Tag Archives: Vintage

A Few of My Favorite Things

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As we countdown for the holiday festivities to begin, everything begins to feel like its crunch time – such as, making sure the house is clean, gifts are wrapped, fridge is stocked and the barcart is set for guests to arrive .  Now that the grand opening is over, I stopped stressing and can now digress, relax, do a couple of makeovers and … oh yea.. bring in the New Year.  Your thrifty girl has been busy catching up with emails, blog hopping (which I looooove) and planning more make-overs.   But before the year is over, I just want to share with you a few of my favorite things..  Through my blog-world I’ve met so many inspiring women who continue to amaze me with their extraordinary talents and it’s such a pleasure to be amongst their cyber/company.  I hope you follow along with me to visit these wonderful women and see a part of their world that they so graciously open their doors to share with us.

Linda over at LindaG Loving Home  is by far one of the best seamstresses I’ve ever met in my life and her exceptional designs mixed with impeccable taste demonstrates how to sew beautiful custom accents for your home.  Her blog is all about creating that special touch and loving your home.  Look at this beautiful quilt she made and used it as a table cover. It’s just one of many stunning designs she created.  For a burst of inspiration, hop over to her blog and get ready to be inspired.

I’ve always admired a beautifully set table, but Alycia over at Tablescapes at Table 21,  is a woman who surpasses the description of beauty. The first time I ventured on her blog, I think I spent at least 8 hrs just oooing and ahhhing over each and every design she created.  Her bubbly personality, mixed with a keen eye for details and descriptions while creating the perfectly well-dressed table is definitely one to follow.  As I told her, as soon as I hit it big- I’m flying her in to design the big bash party..(this girl can dream big can’t I…but hey..you never know)..

Next, there’s Ginene over at Fox and Finch Antiques.  Ginene is my kindred shop mate.  She and I share the same love of all things beautiful and vintage.  She has been such an inspiration by maintaining her lovely shop, while also painting beautiful pieces she restored for shop merchandise.  From reading stories about her walks through her neighborhood to offering tips on cleaning vintage clothing, her blog is one that I love to read.  (isn’t this bed the absolute gorgeous!!)

I recently became acquainted with Ariene over at Dress My Room Interiors through Instagram.   I love her fab-glam style. She is definitely on point with her perfectly blended style of high fashion glam mixed with a bit of vintage.

Not only is she hitting Charlotte’s retail scene with her high style and fab interior designs, but she and co-founder Quintel Gwinn just recently launched The Olive Guide.  This is the best Go-To online guide for entertaining with style while also offering great tips on home-styling by showcasing other interior designers. If you like to entertain, whether it be large or small, visit the The Olive Guide for great inspiration.

So in closing, I hope I’ve given you a bit of inspiration and I especially hope you’ve enjoyed meeting these fantastic women as much as I have.   Peace and blessings —

Grand Opening Coming Soon!

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Hello, hello, hello!!  I hope all is well and you’re staying warm…brrrrrrr… I can’t believe how cold it’s gotten.  I’m just popping in to share a quick sneak peak at the shop.  The countdown has officially started, I’m excited and nervous.  November 29 at 11:00 we will be cutting the ribbon at “Pieces of Time” new location.  I’ve got my fingers crossed that all goes well.  I know trying to make everything perfect is hard to accomplish (mind you – in my imperfect world), but yet I’ll try to make it as close as I can.  I really wish you all could join us with the ribbon cutting, but I’ll take pictures and share the big day with you.  Thank you all so much for the encouragement, it really means alot.  Between cooking Thanksgiving dinner and “moving this, cleaning that, hauling this, staging that” it will be one big crazy week coming up” but it’s all good.  Totally happy that my magnificent other half- partner in crime- my ride or die chick- Amina, will be coming down for the holiday and event.  I don’t know what I’d do without her.   So you guys remember where I started with the shop:

(I hope my landlord don’t be mad – I got him in this picture.. ooops – heeeeheeee)  🙂

 

Yea, pretty bad, but workable…

 

Here’s the entry now:

 

Still more to show.. but I’ve got postcards to write.  I’m wishing you all a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.. Be safe in your travels and enjoy spending time with your family.  Smooches!

