Weekly Instagram Recap

Busy, busy, busy, but I feel like I didn't get a darn thing done!  I worked on fighting some cooties and won but unfortunately The Little Dude lost.  He just has a little virus and is fine now, but it sure slowed us down.  We had to reschedule a trip to Florida, but it's ok because we're still able to go...  though I'm not exactly super excited to fly with a toddler by myself.  o_O  

Anyway, I found some time to poke through my vintage Better Homes and Gardens magazines.  This little item is on my wishlist now!  

These starving kitties made me laugh.  The Kidney and Gravy food made me want to barf a little...

Yucky, scratched and chipped yet priced at $10.  TRIPPING!!!

I got sucked into the brightly colored money pit that is Target.  Those are candy corn Oreos and they are delightful!

This vintage Beistle cat was in a bag of Dollar Store Halloween crap.  I'm so glad I took the time to look through the bags! 

Gross!

My favorite thrift find of the week has to be the Mon-stirs drink stirrers I found.  They'll look great with my decorations.  Can you tell I'm getting excited for Halloween?!

Any tips on flying with a toddler while maintaining sanity?  Colorado to Florida is a long way, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Also, do you use Instagram?  Find me at andromedavintage if you do.  It's so much fun!!!

Wanted Wednesday - Reproduction Halloween

I've complained about it before and I'll complain about it again.  Vintage Halloween is SOOOOOO EXPENSIVE!!!  I know it's rare and I understand the price is generally warranted in antique stores, but my cheap self just has such a hard time forking out the dough for a paper decoration that will only be out for a month.  Since I'm too cheap thrifty for the real deal, reproductions are the next best thing.  I found this site while poking around Pinterest for free Halloween printables.  

The Beistle Company has decided to bring back a ton of super old Halloween designs and market them under Vintage Beistle!  Check it out!

The Vampire cats are probably my favorite, though the skeleton designs are also cool.  These yard decorations are tempting me too...

They have a few freebies too, and we all love freebies!  You can print these cute little gift tags out from this link.  I cut out the designs and am using them in a little craft project I'm working on.  

These candy boxes are a neat freebie too.  Link.

I might decide to spring for a few fun decorations if my booth sales do well the rest of the month.  Crossing my fingers!!!

Are you tempted by any of these awesome reproduction decorations?  Do you have a favorite?

Linking up with Junkin Joe.

Thrift Haul - Small But Mighty Haul

Quality over quantity was the theme last week.  I lost track of how many thrifts I hit, but it was a lot!  I walked out empty handed more than a few times.  It was kind of a bummer, but when I look at what I found all together, I'm pretty happy with my haul.  I need to be saving my pennies anyway!  Take that stingy thrift stores!

Look at that big silly grin!  This blow mold surprisingly isn't marked with a date, but I think it has some age to it.  What do you guys think, original or reproduction?  I think this week I'll work on putting up some fall and Halloween decorations, including this dude.  

It was sunshiny and nice while I was taking pictures until I hung this beauty up.  Then out of no where it started to POUR rain, which is not uncommon here in Colorado, but sure is kind of annoying.  I only had time to take one strangely lit photo that isn't doing this justice.  How do you guys make sure your photos are bright and clear when the weather fights you?  We're coming up on shorter days here so it gets hard for me to get good outdoor pictures.    Tip from recent and relevant experience - don't wait till the last fricking minute to take pictures!  Geez Melissa!  Anyway, this paint by number is a big one, and it's well done.  It's probably going to be added to my little collection because...it's a steam boat and super cool!

And last but certainly not least is my little Pyrex score.  My favorite has to be the little Twin Buffet dish.  The blue is a little warn, but it's my first of the pattern and I like it.  The Nouveau Floral promotional was a good find too.  This lid is slightly chipped, but that's ok because I have had a perfect one for sale in my booth for a while now. Maybe it will sell quickly now that it has it's mate.  

The week has barely just started and I already feel like I have too much to do and no time to do it in, though I'm not really sure why.  Just feeling kind of anxious I guess, or possibly loosing my damn mind...either one seems reasonable to me!  

I'm joining the parties at  Sir Thrift A Lot, Remnant, Mod Vintage Life, The Thrifty Groove, A Living Space, Ivy And Elephants, and Apron Thrift Girl. Have a great week everyone!

Weekly Instagram Recap

Last week started out well.  Nothing is better than a good beer while pricing and cleaning goodies.   

Sunday was the super fun Color Run (or walk in my case).  We had so much fun!  It took me more than a few days just to get all that colored powder out of my nose!  

I'm still going through my stash of old Better Homes and Gardens.  How adorable is this old ad?!  I'll take Pyrex and cake any day!  

This great folk art plastic kitty was thrifted last week and went straight to the booth.  I'll be sad to see it go.

She was eyeing me in the thrift store.  I left her there so she could continue her work of freaking people out.

