Can you guess what I'm up to?

I know I'm slinking in hoping you won't notice the fact that I didn't quite carry out my Blogtoberfest pledge. But I have a good excuse if you want to hear it, my iPad has had demons in it which has resulted in me not being able to get to any of my posts I have started on or have been working on. Anyways the iPad went to the Apple store for an exorcism this afternoon and I am now back on deck now.

I have been making good use of my time in my absence though I have been doing a touch of craft for a necessary purpose. Anyone want to hazard a guess to what I'm too?
Here is a photo clue to what I'm working with....

More than our Fair time...

What an utterly wonderful time it was attending Brisbane's Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair yesterday.The excitement and buzz for Fair Day to arrive went on for several days with Nelly and I texting each other trying to plan our first ever meet up.

There was just so much to look at and a nice classic car can always get a vintage gal like me in the mood for a spot of shopping.

After Little V and I oggled the car a few minutes, I got on the phone to the lovely Nelly, to find out where she was (she was hanging and chatting with Kitty). Nelly came out to find Little V and I and greeted us with that gorgeous smile of hers and a hug.

We popped back by Kitty's so I could say hi and have a chance to meet her, and I feel ashamed to say that I haven't meet Kitty until yesterday. Kitty's shop is a mere half an hour from my house and I just haven't got my butt up the mountain yet to see the store. I will now have to make effort to do so as I didn't get much of an opportunity to see Kitty's wares, but lucky for me I can just take a drive any other day to see her offerings rather then waiting for next years fair (Kitty did I hear you right though, is there a second one at another location? )

So with that being said we were off and checking out everyones wares, there were plenty of call outs to one another accross the room......Nelly, Nelly look it's green (we both love green), Trudie where are you, this looks like your sort of thing.

Honestly Vowers you would have been in heaven there were racks upon racks upon racks everywhere of vintage goodness to go through. See what I mean?

And here are a few pics of lovelyness we spotted and enjoyed along the way.

Firstly a pic of the new bloggy friends......yay for vintage and how it unites.

How freakin' rock star is this jacket......I love it, the vendor also had a second one teamed with a puffy yellow tule skirt. The night before she said she had sold a navy one with zip off tails....now I would of like to of seen that.

We enjoyed a short lunch break with Kitty and of course some vintage chatter was neccessary to recharge for round two. Round two saw me in the groove and ready to start parting with some cash. I met some lovely fair goers along the way and had a lovely natter with a few people and laugh with others. It was nice to be in the company of people like Nelly, Kitty and like minded vintage lovers. It's always nice to be around those who share your love, passion and interests.

I'm rather chuffed to say that I only gave myself a $50 budget yesterday and out of that came my $10 entry into the fair. I bought 5 items and still came home with $5....not bad, not bad at all I say. Sadly though I did miss out on seeing the last few stallholders offerings as Little V was really starting to have enough and was getting rather grizzly (she is teething as well). So I had to make an early exit but thank you Nelly for a wonderful, fun morning.....Nelly and I are already plotting and planning next year.

So here you go Vowers here are my finds from the fair.....

From left to right...
1. Apron $2...which I fully intend on wearing as a top during summer, with a singlet underneath.
2. A cool pair of high waisted pants $5.
3. The most perfectly fitting dress on me.....it's a vintage Japanese made dress $15.
4. Sweet short sleeve dress.
5. Red, Blue polka dot ric-rac sweetest maxi dress that ever there was, $5.

There is so much more I could have bought, but a gal got to stick to a budget when she is working on big plans. So at least I got to indulge myself in some pretties along the way.

I will be linking up with Sophie at Her Library Adventures, so please pop on over and check out everyone's finds from all over the place.

P.S - make sure you do pop on over to Nelly's for more pics from our day.

What to wear, what to wear?

Well I had a totally different post planned for today, which has now gone on the back burner for a few days. Why? Because I'm consumed with that burning question of what to wear, because I am heading to the Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair in Brisbane tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to it and will be meeting up with the fabulous Nelly.

