Treat Yo Self...

Shockingly for as much vintage as I buy I don't keep most of it.I did do a fun trade and find a few neat items these past 2 weeks that I thought I'd share here.First I'll share my trade goods I did with one of my instagram pals Darlene.She had her eye on some ballerina wall hangings,a cardigan,and lucite confetti bracelet I had and in return I scored this Bakelite cherry necklace and charm necklace from her!I've coveted the cherries for over a decade but could never justify spending the money on one and was never lucky to stumble across one at an estate or thrift.



The charm necklace is so kitschy cute!



At the antique mall I picked up this Czech glass perfume decanter for $5.00.It'll display pretty in the pink bathroom I hope to one day have.




I picked up this glass bottle that  I want to fill with pink soap and display in the laundry room.I don't currently have a laundry room,just a damp,dark basement but I'm looking to move into a place by the end of summer as I've got my husband on board with the realization that we've outgrown our current home already.The one I have my eye on has one and yes,I've taken to decorating it in my head already.Which is setting myself up to be disappointed if it doesn't pan out but fingers crossed all the same.


Have you guys picked up anything fun for yourself that past few weeks?

Wistfully Waiting For Spring...

Yes,technically it is spring but you wouldn't know it in my neck of the woods.The ground is still very covered in snow.I did get tossed a bone yesterday and there was a high of 46!Even though it was too cold to wear my spring dresses it didn't stop me from putting one on for around the house and spend a bit of time longingly gazing into my closet.This dress I'm wearing I  got from Modcloth on sale for $13!I was worried about the length.I'm very funny about length.I prefer things just over my knee and this is right above so it feels a little juvenile but not terribly.Luckily I'm short so its not going mid thigh or something!



The browns in the dress gave my an excuse to wear my new pieces of Bakelite that I'd found at the thrift store not too long ago.The brown faceted one I found in a bag with another bracelet for 75 cents at an antique mall junk jewelry table.The other brown bangle I got with 2 orange ones not photoed for 85 cents for all of them!The green on I've had for a few years now and can't recall where I got it,I think it was an eBay score.



I bought this 70's chief ring for $4 on sale from  Bright Baubles and More's shop earlier this week and was happy to have it arrive yesterday so I could wear it.




This time last year the snow was all gone and it definitely felt like spring,this year I think we're getting the typical UP spring and it won't look like spring for another month.One being that doesn't seem the least bit upset about the snow is my lab Sam.

Apple Juice Bakelite

If you love vintage fashion there is a good chance you love vintage jewelry and if you love vintage jewelry how can you not love Bakelite?I thought in an attempt to start blogging more I'd make a theme post of showing off various Bakelite pieces for sale on the wonderful world wide web that catch my eye,because I admit it,I window shop.A lot.

One of my favorite colors of Bakelite is apple juice.It also usually tends to me the most expensive,which is why I don't have any pieces with the exception of a large decorative button I keep in my sewing box thinking one day I'll put it to good use.These beauties I've all found for under $100.00!

This brooch from mikat82   features a wire fox terrier in it.Wire Fox Terriers became popular family dogs inthe 1930's because of The Thin Man feature films.



This prairie wagon brooch from atomicwarehouse   incorporates wood and Bakelite together.


Love this funky little fish brooch from  craftingfool2003


This brooch with the mother of pearl fleck in t is beautiful from 
Violasvintages

Hopefully you're not bored of brooches so lets finish this off with some dress clips!Dress clips I feel are one of the most underrated but most valuable pieces to have to your vintage wardrobe.We all have that dress we like that's plain but add a dress clip to it and you can really give it a glamorous feel!

This dress clip also from Violasvintages   has combined my love of Bakelite AND rhinestones!



Lastly this reverse carving apple juice Bakelite dress clip from
OurBoudoir


Hope you all enjoyed drooling over these pretties as much as I have!Till next time.

Dillinger Date Night...

Not this last Saturday but the Saturday before that (let it be said now I fully admit I am a procrastinator) my husband and I had a very rare occurrence happen,we went on a date!We live about 45 minutes away from Little Bohemia so he decided to take me there!Now if you're not a history nerd like me or a John Dillinger fan Little Bohemia is where Dillinger and his gang had their infamous shootout with the FBI.

I wasn't sure what to wear but Bakelite was definitely in order.




We arrived as the sun was setting so it unfortunately didn't leave me much time for photos but I was thrilled when we pulled into the long driveway.


You can't tell in my photos but most of the building is riddled in bullets!







Inside has a small area of things Dillinger left behind.Though it was very busy when we arrived it didn't take too long to be seated.





The food was delicious and the scenery is beautiful.We were right next to the window that views the lake and really nothing says "Romance" like dining next to windows that have been victims of gunshots!





I look forward to going back in the daylight sometime.If you ever find yourself in Wisconsin do make a trip of it!

Autumn Leaves...

When it comes to our wardrobe I'm sure most of us aim for things we can wear anytime but there is no denying somethings are just seasonal.I feel that way about some of my vintage costume jewelry and look forward when that time of the year to wear them rolls around.Makes them just a bit more special to me.Autumn is my favorite season so no surprise I have a lot of autumn themed jewelry.Here are a few pieces I still have out that I though I'd share with you.


