The COVID Collection Part 1

 I was listening to NPR the other day, and Shankar Vedantam was talking about his new book.  In this book preview, he was talking about useful delusions to help people cope with trauma (amongst other things).  This got me thinking, and I realized that I had been coping with COVID in an interesting way.  Anthony has been coping with COVID by learning to cook.  He has been so proud of all the new recipes he has tried over the last year, and even commented that I don't cook much anymore.  "I don't need to.  You're doing all the cooking," I replied, and patted my fat belly.  It is true, since Anthony started working from home last March, we have been eating and drinking like kings.  It certainly shows in our waistlines.....(COVID 50 anyone?).  Instead of becoming active in a hobby, I became active in creating my Dream Life wardrobe.  

My mom and I discussed dream lives and what we do to perpetuate these wishful existences.  Many people, like myself, buy things they will rarely use.  The thought is "if I have _____, I will do ____ more often".  In the past, many people bought picnic baskets or exercise equipment (remember the pre-Peloton?  the Bowflex?) around Christmas/New Years only.  Now during COVID, the dream life shopping is real, baby.  With the inability to go to brick and mortar stores, Amazon thrived!  Not just stuff, but produce from Whole Foods (I WILL GO ORGANIC delusion).  Do you think Peloton and Whole Foods will become reality versus dream life?  Only time and Craig's List can tell.

For me, I had a delusion of my dream life by online clothes shopping.  I decided that since I was no longer going to the bars, I could purchase dresses and re-invent my vintage wardrobe.  Hence, The COVID Collection:

These outfits have not been styled.  I actually joined a Dress of the Month club, and started taking pictures of the dresses.  Some of them are hits.  Some of them are misses.  Some of them are my coats (I love fake furs, although my mother-in-law gave me her real fur this winter).  I have many more to try on, and many of these will end up on Poshmark.  

That being said, I wanted to post these collages before I forgot about my dream life clothes collection I created in 2020.  I have told myself, "NO MORE DRESSES", but it's so hard when you start accruing points and they send you so many darn coupons!  Someday, I will hope to wear them.  I will take my picnic basket, new roller skates, air pods, vintage heels, Keurig, Ninja Foodi, earrings, bracelets, and reversible picnic blanket to an outdoor festival, and finally live my dream life.

Just a smidge of Christmas 2020

 Vintage Christmas is an obsession.  I watch YouTubes all season to see what other people have found.  I drool over these videos, and LOVE when the thrift stores start putting out Christmas. It IS a fine line, and I am VERY picky.  Many people try to purchase items for me, and they either over joy my heart, or never see their items displayed.  

That being said, I thought I'd share some lovelies from Christmas 2020.

My dining room has a fabulous foil tree found at The Fairgrounds flea in Nashville, TN, with my dad.  That place was AMAZING.  Got blow molds?  That place had it ALL.  It is on a pedestal from Hobby Lobby, and surrounded by cardboard present garland I thrifted.  The vintage elf salt and pepper shakers were a gift from mom, and the surrounding felt ornaments were from my childhood - except for this mouse which was newly thrifted in 2020.  So cute.

My bar is set with my drink caddy and reindeer glassware.  I have a full set of tumblers as well, but there are just too many to set out.  My lighted ceramic tree is from a thrift store in Brevard, NC which I purchased for $30.  It was pricey, but BIG.  The tin tray is from the thrift just this year for $1.50.  It has a wonderful image of St. Nicholas which I put out for his day on December 6th!  My book shelves have wooden pictures and my cute snowman from Hobby Lobby for 66% off.  These were from their retro collection a few years back.  I found the blow mold snowman at the flea this year for $3, and my mom just gave me the 10" santa blow mold for Christmas this year.

I am always looking for cute plastic greenery, and as you can see, I put it all over the house.  I especially like the kind with added interest like fruit, nuts, presents, and Christmas items.  The seal in the middle of the wreath is especially fun, as when you hang him, he is balancing a ball on his nose.  You can see some of my Christmas thermoses on the shelf next to the wreath with a little bendy elf from Hobby Lobby.  On the front door are some cute crocheted wall hangings someone's grandmother made out of yarn.  I loved them from the ARC for $2.00 each.  At the bottom of the front door is a fabulous rug I found in July at the thrift for only $4.00.  I'm sad I didn't get a better picture before I put it away for the year.  

Last but not least is my bathroom.  I found this shower curtain this year at the thrift for $5.00, and the rug is from World Market.  I have a jar of beaded garland from Wal-Mart, and the little picture over the loo are from Target Dollar Spot. The metal pictures are from Hobby Lobby and the little Sultan soap holder was from a thrift store I found years ago.   He stays out all year!

