March 20, 2011

Consolidation

Consolidation has been on my mind for a couple of months now. I've been cleaning and organizing my room like a mad woman, often for hours at a time. As such, I've decided to combine the primary 2 blogs that I've been writing. In the immortal words of myself (that I wrote just a few minutes ago on my other blog):
"For a little over a year, now, I've been concurrently writing 2 blogs (besides the horrifying story blog that Dana and I write). I had initially thought that Bow Ties and Bandits would be my personal blog for friends and family, while Pastiche would be my blog focused on thrifty treasures and tips. But I've come to realize, that really, there's no separating the two. Thrift ("vintage", if you're feeling pretentious) shopping and creating unique pieces from previously unloved pieces is an integral part of my life and vice versa."
Therefore, things are about to get more personal. Not too personal of course. I'm still a cold-hearted shell of a person, after all.
Not too much will change. I did bring over my reading list from my other blog, but that's about it.

And here we go.

March 18, 2011

Things Are Coming

Big Things.
Be Prepared.









P.s. If I read this post, I would be ticked. So I'll leave you with this:
We currently have that same California dew landing so gracefully on our rooftops, sidewalks, and temperate-weather plants.

February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's, my lovelies!

Well, dears, it's raining on Valentine's Day. I love the rain. Inside always seems so much more cozy when it's a bit blustery outside--especially when you have a wealth of Valentine cheer warming your home. Due to the weather, be prepared for a blustering of Valentine's decor galore. No organization. Plenty of pictures. And here we go.

When my siblings and I were younger, we made these felt hearts for a project with our mom. Years later, my mom has kept them and still brings them out every year for Valentine's today. This year, they're decorating our mantel.

We simply cut out two corresponding pieces of felt, began sewing them with string, filled them with batting, and then closed them up. Easy as pie.


***

I've been holding onto this for quite a while:

Once upon a time, my family went to a flea market just to amble around. In an unprecedented act of kindness, my older brother bought this vintage Coke ad for me. Anyone who has older siblings knows that when you're children (or perhaps even later in life), these kinds of non-compulsory gifts are rare indeed.


***

I have these little friends on my wall year-round.

My Great Aunt Ramona sent these to me for my high school graduation. They're so sweet to me--primarily because they remind me of my aunt. She served as a missionary nurse in Africa as a young woman, traveled the world, and continued to live a full life even after losing one of her arms!

She really was an incredible woman and I hope I live to be half as fantastic as she.


***

Finally--and in a drastic mood shift-- what's a holiday without a couple pin ups?

A little athleticism...

A little Marilyn...
And that's it, friends, because let me tell you...the Valentine's Day pin up vault is filled with many more floozies than any other holiday. Hmm... wonder why that is...?

January 28, 2011

More books. What a surprise.

Bought:
The Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, c. 1990, $4
The Clue of the Broken Locket, c. 1934, $3
The Mystery at Devil's Paw, c. 1959, $3
Walden, c. 1950, $3
The Secret of Pirate's Hill, c. 1956, $2

Place: Anna's Attic, Annual Book Sale

It's a sad state of world affairs when these sell for so little. But a pretty good day for me, eh?

I also got a traveling bag for this spring that I'll post later. I'm not going to lie. It's going to make me look like an adult. An adult...who reads Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. Oh yeah. I'm awesome.

January 20, 2011

Bada Bing! Bargain Books!

Here's the notification I received through email today (minus some exclamation points because, WOW someone went !!!!!!! crazy) (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!):

Hospice Foundation of the East Bay

ANNA'S ATTIC
5350 CLAYTON ROAD
CONCORD

We are having our annual book sale this weekend!
It is located at our Concord Thrift Store Anna's Attic.
We have books from every genre! Vintage, Cookbooks, Fiction, Sports, Kids, Do It Yourself, Foreign Language and much much more! And as always, our store will be fully stocked with merchandise from housewares and clothing to antiques and collectibles.


Friday January 21st
10:00am to 5:00pm

Saturday January 22nd
10:00am to 5:00pm

Sunday January 23rd
12:00am to 5:00pm

All Books will be 50% off or MORE on Sunday!!

Proceeds to Benefit Hospice Foundation of the East Bay


I'll be there. Probably tomorrow. Maybe Saturday. And perhaps Sunday. I've gotten quite a few books there before.
(Prove it, Liar!)
Fine. I will.
Past posts from Anna's Attic finds:
Ba-Zing!

January 14, 2011

(Really Super Late) Christmas Recap

I was initially joking when I said that the reindeer were going to help me with my Christmas decorating. Turns out...they did!

I've had these cute little felt deer gift bags for years and every Christmas I forget I have them! (No offense, guys). Finally, I got in touch with my Norwegian roots and strung them on some twine at the end of my bed.

I had really wanted to get something woodsy to put inside of them, but I couldn't find anything fake at a thrift store (and my cat, who is full of demons, would eat anything real). Maybe next year.

I also decided to try my hand at making a children paper chain. And by "children," I mean "Grinch." Same thing, right? I put them up at the end of our hallway (from which we also hung paper snowflakes and a string of white lights). At the very end under the mirror, we have a chalkboard that various family members take turns leaving messages and quotes on. This one...is obviously mine.


Merry (way too late) Christmas! Happy New Year! And on to Valentine's Day!

December 05, 2010

Christmas Decorating


This week I'm off to plan my Christmas decor shopping. I've enlisted these guys to help me out.
Let's make it a good year everyone.