These Boots Are Made for Walking

Bought: Boots
Price: $13
Place: Plato's Closet, Maple Shade, NJ

So I tried to find a picture of Disney's Pocahontas wearing boots that could illustrate why these boots remind me of Pocahontas. But I forgot about the fact that she was barefoot most of the time. I did find this little gem, however:
...I guess being a secret mermaid prohibits her from wearing boots. But I feel like if she could, these are what she would choose to wear.


Also from the same shop for the same price (ish):

Rainboots!! I'm so excited for it to rain. Look at the adorable little rain birds mixed in with the swirly vines.


If you know me at all, you know how much I love anything even slightly resembling toile.

Another successful find.
Although, I would recommend not buying 4 new pairs of shoes--especially boots-- when you're flying home the next day and your bag is already bulging at the seams so you have to carry them all on the plane with you.
Unless of course you want a good work out.

Bonus:

I don't really think Nancy Sinatra knows where she is during the first half of this video, making it all the more endearing. Beware of the inappropriate 1960's floor slithering.

Pigtow Design Plug

I read the following article in the Contra Costa Times this morning:

Decorator trolls local yard sales and finds five bargain buys for $20 or less
(way to save ink on that title, guys)

I went and checked out Meg's blog and found it simply charming (in other words, it reminded me a lot of myself, whom, naturally, I find incredibly charming).

But Meg lives on the East Coast, making her finds completely different than mine, due simply to the different historical context.
Read.
View.
Enjoy.

Hearty Hardy's

Bought: Hardy Boys Mystery Story: The Yellow Feather Mystery, by Franklin W. Dixon
Price: 75 cents (ish)
Place: Anna's Attic

If you've never read a Hardy Boys book, it's about time you get on that. There's really no reason not to read one (unless of course you like books you can't predict that have fully developed characters, unique plot lines, and intellectual dialogue. But really, who reads books like that anymore?)
Cannon Balls of Ice????? I really need to read this ASAP.

The real reason I bought this book is because it's an original 1953 copy.
Plus, I just love it (obviously more than Gary W. and Sharon Weitzner to whom it has previously belonged. Especially whichever one of them drew on it with pink marker.)

Please note the pink marker mark

Well, dear Hardy Boys, I love you for being eternally 17 and 18 years old, respectively.
I love you for solving every case with ease.
I love you for using phrases like "Holy crow!" and "Crumb!"
I love you for making fun of your fat friend Chet's weight without remorse.

We've come a long way together, haven't we?
Continue to take me on your adventures and I'll continue to love you forever.

Estate Sale, Pt. 2

Just singing my shoulda coulda woulda's.
If there were adequate space in my room, this sewing machine would now be mine.


Plus, were I not a cheapskate, this up-to-date informative reading material would also be in my possession. Because who really understands the elusive Hippie? Who couldn't use this book?

Estate Sale

I went to my first estate sale this month.
It was pretty much everything I expected it to be. Odd and bizarre. But sad too. They have a different vibe than thrift or antique stores. The people there seem more respectful due to the fact that they're in a recently deceased person's home.
So besides the obvious downer...
Being an extremely nosy person, I loved being able to see how other people lived and then be able to take away with me a little piece of their lives to incorporate into my own.
Observe:

Place: Estate sale in Concord
Hosted: by Hospice of the East Bay
(You can sign up to get email notifications of local estate sales there^)
Bought: Impressionist book and 2 dress patterns for $1.50



I also bought 5 more pattern sets at ARF for $.25 a pop.
You're thinking, "What's the deal with all the outdated dress patterns?"
And I'm answering, "Wallpaper. Lots of wallpaper on the window wall of my bedroom."



Once I collect enough patterns, I'm going to be doing a wallpaper/decoupage hybrid with all of them. Hopefully, the paper will hold up and not tear. I'll post the process of that once I get to it.

On a side note, I'm planning on using the Impressionist pictures as decor as well. And I got to see that painting on the right in person at the de Young Museum! If you get the chance, you should really go.

Trunk Minus the Junk (Guest Blog 2)

Bought: Trunk
Price: $5
Place: ARF Thrift Store
By Whom: My mom

I love this trunk.
It's obviously traveled.
Yet is still viable.
Maybe not for traveling, what with the handle being broken. But it can definitely still be used for magic acts.
Or better yet for a table, which I think is what my mom will end up using it for.

On a side note, the song "It's a Hard Knock Life" from Annie kept playing in my head while I was taking these pictures. I had this one horrifying moment when I couldn't remember if it was from Oliver or Annie. You really can't blame me though. Orphans. High-pitched children singing. Not my fault.
Now it can be stuck in your head.
You're welcome.

Field Trip #1

Place: Antiques & Things

This is what an antique store should look like. Don't be deceived by its modest demeanor. It has over 10 rooms (maybe even 15?). Like a labyrinth (minus the Minotaur).

Which reminds me, one of my favorite parts about this store is that the people who work there don't glare at me the entire time. Most antique stores look at me as if I'm about to start running around screaming like a child. Sure, I look like I'm 15, but come on! Good job though, Antiques & Things, for being normal considerate human beings.

My favorite room by far is this one. I can't remember ever having bought anything out of this room, but who cares! It's a converted sun room! Or conservatory, for those of you who speak British. Or play Clue.

I wish I could have come up with a reason to buy this. I would have felt like vintage Barbie.




This is the real reason I go thrifting. Every single item has had a life before it ends up there. I love imagining the individual journeys they've all taken and whose lives they may have crossed. It makes me sad to think that most people either don't write letters or don't save the ones they receive. I'll just have to collect the ones from other people who are no longer able to cherish them as much as they once did. Call me maudlin, but I find magic in old letters. Sometimes more than I was expecting. You'll just have to open one up and find out for yourself.