Vintage Christmas Kitchen Joy

That's right.  I love my quirky Christmas kitchen.  From the fabulous window dressing down to the soap dispensers.

This year, I have added the tension rod of comfort and joy.  I got some vintage plastic garland from Ed's mom.  Unfortunately, the string of lights which had worked previously, actually went out when I finally hung up the rod with all the goodies perfectly placed.  I didn't have replacement lights, so I just relied on the 5 light candelabra I purchased at the ARC on half price day.  I actually got two sets, but could only fit one on the window sill. This is the only window sill we have in the house, so I got creative.  I tossed the string of lights after Christmas. 

I found some silk bulbs in a bag at the ARC for $3 - which was actually too much.  These puppies were CHEAP an I threw most of them away after Christmas.  I should have held out for half price day. Along with the groups of bulbs, I added some of my childhood vintage felt ornaments, which are my favorite.  The twin blonde girls (which I lovingly think of like the girls in The Shinning) the droopy dogs, and a few of the toy soldiers also add some whimsy to the kitchen window.  Next year, LIGHTS that work!

My cozy teapot I got from Pier 1 for $5, and my Gingerbread house cookie jar was from Hobby Lobby for 66% off.  The vintage green swan I found at the ARC and I popped in some of the bendy elves also purchased from Hobby Lobby.  I swear, one year, Hobby Lobby had a great reproduction vintage line of Christmas decor.  This year....not so much.  Very meh.  They've gone full swing into Kountry Krissmass, which I am NOT a fan.  When will that trend END?  Years past, they also had a line of edible Christmas treats (cookies and candy everything) which has also not been renewed.  I love a classic red and green Christmas palette, but it seems like they only want trendy colors (sea shells, peacock, rose gold, etc) that go out of style in a few years.  BORING.  Can you tell this is the rant part?

The last item is my elf tree stump vintage cookie jar which stays out all year.  It's just that cute.  Next year, however, it will be taken down as my mom bought me a NEW Santa head cookie jar from Dillard's after Christmas.  It will be glorious.  

The vintage ornaments above mostly came from my childhood.  A couple exceptions are the rocking horse, covered wagon, Santa, and the little wooden lady holding a plate of fish.  Super cute and I picked them up from the thrift a vintage flea market over the years.  The gingerbread house, spinning wheel, clock, and nut grinder are all from my childhood.  They are so bizarre and I love them!  The Tom and Jerry cups were found prior to acquiring my Tom and Jerry punch set from the Brass Armadillo.  I have been on the look out for a bowl to match this set, but so far, they are much too expensive at antique malls.  The trailer mug is from Dollar Tree, and the mug is a Vintage Hazel Atlas Red and White Stripe Coffee Mug Milk Glass.  I can't believe how much they are charging for this on eBay!  I think I picked it up for $.50 and almost re-donated it a couple years ago.  Who knew?  Well now, I DO!

The last two are plates I picked up from the ARC on half price day.  I just love the vintage tins and trays.  I keep thinking I'm going to give them as a gift with some home made cookies, but I always end up eating the cookies, and realizing no one thinks these are treasures but me!  Although I don't have a photo, I also have a Santa spoon rest purchased from Hobby Lobby.  It really ties the room together.

Vintage Christmas Mantle Madness

 As you can tell, I love Christmas.  One of my favorite spots to decorate is our lovely fireplace mantle.  The fireplace does work, but because it is attached to the upstairs neighbor's fireplace, it's a smoky mess.  SO no fires for either party involved.  Taking a brief look, I'll describe some of my items.

The stocking to the left has been mine since the late nineties.  I got it at Montgomery Ward when I worked there in my teens.  The stocking on the right is newer, and meant for Anthony.  The beautiful mistletoe elf wreath in the middle of the fireplace screen was found at an antique mall in Parkville, MO.  I love it, even if the little plastic elf head keeps popping off.  I have added some greenery to my grandmother's standing cherub ashtray, and the cookie tins have been handed down from my mom.  I usually pack my vintage ornaments in them.  The lighted car with the tree on top was purchased at Hobby Lobby for 66% off, but keeps blowing light bulbs (as you can see on the wheel).  Every year, I have to replace half.  The vintage garland has been wrapped with red, green, and white lights.  It's my favorite combo.  Very classic.  This year, I also flanked my mantle with my plastic candelabra's, courtesy of Ed's mother, Linda.  She got rid of a bunch of fun stuff, but the lights were still in their original boxes!  LOVE IT! I set everything up with a green light pedal, which you can see on the floor next to the cannisters.

