Collections: Vintage Brooch

It was love at first sight. When I found this lovely leather flower. I actually think I pulled this out of a bad of scraps or something. It was a magical moment.

 

(Dress: Target (a couple years old), Skirt: Thrifted, Shoes: Thrifted)

Sunday is basically the only day out of the week where I get "really" dressed up. Sunday is the only day when I don't worry about dressing for the heat, which is really hard. I would wear my swim suit everywhere, if I could. Actually no. I wouldn't. As much as I love the summer, looking good while spending time outside is pretty much impossible. Do you have any tips for staying stylish in the heat? Because I'd sure like to know!

Carli

Vintage Finds: Knick Knacks.

I have always been a lover of knick knacks. Maybe that is why I was left with a big bag of them from my grandmother. Since my childhood I have always hung onto little items that held some sort of sentimental value for me. It took me a really long time to realize that objects don't have feelings, therefore, it's ok to give it away. I am pretty sure this is why I cry so much when I watch Toy Story. Especially the last one. When Andy plays with that little girl he gave all of his toys to... I am literally tearing up as I type.
When I moved away to college I brought with me a ton of unnecessary things. Like a plethora of knick knacks. It is still hard for me to think that I could be living with out these little things that I have had forever, or that a friend gave me, or that I found, etc. When I moved back home at the beginning of the summer I brought back everything but a few school things that I wouldn't need over the summer but would need for the next semester. I am currently trying to get rid of/box up things I don't need/ don't need now but want for later. It has been an extremely difficult process. Mostly because I sit in a sea of clutter and don't know where to start. But this declutteration (lets pretend thats a word) of my life will help my college career to be less stressful. There is nothing more stressful than not having a lot of space, except maybe not having any space because your little space is full of crap. (I will be living in an apartment with 5 other girls...)

So I thought that before I box up some of this stuff it might be nice to let them see the light one last time. Let them have joy in all of their kitschy glory. All of these little knick knacks come from my grandmother on my moms side. I found them in a box of things I inherited from her. It's nice to have all of these little pieces of her life.

 I love the little pinecone faces.

 Miniature bottles are the cutest.

Someday when I have a house of my own, I want to get these out an put them all in a shadow box or a frame with little mini shelves and display them.

Carli

Vintage Finds: Cute As A Button.

You know that saying "Cute as a button"? Well, buttons literally are the cutest. A couple months before I moved home my dad called and asked me if I wanted this jar full of buttons from my grandma. My response was "Heck yes!" I told him that if he ever finds anything button, outer space, or music related to save it for me. Since I have been home I have acquired many things that are related to those specifics.

I am not an expert sewer, but I do love the idea of sewing my own clothing. Next semester I am going to take the first of three sewing classes in college. I hope to become an expert by the time I graduate! I am excited to bring my little jar of buttons and the plethora of fabric that I own to college in the fall, and hopefully create many beautiful things with them!

Carli

Collections: Vintage Brooches

I have always been a collector of things. In my childhood I had an extensive collection of rocks and stuffed animals. I literally had more stuffed animals then I had real life friends... I know. That may not be saying much, but in elementary school I was very popular. I don't know what happened after that. Anyways, since my childhood I have given up on my rock and stuffed animal collections and have turned to sweater vests (yes) and vintage brooches! A lot of my brooches came from my mother and grandmothers and a few from thrift stores. I have so many! I don't get to wear them as much as I'd like and I feel sad that they sit in jewelry boxes all the time (I have 3 jewelry boxes just for my brooches...) so I though it would be nice to take them out and share!

I did a little research just now and found out that this pin probably came from the 1940's! It's a little rusty but I think that gives it character and charm. I love to wear it on my favorite red sweater vest (see picture bellow). It's funny because when I wear it people will come up to me and say "Yeah, you are cute!" Except it's usually sweet old ladies and sometimes old men... 

Do you collect anything?

Carli

Vintage Finds: Beatles Book #2

A couple weeks ago I found this Beatles Tour book from when my dad saw them in concert in 1965! You can read more about it HERE! and see the first pages of the book.

Pages of Paul.

Is it just me or does Paul look like he's in an argument with his girl? Totally looks like he's trying to pass the blame. The last picture is priceless.

Carli

Vintage Finds: Scout Books

Today I was rearranging my room (which I do way too much and it's never worth it) and moved my book case. I had to remove everything before I could move it because I am a weakling and the thing is awkward and huge. As I was putting the books back on I found some really lovely old books that have been there for probably my entire life but I never noticed... So they didn't come from my G-ma's house on my dads side, but on my moms side! Apparently I am not very observant.

These were my mom's Girl Scout handbooks from when she was a little girl! I was a Girl Scout once and after skimming through these books I am pretty sure that girl scouting was way more fun back when my mom did it. 

 I love the illustrations.

 The "a more attractive you" was my favorite. First of all, I found the illustration very funny and almost deceiving. I was so intrigued that I decided to actually read the paragraph. It's not real at all about looking attractive on the outside, it's about inner beauty. "The really secret of loveliness is being lovely." All girls need this advice. They talk about behavior, kindness, and of course posture.

I am actually contemplating reading these books for fun. As I skimmed through there were a lot of fun little ideas, crafts, and advice.

Carli

Vintage Finds: Beatles Book

My grandma passed away several years ago and we have slowly been going through her things in her old house. There is so much stuff! It has been a difficult process for my family to sort through everything and decide what to sell, what to keep, what to throw away, and what to pass on to the grandkids. Since I have been away and haven't been able to pick out the things I want, my dad collected a bunch of stuff that he thought I might like for me to go through. Since I have been home I am starting to go through it and I am loving what I am finding. So I decided to create a blog series called "Vintage Finds" to share with you lovely people some of the amazing things that I am finding. I miss my grandma a lot. I feel so grateful to be able to at least have little pieces of her life and her children's lives. I hope to someday be as amazing of a mother and grandma as she was and leave little pieces of my life with my children and grandkids.

With that being said... Here's a little story.

So my dad has always told me about the time he went and saw the Beatles in concert in 1965 in Houston Texas. I am incredibly jealous. He paid under twenty dollars for his ticket! His seat was way in the back of the colosseum and the Beatles looked like tiny little ants, but he was there! He said that an announcer came out and said "Here are the Beatles!" and from then on my dad could not hear a thing. People were screaming the entire time and he could hardly even hear the music. What a bummer right? I think i'd pay a hundred dollars for the same experience though. To just be in the same room as the Beatles in 1965!

My dad found the tour book he got from that concert and left it in my room and I just about busted a gut when I saw it on my bookshelf the other day. So I thought i'd start off my new blog series by sharing the first part of the book (don't worry! I'll share the rest later.)

 My dad even wrote the date, place, and songs in the book.

 Pages of Lennon

My dad still has his ticket stub. He promised that he would show them to me and when he does I will definitely show them to you! I just need to keep bugging him about it... 

Carli