Weekly Recap: Instagram Style

 
1.  The thrifting this week was outta this world.  I can't wait to share more of my finds in a post next week!  For now, here's a peek at my stash........

2.  I have not been to the mall this summer at all.  Until yesterday.  So I may have gone a little crazy when I hit up Old Navy.  Stripes and gingham and polka dots.  Oh my.........

3.  My little nephew played in his very first t-ball game.  And he was numero uno to bat.  It was the cutest.  I especially loved how he walked to every. single. base. 

4.  We can't get enough of the lake and were thankful to get an invite for an evening on the water.  Swimming at night is the best.  And the mister got to show off his slalom skills.......

5.  Sir Chester is mostly a quiet dog.  Unless provoked.  Especially in his own backyard.....

As if raccoons weren't enough on our camping trip.   

That is normal, however.

Opossums in the city are not.  Especially right outside our backdoor. 

Sir Chester was not happy.

Well, me neither! 

Just another reason why I am exempt from mowing the backyard.

Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

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What I Wore (to get acupuncture)

There's a first time for everything.

Such as getting acupuncture.  (In hopes that my migraines will disappear.)

But what in the world do you wear to an acupuncture appointment???

Would they make you change into a robe?

I had no clue.

Anyway.

I'd been wanting to wear my thrifted (for $3.98) sweater, so I paired it with some Express shorts and a silver belt and went on my way.......

When I arrived, I was instructed to lay down on a massage type table just as I was.

So while laying on the table getting pinned, I wondered what would have happened had I worn jeans.  Because my legs were pinned in a few spots.  My feet, head, arms, and neck were pinned too.

And my eyes were squeezed shut for the duration. 

I was terrified.

But as it turns out, I survived.  And made an appointment for next week.

I will probably stick with shorts for that session too.

And next time I won't be shaking in my flip flops.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde, Two-Thirty Five Designs, and Rolled Up Pretty! 

An Escape

If you ever want to be completely disconnected from the world, go camping in Arkansas. 

I can promise that you'll have zero service on your cell phone along the Buffalo River.  Which is good and bad.

But mostly good.

What else is good? 

The scenery.......

The Good

We love floating and camping here.  Other than some pesky raccoons, our trip was perfect. 

But if there ever was something to complain about, it would have to be water shoes.......

The Bad

These are a necessary evil.  But I hate them.  I've never met a good water shoe.  If you have, please inform me as I will purchase them immediately.

However, water shoes turned out to be the least of my worries.

I love a good sunburn.  So good that you can spot the string from your bathing suit kind.........

The Ugly

Did you spot it too? 

It's kind of like Where's Waldo, only easier.

But seriously, a weekend escape is good for you.

Roughin' it is fun.  And we are becoming experts at it.

Just not the sunscreen part.
 

 Linking up with:

Weekly Recap: Instagram Style

1.  Birchbox month two was good.  I'm not ready to cancel yet.  I got the Stainiac that's getting rave reviews and the Eyeko Fat Stick in charcoal.......

2.  I have a really great daddy.  Who does things like clean my guttering.  And helps me landscape.  A shout out to Pa since it was Father's Day..........

3.  Speaking of landscaping.  I am quite skilled at killing plants.  There was a crime scene in the kitchen this week.....

4.  Sometimes you just need to run through a sprinkler.  Or photograph friends and their children running through a sprinkler..........

5.  I was able to do very little thrifting this week.  But my one adventure yielded a few amazing finds......

Who needs another vintage Aladdin lamp?  I do, that's who!  If my counting is correct, that makes number nine.

I swear it's going in the booth.

Swear.

Linking up with.........

Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove

What I Wore: In High School

While preparing for the big garage sale last week, I took a trip down memory lane.  When I cleaned out my closet.

Yes, a few very important articles of clothing were stuffed at the very back.  And I couldn't help myself.  I just had to play dress up.

Item number one, my senior prom dress.

Then........

Theme:  Bed of Roses by Bon Jovi (you do the math)

Now.........

Dyed to match everything.  Good times.  Those were the days.

Yes, I wore my prom dress outside.  Luckily, no neighbors were lurking about.  And the mister was gone.  Self-timers are awesome.