My newest acquisition wat this year from River Market Antique Mall in Kansas City, MO I had never been there, and it is my new favorite antique mall.  Most of the items were from the early 20th century, so I had a blast looking at EVERYTHING.  Unfortunately, I had already blown most of my money on Christmas, so I couldn't purchase the MCM lamp and ashtray set I have been lusting over for $450.  UGH.

The new purchase was this awesome Santa wall hanging and musical box.  If you pull the string, it plays Jingle Bells.  This Santa is so fun and I snatched him up for $6.00.

A few years ago in Sedalia, MO, I rescued this darling Santa and Mrs. Claus couple for $4.00 ($2 ea!).  I was so surprised to see them again this year, in the above mentioned antique mall dressed slightly different in burgundy and fancier hair.  It makes sense that these were a kit which you could make to your personal taste.  These two got caught in my flood of '17 and I was crying so hard, but they made it through and are some of my favorite pieces.  I always display them next to my 'Evil' deer and their elves.  I got the deer from a church basement sale for $.50 and the elves at another antique store for $3.  The wonderful rocking horse was purchased at a thrift store in Brevard, NC while visiting my in laws.  The crazy bear, while also 'Evil' looking, was purchased at an antique store on the same trip.

The bottle brush trees were all purchased at Hobby Lobby for their 66% off sale before Christmas.  I like to put my favorite vintage ornaments up where they can be loved for their quirky, slightly deranged looks.  The Topo Gigio mouse, elf clock, and toy soldier head all came from my childhood tree.  The bedazzled house and covered wagon were found at an antique mall in Columbia, MO.  The covered wagon was my favorite for many years, until I found it's twin at a thrift store.  Then I started seeing them all over the place!  I had to practice self restraint, as I had almost wanted to create a Christmas wagon train (it could still happen).

When I visited my dad and step mom for Christmas recently, my step mother had a brilliant idea.  I had been looking for a Christmas picture to put above the mantle instead of my beautiful Asian lady.  My step mom had wrapped her mantle picture in beautiful Christmas wrapping paper, and was hanging Christmas cards on it for the season.  OMG.  What a cheap and easy way to get a fabulous Christmas picture that can change every year!  Paired with some adorable lightweight, felt window hangings from Dollar Tree, I have a DIY smash hit!

Christmas managed!

Vintage Christmas Cabinet

 My cabinet is one of my favorite pieces to decorate.  I take out a bunch of stuff so I can make room for joy.

My cabinet usually holds my Pyrex pieces, vintage mixers, Portuguese cabbage dishes, my grandmother's china, and my Friendly Village collection from Aunt Geri.  

The top of the cabinet has my vintage Indiana Glass 12 Days of Christmas drink glasses circa 1970.  I picked this set up at the thrift store for around $1 per glass.  Who knew it was selling on Ebay for $50??? NIC shipping!  There is a very cute vintage drink plate from the state of Minnesota they like to sit in which is covered in pine cones.  

In the center is my Fiestaware drink pitcher and pie plate.  Next to them on the right are some of my clover avocado green Pyrex.  Sitting in front is a vintage angel my grandma used to use in her nativity.  I'm sure she got the set at a junk store.  I picked up three of the ceramic Santa cups at the flea market this year for $5.00.  

On the next shelf are more Pyrex, and my Tom and Jerry's bowl with cups.  I got the Tom and Jerry's at a Brass Armadillo for $20, and all the Pyrex has been picked from the thrift over the years.  The choir boys I got from the flea, and the Shiny Bright music box angels were purchased at a thrift store for $5 each.  Along with the plastic greenery, I also found the Friendly Village salt and pepper shakers at the thrift on half price day.

The next shelf contains my collection of Friendly Village dishes.  My Aunt Geri gave me her dishes one year, and then I struck it gold at the thrift store one morning.  Someone had donated an entire set!  I was able to purchase some salad plates, serving plates, as well as the cream and sugar set.  I also have one big bowl and the above mentioned salt and pepper shakers.  I was ecstatic!  