This fabulous Halloween decoration was made by the fabulous Laurie at Magpie Ethel.  She's so dang talented!  

Vanilla Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee.  Yup, it was glorious and I made it all by myself.  Take that fancy coffee joints!!!  I made some cold pressed coffee (recipe found here), added creamer, a pumpkin spice  blend and vanilla flavored sugar to taste.   Easy peasy!  

I got the stains out of the dress!!!!  Thanks for all the tips guys.   The Husband and I went to dinner while the Little Dude spent the night with The Mom.  We had so much fun and I felt so fancy in my dress.  I added a black cardigan to "night time" it up a bit.  

We went to Florence Colorado with some friends Saturday.  That's where I found my first dream pet.  It's an octopus, one of my most favorite animals!  It was meant to be.

This bench totally tempted me, but I decided to pass on it.  It isn't exactly what I want, though it's still pretty cool.  

What a great way to end the week.  Look at all those metal chairs!  If I ever win the lotto, these will be mine!  

Do you Instagram?  If so, find me at andromedavintage.  If not, check it out, it's fun!
 : )

A GREAT Estate Sale

I mentioned a really fantastic estate sale in my last post and I'm trying to not over blow it but it was the BEST estate sale I've ever been to.  The ladies were super nice, the prices were perfect and the stuff was pretty dang good.  I could have probably gotten so much more if not for two things:  I'm trying to be good and I didn't see it until it's third day.  Dangit!   

Only a few Christmas goodies were left by the time I got there.  That tinsel garland will be used to make a few ornament wreaths.  I'm tired of drooling over everyone else's, time to make my own!  The Made in Japan stacking Salt and Pepper shakers are totally staying with me, but the rest will go to the booth during the Christmas season.  

As I was looking in the basement, a tired lady looked at me and said, "I really don't want to carry all this junk out of here, everything is half off down here!"  Well you don't have to tell me twice! These kids toys were all together in one bag.  I didn't even realize how many tin plates there were until  got home.  Does anyone know anything about these?  Only the little cup and matching saucer in the front are marked.

Haha...so the only reason I bought the puzzle is because it says "Adult" on the box, but when I looked a bit closer I noticed it was stamped "The Mill" on the front.  Probably a mill, not a nudie picture.  : /  

The Better Homes and Gardens came home with me for the ads.  Follow me on Instagram if you want to see some good ones as I come across them.  They are so entertaining to look through!  The wire basket, paper doilies and Colorful Colorado fan were fun finds too, though they don't yet have a clear future.  

This is a bit out of the realm of what I normally buy, but the casters sold me on it, as well as the fact that it was only $1!  I would have paid that for the empty coffee tin!  What are those neat looking numbered nails used for?

Pyrex!  Shut the front door!  This was totally one of those, "Melissa, don't let them see you being weird" sales.  The mustard color promo item hasn't even been opened and with a little elbow grease the Pressed Flowers looks brand spanking new!  It came with a lid, but in a spazz moment I dropped it and watched it shatter into a billion pieces on my sun room floor.  Can you imagine what was probably there during the first day of the sale?!  Oh, it hurts to think about it!

And again, apparently that wasn't enough for me because after the sale I hit my little senior thrift store and scored these great linens.  The yellow one has a big hole in it so it is destined for a craft project.  The red flower one is perfect after a good soak, but I'm not quite sure of it's fate yet.  I really like it!  Same thing with the donkey motif table runner.  It's pretty awesome!  

The same little shop had these great day of the week kitty flour sack towels waiting for me. They were in really yucky shape, and came out just o.k after a good soak.  They are probably destined for the booth so someone can cut them up for a cool sewing project.  The Walt Disney souvenir plate is listed on Etsy and the California tin tray is soon to follow.  The Whizzle sticks are one of my favorite finds from that day.  They make me want to have a party just so I can use them!  

And this big guy was watching me photograph my spoils all afternoon!  He was probably happy to be relatively sheltered from the rain. 

 And that my friends is just what I came home with.  I could have also bought a few quilts, some bed linens, fabulous retro towels, and a butt-load of fancy china, but again, I'm being good.  It was a great day and I was so excited that I sang one of my favorite Queen songs like a GOOBER the whole way home!


I love me some Queen!  Linking up with The Colorado Lady and Junkin Joe.

Thrift Haul...Kind of

The past week was AWESOME!!!  The vintage wares were abundant and GOOD.  I told you guys last week about my generous cousin who offered to let me go through a "donate" pile from his mothers house.  My arm totally had to be twisted...NOT!   Thanks again to all the family members involved!  Here is what I saved from the thrift store bins.

The shakers and sugar jar kind of look like pigs, but they kind of look like puppies too.  Puggies...nooo...I don't know, whatever they are they're cute and headed to Etsy!  The canisters are headed to the booth this week.  I'm not sure what to do with the glasses though.  They were too cool to leave behind.  Same thing with the clock.  

