The Vintage Effect: Etsy, Blog & Pinterest!

The Vintage Effect (Robin and my new Etsy store) is in full swing!

We have 52 items for sale on our Etsy site, with another 50 or so items soon to be posted!

We are pinning things away on Pinterest that we love to look at, and hope you will, too!

AND, we have a blog that is up and running, and will host lots of outfit ideas and favorite vintage finds for you to peruse and be inspired!

Check us out, follow us, give us feedback, or send us your favorite Vintage/Vintage inspired outfits for us to feature on our blog! We'd love to put your lovely face here. :)

New Additions

This past weekend, The Mr. was out of town and I decided to do a little redecorating. :) I felt the need to get the apartment a little more organized before jumping into this year. We specifically needed an organizer for our mail, computer, etc. as well as some space created on our kitchen counters.

A couple months back we purchased a secretary desk off of Biola Classifieds for $40 and we were in the process of refinishing it. I hadn't yet picked a paint color, so I figured it could wait, we'd use it in its natural state for now, and we could paint it after our next move (whenever that is) to match a future home. So...I brought it in!

 

 It's the perfect size, I actually love the unfinished look (good job, Garrett!), and it closes up so nice and neat and no one has to look at our messiness when they come over! Success!

The second need was a little tougher. How do you create space in a kitchen that just doesn't have a ton of counter room? The only thing I could figure was to take stuff off the counters and put it on something else. So I'd been looking for a kitchen cart type piece for a while. I just wasn't satisfied with what I was finding. Usually they were cheap pieces that were going to run me $75 or more. 

But this weekend, while out on my "find cheap things shopping extravaganza" I ran across 

this little beauty at one of our local thrift stores for $10. I took two good looks at it, set my 

stuff on it and waited for some guy to show up and help me get it into my car! 

Exactly what I was looking for and at the right price! 

This cleared off one whole counter space and we were able to shift other things so that the kitchen counters are a whole lot less cluttered! Our apartment's feeling a little more homey and a lot more organized. I think we're ready to hit year four! :)

$3.00

This is what $3.00 looks like.

The dress was .99 cents.
The belt was $1.95.

True.
I didn't include the shoes in the total cost of the outfit.
That would make it $25, total.
You got me.

Head to your local thrift store, folks.
Do some good searching.
There are treasures to be found!
:)

$26.50

I don't post outfit pictures much. I don't consider myself to be a leader in fashion or really that great at picking up on current trends. But one thing I love to do is find deals. 

This entire outfit cost me $26.50. 

The shirt was $2.00.

The skirt was $2.00

The belt was .50 cents.

The shoes were the only thing not purchased at a thrift store, and they were $22 from Target. 

I didn't include it in the total price, but I even thrifted the bangle for .50 cents. 

Thrifting is glorious. 

It's a challenge. It's cheap. And it's just plain fun to see what you can find. 

Hoo-rah for hobbies. :)

p.s. My super talented hubby wanted me to let you know, he took the picture. 

Haha. We're so pro-fesh.

Swimsuit Season is Coooooming!

It's the end of April. 
This means a few things. 
The weather in California is gorgeous. 
Garrett and I have been married for three years on the 26th! 
MB is very pregnant and due in 9 days! 
Lil' Sis Sarah isn't far behind and due in 5 weeks! 
I'm heading home to Virginia on May 24th! 
Annnnnnd.....
Summer is coming! 


With summer comes sun, lazy days, family time, and...of course...swimwear. 
Yahtzee. 


It wasn't long ago that I started thinking about what exactly I was going to wear to the beach this summer. 
I just don't think I'm a bikini girl.
I never feel comfortable in them.
I'm always afraid I'm exposing something I shouldn't be. 
And how do you know those things are going to stay on??!?!
You get hit by one good wave and...jeepers. 


So I've been peeking around some websites and thought I'd share some of my favs. 

J.Crew

Paradis Paisley Twist Front Tank

Retro Dot Underwire Tank

Water Lily Ruffle Halter Tank

Whisper Gauze Beach Dress

Ralph Lauren

Ruffled Halter One Piece

Tommy Hilfiger

Halter Striped Tankini Top & Striped Foldover Bottom

Target

Merona one piece with ruffles

Mod Cloth

Beach Blanket Bingo Once Piece

This last swimsuit from Mod Cloth is actually an exact replica of a swimsuit I received from my friend Robin today! We are both thrilled by thrifting and she found a vintage swimsuit that is identical to the black and white polka dot swimsuit above. It looks like it's never been worn and it was much cheaper than Mod Cloth's price of $89. She picked it up for $4. Awesome. It's good to have people lookin' out for ya. :)

Lookin' forward to beach time with my family! 

Pockets of Lace

I wore a new thrift find to work today. :) 

A sweet little vintage shirt that's a lovely shade of blue.

This is probably one of my favorites. 

It has lace details on the pocket and sleeves and beautiful brass colored buttons. 

And it maybe cost me $1.50. 

I'll take that. :) 

      

(Sorry for the lame self portraits. Gotta figure out how else to get a snapshot.) 

:) 

The pretty little quilt in the background is another thrift find. 

It adds a delightful pop of color to our room that was affordably, $2.25. 

Happy times in the thrift stores.

The Thrift

So much fun today. It's been too long since I spent a couple of solid hours in a thrift store. I joined a friend, Robin, and hit up one of her favorite spots. There were lots of great deals! Just wish more had fit. :) Here are a couple of my finds.

Old Measuring Spoons

4 sets for $2.95

Pretty white vase and steel box. 

Vase- $2.95

Box- $3.95

Leather Belt

$4

2 Clipboards

.95 cents each

5 ball jars with pretty lids

$2.95 for all 

White shirt with ruffles. :) 

$2.50

And probably my favorite. 

A vintage, green, velvety dress. 

$2.95

We had so much fun! Robin found a couple of great items as well, including an old trunk and a big mirror, each for $5. The place was huge and packed with people. I'm sure to make return trips. :) I'd love to find great pieces and sell them to other people. I don't mind doing the finding. :)