Merry & Bright

Hiya darlings!

Follow me on over to Flock Together today where I'm welcoming in December with open arms and one festive spirit.  Perhaps I'll catch you there :-)

xo,

Gift of Thrift

Gift of thrift! Hooray! I'm super thrilled to be co-hosting this with some other loverly loverly ladies, Amanda (who is the genius behind this all!), Lisa, Dus,  & Hannah. So, this is what it is:

Gift of Thrift is A Secret Santa if you will, but with and for you all! We're a group of bloggers committing to giving thoughtful, one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly gifts. This means giving items that are second-hand, handmade, re-used, upcycled, recycled, refashioned, local, and thrifted. Every "used" item you give is one less item that could have ended up in a landfill, reducing waste and resources.

Second-hand gifts are special - someone took the time to hunt for a perfect gift that no traditional retailer could provide! 

Ideas for gifts include:

-antique brooch

-mismatched stemware with a bottle of local wine

-vintage holiday table cloth

-vintage aprons

-early edition classics for a bookworm

-glass pie or cake stand with your homemade baked good

-vintage picnic basket filled with goodies

-vintage glasswares

-vintage tin filled with homemade candy or baked goods

-funny mug with local coffee or hot cocoa

-glass perfume bottle

-an old map of the person's home city or birthplace

-second-hand board games

-old photo album filled with photos of a recent event or trip

-vintage jar/vase with fresh flowers

-stationary

Be creative - think out of the box! Make sure to visit your recipient's blog to get a sense of who they are and what they like!  Use vintage cards and wrapping paper -- Presentation is key! Make sure it's presented beautifully!

The Details: 

If you're interested in participating, sign up by Friday, December 6 by emailing Amanda @salvagedstrawberrympls(at)gmail(dot)com with your address.

You will be emailed your recipient's name on Monday, December 9, 2013.

Items must be shipped by December 18, 2013. 

$15 limit - that is a lot of thrifted goodness!

Be sure to write a post about your gift with photos. :)

That's just about all for now!  I cannot wait to see what kinds of goodies everyone finds.  Merry thriftmas to all and to all a good night!

Talk soon!

Outfits: Modern Beatnik

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Dress: Brag Vintage

Hat & Bag: Thrifted Vintage

Ring: Vintage // Belonged to Grandmother

Tights: Hue

Boots: Michael Kors via Marshall's

Oh hello there!

Hope your weekend was a pretty one.  Mine turned out to be a bit of a scare with my littlest guy  ending up in the ER in the middle of the night with croup...but long story...and everything turned out alright, thank God.  Anyhow onto something more lighthearted...I'd rather talk clothing right now, because my emotions have been at an all time high and my sleep at an all time low and all I need is something simple to chat about.

I recently spotted this vintage pinafore on Brag Vintage and well, I'm kind of head over heels.  Aren't we all for pinafores, these days?  And to boot, the whole black and brown color combo has pretty much so been dragging me in like a mouse to cheese lately - so yeah, this piece had my name written all over it.  I went a little beatnik inspired here (you know, the original hipsters), and suddenly felt the to urge to run to the nearest coffee house and break out a little Jack Kerouac for my reading pleasure.  

// Jump here to check out my new favorite vintage shop from across the pond: Brag Vintage.  Their cozy selection of grandpa sweaters is the bees knees. //

So now it's Monday Monday and all I want to do is start the Thanksgiving cooking extravaganza.  Gosh, I can never wait for this holiday to come around!  As always we are headed off to Philly to be with the Mr.'s family and again, I will be making the sweet potato casserole and cranberry orange relish.  Also...I saw this recipe for oyster cornbread stuffing...so I might just have to give that a whirl as well!  Oh man, I am really making myself hungry here.  What are your favorite Thanksgiving delicacies?  Do share.  I love talking about food...like way. too. much.  

Love Bunches, 

Home Inspiration: Living Rooms

 

 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 

Hello again!

