Mini Thrift Haul | Vintage Mug Alert

My two thrifting days are Tuesday and Thursday. 

Today’s little haul was nice; more of the usual things I love to sell like denim, belts, and bandanas.

But the mug… I had to get it - another one for my collection. Love her shape.

-Heather

A Garden and a Library

I love this quote. 

The simple things are the best things. And I can’t imagine not gardening or reading for a fulfilled life. 

These two actions are a part of my everyday life.

I believe Cicero was right…

Vintage 1978 Military Coveralls │ Vintage Workwear

When I found these vintage military coveralls, I noted they were a size men’s small. 

That meant I could try them on (just because) and they might fit! (Men’s small are usually a perfect fit for me because I’m on the taller side).

So, naturally, I did, and they fit great.

Coveralls are back in style (you can find similar modern ones, especially for women, in stores now because of the resurgence of  “workwear”), but nothing beats the vintage ones.

The color, fade, patina… you can’t duplicate real true wear.

They’re in the shop.

Thrift Haul │ My Vintage thrifted Finds May 14, 2024 - Week 3

Found a stack of vintage clothing on my questing today. Two items really made me happy. Here's what I thrifted today:

• 5 '70s/'80s skirts 
• 1 '90s silk blouse
• 1 '90s belt
• 1 '80s Levi's jean trucker jacket
• 1 1974 olive drab army coveralls

It's nice to find more than a couple of things after scouring four thrift stores! I love all my finds, but of course, the Levi's denim jacket and coveralls are my favorites! 

I paid a little more for those two favorite items, more than I wanted to (wanted to = $10 or less) - closer to double than what I wanted - but when it comes to rare items or items I want in my store, I'm willing to pay a little more to have them. They get people to my shop (and get them back as repeat customers).

Once they know what I sell, they know I'll keep restocking the same (or similar) things and come back for more. These are headed to the shop tomorrow.

Have a super Tuesday...

Miniature Bookshelf Inserts │ Book Nook Inserts

Have you seen these? They're called book nooks.

Some are puzzles you put together, and some are pieces you assemble into cottages, houses, and fantasy forests. Some come already made.

They're bookshelf inserts and apparently, the sky's the limit on creativity with these. 

I'd seen some a year or two ago on Instagram, on a site called TheFaeryForest (the most amazing book nooks I've ever seen and probably where I would get one) but it has taken off with the cottagecore trend. 

Now you can find an insert to put on your bookshelf that represents you and what you love.

As if curated bookshelves weren't pretty enough (I'm not talking about bookshelf wealth, but shelves you've taken the time to curate, collect, and create something truly magical - something that represents you and your travels), adding these little bits of magic to shelves only takes up book reading another peg.

This has such vintage appeal because a lot of bookshelves have old books. Vintage books. Adding a book nook with an old-timey look captures a cozy library atmosphere.

Books are magical. As are book nooks that go with them...

What is the Dark Academia Aesthetic? │ The Arts and Literature Meet Interior Design

There is a trend in naming trends... and it's kind of annoying.

Except that the name for this trend, Dark Academia Aesthetic, sounds rather inviting.

What is this trend? It's the quintessentially perfect study or library: think thick leather sofas, mahogany bookshelves, leather-bound books, and quaint lighting. It's vintage knickknacks, beautiful accent pieces, and a glorification of old things; one that is concerned with literature or the arts. 

It's an old study filled with vintage beautiful things. Everything I love seeing on old PBS classics. Or read about in classic books like The Great Gatsby, or Jane Austen.

It's also everything I love and totally up my alley, especially as a Literature major. And guess what? It's also called " the old library" or "the study" in normal interior design.

Regardless, I'm thrilled that people like this look still. I even have a section on my Pinterest site with a board filled with beautiful Dark Academia.

While it's pretentious to name this type of style, much like the term bookshelf wealth, the images I've come across make me yearn for a dark, rich, library or study. These are all the things I adore, have wanted to be surrounded by, and hope to attain (without pretension) because I love literature, books, and vintage interiors.

Essentially, the dark academia aesthetic is my jam. It’s literature meets vintage interior design and it’s a beautiful blend.

Maybe one day I'll have my dark academia room. For now, I can look at pictures and think beautiful thoughts.

-Heather

Evening Light

I missed the Northern Lights show that most of America got to see in their backyard. We couldn’t see it and it didn’t show very well in my part of town even though some people near me could see it.

But… I got a great evening light shot of my neighbor’s home and the open area a short 50 yards from my house. Which is just as magical.

Then a sweet deer came out to eat for her evening meal. ‘Twas a magical evening anyway…

Happy Mother’s Day 2024

Hope you all have a great time with your mama, or spend it thinking about your mother, or perhaps celebrate being a mother even if your kids aren't around. It’s a marvelous day to celebrate all of that.

I have to tell you a secret. My mom is the BEST in the world. And is one of the most giving people I know. There's no other way to put it. She'll do anything - and usually does - to help anyone. Including all the years she's given to me as her daughter. She outgives me every day of the week.