Excuse the dodgy pic, but I haven't had time today to play dress ups and frock it up for a photoshoot. Little V and I have been busy catching up with friends who have just returned from Bali.

Should I wear my most favorite purple, floral high waisted maxi skirt? Should I wear the thrifted cherry dress? Should I be practical, Little V will be with me so my strapless numbers will be out as that could make breastfeeding interesting.

Oh well I'm sure I will work it out, being a SAHM I don't get much chance to get my vintage on, so it will be nice to get some of my special threads on tomorrow too.

Vintage Fashion Fair.....

After reading Kittys Vintage and Kitsch post this morning, I got myself into a flap when I learnt that the Brisbane Vintage Fashion and Decor Fair is on this Friday and Saturday.

This morning I commented on Kittys post saying:
No, no, no this weekend just won't work *sigh* I can't make it. If only it started in the morning on Friday then I could scramble and go in the morning. Have a fab time, can't wait to see pics.

Image sourced HERE.

But guess what, plans and other arrangements have been shuffled around and confirmed and I am now planning on heading to the fair Saturday. Little V will be with me and strapped in for the ride.

I'm so flipping excited.

Garden Inspiration and Beyond....

Wednesday it is and here is my Etsy Treasury Curators List, a little vintage, a little retro and little unusual but most of all a little inspiration for the garden and beyond.

To check out all the live links to these lovely items click here and whilst your there why not check out all the other great treasury lists by other curators and be inspired.

Little bits of pretty....

Woohooo....I got a sweet little package delivered today. Lea at We Like to Make Stuff has an ever so sweet and fabulously vintagey fundraising effort running at Little Bits of Pretty for The Children's Hospital at Westmead. They are ever so close to their goal, so please pop on over and read more about their story and please consider helping with this wonderful cause.

So sweetly wrapped in old pattern paper and a vintage sheeting bow......it looked so lovely I admired it for awhile before opening to see my goodies.

Lea I have already earmarked some of the buttons for buttony projects and thank you ever so much for the extra handmade surprise. I wish you every success in reaching your goal.

Flea Market Finds from Family Fun Day....

A lovely assortment of finds this week and I had extra sets of hands for carrying things since I scored all this on our family fun day outing. My success could have also been because I felt that I was groovin' in my outfit for the day......which mind you I keep looking at the pic thinking I look a bit of alright if you know what mean? Anyways I digress, this is Flea Market Finds....

First up is this sweet dress that I teased you with the pattern the other day.

Then next up is this lovely little sweater, once again finding it hard to not put this one in my wardrobe for winter rotation.

Oh and some Johnson ware.......they are just devine I love them.

A little something for Little V......altogether awwwww.

And finally the sweetest little deer from Japan.....I am smitten with this dear deer.

Now that you gave oggled my finds for the week, why not pop over to Her Library Adventures and check out everyone's thriftiness.

I have some other finds to show but have tucked them away for now.

Buy Nothing New and a completed swap...

I thought I would share this over here, those who follow me over at Journey to Bliss will know that I am a member of a cloth nappy forum Nappycino, and we generally have a swap a month with a different theme each time. This month the challenge was to fill a C4 size prepaid envelope but Australia Posts requirements say the envelope can be up to 20mm in thickness and no more than 500gms in weight. So as you can imagine, with me pledged to Buy Nothing New this month I had to put the thinking cap on to fulfill this swap.

With exception of the envelope which was clearly bought new last month when I signed up for the swap, all items pictured are thrifted, gifted or handmade by me.

These are a set of three postcards I made for my swap recipient. She is an ABA (Australian Breastfeeding Association) member like myself, so when thrifting last week I came by an old Nursing Mothers Association (what ABA used be named) book I knew straight away what I could use the images for. The book cost me 50 cents and I had plenty of cardboard at home to complete this project.

