My Dainty, Vintage Compact Collection

Yesterday I went to an amazing estate sale, and I found two vintage compacts. Which this is a somewhat rare occurrence. I was over the moon all day! But the most exciting part is that the compacts aren't just ordinary compacts.

The Zell compact (burgundy, floral one) is shaped like an old camera (love!) and offers rouge and powder. There is also a tube thing that comes out of the top. I'm not sure what it is for.

The Coty compact is awesome cause of the aqua! And I like the little seal on the top. And it's just so tiny! 

I freaking love them! 

As for my collection, I am trying to recall how I started collecting vintage compacts. hmmm. Well anyways, I collect mostly Stratton compacts. I love these the most because of their quality and design. But I collect other brands too, even no-namers. If it's cute and dainty, odds are, I will love it.

There are a few reason why I like collecting compacts. The designs are what attract me most of all. Some designs are so ornate, and the attention to detail screams quality. Another reason is because of the mechanisms. The Stratton compacts and others have a spring-loaded plate (keeps the powder in place) that pops open when you open the compact top. This extra convenience is part of that attention to detail I was talking about. I suppose the last reason I love collecting compacts is because of how dainty and feminine they are. The romance behind them really gets to me. hehe 

What do you collect? And why do you collect it?

 

How to Create a Keepsake Vignette

I collect vintage compacts (mostly Stratton) and I wanted to display them in a  "cherished" way. So I found some small random boxes around the house, covered them with hankies and started arranging my compacts around. I also added keepsakes from my boys, special pictures, old gloves, and vintage jewelry. 

You can easily create a keepsake or collectibles box with inexpensive items from thrift stores, yard sales, or even from things around your house. I created this one with a vintage carry-on case.

There is really no wrong way to put it together. 
But there are some tips I can give:

1. Try to create different heights for interest. I used the boxes for this.
2. Put the larger things in first. Largest then smallest.
3. Use anything you love. Create a theme or make it eclectic, like mine.
4. Try and use items with different textures, finishes, patterns. This will add interest too.
5. Make it your own. As long as you love it, that's all that matters! 

Now, go create a keepsake vignette and send me a pic. I want to see your creations!

Classic Movie: Journey to the Center of the Earth

At first you might over-look this movie because it is a 1950s Sci-fi, but this movie has so much to offer: action, adventure, love, wit. And don't forget about the graphics. That is one appeal of this movie. They did such a great job with the graphics considering the year it was made (1959).

It is probably cheesy to some, but it is more nostalgic for me. This movie and The Teahouse of the August Moon had such an impact on me when I was young. So much so, that I use the three notches in Journey to the Center of the Earth as my painting signature. 

Sweet Potato - Watercolor

Now lets talk about Pat Boone. Handsome and smooth are two words I would use to describe Pat. He's got the looks and the voice. He makes it look so easy when he sings, and the smoothness of his voice is...well, listen for yourself. Pat Boone - My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose

Give this movie a try! You don't want to miss the giant lizards, a crystal paradise, and let's not forget James Mason!

Pat Boone and Arlene Dahl

Another place for you to score great vintage

Vintage Lawnware Lamp - $17

As you know, Zach and I love going to auctions. They are exhilarating! If you have not gone to one yet, I'm telling you, you are missing out.

But there is another place to find vintage, and that is online auctions. There is this auction house here in Fayetteville that used to hold live auctions, but they have recently changed to online auctions only. At first, I did not like the change. The live auctions are so much funner, and bidding online is kinda like ebay. But I realized after the fact that it is so much easier and cheaper and faster! Well, at least this online auction. I have found that not many people know about regional online auctions. This can make things cheaper. So check out your area for online auctions. This is a great site to find them!

Vintage Mid-century Side Table - $9 (excuse my pack)

I just thought Lennon's face was funny in this pic. hehe

 

The Teahouse of The August Moon

THIS is one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time. I don't know how many times I've seen it, but I also own it too. It will never get old for me. I actually adore Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford. Dreamy...

