Mend, Soak, Wash...Repeat.

I've come across a bunch of awesome pieces in the past few months. Not only vintage clothes, but vintage fabric, antique lace, and scarves.

And it's awesome! Every time I buy something new, or go hunting for new treasures, it renews my love. I spend days imagining who will end up with this great piece of history that I happened upon.

And sometimes you have to take a chance...take a deep breath and either dive in or turn around and walk back down the ladder.

And sometimes you find out that gleaming clean pool is actually like a giant mud puddle.

Missing buttons, ripped seams, stains & funky odors are just some of the surprises we vintage sellers find. It's like winning more on a scratch ticket than you'd thought...only it's not...it's funky basement moth ball scent that takes five washes to lift.

Anyways, I had been putting off restoring a few things & all of a sudden those few things had taken over an entire chair at the dining room table. Like heaping-over-the-table-can't-smoosh-it-down-and-push-in-anymore takeover.

So that's what I've been doing and that's what's coming soon. We vintage sellers are like your Grandma...

"That button's a bit loose, Sweetie, come here & I'll fix ya right up"

This doily was Orange with stains & smelled horrible. So it was quarantined...this is it's fifth and final rinse, I wish I'd taken pictures of the before. I've been hoarding little doilies like this for some future wedding crafting.

Until next time friends!

Yes, I Do Have A Funover

I spent the past week with a dear old friend. 

She's the kind of person who has overcome huge obstacles in her life, yet she's always laughing!

She's the kind of person who would drop everything to help a loved one.

She's a nut & I'm lucky to have met her.

Now that she's on her way back to North Carolina, I'm feeling really funover. 

I have what seems like a thousand things to list. I haven't posted here in over a month. And do you know what I spent my day doing? 

Editing pictures of my cats....so I can make a bumper sticker. 
Based on an actual facebook conversation.

For my car. Which I'm totally going to rock. 

In other news of procrastinating: 

Now off to do some real work.

Springtime Magnolia

This season of growth & green that we call Spring...is killing me!

I no longer remember what it feels like to not have my whole face itch. 

On the bright side, I've learned the not-so-subtle art of clearing a room with one cough...is that actually considered a bright side? 

So I've been spending my time pushing through the itch. Spring is just too irresistible! 

Typical market conversations

standing in line in front of Alex, when a pale nearly bald guy walks in.
Alex, excitedly nudges me "look! look! that guy looks just like pooh!"
me "ours or the real one?"
"the real one"
I giggle, "you think all old guys look like him"
Ignoring me, lost in his mind "ohh man, I'd love to drink with him"
"what do you think he'd drink?"
"vodka. obviously..."

we pay & walk outside 
Alex stops short, "what did you mean by ours or the real one? we don't have one--"
"of course we do!" cutting him off, "you won me a big stuffed one at woodstock fair, he's wearing a fishing hat"
"what are you talking about?! there's no way in hell I'd win you a giant stuffed Putin! that just says awful things about us as a couple..."
"wait, we weren't just talking about what booze winnie the pooh would drink?"
not missing a beat, "well it is and it isn't. in russia everyone drinks vodka. even winnie the pooh"

<3

Every year I panic when my birthday comes around. I collect a bunch of goals and ideas that have swirled around my brain for the past year...& a panic button switches on. 

The above is what I came up with. Most are works in progress....but I've conquered 4/10.

So I'm feeling optimistic...bring it, 27.

A New Beginning

Well here we are in April. 

February was not what I wanted or hoped or thought it would be.

 March wasn't either.

Sickness & heartbreak; crap chute & death. 

Such is life....

It brings you to the lowest point you think you could be,

and yet you keep going

But now it's April. Green is starting to poke out of brown.
& Even more official...the antique shop opened yesterday!

I've recently come across a telephoto lens & a fisheye.
So the above pics may seem strange but I'm still playing around & learning about them.
Both were taken at my parents' house, which we have named "Brookside".

Technology

It's fantastic; until it turns on you. 

Obscenities fall out of your mouth in a crowded coffee shop...

and makes you know you're crazy....because you remember loading those pictures....

But where are they?!

I'm having one or seven of those.

 

So here's an older picture

of an out of focus pear and a perfect sky.

I have lots in the mix for us. 

This month is going to be great!

Sometimes new beginnings start slowly from bumps we couldn't imagine.

Keep your chin up