Home Sick

No, really, I'm home sick today. Actually, in a kind of recovery after two days of regurgitating all attempted food intake.

And, we recently canceled our cable - so no lifetime movies or hours of HGTV for me. What's a girl to do? Stalk blogs obviously. And because I have mommy fever I've been all over this one and this one and this one. Though I'll admit that Say Yes to Hoboken had me most attached and dreaming up my future in motherhood.

Came across some fun ideas -

Source: momtastic.com via Alexa on Pinterest

Source: americanapparel.com via Alexa on Pinterest

And doing this fun activity featured on Momtastic:

The baby's future room is a complete and total disaster right now (read: new water heater required emptying the whole over-stuffed closet). Otherwise, I would gladly show you a couple of things we've already salvaged for the little Lougee.

Another question: how do you feel about the safety of older cribs? Like ones passed down from family or say, found left behind?

The big announcement...

Finally!!! I can share with you all that the Huz and I have a little bun in the oven! I'm excited to work on decorating the baby's room and sharing my adventures as a DIY & Salvaging MOM! 

Can't believe I'm going to be a Mom. What a humbling and blessed responsibility and gift. 

For more details, see our family blog. And stay tuned as the fun begins (just as soon as this all day nausea allows me to play and get back to doing the stuff I love to do). 

P.S. We're due January 6th, 2012

Pendleton

You've heard of the brand "Pendleton," right? They've been around for 120 years, were worn by the Beach Boys and have in recent years been making a splash in the fashion industry ... their Portland line hits the market this fall and it's pretty awesome. They're probably most infamous for their wool blankets.

The mill made sense in Pendleton because it was once "sheep country." (There are still sheep, but now wheat is king here.).

Anyway, I got to take an hour long tour yesterday with the manager (usually tours are 15 minutes) and it was pretty fascinating. Not only do they produce the fabric for blankets at this mill, but they produce fabrics for just about anything including clothes and furniture.

What I really loved was that they are still using the same building as they did in the 1890s. They use some wool/textile machines that date back to the 1920s and 1940s and even some of their day to day tools and carts are old. They aren't in a hurry to innovate the way they do things. They are true to what they've always been, classic.

Brain Fart

Apparently my brain isn't at full capacity. There'll be times where I can think of a gazillion things to blog, tweet or facebook about. This isn't one of those times. I swear, my mind has little to no creativity happening up in there. Someone should probably check my brain activity and see if ANYTHNG is going on. I'm growing concerned.

Any tips for an old gal to get back on the bandwagon? 

In other, just-as-unexciting-news-probably, I've gotten into a little thing folks call Pinterest. You can find my little hodgepodge of internet salvage here.

One thing I just "pinned" was this little idea I found whilst perusing Etsy.

Source: etsy.com via Alexa on Pinterest

Interesting idea, right? 

Stalker Tuesday on Wednesday: NieNie

Okay, so I know I'm pretty late to jump on the whole NieNie Dialogues bandwagon (but I was also late to the Harry Potter bandwagon, and I came around in time to read four of the books before the movies started, and I've read all the books, thank you. AND, I went and saw Harry Potter 7 part 1 ON MY WEDDING DAY, so lay off, okay? jk, I love you). .... Anyway, but I'm definitely on for the ride and enjoy just her simplicity of writing! It's not trying to be anything or any persona, it's just her...writing... and it's very refreshing. Plus, I loved and must some day own one of these (which she created):

So, please, go read lose yourself in some of her posts - like I do quite often.

Also, true to my word, there are just a few new listings up on the Shop. Hopefully get a few more up this weekend. I didn't hit any yardsales Saturday unfortunately, we were moving my old trailer to storage all morning. Quite the process apparently (did I mention it's about 2/3 of the way painted?? I know, pictures! Someday). Again, I hope to rectify this very soon (hopefully Saturday).

Back to the daily grind.... http://www.thevintagepearl.com/products/vintagepeasinapod_p218

Memorial

This weekend is Memorial weekend. The Huz doesn't have Monday off, but I do! I'm looking forward to three days off of work and at home.

I have three goals for the weekend:

1. Clean the Bathroom
After two surprise visits by each of our mothers for the sole purpose of using the facilities, I've decided it's time to get the sucker shiny and not embarrassing.

2. Sew a burlap pillow
This has been on my list for about 4 months. I have all this burlap from the wedding reception that I'm excited to play around with. But then I had sewing machine issues. Now, those have seem to be resolved and I'm ready to try again!

(we alternated dark and light burlap on each table) 

And while we're looking at some of the reception decor ... I'll snag a few photos my aunt took to share with you. 

3. Post NEW listings on Etsy. 

This has also been a goal I've had for several weeks and I've just not made the time to do it. So! Monday it will be! 

Hopefully we'll get some yardsalin' in this weekend, too. 

Sister Chic

In my forgetfulness, I forgot to actually bring my camera into the Spring Bizarre show. It sat patiently in the van up at my Mom's house. So, I snagged these photos off of Aunt Steph's blog.

It was fun to be there with the Sisters Chic. I enjoyed watching Stephanie constantly rearranging and presenting the items at their best after items were sold.

I enjoyed watching my mom interact with all the old customers as well as the new.

I enjoyed watching people get so excited at all the items there and coming back multiple times to buy more.

I didn't enjoy not selling much, but it taught me some lessons that I probably wouldn't have learned online. Like how my aunt had an old table she'd been bringing to shows for a couple years. It was super cute, but she had to keep adjusting the price and just finding the right customer.

