Please be on the lookout.....

My sweet Vowers, my thrifting friends would you keep your eyes peeled for me? My visit with my ever so gorgeous Nanna on the weekend has revealed something in our family history.

I've confused you with that pic haven't I? Well you see it's been established that my family on my Nan's side are part of the Lea and Perrins family by marriage. So the Big V and I are thinking that a little homage to my family history in our redecorating efforts would be nice. So if you happen to stumble upon some Lee and Perrins stuff in your thrifting efforts, please let me know. I'm thinking some old advertising or vintage bottles would be a treat.

Thank you sweet Vowers, as you were.

Stepping out...

I forgot that we have to step out for a little while this morning, in the middle of all the domestic stuff I am trying to get on top of today. But it's nice to get out of the house clothes for a bit and get a bit groovy.

Cardie and purple basic singlet - these old things lol.
Belt - thrifted
Skirt - remember my fab stylish friend....the skirt is denim with tie dye feature, with lace trim on the bottom, the skirt is high waisted, I love it.
Ballet Flats - Kmart last year

Sweet Sunday.....change of plans.

Morning sweet Vowers, I wasn't meant to be starting off my morning in such fashion. We were meant to be up at the crack of dawn loading up the Big V's work van with household wares and off to a car boot sale we do from time to time. But with run of rain we have had in the last 24 hours, we decided not to do it.......but of course this morning the skies are the most gorgeous blue aren't they?

So now we are still overloaded with stuff from our spring clean, so with next weekend being our only remaining quiet weekend for a month we have now decided on a garage sale for next weekend. So much of the morning will be spent tidying up the garage and getting things in order for next weekend.

I also have to try and finish uploading pics for the Hosted Garage Sale Wardrobe, I am doing over at My Vintage Vow Facebook page........so stay tuned, I should be popping back in later today with news for those interested.

Sentimental things...

After a very rainy and stormy start to our day today the Big V and I along with our Little Vowers headed off to Brissy (Brisbane for you overseas Vowers) to see my Nanna. As some of you may know my Nanna's youngest child who is only 4 years older than me, passed away last month. It's been a long month for my family as her death came in the form of a fatal car accident.

So we headed off to see Nan this morning because we knew that she would be lonely with my Pop going about his Saturday rituals. I guess when your 85 years old it's hard to break habits huh......bless him.

Nan had mentioned to me that my Aunt in the last several years had been a mad keen thrifter and had been purchasing items with intention of doing much of what I am in the midst of doing here. So Nan invited me to have a look through some of the stuff she had at the house today. I may have more of an opportunity at another time to go through more stuff but we will see. Nan is just happy to know what I do and love and that I will either appreciate some pieces myself or find others who will.

So this is just a few sweet items I put aside today, I have more. But I am feeling sentimental about the whole process in as much as that, clearly my Aunt and I shared a similar love and these are items she handpicked herself.....for a dream she was possibly trying to create in the form of a venture for herself. Some of these items and more may become stock for my venture, but for now no hard and fast decisions are being made.

Please enjoy.

Just a quick run down the cardie is knitted, I'm not a knitter.....maybe one of my sweet knitter buddies can help me better with a description. But the cardie is kind of nobbly, like pearls. I probably should do an action shot and give you a close up at the same time. The floral skirt is sweet with butterflies and is high waisted.

Now for the real serious beauties the gloves are vintage and white with flat bow detail at the wrist, they are Italian leather and silk lined and fit me perfectly......I am in love, love, love with these. Then we have Amy Ross Italian leather shoes, they are beyond cool. They have barely seen a days wear if at all. In size 7 and half I can squeeze my hoof in them. If only they were a bit bigger they would be mine forever......they are so beautiful but alas I will be looking for a new home for them.

I have other funky and quirky things to share, which I will do amongst my other posts this month showing you my Buy Nothing New wardrobe.

Mixed Bag of Flea Market Finds...

I hope you will all excuse me for posting and linking my Flea Market Finds today I have a busy weekend ahead. Included in the busy weekend is a visit to my Nan and Pop and I may just have other wonderfulness to show you late in the weekend......but we will just have to see.

