Oh, It's Such A Perfect Day (I'm Glad I Spent It With You)

Birthday weekend is in FULL SWING!! I'm SO thankful to have a Hubby that is SO willing to celebrate all the days leading up to the big day (he's actually in the middle of baking me "almost vegan" chocolate-avocado cupcakes as I blog).

Last night, we went on an actual DATE!! We had sushi, we saw Looper (um...what??), we went out for a drink. And today, he was willing to take a day trip to my hometown for some thrifting & nostalgia. Because birthdays should also be a time for reflecting (and Lord knows, there's been a lot of that with the big THIRTY barreling towards me...).

I kind of can't believe how hard we scored today thrifting. I had been looking for a vintage toy camera for Ruby for awhile now and found this one for $3. I also kind of can't believe that Ruby pretended to be taking a photo with it long enough for me to take a photo of it. One year olds are kind of impossible to pose for pictures, if you didn't already know.

We walked around the downtown area and stumbled upon the most incredible wall covered in leaves. We couldn't NOT do a photo shoot.

On Papa: Flannel button-down (thrifted), army surplus sweater (thrifted), Baldwin Denim Jeans (Badowers), Red Wing boots (thrifted). 

On Mama: The "Saba" scarf (FashionABLE - check out their website!), Cardigan (TJ Maxx), Plaid button-down (thrifted), Jeans (Express - Plato's Closet), Chanel inspired vinyl-tipped ballet flats (Payless).

 Papa looking all dapper in his new vintage motorcycle jacket.

Do you want to see what else we found??

Vintage pillows. I normally have a rule against buying second-hand pillows (I mean, come on...), but these were practically in mint condition. And at $2 each, I mean, COME ON!! So hot right now, too.

 Vintage thermoses to add to the collection ($1 each). Because I don't already have enough collections...

My biggest collection is probably my library of vintage sewing books, which is kind of ironic because I can barely sew. The illustrations are mainly what draw me in. Or in the case of this book, the typography, which is RIDICULOUS (in the best way possible). Can you frame books?

THESE DRESSES. It can be challenging to find previously-loved kids clothes that don't show any evidence of "the love", but these beauties made the cut. Throw on a long undershirt with leggings, and Ruby can wear these through the rest of the season.

My actual birthday is tomorrow, so I'm soaking in these last couple hours of my twenties. [Sigh]. I'm not one to get super hung up on ages but, not gonna lie, this is kind of a hard one.

Thank you, Lord, for the years. For the lessons learned. Even the difficult ones. Shaping me into the woman YOU want me to become.

I've got some big dreams & goals for this next decade, some that I'm already in the process of working towards. Some are a little too big to share on this blog now, but you'll know when I do.

Here's to the next chapter...xx

Bithday Weekend Recap

FOUND: Pink chair, curbside on the way to my parent's for family birthday celebration. We all enjoyed ice cream cake and, as hoped for, I received a giftcard to the Apple Store so I could buy the new iPod touch!

Sunday brunch with friends at Mars Cafe.
Stopped into Secondhand Rose Antiques on Sunday. The shop has so many pretty things and is merchandised beautifully. I especially loved the vintage dishware.

Sunday night was spent working on a project for the upcoming DIY fashion class I will be co-teaching for Freedom for Youth. I am really excited about this new venture and will be posting updates when it starts next week.

Hope you had a lovely weekend!!

A wishlist of sorts...

I can't believe my birthday is in a little over two weeks already! For tradition's sake, here's my list of things that I don't exactly need, but wouldn't refuse as gifts. In no particular order...

A dress form. If there is anything left to own that would legitimize myself as a fashion designer/ seamstress/ sewing enthusiast, it's one of these. I pretty much have everything else.

High Violet by The National on vinyl. Currently loving this album.

Stella McCartney anything. More reasonably, Stella by Stella McCartney perfume. It's my favorite. And I'm all out.

And last, but not certainly least, an iPod Touch WITH camera phone. I've been wanting one of these even before they were in existence.

I'm always willing to accept old cameras, fashion & design books, Criterion Collection films, and pretty much anything vintage!

And because I know it's greater to give than to receive, please do not forget about all the lovely giveaways I'll be featuring throughout the month of October.

The Heads Twogether sweater clip contest is open until Friday, 8th October. You can't win if you don't enter!

Iowa Life & Old Patterns

The Des Moines Register published an article this weekend on upcoming Holiday Bazaars, also featuring my Etsy shop!

I especially like this photo that was snapped in my craft room. You can read the full article here.

I couldn't end this post without including one of my most prized thrift finds of 2010. I'm ALWAYS on the lookout for vintage patterns, but never thought I would score this many (for so cheaply, I might add). Only $7.50 for the suitcase, which included some instructional books & sewing notions. Wonderful!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend & stay tuned for a blog giveaway:)

Recent Mid-Mod Reads

Here's the latest additions to my vintage library!
How to Decorate and Light Your Home (1955) by E.W. Commery & C. Eugene Stephenson.



The Doubleday Book of Interior Decorating (1965) by Albert Kornfeld.


I think the number of retro decor books I own could almost qualify me as a Mid-Century interior design consultant. Inquire if interested...?

How To Lay Out, Cut and Fit (1964) from Sears Illustrated Sewing Library.


A dress form is next on the wish list...
McCall's Sewing Book (1968) from Random House.

This book will especially come in handy when translating my vintage McCall's patterns!

D.I.Y. Fabric Flower Pin

Add a little homemade flair to any outfit from 1 of 6 tutorials (packed into 2 videos) released by Threadbanger.

Or you could buy this prettly little one [shown above] from Daintily Designs on Etsy.

KRAFTWERK

Back by popular demand, Leslie (of Urban Posture) and I will be hosting another night of crafting!! I can't promise a double-decker cake from Carefree Patisserie like last time, but it will be a fun evening of making things & hanging out with creative ladies.

Just bring yourself and a project you're working on! There will also be plenty of supplies if you show up empty-handed, so don't even think of using that as an excuse.

Friday, July 23rd, from 7:30-11pm at my place. Email me if you're interested or need directions at: sozealous@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!!

[Photo credit: Colette Patterson.]

Something Old, Something New

This past weekend was the wedding celebration of our friends, BreeAnn & David. As Wayde was an usher, we were both wrapped up with nuptial duties from rehearsal to reception.

The above pics were from a photobooth that the couple arranged for the guests. The ceremony was beautiful & a very fun night overall!!

With all the wedding festivities (and extreme heat), I didn't have time to make the regular thrifting circuit. What I received from my Grandmother though far surpassed anything I could've found that day...

This Singer Featherweight was hers many years ago and my Mother sewed a few outfits for me as a child on the machine as well. It still works perfectly and I'm SO glad I got to have her teach me how to use it.

Featherweights in this condition sell for anywhere between $300-500, according to my online research.

I never plan on cashing in.

Volksfaden Fabrics

It's websites like this that REALLY make me wish I knew how to sew! Even for the design challenged, Volksfaden Fabrics is an extremely aesthetically pleasing website.

Picture featuring fabrics from the Erin McMorris collection.