Sunday, November 17, 2013

It's amazing how creative a fever makes you!!


Puppy Love--snoozing together on their blankeys.
 Hiya Blogland!! Has everyone been having a fantastic weekend?? I am finally feeling human again. The cold I had a couple of weeks ago turned into a cruddy bronchitis this past week. I've been house-bound other than a couple of trips to the doctor.

Weirdly enough, being sick and feverish amped up my creative juices. SO MANY IDEAS!!!  Plus I had to use an inhaler so after a few days I was WIRED. I had lots of little projects that I could do whilst vegging in the recliner. Heaven knows I have enough craft stuff to outfit a store!!

I've been making all sorts of pastel ornaments for the pastel tree. Here again is my FREE picked off the curb pastel Christmas tree:

I teased everyone Thursday on what could I possibly be making out of this stuff:
Jello molds, elves, birds, shredded paper and pipe cleaners
 Here's the finished products. I made little bird nests with the vintage birds, a mold and the shredded paper. I added some vintage beads and greenery.

Close-up of the bird ornament

I had a few of these vintage elves from my childhood.  I stuck some floral foam from my stash in the molds, topped it with some bating and added the elf and a little bottle brush tree. A bit of glitter and now I have ornaments that really set off the elves.


Close-up of elf

I pulled some white and pastel pipe cleaners out and made candy canes for the white tree. It's SUPER easy. Just cut the pipe cleaners in half. Take a white and pastel and just twist together and form in cane.
I may glitter these with snow glitter when I find my spray glue.

I also re-furbished these tiny vintage porcelain bell ornaments. The silk ribbon hangers were dry-rotted. I added pipe cleaners to hold the clapper in and a bit of vintage ribbon.

I'm busy making other ornaments I'll be showing off later this week! Plus I have some new to vintage bottle brush tree make-overs to share.

Outfit-wise it's been a boring week. Friday I had to go back to the doctors for a lung check (make sure I didn't develop pneumonia) My outfit other than the boots (Kmart) is thrifted. I was going with comfort not style for sure.


Today we  met up with my mom, daughter and son-in-law for dinner. I dressed for comfort in thrifted WhiteStag skinny cords I DIY with stirrups, a Bentley (this used to be sold in Kmart) pale grey tweedy tunic sweater, Aerosole boots and a scarf I got at the craft store.

I'm linking up with all of the fabulous ladies at Visible Monday and Monday Mingle. Come check out REAL style!!
Daddy and his babies on Saturday morning. MrBill always hops in my spot when I get up.
 Everyone have a wonderful beginning of the week and I'll be back Tuesday with more crafty reveals!!

TTFN

Tamera







Thursday, November 14, 2013

Jello Molds and Pipe Cleaners

Hello Blogland!!! How is everyone doing this week?? It's gotten freakin' COLD here. It's crazy--we go from days when the high is in the 70's to days when the high is in the 30's. IN THE SAME WEEK!!! UGH!!!

I found a tree stand so I was able to stand the new (fresh from the curbside)white tree up. Ain't she a BEAUTY??
Here's a close-up so you can see the opalescent colors and needle texture:
Here's a view of the corner of the basement where my Christmas hoard lives. About half the stuff has been moved out to be re-lighted(I'm re-doing the trees with LED lights)and inventoried. Do I need an intervention??

The new white tree is going in the master bedroom and will be done in pastels. I've been busy going through my stash and making new ornaments for it.  I have quite a few vintage pastel glass balls that will also go on the tree. Here's a peek at what I've made so far:

These are made with copies of vintage cards, glitter and crepe paper.

I had a bunch of old reflectors for bulbs that do not fit any of my lights. I also found some glitter balls I had hoarded. A bit of hot glue and a pipe cleaner to attach to the tree and Wah-Lah!!! Flowers!!!
Reflector and ball



Add pipe cleaner to ball's hanging loop

Reflector Blossoms!!!
I'm going to give you a sneak peak of something else I'm working on. What do you think this pile of stuff will become??? I'll reveal it on Sunday!!!


