A Mid-century Christmas

The mister and I have never mailed out Christmas photo cards.  Unless you count the card Sir Chester posed for.

This year though, we didn't have a reason not to.  All because some friends had a vision.  A vision of a mid-century styled photo shoot.  With era appropriate furniture and clothing!!  A vintage-themed photo shoot?  Yes please!

I was so excited that BR Photography asked us to be included in the fun!

And speaking of fun, Funtiques in Ozark, MO was the perfect venue for a shoot such as this.  Funtiques had little mid-century vignettes staged, annnnd they had already decked the halls!

This was also my first chance to wear the vintage dress of my dreams that had been hanging in my closet for two years...... 

The mister was such a good sport!!!

And between you and me, he was really pleased with the outcome.  So much so, he was on board with the whole Christmas photo card idea......

So a huge THANK YOU to BR Photography who totally made this possible and had a perfect idea of a stylized Mad Men-esque shoot.  We had so much fun.

And I got the mister on a Christmas card!  #winning

Merry Christmas!!!

Linking up with:

Two Thirty-Five Designs 
Still Being Molly

Find BR Photography:

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Dear Long Lost blog,

     I used to keep you up-to-date.  You were such a priority!  But lately, I just haven't made time for you.  So here's a quick update, via Instagram, of what's been happening around here.

I've been decking the halls........

Is there such a thing as too many bottle brush trees?  No way.

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I've been getting plenty of puppy cuddles........

Could there be better plaid pajama pants?  I think not!

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All my favorite ladies gathered for our annual scarf exchange........

I gave a plaid scarf and got one in return!!!

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Speaking of plaid..........

I had to splurge on that baby.  There was no way I wasn't owning it.  I mean, buffalo plaid.  Come on!

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My sister discovered a new coffee shop that had a red velvet latte on the menu.......

I had to try it.  Because redvelveteverything.  And it was gone in 60 seconds.  I considered going back for another one later that evening.

But self control.

Linking up with Life Rearranged, Five Things Friday........

Thrifting Frenzy

Lately, this little space has taken a backseat to work and preparing the booth for Christmas!  You can be sure that thrifting didn't get the shaft though.

A favorite from this weekend is this huge macrame piece........

It was at a yard sale on my street that I'd passed on two days in a row.  I couldn't believe it was still there on Saturday!  (And I'm sad at what I probably missed at this sale.)

I found this Syroco mirror there also........

These sell very well at the booth for a pretty decent price, so I never pass these up.

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A favorite from last weekend is this mid-century end table.........

A grainy, almost-dark back view.......

Those legs!  I'm trying to do a little research on this table and the macrame before I decide their fate.

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I can't pass up vintage Anchor Hocking......

Or fun, vintage sweaters.......

One of these babies has already sold!  Christmas is also selling like hotcakes!!

And now that the booth is decorated, I sort of have the itch to start adding Christmas touches to the house!

Too soon?

Linking up with Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space, Vintage Bliss

  

Thrifting Frenzy

Sometimes dreamy coats jump out at you at the thrift.  Then they don't fit quite right.  (Orangutan arms are the worst.)

But you buy them anyway.........

Cheap luggage always finds its way home........

Manly things sell really well in the booth, so I try to always watch for those types of items.......

Furniture usually gets snapped up pretty quickly too.  And you don't find tilt top tables that often.....

Carpet bags and tufted pillows are always on my list.......

And then there's some other random items that have either already sold or are in the booth now..........

Before you know it, I'll be decorating the booth for Christmas!  Relics Christmas Open House is in just a few weeks!

I can't wait to deck the halls!!!

Linking up with Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space, Vintage Bliss

  

Lately (via Instagram)

School, school, school.  This time of year is busy.  Parent teacher conferences, grade reports.  (That means weekends are my favorite.)

Anyway, here's what's happening outside of school (mostly).

I added a little fall to my kitchen........

Bowls of little off-white pumpkins make me happy.  I really can't explain it.

TOMS wedges make me happy too.....

I had no idea that a wedge could truly be comfortable - especially when you spend the entire day on your feet!  Now I want a black pair too!  And maybe some booties!!!

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Some thrifting and booth sprucing did occur recently.......

Posting that photo on Instagram over the weekend resulted in two different sales!!!!!

Imagine extreme excitement when this popped up in my feed.......

This cutie is Jessica!  She went home with the plaid cape!

Theeeennn the darling Diane snagged the album rack......... 

She gave it a makeover and staged it so perfectly!

I absolutely LOVE when I know where booth items end up!  SO FUN! 

Thank you girls for supporting my booth!  And yahoo to Instagram for bringing them to Relics!