I would categorize this movie as a comedy. There is so much comedic wit and troubles. But this movie also offers love and admiration for the Japanese people. Being 1/4 Japanese, I have a thing for movies set in Japan. (Check out Sayonara. Another Marlon Brando film.) This is also a war movie; I find films with a historical background so much more interesting. 

Set in Okinawa, a captain must enforce the new way of living planned out for the islanders by the US government. Many unexpected events get in the way of this plan, such as a geisha, a distillery, and an obsessed vegetable grower. As I write this description of the movie, I realize how crazy this all sounds. haha. It is worth the time!

Check back in and let me know what you think of it! 
I would love to chat about it!


Pic courtesy of http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Theatre/TheTeahouseOfTheAugustMoon

In with MORE old...

Well, Im gonna give this blogging thing a go...again. I really do love to write. It is a great outlet when you talk to people under 7 years of age most of the day. Don't get me wrong, I looove talking with my bouncing boys, but there is something to be said for adult conversation. And blogging does that for me. lol Writing to you is like having a nice adult conversation. 

Now, I am adapting my blog to talk more about intangible vintage, such as, music and movies. I love those things as well. To tell you the truth, classic movies and music make up a lot of who I am. We'll go into that more at a later date. But for now, know that I will be broadening our conversations about vintage. YAY!

My $2 Side Table

I found this vintage side table at a yard sale last year. It was from the side of an old vanity. When the seller said it was $2, I knew I had to snag it! 

I wish I would have taken a before pic. It had a really cool art deco design. I tried to find a way to save the design, but couldn't think of anything. So I painted it matte black and roughed it up a bit. Those nobs are original too! Love them!

I want to put an old sign on the side. Guess I will have to wait till I find the right one. I thought about painting a sign on the side, but I really want an old rusty metal one. And the search continues...

How a clean house will make you happier

This is totally off the subject of vintage, but happiness is important so I thought I would tell you how I feel about a clean house. Don't get me wrong...my house is not always clean. I have two boys under 5, a not-so-clean husband, and a dog. It is impossible. I DO think of myself as a clean person, but not to obsession.

For me, a clean/picked-up house makes me a happier person. Just walking into my bedroom and seeing a made bed makes me think, "Oh that's nice." You might think me silly, but I like to see pretty things. When my house is a disaster, it makes me stressed-out and irritable. So I try to keep my house picked up all the time.

Let me explain what I mean by "picked-up." The one thing I can't live with is dirty dishes laying all around the house. That is one thing, mentally, I can't deal with. So I am always cleaning up dishes. As for laundry, which I hate, I try to get it done on Mondays. It's not like I picked that day to do it, I just got into a habit of doing it the first day Zach goes back to work for the week. THE TOYS...they can't be avoided. There are always toys on the floor. Of course, I want my children to be happy so I let them play with their toys wherever. And I let them get into certain things (ie my plastic container drawer for food storage) to learn and explore. To keep these said toys at bay, if you will, Cayden and I will clean them up right before Daddy/Zach gets home. Every man (I have met) likes a clean house to come home to.

Am I rambling...I think I am.

I could go on about bathrooms and organization, but I think you get the gist.

SO! This week just try keeping your house picked-up a little more. You will feel more accomplished and happier. And your partner will love it and will appreciate you for all your hard work. I just love when Zach praises me on how great the house looks. It's the little things...

A Silly Verse About Yard Selling

I walk up the lane and take in a wondrous vision. 
So many different things. I am on a mission!

I remind myself not to show my pleasure, 
but I'm jumping inside at the site of these treasures.

Slowly I gaze and wonder around some more. 
Oh look! Oh my! It's milk glass galore!

Another and another. I have found so many things
to fill my spirit. It's as if I had wings.

Walking away, I smile with satisfaction.
I MUST keep going. Its such an attraction. 