I got out this morning for my only spot of op shopping this week and I have come home with a mixed bag, but it was a fun morning out with my little Vowers.

Top Left and Right - are a vintage embroidered baby boys top and vintage baby bib
Bottom - cool canvas shoes for this mumma, they will get a work out. Oh whoops and I nearly forgot the scarf in the background.

Top Left and Right - I don't know that it's vintage but it looks to be a never been used apron and a cool possibly "old school" egg cup with a funny little side plate thing presumably for soldiers. Bottom - a collection of animals and dinosaurs for Master V......I must find some for myself and a crafting project I want to do.

And finally this two piece handmade number. I rather like the jacket and the wave of fabric and how it comes around the shoulders and neck when you have it on. I kind of fancy myself wearing the jacket dressed up with jeans and a camisole and killer heals.

I will be linking up with Her Library Adventures once again, either pop over now and check out everyones finds from last week or drop by again over the weekend and see how we all did this week.

Christmas, is it too early to talk about it?

Because I have taken the pledge to Buy Nothing New this month, I find my thoughts skipping off thinking of Christmas. When the end of the month rolls around and the challenge is over we go into the start of the silly season. So I have been thinking about what I can do to reduce the costs, waste and consumerism of Christmas or at least part of it in the MVV house and get further prepared early.

Last year for example I had Master V decorate a roll of plain brown paper for our Christmas wrapping, amongst a number of other little things we did along the way. So I have been searching around for inspiration for up cycling projects for Christmas.

And this is some of the inspiration I have come by...

1. Check out Great Green Goods who featured some of these in a line up I stumbled across with some other great ideas. 2. Say Yippee has a great line up that was featured as well. 3. Sewn Up, Stuck Down got crafty too.

But that is just decorations isn't it? I have also been thinking of making a few up cycled gifts as well. Then I got to thinking, is it too early to be thinking about all this, is it too early to be plotting and planning? Is it too early to think about a SWAP sign up to start at the end of the month? Let me know if you would be interested in an Upcycled Christmas Swap Challenge and I will get on to plotting and planning details. Please note saying you're interested now doesn't constitute as a sign up, that will be later, I'm just putting feelers out with my wee group of Vowers.

Summery Vintage Yellowy Loveliness

What says Spring is here and Summer is around the corner more than YELLOW. I think it's fast becoming a color to add to my list of favorites. I can rarely wear yellow because of my skin tone, but a little yellow and a little sunshine in ones days surely brightens it up.

Hence my inspiration for this weeks Etsy Treasury Curators List. Check it out.

Little V and Mummy getting their vintage on....

Waiting for the Big V to get home each afternoon/evening to ask him to take a pic of my get up for the day is already getting to be a pain the you know what. So expect more gratuitous self photography where possible.

Anyways today Little V and I got our vintage on and had our own little silly photo shoot.

My top - vintage bought off eBay years ago, it is one of my most favorite pieces in my wardrobe, it's me all over.
My Jeans - would you believe I had another look through my friends clear out and discovered but also remembered I passed her on some old Sportsgirl skinny leg jeans ages ago. Guess who has them back.....yep that's right me.
I teamed this with my silver Aztec style cuff bangle and just slipped on some brown Havaianas when went out to music this morning for Master V.

And now for the ever adorable Little V her jeans are hand me downs. Her top is a little handmade vintage number I picked up on a thrifting jaunt before she was ever conceived. The top appears to be made from an old tea towel or lightweight place mats......it's so sweet, I wish it were mummy sized.

P.S - I have quite a stash of vintage children's and baby clothes, which I will be listing for sale soon, I will keep you all posted on details :)

Yesterdays outfit was bought to you....

With the help of my gorgeous and stylish friend, and thanks to my haul on the weekend. So here is my Buy Nothing New outfit from yesterday. Please excuse my somewhat disheveled appearance, it was a long day with my little Vowers and the Big V had to snap this in bad light just before I was hitting the shower and turning in for the night.

