speaking of several years....

 It's been awhile since I've photographed myself--

mainly because my new Smart Phone doesn't have a time delayed camera feature - 

at least none that I can figure out.

So I'm back to the old way.

This morning I wanted to show off the thrifted necklace I'm wearing.

After trying several shots of it, I decided that getting the green color

of the pendant to show properly is impossible with my equipment!

I'm wearing a favorite striped (thrifted) Ann Taylor top.

I've had it for several years and the colors never seem to fade!

Speaking of "several years"....

My husband has stored wood in his shed for several years.

A few days ago, he began to create a potting bench out of some of it.

I can't wait to see the final product!

Today I'll be rummanging around the garage to look for a few trim pieces

for him to apply before painting.

Stay tuned - and visit my Wonder-Working Man HERE.

small touches....big differences

Sometimes the smallest "touches" make the biggest differences...
I decided to stop with this small stencil of metallic gold acrylic craft paint on the "toes" of the table my husband has crafted.  If I should decide to sell it, more stenciling might narrow the field of potential customers--an ALREADY small field due to the unusual nature of the table.



The bracelet (right) was a small touch added to my Sunday morning outfit.  I left the house with only this piece of jewelry to complement my black, pinstriped skirt and red, white and black stretchy shirt...

"It has long been an axiom of mine

 that the little things are infinitely the most important."

  (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

a very good day

 I just KNEW it was going to be a good day,

and so I donned my "everyday" grey skirt

 and chose a golden top to accompany it!

 I knew I was meeting a friend for an early Christmas lunch at Grabill Inn

so I pinned this festive pin on my shoulder.

(After seeing the picture, I repositioned it....)
The baked cod was delicious - as was the cherry crumb pie!

 What I DIDN'T know was that I'd receive a phone call resulting from an ad I'd placed

 indicating my desire to buy a vintage white or tinsel-style Christmas tree!

 Though I'd hoped to pay less for one, I decided to "give" it to myself

and call it an early birthday present.

I DID meet a charming couple

 in transacting the deal!

 They think this tree is about 60 years old.

Each branch was carefully contained in these "sleeves" (above).

 We began the assembling process as soon as my husband got home from work.

 THIS is the finished product.

I guess all I need is a color wheel.

We ended the day skyping one of our granddaughters to wish her 

 Happy Birthday. 

She lives in Illinois; we live in Indiana.

Except for that (the miles that separate us)
it's been a very good day!

Same Thing/Many Things

"I have a bunch of these already. 

I wonder how many I would need in order to stop buying them?"

(Jacqueline, Cabin & Cottage)

Jacqueline was writing about clothespins,

 but I have wondered the SAME thing about MANY things! 

 Yesterday it was earrings!

 The verbal price was better than the tagged price...

 "Two pair for twenty-five cents!"  she cheerfully chirped.

 She had me there!

What's YOUR thing(s)?

Man-Fashion and More

 My husband, the pastor.  Our small church is not a formal one.

This morning, however, he donned a short-sleeve dress shirt and tie.

I asked him, "Why not wear one of your tie clasps?"

I'm not sure he remembered where they were, 

so I retrieved them---

this collection we've amassed over the years from thrift stores

and garage sales.

And here's a teaser!

I found two pieces made of this fabric at a garage sale this week.

Even the seller wasn't sure what they were, but she had a bedspread made of the material.

I brought them home and have ripped out the seams

(which were obviously sown by a diligent professional).
Now I have a VERY long piece of BEAUTIFUL, exotic fabric!

I have a plan.

Church Rummage Sale

 Described here as: 

Pair of Pot Metal Cat Figural Pins

 $20.00 (€14.54),

I found my pair (pictured above) at a church rummage sale today.
Mine are actually in better condition than those shown on this link
and are brown rather than gray.
(If you'd be interested in purchasing the kitty cats, send me a note with an offer.

It shouldn't cost too much to ship them.)

 I couldn't resist this wooden pair!

They were in a box of Christmas goodies that I took the time to dig through.

This piece of "naive" pottery caught my eye, too.

The price was right, and it fits nicely in my collection.

We arrived mid-afternoon.

I'm sure I missed some goodies by not arriving when the doors opened at 8:00.

Oh well.

black and white

Today I'm wearing a black sweater, buttoned up with black fabric buttons,

a 3-strand pink necklace,

 and a black wool skirt.

All clothes - and necklace -  were thrifted.

I like the silhouette created by this combination.

 Yesterday I buzzed in and out of my Favorite Thrift Store.

I was pleased to find these three white ironstone pieces.