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

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

Thrifting Frenzy

Even though the school year is in full swing, I still manage to fit in trips to the thrift!  Usually on Saturdays.  I need my weekly fix!

I always find something to keep.......

That silhouette has already found a spot in my house.  And you know I have a metal table hoarding problem.

The rest should end up in the booth.........

Pyrex is rare at our local thrifts.  When you do find it, the price is usually crazy.  I paid more than I normally would for that bowl, but I just couldn't leave it behind.  

Which means, I might also have separation anxiety when it comes down to it.

Shocking.

Linking up with Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space, Vintage Bliss

    The Cottage Market, Magpie Monday, We Call It Junkin

Fall Favorites

I love autumn.  It's my favorite season.  It means the temperatures are cooling off, and the holidays are coming!  It means leaves are changing, and it's time to make your favorite soup!

Bonfires!  Hayrides!!  Corn mazes!!!

It means I can break out my flannels and buy fairy tale pumpkins........

Fall means flannel, right?  You must have a flannel shirt!

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I can clip the tags off a new sweatshirt and drink pumpkin spice lattes.......

Fall means warm drinks like hot apple cider!  You must sip on a seasonal treat!!!

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 I can dress up the front porch........

Fall means mums and pumpkins!  You must decorate for the season!!!

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And finally, I can scoop up $6.00 scarves.......

Because you must have at least one great, new scarf for the season.  (Even though you told yourself you wouldn't buy any more scarves.)

And because buffalo plaid everything.

Red and black checks forever.

What I Wore (to a reception)

Once upon a time I churned out weekly outfit posts!  Now they happen once in a blue moon.

Well, that blue moon must have been out last night.  Or maybe it was out the night before I found this dress.  I don't know.  But this new, favorite dress of mine is worth an outfit post.

Anyway.

I was in desperate need of a new outfit for a wedding reception.  The evening was going to be a little on the chilly side for this time of year, so I wanted something that was sort of a transition type piece.  And Express delivered with the perfect summer-is-on-its-way-out-and-fall-is-coming dress.

Express lace dress

A little black lace + some tribal embroidery + three-quarter length sleeves = perfect!!!  I love this dress so much.

I even wore it to work on Monday. 

Now on to the fun that was had.........

The lovely bride is a longtime friend of ours (as is the groom).  They had the most beautiful reception ever.  I seriously felt like I was at a private party for a celebrity couple.  It.  Was.  Amazing.

And so is this dress!  

Which is currently on sale!

It comes in ivory too!

Go get one!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy
Two Thirty-Five Designs and....... 

Thrifting Frenzy

Something during my last round of thrifting had me focusing on cold weather wares.

Maybe it was our week-long heat advisory.  Maybe it was because I had my first pumpkin spice latte.

Whatever it was, I walked away with a few fun vintage sweaters, afghans, and my favorite item - ice skates.......

I can't pass up a good pair of ice skates, if the price is right.  They are great for Christmas and winter decorating!

Something else I can't pass up is a cute mid century end table........

I love the caps on the legs and the star detail on the side.

(This is already in the booth with a certain mid century lamp perched on top.)

And while we're talking about the booth, it recently got a makeover........

I finally thrifted enough florals to make a gallery wall!  And that silly wall makes me happy.  I almost don't want any of it to sell.

Wait a minute.

I totally don't mean that.

Linking up with Sir Thrift-a-lot, A Living Space, Vintage Bliss

    The Cottage Market, Magpie Monday, We Call It Junkin

Butterfinger Brownies

I am all about quick and easy desserts!  I mean, I love baking cookies or muffins, but sometimes that just seems like too much work.  On occasion, I want little effort and minimal clean up.  Like on a school night.

I sound so lame.

On a school night.

But seriously.

Anyway.

Pinterest to the rescue again!  Who knew chopping up a Butterfinger candy bar and adding it to a brownie mix could result in a perfect quick go-to dessert?

So brilliant!  So simple!  

Butterfinger Brownies
(original source)

1 box of brownie mix (16 to 22 oz.)*
2 Butterfinger candy bars (2.1 oz.)

*You will also need the ingredients the brownie mix calls for.

Follow directions on brownie packaging for preheating the oven, greasing the pan, and mixing the brownie batter.  Chop the Butterfinger bars and stir into batter.  Pour batter into pan, and bake as directed on packaging!  Cool completely before cutting!

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Quick to make.  Easy to clean up.  So tasty.  I bet other candy bars would work too! 

Snickers will be my next experiment......

Linking up with:   The Chicken Chick, Inspire Me Please and....