As I move forth with my little ol corner of the internet here, I really want to start sharing more of myself, my passions, my loves with you all besides for just what I am just wearing on my back.  Because let's face it, there's more to life than just clothes.  Anyhow, as you may or may not know, the Mr. and I moved to this sweet little mountainside town in PA almost two years ago to the date and with that we purchased our first home.  With a new home comes lots of new ideas of how to decorate and I really adore doing just that.  I will fully admit that HGTV is on in the background of my house nearly 24/7!

As I mentioned in my last post, we recently painted our living room and I can gladly say that it is the first room in our house that is ALMOST complete.  Can you believe it has taken this long?  We've been redoing each room little by little over the past two years but never got close to having anything complete...until now!  I think many homeowners out there are in the same boat.  

Enough rambling, the photos above were some of the inspirations I used for my living/music room.  I'm a sucker for lots of color and for mixing vintage and modern pieces to create a bit of an eclectic look. Once the last light fixture goes up in our own living room, I will be sharing the actual space on here with you all...I actually can't wait!  So until then, I wish you one merry happy weekend my darlings!

Love Bunches, 

Outfits: Red Velvet

 Outfit Details:

Dress: Swapped with Jenna of Smitten

Floral Crown: DIY

Tights: Modcloth

Ring: Miss Selfridge

Shoes: Dolce Vita

Oh this dress, yes this dress! It's not too often on here that I speak so very specifically about what I am wearing - but this little velvet dress had me all kinds of smitten.  I guess that's why I love swapping clothes so much - it's all for getting my hands on pieces like this.  You see, this dress belongs to my fella Flock Together gal, Jenna of Smitten and it was truly one that I did not want to send onto the next gal.  It's a curvy girl's dream of a dress and to be very truthful, the Mr. practically begged me to beg Jenna to offer to buy it from her.  Too bad I'm incredibly bashful and would never in a million years ask - because why would anyone ever want to sell a Red Velvetly smothered dress like this one?  But um, seriously Jenna, if you ever tire of wearing this beauty, you know who to call. ;-)  

// Jump here to check out how stunning Jenna styled this piece as well //

As for this week - well I'm taking it easy.  I spent all last weekend painting my living room and then left for a conference in Hershey...so this mama is wiped!  Right now all I want to do is curl up with a mug of hot chocolate and grab the remote because Chuck has finally been added to Netflix and I'm all for a marathon!  Was anyone else into this show when it aired?  Anyhoo, that's about all.  Have one happy hump day darlings!

Love Bunches, 

Giveaway: Canon Rebel T3I Blogiversary Bundle

Hello darlings!

Today I am so excited to announce a super splendiferous giveaway that I am part with a very sweet group of blogger gals to celebrate the 2nd year blogiversary of my loverly friend Katherine, from Of Corgis and Cocktails.  As this celebration goes, we are giving away a Canon Rebel T3i with a bunch of other goodies - like a tripod, remote, and fancy camera strap. All you have to do is follow a few wonderful blogs and shops to enter - and keep sharing daily for more chances to win. Here's a look at all the wonderful gals participating.

Katherine of Of Corgis & Cocktails // Kelsey of Ladies in Navy // Sabrina of One City Owl // Maddie of Maddie Richardson

Marisa of The Shades of Monet Chronicles // Jennifer of Earl Grey Blog // Shell of Kitty and Buck

Amanda of Amanda K By The Bay // Ali of The Drawing Mannequin // Nicole of Happy Pretty Things // Yen of Diva In Me

Elana of Room 334 // Sara of Swing the Day Away // Jenna of Smitten

As for the prize? Not only will you get a Canon Rebel T3i, you'll get an amazing bundle package that includes an extra battery, memory card, tripod, carrying case, and more. In addition, we're throwing in a wireless remote and Cotton Tape Camera Strap from Imostrap.com of your choice! Perfect for budding bloggers, dog photographers, family shots, or just because having a DSLR is awesome.