I got the pedestal as a gift from my family's Christmas party.  They like to give surprise gifts from a fictional Croatian woman named "Julia".  I never found out who gave it to me, but I loved it.  The pie plate was purchased from Wal-Mart after Christmas.  They are both Pioneer Woman's line.  The tree plate is Fiestaware, and I bought it with a gift card from my mother-in-law from Wayfair.  In the center is a glass cloche with a Christmas scene inside, which I got for free from the annual clearance tent sale at Nell Hill's in Kansas City.  I got there at the time when "Everything must go! Free!".  It's a little damaged, but nothing a little hot glue cant fix!  The Rudolph mug is from my mom which she purchased from Pottery Barn.  She also bought me the reproduction candy cane girls from The Vermont Country Store.  They own my heart.  You can see more plastic greenery and the angel from my grandma.

The next shelf contains my grandma's Platinum Starburst china which my dad gave me a couple years ago.  I love it, but does anyone need ten tea cups and saucers?  This shelf is a little bit of a mish-mash, as it has some random glassware, flea market choir girls, a mini red santa mug, and one of my favorite silk Santa ornaments! I got a bag of plastic apples at the thrift, and went a little crazy with the plastic greenery, too.  The buffet stand was found at the thrift separate from the china, but I think it works with the soup tureen.  

And last but not least, my vintage mixers given to me by Anthony's Uncle Mike.  He like to tinker with old appliances, and he restored both of these.  I actually use the white Kitchen Aid every so often.  I was able to purchase the Christmas Carols book of my youth on Ebay, and my friend, Katherine found the mini angel ornaments at a shop last year.  Silk ornaments and apples decorate this lowest shelf, so as to bring some color and you eye downward.

Well, that's my cabinet.  I try to change it up every year, so we'll see what it's like in 2021!

Oh Christmas Tree 2020

 Thought I'd post my tree this year.  My theme is FOOD Glorious FOOD.  I hang blue silk ornaments first, tying the colors together.  I have a few large christmas bulbs to give the tree some weight.  I also have my Shiny Bright Garland and retro tree skirt my mom bought for me!  Sprinkled into my food ornaments are some nice retro and vintage pieces that I have also found over the years.  The McDonalds ornaments came from my Aunt Susan, who got them from a friend who at one time owned a franchise.  They are probably the nicest ornaments on the tree as they are heavy glass.  I also included Anthony's banjo and our initials which Katherine made for our wedding.  

Next year, I have new LED lights I will use to replace the old lights.  I also decided to replace all the crappy hooks with white pipe cleaners, like they do in the store.  The ornaments are more secure so I won't worry about them breaking.  

Vintage Christmas 2020

 

Hello? Is it me you're looking for?

 Has it really been 6 years since my last post?  

Yes.

What's been going on?

Six years worth of stuff.

Do you want to recap?

NO.

Why you bloggin' again?

Long and short, this was always a great way to journal, and with 2021 rolling in, I have made the resolution to start blogging again.  Although, this blog is going to be a lot different than before.  Before, it was about ranting and raving.  While I love re-reading my past posts, seeing where I was as a twenty-something, and even doing a good ole face palm every other entry, no more.  

Well, at least not as much.  

I have been wanting to have a place where my two favorite things come together.  Vintage and Horticulture.  And occasionally, ranting.  Who cares if no one reads?  This is supposed to be therapeutic, so here goes.

For 2021 my resolutions are:

1. Start up my blog/journal

2. Build up my vintage collection to quality pieces, not just quantity

3. Document the progress I'm making in my gardens (I'm currently working at the botanic garden)

4. And lastly, rant when I need to, don't rant when I don't need to.  This seems like a good outlet.

As you may recall, I am fiercely loyal to Bridget Jones.  She is my spirit animal.  And YES, I am now Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones' Baby - minus the baby, and minus two men fighting over me.  So pretty much, just a 43 year old Bridget.  

You heard me.  43.  Ugh.  

Let's see if I can figure out how to get into blogging, much like when I was 23.  Yikes.

Keep calm and I'm back.

Moving to the USA

Hey friends and family!  We are finally moving back to the good ole USA!

Our upcoming schedule is as thus:
March 3 - Arrive in North Carolina
March 10 - Go to Nashville to visit my dad!
March 24 - Go to Kansas City to spend Easter with mom
March 31-April 4 - Austin Peace Corps Reunion
April 5 - Move into The View KCK
April 5-August 2016 - Have a rawkin summer in KC!  Please come party with us in the only unopen bar scene on Strawberry Hill
August 2016-August 2018 TBD location of Anthony's first evar teaching position as a real live spanish teacher (Cassie will be sittin on the couch eatin bon bons - just kidding - grad school in agroforestry - fingers crossed)

Come on down and have some fun with Cassie and Anthony!  I can't wait!