Life Lately

 Well this week has been a doozy for us on Elm Street!

A week ago in a cozy used bookstore surrounded by cats Mr. Acorns & I made it official! It was a wonderful surprise he planned. From taking the day off from work, to the secretly packed suitcase, to the overnight away to frolic in a winter wonderland, it was perfect.

Work (boring day job work) has been crazy busy. At first it had me anxiously pulling my hair out, worrying about all the things I should be doing for the shop.

But in the end, this warehouse gig is something I can’t quit & there are only so many hours in a day, so when life gives you lemons…

The practical side of me realizes this vintage load has gotten out of control. I have hoarded myself into, not one, but several cozy mountains of decades old clothes. But I hate neglecting all that this vintage loving business encompasses.

So, I’m taking some time off from the blog to start climbing these mountains, but you can still find me on Facebook and Instagram. 

Wishing all you Lovelies the happiest of holidays! I'll see you in the New Year!

Cleaning House

Grandma was a hoarder, Mum was a thrower-outer, I was the kid who hides "treasures" under her bed. 

My mum didn't like to have "stuff" around. She grew up in Grandmas house, which at best was a well packed away museum.

Unlike my mother, I'm the sort of person who feels comfortable with things around & I have a pretty steady collection of antiques to prove it.

Finding things hidden in the closets of my little apartment is great fun...but to smile & say "Oh! " then put it back...seems stupid.

These are all from my own home 

& will be in the shop starting tomorrow

Providing I don't chicken out on parting with any of these... 

What have you parted with? 

Did you regret selling it or were you happy just having it in the first place?

"Christmas List 2013; I am having a brain fart"

He leaves little notes around the house for me to find. When I laugh at the funnystrangehonest things he writes, he still seems surprised...even after 8 years of it.

I couldn't decide between #7 and Note #2

That One Book

I don't know how you stand with Pooh, but to me he's the greatest.

 I'm not talking about the bright yellow guy sporting the red shirt that Disney adapted, but he's adorable too. I'm talking about the naked bear that hangs out with the little kid decked out in monstrously cute 20's outfits. 

Any book that starts with a map is bound to be an epic adventure!

My mother used to read this to my brother & me, & when I moved out, she gave the book to me.

Now, I've kept up the tradition by reading to Mr. Acorns & the fur babies as we go to sleep, and every time I end up waking him up by laughing. 

Seriously. 

And, Bonus!, playing Poohsticks is pretty fun.

"Now one day Pooh and Piglet and Rabbit and Roo were all playing Poohsticks together. They had dropped their sticks in when Rabbit said "Go!" and then they had hurried across to the other side of the bridge, and now they were all leaning over the edge, waiting to see whose stick would come out first. But it was a long time coming, because the river was very lazy that day, and hardly seemed to mind if it didn't ever get there at all."

What was your favorite book as a kid? Do you still read it?

Mystery Initials

Love finding bits of history that are personalized!

Thrifted Thursday... The Portrait

The best part about going out hunting is the anticipation of finding something great. Even if you've been on a dud roll, this thrill keeps you digging until long after your hands feel grimy & you'd nearly give anything for a drop of Purell. 

Then it happens. The Holy Grail with an affordable price tag!

She sits on the mantle, and although now she seems like part of the family, there were many times when I'd look up at her & my mind would just reel at who this calm looking woman was. A friend or a lover? A widow or a mother? Maybe all

I guess even if I had some knowledge of her life, I'd never really know who she was. Which really is an extraordinarily great feeling selling vintage or antiques. It's both humbling and reassuring.

I looked up both the school & the names but came up with nothing.

And since the first woman started teaching there in 1878 & women had been taking classes here decades before that, the painting could've been done by either a man or a woman. 

But the final "this is meant to be!" moment came when I noticed the date 

APR 20, 1938

just happens to be my birthday (a few decades off!) 

What is your "Holy Grail" find?

Season's End