Next up (top) are a set of gift tags made from leftover scrapbooking stuff I have (lucky I haven't culled everything) as well as up cycling buttons, fabric scraps, ribbon and even the dragonfly is off a broken piece of jewelry. The tie part is raw brown garden twine!

Bottom left is some fabric covered magnets, using old promotional magnets we had lying around and fabric scraps. My swap recipient likes green and red.

Then finally bottom right, we have a knitted/crochet dishcloth I found ages ago on a thrifting trip for 50 cents. A packet of carrot seeds were a freebie that the Big V was sent from Yates. The little black address book was thrifted for 50 cents. Then we are left with the sparkly green pencil and novelty mini animal pegs, which were part of our prize haul from our family fun day on Thursday.

I hope my swap recipient is happy with these goodies, I've had fun putting all together. Now it's time to sit back and what for her reaction.

Blogtoberfest tired tease....

I'm like a dog with a bone and won't let go of my Blogtoberfest pledge, so as a sad, sad tired result of today this is my pathetic post. The post I do just to say I didn't let the team down, so to speak. I won't ramble, but I will tease instead. So here is a flash of pattern from a little number I picked up yesterday on our family fun day. Very much looking forward to showing off my finds in more detail this week.

Pretty huh?
Anyways loyal Vowers surely you must be tired too, how about we all convene again tomorrow after a lovely nights sleep?

Family Fun Day and Fancy Me...

It was our family fun day today and the day started with a spot of op shopping for moi. Actually the Big V even got in on the action, but more about my finds on the weekend for Flea Market Finds. We did well, I'm rather chuffed and the Big V is even announcing himself as the op shop king......*rolls eyes* you will see why I find this amusing.

Anyway for now I thought I would drop in with a pic of my family fun day outfit.

Top - "Katies" op shopped
Skirt - "Adele Palmer" you might remember that is one of precious pieces I took from my Aunts collection.
Accessories - bangles op shopped, knitting needle bangle made by me, glasses mine a girls gotta see, ballet flats retail a few seasons ago.

All things Family, Fun, Life and Home......

It's that time of the week again to show off my Etsy Treasury Curators list. I was inspired to do a little ode to family, as the little Vowers and I look forward to tomorrow to have the Big V home and to be heading out on a family fun day.

The Big V has been working incredibly hard this year and has taken next to no time off, so here is my take on: All things Family, Fun, Life and Home

Check out the list in detail here, whilst you're there have a look at all the other awesome treasury lists being created each day.

Octobers teachings....

So I thought I'd probably should do a check in about how I am progressing with my pledges this month and what I am learning and doing. Although it's been a challenge some days my pledge to post every day in October is in tact. Perhaps not all my posts are riveting but my word is my word and a pledge is a pledge right?

On the Buy Nothing New front things are going fantastically I have extended and updated my wardrobe and not a single item has been purchased brand new. I've needed to update my wardrobe after being pregnant and breastfeeding for the last few years and breastfeeding singlets just seem to be the easy but necessary evil around here.

Hmmmm wardrobe needs a tidy.

I've learnt that I, in fact don't buy much in the way of clothes brand new now that I think about things. I've forced myself a little more to get some of my vintage gear on each day rather than stay in house clothes and worry about getting my vintage pieces messed up running after my little Vowers. Not only do I feel more myself in the clothes I love but it makes me happier. I've also learnt that a need to stop nabbing pieces for myself in my sourcing efforts for my stock.

Finally sorted....

I mentioned that the Big V and I started rearranging our office/creative space we share on the weekend. Well finally I got things sorted out today and what do you know I even had time for a spot of crafting.....which was utterly necessary as I have a swap I need to get posted off this week.

So here are a few pics......sorry about the lighting I only remembered to take pics now.

