Lee's Blog

2011-09-22T14:23:00.001-05:00

WE ARE LEAVING FOR ENGLAND...THE STORE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL WE RETURN. WE WILL REOPEN ON OCTOBER 13TH...HAPPY FALL TO EVERYONE!

2011-08-20T15:43:00.002-05:00

Religious needlepoint items we only have a couple left...framed...beautiful antique items!

2011-07-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

OUR ANTLERS JUST ARRIVED!!!! NEW SHIPMENT !!! SOME ARE DATED FROM 1919!

2011-07-27T12:28:00.001-05:00

arriving in a week will be more of our great antler/horns!

a MUST for every english home....a true english lover understands this!

will post on facebook once the shipment arrives..we have about 45 coming!

2011-07-09T15:36:00.000-05:00

We carry a large selection of Barbara Cosgrove lamps!!!!!

2011-06-15T15:30:00.002-05:00

In memory of Fathers day, I'm reflecting upon my own father.

My dad was my favorite person in the world. I was a "daddy's girl". He taught me to give to others, not to judge others, treat everyone the same.

On saturday mornings growing up he would have me donuts waiting for me from our old fashioned bakery...they were huge glazed ones...he always brought me milkshakes too...this may explain why i have my husband get them for me today.

My dad always allowed me to have dogs...and today i have FOUR....he loved dogs, and would just sit laughing at them.

My dad had a generous heart. He gave to everyone all the time. He loved talking to people and could just sit down and talk to strangers...again, something that I myself do.

My dad was a wonderful man, loved by many and missed by many so much today.

I know he's with me and watching over me and giving me his advice which is always my "gut" feelings about things.

So to my father, Robert Earl Craun, I miss you everyday and am grateful I was blessed to have such a wonderful example in my life.

2011-06-08T10:49:00.002-05:00

this is a favorite picture of mine....my husband took this on our last visit to england...the lovely flowers against the cathedral is breathtaking....a small quaint town called chichester...

2011-05-06T15:58:00.002-05:00

you all know NORMAN and NINA...this is our new addition.."MOLLY"....yes we love dogs! bring yours in the store to say hello!! all dogs welcome!

2011-05-06T15:54:00.002-05:00

our ROYAL wedding party was such a huge hit...a special thank you to all the customers who attended...the food was amazing, the inventory was GREAT..and all of our will and kate items went fast.....it was such a fun time!

2011-04-27T11:48:00.003-05:00

ROYAL WEDDING PARTY CELEBRATION!

FRIDAY APRIL 29th, 10am-5pm

door prizes, drawings, food, video of the royal wedding playing all day long for those of you that missed the real thing...and STORE DISCOUNTS!

help is celebrate history!

2011-04-15T10:06:00.005-05:00

view my interior design work in print! go to the following link:

http://junebugweddings.com/blogs/what%5FJunebug%5Floves/

be sure to find the APRIL 14th post...of the royal wedding engagement party!

along with great talented artists in OKLAHOMA CITY!

all artists are listed at bottom of the article, but here is a sample of the

great companies/people....it was a group of people some that had never met each other, who came together with one vision, and made that vision a reality!

gibson events

poppy lane designs florist

beautiful day images photography

cheevers caterings

2011-03-16T15:22:00.005-05:00

A ROYAL WEDDING CELEBRATION!

WHEN: Friday April 29th

WHERE: Notting Hill Antiques

7200 North Western

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116

TIME: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Please join us in celebrating this historical day! Prizes, food, store discounts, and fun! RSVP below!

settee!!

2011-03-11T12:54:00.003-06:00

this is from my own home...i am always changing things, so this is not a surprise to those of you who know me...i bought this circa 1920's victorian settee and it was covered in a "country blue" fabric and had victorian "tufts along the back....so i bought some very neutral ivory fabric, and had my upholstery guy recover it for me, making the back smooth and adding sleek silver nailhead trim...love it...but now i had another one done that i'm using!

this is in the store now for sale at 650.00!! love it!

2011-03-05T11:37:00.003-06:00

we have new items that arrive every other week.....happy spring to everyone...its time to spring clean your home and get "new" old things to make you feel better after being stuck inside this winter! come see us soon!

2011-02-04T16:30:00.001-06:00

our home is still under snow!!! oklahoma city is a blizzard!!

we are open at the store!!! come say hello and check out our facebook page...we always have contests and fun on our page!!!

2011-02-01T19:25:00.005-06:00

major snow storm has hit our state of oklahoma!

2011-01-22T13:40:00.002-06:00

i just came across this lovely photo that we took in october while in england...its a lovely bridal shop ....just so serene....it was raining of course as we took this photo..but something about it just seems so elegant and lovely....

2011-01-12T12:10:00.002-06:00

wonder why we don't post much on our blog? we use facebook daily...so check us out on facebook...we have specials "just for facebook fans" and update you daily on merchandise...become a fan today and "keep up with us!".

2010-12-21T17:17:00.001-06:00

OUR NEW ITEMS JUST ARRIVED!

just in time for christmas!

largest selection of staffordshire EVER!

2010-12-09T10:13:00.002-06:00

Christmas is in the air, we can feel it as customers walk in the store...the london symphony cd's are playing, our tree is decorated in all "English" ornaments, and shoppers are sipping on our hot chocolate as they walk around the shop.

happy holidays to everyone and thank you for being our customers!

cheers!

2010-11-17T16:09:00.001-06:00

its time to feature my daughter's dog...this is "louie"..he's a doll..and will soon be one year old.

there's always a dog..(or 2) at the store when you drop by to visit.....MUST LOVE DOGS to enter is a sign i should have made for the front door!

2010-11-11T10:13:00.003-06:00

i love flow blue pieces!

this is my VERY last piece from all of the flow blue i brought back in my suitcases from england..(my extra 4 suitcases that weighed a ton).....its very old, the colors with an oriental flair, yet that english look that i love....thick, and heavy....call the store for details!

405-842-1500!

2010-11-02T13:45:00.003-05:00

I'm a huge NBA fan, and the start of the basketball season is alive in our city.

Oklahoma City was chosen to be the home of a great team, the Oklahoma City Thunder..and I am one of their biggest fans.

I'm proud our city is now an NBA city..it brings more tax dollars to our community, has put us on the map, and makes us proud to show the world our wonderful town.

I try to go to as many home games as possible...Lets Go Thunder can be heard from miles away on game nights....and one of those voices is indeed yours truly!

GO THUNDER!

2010-10-28T16:36:00.003-05:00

i had forgotten how much i love the city of london...we spend so much time in the countryside when we visit...this time we took time to sit in the parks, visit churchill's bunker, stroll thru hyde park and act like a "real" tourist...its been a while since we've done this ..most of the time our trips to england are rushed..but this time we "took time to smell the roses"..and i must say...they were lovely indeed....a true escape and a very lovely time with my husband!

2010-10-25T22:32:00.004-05:00

NEW SHIPMENT OF FURNITURE JUST ARRIVED!

carved barley twist bookcases, massive sideboard, barley twist pub table and chairs, round oak table, marble top chest...tons...hurry in...these will go fast!

2010-10-20T12:56:00.004-05:00

contest....email nottinghillokc@aol.com tell me your favorite antique piece in your home, and why it means so much to you...i'll pick a winner and that person will in turn get a 100.00 gift certificate to my store!

just in time for the holidays!

be sure to put "contest" in the subject line...enjoy your day!

2010-10-17T22:40:00.003-05:00

I can't believe that almost all of the new "small" inventory that we brought back from our trip 2 weeks ago is GONE!

All the staffordshire, flow blue and silver plate candlesticks flew out the door. I've never had things sell so quickly!

More goodies will be arriving soon...and with Christmas around the corner, you'd better get in the store fast.

I will post on the blog when new inventory arrives, so be watching for the news.

2010-10-04T17:54:00.003-05:00

we just arrived home from a 2 week buying trip in england...we are excited to have a couple of new shippers and will soon have the best selection of staffordshire we've ever had! new items will be arriving soon...but the ones i brought back in my suitcases (all four suitcases) are in the store now..but will not last long!

2010-09-01T10:38:00.003-05:00

pick up the nichols hills magazine by southwestern publishing to view the english home featured..it features tons of items from my store, both furniture and accessories...and pick up the downtown okc magazine to view the interior and story of my own home..i like to "mix and match" everything, so you can get a sense of how i love old and new!

why the antique business?

2010-08-20T10:19:00.003-05:00

everyone always asks me "how did you get started in the antique business"...so here is my answer to all of those wanting to know:

when i was a little girl i always was re-arranging furniture and decorating my dollhouses...i use to cut up what we use to call "contact" paper to use to wallpaper walls in dollhouses...i would walk into homes and vision how "i" would arrange furniture...and i was always in love with england...i was obsessed with princess diana and cried for months when she passed away.

my college days were spent studying (well some studying) about journalism and i just knew i would go into broadcasting and be on t.v....well, as we all know, reporting news isn't always about the "good things"...there seems to be much more "bad" to report than good..and thats just depressing....i spent time going to flea markets in college and i would sell things on the side....so i decided to start a "booth" in an antique mall...well, i couldn't keep it full...in 2 years, i had 4 booths and couldn't keep any of them full....the amount of rent i was paying for all of these booths was more than what rent for one building of my own would be....so ..long story short, i had my little girl (who isn't little anymore)..i rented a building, and started my own store.

i closed my store to pick my daughter up from school..i closed to take her to ballet...i made sure she came first and my work came second. i was in my hometown of pawhuska, and everyone there understood my business hours...my customers came from all over...i supplied alot of other stores with their furniture due to my overhead being so low......18 years later, i'm doing what i love, going to the place i love, that being england, and surrounding myself with items i love.....there is a "lot" that went on "in between" the years of moving, divorce, re-marrying, etc. so at times it was very hard, i learned alot about myself, about who was a friend and who wasn't.....but i am blessed....and anyone that puts their child before anything else will indeed struggle, yet be rewarded in the end ....my reward is having a wonderful family, a job that i love, and my wonderful customers.

2010-08-03T12:14:00.002-05:00

new shipment of hand made jewelry just arrived....made by my dear friend caroline! come by and see these beautiful items!

2010-07-28T10:29:00.002-05:00

this is my sweet nephew ziggy..he came to visit a few weeks ago with my brother in law chad..i thought i would post his picture since i post a lot of pictures of my dogs...

2010-07-20T12:47:00.003-05:00

its 100 degrees outside....makes me miss winter....the photo to the right was taken of our home last winter during the massive snow storm.....too hot, too cold..if only we just had a few days of lovely weather!!

2010-07-06T14:11:00.001-05:00

authentic english chimney pots!

perfect for the patio, porch, or any type of architectural display! i kept one for myself..these are the HEAVY cement type ones..not the smaller clay type!

i only have 3 left!

click on this link...and see that we just won the "best of the best" award from OKLAHOMA MAGAZINE!

2010-06-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

Oklahoma Magazine

2010-06-23T12:17:00.002-05:00

say "welcome to our house" with this lovely heavily carved 1800's halltree...dark chocolate oak, tons of "hanging pegs", mirror, hidden drawer...place umbrellas, or golf clubs for a great way to say.."come hang your hat with us!".

priced to move at 700.00...just marked down from 850.00

2010-06-08T16:19:00.002-05:00

new stock just arrived...but it's going FAST!!

2010-06-03T16:11:00.002-05:00

lovely 1930's english barley twist chest...we added the granite top...only 425.00...will fit into any room and any decor!

2010-06-02T13:45:00.003-05:00

new markdowns....just remember...if a store says they have "the largest selection"...then their items are not moving....us, on the other hand, our selection is always MOVING...so we can't keep our store full...items MOVE!!

here is a look at this weeks special:

1800's carved huntcabinet: sale priced: 850.00!!

2010-05-25T12:31:00.002-05:00

staffordshire has just been marked down...our new shipment should be arriving in mid-july, so we marked down our entire stock today!

2010-05-13T13:29:00.002-05:00

marble top nitestands...aren't just for bedside....they can be used in bathrooms, small hallways, just anywhere a little "filler" is needed....we currently have a great selection...all marble tops...carved, just beautiful!...and best of all...excellent prices!

2010-05-11T14:06:00.001-05:00

new shipment of lamps have arrived!

they always go fast...so hurry in for the best selection!

2010-05-04T16:00:00.002-05:00

picture of the beautiful pink roses in our backyard....happy "may" day...

2010-05-01T12:56:00.003-05:00

shine your silver the british way!! i only use GODDARDS ....it was developed by joseph goddard in 1830...goddard was a well known chemist who loved silver and used his expertise to develop a great product...he won numerous awards in the 1800's...his products are used in museums, state houses, and of course..."notting hill"!

try it...and you'll understand why i love it!

2010-04-29T12:10:00.004-05:00

become a fan on our facebook page....we give away a 100.00 gift certificate each week....yes...you heard it correctly...EACH WEEK!

we carry alot of genuine staffordshire!

2010-04-28T16:34:00.001-05:00

just booked our next buying trip to England for September!

2010-04-22T12:31:00.002-05:00

made by hand, made in england, "headbands" just arrived...pair them with a t-shirt from jcrew with those popular flowers and you have this years "perfect" summer look!

2010-04-22T12:00:00.005-05:00

i think this picture could win a contest....what do you think???

norman and nina...they love "working" at notting hill.

2010-04-16T14:11:00.002-05:00

english fox hunting framed prints are in stock...nice sizes, beautiful scenes..affordable prices.

2010-04-16T12:35:00.002-05:00

beautiful items from caroline in london just arrived!!

2010-04-01T10:58:00.010-05:00

mirror mirror!!

mixing the new modern mirrored chest with a great antique wing back chair with pewter tacks adds a little "new" with the "old."...don't be afraid of blending things...a house should be full of a mix, rather than everything matching.....if you see something you like...but you think, " it won't go with my decor"...buy it anyway! ..it is a reflection of your personality. when you enter a home, it should make a statement of "i live here, it is a place full of things i love"...and that is what makes a house a HOME!

2010-03-30T09:46:00.003-05:00

back to work!!

every year during spring break, we take our annual trip....as you can see, "nina" is back at work and is ready to see everyone again!!

bruce

2010-02-25T18:05:00.002-06:00

we just had our kitchen re-done, keeping with the same colors that i've always had..and i must tell you, bruce barkocy at BCI...he's the best...if you are needing anything done and you want it done "right"...he's your man!

my british friend!

2010-02-23T10:03:00.004-06:00

my dear friend caroline, who lives in england has shipped me some of her lovely handcrafted items...her earrings and necklaces are exclusive to my store. she uses vintage beads, lockets, and hard to find antique pieces to make these beautiful pieces of art.

besides being so talented, she's a lovely human being...someone that was given a gift and shares it with others. the first time we met, i knew we would be friends. can't wait to see her next time i'm in england...and hopefully she can come to the states someday! a trunk show would be amazing!

her new items will be arriving soon!

transferware

2010-02-20T11:37:00.004-06:00

our new selection of brown and white transferware is arriving weekly. a friend of mine that lives near kensington is sending me these beautiful items and surprising me with their beauty and history. i have been collecting the red, brown and blue's for years.

the greens, mulberry, and blacks are favorites as well.

transferware can be used anywhere in your home, not only the kitchen and dining, but on the wall in the entry, or like in our home, my collection of red and white are displayed in the tv room. i have a lovely 1880's brown berry bowl on my dresser holding some of my favorite earrings.

use your antique pieces..don't tuck them away in a drawer...seeing them will make you happy, and we all want to be happy!

the perfumes are here!

2010-02-12T12:32:00.011-06:00

we've been waiting for months! your favorite scents are now available for your personal use. i only received a few, and when i say a few, i mean 4 each! so get yours now, or call and reserve yours from the next shipment.

i loves these so much! i don't know what i ever did without them. i promise they will be your favorite!

the extracts have arrived

2010-02-09T14:11:00.004-06:00

as many of you know, it seems you can't enter my store without me talking about my new friend, sean ...he's the genius behind the new candle at my store...look further down my blog to read the "story"....well, today the new "extracts" arrived...they are lovely..and created in a way that you can mix and blend them, or wear them individually. the extracts are: fig, green tea, marigold, orange blossom, iris, hydrangea and violette pastille

i just combined the violette pastille with hydrangea, and i must say, its such a clean smell....and the best news is this: they are only 16.00, AND..they are the "rollerball" style...which means, keep one in your purse, your car, etc..talk about smart!

and what a perfect gift for valentines day...affordable, yet elegant. the "perfumes" arrive soon..the eau de parfum version of the candle line...i already have a spot cleared off my vanity awaiting the new scents.

come get yours today! and remember...i ship FREE all small items!

what is a hunt cabinet?

2010-02-04T10:39:00.004-06:00

hunt cabinet:

cabinets of many styles and origins that represent intricate carved hunting scenes and animal trophies. hunt cabinets often feature very lifelike figures. techniques such as chip carving and texture carving were used in making english hunt cabinets.

here is an example of one of our hunt cabinets that arrived...the only question we ask is.."how many hours were spent carving this piece".

snow

2010-02-02T12:07:00.003-06:00

our house was built in 1919..i wonder how many times it's seen snow? two times already this year!

where are you spring?