This weeks SpyGirl 52 Pick-Me-Up is Color Friends- colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel. . Which I totally skipped by to trend salad theme. DUH!!!  I  did wear color friends recently. I love anything blue and green and in between!!
The tshirt is Denim and Co., the sweater is a green & blue tweed from Preswick & Moore, the pants are Gloria Vanderbilt, the shoes Clarks and it's all thrifted!!!

 
This month's Mis Papelico's Share in Style theme is plaid. As a Scottish gal I bleed plaid!!! I found this Coldwater Creeek buffalo plaid sweater for $3 recently. It's a nice cotton knit and super comfy. I'm wearing it with thrifted jeans I made into stirrup pants and my thrifted cowboy boots! i feel like a cowboy lumberjack!!

I'm hoping to get to a couple of Christmas bazaars this Saturday. I REALLY need more Christmas stuff!!!

Everyone have a fabulous weekend and I'll chat with y'all on Sunday!!!!

TTFN
Tamera

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

A friend will help you dumpster dive....

....or nab some treasures out of someone's curbside trash!!!  Hiya Blogland!!!  A real friend won't even think you are crazy to suggest stopping and rooting through someone's trash because you spied something FABULOUS!!!

I was on my way yesterday to meet Andrea for our thrift-a-palooza when I spied a bunch of Christmas stuff alongside trashcans on the curb near her home. There was a WHITE Christmas tree laying there!!! When I got to her house I asked her if she would mind if I stopped to check it out. MIND???  Heck she would help me look over the stuff!!

So we stopped and I nabbed a GORGEOUS 8FT high narrow white iridescent/opalescent tree--I just need to get a tree stand for it. We howled in laughter stuffing it in the back of my little Neon car!! Andrea and I agreed that our hubby's would've been rolling their eyes at us!!! Lauren just shook his head when I drug it into the basement. I needed another tree--LOL. I ONLY had 8--now with the one I got Saturday for my World War 2 era ornaments I'll have 10. SNERK!!!


I have PLANS for this white tree for the master bedroom. I've always wanted a pastel/shabby chic tree and this will be perfect. Pictures to come when I get it up!! I've been sorting through other ornaments to gather all the pastel ones together.

Andrea and I managed to hit up three Goodwills yesterday, including the half price outlet. Totally spaced taking any pictures as usual. We also stopped by  Burlington Coat Factory--they have the best jewelry for cheap. Plus they will discount anything broken. Andrea got an awesome black necklace that just needed a jump ring re-connected for like $3.

I joke with her that anytime we thrift together she finds all kinds of goodies and I find nothing!!! I did get a cute pullover sweater I'll be wearing next week. She cleaned up--pair of orchid skinny pants, a black silky tunic, a brown crochet cardigan, a leopard glittery tank, a lime green sweater tunic, a purple satin blouse and a pair of kick-ass black snake knee-high boots. All of this for under $25!!!

PLUS we shopped for the boys. I got my "grandsons" 6 long sleeve tshirts for like $5, and she got them 4 pair of pants and several shirts. The shirts are usually only 75 cents and the pants $1 at the Goodwill outlet.

I dressed for ease of trying on stuff--which I did but nothing really fit except that sweater I brought.
Everything I'm wearing except the boots is thrifted. The boots I got last year at Kohl's 90% off of $109!!!

In case you're wondering what's going on with the hair--I'm trying to let it grow out some. I was having some serious static head yesterday!! I trimmed my bangs last week and they are curling up too short.  I'm thinking about maybe going for something shoulder length-if it doesn't drive me crazy. (which for me it's a really short trip to crazy-LOL).

MrBill is really enjoying his sweaters these days. I guess he's finally realized they keep him warm. I just brought matching xmas ones for him and Gracie. This is his newest one. He still isn't much on having his picture taken. I tried to get one of Graciebut she was too busy running around.

This week is Citizen Rosebud's Shoe Shine!!! I'm showing off the lace-up kick-butt Guess boots of AWESOMENESS I thrifted for $5 this summer. Stop by and check out the best shoe show on the web!!

