What I Wore (Halloween Edition)

Two years of costumes.

One I broke the bank on.  And one that cost maybe $10.

Costume number one:  Mary Katherine Gallagher.

Cheap costume.  All thrifted (for about $10) or from my closet.... 

Never mind the clown or Brawny Paper Towel guy.

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Costume number two.  Expensive.  Well over $100 spent.

I wanted to be decked in 80's finery head to toe.  From jelly bracelets to fingerless lace gloves.  An attempt to channel Madonna.....

Luckily, that costume has gotten a lot of mileage.  80's day at school.  Other Halloween parties.

The boots were a little dangerous, but no regrets spending the cash on this costume.  I loved it. 

I was, after all, a child of the 80's.

Basically, like, the best decade ever.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Transatlantic Blonde, and Rolled up Pretty!!!

Taco Pasta Bake

Easy?  Check!

Tasty?  Check!

Good leftover?  Check!

I've actually made this twice since I discovered the recipe on Pinterest.

It's sort of like a homemade Hamburger Helper type of dish.  And let's just be honest.  I'm no stranger to Hamburger Helper.  I like the occasional dinner in a box.

Don't judge.

Anyway.

This recipe is a keeper.  You've gotta make it soon.........

Taco Pasta Bake

(copied from original source)

8 oz. of cooked pasta

1 lb. hamburger

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 cup of water

4 oz. cream cheese

1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.  Cook pasta as directed on package.  After draining, run pasta under cold water.  Set aside.  Brown the hamburger.  Add the taco seasoning and water.  Simmer for about five minutes.  Add the cream cheese and stir until it melts.  Add the pasta to the meat and stir.  Spray a 9 x 13 dish with cooking spray.  Pour the meat and pasta mixture in the baking dish.  Top with cheese.  Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes.

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Next time, to be wild and crazy, I'll make it with penne pasta.  Or ziti.  

Watch out, world!

Linking up with:  Mrs. Happy Homemaker, Lemon Sugar, This Gal Cooks, At Home, Take 2,
33 Shades of Green, The Winthrop Chronicles, Rae Gun Ramblings, Foodie Friday,
The Chicken Chick, Whimsy Wednesdays, Tutus and Tea Parties, Six Sisters' Stuff, The Sasse Life annnnd

This Week....

I got my decorating on.......

Still working on that dang special room.  This little vignette is atop my antique wardrobe.

My goal is to unveil the finished room all decked out for Christmas.

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Missouri weather can change at the drop of a hat.  Yesterday went from 72 at noon to 46 by 4:00.  So that called for the first chili of the season......

And if I had thought ahead, I would have brought some wood in for the fireplace too.

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Ohhhhh Sir Chester.......

This is a daily ritual.  Crawling under the table to scoop him up for his trips outside.  

I'm pretty sure he's thinking, "If I don't look at her, maybe she won't see me."  

*   *   *   * 

It was Red Ribbon Week at school.  Which also means five themed days.  I fully participate in spirit week........

 

I'm pretty sure there is no other job in the world where you can take full advantage of looking ridiculous.  And on purpose.

 

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We went to a haunted house with a group of friends.  Good, good times.......

Until the mister had Chucky follow me.

Turning around only to discover that you're clutching something other than your husband is tons of fun.

Trust me.  There were consequences.

Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday and Insta-Friday.

What I Wore (black & brown)

I've only recently gotten on board with pairing black and brown.  It was a color combo I loved on others but hesitated to try on my own.

Cue Pinterest.  Inspiration galore.......

source/source/source

So I decided it was high time I tried my own version.....

Black skinnies, brown boots, a little lace, and one of my fave necklaces.

Pretty simple.  Nothing fancy.  Great to wear to work.

And all from my closet!  No purchase necessary!

Mission accomplished?

Or try again soon?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Harper's Happenings, The Vintage Apple,
Transatlantic Blonde, Two Thirty-Five Designs and Rolled up Pretty!!!
 

Thrifting Adventures

Ohhhhh this week.

Good finds.

Dirt cheap finds.

What will I hoard?  What will I sell?  I have no idea.  I may already be attached to a few things.

*   *   *   *

My mirror buying ban was temporarily revoked.  I purchased three.......

When a mirror has great old streaky glass, I cannot let it go.  And if the spray paint potential is there, I'm a goner.

 *   *   *   *

Pillows.  A new downfall of mine.... 

