4 or more years.

It is 6 minutes until my forth anniversary.  He has been in my life in one way or another for the past 10 years.  We have seen many things.  Distance, silence, happiness, tears, nostalgia, live music, good food, and personal growth.  This past year has been as hard as it has been amazing.  We became new parents but then almost immediately we had to spend a week in the hospital, away from our son.  These things happening at the beginning of the year was almost a fore warning of how things would be for the rest of the year.  There were constant ups and downs, but I am grateful.  It is almost as though we have reached the summit now, and we can finally rest and move on from all of our struggles with a new clarity.  Everything that happened, needed to happen and now I know we can take on the next phase of our lives together with confidence and certainty.  If I can make it through the cold season unscathed, that would be awesome.

Tonight we did everything we could possibly fit in in the time we had.  Live music, we ate twice and had a serious discussion over tea, where we only briefly mentioned how we were missing our little guy.  It was nice to be two adults just enjoying each others company again.  I can't wait to do it again next year.  :-)

 Headphones are a must...

Stay warm

How awesome is my neighborhood?

























We have experienced a very cold arctic wind come through here in the mid-west.  It's not quite the cold that stings your face or makes your eye lids stick to your eyes when you blink.  Nope, not there, but it's still pretty cold.  Someone in my neighborhood is awesome and put out a few handmade hats.  This is why I love Madison.  :-D

it's winter out there!

Wow, it has been cold these past couple days.  Well cold to what I have been used to living in Wisconsin.  It's really nothing compared to what I've been seeing back home... -44 degrees Celsius! Compared to that -12 Celsius isn't bad at all but hey, I've been spoiled living here in the "south".  Either way, it's time for wool! 
This is a little thing I have been working on and planning out as I go.  I didn't use any sort of pattern or make any plans prior to starting.  I have to say that winging it has worked out this time.  Thank God.  I really need to learn my lesson and plan out my projects ahead of time to reduce the chances of hitting a snag and completely abandoning the whole thing as a result. 
The jumper is made out of 100% recycled materials! :-D  Which makes me happy.  Here is the break down:
-Brown wool is vintage and picked up from freecycle.
-Blue wool is also vintage and picked up in the same freecycle batch.
-Lining is from a shirt is also recycled from a friend.
-Buttons were from a little thrift store I like to pop into from time to time.
Only the snaps and the thread used to keep it all together were new.  All in all I am really pleased with the outcome.  My little guy tried it on but since it's not a stretch fabric the snaps keep popping open.  I'm currently thinking about how I can remedy this.  As a last resort it will become a sweater.  

Here is another cold weather find I picked up at a local rummage sale.  Normally I am not too keen on posting clothing items but this is just so much fun that I decided to make an exception. 
Vintage mens L sweater with stripes down the side.  :-D I have been having thrift store withdrawals so when I saw the flier for the rummage sale I was basically salivating at the mouth which makes this find soooo much better.  I am addicted to thrift shopping, end of story, so what? ;-P  Oh, did I mention it was a buck?  Yup it was! I also got a couple of other shirts for a buck each as well.  Score.
I paired this sweater with a pants originally from Lands End Canvas that is currently for sale in stores, thrifted for $4.00.  Those items combined with my thrifted toggle winter coat for $7.00 and I am warm and thrifty this winter.  I can only equate the feeling of finding and wearing great thrifted pieces to those that a Vegan might feel.  That you are making a difference with the choices you make on a daily bases.  It might be a stretch but hopefully it's a little insight into why I am the way I am.  I really can't pay retail for anything besides the essentials. It's  not that I don't love shiny new items, because I do, but only at 70% off.  In my opinion retail=robbery, considering that clothing is made at a very low cost and not in the greatest conditions.  The difference is in quality.  If something is quality and you know that it was made by someone who is doing what they do well and what they feel a calling for, then yes.  Those things are worth their price tag... but in this age of consumerism that's hard to find.

Hmm, now what to share with you.  This is hard because I have been listening to so much lovely music.  Winter is the time that I really fall in love with music.  It's cold and the air is dry.  Everything outside looks so brittle and some how it makes me more receptive to music that is fitting to my feelings in this season.

It's not in English, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it anyless.  Just let your imagination take over.
Pascal Pinon - Ekki Vanmeta

First Pets and mommy projects

My little little nugget just had his first birthday!  I can't believe it's been a year already and it's so amazing and sad at the same time.  He is literally doing something new everyday.  I am so proud but it's bitter sweet.  <3

A week before he was to turn 1 I decided that I NEEDED to make him a handmade gift.  I also wanted to make him a banner that read "Happy 1st Birthday Qais!"  The latter did not get completed because I didn't realize how much work designing and sewing letters really was.  I also kept elaborating on the original idea.  When I realized that it just was not going to be finished I put all my energies into completing his gift.  After much contemplating I came up with a stuffed fishbowl! 

