it never hurts to ask...

Oh, how I would love to pick out a brand new gorgeous sofa (among other things) for our home, but it just isn't in our budget right now. That is why I am always on the lookout for furniture when I am out thrifting. I have found some amazing deals on mid-century dressers, bookcases, and chairs in the past - I love the design and quality as much as the price tag. So, when I spied this couch the other day I hurried over with our lack of seating in the living room forefront in my mind. Although it wasn't my ideal color, it was still pretty, didn't have any funky smells, and was in fantastic condition. For a mere $35 I was sold...except, according to the tag, so was it.

A bit disappointed I checked out the rest of the store and found some other hidden gems (including a couple of beautiful 40's little girl dresses - be still my heart) but I couldn't stop thinking about that couch! I passed by it again and this time noticed that it was on hold. I found a worker and asked him if there was any way to find out if the person didn't come back to purchase it. He gave me a puzzled look, took the tag off and said he would be right back. A couple of minutes later he told me if I wanted the couch it was mine!

I should have thought about it, but the thrift store doesn't put things on hold all day long. If you don't come back with your receipt as proof of purchase within an hour or two the furniture goes back up for sale - the workers had just forgotten to take the sold tag off of this particular couch. I certainly wasn't complaining though because that 'sold' tag kept my couch sitting pretty for me all day long!

Lesson learned - it never hurts to ask! Have you found any good finds lately?

thrift therapy

I love a good read, and when my dad handed me The Maze Runner I dove right in late that night, immediately becoming equally intrigued and confused because, really - what the heck is going on in that book?! (don't tell me). I stayed up too late for a mama of two girls who rise with the birds, thus this morning I found myself in a foggy stupor. Literally trying not to cry over spilled milk (LM bailed last minute on the cup hand-off), and kicking myself for missing yoga (which I'm sure would have successfully reversed the effects of my slow start).

I know better than to stay up that late. I need sleep like I need a good thrift trip. So, since I couldn't put myself down for a nap, a thrifting we would go... 

A few fun finds (say that three times fast) later, we spent a nice afternoon playing an awesomely illustrated matching game while listening to new records that were added to the girl's collection. I was feeling much better.

Thanks thrifts, I knew I could count on you.

I feel like my year, like today, is off to a slow start. I do have some ideas swimming around my head of fun projects and DIY's I want to try out and share with you, but apparently I've got two other books to read after this one, so... let's just say, stay tuned ;)

And, some links I wanted to share with you:

- I highly recommend all of you mamas read this - it made me laugh and cry. (thanks Val for sharing the link with me!)

- Also, I completely forgot to mention an interview I did the end of last year for Heather Marie's inspiring blog Paper Doll Smile - isn't that such a lovely name? You can read it here.

Pictures from my Instagram feed, you can follow me at stacyhartsew

resolution update: music

With the end of the year sneaking up, I thought I would look back and see how I am doing on my resolutions so far. This was the first one I wrote:

'This year... I resolve to listen to more music. I tend to like quiet moments and can even drive in the car for hours with just my thoughts for company (Husband is opposite so we have battles over volume control). But I have a little girl that is undeniably an up-and-coming music lover, and so I am committing to help her burgeoning love grow by putting on some tunes more often (have any good recommendations for kids?)'

I am happy to say that I feel like I am doing really well with this goal! Of course it helps that LM is constantly asking to listen to music, my part has mainly been providing her with fun and appropriate options. Her favorites are the Yo Gabba Gabba cds, the Cars soundtrack, Popcorn Bopping, and her Sesame Street 'Feelings' record. She loves to sing along and I am amazed at her ability to pick up on the lyrics quickly.

We started a tradition where she gets to choose a record whenever we go thrifting. There are usually at least a few options of children's records for $1 a piece, and she is building up quite the collection because let's face it - we hit up the thrift often! It's fun for both of us to dig through the stacks, and this way she doesn't get too upset when I tell her she can't bring home the broken princess cell phone she's been carrying around...

It makes me smile when she chooses to spend the afternoon spinning records, or requests a specific song on repeat in the car while she bops her head and sings along. I hope her love of good music will continue to grow and grow... this is definitely a resolution we will keep up every year!

And, we are still all ears (pun intended)  for any good recommendations if you have any :)  

recent thrift finds

I haven't done one of these posts in ages...mostly because I haven't been out thrifting as often as I was pre-baby. But, this week I decided to venture out to a couple of stores on my way downtown to meet my sister-in-law at the children's museum. I packed twice as many snacks as I thought I needed, lots of water, a few items I could use for bribery (LM will always behave to get her 'balls' - they are little chewable cod liver oil capsules. It's an unfortunate nickname, I know...but at least they are good for her!), and off we went!

I found this awesome chair at the first stop. Can I just tell you how comfortable it is? The design caught my eye initially, but the comfort sealed the deal. It's big and sturdy, and LM has already dubbed it her favorite chair- I think I agree. When I got it home I looked up the maker and found out they still make gorgeous chairs today. From what I can tell on the little research I've done, this was a major deal.

These little guys make me so happy! I have always wanted my own set of vintage sewing cards and I pretty much squealed when I saw these. The floral suitcase will end up in the girl's room as toy storage.