Well, I'm off to do some hand hemming. I scored a Black Watch tartan plaid pencil skirt I want to debut soon!! Everyone have a FABULOUS evening!!

TTFN
Tamera

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Another Sunday Nite....

Hiya Blogland!!! I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!! Mine has been super busy!!

Thursday's outfit was better in theory than practice. I had thrifted the sweater earlier this summer.  The sweater style would work better on someone taller. I felt rather dumpy and squatty in it so into the donation bag it went. Everything is thrifted--the boots are Guess and are the awesome!!!

Friday's outfit was a huge hit--got tons of compliments. All but the tights are thrifted. The sweater is Casual Corner, skirt SagHarbor and the booties are HushPuppy--got them for $4 unworn!!!
It was cold enough  Friday top break out the leopard reversible coat I thrifted.

Friday evening after work I babysat my three "grandsons". Mom and Dad had tickets to a benefit masquerade ball and jazz concert. The boys were perfect angels and I learned things about professional wrestling I never wanted to know!!! LOLOL Here's a picture of Andrea in her outfit-she made her mask!!

Saturday I went to five church Christmas Bazaars. I love these for their rummage/white elephant tables. I got lots of Christmas decor which y'all be seeing very soon. Next week there are several more bazaars locally. I dressed for comfort in a thrifted Coldwater Creek sweater, thrifted Lee Jeans and boots I got last year at Kmart.

Sunday was an extra busy day. After church hubby and I went to Andrea's for lunch and football.  Andrea and I made jewelry for a bit and then we left to meet up with a group of ladies at Red Lobster for dinner. Our hubbies hung out together.

I dressed for comfort in a thrifted threads:  Jessica London skirt, DressBarn mock turtle sweater, LaneBryant Cardigan and Guess Booties.


Tomorrow I am off for Veteran's Day and the kids are in school so Andrea and I are off to play. We are going thrifting in a nearby town. hoping to find lot's of fabulous goodies!!!

Everyone have a wonderful week and I'll be back later this week!!

TTFN
Tamera

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

In a Nyquil haze....

Hiya Blogland!!! How is everyone doing?? I'm glad it's "hump day"!!1 I've got a craptastic cold and have been buzzing around in a Nyquil haze. Man that is some NASTY tasting stuff!!

This week is Fashion for Giants Literary Stylings #5. This month I polished off the first two books in the Miss Fisher Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood. We FINALLY got the TV series here and I have just LOVED every minute of it!! The clothes, the homes, the cars....swoon. The books are fantastic!

I read the first book: Cocaine Blues: A Phryne Fisher Mystery.
 The first classic Phryne Fisher mystery, featuring our delectable heroine, cocaine, communism and adventure. Phryne leaves the tedium of English high society for Melbourne, Australia, and never looks back.

The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honorable Phryne Fisher--she of the green-grey eyes, diamant garters and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositions--is rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia.


Almost immediately from the time she books into the Windsor Hotel, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops and communism--not to mention erotic encounters with the beautiful Russian dancer, Sasha de Lisse--until her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish baths of Little Lonsdale Street.


I also read book 2 (I'm reading book 3 now)  Flying Too high: A Phryne Fisher Mystery
The second in the classic Phryne Fisher series from Kerry Greenwood, featuring the irresistible heroine Phryne. Whether shes foiling kidnappers, seducing beautiful young men or simply deciding what to wear for dinner, Phryne handles everything with her inimitable panache and flair.
Danger, excitement and love--this is how the glamorous Phryne Fisher is determined to live her life in her second enticing adventure.
Walking the wings of a Tiger Moth plane in full flight ought to be enough excitement for most people, but not Phryne Fisher, amateur detective, woman of mystery, as delectable as the finest chocolate and as sharp as razor blades.
In this, the second Phryne Fisher mystery, the 1920s' most talented and glamorous detective flies even higher, handling a murder, a kidnapping and the usual array of beautiful young men with style and consummate ease--and all before it's time to adjourn to the Queenscliff Hotel for breakfast. Whether she's flying planes, clearing a friend of homicide charges or saving a child from kidnapping, she handles everything with the same dash and elan with which she drives her red Hispano-Suiza.