 It's a busy week.  This may be all I find, but I'm a happy lady!

outfit for second sunday of advent

 

I worked my wardrobe staples to come up 

with something festive.

Gold belt, herringbone short-sleeved jacket

worn over a green, floral tee...

accented with a Christmas tree pin

from my collection.

We enjoyed a weekend excursion to nearby small town Roanoke.  Browsing the shops

kindled my imagination for decorating our own porch for the season.  Isn't this one inspiring?

I'll see what I can come up with by "shopping our attic"!

i wonder as i wander....

I wonder why I do this???

I have countless versions of this little tree.

Still, when face-to-face with one at a thrift store,

I can't resist bringing it home.

Yes.  I did it AGAIN last Wednesday

on our wandering way to Thanksgiving gatherings in Illinois.

 I'm very indecisive about our Christmas decorations this year.
So far, it's looking green and white.
I wonder how it will all end?
(I'm not one of those who has the whole picture in mind
before starting.)

 

It's also time to begin wearing  Christmas tree pins from my jewelry collection...

this one, on a white cardigan sweater today.

Saturday Sense-ation

To me, "chic" is not an appearance but an experience. 

Necklaces I made years ago in a camp "Craft Shack"...

I'm planning today's "chic-ness" to include as many (if not all) of my senses as possible.  I've already begun...I've put a Sense-atio-al Soup into the crockpot.  Potatoes, celery, onion, zucchini, and carrots with a little bit of evaporated milk (leftover) & seasonings.  It looks GREAT - and there should be a wonderful scent awaiting us when we return from a walk at the mall later this morning.  It's just TOO hot to walk outside today.  (I'm a bit of a wimp.)  We'll end our walk at Barnes and Noble where I'll enjoy the sensation of turning the pages of some of my favorite magazines. 

While  at the mall, I shall do a bit of "chic-sighting".  I got this idea from the Queen of Chic this morning (see her post HERE).  Then later, while we're enjoying the soup back at home, I'll select some background music to accompany our conversation.

Fun to wear/Full of memories...

I'm looking forward to a Sensational Saturday.  

It will end this evening with my weigh-in.  

Two weeks ago I embarked on a return trip to health.  

I journal it on my Power, Love and Self-Control blog. 

(The experience of good health is the Ultimate Chic-ness!)

Sense-ation is my word for the day.

resorting

I'm resorting to old photography methods - taking picture of myself in our hotel room mirror.  Before checking in to our church convention at Sawmill Creek Resort, we checked out a couple of thrift stores.  This white top (badly needed) was 1/2 price for a grand total of $1.  It is light-weight & cool.  Fits comfortably.  I like the cut of the neckline!

I also purchased these four blank cards at $.10 each.  (I made the choker necklaces beside them in the Craft Shack when we lived at camp several years ago.  Now and then, I remember I have them and enjoy wearing them.)

...the view out our window this morning.

for barbara*

I tried, Barbara!  I really did. 

In frustration, I cut myself out of this picture 

and tried again in another room. 

But this picture DOES show a mirror
we once found

curbside (if my memory serves me right)
and the back of a wooden rocking chiar
that belonged to my grandparents...

I tried another photo in a corner of our kitchen/dining area.

This is the result.  My friend gave me the brown capri pants that I'm wearing.  

I really wanted them to fit, but they are too tight.

I didn't wear them out of the house.

If I HAD worn this outfit,

this long strand of amber-like beads

would have seen the light of day.  

But they didn't.

*Barb emailed me to ask where I've been.

This is my subtle way of saying why I've not been posting

so much here.  I've not been to the thrift store for awhile either.

I'm trying to divest rather than collect.
Don't worry though.  I have plenty left for show and tell!

no-color hair color

After uploading this picture (and not a great one photography-wise), I wonder about my hair color -- or lack thereof.  Or maybe it is just the neutral colors of my Tee-Shirt that do nothing to bring out the color.   Hmmmmmmmmm.

I like dangly earrings

I've got some thinking to do. 

It's never bothered me before now.

If I WERE to color it,

I'm not sure what color I'd choose.

As I recall,
my grandmother chose BLUE.
(Does anyone remember the  results when women
used to try to brighten their grey-
-or at least I GUESS that's what they were doing?!?!)

no easter bonnet

I broke down and purchased the blouse/shirt so as to have SOMEthing to different to wear to church this morning. It's a comfortable shirt with an interesting pattern.  The gorgeous pin was an unexpected gift from Claudia.  It arrived with a book of poetry that I "won" in her recent giveaway!  Thanks, Claudia!

After all the fun coloring them, they forgot to take 'em home!