Vintage Therapy

Dear Lizzy with Emily

2012-01-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

My friend, Emily and I decided to check out Starmill (American Fork, UT) a vintage shoppe, last Saturday, but they're closed for the winter. Bummer!!! Then, she took me to check out her favorite boutique, Dear Lizzy (Highland, UT).

They have the cutest stuff, very romantic, shabby chic with a touch of whimsy. The only catch is they're quite pricey. I heard they ship some of their items from Europe. I noticed a lot of handmade goodies, which are too die for, and one of a kind.

I'm pointing to these bows because my friends, Jessica and Leah taught me how to make them for next to nothing.

Em sporting a very cute diaper bag!!!

Don't you just love the tutu behind me?

For someone like me who loves bargains, it's definitely a place to get design ideas and inspirations.

Em scouring shabby chic frames, I think. It was a fun day!!! Thanks Em.

Martinez Peddlers Faire 2010

2010-08-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

We went to the Martinez, CA Peddlers faire today, and I had a blast.
We ooohhh and aaahhh about everything we saw.

Love all the antiques and vintage furniture and decor!!!

Not to mention all the collectibles!!! Either of us is a collector, but we adored all the unique items we saw.
Jessica is a lot of fun!!! Thanks for coming with me, Jess.

We were so impressed with the many artists and their handmade creations. BTW, Jessica is an artist herself. Check out her etsy shoppe, Secor Decor!!!

I Heart "Paris Flea."

2010-08-06T01:42:00.000-07:00

I made it to Paris Flea Market grand opening, and I was impressed. Thanks to my sweet husband, who drove me there but then had to wait in the car since the kids had fallen asleep on the way.
I found out I needed some alone time anyways to soak it all in and admire every little thing they have. The place is grand; the ladies are warm and helpful; the stuff are fabulous; they have lots and lots of vintage, shabby chic decor with Paris flare. You should see it to believe it. It is bigger than it's sister shoppe, Room With a Past, but they are different and of course have ever changing items.
I got these fabulous handmade earrings by one of their talented vendors, Bombshell Betty.

And I'm loving it.

Photo, courtesy of Paris Flea Market

I want this beautiful sofa and the price is right $229, but notice the keyword "WANT."
I really don't have space for it, although I can just get rid of my old sofa if I really want to rationalize the purchase. The fact that hubby has been wanted to get rid of our current sofa will be a great "pitch." To be honest though, my kids will stain it so fast, and I was actually the one who's been against buying a new sofa because I don't want to be uptight about what my kids or their friends do to it since I don't care about that old thing. I guess I will have to wait until the kids are grown up a bit.

Well if you are interested to find great treasures, here is the address:

535 Leisure Street, (at Interstate 580/Vasco Road) in Livermore, CA

(925) 960-0400 . Just watch for the pink bike in the driveway!

And here are their sale dates this month:

Thursday, August 5, from 6 PM - 9 PM

Friday, August 6, from 9 AM - 4 PM

Saturday, August 7, from 9 AM - 4 PM

and Sunday, August 8, from 10 AM - 4 PM

HAPPY ANTIQUING!!!

Hula

2010-07-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

I joined a hula house, Na Mamo No' eau, early this year, and I'm loving it. I've been wanting to wear a hula skirt to practice, so when I saw an array of hula skirts and mumus at a community garage sale today, I was ecstatic.

I asked the sweet lady who was incharged and asked how much she is asking for these hula skirts. She asked me how much I was willing to pay for them. My inside voice said I will pay a maximum of $5/ea, but I didn't say anything. When the lady asked me if I dance Hula, I said yes. She said, "You can have them for $1/ea; how about that?" All I could say was, "What a great deal."

The skirts come with these tops and pants which I will not wear to practice, but they are nice to have for performing.I couldn't hide my excitement; I asked the lady for this dress. She said, "You can have it for $2." I couldn't have pulled my $5 bill fast enough; I was so happy. I didn't even care if it wasn't gonna fit me, for $2, you can't go wrong. I'm glad it fits me. I spent a total of $4 for 2 skirts and a beautiful dress.

The lady mentioned that she is just happy the costumes are going to someone who appreciates them. They were her daughters. And if you know hula performances at all, you have to sew all of your own costumes and make most of the accessories, so they were made with a lot of love. And in my case, it usually includes late nights/ last minutes sewing, or having my hula sisters sew them for me (I know, how sad is that I don't sew). Well, in my defense, I just bought a sewing machine, and I will learn and try to sew my next hula outfits.