My acorn and oak leaves celluloid bracelet:


and 2 necklace:




Hoping to be back in the mid west where I can truly appreciate autumn soon.Have my eyes on a house I'm really excited about but don't want to jinx anything just yet.Come on autumn I'm ready for you!Ready for leaves crunching beneath my shoes,hot apple cider and sweater weather!

Mix and Match...

Today's outfit was mix and match of new and vintage.My mom found me this cute dress on the Target clearance rack earlier this week!I love vintage put also do enjoy mixing modern with vintage.When your modern piece has a vintage feel its even better!



I'm limited in my shoe variety right now because 90% of my shoes are packed away eagerly awaiting my move back to the midwest so it was my trusty ballet flats to the rescue.Seriously I may cry when I've finally worn these to death.



My earrings and bracelet set are the vintage part of my outfit.I scored this divine set for $1.25 at a flea market in Indiana.I have really small wrists so find clampers that fit is always a treat,finding them with rhinestones on them is the cherry on top and for only $1.25 is extra chocolate sprinkles...crap,now I want ice cream =/




And here is Ollie being nosy.The moment I walk out the front door without him this is where you'll find him.If I'm gone long enough he uses it as an excuse to fall asleep on my pillow.

Gifts From the Mint Ranch...

I am a horrible procrastinator but thankfully so is Dana!Her birthday was back in December but I didn't her her gift out until early February and mine is in January but didn't come until a few weeks ago.Luckily we both felt each others gifts were well worth the wait.I thought I'd share some of the fab gifts she sent me.

I am in love with bows so anything in bow shape or print chances are I'll be an instant fan of,like this rhinestone brooch!


I know Ouija is taboo with some people.I remember during slumber parties as a child my mother wouldn't allow it in the house and would make my friends and me play outside,far away from the house inside a circle of salt.I'm sure she wouldn't really be fond of this bracelet but I love it!


Every piece I unwrapped made my heart skip.By the time I got to this,which was actually the last thing I opened,my tears of happiness spilled over.Oh my that face!!Too cute!And the all mighty patch I'm not sure if I'm going to put on a purse or jacket yet...probably a purse of some kind.


Last but not least is this table runner.Combining 2 of my favorite things:Hearts and bluebirds!

I Broke My Own Rule...

Sorry I've been horrid at updating lately.I had my daughters second birthday on Sunday,my mother in law in from California and a nasty cold I can't seem to shake.All have left me rather unmotivated and quite behind on this,that and the other.Also my husband getting laid off probably doesn't help either.If I'm on the computer he'd much rather I sit on the couch with him and watch movies but as far as electrontic vices mine has always been a preference of internet over television (epsecially since our movie tastes are QUITE different).

But getting back on topic I broke one of my own rules a few weeks ago.If something doesn't work I don't buy it regardless of how cute it is.It helps my house from becoming overcrowded with vintage items.Same rule I had to apply with lamps,if it's not in a pair I don't buy it just because there are too many cute single lamps out there,I'd get out of control..however I would SOOOO break that rule should I ever stumble across some Moss lamps which I have pined over since I was 18.

I saw it at the antique mall this lovely little deco Apollo alarm clock that doesn't work.But I was drawn to it...and for $6.00 it wasn't like I was breaking the bank I just really liked it and had a "it will be mine,oh yes it will be" moment and purchased it.


Plus it looks just right next to my aluminum dish with bakelite that I got a few months ago at the same antique mall for $3.00 or $4.00.


As I pictured these I was horrified as I looked at my once overflowing lucite bracelet and necklace display and earring tree and wondered "wow have I really sold off THAT much of my personal collection?" The sad answer to that is yes *le sigh* eh but starting over is the fun part sometimes right?

Grandma's Jewelry Box...

I've had so much to blog about lately and unfortunately no time so I'm making a feeble attempt to catch up right now.Last week my mother sent my my grandmother's jewelry box!She's sending me more sometime this week.It's not grandma's fine jewelry by any means,I probably won't get that until my mother passes on and trust me I'm in NO hurry for that!She sent my grandmothers costume jewelry though which I love!Also fun fact is I learned my grandmother use to sell Sarah Coventry jewelry so she has A LOT of that.

My mother sent it with the intent to sell what I didn't want to keep and I've listed a few pieces in my Etsy shop so far but there's still more (again never enough time) but here is what I'm keeping.



here's a Sarah Coventry pin & earring set:


I love big brooches to pin to my winter coats!

so pretty!


Everyone needs a kooky fish pin:


rhinestone bracelet & earring set:


love these screw on earrings:




and because every good Irish girl should have one:

A Sucker For Lucite Confetti...

I love vintage costume jewelry,like alot... perhaps too much if such a thing is possible.After bakelite Id have to say lucite confetti really does it for me.I just really hate though when I buy something with the intent to sell it and once Im home and have taken the picture and am about to list it on Ebay I can't seem to let myself part with it,its so horrible of me.Especially when I know its something that would do fairly well and considering Ebay is how Im able to continue to be a stay at home mom I should really break myself of this habit.

And I will,just not starting RIGHT now,cause I love this Coro pink lucite confetti necklace I got for $1.00 too much to let it go.