And if there's a matching set, no way I'm gonna leave one behind.

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Homemade shelfy thing........

For the office, kitchen, laundry, or garage even?

*   *   *   *

Vintage leather jacket.....

It's a tad big on me.  But.  It has a hood.  Hoods are good.

And the color, which happens to match my boots, is perfect.

 *   *   *   *

Everyone needs a picnic quilt made from old feedsacks.........

Rough, but insanely cheap.

 *   *   *   *

Perfection with a lid.  And moon detailing.....

Not a chip to be found.  Cheaper than dirt cheap.

 *   *   *   *

Speaking of cheep.........

HA!

Homophones anyone?

Sorry.  Fourth grade grammar. 

And maybe humor.

But anyway.

Four matching napkins.  Chickens pecking at the ground.  Hilarious.

Wait.

Chickens cluck.




 

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl, Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space,

    The Cottage Market, Magpie Monday, Thrifty Thursday, annnnnddd

This Week.....

I would not call myself a sports fan.  But I found myself cheering for the Cardinals this week.  Like really screeching.  Heart palpitations even.  Something must be wrong with me.  GO CARDS!!!!!

I ordered a silver tinsel Christmas tree.  It arrived this week.  I can't wait to decorate the special room for the holidays.......... 

I had the school nurse check my eyes the other day.  I may have failed the exam.  I don't wear contacts or glasses.  But it looks like it might be time to check into that.  It's been a good run.

The mister and I sat down for coffee at a local shop last night.  A rare occurrence as we are to-go kind of people.  But it was nice to sit and sip......

Facebook was highly entertaining the other night.  I mean, it's gotta be good when there's a string of 116 comments, right?

And who else out there thinks my blog name is This Vintage Groove?

Nope, that's a long o sound up there in the word grove. 

It's okay, Ashley.  

I got a good chuckle outta that one.

But let's get serious here......

What DOES a buffalo say to his son when he leaves for college?


Bison


HAHAHAHAHA!


Thanks, Schlag.

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday and Insta-Friday.

What We Wore (3 times)

So.

About a year ago, I went to a wedding with a friend.  And before the wedding, we were all like, "Let's take a photo in front of a motorcycle."

That is our model pose.

We loved that silly photo.  It was our favorite.

We might be dorks.

Anyway.

Months later.  Dead of winter later.

We show up at school....... 

Blurry.  Sorry.  But WOW, right?

Uncanny.

Just wait.

Yesterday.........Whit enters the building........and I about keel over........

I mean, come on.

Insanity.

Cosmic.

Does this happen to anyone else out there?

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Harper's Happenings, 
Transatlantic Blonde, Two Thirty-Five Designs and Rolled up Pretty!!!

Pleated Poppy Winner!!!

Kate from Classy Living!  EEEKKKKK!  YOU WON!!!!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!  I can't wait to see what you pick out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you didn't win......never fear!  I have another giveaway scheduled before the month is up!  And thank you to every single person who entered!  I know Pleated Poppy loves you too!

Chicken Florentine Casserole

Time for another Pinterest recipe, since it's been awhile.  This pin had me at florentine.

However, spinach and the mister are sometimes at odds.

So, with wild abandon, I cooked this up.  Not really knowing if he'd like it.  I usually sneak spinach into casseroles.  But there was no hiding the green stuff this time. 

Luckily, he gobbled it right up.

As long as I use spinach sparingly, I think I'm in the clear......

Chicken Florentine Casserole

(copied from original source)

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pre-cooked
• 1/2 box frozen spinach, thawed, and squeezed to remove excess liquid
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp flour 
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 cups no-salt added chicken broth
• pinch nutmeg
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup low fat cottage cheese
• 2/3 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated 
• 1/2 pound pasta

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mist a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package. In a large pot, heat olive oil to medium-low and saute garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour and whisk for 30 seconds. Add chicken broth and stir until thickened. Add lemon juice, nutmeg, oregano, and pepper. Bring to simmer. Remove from heat and add cottage cheese, spinach, chicken, Parmesan cheese, and pasta. Stir to combine. Place in casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

*   *   *   *

  

Yum.

It is even great leftover.

And if you just refer to the spinach as florentine, then your mister will never know.  

Right?