-Rachel Harvey

Finished Foyer (Almost)

So it has taken me quite a while to finish my foyer. Mostly because I don't like to paint walls. (It had an awful faux finish that made it look kinda dirty.) I've put it off till I couldn't stand it anymore! I do that quite often. NOW, It is painted and somewhat decorated. I say "somewhat" because I probably will add more once I find the perfect pieces, as in, the right shape, color, and size pieces.

Anyways, I am writing this post to tell you about a great website where you can print off high-quality nature paintings for free!

John James Audubon was an amazing artist who painted all kinds of birds in a very natural and eye-catching way. I just looove his style! All you have to do to print these great paintings to to subscribe to the email list. Easy peasy! Here is the link . . .  https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america

I used two of his paintings in my foyer and I will probably use more around the house.

NOW on to the items I chose and their budget-friendly prices! I like to share the price of things I've found so you can see that it is so easy to decorate on a budget. Just be patient and keep searching. You WILL find great things you can use to decorate with! Everything in this foyer was under $12 each! Check out this list...

1. Picture frames - $7 each from Ikea
2. Vintage Sewing table - $10 (It got a fresh coat of paint too)
3. Refurbished Lamp - $12
4. Yard Sale Orchid(faux) - $2 
5. 1/2 off Wreath - $12
6. Yard sale rug - $3 (Threw it into the washer. Good as new.)
7. Coat Stand (not pictured) - $10
8. Bird Prints - Free
9. I got the basket and violin case at an estate sale. I don't remember the cost, but I know they weren't over $10.
10. Woven Bag - Had it for years and can't remember the cost. It was stored in a closet.

I accumulated all these things over 6 months or so. Patients and persistence is the key. I'll post more pics when it is completely finished. At least it is pleasing to look at, for now. 

Tip - That empty violin case hides the lamp cord and outlet. 

Replacing Cheap Door Knobs

New Vintage Knobs

After living in our new house for a few weeks we realized that the door knobs were cheap. Zach had to rig them up with some duck tape inside just so we can use them properly. WHAT A HASSLE!

We found the same door knobs online, which were about $17 a piece. Cheaply priced, cheaply made. Then we found the good quality ones that we need to fit the door properly. $70 BUCKS EACH! Zach kept telling me to buy one every month till they were all replaced, but I couldnt bring myself to do it. I am a cheapo and we need nine door knobs total. 9 x $70 = $630 JUST FOR DOOR KNOBS!

I waited and waited. I started getting stuck in the bathrooms and the boys rooms, because they were falling apart. Once when I got stuck in the bathroom, I had to unscrew the knob plate with my tweezers. At least my two boys (5 and 18 months) were with me and I didn't have to worry about their well-being. lol Wow. This is kinda funny as I am writing all of this down.

Anyways, Zach kept telling me to buy the $70 ones. "No!" I said, "You are just going to have to push that Buy button, cause I can't do it." Zach got on Ebay and started to look at vintage/antique knobs. We found two for $30 total! YAY! Zach installed them, and they are great! They work perfectly and look old. WIN WIN!

So all of our door knobs will be different, which gives our house just a little bit more personality.

Up and Running...

Welp, our Etsy shop is up and running again. The year 2014 was a crazy year of selling/buying a house, among other things. BUT we finally got settled in our new abode and our life has slowed down a bit. So up the shop goes! YAY! I will be adding new items weekly so check back in every now and then to see if something sparks your fancy.

I haven't really given you a proper tour of the new house and all its originality. It is OOAK (one of a kind), which I love! It really is perfect for us and our two boys. Woodsy, Private, and Spacious. And it has a wrap-around-porch. I have always wanted a wrap-around-porch!

Hello Harvey Haven!

We so believe we were meant to have this wonderful house. House buying and selling isn't easy, but everything seemed to fall into place with this house. It was the second house we looked at, and we already knew we loved it from seeing it online. Zach and I still talk about how we can't believe we live here.

Back Porch

At first I thought all the wood would drive me crazy, but I find all the knots and beams interesting to look at. Another great thing is how rustic it is. I can be a perfectionist at times, especially with quality. For instance, at our old house some of the molding didn't match up perfectly, and that always bothered me. But with this house, it doesn't matter if the molding matches up, because it is rustic! And talk about the durability...especially with little boys going crazy constantly. It was meant to be!

