the weekend

Happy Tuesday! Our family had a fun three day weekend, and though I was terrible at taking pictures the past two days, I did happen to get some shots of my Saturday. Saturday was my 'break from the kids' day- a much needed day for stay at home moms- so my girlfriend and I went out for coffee at our local coffee house (pumpkin spice latte and almond croissant anyone?), then we went to Gail Knits- one of the three yarn shops in Las Vegas. It's not my favorite, but it was the closest one to where we were. 

I loved this unique flower brooch thing

One of Gail Knits perks- a huge supply of vibrant buttons

my favorite kind of yarn- hand painted tonal shades in a soft merino...or alpaca. i'm not picky 

We ended up not getting anything, I was looking for Noro yarn for my Hexagon Blanket and unfortunately it wasn't carried. Afterwards we hit up Gilcrease Orchard for the best apple and pear cider I've ever had.Then we had a couple Mexican street tacos for lunch and finished our day off right with some shopping at Home Goods. I loooove Home Goods, I always walk out with something unnecessary and awesome.

I got this African market basket, I just love the colors. It is now housing some WIPs of mine- the pillow I need some more yarn for and a secret project for a friend.

ok. How awesome is this geode bookend? I actually had to move books out of the way for it to even fit on the bookshelf,haha.

It was a good day. Sunday was family day which was spent mainly at home but ended with taking the girls to the park. They always have a blast. And Monday we actually bought a new car! Hooray! We got a dark grey Prius C, so i'm excited to celebrate our new purchase with a road trip. We are either going to Cali for antiques and markets or to Lake Tahoe for camping. We shall see!

I hope y'all had a great weekend too and I'm excited to share news on a guest post I am writing for one of my favorite blogs. More on that later :)

xo

Amanda

Downtown Vegas vintage shopping

I've been meaning to share these photos for awhile and have just now gotten around to it. Last weekend, my girlfriend and I went downtown to check out some vintage shops and though I didn't get pictures of all the shops (my camera got heavy) I did get some pics of the first store we hit up- One Man's Trash.

LOVE that painting! and I'm thinking of painting my dinette table that awesome blue color

so many goodies!

One Man's Trash is full of mid-century furniture, and awesome southwest rugs like that one on the ladder....I might have to go back for it.

OMT is a brand new shop in Downtown Vegas, whose owner is the same woman I bought my amazing couch and record console from about a year ago off Craigslist. I'm so happy to see her goal of her own storefront come to fruition. Though everything was awesome in the shop, I had a tight budget and walked out empty handed. I didn't leave downtown empty-handed though, I did pick up a rad, ombre shawl in shades of pink with tons of fringe from a shop called Patina Decor. I'm thinking a style post featuring this bad boy is in order.

This weekend is going to be just as fun. I'll be photographing a local yarn shop for a guest blog post on a favorite blog of mine- yay! and since i'm there, I guess I'll buy a skein...or two.

xo

Amanda

Let the Furniture Shopping Begin

Now that my family is moving up in the world and has left apartment living behind, we are excited with the prospect of more space to live in and enjoy. And more space, means more furniture shopping for this lady! 

Hello Craigslist, my name is Amanda and I will be stalking your Las Vegas listings.

Only 1 day in the house and I've already hit the jackpot! I came across an AMAZING mid century sofa for our loft area. We want to make it into a reading room setting, so a large bookcase is in order- but for now this cozy sitting area will most definitely do :)

 Here is an up close shot of the gorgeous upholstery, a raised floral pattern in hues of blues and greens with a backdrop of linen. And I've already snuggled in it while the girls where napping- getting my knit on ;) 

Not only did we snatch the sofa, but we bought this awesome retro Magnavox record console from the same lady; who has a pretty incredible house may I add. The record player/speakers don't work anymore so we are using it as a TV stand, snazzy eh?

well i'm off to find a bookshelf and dining room table

xo

Amanda

Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost Lamp

This past weekend I went out all by my lonesome self to find some vintage goodies for my Etsy shop. Instead of bringing a 2 year old and 7 month old out, my husband and I decided it best if he stayed home and I take on this adventure myself. At first i was excited to be alone!

"Hey it only took me a second to get out of the car!"  i didnt have to unload a toddler into a stroller, then pop a baby in a sling, grab the diaper bag and longly stare at the coke can in the cup holder of the car knowing that it was physically impossible to bend over and grab it with my doe eyed baby strapped to me. i took a swig of my coke in triumphant as i walked through the parking lot.

Shopping was a breeze. I strolled along with only a basket and the sound of my cowboy boots clacking against the floor. And what awesome finds!

Here is a lamp that i picked up- i think it looks so unique and just fell in love with all the details... the marble base, the powder pink vase like body and the weathered cream shade that has tears in the interior. You can't tell until the light is on, but even then it is cute because the tear resembles a heart :)

Close up of the details. You can see Rachel Ashwell in the background,haha- she would be proud of my little find!

a dish set! I LOVE white dishes, but i don't like 'plain' white. My dishes have to have some kind of design to add texture. and i just love the design on these. a very shabby chic find if i do say so myself.

more dishes. Can you tell i have an addiction? I don't have any serving platters so i beamed when i saw these larger platters- perfect for the book club meeting i'll be hosting soon! The floral plate is an Edwin M.Knowles made in June of 1934~ there is something so special about serving finger sandwiches on a 77 year old plate

i just love this print. It is sitting on my dresser with my thimbles and these little trinket boxes i found! I found 3 total- kept two for the girls and am selling one on my Etsy page. I think they make great 'baby's first tooth' boxes or to hold anything else small that is of importance.

