 2009 at 11:10 AM
She is just stunning..She looks so beautiful in your home...
Stephenie
Posted by: stephenie | May 18, 2009 at 12:11 PM
I want one, too, and am always on the lookout for one! Congratulations - Mae is beautiful. I just showed my husband yours and tried to explain why I wanted one. He said okay
Posted by: Claudia | May 18, 2009 at 01:52 PM
Mae is beautiful and is now in very good hands.
Posted by: Donna Warrington | May 18, 2009 at 03:03 PM
What a wonderful find! Mae is gorgeous!
Posted by: Deb | May 18, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Mae is just beautiful...and lucky to be home with you.
Posted by: Andrea | May 18, 2009 at 07:30 PM
congradulations on finding Mae, I have a collection of vintage mannequins and found one just like this on ebay a couple of years ago, minus the base. A fabulous ebay seller agreed to send it to me in Australia in two parcels, she is also one of my treasured mannequins, thanks for sharing. Phillipa.
Posted by: Phillipa Marshall | May 18, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Ohhhhhhh welcome HOME mae!!!! What a beauty she is Alice. I can see by her posture that she is feeling QUITE special in her new home. tee hee
Congrats on finding her! She was worth the wait and I love love how you have her fussied up. xoxox
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | May 18, 2009 at 09:01 PM
You lucky dog! I've wanted one of these lovely ladies for a long time also...I'll have to keep my eyes open...Katie
Posted by: Katie Galbraith | May 18, 2009 at 09:28 PM
Oh...I just love the newest addition to your home. What a great deal, I couldn't of passed that one up either. Those little gals aren't so easy to find. And when you do find them, wow! the prices are quite high. I'm glad she found you and has a good home. (o:
Posted by: My Shabby Roses | May 19, 2009 at 09:58 AM
I've been dreaming of finding my own "Mae"...been searching for awhile:) No luck so far; but you, you are a lucky gal:)What a great find at a great price!
Posted by: Leah C | May 19, 2009 at 01:49 PM
What a great find! A friend of mine found one about 5 years ago and made a small opening in the back and found vintage newspapers from the 30's stuffed inside! Wonder if there's anything inside yours?
Posted by: Scarlett Clay | May 20, 2009 at 12:20 AM
What a beautiful blog you have. I visited by chance and I'm so happy that I found it here. I'll definitely come back. Your blog just makes me dream.
Welcome to my blog as well.
Best regards,
FrauSchmitt
Posted by: FrauSchmitt | May 20, 2009 at 09:24 AM
What a great blog you have. I stumbled in by chance and I'm impressed. So beautiful pictures. I'll surely be back. You make me dream =)
Welcome to my blog, too!
Best wishes,
FrauSchmitt
Posted by: FrauSchmitt | May 20, 2009 at 09:41 AM