I didn't have anything that was  flapper-like. I decided to semi-recreate an outfit she wore:wide-legged pants and a silk blouse left untucked. Of course I had to add some rhinestone bling!! Everything is thrifted.

This week's Spy Girl 52 Pick-Me-Up theme is Graphic T with a Girly Bottom.  I pulled out my swirly, crinkly maxi skirt. I paired it with a graphic top I got with a gift card at Lane Bryant. It's supposed to be a pajama top but we won't tell anyone <grin>!!! I added some thrifted bling and my new-to-me Hushpuppy wedge booties. This outfit got lots of compliments!!! That's the fun of these challenges--they make you think outside the box!!

Today I was dressed in an all thrifted outfit. The sweater is a cardigan I've had for a while. I slip-stitched the front closed so I can wear it as a pullover top to get more wear out of it this winter. The pants are LaneBryant--it's a mini houndstooth with little silver glittery flecks in it. 

Here's s closer look at the bling. The bracelets are thrifted, neckalce off the clearance rack at Burlington Coat Factory and the earrings are vintage clip-ons I converted to pierced.

I've been annoying my co-workers by playing Christmas music in my office. Yes I'm one of those people-LOLOLOL.  Seriously I LOVE Christmas--except the shopping part which I no longer do. I've got several church Christmas Bazaars lined up to go to this Saturday. I always make a bee-line for the rummage sale table!!! Awesome goodies to be found!

Everyone have a fantastic end of the week!!

TTFN
Tamera

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Trendy Doggie Cuteness!!


Our view walking on the Battlefield this weekend
Hiya Blogland!! I hope everyone has been having a fabulous weekend!! The weather was great here so
Gracie and I got some quality walking time in. The autumn scenery is just amazing right now! Here are some pictures of our travels:
Dusk over the battlefield.


Looking across the wheat field
Down the lane
Autumn leaves
Cuteness in the leaves!
Sun setting over the hills
Looking out towards Appalachian Mountains

MrBill has quite taken to wearing sweaters. I found two more for his wardrobe. Here he is rocking oh-so-trendy camo!!

And of course not to be left out is Gracie sporting some leopard print!!  Nothing but the latest style trends for the Diva-ette!!

I had to run some errands in town on Saturday morning. I thought pulling out some jeans, boots, cardigan and  a tshirt would be the thing to do!!  The tiger sweater was thrifted for $2 this week at the Salvation Army. It's Fashion Bug and had a built in black camisole--which was stained and too big. A bit of trimming, and a bit of altering and wah-lah! A tiger drapey cardigan.  And what better to pair with it than my Blondie tshirt?? I'm thinking Debbie Harry would approve!! A couple of teenage girls complimented me on it!!

Sunday's outfit was gonna be a bit different. I had planned to wear a denim ruffled front blouse I thrifted late this summer. It was TOO BIG!!! In fact--I then tried on 3 other blouses that are now in the donation pile.  I pulled a thrifted Denim & Co tshirt out that I had altered to fit that worked. The sweater is thrifted Preswick & Moore--it's shaped like a blazer. The pants are thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt stretch jeans in a size I haven't worn in YEARS!!! They are super comfy--they have a blue stripe in the plaid. My shoes are thrifted Clarks I dyed black.  I got quite a lot of compliments on the outfit.
Here's a close-up of my thrifted blingage. The pin is vintage and I just got the hummingbird earrings for $2 at the thrift this weekend.
I want to share a picture of my friend Andrea from this morning looking super-cute!! She doesn't blog but does visit y'alls blogs!

I'm going to be hooking up with our jet-setting Patti for Visible Monday. Come see the most fabulous style on the net!! No fashion magazine can compare!!

TTFN
Tamera