Top - from my haul....I think its Kookai
Denim Skirt - from my haul, I think this skirt is going to get a lot of wear this summer
Belt - thrifted
Shoes - thrifted brand new
Beads - thrifted, told you would see them......after a little internal debate the beads are staying and not going into my stock. They're green, they're granny and they're great.

Happy Days my sweet Vowers. Are you on the Buy Nothing New challenge or taking part in Blogtoberfest? Drop me a comment let me know how you're going in these early days.

Flea Market Finds.....a little late.

Hmmm well I got carried away Friday and on the weekend with other goings on that I didn't get around to my Flea Market Finds for last week. I picked up a few odds and ends for some crafting projects, but fashion finds where thin on the ground this week. I popped into one oppy that I rarely have a look in and I reminded myself why, the prices were astronomical. So no awesome vintage clothing finds this week, but these are some of the odds and ends I came up with.

I hope to have plans for the tapestry/needle point hoops for a re-decorating project on the home front. The floral fabric still had pattern pieces pinned to it, clearly someone lost the love for the project. I grabbed the little brown glass because it brings back memories......what home didn't have some of those glasses back in the day. It will likely be used on my desk for needle and pins when I am crafting. The little green jug, well why wouldn't you grab this little beauty she is in my fav color, has flowers and is clearly handmade but there are no markings. I also scored a vintage strand of green beads that aren't pictured here. In fact I am wearing them today, so you will likely catch a glimpse when I post today's outfit from my haul on the weekend.

It's a little late but I'm still linking up with Her Library Adventures, so pop on over and check out everyone else's finds.

Buy Nothing New, kick off...

The start of the weekend saw the start to Buy Nothing New month and I have kicked if off in a royal way. Of course I have held true to buying nothing new, but I have certainly added to my wardrobe this weekend. A wonderfully gorgeous and ever so stylish friend of mine has been having a wardrobe clear out.

I have scored with some wonderful pieces to fill out my summer wardrobe and beyond as well as mixing up with some of my vintage pieces. Throughout the month I will show you some of my new (well new to me) scores and show you how I am getting on styling it through this nothing new pledge.

Todays outfit isn't my most vintage outfit but it is has a great backstory and elements have been gifted, thrifted and recycled in a manner of speaking.

Military Short Sleeve Jacket - score from my gorgeous and stylish friend
Ralph Lauren Jeans - were mine then were handed on to my gorgeous and stylish friend years ago and are in a manner of speaking now back on wardrobe being recycled again. Who knows what life jeans will have when I am done with them again.
Belt - thrifted
Lucky Brand Bag - gifted, thanks to the IL's.
Leopard Print Ballet Flats - Big W, ages ago.
Baltic Amber Necklace - bought 2 years ago as a mummy and baby set when Master V was teething.......helps my sore neck.

Just before I sign off for the night please stay tuned over the coming week for details of a Facebook Garage Sale, I will be hosting for my gorgeous and stylish friend. So if you're looking for some gently worn stylish and in some cases well known labels, you won't want to miss out on these pieces and prices.

Blogtoberfest....

I only learnt of Blogtoberfest last night through We Like to Make Stuff and I have been struck by sheer madness and have signed up both of my blogs for this year. Cathy at Tinniegirl is hosting Blogtoberfest.

I have jumped on board for a variety of reasons, to help me get in the the groove of posting everyday, to encourage myself to find unique and creative ways of sharing tid bits and news with you as well as sharing more of myself with you as well. It's just the right on line gathering and community activity for me to be apart of, and certainly after the last couple of weeks and the personal low and highlights we have had on the home front it will help me get back into the swing of things.

For Nelly a bit of basket love...

Sorry my dear Vowers, especially you Nelly for having to wait for this post. Some may know we have had a family tragedy recently and I have also been pretty sick for the last week.

The Big V hasn't been available to help with a photoshoot, so I have had to turn to some creative means to get this pic with some gratuitous self photography lol.