Enter with the Rafflecopter widget below! This giveaway is open internationally - so don't worry, we'll get it to you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now isn't this a pretty fantastic way to kick off your Monday?  Best of luck darlings!
Love Bunches,

Seven Layer Cake

Outfit Details:

Dress: Asos

Sweater: Gift from Mom

Bag & Brooch: Vintage
Ring: Miss Selfridge

Hat: Forever 21

Boots: Michael Kors via Marshall's

Here's the thing, as cold as it got last winter here on the mountainside (and by cold I mean, slap you in the face all kinds of frigid), I still saw no issue with frolicking around in heels and sweet little vintage dresses.  Truth is, when it comes to the old man winter, I live in complete denial of how cold it actually is...negative temps and all.  This year is different though.  I long to be more practical - perhaps it's because I'm carrying an infant around now, but whatever the reason I can't help but crave boots, knit hats, layers, and big sweaters...just as much as I've been craving peppermint mochas that is.  Thank you Starbucks for meeting my addictive needs.  Anyhow, I'm sure I'll still have a hankering for wearing my dainty vintage dresses despite the temp, but for now I'm happily comfy cozy and maybe even looking a bit like a bag lady in my seven layers.  Now's who ready for some hot chocolate? I sure am.  Here's to keeping plenty cozy all winter long.

And yes, I know it's not technically not winter yet...but seeing that the temperatures have plummeted, Christmas commercials have inhabited the TV, and the red cups are out and about...I'd say it pretty much looks and smells like winter to me...except on this street.  It's the single street in our town that still has leaves on the trees.  I think I'll just hang out here for awhile. :-)

Have one fine week darlings! 

Love Bunches,

Birthday Bird

Hello there darlings, 

Today I'm the birthday bird, celebrating with a little ol post over at Flock Together.  

Follow me this way to send me a wish if you do so fancy. :-)

Talk soon!

Love Bunches, 

The In-Betweeners

The Details:

Sweater & Blouse: Vintage, thrifted

Hat & Tights: Target

Skirt: Gap

Brooch: Swap - My Avonlea Vintage, Etsy

Boots: Michael Kors via Marshall's

So this is November.  I do believe that the autumn sunset is one of the prettiest sunsets there is.  On days off, the little fam and I usually spend the afternoon getting coffee, thrifting to our hearts' content, picking up goodies from the grocery, and perhaps topping it all off with a little stroll by the lake for some fresh air, weather permitted.  Yes, we are pretty simple like that.  

Both boys love the outdoors.  Keane loves to run, run, run and imagine up planes, trains, and cars stories for days and as for Clayt - well he slept in his carriage the entire time because fresh air sends him into a peaceful slumber.  Days like this make me wish that the in-between fall weather that is full of warm sunshine but still slightly crisp would stick around much longer than it actually does.  You know, when you can cozy up in an old sweater but still walk outside and be completely snug as bug without piling on a heavy winter coat.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

How about you?  Are you excited for old man winter to come creeping in with his frigid air and shimmery white frosting, or do you just adore the autumn sun and fiery leaves like I do?  

Wishing you one fine week darlings!

Love Bunches, 

Terrain - A Blogger Meetup

Outfit Details:

Dress: Vintage // For sale here

Blouse & Hat: Vintage

Brooch: Etsy

Tights: Modcloth

Shoes: Clarks

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Katherine - Left to Right - Gillian, Kate, Stephanie, Becky, Katherine, Me

A couple Saturdays ago I attended the PA Eastern Bloggers Meetup held at Terrain, right outside of Philly.  Twas a sweet afternoon indeed meeting up with other gorgeous gals of the blogasphere and gobbling up the yummiest pumpkin carrot pancakes I ever did see.  We chatted of all things halloween, our awesome hubbles, and even cars...yes cars, lol.  And if you've ever been to A Terrain before - well, it's basically the Anthropologie of the outdoors boasting the prettiest plants, a darling & delicious cafe, and garden-wares to make your heart swoon for days.  Um yeah, it was hard leaving that place.  Yes, I want to go back...like now!

The only lovely lady of the group I met before was Katherine from Of Corgis and Cocktails - and I can hardly believe that was even a year ago that we hung out.  But all the gals were sweet as can be and I simply cannot wait for another meetup to be held.  Aren't they the best?  

Happiest hump day darlings!  May your Halloween be full of chocolate and plenty of ghouls.

Love Bunches,