shop update! {June '13)

I haven't done a whole lot with the shop so far this year. If I come across something, obviously I grab it up quick (!) but I haven't been selling as fast due to doubled international postage prices (boo). Not to mention, it's just slower in the summer.

Which doesn't hurt my feelings too much because there's been other important things going on like a wedding and home projects and gearing up for the Market!

I snagged the first four at an estate sale and the last one my awesome finder friend scored. 

The last ones were thrift store finds - they had a bunch more but were so expensive! "Expensive" meaning resale wouldn't be worth it. Oh well. Here's what I did find.

Find these cute little pieces in the shop HERE!

harvesting: strawberries!

I've harvested a little bit from my garden -- 2 bunches of fresh dill, 1 parsley and 1 cilantro to dry. And we finally have strawberries this year!! Mmm. First picking yielded 12 rubies and the next day was 10. A couple days later 13! Not bad for my tiny little patch.

I celebrated this garden victory with a little strawberry shortcake (with real hand-whipped cream) - YUM!

Montessori learning activity: "Does it sink or float?"

I've gathered a bunch of Montessori ideas from the books I've ready and here is our latest experiment.

Gather a bunch of different items that won't be ruined by water, a dishpan (or bucket!) of water and a towel. Then ask, "Does it sink or float?"

Ha! Even the dog was interested. (In the water, that is.) Ladybug didn't quite catch on completely, but it introduced a new concept and we'll bring it out again later.

happy *DAD* day!

Father's day was spent pretty low-key at our house.

It included silly glasses...

... sweet girls

... burgers, ice cream, Skype dates and lots of love.

Happy Father's day to all the special dads in my life!! We love you SO much.

Junking (!)

This past weekend, my favorite picker friend and I (with her husband for some brawn and an extra vehicle) scouted the "big garbage pick up" neighborhoods north of us.

IT WAS CRAZY. The area was literally crawling with trucks and trailers and vehicles piled so high with junk that you wouldn't believe! Some had a method to their madness (metal scrappers), others not so much.

I came away with a few things.

Most of it is wood for the Market, but I'll probably retop and repaint the sewing cabinet (I just need to choose an idea!) and sell it on CL.

Aren't the skis great?? They need a good hosing down, but my dad learned to ski on a pair very similar to these in the 60s!!

At the same pile I found the skis I also found two amazing dresses from the 50s! Yes, friends, trash pile fashion. That's how I roll. Will feature these as soon as they are spiffed up.

Cheers!

we visited: geographical center of the US

The geographical center of the continental United States is in the good old state of Kansas. In the middle of wheat fields and blue skies.

Jeremy has mentioned wanting to visit, so when we found out that it was 1/2 hour away from the wedding location, we decided that it was the perfect time.

We weren't expecting much so we weren't disappointed.  :-)

But this was something on Jeremy's mental "bucket list" that we actually accomplished so that made it exciting. Hooray!

wedding gift: DIY hand-painted established sign

I love these established signs. (Sorry if you don't!) See my other one HERE.I like them because they are classic and personal - plus, handpainting them really makes them special.

I spent quite a while deciding on colors, design, etc. and finally came up with this. (The camera caught some of the nuances of the brush strokes in these photos, but the color is really solid and nice.)

The photo above shows the original finish. I sanded, stained, drew, painted, then sealed the above. The wood grain and color is really pretty.

I had some issues with the paint pen (note to self: don't waste time/effort on a paint pen) splattering all over. I thought it was ruined, but had some encouragement to try to fix it. So I re-sanded spots, re-stained them with a paintbrush, brushed up the blue and then crisped up the over-letters with the pen again. And it worked!!

So, there you have it! Another great wedding gift.

*more* thrifted vintage dresses (winter)

And for the cooler season dresses I found...

A $2 petticoat I couldn't pass up. I just resized it Sunday night. Can't wait to show it off under one of my dresses this fall/winter!

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I've been on the hunt for a plaid skirt and this one was too beautiful to pass up at a recent estate sale. I also can't wait to wear this one! It's been tempting me from my closet...

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This dress has me a little stumped (also from the estate sale). Do you think it's 50s? Later? Earlier? I'm just not quite sure, but I'm sort of in love.

It has a small spot on the bodice that I didn't notice until I got it home, but here's to hoping my miracle spot remover will take care of it in a flash.

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And finally, my 50s housewife dress. It may be a wool blend (it's warm!) and pretty conservative, but I want to dress it up with some fun accessories and maybe the above petticoat!

Thanks for sharing in my fashion joy!!

P.S. I've also decided against the boots for now, and I've splurged on a pair of vintage inspired Chelsea Crew oxfords for my fall and winter dresses. Here's a stock photo of them.

photo source

*more* thrifted vintage dresses (summer)

I went to a garage sale in Kansas City (pretty much all the good stuff is in the city!!) and came away with several fun pieces ... no one piece was more than $10 ... I was there.

If you are on a budget and want to stock your vintage wardrobe you don't go to Donna Dress Shop, you garage sale!

Here's a knee-length polyester, patchwork dress for every day.

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Another casual outfit that initially looks like a dress...

But is actually a red, white and blue jumpsuit!

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A fun, 50s knee-length floral. It's a juniors dress, so the waist cuts in a little weird, but it is super fun to wear.

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And a short romper!

Just need some white spandex to go under to to avoid any unlovely sights. Any idea where to find some (I've checked W-mart and T-rget...??

a few shop additions - 1950s patterns!

I found some 1950s (one 60s) patterns at an estate sale for a great price! Most things were overpriced, but not these babies. Everyone had overlooked them, but they were mine. And they pretty much speak for themselves. Find them HERE.

Aren't they amazing?!