Almost Christmas!

All right, so I'm crazy busy with no time. What else is new, right? Since I am really trying to at least post periodically, here's a quickie about what's up lately.

I am still waiting on the web sized photos from the last shoot, unfortunately. The initial photos I got back are fantastic so I'm hoping to get them all soon!

For me, business as usual, plus trying to get ready for Christmas (not doing very well at it, either, I'm afraid).

So, here are a couple of new items from the store that I absolutely love, plus a mystery that I'm still trying to solve. : )

I love this adorable brooch! There is something about vintage flower pins that just radiates happy optimism to me, which I always need more of!  https://www.etsy.com/listing/118395796/vintage-jewelry-darling-vintage-brooch

When I find fabulous pieces of  vintage jewelry it's always a struggle for me to let them go! However, since my personal collection of vintage jewelry is already far larger than reason dictates, I comfort myself by thinking about the good home my treasures will go to.

The beading on this vintage purse is exquisite! Again, my own personal collection is already quite large, but I'm tempted every time! https://www.etsy.com/listing/118394343/vintage-accessories-gorgeous-vintage?ref=v1_other_2

Finally, a great belt buckle! Pewter and turquoise, quite unusual! https://www.etsy.com/listing/117277009/vintage-accessories-vintage-belt-buckle

So there you have it, the latest additions to the shop, oh, I did promise a mystery, didn't I? Well, here it is.

I came across this antique ornament/clip quite some time ago and have been working sporadically to identify it for about a year so I can list it. It is some type of clip - hook, I am really not sure if it's for clothing or home decor purposes, I haven't come across one like it before. It is quite large, with an elaborate sterling design and an exquisitely detailed Father Christmas in brass attached to the front. The attached hook is also brass and is signed "Cappy," a signature I am unfamiliar with and have not been able to find any information on. So if you have the answers, please let me know!

My mystery ornament!

A look at the back.

If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories. There are also some fashion originals and the odd costume item! I hope to see you there soon!


www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

 For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com

To find out more about Shi Lessner Photography, check out her website!

http://shilessnerphotography.com/

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know! Thanks so much for reading my blog!

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
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Finally, Back Again!

I know, I'm a terrible, horrible, no-good blogger. Good intentions and all that, right? Between working on my shop, being a Mom and trying to keep my house from spontaneously combusting, my time just flies away from me every day. I really, really want one of those time turners Hermione has in the last few Harry Potter books. Yep, I'm a HP geek. Deal with it. I so wish I had magical powers. Really.

I am re-organizing my work room because I got a new computer hutch, which I love. Although I need to refinish it, which isn't going to happen until next summer. I still love it. Getting it into my workroom though, required major rearranging of furniture. Right now I'm at the "pull everything out into a horrendous mess before organizing and putting it back" stage. This is being prolonged because I keep having to actually do other stuff, like work. I really need an assistant. Or a magic wand. Sigh.

This is my work room right now. It doesn't usually look like this, I promise. However, I pulled everything out of every single cabinet so that I could get rid of my old sewing table and rearrange with the new  computer hutch. My old desk is now my sewing table. I moved the furniture around, but haven't gotten to the put everything back stage yet. Has to be done by this weekend though, time to get a Christmas tree and get Christmas decorations up! Yikes - it's almost Christmas! How did that happen, seriously?!!

I always think that "once fill in the blank gets done, I'm going to have more time." It has yet to happen, so why do I continue to believe it will? Seriously - I'm either a ridiculous optimist or I have major delusions when it comes to reality! I have also been refinishing some furniture on the days we get decent weather (always a surprise!) and going through my own closet to clear out the chaff. I have a couple of HUGE bags  waiting to go to Salvation Army. Waiting until I finish sorting through my workroom, because I know I have stuff in here that I can and need to get rid of! So what am I doing? Writing my blog, of course, finally. Honestly, I've been working all day and my brain is fried, so writing for a while is like a break.

I found this old media storage cabinet and saw some possibilities. No, I didn't take photos during the refinishing process, I forgot - surprise, surprise. It was a really nasty, beat up looking cabinet, but it's solid wood. I am tired of the pile of shoes that collects inside the front door, so thought this would make a much nicer place to store them! I took it apart, sanded it down and refinished it in a soft aqua with a burnt sienna wash. Then I, after much searching, I found some antique china knobs that coordinate and I love the way it turned out!

On top of everything else, despite my better judgement, I once again have agreed to do costumes for my daughters' high school musical production. Yes, I'm insane. So stay posted, no doubt I'll have lots of great pics of the Brighton High School production of Beauty and the Beast once the show is up and running. I will try to remember to take pics as we go through the process as well. Fun stuff, but also a ton of work, as anyone who has ever done costuming can attest - the show doesn't even go up 'til the end of April and I'm already spending 10 - 20 hours a week on it, planning and research right now. Yeesh.

BHS Beauty and the Beast, April 2013!

Another thing that has kept me busy lately was another photo shoot the Saturday before Thanksgiving, it went FABULOUSLY! I am getting better at this every time I do it. Good thing, huh? It would be pretty sad if I hadn't managed to learn anything along the way!

I am working with Shirley Lessner, of Shi Lessner Photography here in Brighton, MI - her website link is below, check it out. She is amazing, seriously and the preview photos I've seen so far are incredible!! My daughter Krystin once again did hair and make-up, she is really good at it too! I know they aren't "web ready" yet, but I have to add a few just as a preview because they look so good! I know some of the girls took pics during the shoot, but I don't have any copies of them yet. I once again forgot to take any during the process. I really am a terrible and forgetful photographer. Just ask my poor children who have very, very few records of their existence past the first year. Once I get the photos from the girls I'll post some - it was so much fun!

Model Kirsten looks adorable in a 1960's crochet hat and an 80's sweater.

Shi is doing some fine-tuning on the photos (honestly, I couldn't find anything wrong with them at all, but she wants to fix some stuff she didn't like. This is why she is the photographer and I am not!). I should have them in a few days, so stay tuned! It will take a while to get everything listed, but I'll get going on it asap!

Kathleen is stunning in a 1980's Beaded Gown.

Tegan in an 80's Power Dress!

Once again, I am so fortunate to have so many great girls who are willing to model for me - they are all not only gorgeous, but smart, funny and nice as well!

Tessie in a 1980's LBD - perfect for cocktails or a Holiday Party!

One fun fact I should have blogged about when it happened, but didn't! One of my 80's outfits was bought by the costumer for The Carrie Diaries, the WB show in production right now about the early days of Carrie Bradshaw (Sex in the City, Main Character, in case there is anyone out there who doesn't recognize the name!). I have no idea which character will wear it or even if it will actually end up on camera, but keep an eye out for it - I know I will!

Tegan in the outfit bought by The Carrie Diaries.

Well, there you have it, the latest and greatest of what my days are filled with! Thanks for reading and once again, I will state my intentions to do a better job of updating regularly. Thanks for your patience and feel free to comment! Have a vintage day!

If you haven't, please check out my Etsy store for vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and vintage accessories. There are also some fashion originals and the odd costume item! I hope to see you there soon!


www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com

 For Vintage home and decor items as well as vintage inspired home and decor made from reclaimed and up-cycled materials, please visit my other Etsy shop too!

www.VLDDecorandHome.etsy.com

To find out more about Shi Lessner Photography, check out her website!

http://shilessnerphotography.com/

Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments and if there is anything you would like me to explain or write about, please let me know! Thanks so much for reading my blog!

Email:  shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com

Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
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