Anyways, in the future I'll be posting new pics of completely decorated rooms. It might take a while, but it will get done! I love making my house a home for my beloved family!

Good-bye First House!

Embracing Natural Decor

So lately I have been trying to decorate with things from the outdoors. There are so many lovely, unique things you can use from nature.

For instance, Cayden and I made these wonderful ornaments from things we found outside. I want a more rustic tree this year to match the house, and I did not want to spend a ton to redecorate for Christmas.

Check out this lovely, wintery floral arrangement, created with just an old pitcher and some branches from an evergreen tree outside. Free and festive! 

It doesn't take an artsy brain to create these decorations, just some time and a little research. Research really helps in coming up with unique and inexpensive decorations. When you research more and more, you will eventually come up with things you never thought you would before. Some of these ideas are not my own, but when I come up with something all by myself, it becomes extra special. A little childish, I know, but it's just my humanity coming out.

Acorn floating candles in the bathroom

I made this star with
fire wood scraps and twine.

I'm the Worst Blogger Ever!

Mr. Owl

OMG! I really am the worst blogger ever! But I don't know if I consider myself a blogger. I guess I feel like I have not earned the right to be called a blogger. I feel that way about most titles. Like "mom", I am a mom, but I don't feel like I deserve to be a mom. Gees! What am I talking about. Lets save the deep conversations for later!

I have not written in ages. I guess life just got crazy hot and you were put on the back burner. Sorry about that! 

Anywho, we moved! YAY! We were going to move to Tampa, FL, but things just didn't fall into place so we decided to stay in Georgia. BUT! We bought a new house and we loooove it! Enough updating you on all this moving stuff...

Living room. Its coming along.

VINTAGE! That is what you are here for right?! Our vintage shop is still on "vacation" since the move. We have not had time to set it up and organize it all yet. :(

I started decorating the new abode with, of course, vintage favorites. I am going for rustic Pottery Barn. I'm hacking, obviously. ("hack" definition- going for that look, but on a more economical scale) It is taking some time to get things decorated like I want, but it is starting to look more like a home now. And I just love looking around as I am writing and seeing pretty things that I enjoy. That is most important, you know. ENJOYING what you decorate with. My motto when shopping is "When in doubt, throw it out." I learned this saying when I was a little girl, and it has really helped me syphon out the bad. 

In the kitchen.

So next time you go out shopping use this motto! "When in doubt, Throw it out!"

The Value of Knowledge and Experience

 photo by Greg Ruffing via Wired Raw File

The other night Zach and I were discussing our greatest finds. I realized that we have learned and experienced so much in such a short time.

I remember the first time we went hunting for vintage and antiques for our Etsy shop.  We didn't know what to look for. We didn't know what would sell. We just bought stuff we liked and made a lot of guesses too. I remember telling Zach that I could not wait till we knew more about vintage...the history...the popular brand names...whether it was desirable.

Now, we know what we are looking for. We know what sells. Of course, we still take risks on things we don't know about. Risk is important when learning about new things. Zach likes to take more risks than I do, and I am thankful for that. He will buy a pricey item, and I will be very skeptical. I voice my opinion, but we always seem to come out great on his buys. I think he has kinda gotten a big head about it. lol 

It is so exhilarating to find an item at a yard sale for pennies-on-the-dollar and then to find out it is worth hundreds! For example: I bought a vintage item for $2 at a yard sale, brand new, never used. I sold it for almost $200. This is one of my favorite finds!

I encourage you - Go to yard sales and estate sales. Find old things you love and would use yourself. Buy used, instead of new.  Haggle! - Of course, there are bad yard/estate sale days, but it is soooo worth it when it is a good day! Ohh, it just makes my heart start thumping just thinking about it.

