That One Time I Met a Bachelor....

Summer summer summer.

While it's still here in season, it's gone really.  School started two weeks ago, so it's back to being a weekend warrior.  But that's okay, because this summer was a good one.  The longest one in years.  We clocked just shy of three months off.  I had lots on my "to-do" list, but one of my main goals was to get to the beach.......and we did.......

We went to Naples, Florida!  We did a lot of exploring this time (versus the last time where we hit up lots of tourist spots). Meaning, we took some road trips!  We drove to Sanibel Island..........

And we drove to the Keys..........

We chased sunsets at our favorite spot.......

And at our favorite beach, this happened..........

I met Chris Soules, a former Bachelor.

As a forever fan of the show, this was monumental.  So monumental I couldn't form a string of words to say to him.

All thanks to the mister.  Because I wasn't going to approach him.  The mister made it happen.  And I'm not mad about it.

I mean, look at my ridiculous face!

Life (via Instagram)

This winter.

Normally I have to beg winter for a snow day or two.

We're up to eleven.

I have never taught in June.  I will be teaching in June.

Despite that sad fact, I still love my snow days.  I got to make the mister a real breakfast......

There were snuggles with Gizmo the mouth-breather........

I braved the elements for a lunch out with the sis.......

And before the weather rolled in this week, I ran to the grocery for some new-to-me ingredients (chorizo).  Because no Super Bowl gathering is complete without some sort of cheese dip.

Except our gathering had to be.........

It so did not look like the picture.

Pinterest fail.

I don't even want to talk about it.

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

Lately.....

What I've been up to:

Craftiness........

Bleaching bottle brush trees really does work!  Ivory trees are so much prettier!

Now I need to decide if I'll dye them or add small bulbs.

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The booth.......

I added that fun vintage cardigan this week.  And put both booths on sale!

Local friends, stop by Relics for 10% off both spaces!  Cute vintage sweaters included!!!

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Hanging with my family..........

I like those people.

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Saying good-bye....

I visited my Grampy's house one last time before it sells.

Moving on is tough.  So many memories took place between those walls.  In those fields.

And I'm sentimental to a fault.

Letting go doesn't really help to put closure on losing someone so precious.

Or maybe it will.

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Cheering myself up........

 

elbow patch sweater  // jacket

With online shopping.

I've been longing for an elbow patch sweater.  And I couldn't resist the online Gap sale.

Then there's that jacket.  Those sleeves.

And there was no standing in line, freezing to death, or tackling involved.

That's my kinda Black Friday.

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

Diary of a Laundry Room (continued)

At the end of July we scheduled our last big overhaul.

The laundry room.......

It needed an update in a big way!  And updated it was......

There was just one project left to do.

I wanted my dad to make some shelving to go above the counter we had installed.  Dad is the shelving king.  He made and installed my kitchen shelves a few years ago, so I knew I could save some cash if I had pa do this instead of our contractor.

Yesterday was the big day!  Pa came over and worked his magic....

Now all I have to do is stage those babies!

You know this hoarder has plenty of vintage tchotchkes tucked away to put on those shelves!

And that's the best part.

The staging.  Not necessarily the hoarding.

Although that has its benefits.

Lately (on Instagram)

As usual, in the land of Instagram, I captured some randomness from this week.

Like....airplanes on a dock......

And he didn't toss me into the lake afterward (as I had expected).

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Another item got checked off my summer list........

Mom taught me how to make her homemade biscuits.

Next up, her perfect pie crust!

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I did try cleaning the special room a bit.  And discovered that I have way too many vintage dresses.......

Should "way too many" ever be associated with vintage dresses?  

Only when you don't have closet space for them.

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I got flowers from my mama and a frapp from the mister on the same day!

 

For no reason, they said!  

(I was skeptical too!)

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In an attempt to drink more water, I fancied it up.......

I heard cucumbers made water more tasty.  Crisp.  I thought using a vintage pitcher might help too.

And guess what?  I drank the whole thing.  Then I bought more cucumbers.

Am I turning into a water drinker?

My New Year's Resolution will be happy!

Now if there was a magical trick to get me into running......

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

Random Wednesday

I had intended on typing up a post about my Father's Day outfit........

But I got sidetracked.

I've been consumed by two things this week.

Prepping for our annual garage sale this Friday and Saturday..........

And watching this..........

I've got about four episodes left and then I'll be caught up.

#obsessed

I hear the season three finale will make me want to throw things.

I promise not to take it out on you if you stop by our garage sale this weekend.

But I might count back your change with an English accent.

Linking up with Rolled up Pretty and

This Week (in Instagram)

I hit up Silver Dollar City with my sis and her bebes.......

Taffy is a requirement when visiting SDC.

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I tried out a "diy shellac" found on Pinterest........

