My (& D's) Favorite Bedtime Books

I love reading in the rocking chair in the nursery after a long day with my little guy. Some nights we read 10 books & some nights we read none. Either way, it is a bonding time that puts the cherry on the cupcake of our day! I feel like I did my job as a Mom when I can see my son tired at the end of a long day yet, still struggling to get a few more moments in with us.

David picking out books a few months ago.

I was a little nervous when I was done nursing (at 10 months) and done with the bottle (at 13 months) that I would lose the precious time David and I had together. However, we instilled good nap and bedtime routines that still allow us to have our 'quiet time' together.

Here are some of our favorite titles we enjoy together:

Any good recommendations?



Cocktail Rings: Scored Some Vintage Loot

It has been rainy all weekend but I finally got to a big garage sale I have had my eye on since Wednesday. I scored some super cute cocktail rings! I don't think they are all vintage but they are very wearable. I am looking forward to cleaning them with my jewelry cleaner!

Anyone else love to clean jewelry?! I just love how it comes out looking like a whole new piece.



Similar styles to above via Etsy:

1. Large Black Stone

2. Multi-Row Rhinestone

3. Peach Oval Stone

4. Gray Flower

Spread the 'Junk Love'!

Gal pal, Top Drawer Vintage model, & fellow lover of all things unique, antique & secondhand Malia Schroeder is up to some good with her new occasional shop Junk Love. Formerly known as Cheap Chotchke, she had her first sale earlier this month.

I thought of Malia this morning as I scored this cute antique towel & soap rack at a garage sale:

Malia on Junk Love's Facebook describes the shop as:

"Unique vintage occasional sale in St. Paul, MN. We scour far and wide to find the best pieces at the best prices and plop them into a really cool atmosphere for you to pick through ‘em! We LOVE hunting for the good "junk" and then finding it a new home!

The nity grity? Up-cycling sweet vintage finds to fit today's modern chic style. Think of something your grandpa has in the shed, then paint it pink. Like that.

Malia of Junk Love refurbishing some goods.

Malia is constantly updating her Facebook Page with all the neat things she finds. It is fun to see what she does with all her goods. Here are a few examples:

This last photo is a really good example of what I try to capture in my TDV Photo's. When getting shots done of my vintage looks, I want the the women viewing/shopping/getting inspired to want to BE the model wearing vintage. These shots of Junk Love's goods makes me want my entire house to be composed of these items. I want my house to look that damn good.

So, if you haven't stopped reading yet to hop over to Junk Love - then do so now!

Junk Love Website
Facebook
Twitter

Tell her MB says hi.

J. Crew Factory (affordable & free shipping) Drools

Why do you do this to me??

Come on now. Not all of us can hash that $100 a cardigan price tag. If you are like me, you scour the J. Crew Sale & Factory section putting everything in price order 'low to high'. Then once you hit the $25 stuff, you stop searching. I have to have 30% off and/or free shipping to make it worth my while.

I like spend a good hour on a site, carefully putting items in my shopping cart, using the little calculator on my computer. Then right when I want to checkout IIIIIII....click the little box closed. Oh, yes. On purpose.

Why do I do this to myself??

Because (da-ta-da-da) it is truly fun for me to get things I want for insanely good prices. It doesn't bother me in the least that I have to wait 6 months to get it. But I do, sometimes. And it is a truly joyous feeling to really checkout at J. Crew and know that I did myself proud, my wallet proud, my fellow thrifter proud...and damnit...

my country proud.

Ok, enough dramatics. Let's get to the cheap goods.




1. blakely Bling Bracelet $9.99

2. stripe textured jersey scoopneck tee $14.99

3. cropped ruffle cardigan $14.99

4. studded bar-car belt $14.99

5. twisted chiffon cardigan $19.99

6. tissue tipped cardigan $22.50

7. 3" chino short $29.50

8. printed luca skirt $29.50

Thift Win: Garage Sale Season Begins

And so it begins. Garage sale season. Last summer David was still a bit tiny & I was still nursing enough where I didn't feel I had the freedom to garage sale as much as I would have liked. However, I think I will be making up for it this summer. Wednesday & Thursday were spent scouring for rummage sales & stopping in at a few garage sales between.