Top left - my workspace is a lot tidier and prettier now, I can't get you any closer to my crafty efforts laid out until I'm finished but I'm rather excited about it.
Top right - my basket of necessary goodies, pens and journals.
Bottom left - just one of the shelves on my bookcase that is housing many vintagey, crafty and handmade things.
Bottom right - another sneak peak this time of SOME of my vintage children's stock......some of which will soon be getting listed.

Oh and before I bid you a all a good night thanks for the message of good luck for the garage sale on Sunday, I've been able to tuck some of that money aside for some big plans I have for My Vintage Vow.

Sweet Sundays, it's garage sale day

Finally it's our garage sale day, we thought that it wasn't going to go ahead last night with the weather we had but what do you know the skies are clear and blue this morning. So hoping we have a successful day because todays funds will go nicely towards our "Retro our Home" decorating efforts we wish to commence.

Furthermore time spent in the garage this morning forces the Big V to tidy up as you can see, it needs it. We started on a move around of things in our office/creative space yesterday morning. Which saw the Big V make complaints about how much space my stock is going to and starting to take up. So it's possible one of us will be relegated to the garage at a later date. So we are doing a shift around of things and a clear out of other things to avoid this happening.

Aside from that we just need to get rid of so much stuff, we have friends and family who constantly give us hand me downs. They often say if you're not going to use it, sell it or give to charity.

Here's a few pics for you this morning......

Well I best be on my way Master V keeps talking the ear off anyone that comes, telling them tall tales. I have a birthday party to get us ready for later......and yes before you ask the gift is up cycled, recycled and hand made. Hope to get a chance when the little Vowers are napping later to do my Flea Market Finds.....hope to see you all then, time willing.

Called on the account of rain...

I had a to-do list as long as my arm this afternoon. I had hoped I would get more pics done of my tease from Thursday, but we had a massive storm cell come over. Hail, squally winds and scenes reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz in a rush to get our car back the garage. Some muscle really needed to be applied to get the door closed due to wind and suction it was causing in our garage. As a result we had to very unsettled little Vowers with all the commotion, so this mummas plans went on the back burner this afternoon.

So it might not be much of a post, but at least my vow for Blogtoberfest is in tact. So please excuse the what would have been post being cancelled on account of rain.

Take a look.....some real beauties.

I have recently come by a sweet blog. A lovely mix of the subdued things in love, life, art, wonderment and of course there is some vintagness in there as well.

You must pop on over to
Wolves At The Door

whilst you're paying a visit pop in and have a look at the Wolves At the Door, Big Cartel store, here are just a few things I'm fancying....

Certainly worth a look when purchases come with a free lucky dip as well.

Just a sneak peek tease...

Just a little tease of SOME of my finds today, until a get a little more time to post about today's outing. Can't wait to show off these and more of my finds....

Do you see anything thats got potential?

Juicy Orange Finds for You...

I love Wednesdays and putting together my Etsy Treasury Curators list, it's so nice to see what's out there in the handmade and vintage community. I was inspired to go against the trend with my Treasury list this week with orange featuring heavily in Halloween themed lists....but nit mine. So here are some juicy, sweet finds with a few vintage gems in there for you to lust over.....I am so in love the vintage eye glasses. Oh and if you saw my post from the other day I stumbled across a little Lea and Perrins......but I'm still on the look out.

Do you see anything that takes your fancy?
ETA - whoops I guess it would help to add the link so you can have a look huh.

For the collectors....

Good evening Vowers, I've been meaning to post this link for a few days. It doesn't feature any vintage fashion, however if you ever thought about the collections we start and how big they could end up.....check out this YouTube link.

I learnt of this estate through a secondhand/rare book dealer and collectibles trader the Big V and I know. He is desperately hoping he will be able attend the auction and nab some collectible lots.

Most of Lea Hartung's collections haven't been out in the collectibles trading market for over 50 or more years......so there are going to be some serious buyers out there.

Anyways I hope you enjoy, I was gobsmacked.....oh and by the way there are more clips if you're interested in watching more about his collection.

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.