My Little Pony, Barbies, Sweet Valley Twins and Babysitters Club books- my love of vintage really started when I was very young. My mother would take my sister and me to yard sales where we would scour the toys and books for desirable items to add to our collection of playthings and books. I remember waking up early- the morning dew fresh on the grass- and staking out the best neighborhoods to get first pick. We would come home proudly bearing our purchases like victors in a prize fight!

Today, it's much the same. Thrift stores, estate sales, craigslist, yard sales, auctions...any place where vintage items could be hiding away, just waiting to be dusted off and brought into the light, is where I want to be. I love finding something so perfect, so amazing, that I just can't wait to share it with my mom. I'll call her on my way home, rejoicing in my superb shopping skills- victorious! And, she's always right there with me (although all the way in Virginia), sharing in my excitement...and I love her for it!

Here at Farm & Hound, I wear many different hats (and have a vintage hat collection!). I am photographer and scribe, manager of the Illinois inventory, source of vintage items for the shop, and writer of the blog. The inspiration for the "Hound" of Farm & Hound are my two beautiful retired racing greyhounds, Ana and Blue. They are my heart and my life!

My mom, Pat, is my partner at Farm & Hound. I love that in modern times, we are able to work together while we are 700+ miles apart! Mom's job is focused on sourcing items from the farm in Virginia, managing the Virginia inventory, and providing unwavering support (at which she is the best!).

Mom (aka Pat) is the consummate artist and crafter. She owned her own ceramics business with my dad in the '90s. She has an amazing home studio on the farm filled to the brim with projects from making her own tiles, to refinishing furniture, to quilting, and any other craft or art project you can possibly thing of! She has an incredible knack for design, and I am so lucky to have her share this experience with me!