Killing Time...

My daughter was invited to one of her friends birthday parties today.While she celebrated her friends day of birth my son,a gal pal,and her son killed time around town thrifting.Today was a true test of thriftiness as once again  I found myself shopping with pocket change.But hey,I'm really good at that and even I amaze myself with what  I can get with next to nothing.Before I show you what I got let me show you what I couldn't have that was teasing me.

Like this couch!Do I need one?No,that doesn't stop be from wanting it though!




This shadow box has haunted me for months,its $45 so I could probably talk him down but I want to actually have $45 to blow before I get up the nerve to ask.




This set needed a good cleaning but was still pretty cool.



Love the glitter fleck in the chairs.


I didn't see a tag on this one and I didn't want to ask because if it was cheap it would just make me that much more depressed that I couldn't snatch it up.I have to tell you as a vintage loving mama these things are great as toy boxes or if you want an ottoman that will store the kids toys they drag into the living room throughout the day that don't ever make themselves back into the room...like sure,you picked it up and put it away but the next day there it is again.



So what did I get with my pocket change?If you follow me on Instagram you already say the sweet Jo Ann Campbell record I scored for 15 cents.My other sweet score?A set of 4 dessert plates,4 saucers,and 4 cups in the blue heaven pattern.You know what my favorite thing is when I see this pattern in thrift stores?Besides that fact that I actually like the pattern I like that Fats Domino "My Blue Heaven" automatically starts playing in my head!So with that playing in my head I wasn't even embarrassed about counting out $6.00 in change (in my defense they're were quarters) to pay for my blue heaven pieces.


That is how it goes in the thrift world.When you don't have a lot to work with you always see a lot of cool things and watch when I go back with money to blow I won't find a thing.Vintage gods are cruel like that sometimes,haha!3pm rolled around and it was time to go back to pick my daughter up from her friends house.Happy to report she had a good time and so did I while I was killing time.

First Day of School,Permits,and Sales....

Today was a busy day to say the least.To start the day off it was my daughters first day of kindergarten.I hadn't done preschool so this was literally a first for me letting her out of my sight with anyone other than my mom!She was SO excited though that it made it easier on me.I was brave and didn't start bawling until the bus pulled away with a piece of my heart on it.


After I composed myself it was time to move on with the day.My son woke up with a million "where's sissy?" questions.My husband had taken the day off work to be here for our daughters first day.We got ready and he took me over to the DMV so I could get my permit.I'm 30 and have never had my license.My anxiety gets in the way.I've had my permit half a dozen times but never follow through with getting to the licensed part.Sounds silly to probably most of you but its pretty bad...but I also know I need to conquer my fear so here's hoping I get it done this time around.

I will say it is totally nuts to me to walk into a DMV and have no one in there(definitely not in California anymore)!Unfortunately I showed up 30 minutes before they closed for lunch and they require an hour to take the test.I filled out the paperwork I needed and then went back out to tell my son and husband we had an hour to kill before I could test.



Luckily for me there are a few thrifts in the town next to me where the DMV is located.One was total garbage with a clerk that barely looks up from what she's doing to say "hello" to you.The next was was gold!Unfortunately I only had change on me and wasn't able to do as much damages as I could have easily done.I did with my $4.00 in change manage to score this lovely lamp shade:



And this set of 2 dinner plates,2 bowls,and 2 salad plates:


I had to leave this kitsch-tastic Elvis bust behind...I told myself it was okay cause he was chipped BUT if he is there when I actually have money to spend he will be mine.



Well,I went back to the DMV,took my test,passed.Husband made me drive half way home which was TERRIBLE!My palms were sweating so bad and I wanted to throw up.I kept driving 5-10 miles below the speed limit which royally pissed off the poor bastard behind me.He has plenty of chances to pass me and didn't.When he finally did decide to pass me he made his anger well known is a series of hand gestures and I just smiled cause I wanted to yell "I JUST got my permit,literally JUST got it" so hopefully I didn't ruin his day,he definitely wasn't going to ruin mine.But that is where my anxiety comes from.Not so much myself driving but not being in control of others around me but practice makes perfect...or at least not so  an anxiety riddled weirdo when driving person which is what I am in hopes of becoming.

Okay,well getting back to the plates I scored...when I first saw them I was like "oh Taylor,Smith, & Taylor Cathay pattern,sweet!" but something seemed off and I couldn't pin point it till I got home and went to put them in my Heywood china cabinet next to the already existing few pieces of that pattern when I realized its NOT Cathay!Turned it over and yep,it was Harmony House in the Marimba Bay pattern.Nearly identical pattern just different color combos.