Next up, my favorite top, purchased especially for my senior pictures, complete with shoulder pads.

Then.......

Now........

I really tried to recreate the pose.  Only I didn't have a director's chair.

I wish I had a fog machine.

And big hair.

Like I said, those were the days.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Rolled Up Pretty!

Crockpot Chicken Parmesan

For the last few days, this has consumed my life.......

The Sixth Annual Garage Sale.

It was quite the success.  But after two days of selling it up, I was asleep on the couch (with a migraine) by 7:00 Saturday evening.

I woke up feeling much better.  Then I remembered my poor, neglected blog.  And I figured I'd give it some attention.

Since my thrifting efforts had been cast aside due to garage sale preparedness, I thought I'd share another recipe that blew our socks off recently..........

 Crockpot Chicken Parmesan

(original source)

2 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup of Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

1/4 teas. pepper

1/4 teas. Kosher salt

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 egg

mozzarella cheese

jar of marinara sauce

pasta

Pour the olive oil in the crockpot, coating the bottom.  Beat the egg in a separate dish.  Mix the Parmesan, S & P, and bread crumbs in another dish.  Dip the chicken into the egg, then coat all sides of the chicken with the bread crumb mixture.  Place the chicken in the bottom of the crockpot.  Sprinkle mozzarella over the chicken.  Pour the marinara over everything.  Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 7.  Serve over pasta, and sprinkle with more cheese!

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I was skeptical, but willing to try this recipe anyway.  I wasn't sure how the bread crumb mixture would work in a crockpot.  

It was insane.  The mister loved it too. 

Leftovers were even great.

This recipe fits all of my criteria.......very easy, super tasty, and since it's a crockpot dinner, minimal cleanup!  I also realized that I usually have these ingredients on hand all the time!

And if you don't have to run to the store for ingredients, then it gets double points in my book!

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Now, one more nap and I think I'll be fully recovered from the garage sale extravaganza.

Linking up with The Winthrop Chronicles, 33 Shades of Green, Vintage Wanna Bee, The Sasse Life, Foodie Friday, Carole's Chatter annnddd.....

 

Laundry Room Dreams

Since we have decided a tropical locale is probably not in our future this summer, I think I'll spend money vamping up my laundry space.

I know exactly what I want.  And Pinterest has captured my every wish.

This first image kills two birds with one stone.  Flooring.........black and white mosaic awesomness.  And paint.........the perfect green for my walls or cabinets.........     

Source: peppermintbliss.com via Danavee on Pinterest

More on the walls.  I want white wainscoting......

Source: lowes.com via John on Pinterest

Our laundry is also a half bath, so I'll need to replace our wall mount sink.  I thought pedestal sink at first.  Then I saw this baby......

Source: 6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com via Danavee on Pinterest

And lastly, what would a laundry room be without open shelving.....

Source: thesimplyluxuriouslife.com via Danavee on Pinterest

A pull out ironing board would be a dream come true too!

Soooo, no cruise to the Bahamas, but won't doing laundry be more fun?

Dinner for two...

This week mom gave me some of my favorite homegrown veggies from dad's garden.....

And I couldn't wait to cook them the way she taught me!

I also had a new chicken recipe I wanted to try.

It would involve me actually putting my fingers on raw chicken.  And using a tenderizer, which I'd never done.

So while I gagged my way through touching the uncooked chicken, I was really thrilled with the outcome of this recipe.........

Chicken Bacon Roll-up

(adapted from original source)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

8 oz. chive and onion cream cheese

4 slices of bacon

butter

salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Using a meat tenderizer, flatten the chicken until it's about 1/2" thick.  Spread the cream cheese over the chicken.  Add a little butter on top of the cream cheese, along with salt and pepper.  Roll the chicken.  Once chicken is rolled, take the bacon and roll it around the chicken.  Secure with a toothpick.  Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes.  Put it under the broiler at the end for about 5 minutes to crisp the bacon.

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Pairing it with the potatoes and green beans was so tasty (similar recipe found here)! 

And despite the whole raw chicken thing, I will make this again.  Maybe adding a little more cream cheese.

Oh, one last thing.........

Don't eat the toothpick.