I told you the beads and basket would go perfectly with this revamped little vintage number I'm wearing. I so love this dress it is just perfect for spring and summer, I got this sweetie a while back but haven't had a chance to share with my new followers.

Anyways I hope you're enjoying your Friday nights. What thrifty adventures are you up to this weekend?

Retro My Home...

I am amidst a spring clean at the moment, a job of which is taking longer due to me being ill for the last week........but I'm slowly getting there. Anyways when the spring clean is done it's onto the next job, to start decorating and styling our home. We bought this home several years ago now and we have had a lot happen in our personal lives since being here that our home and it's personality have been neglected.

So the time has come for me to start looking for inspiration. But not only do I need inspiration, I also need a way of visually communicating my ideas with The Big V. You see, I have a problem The Big V and I have a difference in opinion in styling our home. If it was up to me the whole house would be a step back in time. But alas I have to compromise and work with our existing furniture. So I am left with soft furnishings, wall adornments, lighting fixtures and other decorating odds and ends to mix in with our mostly modern furniture with the odd retro piece of furniture we have.

So I have turned to Etsy and have become a treasury curator.

Click here to see the full live gallery and search other curators treasury lists. They are so much fun to do, time just slips away while you're playing around. You can post lists public or private, but listing them publicly will engage others to comment on your lists and often designers pop in to say thanks for featuring them.

Check it out, but be sure to pop in here each Wednesday for my latest Etsy Treasury Curators List of things vintage and retro and mostly handmade.

Sweet Sunday...a slightly later start to the morning

Good morning lovely Vowers, I hope your are all feeling rather rested this morning. I am and oh how I have needed it, the Big V and I tried a new sleeping arrangement with Little V last night and although she is still not sleeping through we all have more room and are happier this morning for it.

I really don't know what is on the cards for today because I have a sore throat and body aches. But despite that I could really go a lazy cruise in the car with the Big V and our little Vowers. Perhaps I can con the Big V when I get home into not mowing the lawn (oh how needs it though) and instead head for a drive to Paradise Point and cruise around the local streets for some garage sales. Hmmm maybe if I can't convince him of that maybe a drive off to the Hinterland later this afternoon and check out one of the few oppies I know that is open on a Sunday.

Anyways wish me luck with my conning efforts, I suspect I will need them because the ever dutiful Big V will probably trying and pack me off to bed to rest up. I should be thankful and grateful that he would try and do that, but I have achieved nothing this weekend with being sick and I am bored.

Flea Market Finds, these will go perfectly with...

So you may of read about my interesting thrifting trip on Monday with Master V, despite the curve ball he threw me I was still able to score myself some sweet finds.

A beautifully colored strand of vintage beads and the sweetest little mirror compact. I need to fix the compact as both mirrors inside have come loose. I am really pleased with these finds they will go perfectly with a revamped vintage dress I have and that sweet little basket I scored last week. So Nelly, hopefully I can get the Big V to help out with a photo shoot this weekend, and you will get to see that sweet little basket again and me showing off all these numbers.

I have a possible revamp, up cycled crafty project planned with the beads so stay tuned and please send me your thrifty angel vibes for me to find some nice vintage lace ribbon. As I have been for many of the last few weeks I will be linking up with Her Library Adventures this weekend, so make sure you pop on over the weekend to Sophie's to see what everyone thrifted this week for their Flea Market Finds.

Oh and just before I go what do you think of my pic and the photo editing? I have been playing around with some iPad apps and trying to bring in a new feel and look with my photography for the blog!

Thrifting with and for the little Vowers...

Call me mad and or desperate, but yesterday I headed out for a spot of thrifting with both my wee Vowers in tow. Little V for the first time to date was happy to spend the whole trip in the pram rather than be in the carrier. Master V however attempted to give me more than a run for my money. At one point he even went into full meltdown mode screaming and crying that he wanted daddy, I want mummy well news for him though is that he was with me his mummy and he was just making it look like I had abducted him yelling he wanted his mummy and daddy.