 

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Linking up with:

Mrs. Happy Homemaker, Lemon Sugar, This Gal Cooks, Addicted to Recipes, WTFab,
33 Shades of Green, The Winthrop Chronicles, Rae Gun Ramblings, Foodie Friday, Hungry Little Girl,
Whimsy Wednesdays, Tutus and Tea Parties, Six Sisters' Stuff, The Sasse Life annnnd

This Week.......

1.  The booth got some much needed attention.  Rearranging and restocking ensued.....

2.  I tried my hand at pattern mixing (inspired by Shanna) and liked it.......

3.  The best mail ever arrived.  I'm in love.  Completely smitten.  With shoes........

4.  Got to spend some time with my ladies...........

 5.  And experienced heaven on Earth...........

It was a pretty good week.

But I'm still ready for the weekend.

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Don't forget to enter my giveaway!!!!!!!!!!

Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with......High Five for Friday and Insta-Friday

A Pleated Poppy Giveaway (Closed)

Two posts in one day!?!?  I NEVER do that!!!!

But it's because I have two things to celebrate.  Both relating to the number 400.

I have almost 400 followers annnnd I've published a little over 400 posts!

EEEEEEEKKK!

To celebrate, I'm teaming up with the Pleated Poppy!  The Pleated Poppy is offering one reader a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to her shop!

She has soooo many things to choose from.........ipad cases, scarves, pencil pouches, and even jewelry!!!

Or if you absolutely cannot wait, you can use the discount code VINTAGEGROVE15 to save 15% on your purchase!!!

So go check out the Pleated Poppy!!!  And enter the giveaway below.........

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

Linking up with:
Free Pretty Things For You

What I Wore (Accessories)

I was on a mission last week.

To find an outfit that would allow my new necklace to take the stage but would also work with my new leopard print flats.

After shopping my piles of laundry in the special room closet, I decided that red skinnies and an ivory sweater might just be the answer...... 

The necklace really brought out the yellow tones in the sweater.  And we all know I've been on a yellow/mustard kick lately, so this necklace was right up my alley.

What else do I love about it?

It's a one of a kind necklace.  That's something I love about handmade.  No one else will have the same thing!
   
The length can be adjusted too, which I love.  For this sweater, I wanted the necklace to be long.....

Anyway.

I thought the yellow paired nicely with the red too.

But now I think I might wear it with a navy blue striped top next week.

So many options!!!

You want one too, right?

Well, you can't have mine, but you CAN check out the Pleated Poppy Shop and pick out your own!  And you can browse her other cool products too.......like the Messenger Bag (that I've been drooling over) or her scarves!!!   

But wait.  It gets better!!!

While you're there, punch in the code VINTAGEGROVE15 for a 15% discount on your purchase! 

Orrrrr you could use the discount code to buy me a stocking stuffer.

Chevron print, please!!!



 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Harper's Happenings, 
Transatlantic Blonde, Two Thirty-Five Designs and Rolled up Pretty!!!

Thrifting Frenzy

Time for a thrift report.

New in the booth........

New with original tag ($59) still attached (that I'm keeping and only paid $3.98 for).........

For a gallery wall I've conjured up in my mind............

And lastly, two new collections that I can't seem to part with............

Everyone needs vintage spools and compotes.

Especially if you have a hoarding problem.

And have no room for new collections that you can't seem to part with.

Yes, especially then.

Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl, Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space,

    The Cottage Market, Magpie Monday, Thrifty Thursday, annnnnddd

Fall Frenzy

Buying that mum last weekend put me in a decorating mood.

So I hit up the best pumpkin vendor ever (which is a yearly tradition) and came home with some heirloom pumpkins.........

This vendor carries everything, but my favorites are the "fairytale" pumpkins.  They just make me so happy.

The shape.  The color.

I love them.

But I also love baby pumpkins.

And I love fallifying my favorite spot in the kitchen........

I think I heard the scale screaming "Put baby pumpkins on me!!!"

And when vintage scales talk, you listen.

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

Linking up with Insta-Friday!

Once Upon A Time......

I did not believe gray and brown went together. 

Then along came Pinterest, which helped change my mind........

1//2//3

Gray jeans, brown boots, a scarf, and a white tee..........all things I own..........easy to duplicate. 

Why did I ever doubt brown and gray? 

Why?

Forgive me.

 *   *   *   *

Has anyone else out there been color-combo-converted once Pinterest was born?

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Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Harper's Happenings, The Vintage Apple,
Transatlantic Blonde, Two Thirty-Five Designs and Rolled up Pretty!!!