Back to school again!!!!!

This may seem late in the year, but my teaching semester just started this week! Yes, I know. It is mid-February.

Riverside City College-quadrangle bld

(My employer)

What I wear to work is important to me. It is not only an extension of who I am creatively and personally, just as any other day, but it aides in differentiating me from the students. 

As a college professor, who is only 31, this is vital. Some students are near my age. Others are far older. Thus, I must make it clear that I am a professional. That I take my job seriously, even if at times I am snarky, quirky, and sardonic.

Under tank:Old navy, blouse: Nordstrom Rack $5, Knit polka dot skirt: Ann Taylor LOFT $5, Harajuku Mini headband: Target $1.80

So, this week I wore a funner new outfit (there's always a need for back to school clothes) and a classic professors staple, which is a lovely Anne Klein two piece women's suit (dress & jacket). 

Anne Klein Suit: Nordstrom Rack $80, Vintage Brooch: Grandma Pat

Although I wore the suit on the second day, the first outfit is quite professional and put together in it's own right. Although, it showed more personality.

Sorry no shots of shoes this week. Back to school means I am a busy bee.

The college is celebrating 100 years this year, and as I was browsing the link on the home page I found this cute tid-bit about initiation fashion requirements in the 50s. I just had to share.

Yeah, it's a screen shot.

My favorite part is that women either need to have their hair in pin curls or umcombed. So cute!

For today, that's all. However, I have some great vintage finds to share this week. Plus, we took family photos over the weekend. As soon as I get some copies I will share.

{What I Wore Wednesday} last Weeks Looks til today

Since My outfits were incongruous to the topic of Sunday night's post, I thought that I would save them all for one big shebang today. Extra fun!

Monday Last- dress:mall store $1, undershirt: Target, belt: Coach (Poshmark), Necklace: Vintage inherited, bracelet: Target clearance

Tuesday Last- dress: Hot Topic, cardigan: Calvin Klein (Ross $12)

The following is my weekend attire from that family focused weekend that I mentioned Sunday evening. I think that the joy my family brings me is apparent in the photos. 

Saturday- blouse: vintage(my mom's), jeans: Target $16, shoes: China Town San Francisco $10, and earrings: Wet Seal $2

Sunday- cardigan : Alannah Hill (gift), skirt: St John by Marie Gray (thrifted $3), Shoes: Kate Spade, Dove bobby pins: Juicy Couture

Tuesday- under tank: old navy, Cardigan: Target ($11), jeans: Juicy couture ( Black Friday sale $26), booties: Target ($8), headband: Target Harajuku Mini ($1.50), and pins: Hepcat, hot air balloon, and propaganda (Shows and ETSY).

Wednesday- men's shirt:Hot Topic,  skirt:Kirna Zabete for Target, lace socks: Alannah Hill, shoes, Daisy Fuentes: thrifted ($4). Hair flower: Darling Daughter 

So many lovely outfits, not enough days. 

Sunday Sermons

I love God! I mean I truly love God! He is the guiding force of my life, my protector, my hope. Although this may not always be apparent in every aspect of my life, especially when I break down and freak out at my husband or kiddos in that oh so human way, it is what I want the world to know.

Dress: vintage/thrifted ($7), shoes: Bakers (free/gift from mom), belt: Target, gloves:vintage (From yesterday's post), necklace: vintage, bracelet:Christmas gift from Cuban Cowboy, Jacket: Via Spiga (gift), clutch: Coach (I hear it's the Pantone color of 2014). PS: Don't hate on my MJ one glove. I had to take the pic, and I couldn't wear both.

One small, and seemingly frivolous, way that I demonstrate this love for God is dressing up for my weekly date with Him. Yep! I have an extra special date with him each Sunday. Just like the Cuban Cowboy, I hang out with God everyday, but Sundays are a bit extra special. 

For this week, I also included a special piece of Jewelery as the foundation of my ensemble. It is a super cool, vintage cross that I inherited from my Grandma Blanche. What makes this necklace so cool is that there is a teeny, tiny magnifying glass at its center. When one looks inside she sees a scroll with the Lord's Prayer. Super cool! However, I rarely wear it because it is gold, and I am not; nor have I ever been; a fan of gold.

It is perfect with this vintage dress though.

Making this Sunday extra special was another phenomenal sermon. This week talked about keeping ourselves focused on God so as to not drift away. I love the nautical theme, and it reminded me of the Plumb song Drifting.

 If you are not familiar with Plumb, I promise you will love her lyrics (even if you aren't Christian). She sings about life, and she is truly authentic. 

To wrap up the days thoughts: is God your anchor? Is he the shoreline you are aiming for? I pray, in earnest, that he blesses you this week.