Finally the time came for the bus to bring my baby girl home to me.My son and I waited outside.He kept shouting "Sissy!Where are you?!" As much as his eagerness for his big sister to come home was adorable it was unfortunately short lived as it started POURING rain.I had to run him back inside and grab an umbrella!


Luckily as her bus pulled up the sun popped back out.I don't think I've ever been so excited to see a school bus in my whole life.The only thing better was seeing her face beaming with joy from her first day.Awe,my little gal is growing up too fast.



And now that the excitement of school supplies and clothes is behind me it is time to start back to less than thrilling things like bills so my etsy shop now through next Monday is having a 30% sale!

Weekend Whatnottery ....

This weekend was an all around good time.My husband had to take the car to get serviced on Saturday morning so he wasn't able to run me to the post office as usual to ship out my orders for the week.BUT I got to do something even better!I got to walk by myself there while he watched the kids!Me sans kids is a rare treat so even an hour walk downtown I relish in.Yes,even mommies need "me time",any way you can get it.Since I didn't have any little hands to hold I got to take photos of my beloved downtown.



I even popped in a few thrifts and the antique mall.Most everything in my town is old and has never been updated (thank the gods!).Rummaging can be a dirty job which means hands do get dirty.Luckily one of the thrifts was kind enough to let me wash up in their restroom and I got a kick out of the old sinks,tile work,and this sanitary container.



My town is also filled with beautiful old churches.I didn't get many shots of the glass windows but that is a project for a different post.



When I got back the car was ready to be picked up so when my hubby got back we loaded up the kids and Sam and headed to Lake Superior.I felt bad having to leave Ollie and Lug behind but water isn't really their thing.Ollie likes attacking the lawn hose and that is his extent of water play.Sam was DEFINITELY in his element though.





My Monday started off pretty well.I've given up coffee.Its been 3 days now and I'm just now starting to get the headache from no caffeine  to lighten up a little.So despite it being Monday and no coffee I can't really complain.


I still have most of my home projects in limbo so they're not ready to "show off" but here you get a little sneak peek at my stair way,isn't the green fun?!

After 8 Years....

For 8 years I lived without a record player.It has been a long,sad 8 years.Didn't stop me from collecting records though!Yesterday I was out thrifting with the family.I found some vintage maternity and a 40's dress that I put in the shop.A set of 4 tea cups and dinner plates in Canonsburg "Florence" pattern for myself and then....and then this hi-fi!It was marked $8.00!I did a "say what" when I saw the sign,but no really $8.00!





Now its not in perfect condition.When I bought it that gentleman that owns the store told me the right speaker doesn't work and there were a few cosmetic issues.Luckily my husband when he picked it up today did some of his magical man knowledge stuff and the right speaker is working just fine and dandy.As far as the cosmetic...well,you know when your mother use to tell you to use a coaster?Cause THIS is what happens when you don't use a coaster people!


Nothing a hot date with a sander and a new finish won't cure.I just imagine this thing has seen a lot of shin digs with intoxicated party goers that were too concerned with a good time over coasters.







So what after 8 years of not listening to records would I put on first?Some Sinatra?Death rock?My massive country and honky tonk collection?Exotica?The possibilities are just endless.But I opted for something hubs and I could both enjoy so Black Flag it was!



I was starting to get to the point that I thought I'd never be able to find an affordable record player again,it only took 8 years but for $8.00 I can't complain.

Thrift Finds...

I had ordered a couch online but due to weird zoning rules the company was unable to deliver it.Apparently there is a weight limit of nothing bigger than a lumber truck being allowed on my road and surrounding roads.The company delivers in a semi so I'll take it as divine intervention.The vintage gods REALLY didn't want be to have a new "vintage style" couch,they must be saving an awesome real deal for me out there.

Now that I'll HAVE to shop locally for a vintage couch I thought today would be a good day to start.No luck in that department on this trip but I did at the second thrift I went find this chair(fist was a TOTAL bust in all departments).It is orange and stamped July 24th,1962 on the bottom.Orange doesn't work with the idea for the color scheme I've been hunting for but for $4.00 I couldn't bring myself to just leave it there!Even if I can't use it in my living room it can have a good home in my office.






The third (and sadly last place my kids and dear husband had the patience for) scored me this fantastic dress for the shop!I need to give it a clean up before it hits the shop.



