MJ

Roman and I tend to let B's hair style determine who he will be for halloween.  This year, his hair is a little long and curly, so we thought it would be fun if he went as Michael Jackson.  I will be feverishly working on his costume over the next couple of days.  Wish me luck.

FYI, last year he had a natural mohawk (his hair refused to grow on the sides), guess who we dressed him as?

Left Behind: Green with envy

It literally killed me to leave this colorful collection of wicker behind.  I am so envious of whom ever scored this entire set. If I had a little girl I would have swooped it up in a flash.

Slightly depressing

This is a before and after of a different kind.  Before, I used to look like this.  Well... my hair used to look like this.

After two missed hair appointments, and a crazy schedule, now my hair looks something like this.

It's thick, coarse and wavy like Blagojevich, long around the ears like Brian Wilson, and when I first blow dry it it looks like Justin Bieber's.  But, thanks to the rainy weather we have been having, my hair curls up and looks like a perfect marriage of all three of these photos.  Imagine that!

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  Cheers to a smashing week!

First image found via Armas Design blog, second image from here, third image from here, fourth image from here

Puddle stompers

This weather has me on the hunt for boots.  Boots that are made for puddle stomping and trekking around in the rain and snow.  Serious boots, like Sorels.  I have been oddly drawn to these boots. I am not sure why, but find myself really wanting a pair.  Here are a few of my favorites.

These are my favorite, and I will be adding them to my Christmas list. 

Love the slight patent leather feel these boots have.

Slightly industrial and very structured.  Me like these boots.  

These are my second favorite. I love the colors and style of plaid.

And these little ankle biters are all kinds of cute, but not really my style.  What am I saying?!  None of these boots are really my style, but I really want a pair... the first pair to be exact.

Have a great weekend you all!  Wishing you sunshine.

all images from Sorel.comhttp://www.sorel.com

Congratulations!

After two years of intense focus, long days at the library, weekends spent studying, and endless conversations about globalization and ethics in business, my super smarty husband has finally received his masters.

I am so proud of you my love.  Tonight we celebrate!  

image from pinterest

Singing in the rain

Hi friends.  I am going to be taking a few days off from blogging to puddle stomp and sing in the rain with my little one.  I'll be back later in the week--I can't wait to show you some of my favorite finds from last week.
I hope you all are enjoying this gloomy weather.  Last night I was awaken by a thunder storm, and  rain beating on our bedroom window.  (I love when that happens.)
Wishing you sunshine...and by sunshine I mean joy.   Have a great week!

Solo mio

I will be hittin' the thrifty trails alone today.  Don't forget today is the last day of our baby sample sale, so stock up while you can.  I wish you all a wonderful and fun filled weekend!

image from Design Love Fest via pinterest

Be on the lookout

I have received a few emails from people wondering what I collect (other than fabric) when I am out thriftin', junkin' and trolling.  Truth is, I don't really collect any "one" thing.  But! there are a few things that I am always on the lookout for.  Canisters.  I always keep one eye open for canisters, but they have to be under $3.  I won't pay any more than $3 and even that is pushing it.  I prefer to pay $2 or less.

The other thing I look out for, drinking glasses and assorted jars.  All these items make beautiful "vases".  They are inexpensive, unique, and most importantly thoughtful.  I like to personalize a simple drinking glass by tying a ribbon or twine around it, then add a vintage embellishment or a button to give it character and compliment the flowers.  And when it comes to flowers... lately I have been obsessing over the lisianthus fluffy flower.  They are so soft and feminine, and they don't break the bank.  A simple arrangement like this along with a carefully curated container should cost you no more than $6-$10.  Another one of my favorites in the flower department are carnations.  Grouped together in one color, such as pink or white ( NOT BLUE), they are very pretty and really really inexpensive.  It doesn't take much to show your care.  A little thought goes a long way.

P.S. Drinking glasses should cost around $0.50 no more than $1 unless they are so amazing you can't turn away.  Jars can range from $0.25 - $5, it just depends on the glass color.

SAMPLE SALE

This time it's baby's turn.  Some items cheaper than wholesale!  There are only a couple of samples available in each style, so you better start shopping now before your favorites are gone!

A few more finds

P.S. Those are buttons in a hobnail milk glass ashtray.  This is my first piece of milk glass, and one I will truly treasure.  I am not crazy about milk glass for my home, but I definitely appreciate it's beauty and enjoy seeing collections of it grouped together.

I have a notion

This is literally a small sample of the notions I scored last Friday.  Oh, and the jar on left... it was a "best buy" at one dollar.  ONE DOLLAR!?  I have a little bit of a jar obsession lately.

I can't even begin to describe to you the amount of fabric that I left this sale with.  I stuffed, and I mean stuffed a box full of all kinds of fabric and sewing related items.  The woman said $10 a box or $1 a scrap (no matter how big or small).  You do the math.  This fabric and trim is my favorite from the entire bunch, and believe me it wasn't easy to choose.  I scored some pretty amazing prints.

A grand weeekend

What. A. Weekend.

Friday I kicked off the weekend with a trip to Matilda's Mouse with my "thrifty" sidekick Michelle, but on our way out of town we were side tracked by an estate sale... surprise.  I can't wait to share some of my finds with you.  (I can't share them all because I left the sale with a big ol' box over flowing with fabric and notions.)

