Our Personal Collections

We finallyyyy got a curio cabinet for our personal collections. I'm the kind of person who will wait a long time until I find what I want at the right price. So I have been waiting a while for this curio. I found it on Craigslist and jumped on it. It is just perfect for us. YAY!

On the top shelf we showcase our vintage lighter collection. We don't smoke, but we just like lighters. Zach and I both collect them. On the second shelf is Zach's taxidermy collection. He likes the weird and unusual taxidermy. He is nuts. I will probably put my vintage compact collection on the third shelf. I just looove dainty compacts. I collect mostly Stratton compacts, which are the best in my book. I don't know why they don't make things like they used to. hhh.

Kangaroo and baby made from rabbit fur. Rockin' Duckling.

A few of my favorites.

Giveaway!

Ok ladies (and gents if you want these for your special lady)! I am doing a giveaway for ya. 

All you have to do is get your friends to follow my blog. Whoever gets the most friends to follow will receive these adorable stick pins. In order for your friends to count, just have them comment on this post telling me that you sent them. This giveaway will last two weeks. Good luck and may the best lady (or gent) win!

Men...

Zach is going to paint it white, and I am going
to add some glass knobs to the drawers.

Where to start. As yall know, I have been working on redecorating my guest room. It is all painted and cleaned. Now I just have to hang up my curtains and pictures and add some nicknacks. BUT! I can't do that until my HUSBAND finishes repainting my vintage vanity. I got it at a yard sale for $22! YES! I love it. It has a art deco feel. I got it months ago and have been waiting patiently for my dear hubby to finish it. He is a very busy man. I told him I can do it, but he told me not to touch it because the old paint could contain lead. uhhh. What is a girl to do? 

I guess I will have to try a different strategy. "Hmmm," I say to myself as I look up to one side and tap my finger on my puckered lips. Compromise, or maybe renegotiation. Or this line..."You can have "this", as soon as you finish my vanity." That is what I will use. Works every time. I'll let you know how it goes.

Vintage Jewelry

I am not one to just go out and buy jewelry at a store. I have a lot of neutral jewelry which goes with just about anything. And I don't go anywhere without earrings. Lately, I've found some great vintage earrings at thrift stores. Studs are what I really look for. Big studs. Most of the vintage studs I find are clip-ons or screw-backs, but that doesn't bother me at all.

I bought these studs for only $1! Since they are mustard color, which I loooove, I wear these a lot. Most of the studs I buy are $2 or less. YAY!

Vintage jewelry usually is better quality then newer jewelry, especially for the price. So if you are a jewelry lover and are on a budget, try searching for vintage!

Decorate with things around your house

If you collect or sell vintage like we do, it is so easy to decorate without having to purchase much. Today, I just finished up painting my guest bathroom. So while the paint was drying I googled "whimsical gray bathroom." These pics are what I found that inspired me. I love the tattered and worn look to the first one. There are a bunch of different items in that bathroom, but they are in the same color family so it goes very well together. In the second inspirational picture, I adore the placement of the two mirrors and the little portrait behind the faucet. What a great way to smooth out that corner. I hate corners and I always have to put something in them to keep the eye moving smoothly across the room. Learned this in interior design class.

So I did stray away from these pics, but they did give me ideas. I found some things lying around the house that I had planned on selling, but decided to keep. This happens quite often. 

My bathroom isn't quite as extravagant or luxurious as the inspirational pics, but I'm on a budge and less is more in a small guest bathroom like mine.

Got the wire basket and things on the counter at yard sales. That TP basket I got as a gift. The frame I got for free and then just whipped up a little saying and printed it out on my printer. I guess I did pretty good at saving moolah. YES!

 Here it is!

Subtle and Simple.

I just need to add a couple more pics to the other walls, and I'll be done.

The little frame says, "What I love most about my home is who I share it with." Love that!

How we got started!

When we were newly-weds!

We started picking up vintage and used home decor when we were first married. Being young newly-weds, we didn't have much money. So buying used items from thrift stores and yard sales really made our little apartment a home. Even now that we have been married 5 years, I still don't see any reason not to buy new over used, on certain things of course. I think it is more exciting to find a really amazing item at a yard sale for really cheap, then to go to a nice store and buy the same item for tons more. I tell ya, it's the thrill of the hunt!

To keep or not to keep...

We had an amazing time in Florida last week! I picked up a bunch of linens and a few other household items. I also got this amaaaazing plaid chair and matching stool. It was made by Kroehler in the 60s and is in excellent condition. I would love to keep it for myself, but I just don't know if I have any place to put it. I am soooo in love with it, though! Well, we shall see. It really doesn't go with my curtains. hhh. I know if we decide to let it go, it will go to a good home and will be enjoyed just as much. I mean, who could not enjoy this retro chair!