Anyways we muscled through and past the major meltdown and onto some fun. Now that we are starting to get some beautiful weather with Spring being here, I was on the look out for odds and ends to add to at least Master V's imaginative play outside (Little V) is still a little young at 7 months. Therefore I wasn't necessarily on the lookout for the tidiest of vintagey finds but functional at least.

So check out what I came up with.

The pot was $3 and the utensils where 50cents each, all the utensils bar the wooden spoon have the old school handles and feel about them. I had visions of if Master V didn't use the pot, what else I could use it for. But alas he has taken to it, cooking up an imaginary dinner of pasta in the yard yesterday. So I guess I won't be getting the Big V to drill a few holes in it to make a funky bench top herb garden for the kitchen. I guess I will be on the search for my own pot then, just hope I can find one with bright cheery flowers like this one.

I also rustled up some other finds which I will have for Flea Market Finds on the weekend.

A little vintage for the kitchen....

I mentioned earlier in the week that I had visited a new oppy that I hadn't been to before and that I picked up several vintage scores. Check out what I posted earlier in the week......and yes Nelly I will get on to an action shot of the basket for you my dear.

To further add to that I also picked up these finds.

I just adore the little tab top kitchenette style vintage curtains, I am brainstorming using them around the front and sides of a market table once I am all set up and ready to start launching out onto that scene in near further I hope. But the other thought is how cool they would look in a tiny caravan fitted out all in retro......another way off dream I have at the moment.

Secondly I also picked up these vintage aprons as well as some other awesome finds not picture here, which are being saved for a project I have up my sleeve.

So there we go another week of Flea Market Finds, if you're keen to see what other treasures your fellow vintage lovers have come up with pop on over to Sophie's at Her Library Adventures.

Sweet Sunday Whoops

Big, big whoops this morning. I got up to head out for my Sweet Sunday start to the morning, after a broken night with Little V. Once I was at my Sweet Sunday spot, yawning my little head off with my Sunday Chai in hand and log in details for my WIFI access, I then discovered that my netbook had not been charged. Not to worry I thought I will just ask the staff for pen and paper, because yes I had also forgotten to transfer my bags over properly.

So then there I am with pen and paper in hand ready to scribble out ideas and thoughts and what do you know? That's right, the pen wouldn't work properly, writing only half of each word. So hence why my Sweet Sunday post is rather late this morning. It has been further delayed by the fact I have further indulged in some more mummy time and have had a massage here at home, to help aid my neck.

I had hopes and plans for further spring cleaning this morning but the days plans have been thrown out of wack. So there you have it a completely non thrifty related posts this morning, other then to mention I will pop in later with this weeks Flea Market Finds......which are rather kitcheny.....if there is such a word.

Saturday potterings and ramblings....

We have started a spring clean this morning partly due the utter necessity of the last few hectic months, and partly for my preparations for next months Buy Nothing New. The Big V's side of the wardrobe is going to be in a wee bit of trouble by the end of the day with me in domestic mode. The poor thing might not have a stitch of clothing to his name, so much of it is either going to charity or into other piles for us to sell at a car boot sale next month.

It might seem ridiculous that I am clearing out now with next months challenge on, but a spring clean here is so overdue and one mans trash is another's treasure, right? Besides when October starts to gear up each year, I usually start to gear up preparations for Christmas. But this year I am going to have to get thrifty, creative and inventive about my preparations being restricted buy not being able to buy new.

Anyways it's Saturday and I am rambling. What are you up to, are you spring cleaning too, what do you have that could be someone else's treasure? Have you thought about taking the pledge for Buy Nothing New next month. Click the link have a read, take the pledge and join me in some fun.

Summer Inspired Finds

You know sometimes how you just have the calling on the inside, that nagging that says you've got to check out a little oppy that you have been meaning to get into? Well Monday afternoon after a busy morning and many attempts of trying to get Little V to nap, I risked it and packed us up for a drive. I knew I was taking my life into my hands taking Little V out with no sleep and Master V having only risen from his nap whining for something to eat. But with a positive attitude, hope, the promise of afternoon tea whilst we were out and the calling from within we were on our way.

