01/16/2026
#2016 was a giant year for me.
I was running Mouse Trap Vintage full-time, sourcing, then selling on IG pre-algorithm (and during the season every weekend). I loved selling in person and setting up my little traveling exhibit for an appreciative audience!
In February ‘16, was born, the Pennsylvania arm of my twin sister Maggie’s business that operated with my mom and partner Cindy. We had our first job in Oxford, PA at the home of an artist, talented miniaturist and collector, who had lived there for many decades, raising her family up, then filling the void they left with mountains of things. We spent minimally eight weeks in that old house separating trash from treasure and doing tons of organizing, research and pricing. There was miraculous stuff in there, notably vintage and antique toys and children’s books and an antique Christmas collection that was just astounding. What a job to cut your teeth on! There were more estates to follow that year, but none ever so special.
2016 was so good and so hopeful that me and my partner finally started trying to get pregnant. For that reason I went on the road and visited my far-away besties, knowing myself well enough to know that parenthood was gonna knock me on my ass. I drank Sofia minis by the pool in VA with and road-tripped up the coast with for our then annual pilgrimage to ’s farm in ME for lots of day trips and photoshoots and antiquing.
I did get pregnant late September 2016. I did cry so fu***ng much and fear for my child’s future when Trump was elected. But I did end my year with my karaoke crew soberly belting out “Do Re Mi”, so hope wins?