I also learned to better understand your market and what THEY'll be looking for. My etsy shop definitely has a different market of folks and a different market of prices than a little country bizarre in La Grande, Oregon.

Anyway, it was a good show! Looking forward to trying again at the Grassroots Festival in Union, Oregon in August!

Now for the photos!

Goin to Market

Here's my prized wooden stamp finally in action! 

I got to work stamping the kraft paper tags I'd ordered a while back. 

I needed tags for the show tomorrow.  

And here is a quick and condensed picture of most of what I'm bringing to market. Not as much as my Mom and Aunt are bringing. And theirs is all cutesy and crafty! Anyway, should be fun. Stop by if you're in town. The show is at Riveria School from 9am - 3pm. 

Stalker Tuesday: Vintage Revivals

So, I know you've been missing Stalker Tuesdays - because I sure have. I'm sorry for the absentee blogging. Life just got a little too exciting there for a few weeks. BUT, I'm back and with a fabulous blog for you to stalk (creeper). 

I was introduced to Vintage Revivals by childhood friend and current blog follower, Marissa. 

Since that fine fine day (I believe it was a stalker Tuesday), I've checked the Vintage Revival blog about once a day, if not more. There's so much good stuff to read! Lots of great projects to try and Mandi writes with a lot of voice. 

She also invented a new favorite style phrase of mine, "Thrift Shop Glam." So, go peruse, say hello and don't forget to tell her who sent you. 

Bizarre Bazaar

Hate to admit it, but I just learned that there are TWO spellings for the word bizarre/bazaar. But, I think the former can fit the latter just as well! 

This Saturday, I'll be at the Something Special Spring Bazaar with my mom and aunt who make up the "Sister Chic" booth. Come look for us! 

P.S. I was out of town for a four days for my cousin's wedding. 

Here he is with his bride Nellie and mom Suci. 

We got lots of sun and loved seeing both sides of our families!

Stay tuned for some more posts before the week is through 

(I think my life is getting back to normal after a whirlwind two weeks.) 

shabby me timbers

I rehabbed this chair ... a little sand, a lotta paint and bam! 

Pretty. 

Now the question, do I sand to add a shabby quality to it or not?? I really want your advice. Would you rather have it in your home like this or with a little more character to it? 

And, in case you're interested ... this chair will be available for purchase at the May 2011 Something Special Bazaar. I will be at the my Mom & Aunt's 'Sisters Shic' booth. 

The show is May 14th in La Grande at the Riveria School. 

I'll see you there! 

daydreaming

Okay, maybe you can call this a Stalker Tuesday post on a Thursday ... but via Facebook I came upon "A Savvy Event: Weddings & Events" and their blog. 

And I LOVED what I saw! Particularly these two photos. 

If you get a chance, head on over and take a gander. What girl secretly doesn't love looking at wedding photos? But, they don't just have wedding photos, they have a lot of goodies and wonderful ideas that could easily be incorporated in everyday. I really enjoyed the post about the nursery of an old client of theres. Here's a sneak peak. 

Anyway, back to work. (aww, poo)

And stay tuned, I'll be having some new listings up on the shop soon!

discover life's simple pleasures

I'm sorry, I know I've been absentee. BUT, work has been pretty tiring with multiple big projects coming to a head and by the time I get home I can't even think about being creative or blogging or anything! So, I either tune out while watching the boob tube with the Huz, or get more absorbed in the John Grisham book I'm reading.

BUT, here is a little post I'll sneak in for today. Just so you know that I've not forgotten about my sweet and supportive followers! 

_______________________

Today, on my lunch break, I was skimming through the British edition of Country Living Magazine (courtesy of my Mom and her addiction to buying monthly magazines at full price instead of subscribing), and I came to a page that said, "Discover Life's Simple Pleasures." It went on for pages about little things we all can enjoy.

And so, I'm going to take time regularly to just stop and enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Today, on my lunch I loved feeling the sun shining through my car window, while I blared some country music and ate a Take 5 - which I've decided is officially my current favorite candy bar. Talk about texture! Mmmm.

What are some simple pleasures you've enjoyed lately?
Also, be sure to catch me on twitter (@lexylee) where I'll be posting more of my simple pleasure discoveries!

Friday Visual Feast

I don't even know where this week has gone! It's been a bit busy at work, working on finishing up a lot of BIG projects.

I haven't had time to snap photos of a favorite find from my home for today, but I did quickly find these awesome art pieces from Sarah Moldovan, who describers herself like this:

"...mother. wife. photographer. graphic artist. full time student. audio book junkie. optimist. always busy. a morning person. easy going. a bit shy to a stranger, kindhearted and funny to my family and friends."

Enjoy her scenes! I want all of these! And purchase her things here.

Because Thursdays are Hard

Here's one of my current faves (actually it's been up there on my faves list for about four months now);





I promise I'll have a better update soon!

Saturday's Salvage: Do You Know the Muffin Man?

In my conquests on Saturday I found these treasures...

I, personally, envisioned muffin pan planters, like so:

Or as a knick knack collector wherever you tend to put all the stuff rom you pocket, 

like in/on your dresser? 

Or to organize craft supplies: 

Or office supplies: 

Or even just in the kitchen, as they were originally intended. 

I love the colors of the ones I picked up. I'd never seen vintage muffin tins in colors! 

Watch for them to pop up either at the shop or a the Spring Something Special Bazaar coming up in May in La Grande (more details about that later).