Free Time = Fun Time

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I'm on a mini vacation (from work) and loving it.  I realize that I can easily keep busy doing crafty things and other activities instead of working 9-5, five days a week.... so here is one project I have been working on this week.  

I found two large bags full of buttons at the charity shop. I already have a huge button collection myself, but couldn't pass up the possibility of finding a few treasures in these bags, so I tried to come up with some button related crafts that I could put together to use up some of my surplus.  I am pretty pleased with how these turned out. I had a bunch of leftover feathers from our wedding invitations so added a few of them to some of the hair pins.  I especially like the contrast between the metal buttons and the feathers.... The next step is to figure out a pretty way to package them.  I am thinking of selling them in sets of 2 or 3 

In other news today is my birthday!  The big 29.  Yesterday was a lovely day spent on an Orno antique crawl.  We went to about 5 antique shops and a charity shop. I picked up a few things which were actually gifted to me by my antiquing companion yesterday (thanks Janet!).  So here they are.  I am so smitten with them all and can't believe my luck, finding two embroidered broaches at two different shops! 

Amazing W. German pot. Love the painted design, the colour and the shape of this one. Like none of the others in my collection.

I couldn't pass this up!  An owl magnifying glass... perfect to sit atop my desk.  I don't need glasses to read yet, but one day I will right!?  Got this just so I'm prepared..... :)

Behold the broaches!  They are so beautiful and colourful.  A bird and a fawn no less.... The bird I stuck on a black coat and the fawn is pinned on a long red coat. 

I'll be back here next year.....going to enjoy my birthday today with my family and a date night planned with Clayton.  We are going to see True Grit.. Yeehaw!   Hope you all have a safe and happy new year.  So long.

xoAlessia

A Few New Items And A Merry Christams!

Hey folks! Just wanted to show you a few new items I've put in the shop today.  It's a mixed bag, but all these items are so very special.... I'm looking forward to some time off work next week, and hopefully back to some regular posting.  It's been busy this December but busy is a good right?!  Thanks to all who have supported The Vintage Ramble this year and I wish you all a Merry Christmas! 
xo Alessia

Our Holiday Home

Just a few pictures of some of the decorations up in our house. It's kind of all over the place, but I just got things that I like.  I tried to get as many vintage decorations as possible, but surprisingly they aren't that easy to find around here....



I made these little flags for the holidays, but I think I'm going to keep them up for a while



My favourite decorations this year

Winter Salt VS. The Soft Supple Leather Boot

Ok friends, I have a bit of  a situation.... I love my boots. I do.  And I love to wear them in the winter... naturally, one wears boots in the winter... Am I right?  But what do you do when you have a great vintage pair, (probably a pair you will never find again) a pair that goes with everything, but you know the minute you set foot out the door the salt and wet snow are going to eat at that beautiful leather?  You can buy sprays and oils, but I'm not convinced that this fully protects them.  I just found a drool worthy pair that I'm dying to wear, but I am terrified to expose them to the winter conditions.  I don't know if I can wait until the fall or spring!  I'm mainly writing this to see if anyone has any suggestions, on how to best protect my leather treasures.... I also threw in a little wallowing there. So sorry :) Anyway here are pictures of my current favourites.  Maybe you'll understand why I have become so cautious.

These have seen a few to many trips in the snow this year already

Just got these and need to preserve them before they look like my darlings above.

A DIY Before and After

Making up for all my time away from the blog in the past week and half, with a second post.  Just wanted to share a D.I.Y. with you.  This was a vintagy looking frame I picked up at the thrift store.  I say vintagy cause I'm not sure if it is just kitschy or actually vintage, but it looks old at any rate.  My new favourite hobby is needle point, so I made up this cuddly friend to put in the frame and hang in our bedroom.

Style Muse: Kim Gordon

When I was about 14  I was obsessed with being in a band... to me that was ultimate.  Music has always had a great influence on my life, and still does to this day.  I think music influences the way I dress, the people I hang out with, and probably the way I see the world. 


There are many musicians I admire, not only for their talents, but also for the way they present themselves.  Kim Gordon is one of those people.  I have only seen Sonic Youth twice live.  Both times were very memorable for me, and both times Kim looked AWESOME.  The best part about seeing Kim Gordon play live is hearing the raw rough sounds coming from the stage and looking up at a woman who is dressed like a woman!  You can tell she wears the clothes she likes and not the clothes she thinks others would expect her to like.  She has great taste, which can be seen in her clothing line Mirror/Dash, creations that are both feminine and functional.  So with out further adieu, I thought I would share with you a few photos that are both inspiring, thoughtful,and just plain pretty!




 





There is magic in the air

Today has been jam packed with tasks.  So far so good.  I've made it this far to actually post today.  December is always a crazy month, and not unlike years past I have been busy buying gifts and shipping them off, writing cards and licking the stamps.  And how can we forget decorating! (more on that later).  On top of all my December duties my pal and I have been planning a pop up shop here in our town.  Between postering and getting all my goods ready for the event I've been a busy girl.  So, sorry if I have been absent from the blog.   But I did manage to add a few cute items to the shop today.  Just by accident they all seemed to mesh together .  I had not intended to add such seemingly  similar items all at once, it just happened this way I swear!  They all have a very 60's mod vibe.  Bold florals and ornate in bright bold colours.  I love the whimsy of these pieces, and I hope you do as well.

Recent Thrifty Finds



This cape couldn't be more perfect.  Exactly what I was looking for! And it's from one of my favourite vintage labels Niccolini



  

Loving this dreamy winter scene.





Who can resist those big sad eyes?!

 I've been having some great luck at the thrift store lately.  Not so good for my wallet, but man does it make me happy when I find something that has been on my wanted list!  Here are a few of the great finds I've acquired in the past two weeks.  Sadly friends, these will not be in the shop.... I am keeping these pour moi!

New In The Shop : 3 Beauties

Just added these gems to the shop.  Sometimes I'm glad I'm not a common vintage size, because I would have nothing to sell and my closet would be bursting!  It does however hurt my heart a little that the last little brocade number doesn't fit.  I lurrrrrve it!  If you haven't already checked out my shop, have a peek.  I will but updating the shop for the rest of the week, so stay tuned.  xo