Some fabulous planters.  They are all absolutely pristine with no chips or cracks so they are perfect to take to the booth eventually.  

This Pyrex coffee carafe will be heading over to the booth soon too.  

I'm in love with the little Jello molds!  They're perfect for organizing little bits and pieces for crafting and such.  I'm tempted to keep the french fry cutter, but I'm a little scared of it.  I like my fingers just the way they are thank you very much!  My family has a thing for keeping everything in boxes.  I used to think they were weird for that, but now I think it's fantastic! The Nordic Ware pancake pan is destined for the booth.

The fryer was something my Uncle bought in the 1950's. He left a letter inside that he wrote to the makers because he needed a part.  It was dated 1973, but he wrote that he knew it might be hard to find because he bought it in 1953.  I bet it still works...maybe I should make some fries!  The other items will also be going to the booth soon.  I'm so lucky!  So many good new items for the booth!

This is the last thing I got from my cousin that I was able to photograph.  He also gave me 6 hard shelled Samsonite suitcases, a sweet lamp, and a few other little odds and ends. Again, I'm a wicked lucky chick!  This cooler is super cool (haha, pun intended), and came in it's original box.  Both the box and the cooler are really neat looking, so I'll probably be using them both as photo props in the future.  

You would think all of that would have been enough...well you guys wouldn't, but some people would!  I thrifted a few things too.  The sassy witch and spider were made by Beistle in 1980 and 1990 respectively.  Do you guys think the paper Halloween decorations will sell well in the booth?  I haven't decided their fate yet.  The little blow mold is missing his light, but I don't mind, he'll look cute with the few other vintage Halloween decorations I've found.  

These have to be one of my favorite recent finds.  It's the first time I've ever found any vintage wooden hangers.  The Broadmoor Hotel is a local landmark and has been around for forever. I don't know anything about the other companies. I'm not sure why I love them so much, but I really do.  Now to figure out what to do with them... maybe a fun jewelry hanger.  Do any of you crafty gals/dudes have a suggestion for my fantastic hangers?

And as if all that wasn't enough, I hit an estate sale on Saturday that made me sing "I am the champion!" on the way home.  It was the best and most affordable estate sale I've been to yet.  More on that later this week.

Oh, and thank you so much for all stain removal suggestions last week!  I went with the OxiClean since I had it laying around.  It worked it's magic and removed almost all of the stains.   I just used a plastic cooler, added hot water from the stove and hot water from the sink so that it would be hot but not burning hot.  After the Oxi dissolved I let it sit over night and then rinsed it out.  The cooler kept the water warm so I think that may have helped a bit. The dress has one large spot that faded remarkably but didn't completely disappear.  I'm going to keep trying because the dress is totally worth it!  Oh, and if you didn't see my new collection of vintage dresses, here they are!  

I'm really hoping that our weather clears up with week.  We're all (I'm speaking for the entire state of Colorado) soooo over the rain!  We've been in a serious drought for 10 years, and apparently mother nature is trying to make up for that all in one nasty week.  Thanks for the thought, but we're good now!!!  

 I know it may seem like I'm trivializing a very serious situation but I don't mean it that way, it's just how I deal with things.  The emotions I feel for my fellow Coloradans can't be put into words.

I'm joining the parties at  Sir Thrift A Lot, Remnant, Mod Vintage Life, The Thrifty Groove, A Living Space, Ivy And Elephants, and Apron Thrift Girl. Have a great week everyone!

Friday Wrap Up in Instagrams

I'm taking an idea from a few blogger friends(Danavee, among others) and finishing off the week with a few instagrams because...I've crossed over to the cool kids side (as far as apps are concerned) and now I really really like Instagram!  I'm still not sure about the crazy filters but I'm a photo lover at heart and can't resist it, so here are a few from the past month. 

Scary kitty wants your soul!

 My new kitchen chalk board art.  I LOVE it!!!  

I found a fabulous vintage leather jacket.  This one fits like it was made for me.  Hurry it up fall weather, this jacket NEEDS to be worn!

 Check out those creepy eyes.  I'm not sure what is scarier...the eyes or that someone wanted $95 for her.

I totally thought this was just a bag of vintage fabric yoyos.  Then I pulled it out of the bag and found a head attached to them.  Not just any head, a scary clown head!  What on earth is the point of this thing?!

Shelves full of heads.  That would make an interesting collection.

I scored some great vintage dresses.  The last one doesn't fit. : ( I either have to get it tailored or wear a corset girdle thing, and that is NOT happening!

And my soggy neighborhood.  Enough with the rain Colorado!  I know I was asking for it a few months ago, but we're over it!  

Do you Instagram?  If so, find me at andromedavintage.  If not, check it out. It isn't all just people taking pictures of food.  : )

I hope everyone has a great weekend!