Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 1

Roxy Heart Vintage Giveaway


Roxy Heart Vintage is giving away a gorgeous little rustic wood cake stand on March 17 to one lucky Facebook friend! 


The rules are simple:
2. Suggest the page to at least 5 of your friends: use the ‘Share’ link in the bottom left hand corner.
3. Post something you like from the Roxy Heart Vintage website on your wall and encourage your friends to ‘like’ us them as well!

When you’ve completed the steps above, be sure to post that you’ve entered on Roxy Heart Vintage's Facebook page.

The winner will be chosen at random and notified once it has been verified that the rules have been met. Good luck and spread the word!

Sunday, February 6

Thrifty New Uses for Old-Fashioned Remedies

Since I'm always looking for a deal, I've been looking for unique uses of items available at any drug store. Plus I love the idea of utilizing old-fashioned products today. There's a reason these items have been around for decades.

Vicks VapoRub


Vicks VapoRub was created in the 1890s at a family drug store and reached success in 1918 during the Spanish flu epidemic. Originally called "Magic Croup Salve," the name was changed to VapoRub in 1912.

In addition to relieving congestion, VapoRub can be used to:

  • Soften feet and elbows
  • Keep energetic kittens from scratching legs
  • Relieve the itching and burn of mosquito and fire ant bites

1.76 oz for about $4 and Vicks currently offers a coupon for $1 off 

Vaseline


Vaseline Petroleum Jelly has been around since 1887 when chemist Robert Augustus Chesebrough noticed a jelly-like substance on oil drilling rods. He purified the jelly to a clear smooth substance and Vaseline was born.

Vaseline can be used to:

  • Revitalize leather shoes
  • Loosen rings stuck to your fingers 
  • Keep shampoo out of baby's eyes (a little dab above the eyebrows is all it takes)
  • Keep light bulb threads from sticking to the socket
  • Keep the wheels on skateboards and skates lubricated
  • Keep wax from sticking to candle holders
  • Get chewing gum out of hair

A 13 oz jar costs a mere $3.

Coca-Cola


Coca-Cola was originally created as a cure for numerous afflictions - exhaustion, headaches, impotence and indigestion - in 1886. The carbonated water was added to the caramel-colored liquid and a legend was born.

Coca-Cola can be used to:

  • Remove rust
  • Clean windows
  • Make marinade for ham and chicken
  • Remove skunk smell
  • De-blacken pots
  • Relieve pain from jellyfish stings 
  • Kill bugs
  • Create explosions (Coke and Mentos, anyone?)

Next time you're looking to solve a household problem, try using these products in a new way.

Wednesday, December 1

12 Days of Christmas - Crafts & Decorations - Day 1

Welcome to my countdown to Christmas. It's the 12 Days of Christmas x 2! December 1-12 is a parade of simple crafts and decorations, and December 13-24 is a line-up of delicious cookies and treats.

{An interesting note about the 12 Days of Christmas, however, is that it does not refer to the 12 days before Christmas, but rather the 12 days after. It's actually the celebration of the days between Christmas and Epiphany, ending January 6. The evening of January 5, even though it's the 11th day, is known as Twelfth Night, a term immortalized by Shakespeare's comedy of the same name.}

Day 1 - Christmas Ornaments

I have been crazy for Christmas ornaments since I was a kid when my parents, my sister and I stitched up felt Noah's Ark ornaments using blanket stitch. It was so much fun. I wonder if my mom has any of them tucked away?

She's always had the most beautiful tree. The decorations have changed through the years, but the effect is always the same. Absolutely stunning. My sister and I carry on the tradition and decorate our trees to the hilt. The Diva and Roo get into the act, too, hanging as many ornaments as they can.

Some of the ornaments on my 12-foot tree - my biggest EVER!





And the best part is that I'm not even finished putting decorations on the tree yet. The kids and I have more work to do. . .

Can't wait for Day 2. It might include info on hand-stitched felt ornaments.

Monday, November 8

C'est Si Bon

Blue skies in Boulder today. Unfortunately it's just a prelude to a substantial chance of snow later this week. Consequently, I'm in the mood for a Monday pick-me-up. Some rosehips cuttings should do the trick.

Since I'm a thrifty girl, Bonne Maman jam jars and Weck glass canning jars are my go-to flower containers. After the family enjoys delicious raspberry preserves, the jars find a new, eco-friendly life.



Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Enjoy the last bits o' fall.