Gado-Gado

2010-06-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

We had Indonesian hot salad for lunch today, healthy and yummo.

Ingridient: Eggs, tofu, water spinach, potatoes, cabbage, bean sprouts, topped with peanut dressing.

More Treasures

2010-05-29T20:42:00.000-07:00

Today was such a beautiful day. We went garage saling and found more treasures. I got fantastic deals on all of them. I am joining Rodha at Southern Hospitality Thrifty Treasure.

Vintage desk chair for $7, not so fond of the fabric pattern, but that can be changed.

Table lamp, $2.50, a real steal. It came handy today when my sweet little boy accidentally knocked over the table lamp in his room and broke it.

And I love love love these vintage ball eclipse glass jars with wire bail. I got them for next to nothing. I will treat these jars with a lot of care because the man who sold them to me, was selling everything because he had to move out and live "under the bridge" due to a family (siblings) dispute over the house after his mother passed. He said that he moved back home when his mother got really sick. He had put a lot of his time and money to take care of her and fix up the house. The house would be going for sale soon. He told me that he likes these jars and asked if I was gonna use them. I said yes; I will use them to house my dry beans. It is such a heart breaking story; it reminds me to be more grateful for the roof over my head, a basic necessity.

Victorian Luncheon

2010-05-16T20:03:00.001-07:00

I attended a victorian lucheon that was put together by our ward Relief Society (our church women organization) at Jenn's home (Thank you for being a great host Jenn). I finally got to wear my vintage hat that I purchased a while back from the Room. It was a blast.

with my friend, Emily

Mom, Let's Go To a Yard Sale

2010-05-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

That's what my son, M.P. always says because he knows that's the place where he get his toys. He only gets his new toys from Santa, Eater Bunnny, Mom & Dad for his birthday or after a hefty tax refund. When we are at the store, he says, "Mom, can I just look at the toys?" "I'm not gonna buy them because I think they're too expensive." That's a music to my ears. When it comes to toys, I think less is more anyways. And do I even have space for more of them? When we get new toys, we need to get rid of some.

So, we went yard saling this morning. Also, check out more Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality .

M.P. scored big. He got all these for $2.70. Yes, the Lighting McQueen suitcase is a buck.

I got myself a suede leather jacket for $4, great condition, super clean, LIKE NEW. This picture doesn't do it justice because the color is actually a vibrant mint green.

M.P. is into birdcages; I love them too. We got this for $2.50, and I put it up on the self as part of my decor.

Thrifted this Crates and Barrel Popcorn bucket for our movie nights, $2.5

Junking Resumed

2010-05-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally bought a new camera, and so here are photos of our treasure hunt a while back:

We've been enjoying our breakfast, lunch and dinner on these cute sturdy chairs that we thrifted at a parking lot flea market. The lady I bought them from had great vintage, shabby chic/ antique furnitures. I wish I could buy more of them, but I didn't have the need nor the budget for them. She was selling these chairs for $10/ea, but I asked for a deal since I was buying all of them. I paid $25 total. Our old ones are falling apart; I had them since I was single, 8 yrs ago. We ended up tossing one of them, but now we 6 chairs, mix match.

M.P. found these vintage Samsonite luggage at her daughter's booth, and told me to buy them. They are in great condition, the inside is very clean. I do need a cosmetic case when I travel this summer. So I paid $10 for both plus she threw in a new bag of mommy and three little baby duckies that my son, M.P. picked up. BTW, I saw a newer model of this cosmetic case retail for $300 (what???), but was on sale for $149; same difference, still too expensive.

New Year's Day at the Room

2010-01-01T15:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, I took my friend Candy for the New Year's Day bruch/ half of holiday items/ the only bargain day. She bought a lot of goodies, and of course my camera has to be broken after our Christmas break trip to Disneyland, so I didn't get any picture. I also bought several cute items, such as a green net hat, a vintage yellow apron, a white stool, and vintage crochet sweater for little Jessa. Sadly, no picture for them either.

Vintage Ala Indo

2009-08-20T23:30:00.000-07:00

I grew up in Indonesia. When I went home last year, I was so happy that my mom still keeps and uses this old stove beside her gas stove. The bottom part is a tank that holds kerosene; the middle part contains tunnels that hold wicks all around it which come out through the top. We lit the wicks with regular matches just like we would candle here. We used to cook all kind of great and delicious food on them..oh fun memories.