Halloween is in our Midst

Howdy there. I know that, yet again, it has been awhile since I have shown myself, but now I have an I Phone. Hopefully this will help me get back into blogging on a truly regular basis... Let's hope. 

Okay, for today it's all about this years Halloween decor. I haven't created anything new for this year, at least not yet. It will probably come after the big church event on the 18th. 

I have several " mantels" in my house. I have the real mantel.

Those little owls were inherited from my amazing Aunt Melmer earlier this year. 

The top of my awesome thrifted hutch. 

I love this vignette! And including books is a must. Each section has a book, and here's one of our faves: the anniversary edition of The Nightmare Before Christmad

The top of my kitchen buffet. 

The crawling spiders are adorbs, and Archer Farms spice jars are great for making "poison".

And the top of this sideboard in our living room.

Some little crafts from Target are featured here (saved from last year). Plus, you cannot resist the lovely owl warmer from Scentsy. 

There are also many staggered levels of cradles and a lovely apple basket which my late father handmade filled with some Starbucks goodies ( and Barbie).

There are some other touched throughout the house too. 

My Missoni for Target platter and a newly squired vintage candy jar are among items adorning the dining room table. Plus, I couldn't resist the owl Trick of Treat basket; I placed my utensil canister in it for the season. 

We haven't decorated outdoors yet. I am waiting until the Cuban Cowboy has time to help with that, which will hopefully be soon. 

We also need to do a cool countdown. 

Okay, so that's all for today. My you have a blessed autumn. 

{Found Friday} Vintage Vestiges

Welcome to the first Found Friday.

This will be a recurring event that will 

alternate with Frugal Friday,

mostly because sometimes I have a great find 

that is not necessarily frugal.

Thus, I thought it would be a great idea to share those things with you as well.

I mean who doesn't love a great find, 

no matter the price.

So, for this first Found Friday I am going to share with you a menagerie 

of super awesome vintage items I have picked up 

at the local thrift and antique stores 

since this past January.

They are also a few pieces that were hiding in my garage. 

I will share more back story when we get to them.

Let's go by room.

Den

Vintage Fan

This fan is AWESOME.

Not only is the color superb, but it works.

I mean slice 'em dice 'em, cut your fingers off works!!!

That is why it is at the top of a 6 foot bookcase.

I picked this up at the local antique shop for $25.

I thought it was a reasonable price,

especially since it worked.

I had eyed it for a few weeks, 

and when I finally decided to go for it I was so glad that it was still there.

Sometimes things aren't always there when you wait.

Also in this room is my antique bottle collection.

This is a collection that has been sitting on a shelf

 in my garage for about 4 or 5 years.

My husband dug all of these up on a job site;

so they were FREE.

The green vase was my great grandmother's

I love the colors.

I love the patinas on the lids.

One is even stuffed full of dirt.

There are pharmacy bottles,

a clorox bottle 

(that's the big brown one),

and other miscellaneous bottles.

SAHWEET!

When I first put them on this shelf they didn't stand out, 

so I cut some bright yellow scrapbook paper and slid it behind the shelf.

It totally did the trick.

I recently added a new bottle to this collection.

I sorta think that this photo would make a good print.
Whatcha think?

I picked up this gorgeous Vaseline bottle at the thrift for $3.

I love how old glass has a rainbow hue to it.

The rusty lid is also a favorite of mine.

There were two of these, but I just grabbed one.

If the other is still there when I go back 

I will grab it and  list it in my ETSY shop.

Now moving on to the next room.

Formal Living Room

I grabbed this great Singer Sewing machine at my thrift store for $25.

I had been eyeing one at the antique store for a LONG time, 

but when I went to get it 

it was no longer there.

I knew that our thrift store had acquired an entire collection,

but they were WAY over priced for a very ling time. 

I mean like $90.

They are not worth that.

I thought $25 was fair.

It came with the cord.

When the guy plugged it in at the register he caused the light bulb to burst.

NICE!!!!

Do the electrical works, but it is missing some things

like the bobbin casing.

It is actually part of a table with a knee peddle,

so I can't really use.

However, I did find out that my grandma's sewing table 
at my mom's house

used to house the same machine and had the knee peddle.

Unfortunately my grandmother must've 
taken it off some time in the past.

Oh well, I had a minute glimmer of hope for a second.

I will eventually get the table anyway,

but for now it is displayed in my formal living room next to 

my wedding bouquet and some wooden toys that were my brother's.

Above is hung a wedding photo of my father's parents. 

I think it makes a great little vintage vignette overall.


What vintage items have you picked up recently?
How do they add to the appeal 
and personalization of your home?