Another fun piece I also picked up for the shop was this kitschy drink set!I thought it would look amazing on someones tiki bar!The straw bottle is open on the bottom and slips over the alcoholic beverage of your choice and the cups are pretty much like much more decorative cozies.I know what I am about to say may shock some readers but...I don't like tiki *ducks and covers*.I mean I can definitely admire it but as far as collecting it for my personal collection not so much,but I can say this would look awesome on a tiki bar none the less.



I figure if I was lucky enough to score a 1961 Kroehler sectional once for $35.00 I can find another great couch again and hopefully SOON.Oh and vintage gods if you could throw my way an art deco bedroom set so I can complete my bedroom that would also be greatly appreciated.

Seeing Red and Fashion Don'ts....

I type this with slight roots peeking through so clearly I have lagged a bit since my last blog post but yes,I finally got around to dying my hair red.I love it.I missed it.Though there is plenty of snow still on the ground my area has approached the 50's in temps and it feels nice to wear dresses again without a coat and thick socks !


Inside lighting makes my hair a little purple looking so I may go with a brighter red than what I was able to find at the store.


I was happy to bust out a pair of deadstock stockings from their box and ballet flats instead of my normal rain boots I've had to wear forever (forever in this case being grossly exaggerated and in reality only since November).My daughter walked in on me fastening my stocking to my garter and declared it amazing and that she wanted one when she got older.Its nice that she appreciates the stocking with the garter instead of going with modern convenience of not having to wear a garter with stockings made now a days since that have that elastic fit at the thigh.


We left the house and ran some errands and make a thrift run.I'm thankful the Goodwill in my area is open on Sundays and that I have good luck there.99% of Goodwill's I've gone to are horrible.I will admit here and now that I committed one of my top 10 fashion don'ts.I left the house with chipped polish.I can't even begin to stress how much I hate this.I wore glitter nail and wowza!I completely spaced on how hard it is to remove!What you're seeing now isn't so much "chipped" but me being exhausted from trying to scrub them off and after a small mountain of polish remover soaked cotton balls only getting these results.



My friend suggested this blog post on how to remove glitter polish so I'll be trying this tonight once the kiddies go to sleep!

A Lamp and a Lovely Thing For a Little Girl...

Today I only had the opportunity to go to one thrift store.I ended up finding some cute things for the shop which I'm endlessly hunting for but its nice when you find something you can't live without even if its not for you personally.I found this super cute white dress for Heidi and oh sweet vintage gods why isn't this in adult size?!



I'm hoping this summer it will fit her perfectly or by next summer.I also ended up picking up a few purses,shoes and a dress for the shop before my son ended up getting antsy and it was time to wrap it up.Sensing my disappointment with our thrifting adventure being cut short my husband drove a few blocks to an antique mall I liked and told me he'd be right back.The kids and I waited patiently in the car.He emerged 5 minutes later with this pretty!


I've needed a lamp for my office since it doesn't have a light fixture in it and this was perfect!I'll do a blog post of my office once its done up but much like the rest of the house its a work in progress.For $12.00 it was a good deal from an antique mall.I did notice that cord near the plug though was cracked.A $7.00 lamp kit from the hardware shop is an easy remedy to make your vintage lamp modern world safe!So fellow vintage lovers if you ever have passed on a cool vintage lamps cause the cord was in poor condition the hardware store is your friend.

Starbursts,Shoveling,Shoe Clips and Snuggling...

Yep,that title pretty much sums up my photos today.I got Wayland's dresser this weekend so I'm ALMOST ready for a blog post on his vintage cowboy room,still waiting on a few touches before I want to show it off though.As far as other thrifting most of what I've bought has been for the shop but when I went to pay for the dresser I did pick up this cool light fixture for $1.00!


Today consisted of shoveling the drive way.No,wearing a cute vintage snow hat and wearing red lipstick didn't make it feel better this time.I like a sunny day but going out at noon wasn't a good idea.The sun was painfully bright!Listening to some 77 punk makes it go by faster.I'm a vintage loving gal but I am glad to live in a modern time when I can listen to music while doing mundane chores like shoveling the drive.Plus side,I will have amazing toned arms for all those spring dresses!

Oh and yeah in case you don't follow me on Facebook it may be news to you that my bangs are back.Bang growing out attempt #2 is a failed mission *shrugs*


I've been hoping to do a cute outfit post showing these off but cold weather really limits by ability to wear cute shoes sadly.But I won a gift certificate a few weeks ago to Shoe Clips that the lovely Brittany at Va Voom Vintage hosted on her blog.

