Cutesy Pop.

I kind of feel like Valentine's day is the one day a year I can get aways with a "cutesy" outfit. This definitely not at the top of the cute-o-meter, but with its bright colors and polka dots, it holds it's own.

 These days Dave and I seem to be living our days in shifts. Since he works a swing shift, he gets Charlotte going in the morning with breakfast, homework and then takes her to school. This Valentine's Day was no different. Charlotte has been obsessed with the "Cake Pops" infomercial lately, and when I saw them on sale in CVS I snatched it up.  Dave helped her with making the little round cakes and then she and I (read: me, solely at the kitchen table ready to smash said balls against the wall) candy coated and decorated them. I think they turned out kinda cute. It's a good thing because I will never do it again. Until probably next year.

After all the hoopla, she didn't even eat a single one. But, hey, they make great props.

I feel like she looks SO BIG in these pictures. Funny how sometimes you don't even notice them growing until you have them frozen in time.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Trivial.

Isn't it great how a fun pair of tights can turn a tired and trivial outfit into something fun and flirty?  All too often I find myself reaching for my greys and blacks to put together an outfit. I decided that I would try pairing my bright tights with my trusty neutrals to give it a little excitement. Mission accomplished.

Speaking of "Trivial", this weekend a friend of ours celebrated his 32nd birthday and I was totally strapped about what to get him.  He and I have been friends since we were five and began our relationship when he and my sister were going to the same preschool and our mom's became fast friends.  We all spent many a night getting to know each other as our parents played Trivial Pursuit late into the night.  We are so lucky to still be close friends all these years later and often have our own game nights with he and his wife.  Our running joke is that as long as we aren't playing Trivial Pursuit, we haven't become our parents.

I saw this original TP game at one of our local thrift stores and knew i had to do something with it for him.  After pouring over the Internet I stumbled upon a clock made out of the board of a scrabble game. Originally I was going to use the board, but later decided that the box gave a great vintage vibe and made housing the clock mechanism much easier. I have discovered a new love for my glue gun, as of late, and that was virtually the only tool I needed to complete the project. You can find a clock making kit at your local craft store if you would like to try it with your own favorite game.

Layered Nostalgia

Today I felt like I could step into 1978 without a second thought.  From my vintage bells to my turtleneck and then my quilted Kimono jacket. My pastel jacket played nicely off the darker neutrals in my bottom layers as I had hoped. I think juxtaposition is my favorite accessory.

This was a rainy day for outdoor pics so I decided my studio had to be the back drop. The lighting isn't as good but it will work in a pinch.

Vintage Fairy

I was having a discussion with a friend the other night about how dangerous collections can be.  For someone in the hunting business, I love the idea of searching nooks and crannies for beloved pieces to add to a prized collection.  However, collections are also something that you should keep close to your heart and only advertise to the people who know your taste or who you have similar taste to you. 

Once people catch wind that you are collecting a category of items, you run the risk of only receiving this type of item for every birthday, anniversary, and Christmas for the rest of your life with no guarantee that they are worthy of your beloved hoard.

Hoard is the word that Dave has used to describe my own beloved vintage collection and I have since embraced and adopted the term.  Lots and lots of people know about my love of vintage due to my shop, Sifted Vintage, as well as my fondness of wearing vintage on a near daily basis.

A couple of weeks ago a friend contacted me via facebook asking if I knew anybody that would be interested in some vintage pieces handed down to her from a former member of an all women's quartet in the 1950's...

It took me about 2.3 seconds to respond "YES! pick me, pick me!!

I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when these beautiful pieces showed up at my door, all individually and lovingly wrapped.

I swear it was like Christmas morning the year my first bike sat aglow next to the tree.

I mean, really? those rhinestone peacock clasps...to. die. for.

Sending a big shoutout to my girl, Hilary, for thinking of me and taking such beautiful care of these treasures over the years!
XOXO

Back in the Swing

After what seemed like a year long Holiday break we are getting back to our usual grind.  Charlotte to her homework and packed lunch and Dave and I to our usual Wednesday job as teacher's aides.  Ever since I have been working from home, I have found it difficult to bring style to my everyday casual looks.  I split my week between jeans and leggings and find purposeful styling a bit tricky.  One effort that I have made in the last month is the thoughtful application of jewelery and accessories. I think that no matter how simple the items of clothing may be, as long as the accessories are exciting, the outfit can still look put together.

I recently scored a few great pieces of jewelery at Macy's during an after Christmas Sale. This giant snakeskin tooth necklace was one of them. I was a little hesitant to purchase something so ferocious looking, but anyone who knows me knows how my unhealthy obsession with snakeskin renders me powerless to make rational decisions.

. Hope I didn't scare the Kindergartners too badly.

SEQUINtessential New Year's Eve

Sequin's are hot, hot, hot this season, that's for sure.  However, if you are feeling a little apprehensive about trying out this glitzy trend, why don't you try it out on a day when sequins might feel more at home? New Year's Eve!  Make them even more approachable by pairing them with your favorite denim for a juxtaposed casual feel.

One thing is for sure, the minute you slide into some sparkle you will feel like a million bucks and ready to conquer the world... one drink at a time.

Pick up your very own piece of pixie dust in the shop now.  Offered to readers now for 25% off with coupon code "Sequin" and guaranteed to receive in time for your big night.

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

  It began on a warm October morning.  Two thrifty girls set out on an adventure to an enchanting land known as The Alameda Point Antique Faire. They went with one mission: Discover for themselves if the legends about this place were true, and maybe even score some treasures along the way.

(Disclaimer: These two much more adorably dressed girls set our scene nicely, don't you think?)

 The journey was filled with Giants...

 Oddities...

 Anomalies...

 

 and Fairy Princesses...

Of course, it exceeded their expectations.

 

 Fast forward two months, those same two girls decide that just visiting this Wonderland would never do.  They had to be a part of it.

Thus, Booth W23 was born.

It's official, we've been swallowed up by the Rabbit Hole....and couldn't be happier.