The body of the bowl is made out of vintage hounds tooth blue fabric that I picked up from someone on freecycle! Yay!  Also included in that batch was a lot of wool fabric, some kind of heavy duty off white fabric and other various interesting vintage fabrics that I have been making use of.  The heavy duty off white fabric is reserved for a straight jacket that my sister asked me to make.  It may sound odd,  but if you knew my sister, you would totally understand ;-P




Everything else is made from felt that I picked up at the thrift store that I used to volunteer at.  It came with several 8" x 10" sheets of various colors all for a mere $1.49!  The stuffing was left over from old couch cushions that I picked up to use for the floor cushions that I made a few years ago.  I still have tons left that I have used for several more pillows I have to show you soon. :-)

Here is the starting of the banner.  The idea developed into having the letters being attached to the string by buttons so that it can be changed for any occasion.  That will resume progress once I have finished with some tailoring for my better half.  So far 95% of the banner has been constructed out of old clothing owned by myself and a friend.  Out of the things that I owned, all of it was pre-owned as well.  So I must say that it is reusing at its finest!  The other 5% has been from the batch of freecycled fabric that I got and used for the fish bowl as well.

My last post was about re purposing and we have furthered that project as well.  Our trunk as officially turned into a place to hide the little little nuggets toys.  Early on we decided that we didn't want the fact that we had a child rule our living space.  We knew we wanted to try and keep our place, "our" place and have visible toys and things to a minimum.  I have to say, so far mission accomplished but who knows how long we can hang on!  

Everyday the toys come out and every night, or mostly every night, the toys go back and we have our space back.

I am currently finishing up this post while Daddy feeds LLN his lunch and I can tell that my assistance is needed.  Back to motherhood for me, but I look forward to sharing more projects with you in the near future!

Re-purposing my life and my home

What a rocky road I walk.  I'm not going to lie, lately things have been difficult for me.  Being a new mom has brought so many unexpecteds with it that I just was not prepared for.  Having a child really does change your life, they were not lying when they said that.  I have been all over the spectrum, going from extreme joy to extreme depression in a matter of a few days sometimes.  Looking back, too many things happened in such a short period of time that I think I went in to shock mode and could not cope.  I brought home a perfect baby boy but within months needed to have 2 surgeries.  I finally understand why people were constantly asking me if I was okay.  And I was.  But reality had to come crashing down at some point, you can't be in survival mode forever right?  Luckily I have an amazing, supportive husband who is always looking out for me.  A few months ago, he took me on a trip to California to help get my mind of things and give me an early birthday present.  Then for my real birthday he allowed me to spend a month with my family in Canada, even though he would be away from our son that whole time.  Both trips were great and helped me get a break from everything and have some fun.  I know this post has been pretty deep but I think that's what is needed from time to time.  Sometimes you just need to unload and get a few things off your chest.  With that being said, it does relate to the title to this blog :-P


While were in California we went to the famous Rose Bowl Flea Market.  It happens on the second Sunday of the month so if you are ever in SoCal on that Sunday, you need to check it out. We picked up this antique globe and tons of other goodies while we were there.  My son got a few vintage hoodies and a vintage t shirt.  He will be outgrowing them soon despite the fact that he is not the size listed: 12 mo. :-(


Where ever I go I can not resist the local thrift shops so I dragged my husband around L.A and found some pretty cool things for myself as well.  Mostly clothing though, so I won't bother posting those.

Moving on to Canada, I had tons of willing thrift enthusiasts there so you know what I was doing!  Plainly, I bought to many things, I actually almost regret it. :-/  My only consultation is that I was also practical too purchasing little glass bottles that look like old medicine bottles, a tea pot, and a winter coat!  But that's besides my point right now.  When I am most excited about is the re-purposing my husband did while I was in Canada.  He turned our old wooden crate bookshelf into shelving on the wall and made other nonfunctional pieces functional.

Crates used as a bookshelf  "before"

Wooden crates used as wall shelving "after".
Inside is an original drawing from a local
artist that I need to get a frame
for.  I think it's fitting though. :-)

Not only that he got all DIY and made some shelving on an awkward wall because normal bookshelves just wouldn't work.  Check out my drawing and see what he did. :-)

I have no idea why the picture was turned and
I can't fix it. :-/

Last but not least, a potato sack I picked up at a warehouse sale by Oodles and Scads!  I love Oodles and Scads sooo much! Every time I go to one of the sales I always bring something home.  I thought this would go in the living room but I think my husband thought that would be over kill ;-P  Then I thought of putting it on top of the stairs but then he didn't like that either so it sat around until I left on my visit.  I came back and he had put it where I never would have thought... in the bathroom.  I have to admit that I like it though.  It's nice to get a chance to appreciate it, instead of just walk past. :-P

The design comes to life!