Monday, October 25

Halloween Costumes

It's day one of a week celebrating Halloween, one of my favorite holidays. Costumes are on my mind because I have GOT to figure out what I'm going to wear to Roo's class party on Friday.

My kids have been determined to wear mass-produced costumes for the past few years. I miss the days when I could dress them as a pair. The hit parade includes Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion, and Princess Leia (the white robe and doughnut hair, not the gold-trimmed bikini) and Buzz Lightyear. Once Roo hit the 5-year mark, he switched to superheroes and hasn't looked back. They already have costumes in hand - I'll share photos on the 31st - but I do not. Yikes! I don't have much time left.

I've been trolling Dirty Birdies Vintage for something fun and possibly retro. So far I'm digging the western wear, sort of a trend of mine lately, considering my vintage cowgirl boots.


My picks so far include: a gingham western twirl dress, an embroidered western shirt with pearl snaps, a sweet fringed suede jacket (unfortunately it's mens), and a 1970s red western shirt (also mens).


I'm considering a completely different approach, too. Stay tuned.

Dressing for Mad Men

Doesn't this dress at anthropologie look like something Joan would wear on Mad Men? Va-va-va-voom!

Sunday, October 17

Mrs. Cleaver

Barbara Billingsley, aka Mrs. Cleaver, died yesterday. She was 94.

I'd argue that June was thrifty. She cleaned her own house, albeit in pearls and heels, and prepared all of the family's meals at home, save on special occasions when they went out.


Life never was like Leave it to Beaver, but I don't think it really matters. Entertainment is meant for escapism, especially when it takes a light tone. I haven't watched the Beav and the rest of the Cleavers in years, but I'll take another look next time I need an escape.

PS - I've been watching clips this morning and the show's ALOT funnier now that I have a little boy!

Saturday, October 16

Get Your Motor Runnin'

Today I woke to a clear, crisp fall morning. It's gotten me thinking about a romantic drive down a winding road surrounded by fall color. Sigh.

This thrifty girl keeps a lid on the costs by taking a day trip instead of a weekend away, and packs a picnic lunch complete with a thermos of hot, cinnamon-y, apple cider.

The drive would be even better in a vintage Porsche.


One of my husband's colleagues is the lucky owner of this gorgeous 1968 Porsche 911 (sorry I can't improve the photo - I've tried and tried). It was handed down from her father and has only 16,000 miles. Tres magnifique! The going rate is around $50,000. Needless to say, I will NOT be getting one of these in the foreseeable future. It's nice to imagine having one, though. And Sally is the next best thing.

PS - a romantic drive in the country will not happen for me today. Roo's soccer game is smack-dab in the middle of the afternoon.

Saturday, October 9

Calamity Jane

My very own vintage cowgirl boots.


I've been looking for a decent, inexpensive pair for ages. Not that I haven't drooled over vintage designer boots at Junk Gypsy and a great place in Aspen, although, for the life of me, I can't remember the name of the shop. Should have taken a photo; it was a very cool store. And Junk Gypsy is fab, too. They specialize in new pieces as well as reused materials fashioned into home decor and jewelry. Vintage boots, belts and coats are featured, too. Said boots, at both locations, are priced appropriately for collectors items, but I just can't do it. They're in the $200 to $500 range.

So, I looked for the next best thing - vintage boots at a reasonable price.



I found them at Coco's Closet in Boulder and scored them for a mere $20. Coco's is a cute shop full of great stuff with prices that can't be beat. The boots are made by acme, an affordable brand. Regardless of the manufacturer, however, I love the worn-in look and the very slight flash of gold. Just enough to make them fun.

I shop in other great consignment shops in Boulder, too. More to come on those.

Saturday, October 2

Mustang Sally


Obviously not a Mustang.

I love my little convertible. She's cute and so much fun! As an aside, why do we refer to objects as "she?" Cars and boats are "she." Food for thought. . .

Back to the VW. Both my daughter and sister thought the cuteness deserved a name. The Diva, my daughter, christened her Sally. I don't know if it has anything to do with the character in Pixar's Cars, but it does seem to fit. My sister, on the other hand, calls her the Barbie car. Cute either way.

Sally is thrifty - gets good gas mileage and I have fun while doing a task I have to do anyway (read: cart the kids around and run errands). Plus, I have to confess that I've wanted a VW convertible since high school. Nothing like fulfilling adolescent dreams. Speaking of which, the car draws raves from teenage girls.