Look what I scored! It was a great little oppy, one of those small ones that you need to search out all the nooks and crannies that are storing things. I picked up some other awesome finds that I will share later in the week hopefully. Besides the fact that I need to get back to this oppy and have another trawl around because I honestly didn't even to get to look at clothing, I was to busy looking at the odds and ends.

The straw case is rather small, but so sweet. I could very well imagine using it with a sweet summer dress for lunch with just the very few essential items in there. Perhaps a sweet little coin purse.........hmmmm I will put coin purse on the mental list of things I am searching for at that oppy now. Now that Florida pendant, I just love it to bits I saw it at the last minute at the counter, they were pricing a whole bunch if new items they had got in the last few days. It was so different to many other things I have seen before that I just had to take it.

Well here you have it, pretty sweet finds for starting the week off (albeit I have got this post up late, but things are still up in the air here from recent events you may have read about), perhaps some more early in the week opping jaunts should be put on the agenda. When do you find are the best times to go op shopping and thrifting?

Just before I sign off, just a bit of a house keeping notice. I will be changing things up and Funky Finds Friday will now be Flea Market Finds which will be done on a weekend generally a Sunday. Not only does it give me more time during the week but I can link up better with everyone else at Her Library Adventures. This will also free me up during the week to show you mid week finds when I nab something I just can't wait to show you, amongst other things.

Oh Sweet, Sweet Sunday how I love you!

Oh how I have longed for today and my Sweet Sunday start to the day. I have been up and out early today down the road to my regular haunt for my kick starter to a Sunday morning a Soy Chai Latte. When I got home all hell was breaking lose with Big V and our little Vowers, so there was just no way we were going to stay indoors this morning. So I jumped into action and got everyone ready and we headed to a car boot sale. In fact we had plans of selling stuff at this car boot sale (it's one we do on a semi-regular basis), but once again in light of this weeks ups and downs (if you have seen previous post you will understand) and we just didn't have out act together to be up at the crack of dawn to do it.

We had a lovely stroll around this morning with our little vowers in tow and I picked up a couple of sweet little finds, parting with the hefty sum of $3, I will share my finds later in the week. A sweet treat on the way home and now we are back home enjoying the lovely sunshine outside.

Have you been out thrifting this morning? Have you hit any garage sales or car boots? Do you know a random oppy that is open on a Sunday morning? An oppy open on a Sunday morning is rare treat and surprise and hard to come by where I live, you really need to get out during the week and a Saturday to nab those finds.......must be hard for those working full time to get an oppy fix! Anyways tell me about your day and your end of town.

Ahhh I've gotta go now Master V is outside pretending to be a tiger this morning, but with a face like this why wouldn't you huh?

Funky Finds (and it's not a Friday)

For those who have read recent posts here or over at my other blog I am sure you will all excuse me for not posting a Funky Finds on Friday. But the ever lovingly and beautiful Big V (yes that's hubbys new name lol) packed me off this morning for my Sweet Sunday start. After the week I have had I need it more then any other Sunday recently. Anyways I do have a small little score of finds to show you. They aren't from an opping trip this week because alas in light of the weeks developments I just haven't had a chance. However what I do have to show off to you are a couple of vintage belts I found at a new Vinnies (well new to me I didn't know it was there until a few weeks ago) and they had huge bins outside of belts for $1. Here are just 3 I found that day. It was the same day that I found the pendent and scarf some of you liked a couple of weeks back.

I particularly like the black belt at the top, it's genuine leather and the detail on the buckle and so forth is different and interesting. With my wardrobe in the midst of change at the moment, not so much due to change of season but to do with updating after 3 - 4 years of pregnancy.....belts and especially belts of the vintage kind are in short supply in my wardrobe.

The belts are all in perfect condition (I know the light has played off a bit on the buckle of the white belt.......but truly they are all in perfect condition.

AND as I have been the last few weeks, I will be linking up with Sophie at Her Library Adventures.