I'm Back

2009-08-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy since we welcomed a new addition to our family.

Although I haven't gone garage saling lately, I would like to post a few finds that I have forgotten to post when I went to a church Rummage sale a few months ago.

A bunny egg holder and 3 frames for 25 cents each.....score.

Room With A Past

2009-05-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

I made it to the room again this month, but I only go on their opening night, Thursday from 6 - 8:30 PM. Again they have lots of good stuff and great vintage and shabby chic decorating and design ideas.
Yes, I saw another green dresser price at $95, and sadly it won't be mine. The other green dresser was still there that night.

Look at this cute baby stroller.

Complete with darling vintage baby girl's clothing, and stuff.

Malachi took this picture, a shabby chic dresser and porcelain booties...so cute.

If you like collectibles and knick-knacks you'll like everything on this shelves.

I thought this miniature farmhouse chairs and drop leaf table are so darling, but the practical side of me would never let me buy any knick-knacks.

Malachi took this picture, a secretary desk, and lots of vintage art frames.

Another pic that Kai took, a vintage water dispenser, I think.

I love this shabby chic side table.

Shabby chic frames for those of you who like to do projects with frames.

Kai took this picture; he loves this "I don't even know what."

I love these whimsical lamps.

Look how darling this miniature vintage wicker stroller is? Malachi's friend's mom from preschool bought it that night.

I took this picture to show Scott because he said that I shouldn't buy anymore furniture (no space), except for a coffee table. We had our current coffee table for 6 years now. Dorothy kindly gave it to me when I was single, but now it's kind of broken. No, we didn't buy the coffee table priced at $74. Scott doesn't think we should.

This is the only thing bought that night, a pink and white frame that Malachi and I love for our new arrival, $3.

For the Love of Trifting & Junking

2009-05-06T22:52:00.000-07:00

Bargain hunting has always been my hobby. I buy most things on Sale: clothes, shoes, kitchen wares, books, you name it, unless I really really need a particular item and I have a time table.
Remember, you don't have to sacrifice quality because you get a great deal.

Finding old and used treasures that cost next to nothing gives me thrill and excitement, so I decided to create this blog. Unlike my family blog which has a private status, I decided to make this blog public to get connected with those fellow vintage and shabby chic lovers out there.

I have to admit that my finds will be both old and new, since some new items I just can't say no to.

Welcome and leave me a note when you can.

Flea Market and Rummage Sale Finds

2009-05-06T22:32:00.001-07:00

Spring is a Rummage Sale season. Last Saturday, I went to two different church rummage sales in my neighborhood. Yes, it was raining, but it was in-door, so we went. One of the Rummage sales was a fund raising that they do every six month; the proceeds would be used to help people in the third world countries. I'm sure the other church was doing some type of fund raising too, but I didn't remember to ask.

This vintage petite side table was $2. I know I don't need it since I already found and bought one 2 weeks ago, but for that price who could pass it on. I think I will paint it white.

This stool was $3. I might use it as a nursing stool unless Kai wants it.

Of course we had to go to the toy section, and Kai picked these masks for 50 cents each.

Two weeks ago, when I was driving to the gym on a Saturday morning, I saw a sign that said RSM flea market, so I thought I would stop by after my work out. When I got there, I noticed that the flea market was a fund raising for a swimming team. I got this cute little wooden/ wrought iron sleigh box for $2. I love the color and it is really sturdy. It's a perfect house for the DVDs that were on the floor since the DVD tower was maxed out. We really just need to get read of DVDs we don't ever gonna watch again.

I was also in the market for a crib bumper since I hadn't found one that I like in the store.
They are either a wrong shade of pink which would match the pink crib sheet (I just wouldn't buy used crib sheets) I got or just some type of character. I actually would settle for a while bumper, but I couldn't even find one.
Anyways, I was delighted to see a lady selling these white eyelet crib bedding set (include crib bumper, dust raffle, and quilt) for $15. I ask her how much she wanted just for the bumper since I had bought a white dust raffle (since the pink I saw in the store was a wrong shade), and I don't really need a quilt. To my surprised, she haggled her way down, she said that she would give me all three for $10. I thought it was a great deal, shabby chic white eyelet bedding set. The next day, I went back to Babies R' Us and returned the dust raffle that I paid for $17.99 + tax and bought two packs of size 2 diapers instead.