 

Farewell Summer

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Hey everyone!! Remember me ???  I just want to touch base with you and say Hi and let you know all is going well.  It’s so hard to believe that Summertime is over and  Fall has begun.  I’m already missing the beautiful summer days, lounging around and enjoying the easy living.  I’ve always loved this particular song and the way Sylvester sings it- just moves my soul.  ( I know you’re probably saying – this girl and her music – and you’re right.. this girl and her music is her life) ..  I’d be a lost soul without it.

Well, we are finishing up painting the shop.  Boy, it’s more work than I thought, but it’s worth it.  Just thought I’d share a few before pictures of the shop and what I’m working with.  Please don’t be too critical, because it’s been vacant for months and TLC is all it needs.  We’re pretty excited about it.

This is the beginning stages of “Pieces of Time” Antiques & Home Decor Boutique.

 

Of course we’ll be adding some curb appeal too! Perhaps a window box and of course some planters.

We were pleased to have the display cases which will come in handy

 

I thought picking out paint colors would be fun, but it’s actually very challenging but these were a few selections I came home with..

Considering the size of the space we are working with I had to narrow down the selection to one color.  It was a tough decision, but  I think you’ll like one I chose.  I also have to tell you about my good luck fortune.   Sometimes, God works in mysterious ways and he’s really blessed me with finding things.  I was extremely happy when I found these brass shelving units which would be perfect for the shop and the price was $35.00 for each, but the gentlemen let them go for $30.00 ea (talk about insides screaming – yippeeee).

Then I came across a lady selling paint.  Could you believe this!!  She had a 5 gallon bucket of Behr flat white paint – never used or opened.. for $5.00.  I just couldn’t believe it.  All I could say was-  “Thank You God” for your blessing, because he knows I’m working on a shoestring budget.    Well that’s all I have to share so far.  Like I said, I just wanted to touch base – and hoping all is well you.  Have you found any goodies lately or done any projects?  If so, please share, I’d love to hear all about it.  Also, don’t forget to follow along with me on my VivaGram and Twitter.  If you find goodies and like to share, use hashtag #urthriftygirlfinds so I feature them on my Friday Finds.  Until next time – ta-ta.. smooches,

 

 

 

Fab Find Friday

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Happy Friday everyone – I have to say I’ve been feeling a little bluesy – not the emotional kind bluesy – but the music tunes bluesy.  I thought I’d share one of my favorite tunes with you in this post.  Koko Taylor, who is the Queen of the Blues sings this song which reflects how I felt at the time I found this week’s fab find.   They call me the “Hunter” ! cause I’m always on the hunt for some fab finds, thrifty deals and terrific scores.  But before I show you, I would like to share some terrific news!  I won’t be doing too much blogging in the next coming weeks (please don’t get too excited about that part -hahaha) buuuuuttt.. guess what???  I’m opening a shop  – Yayyyyy !!!!  Yes, finally YourVintage Girl is back in business.   We (meaning me, my sister Amina and our dear friend/ business partner Renee ) have decided to open the second location of Pieces of Time Antiques.  We have a space in new Jersey – and now one in South Carolina.  So I’ll be busy setting up shop, but I’ll touch base with you from time to time – so please – don’t forget about me..  🙂

Ok..let’s move on to my Hunted Item –  I’ve haven’t been getting too lucky lately but just when I was ready to give up shopping at this particular Goodwill, my woman’s intuition decided to give it one more try.  I popped in there, walked straight to the back and look what I found sitting on top of a table – all by it’s lonesome self – waiting for me to strike – the catch that I was after….

O00ooo weeee… ain’t He sweet!!!       A Franco Albini pouff ottoman… Talk about a Teeeeerific Score!!  Remember I already had one that I posted about here.   The price was even of a shocker — $9.75  Can you say WHAT!!!! SHUT THE EFEN DOOR!!!!  – cause that’s exactly what I said…   naturally I gave it a quick inspection.   The only thing wrong was this little paint splash – which will be removed.

Ain’t no  need to hide – ain’t no need to run – cause I’ve got you in the sight of my — Luuuv gun  😉

I love these ottomans  and so does my twin.  She’s been wanting one. .. so now I have one and she has one !! Just in time for our birthday – so pre-Happy Birthday Amina!!  It’s Yours!!  