Re-decorating and re-purposing the things around me couldn't have happened at a better time.  Along with changing up the things around me I want to change and improve myself as well.  It is with a renewed intention that I move to improve my spiritual self and my physical self.  I have been stagnant for too long and it hasn't done me any favors, in fact it has done me harm.  I hope that with positive intention everyday that positiveness is drawn to me and through me in everything I do.

Now for a song that makes me feel happy and on to duties that will make those in my home happy.  Fresh laundered clothing!
Until next time :-)

Happy Friday, get out and find some deals!

I hope you don't mind a minimally worded post for a more of a pictorial on some of my favorite finds.
These are some of things that I have found and have become almost a staple and get basically weekly use.  Some are practical and some are fun :-)

•  Chest
• Tray
• Mugs
• Cream and Sugar set

This little scene constitutes my nightly pass time.  All of these items cost very little or nothing at all.  Total being just under $25.00 for all.  The chest doubles as our coffee table and it gets daily use by us and use for tea and cookies with friends at least once a week.

Bracelets made of metal and wood.  I picked up both of these in the Bay area at different thrift store.  I just love them and actually wear them both at once on the same wrist!
Combined price of approximately $6.00

•  Corning Brand Carafe
• Glass
• Wooden decorative bowl
• Little serving dish
• Table cloth
• Table

I really was not joking when I said I own hardly anything "new".  This was a picture I snapped for my "CSA cooking" diary.  Strawberry lemon with Garlic scape pesto for a snack

Everything without the table came to about $6.00

•  Crate and Barrel Plate
• Table cloth 

Another photo from my CSA cooking diary as well.  The veggies in the fried rice came in the veggie box.  The table cloth and the plate came to $.25.  I got the plate set for $1.00 and so that is the price of 1 plate.  The table cloth was free.

One of the 3 "pricey" items in my home that gets the most use is the living room carpet.  A little more then we would normally pay but we definitely got it at a fraction of the retail price.



I guess the "moral" of the story is you can find anything you need without paying retail.  This is something that I am pretty much against and make very little exceptions for.  The obvious things are personal wear and electronics.  Everyone and anyone can score a great deal if you just take a little more time to look for it.  Sabr.

Seasons Greetings!

Garage Sale season that is.  The actual season that just keeps giving and giving, if you are willing to go out and look for the deals!  Craigslist is amazing when it comes to looking for the best garage sales suited to your tastes and needs.  I have searched "baby" "size 8" and "family" so far and I have not been disappointed in the garage sales that I have been to.  Also on the plus side, they were all in walking distance! Not having a car for the past few months has been an adventure and I actually thought I wouldn't be able to check out the local garage sales because of it.  But of course, with my life long love of deals, I HAD to find a way.

What did I score, many things actually.  I was able to get some books, a kelty baby carrier, fabric, cups,  utensils, a few clothing items (maybe 10 things including winter wear),  scarves, an antique mirror, antique first aid kit, flooring, an insulated coffee cup, a mixing bowl, a few decorative items and a juicer!  I hope I'm not forgetting anything because it was QUITE a loot, and all under $60.00.  I actually didn't even spend the full 60 because I used a few bucks at the grocery store and treated myself to bubble tea.

So far I have worn a pants, cardigan and dress that I bought.  I've have skimmed through one of the books "A History of Art" and discovered an artist that I really like :-D.  I have made a tea for sore throats consisting of ginger, oranges and mint leaves with the juicer.  We went out for a hike with the kelty carrier and my son loved it.  He was content the whole time and even got in a pretty long nap!  We also found a picnic basket and it went out for a picnic the same day with some friends.  The mirror is hanging, and the utensils have already been threw the dishwasher a few times!  I have even found a little bit of time to start a pillow with some of the fabric.  I also treated my husband to some traditional fried bread using my 'new" mixing bowl.  There is not even space to post pics of all the items in their uses so far but we all know what cups with coffee in them look like ;-P 

Anyway, all my purchases have already paid for themselves in their uses and I would encourage any one and everyone to hit up some garage sales.  Take the whole family!  If you are so inclined you might even score an item lower then the sticker price.  I have fond memories of haggling for miniature toys at the tender age of 7!  All these years later, I am so happy that my mom got me up early and took me garage sailing on the weekends of summer with my grandma.  We would also often go thrift shopping after the sales died down around 2-3 in the afternoon.  I don't yet have a daughter, one day I hope to God willing, so for now my guys will just have to endure it!

 Summer playlist status: