Candace is no stranger to the news even as a young child. Days after she was born, her arrival was announced in the Greensboro Daily News, where her dad worked for seven years. Eight months after this announcement, Candace graced the pages of the same paper for winning a beautiful baby contest. This early brush with the news gave Candace a taste of what it was like to be part of it, and as soon as she was old enough to hold a crayon, she began to write.
Vintage News Junkie is a place where Candace shares how she finds hidden treasures in vintage junk and antiques. With some help and encouragement from the women she met through Vintage News Junkie, Candace eventually took the plunge and quit her day job to become a full-time blogger and also the creator of Junkie Paint, a line of very affordable hand-mixed paint. Through her blog, Candace seeks to prove to her readers that dreams do come true, and that it is possible to create the life one imagines.
Candace’s mother gave her all the love and encouragement to help her do just that – and more. Find out how Saturday morning thrift-shopping has become one of the fondest mother-daughter memories of this cool vintage junkie in this exclusive interview with Balsam Hill.
BH: How has your mother inspired your decorating style? Would you mind sharing some decorating advice she’s given you with us?
Candace: For as long as I can remember, my mom has always had a beautiful house! When I was growing up, my dad would be at work, but my mom would spend tireless days raising me and my brother, cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry. Somehow, among all the daily chores of a stay-at-home mom, she found time to create a beautifully decorated home on a budget. Dad built a lot of wooden furniture, shelves, and other décor, and mom would make them all pretty! She would hunt for bargain décor, candles, knick-knacks, and frames. Often scouring yard sales and thrift stores! Our house was filled with décor she would earn after having ‘home interior’ parties, or wooden décor that she would paint and add frilly ribbons and lace. Our home was beautiful because of the love she put into it. I strive to create half the home she created for our family!
BH: What advice has your mother given you that you would also like to give to your children?
Candace: Well, there’s simply not enough time in this interview to share all of the advice my mom has given me. Ultimately, she has taught me to believe in the Lord and know that everything happens for a reason. We may not understand why now, but He knows, and we have to believe. She has taught me to be a good person, treat others as you want to be treated, and believe in yourself. You can do ANYTHING if you set your mind to it! The faith my mom has in me has motivated me to go after my dreams! I hope to give my children the same love, support, and encouragement!
BH: Is there an activity you do now that still reminds you of something you did with your mother as a child?
Candace: Oh, yeah! Thrift shopping and yard sales! I remember getting up early on Saturdays to hit all the yard sales in our neighborhood! Searching for unique finds! In the car. Out of the car. In the car. Out of the car. We would hit the drive-thru halfway through our morning for bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits. I still do that to this day! Oh. And clipping coupons. Though, I don’t do this as often as before, but mom was a coupon queen! And that was before couponing was cool! Mom racked up on strawberry pop tarts and toothpaste for FREE! She taught me the importance of being frugal and working with what you have!
BH: Do you have any springtime traditions you would like to pass on to your children and grandchildren?
Candace: I loved getting all dolled up for Easter Sunday at church! Mom would always buy me a new lacy dress and make a HUGE matching bow for my hair! I had lacy white socks that folded down and shiny white shoes! It took me no time to scuff those bad boys up, but I loved it! I hope to have a little girl one day that I can do the same for!
BH: What’s your idea of a perfect Mother’s Day celebration?
Candace: Mother’s Day is every day! I don’t let the calendar tell me when to thank my mom for all she does, but instead try to say thank you every time I see her. I am who I am because of her. She deserves only the best. So, when the rest of the world is celebrating mom, I give her the one thing I find most valuable: time. It’s the one thing we all want more of, especially with the people who mean the most to us.