I love the vintage Mother’s Day cards and poems. Here are a few to make you smile. The nostalgia is all-encompassing and makes me slow down just to look at and read. Hope it brings you some joy, too.

-Heather

Crimson Bottlebrush | My Vintage Garden

We planted this bush a couple of years ago after taking out some gangly trees that didn’t give much shade. It’s called Crimson Bottlebrush. 

It’s native to Australia which is why it does so well in the climate of the valley of Northern California 

It, too, is on the gangly side but its’ blooms are something else. It attracts hummingbirds like crazy and the fattest bumblebees. It’s a beautiful accent to a mostly green swath of our garden during the spring and summer. 

Half sun and half shade mix, it’s very happy here. As am I. Check out a little visitor in the last picture.

Have a lovely Mother’s Day weekend.

Vintage Pendleton Shawl Neck Cardigan Sweater

Whenever I come across Pendleton (any Pendleton really, bust mostly those from the 1980s and older), I always feel like I've won a million dollars.

If I come across the shawl neck sweater, it feels like I've won ten million.

Rare, and such quality, these hard-to-find pieces are of exquisite craftmanship.

This one looks to be from the early '60s or older, based on the design and buttons, and the label does not have the "wool mark," created in 1964.

We're going into summer and I'm still listing winter sweaters.

So be it and so be it. They're my favorite things.

It's in the shop.

 

TGIVF | Disneyland Magic

 I’ve been in the most magical place on earth this week. I went to Disneyland. 

Vintage ‘50s Disneyland Park Sign

It had been a few years since going so it was nice to be back in the iconic park. The whole family and my oldest son’s girlfriend went too. We had a blast hitting all the rides. 

Thunder Mountain Railroad

Headed home but so glad for two days of fun at Disneyland.

Thank God for fun trips and thank God it’s vintage Friday!

The Vintage Music Cassette | Vintage Music

This picture alone brings back a zillion memories.

I was a child of the late ‘70s to ‘80s so as far as music goes, it meant fewer vinyl records but not streaming music either. 

It was all about the cassette tape!

The sound of the cassette opening with the plastic box and the cassette wiggling inside. Yeah. The paper cover with lyrics printed out. Ah… great memories.

Music is tied to memories and I think for the Gen X era kids (my era) it’s also tied to the cassette tape.

Photo: Gen X on Facebook

Vintage TWA Boarding Pass │ Vintage Finds at an Estate Sale

Was at a lovely estate sale this last weekend. Found some incredible deals. The woman whose home was being liquidated had serious style. Just exquisite pieces from evening dresses to furs. There were items from the ‘40s through the ‘60s. True vintage. 

I’m still overwhelmed by how much I picked up. It’s so unusual to find much true vintage anymore let alone a closet full. I even kept a few pieces for myself. This woman’s closet pretty much fits me so it’ll be difficult to sell much of it. Yikes.

This is why the vintage seller’s kryptonite is trying on the vintage. I try not to, but dang it… it happens. We’re here to sell the product and one can’t make money keeping the vintage clothing that fits! Haha.

I’m lucky if I get a couple items at an estate sale. This one (are you ready?) gave me 40 pieces! Again, I got a special deal because I came at the end of the sale. I feel very blessed. That’s a few weeks of thrifted searches all in one fell swoop. 

I hope to showcase them here over the weeks as I get them listed in my shop.

Anyway, the other cool thing is I picked up a vintage TWA boarding pass as well. Old ephemera is fun. This is something I’d find in an old book I picked up to buy. And maybe it was used as a bookmark. 

I believe this piece is from the mid-‘80s. Love everything about it from the seat number to the St.Louis destination, and that it was classified as “no-smoking” … which was a thing back then.  

I remember the smoking vs. no-smoking section vividly because the smoke never “stayed” in the smoking section. Weird.

-Heather

Also, here’s a quick snap of my pile of vintage goodness. Jackpot! 

Vintage Mug Monday │ My Vintage Mug

Good morning. This is my vintage mug for this fine mug Monday. 

We have a resident screech owl who lives in the eaves outside my bedroom window.

He’s been away for a few weeks. So my mug is my stand in for him. He should be back soon. I miss my owl buddy.

May your week be blessed. 

Vintage Double Denim | Vintage OOTD

A double denim kind of day. 

Modern Levi’s Denim Blouse + Vintage Black ‘80s Levi’s Jeans  + Vintage ‘80s Belt = Sunday Casual Best.

Just a little look at my outfit of the day.

Have a good one….

Vintage ‘60s Olive Drab Utility Trousers

These are one of my favorite pairs of trousers. The vintage '60s OG-107 pants - military issue olive drab utility trousers. They are the most comfortable pants I've ever worn.

I know I've talked about them before, but it's worth repeating myself when it comes to these pants.

They're a mix of your best, comfiest jeans and sweatpants. But with vintage perfection and patina to make it even better.

This beautiful pair from 1969 - Vietnam-era trousers - is in the shop and awaiting the right person with 30x30 measurements. Made for men originally, but just as great - if not better - for women.