I stopped at a child & maternity consignment sale at Andover Community Center. It is going on all weekend. The prices were to be expected, a little on the high end. I know it is cheap of me but if I am going to spend $7 on children's clothing or $20 on maternity wear, I am going to buy it new & on sale. I did however find a few good things as well as a few things from 2 garage sales I stopped at on my way:

 

1. 3 piece suit, 24 mos. $3 (consignment sale, similar $35.99)

2. Lined pants, Old Navy, 18-24 mos. $1 (garage sale, similar $8.99)

3. Camo pants, Cherokee, 24 mos. $.50 (garage sale, similar $16.99)

4. Chimpanzee tee, Circo, 24 mos. $.05 (garage sale, similar $4.50)

5. Pooh Small Diaper Bag (totally needed this for shopping trips) $3 (consignment sale, exactly $10)

6. Car Bottle Warmer, Munchkin, $2 (church rummage sale, exactly $11.39)

7. Easter Egg Kit (for next year!), Paas, $.25 (garage sale, similar $6.99)

8. Baby Einstein Jungle Book, $1 (garage sale, similar $17.91)

9. First Words Book, $.75 (church rummage sale, similar $5)

10. Sesame Street Sound 'Book', $2 (consignment sale, exactly $10)

Estimated total buying online: $119.76

Grand Total for Baby Gear: $13.55



Andover Community Center

David & I had the best time! I might have to pick one day a week (Wednesday or Thursday) to dedicate to garage sale day. Otherwise, I could see this getting a little out of control!

Seven Days of Swell: Day Five

Is it really Day 5 already?
FYI, I will be at the sale Saturday 3-7 & Sunday 1:30-7! Please be sure to say hi if you stop by during this time!

I really have been looking forward today. My cousin took the day off from her incredibly busy work schedule and I got to see her after a month or two (and the last time didn't count because it was D's 1st birthday and I was running around like a lunatic).

I have a party tonight & I love parties. Could really go for a glass of wine or a margarita but I will sip my diet coke and enjoy drinking the caffeine past 5 pm. I am one of those caffeine sensitive types that if I don't have enough you don't want to talk to me & if I have to much I feel like I am going to barf.

So, I limit myself to 1 cup of coffee in the morning with my favorite Chai Latte creamer (while Googling Chai creamer I found this chai latte recipe for wedding favors! How cool is that?) & mayyybbeee one can of diet come when D gets up from his nap, especially if I didn't nap.

Today: The Polka Dot Day Dress

Ok, I have to sneak one in of myself stying. I just love doing these shoots! Not only the day of but the planning that goes into it, picking out the outfits ect.

This polka dot dress is so incredibly me. It is the perfect example of how I put so much heart into all my pieces. I truly feel they speak to me! I love how it is paired with nude heels & a cream quilted chain bag.

Have you visited the Mighty Swell website today?

Seven Days of Swell: Day Four

I got to see the Mighty Swell space yesterday in Minneapolis! It is going to be the cutest. Meghan & Rae are working hard to make it fantastic!

Getting excited??

Today: The Floral Day Dress

I am super obsessed with floral print this Spring.

In other fashion news, my 3.5 month pregnant belly is looking not preggo-chic quite yet but, like I have had 5 cheeseburgers (in a row). I can still button my jeans but I am left with an awkward muffin top that resembles my post-college beer belly instead of a cute baby bump.

Solution? Belted maternity tunics I can wear with my regular jeans (for now). No sucking in required. It is not perfect but at least I don't have to sigh at myself every time I look in the mirror. My 'cousin' Beth picked up this Old Navy tunic for me a few months ago when she heard I was expecting:

She is the most insane clearance shopper you will ever meet. Find similar styles at old navy here, here & here <---floral print! I think they are great even if you aren't expecting. Never, EVER shop online at Old Navy without at least having 20% off. I always check with Ebates too because they always give you cash back! I heart cash back!

I sent Beth this picture being a show off. Yes, it was in my bathroom. Yes, it was in the morning. I know, I know.

It works.