Linking up with The Winthrop Chronicles, 33 Shades of Green, Vintage Wanna Bee, Simple Living, The Sasse Life andddd.....

 

Weekly Recap

I spy........

An "S" sticker on my shirt.  That I wore all day on Wednesday.  Everywhere.  From lunch with a friend to errands.

Awesome.

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Sir Chester had a tough go at his yearly check up.  He doesn't handle vaccinations well.  Neither does his mommy.........

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I've resigned to the fact that this summer might be vacation-less.  Instead we will take lots of little weekend excursions and spend money on the house (laundry room redo!!!).  Not to mention a potential new car purchase.  My little 14 year old Red Rocket is on the fritz yet again.  And I'm tired of breaking down. 

So since Hawaii is outta the question, this last weekend resulted in another trip to the lake.  Tubing and boating were on the agenda.  Flying off tubes and bobbing in the water included......

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I am terrible at time management.  At being motivated.  And at focusing on projects.  So I thought a visual might help me organize and prioritize my "to do" list this week.  Cute post-its that can be thrown away as a task is complete.  I just started yesterday.  I've thrown away two.....

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The sixth annual garage sale is next weekend!  I tried very hard to price almost everything this week.....

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I tried a new nail polish product a few days ago.  It was easy enough to apply.  I thought they looked fun.  But within 24 hours, they were flaking at the edges.  And then the picking and peeling began.  They didn't last two days........

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And lastly, probably my favorite moment this week.  Monday night's Bachelorette gathering.  Instagram lit up with cloud photos as a storm rolled through.  Schlager had a brilliant idea.  Take a photo of all of us taking a photo of the storm........

I love these girls.  I love our Monday gatherings.  I love our silly banter.  Talking about nothing really, but laughing and having fun. 

Summer nights are my favorite.

What I Wore (on our anniversary)

Missouri has fickle weather.  Our anniversary proved that point.

The temperature dropped over ten degrees that day.  From the mid 70's to the low 60's in about two hours.

We left for our daytime anniversary outing (massages) wearing summer outfits.......

Dress (with pockets!) and sweater:  American Eagle

But when we left the spa, it was downright chilly!

We had to change into warmer outfits for our evening outing (dinner).  I caught the mister ironing his dress pants, so I figured I'd better try to match.........

Nancy, have I ever thanked you for picking out these shoes for your wedding?  Express capris and top!

Yes, my heels were sinking into the ground (above left).

No, we aren't into weed eating.

Anyway.

I really wanted to capture our dressed-upped-ness.  And so some begging took place.  The mister said he would pose only if I "didn't exploit him" on the blog or Facebook.  I promised (with my fingers crossed) that I would do no such thing on the interwebs.

So the self-timer was set, and the camera was perched on the trunk of my car.........

So I could absolutely exploit.

Please keep this between us.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Two Thirty-Five Designs, and Rolled Up Pretty!

Thrifting Frenzy

I mentioned on Friday that the thrifting and garage sale fairies have been on my side recently.  Look at my stash from the last week or so.........

I made out like a fat cat.  Nothing cost more than $4.98.

A little turquoise Pyrex.......

Frames and mirrors and pictures, oh my..........

A suitcase and travel cases of all sorts......

I found the blue case on the left online for $40.00!!!  I paid $3.98!! 

I thrifted lots of clothes:  pleated skirts, shirts, and a few dresses (thanks Jennifer).

This vintage dress, in mint condition, fits perfectly.  It was only $3.98!!!  I'm pretty sure the mister wouldn't be seen in public with me wearing this......so I'll probably leave it hanging.  Think of it as art.......

A completely vintage polka dot blazer......those buttons........only $2.98.....

And my most favorite find of all.........

I think it will look so cute perched atop a shelf after we redo the laundry room!  It was only $3.00.  Look at that hinged lid and the lettering.

My heart swells up just looking at the curly font.

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If I'm able to part with some of these things, they'll end up in my booth.  If you're curious about what's for sale, I'm starting to upload photos of items I add to my Facebook page!  Feel free to take a gander.

Linking up with Her Library Adventures, Colorblind, Harper's Happenings, and Southern Hospitality.