So… I guess I’ll dub myself the “Hunter”  – thanks to Koko and her bluesy song.  I hope you all have a good-feeling bluesy weekend!  Smooches!

 

Dining Room Reveal

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Happy Friday Everyone !!    Here’s a quick math question –  What does $132.00 + 1 cool brother + a peach cobbler =?   The answer – One beautiful dining room  🙂     The week has ended and so has my dining room makeover… Yipppppeeeeee..    I’m so happy with the new look.   When I told my husband I wanted to do it.. he re-informed me.. we have a strict budget.. $100.00 was my budget, so I took on the challenge.  He didn’t think I could do it.  Well – guess what –  I DID!!!!  ( slightly over by $32.00 – but hey – that’s ok..I’ll forgo this week’s manicure & pedicure and d.i.m it – that’s do it myself)

Ok…. let’s look at the before….   I’ve had this set almost 25 years.. and it’s still in great condition.

I grew tired of the black and it needed a new look.  Although its not dreadfully ugly.. but the color was all wrong.  The wall color blended too much with the furniture and the floor.  I love the fabric of the window treatment and that was my inspiration.   So without much ado.. here’s the after..

Did you say “Wow” ???  or at least smile   ???    ( I hope so)

Paint and fabric is all it took.  The wall color is Pantone Illusion Blue and I painted the furniture with Krylon metallic brushed nickel.

The chairs look fantastic with its new make-over

The print on the chair fabric has that exact paint color

The antique music cabinet went from this:

To this by using Martha Stewart Metallic paint

Re-arranged  a few pieces and art.  It was re-placed in this corner

 

I gathered a few other items I already had to pull the look together

The vintage swan dish holds air plants.  I made the table runner about 15 years ago and it still looks great.  Instead of making another one for this table, I just neatly tucked the sides in for the appropriate length.

 

I was skeptical about the “Goodwill find” mirror (I purchased this a few weeks back for $15.75) but mixed with a few plants  it gives this corner a great look (my speaker dummies as a plant stand)

Pots purchased from Goodwill came in handy for a pop of color and an antique lamp base is used as a stand to give it height

For the tabletop – I had a mirror runner made for $20.00.  The ends were given to me by a co-worker who was going to throw them away but thought to give them to me instead (thanks Pat 🙂  )

The beautiful painted vase was a thrift store find for $8.00 (and of course the feathers I already had)

The wick dipper sits daintily close by as my candle jewelry.  These handmade beauties were created by LindaG who also created the Bohemian Butterfly.  I still have a few more for sale.  If you would like to order one, please contact me.  They are the perfect candle accessory – use the swirled end to dip the wick into the melted wax and lift it back up – there’s no smoke in the air,  just a lingering fragrance from your candle.

 

I had the bar cart for about 13 years.  It was one of the first items I bought when I moved south.  I truly lucked up because back then they weren’t so popular.   I paid $80.00 for it.. what a steal of a deal…

The vintage crystal ice bucket holds faux roses, while the white ice bucket was a Goodwill item for $1.00

The lady statue holds a favorite plant

 

A closer look at the window treatment fabric

 

A perfect blend

 

Since we couldn’t afford a new set – I created a new look…. which saved us a lot of money

The metallic paint has the perfect glossy sheen.

The hubby had to give me a high five.. because this is Mission Accomplished!

Here’s the tally – Wall paint  $43.00

Spray paint    $28.00

Fabric     $33.00

Vase      $8.00

Mirror runner  $20.00        Total spent  – $132.00

Cost to pay my brother for paintng the walls   –   1 Peach Cobbler  (he loves my cobbler)   🙂  He’s a real cool guy..  Thank You Anthony!!  You Rock!     I think I feel a dinner party in the making  :-).  I hope you enjoyed my makeover – if so – holla at me.  🙂

If you’d like to have a makeover styled by me, I’m up for the challenge.  Remember – fab doesn’t always have to cost a fortune.

I hope you all have a Super Cool – Fun-Filled weekend.

Smooches,

 

The design makeover is featured on www.Houzz.com