Jeff Allen and the Harvest Series

I'm a lucky gal. Well, first off because I'm currently on a tropical beach vacation with family which has been filled with lots of ocean waves and silly frozen drinks... But, also because I have two of the very best friends in the entire world, and I'm really excited for both of them right now!!!

This past summer, Alice and I found an arm load of beautiful apple bags from a crazy man selling amazing things. (This was the guy selling that lovely dress form I left behind!)

Well, Alice has worked a little bit of that magic of hers and turned the bags into such amazing things and I wish I could have the entire collection! She enlisted two very dear friends and Jeff to snap the pictures and they're so, so lovely I wish I could have been there with them stomping around through that field!

Please make sure you take a peak at Alice's shop, and take a look at Jeff's photos - I'm so happy to have both of them in my life and so dang proud of everything they've accomplished. The best part is I know there's still so much to come!!!

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Peach, Plum, Pear

A new dress! Picked up on Sunday at the flea market. And it almost didn't come home with me. It was only $10, which I know is very reasonable for flea market dresses. But, there are a few stains and a few holes and a nylon zipper! (I don't like nylon zippers, not even a little bit) and I'm trying to be careful with what I buy these days ... and well, I almost walked away. Then a voice of reason starting chirping. And I realized I'd be a damn fool to leave it behind!

To take a sneak at the details, click here!!

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A world of my own

Yesterday was a grey, rainy day - much better for staying indoors then trekking across the city to walk around looking into shops - so I stayed home and worked on cleaning... The main focus- my closet ... which was... a disaster. A mish mosh of cotton sundresses and winter wools all heaped up in a pile. I lugged what might have been 100 lbs of clothing back to California last month and it's just been sitting around.

Specimen A.

Yes. I'm embarrassed to be showing that. But, it's real. Actually I might have moved some of the clothing off the floor onto the pile for the picture so I wouldn't be so ashamed at how rats nesty that closet got.

BUT! Check out Specimen B !

Sweaters are folded and stacked by color!





And the clothing is off the floor! (actually, I lie - there's still a small pile that I'm not sure what to do with because I have no space to fit a single hanger on that rack - not even if I really try)

And I finally got around to putting up my grandmother's sewing samples!



Oh, and that pretty crocheted flower light pull - I picked that up at that lovely store I went to on Wednesday. It's so sweet, there's a little thimble inside the flower to keep its shape!

OH! And don't fret, I'm dragging my boyfriend to that lovely shop today! The sun is shining and the photos will come out much nicer!! You'll see!

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I've been running around all day like a crazy nut. But if anyone is actually awake right now - the shop is updated! It's much later then I was hoping, but I spent a good portion of my afternoon inside one of the most beautifulllllll stores ever!!! The above picture is a little tiny sneak! My camera batteries died and it was getting dark, but don't you fret - I'll be going back on Friday to get some more photos to share!

(and yes, that's a beautiful antique sink filled with Victorian die cuts and old glass bottles and a sea fan - couldn't you just melt!?)

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Today's Inspiration: The Mary Frances Cook Book

I'm at my mum and dad's home and it's been a perfect snowy day filled with lots of home cooked hearty meals (including apple crisp and chocolate chip cookies!) and in honor of my mum's wonderful cooking I thought I'd share these sweet little images a dear friend forwarded my way!

I myself haven't done any cooking today - instead I've been working on my scout merits and tending to the fireplace and maybeee roasting a marshmallow or two or three... But - for those of you who decided to stay inside and stay warm and cook - these are for you!

. . .

And for good measure - here are some of the cute little guys that I found in that book.. un-related to cooking, but too sweet not to share.



















* If you'd like to repost, please use proper reposting-etiquette; contact me or link back. Thanks!

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Boston Bound

I'm here. In New England. Just for a short while but here none the less! It's been a measly month and a half since moving but it felt like this trip was long over due! And with that, I've been thinking about what to pack since I booked my flight (a month ago) and here's a little peek into what did, and didn't make the cut!

Pictured clockwise: My practically cheesecloth 30s floral dress, my new 30s dahlia print dress (this dress is in my top 5 favorites list... it's that good!) my pride and joy 30s tweed coat, a 30s felt hat, my boyfriends plaid cashmere scarf, 40s black heels and 80s two-tone oxfords, yee olde trusty black gladstone, a scrap yarn ball knitting project I'm doing in a k2p2 with circular needles (don't judge - I can't find anything but long circular needles in the midst of my mess!) my tweed Lyell shorts that are too dang big on me, andddddd - another pride and joy- my beautiful B sweater.



It's my new crush and it also happens to be a similarly displaced New Englander - purchased in San Francisco, hailing from Boston... This thing is all I need to keep me warm this weekend when I brave the windy seasides for a wedding!



AH, that sweater is so beautiful it makes me misty eyed! And it reminds me exactly of fall, and how good it can be here. Grey days with white clouds and that crisp bite to the air in combination with a distant smoky fireplace mixed with roasting nuts and sweaters and scarves and hands shoved into pockets ... Wool. Corduroy. Exactly how it should be!

And today was close, (sans corduroy) but it was so nice to wake up to the Boston skyline and spend the entire day with two of my favorite people, doing all of my favorite things and then getting to see the first snow fall of the year.

And it's on that note I'll end this. Good night North Country East Coast land ... there are no words that can properly express just how much I love you.

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Apartment progress + shop update!

I had the day off today - and spent it mostly lounging around and prowling the depth of ebay for pretty jewels and day dresses. I didn't find too much.. but I'm not worried because I'm heading home (east coast) on Wednesday night and I know that there are treasures to be found!!

I did snap a few pictures of my bedroom progress. It seems like this room is the one that's coming together the easiest.

YES! A bed frame. A nice old antique brass $50 craigslist find! I'm an adult now, no more box springs on floors ... ever again!



The letterpress table got kicked out when we found that dresser for a whopping $20. The little kiddie floral chair- a little pricier at $40. The polka dotted suit case that's somewhat tough to make out was found at Alameda last month and the rest of the things followed me here from Boston. Except for that pretty red silk dress - thank you Miss Stellate Vintage!!



Anyway - that's all I have to share today. The living room/dining room is a ridiculous mess that I fear might never go away .. or maybe it will once we find a couch, end tables, coffee tables, shelving ...... until then it's mostly a midnight maze of booby trap piles inviting you to trip and fall on that sacred quest for a glass of water in the middle of the night...

Oh, actually - one more thing! I did update my shop today - I'm really excited about all the pieces up right now... unfortunately the pictures are terrible since it's an awfully grey day (storms a comin' tomorrow) and so this apartment takes on bat cave qualities... Someday I'll figure out a good photo solution... Until then, take my word that this stuff is goood!

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