2010-02-02T12:01:00.006-06:00

this is a real, preserved (not dried) ivory rose atop a lovely pale green hydrangea. i sell these at my store for 45.00...they last forever..i own 3 at my own home and love them...they make me happy when i look at them and remind me that spring is "just around the corner". for 45.00, you have a piece that lasts forever, but if you spent 45.00 on a "live" floral at a florist, it wouldn't last very long...so this...is money "well spent".

store dogs

2010-01-27T15:30:00.003-06:00

norman and nina awaiting the storm!!!

Lee's Letter from Fall 2009

2010-01-26T15:20:00.002-06:00

everyone needs this candle. it's as simple as that!
i have the opportunity to carry the best smelling candle that i've ever seen or smelled.....and i'm excited because of it's "english roots".

sean omara is an amazing man. while on one of his trips to england, he was strolling in an antique stall in notting hill..(i love that he was in notting hill and discovered this!!)...he came across an old book...it was filled with old formulas that were created for the many great monarchies of europe. sean has been in the beauty industry for years, working for such great companies such as estee lauder and proctor and gamble.
knowing he could duplicate these formulas and taking the risk of his career, he had the courage and belief in himself to throw everything he had out there and create his own line...thus royal apothic was born.
i talk to sean every other week and have developed a friendship with him. it is no surprise to me that his creations represent what he believes and has worked so hard the past 3 years. he is funny, smart, talented and the beauty industry has been blessed to have such a creative mind in their field for all these years. he loves england and shares his love of england thru his home and his work.

the line sold out in 3 days at my store. it works. it smells amazing unlike anything you have ever smelled before. the packaging is clever. its affordable. what more can i say? everyone needs this candle in their home...its that simple! i haven't been this excited over any line in ...well...never.

stop by to get yours today...once they are sold out, it will take a while to get more, so hurry in to notting hill today...you'll be back for more...i promise!

cheers to your great smelling home!

Lee's Letter from June 2009

2010-01-26T15:18:00.001-06:00

june 2009

the month of June means many things to me...and it has nothing to do with antiques...so this month's letter is going to be a personal one.

7 years ago my life changed dramatically. i rushed my father to the hospital on april 15th (after I ran by the post office to mail my tax papers). my father was the person that i held the most respect and admired the most in my life. he taught me about people, that we all are the same, no matter our looks, our financial aspects or our past, that we all are loved by God and seen as equals in his eyes. my dad was always very healthy, so his passing on june 2 was a shock to my family. i closed my store in my hometown while he was in the hospital so that i could be with him as much as possible.

i had become engaged to my husband, todd in February, and we were to be married on june 5th. my daughter was graduating from 8th grade in may. i had sold my home, was going to move my business, get married, and move to oklahoma city. life couldn't have been more hectic. all plans halted due to daddy's death. Instead of planning a wedding, we began planning a funeral.

todd and i eventually got married later in the month, but had a very low key wedding due to the circumstances. my daughter and i moved to oklahoma city and we began our new life as a new family in a new city.

we sold todd's home and bought a home of our own. my daughter began high school and life started again.

my daughter will now be a senior in college, and i often think of how she's become a beautiful young woman since my father last saw her in the 8th grade. my new life is a happy one due to my happiness here in this city and because of my wonderful husband, daughter and my business. i was very comfortable in my old community, very involved, my entire family was there, and i knew not one person in oklahoma city. i now have a great life with wonderful customers who are my friends. i want to thank all of you for being such great people in my life. You have made my business a place where friends are like family,just like in my hometown. oklahoma city is like a small town in so many ways, and I now consider oklahoma city my home.

my dear father is gone, but always with me. last june, my sweet little yorkie, duchess passed away. she had been a part of my store for 15 years. many of you knew her. now many of you know norman.

june has many hard feelings for me, but also good ones. It is a month that many happy things came to an end, and when many new beginnings started. i thank you all for making my home here in oklahoma city a real home for me and my family, and my business.

see you soon,

lee

Test

2010-01-26T13:04:00.000-06:00

This is a test of Lee's new blog for Notting Hill OKC.com. Thank you.