You need time and patience for this.

One coat of the gel, then dry time.  Two coats of any polish, with dry time in between.  Top it off with one layer of the top coat.

It lasted about three days.  So better than your average polish, but not as good as a legit shellac.

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Got my first pool visit in with the sis.........

We'll just call my niece "Diving Board Diva" because she was glued to that thing all afternoon.

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And while we're talking about the little diva, here she is again at her recital the other night..........

I am basically positive that she is the most beautiful ballerina in all the land.

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And finally. 

My friend Pullan is very good at getting creative birthday gifts.  

We had both talked about trying out a hot yoga class, so she surprised me with a gift certificate.  I loved this gift. 

Last night, we went to our first class........

And as stated on Instagram, it was the "day I almost died".

When they call it hot yoga, they mean hot yoga.  87 degrees hot.  

I lived through summer after summer of band camp as a color guard instructor.

I know what hot is.  

But this.

A whole different level of hot.  I.could.not.breathe.  And sweat.  Ohhhhh the sweat. 

I'd rather go running.

And we all know my track record with that.

Two more classes to go.

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

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

Weekly Recap

I was reunited with my beloved last night...........

However, it was a long productive week without my smartphone to distract me.

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Before it crashed on Sunday, I captured my nephew the chocolate monster......

Who totally attacked me seconds after that photo was snapped.

The crowd at Andy's thought it was hilarious.

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I hit up the farmers' market too......

Brats, succulents, and my new favorite t-shirt.  Our market is the best.  Such variety!

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Sadly, my phone died right before I could capture our lake excursion.  Luckily, a friend took some pics I could steal from Facebook.......

I felt like summer started early with our Sunday evening boat ride.

And speaking of summer, there are only three more days of school.

The lake will be seeing a lot more of me!

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Follow me on Instagram @thisvintagegrove!!

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

Weekly Recap (Instagram Style)

This week........

The mister took me to Pheona's monthly sale as a birthday week bonus.  This is the only evidence I could get that it really did happen....

I swear that is the lawn at Pheona's.  

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The mister's family threw a surprise birthday party for me.  Can you guess the theme?

I was quite shocked.  They really did a great job of completely catching me off guard.

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I won a giveaway over at Because Shanna Said So and I picked out a vintage inspired necklace from t+j Designs.......

 

That ring might be a new purchase too.  Vintage marcasite from an antique jewelry case at Relics.  

Hey, I had birthday money to spend!

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Every time I visit my booth, I have to walk by this.....

And even though I do have one window from that space, I want every last one of em.

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A trip to Lowe's always results in a walk through the tile area.......

These are my top two picks for a laundry room redo coming this summer.

I know my favorite.

What sayeth you?

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

What I Wore (on Mother's Day)

On Mother's Day, I decided to surprise my mom at church.

She was expecting an afternoon visit at home, so I knew this would catch her completely off guard.  

(I got a two-for-one special, as dad was just as surprised!)

After church, pa took the official Mother's Day photo.  We must have channeled each other.  White on bottom, pattern on top.......

I think a new favorite outfit was born when I was scrambling to get ready that morning.

I needed to be warm.  Church is always cold.

But I wanted to be springy. 

I'd had that top for awhile and hadn't worn it.  Chalk it up to a styling block.

Somehow, in a fashion frenzy, it all came together.......

Now that I'm over my fear of wearing ivory pants, I kind of want a pair of plain white too.

That is, until I have a run in with a Sharpie in the classroom.

Or slip on a puddle of tomato soup in the cafeteria.

With ten days of school left, I'll take my chances.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy,

Two Thirty-Five Designs, Rolled up Pretty, and

This Week (Instagram Style)

Lately:

I got to have dinner with my bff's......

These girls.  I like em.  So much fun.

Chips, salsa, queso..........and self-timer pics from Nancy's car bumper.  Good, good times.

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 Broke out the Silver Dollar City Season Pass on Saturday.......

You can't leave the park without eating a funnel cake.

It's a rule.  

At least it should be.

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I got to meet a blog buddy in person!!!!!!!!!

What are the chances Sara would be in town!?!  Schlag and I were super lucky that we got to hang out with her!!!!!! 

She might have us convinced we should move to St. Louis!

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Kelly Clarkson celebrated her birthday on Wednesday.  I decided she needed a little fan love shout out on Instagram.......

I secretly hoped she would notice.  And heart my photo.  

Or tell me she wanted to be my bff. 

Maybe she's just waiting to thank me in person at her concert I'll be going to in August.

Yes, that must be it.

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And finally, the glasses arrived........

One of my darlings at school, who did not hear that they were actually real, legit glasses was quite excited that I got "nerd glasses just like hers".

Awesome.

Not exactly the look I was going for.

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