Friday night was a celebration for my "b.f." (blogger friend) Melissa, who along with her business partner Betsy opened one of the most beautiful home stores in San Diego, Bixby & Ball.   I was in good company with my other b.f's Grace, and Michelle.  We did a little shopping, a lot of laughing, sipped on champagne and then sipped on some more champagne.  If you are in San Diego you must stop into  Bixby & Ball.  Tell them bink & boo sent you and they'll probably give you a free hug. {wink}

Saturday I burst out of my North County bubble and headed to La Jolla to check out Sweet Paper.  Appropriately named, this adorable shop carries a lovely selection of paper goods, stationary, invitations, and  devine twine from whisker graphics.  I bought some orange twine (duh), and a set of California post cards that I am going to frame and hang in our entryway.  It looks like I will be bursting out my bubble more often, and cruising down to La Jolla for a serving of Sweet Paper.

Sunday was spent relaxing with the family, until I got a phone in the afternoon with an invite to a five course dinner served with wine pairings.  Of course I jumped on the invite.  Dinner was amazing (I will share more later in the week), but I woke up this morning in a total food coma, and found out that I was 9 months pregnant with a food baby.  One cup of coffee sent me into labor (if you know what I mean) and I am proud to say that I have lost the baby weight, and am ready to start this week off on the right foot... and maybe a few days of fasting.  Have a great week!

Favorite Finds

Last week my lucky charm (Michelle) and I hit up an estate sale where I scored one of my favorite finds so far this year.

This mirror.  It's pretty old, and I believe it was handmade by its original owner.  Are you ready for the best part?  It was marked $12, but since I have a severe allergy to paying "full price" or "asking price" for anything I talked the guy down a few dollars and only paid $8.  EIGHT BUCKS!!!  I am actually going to hang it down in our entry way, next to my favorite chair, I think it will be perfect down there.

And now for the funniest purchase so far this year.  I couldn't resist buying this book from 1969, The Single Girl's Book: Making it in the big city.  Here is a snippet from one of the funniest chapters about "homosexuals".  (My how times have changed.  Thank goodness.) 

"As sophisticated as a single girl today is about sex, liquor, and drugs, she is likely to be unfamiliar with a potentially troublesome member of society--the homosexual.  This is a shadowy, complex subject and we'll touch on it only superficially with some generalizations about possibly bad situations."

This chapter is followed by my favorite chapter, "THE SPIRITS WORLD ... buying and drinking liquor".  I sure hope the girls over at Sterling Cooper have a copy of this "encyclopedia of success".

I hope you all have a great weekend!  I am headed off to Matilda's Mouse with Michelle!

Easily Influenced

Pink dingle do's, an explosion of color, a touch of sparkle, and an arm full of beads and bangles... Clearly I can no longer suppress my inner Chicana.  This isn't the first time my wardrobe has directly influenced my purchase, it happens more often than not.  What can I say?  I am a girl of color who likes color. VIVA SPARKLES! VIVA LAS CHINGADERAS!

P.S. Maybe I will wear that outfit again in hopes of scoring more junk in the same color palate.

P.P.S.  I am thinking "VIVA LAS CHINGADERAS!"  needs to be on a tote.  Hmmmm....

What I scored: vintage glass balls $1 for 20 (SCORE!), Judy book, only fifty cents

spray paint + pegboard

No wonder I was in a funk last week, look how uninspiring my office space is was.

Sunday I sat down to get a little work done, when I noticed I was staring at a total mess.  Being the procrastinator I am, I decided work could wait, recreating my space was much more important.  So I headed to the garage where I found inspiration, and everything I needed to get the job done.  A can of spray paint, pegboard, and a little dusting go a long way.

 

I am so happy with the results and thrilled that I can easily update my inspiration board.  I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my creative space.  Maybe one day I'll muster up the courage to share the rest of the room with you all.

Southern comfort

Saturday was Ro's birthday, and I was sure to pack it full of all his favorite foods.  Breakfast included: cheesy grits, eggs, hashed browns, bacon, and toast.  I didn't have to worry about making lunch, because breakfast was so heavy it held us over until dinner.

Dinner included: fried chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes with gravy, and dirty rice.  Don't ask me how, but we saved room for homemade coconut cream cake, and ice cream.  I am pretty sure I gained ten pounds on Saturday, another ten on Sunday eating leftovers, I probably have diabetes, and now need some sort of meds for high blood pressure.  It's safe to say that I will be on a massive detox (diet) for the next few weeks.  I was so happy to make Ro' just some of his favorite's from home (Texas), but goodness gracious we crammed a lot of fried fatty foods in one weekend I felt like a carny at the Texas state fair.

Live in color!

Yippeeee it's Friday!  Yesterday was gray, gloomy, and filled with thunder storms and rain.  LOOOOVED IT!  Today is shaping up to be the same.

I wanted to share this photo with you all because it's what helped pull me out of my funk earlier this week.    Every time I look at it I find something new.  Of course I want everything in this room, but if I could pick one thing from the pile I would have to take the lace up yellow booties.  What would you choose?

I hope you have a fabulous weekend my friends!


image from sea of shoes via altoids.com