In which I sell a lot of stuff

This was the state of things at The Works as of Friday morning.  We've had some really unwanted critters visitors for the last couple of months and, after trying a few different approaches, I had to call in the big guns.  This decision, required me to unload the entire contents of my kitchen cabinets to other areas of the apartment.

Yes, I have a chalkboard wall in my kitchen and, yes, I writ out the week's menu on it.  It helps me plan how we're going to use the week's CSA delivery (and tells The Man what's off limits in the fridge!).

Everything was cleaned, purged and reorganized before being put away just in time for the folks' visit on Saturday night.  

What does this all mean to you?  Well, it means that the contents of what I affectionately call The Prop Closet, will soon be for sale on etsy.  Over half of my collection of vintage plates and glassware is going to be up for grabs.  Stay tuned.

Just Can't Help It

There's something in the water.  I've been to two weddings this year and I have two more slated soon.  When it comes to weddings, I'm a lot like Shelly on Northern Exposure - I'm a big fan.  

I don't know if it's my stylist blood, but I love it all - the dresses, the flowers, the venues, the food!  It's planning the ultimate party and you get to pick every last detail!

I was browsing vintage dresses on etsy yesterday and I stumbled upon this dress.  I swear to god my jaw dropped open.  

 

 And I would almost buy it, if doing so wouldn't make me a crazy person, but it would, so instead I did the next best thing.  I planned a fake wedding.  

(No, that does not make me a crazy person, thankyouverymuch.)

Then, of course you'd have to have these shoes.

Bridesmaids' dresses would echo the shape of the dress and compliment the colors.

And you would carry these flowers.  I love the touch of green.

And the venue would be slightly swanky, but relaxed.  I always loved the idea of big long tables, like one great big Sunday dinner!

*Sigh*  Love is in the air!  I'm so happy for all my friends and loved ones who are celebrating their nuptials!  Congrats!

*sigh*

 

It's been a tough week, my friends.  The cold and rain has me down and I still haven't adjusted to the time change.  Last night I sat down with some perogies from my grandmother and my favorite (for the moment) vintage plate and all was right with the world.  More later.

That time of year

The apartment is all cosied up with Christmas decorations and the remnants of a little holiday party from last Friday. I set the table with a red cross-stitched table cloth that my father made as a child. It was a long train ride from Trenton, NJ to Altoona, PA , where my grandmother's family lived, and needlework was how she kept my father busy. I think it's kind of amazing. The ruffled plates are from the same grandmother. She had a vast collection of milk glass and it became mine when she passed away, last year almost to the day. It makes me infinitely happy to have it and to use it. At least it's not sitting in a box in someones basement.

I took about 25 pictured of the table, all of them blurry, but you can get the basic idea. All warm red and orange and creamy white. Very festive, indeed.

I'm at my parents' house today and will be for the next 4 days. I had a little moment of panic when I realized that I brought my current knitting project but failed to print out the pattern! I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my free time now. It's a feeling kind of like floating in space with no anchor.

For the moment I'm watching TV and sitting on the couch with the family's dog, Ella, faithfully at my feet. Some programming genius knew I needed some comfort today and there is a West Wing marathon on right now. Is there anything cosier than curling up with Josh, Leo, CJ and the gang for a few hours? I think not.

Be grateful for the little things this holiday. Give from the heart and honor the past. Start new traditions with people you love. Keep things in perspective and keep things positive. A new year and a new opportunity to start fresh is right around the corner, so no matter what this year has brought you, there is the promise of the New Year lighting your way.

Happy holidays, everyone, and thank you for being a part of this blog, and of my life.

I updated my shop with some vintage finds. Go and visit!

Oh, and I finished my Minnow Merino Cardigan and it's a winner! I'll be sharing that with you soon!

The physical demands of my job can be as varied as they are unexpected. Some days, I'm on my feet non-stop. Some days, all I do is sit on my "you know what".

So while I do have a steady rotation of jeans and flats, I'm always wondering if I can get away with wearing a new pair of shoes, skirt, dress, you get the idea.

This was a kind of failed experiment: vintage high-waisted jeans and platform loafers. The jeans were great, the shoes, they hurt the feet. The terrible part is that cute platform loafers are a necessity when wearing, really, really wide leg, high-waisted vintage jeans to create the illusion of long legs. Wide leg jeans + short little me = stumpy legs. Thus the necessity of a little lift.

*Sigh* I guess neither one will be making it back into the work rotation.

Some things I'm loving right now:

Very vintage apple computer pin that I found while cleaning out my parents' basement.

A new purse that is actually an industrial tool bag.

My new Holga baby. This makes me *really* happy!