The site has a lot of options,it was hard to pick but I chose a pair of red bows and rhinestone heart shoe clips.Shoe clips are a great and inexpensive way to give a new look to a pair of shoes.I had fun trying them on some of my shoes this morning.

On these I think they'd look cute clipped to the back too!




The best thing to do after snow shoveling?Snuggling with a handsome man!

Happy Holidays,Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Me...

I hope whatever you celebrate your holiday was a happy one.Safe to say December was not a big blogging month for me as I only did one post.That's ok,you were probably all very busy too so you didn't notice,unless you're stalking me.Are you stalking me?Cause that would be super(kidding,don't be creepy)!

New Years came and went quietly in my home and today I celebrate my 30th birthday!I can remember being 15 and thinking 30 was light years away.Now its here.I don't feel old like I thought I would then,just a hell of a lot wiser.30 does make me feel "grown up" though...except I still say "dude" too much.Probably always will.You can take the gal out of SoCal but you can't take the SoCal out of the girl.

30 is the start of a new decade for me.I'm more comfortable in who I am,what I want to be,and what I want to do in my life.Do I have it all figured out?Certainly not,no one does but in comparison to my 20's I'm not sad to leave them behind.Time is short,it sounds cliche but it does go by faster than you think.Moments you waste unhappy are moments you can't have back so don't squander them.

I'm learning to let go of past hurts,to stop trying to figure out "why" all the time and realize somethings just are,learning I need to be happy in the moment instead of stressing about the past or future.Time is NOT on your side.It goes on with or without you so make the best of the time you're allowed.



Like my collection of broken pocket watches?I plan on stringing them up on silk chord,just not sure where I'll be displaying them just yet.As far as thrifting in my new town I haven't done nearly as much as I'd like.I did pick myself up these red pretties about a month ago though.$3.00!My inner nerd...ok my totally out of the closet flaming nerd self LOVES them!I either seem to be drawn to elegant heels,simple classic flats and nerdy shoes of the oxford and bowling variety.Plus red!You can never have enough red shoes!




House wise I'm happy to say since my last post I am now the proud owner of a washer and dryer!It took 3 days to get caught up on all the laundry but good bye laundry mat hello the simple task of going down to the basement!I wish I could share with you another room I've finished but so far Heidi's room remains the only room in the house done 100%.Dining room is 99% down but not ready to show yet.Bathroom is about 90% and everything else oh baby I need to come into some money cause those are some pricey projects!Especially the kitchen!Yikes!But for now I'll share with you some of the vintage light fixtures in the home.



I'm off for now to enjoy these lovely white out conditions that will keep us inside today and hope that hubs gets home safe.Oh and will the winner of my last giveaway please get back to me with an address!If not I'll be doing another drawing soon.Hope all of you are having a fantastic 2012 so far!

Somebody Up There Likes Me...

Yesterday and today I seemed to have really good luck finding cool things!Lately I've been trying not to look at things as "good" or "bad",sometimes its just perspective.Yesterday when I went to get the mail I let the dogs out with me so they could handle their business.Lug does his normal annoying thing and takes off about 7 houses up the block and then trots his way back home "blessing" any tree,car tire,pole or mailbox that crosses his path on the way.I hate when he does this but yesterday it worked out in my favor because as I walked up the street to grab him I noticed that 4 houses up from us the neighbor was throwing away this!Awesome gravel art!Just tossing it to the curb.So thanks Lug,your normal annoying habit helped me rescue this lovely bit of vintage.






Later on I went to an estate warehouse and scored some great vintage pieces!Hats,jewelry,dresses and knick knacks.Oh and this Barbie case!


The place had a ton of dolls which they used in some of their Halloween decor.



Some Christmas stuff had been put out too.I LOVED the box for the Christmas ornaments.


This is one of the dresses I picked up.I got them all listed except a hot little 60's cocktail dress that needs a hem repair.


Today as I got the kids dressed and put on their shoes I noticed both of them seemed to have grown!I just bought them new shoes 2 months ago but you know kids,they're always growing and sometimes faster than we'd like them too.So I did something I shouldn't have.I took them to Nordstrom Rack.Yes,you know what that means.Mommy got herself a pair of new shoes too.I found these awesome Poetic Licence for 50% off what the normally retail for.


My closet is full of $2-$15 items I've thrifted but my shoe habit is a bit more expensive and unfortunately I have like Carrie Bradshaw shoe lusts but MY salary,thus Nordstrom Rack IS my friend...just not a friend when I'm trying to save,cruel temptress in those cases.