Lennon's Vintage Camping Nursery

So the theme for Lennon's room is "Vintage Camping". I love how it turned out. Unique and repurposed. My inspirational piece for this room was the rustic rocking chair and stool. I bought it in Florida long before Lennon was even thought of. Can you believe I got it at a thrift store in excellent condition for only 50 bucks? Score!

A lot of the items in the room I had around the house. And others items, Zach and I put together. Zach made me that wonderful bookshelf. I was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest, and Zach just whipped it up. He just knows exactly what I envision. I love that about him. Anyways, I painted some stripes on the paddles and the finishing touch was the map hung by some rope.

Almost everything in this room was used, except the curtains, rug, and a few decor items. The used items I bought from thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales. It just came together so easily, with some help from Pinterest. :)

Zach The Craftsman

I knew Zach was creative and talented when we got married, but the things he can do with wood are amazing! I am not being biased; this is fact!

He makes me all sorts of things. I know he loves me or maybe he just loves making things, both I think.

Women...here's a tip to get your significant other to make things for you:
1. Ask nicely, with maybe a kiss.
2. Show him pictures of your ideas. Really inspire and encourage him. Get him excited!
3. Ask him what ideas he has and how he would put it together. Show interest in the construction. Men love to show off their smarts and skills.

This is not manipulation, ladies. It is creatively inspiring your man to show off his manliness.

Anyways, here are the things Zach has made. I helped with the design parts and a little painting.

Oak Coffee Table to match my Farmhouse Table

Children's Bookshelf

Measuring Cup Holder

Rustic Farmhouse Table and Matching Bench (He made this for someone, and I wanted to keep it soooo bad)

Long Time, No Read

Lennon Graham

Welp, It has been a crazy year. Had a new baby boy! Isn't he adorable?! I just think he is perfection.

Anyways, we went to an auction for the first time in forever the other week. It was great! I have missed it! The population was low, so the prices were low. Just how I like it. I bought some adorable, feminine hankies...vintage and never used! Love them! They would look so cute framed and put in a collage on a wall. Or you could make cute, little pillow out of them. Hmm...well I was going to sell them, but now I might want to keep them.

Inspired: 1950's Dress

I am starting this new blog series, called Inspired. VERY often I get inspired to try something new and fun. And when this happened, it is the only thing on my mind for days, until I get it done. I get kinda obsessed when I'm inspired, and needless to say, it can drive Zach a little nuts. BUT he is the same way! Anyways, this is my first "Inspired" post!

naughtyshorts.blogspot.com

I have always wanted to make a dress. I did make a jumper in high school, but I don't count that. Fear and maybe a little bit of laziness are the reasons I have not made a dress. BUT! I am doing it now. I was inspired when one of my friends pinned a blog about making dresses out of vintage sheets. They are simply adorable! Look to the left. :)

So I checked out Hobby Lobby for patterns, and they did not have anything that I liked, so I went to Etsy. I knew I would find something there, and I did. YAY!

Looove! I am going to make the plaid one, but with a floral print fabric and probably without the bow. I looove bows, but I don't think I like the placement on the dress. Look at the back, isn't it adorbs (as my sis would put it)! Can't wait to get started. I will let you know how it turns out, and I will take pictures if it is good. Wish me luck!

The Lull of Winter

Zach and I have been aching for some good auctions, estate sales, and yard sales. We had forgotten what winter brings...nothing, a lull in vintage snagging. It is quite sad. Of course, we find things here and there at thrift shops and such, but it is not like the massive snagging we do in the spring and summer. Oh spring, how I love thee! I am dying for spring to get here for more reasons than one. Let me give you a list of reasons, if you are interested...

It's pretty and fun for about five minutes!

1. It's spring. Who doesn't like spring!

2. We are building a pergola and patio on the back of our house. YAYYY!

3. More, more vintage galore

4. Gardening. We love to make our yard b-e-a-u-tiful.

5. The warmer weather. I am from Florida. I love the heat.

6. No more winter downers. If you are like me, the winter just gets you down and lazy.

So those are the top reasons why I can't wait for spring to get here! What are your reasons?

Last year's Easter egg hunting