I also got a silver vanity tray that i polished up and am selling on my site :)

After getting all my new goodies into the car i did the only logical next step. grabbed a burger and fries.

I thought eating fast food after antique shopping would be 'fun' and well, all american, but i found myself feeling quite lame. sitting all alone with a burger and fries, taking pictures of myself.

ok.

maybe it was the 'taking pictures with the lamp' part that made me feel lame.

But i was taking them for a postcard effect for my hubby

I couldn't resist. have i mentioned how lame i am?

 I'm sure onlookers were confused on why i was taking pictures of myself with a lamp...

Well i was texting my hubby in the midst of all my burger eating,photo taking, odd looks given time, and this is pretty much how the convo went:

Mrs. : " You need to be my "antique adventure" friend"

Mr. : " You mean like Indiana Jones"

Mrs. : "kind of.... but instead of raiding a cave, you'll be raiding yard sales with me"

Mr. : "ok. I'll be your indiana jones"

So now I have my own personal Indie and I will be referring to him as such from now on to give him an air of mystery and to make things more interesting. for example, which sounds better,

" I had a fun time polishing silver with my husband"

" I had a fun time polishing silver with indiana jones"

i thought so.

linking to:

symptoms of homesick include: runny nose and cowgirl boots

I love getting packages in the mail. Especially when the package is a pair of cowgirl boots I bought off Etsy! what a nice pick me up, as I've been blowing my nose and moaning the past two days. Being sick is no fun, but being sick in vintage cowgirl boots is :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/boxofhollyhocks

When I was a little girl living in Texas,surrounded by family, we would have BBQs all the time while we listened to country music. As we listened, my Grandpa would ask me to "do ballet" which involved me  lifting my little cowgirl boot leg up,and everyone would cheer and applaud my *beautiful* ballet.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/boxofhollyhocks

I loved those boots! I wore them all the time. But you see, i had a teeny,tiny anger issue when i was younger...so eventually my parents took away my boots after i kicked my sister,Maegen, a little too hard one day. bummer.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/boxofhollyhocks

 Years later (with some anger management under my belt ;) and miles away from family, I've come down with a classic case of 'homesick'. and what better remedy than a classic pair of cowgirl boots that represent so much more than just shoes. seems logical.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/boxofhollyhocks

Especially since my husband and I are in the process of trying to move out of Vegas, and settle down in a more rural town. I guess all the research into potential areas like Perry,GA, Lees Summit,MO and Claremore,OK has gotten me in the country mood.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/boxofhollyhocks

And these cowgirl boots are definately country. I think i'm ready for another BBQ with my grandparents...

Recent Junking at the Airman's Attic

When I was a little girl, i always looked forward to sundays with the family. We would go out to an antique mall in Culpepper,VA and my mom would always find some little trinket, and she would get me a little something too if i found something- and i almost always did! So now that i'm a mommy, i'm starting my girls off young- getting them into the junking scene early ;) 7 months seems like a good time to start so the other day Flora and I went 'shopping' at the Airman's Attic on Nellis Air Force Base. This place is just wonderful! It is full of donated pieces such as household items,furniture and baby clothes which are available to E-4 and below for FREE! The military really knows how to support their young,'just starting off' families :)

A little wooden chair for Evelyn

When i first walked in,this was the first thing i saw and knew immediatly it was going to be a good day! My first thought was, "the perfect time out chair!" but once it came home,was wiped down and touched up with wood glue, it is now sitting in the playroom corner,seating sock monkeys and knitted toys.....kind of like a time out chair :P


Evelyn and I had a nice evening reading all these new (well, old) books

They have a bookshelf with tons of children's books! I found some popular baby books like "guess how much i love you" and "I love you through and through" and alot of older,classic children books to read with Evelyn before bed.

Just a few of the little thimbles I found- there was a total of 9 porcelain thimbles that came in a little wooden case.

 anything tiny is adorable in my book. babies and these porcelain thimbles are at the top of my list!

Creamy white dishes. my favorite :)

Don't even get me started on these dishes! You should have seen me when i spotted all these lovely dishes. I scrambled to get them into my cart,ready to hiss at anyone who dared to eye them,haha! There were ALOT there but in the name of not being selfish, i only took 4 of each different dish.

i love the detailing around the edging

The silverware was given to me as a wedding present,so thats not new- but i thought they would look nice sitting pretty with the new plates. And the milkglass bowls were a recent buy at a local antique mall- Not Just Antiques antique mall in Las Vegas. It was $10 for both, a good buy i think.

My mommy hinted in a not so sly way that she wanted one...as in "give me one of those adorable bowls! you know i always share my goodies with you"

that is true! She has shared both her goodies and love for antiques with me; i guess that is worth giving her a bowl....maybe

This post has been linked up to Faded Charm!