Here is a better look at the headboard I found on our last road trip. Now I am on the hunt for coordinating nightstands, new lamps, and a bedspread. Suggestions welcome, especially on the bedspread. I am stumped.

And, another thrift find I never shared but you may have spied in the girl's room is this old cradle. I was 9 months pregnant and super awkward getting this onto my cart, let me tell you how inconspicuous I felt. It's pretty big and I had to hold onto it while trying to keep a toddler from getting run over by other carts, so at one point it toppled to the ground and my heart dropped into my toes thinking it was broken. Amazingly, there wasn't even a paint chip to be swept up. Right now it serves as stuffed animal holder.

Next week I will finally have a tour of the girl's room to show you! 'Bout time.

Have you found anything fun and exciting at the thrifts lately? Do share!

little refashion: lace dress

Since I hit up the thrift store often I am constantly coming across clothes that I don't think are necessarily cute but definitely have potential. This dress met that criteria in my eyes. I liked the pretty lace skirt so I bought it with the intention to refashion it.

This was the game plan...

I had the idea to use fabric markers to draw a design on the bottom layer of the skirt that would show through the lace. I ended up using a pastel green marker and free handing a couple of simple chevron stripes. The green started running low after the first stripe though, so I had to use blue over the green on the top stripe. I'm actually glad because it is a little more interesting to have the stripes two slightly different colors, kind of like an ombre effect.

Then I pulled off the bows, chopped off the sleeves, lowered the neckline and added a peter pan collar and buttons. Again, I didn't have enough of what I needed and had to use two different sizes and colors of buttons, and again I think it turned out better that way! The colors of the buttons ended up echoing the colors of the stripes with the top button being slightly darker than the bottom.

At first I wasn't sure if the green/blue really went with the dark maroon bodice, but in the end I think the buttons pulled it all together. I'm happy with how it turned out, unexpected details and all!

And here is the before and after next to each other...

Have you ever refashioned clothes for your kids?

something to brighten your day - CLOSED

I haven't had much thrifting luck lately, so I was thrilled to stumble upon two vintage floral suitcases sitting forlornly on the floor in the wrong aisle. They were like two little happy surprises waiting to brighten my day! So, I thought I would like to brighten someone else's day too and give one away! 

I'll be keeping the blue one (below) for the Little Miss to play with and take on overnighters, but the orange one pictured above is up for grabs! I would say it is in good condition, a few scuffs here and there but the zipper works fine and it is clean overall. Measures about 17"x10".

To enter leave a comment on this post telling me how someone has brightened your day before, or what would brighten your day! And, although not required passing this giveaway along is appreciated and will gain you another entry (leave a separate comment). I'll have to keep this one to US readers only because of shipping costs, sorry! A winner will be picked randomly and announced on Friday the 25th, good luck! :)

gifted

...for her...

...and for me...

I am looking forward to the day we can actually wear these. She is currently too little, and I am currently too big. 

(vintage dress for her found on ebay, for me thrifted)

found scrap quilt

I found this baby quilt at the thrift store almost a year ago, but recently unearthed it from the pile of blankets in the nursery. There are so many great prints it's impossible for me to choose a favorite. I don't know if I'd have the patience to embroider each and every piece like this, but isn't it beautiful? I feel like it was made with love and each print has it's own story that I wish I knew. 

It's a great idea for a way to use up all those scraps of fabric that are too big to throw away, but too little to be really useful. I thought that I'd start a 'scrap bag' for each of my (future) kids and eventually make a quilt like this out of all the fabric I sewed for them growing up. Then I would know the stories and be able to cuddle in it with my grandchildren and tell them what their parents were like... is it too early to think about that?

thirfted goodies

Some of my favorite recent finds...

Cute boy shoes. I don't think I will be able to part with those sneakers, but the rest will be in the shop eventually.

This vintage tablecloth was still in the original packaging and the colors are amazing. Makes me want to have a picnic.

A sweet Raggedy Ann and Andy mirror. Unless my mom wants this for the kid's room at her house, this will probably end up in the shop someday too.

And lastly, I was so excited to finally find a dresser for the Little Miss' room. I've been looking for months and it seemed every time I came across one that I liked it had a sold sign on it! Darn those early risers. This one is perfect though so it was worth the wait. The bones are good, but I'll be stripping the paint off soon. If the wood is pretty then I'll refinish it, otherwise I'll re-paint.

Found anything good lately?

thirfted goodies: melamine

After the dress photo shoot we came inside and had a tea party. I've been collecting vintage melamine dishware as I plan to make or buy the Little Miss a play kitchen soon. She is starting to really get into pretend play which often involves pretending to drink or eat out of any object that resembles a dish, saying, "Nummy!" and then giving me a taste. So I think a play kitchen is just the thing we need around here.

Melamine is perfect because she can't break it, the design and colors are beautiful (I just realized they match her dress perfectly), and you can find them pretty easily at the thrift store for $0.50 a piece. I think I will get some utensils and pots and pans from Ikea but I'm not sure where to get the food. Do you have any play food you love? I would appreciate some suggestions!

Thanks and have a lovely weekend!

p.s. the giveaway winner will be announced on Sunday so go leave a comment quick!

skirt turned dress

I spotted this skirt at the thrift store and was hoping it would fit me, but when I pulled it off the rack it turned out to be more than a little mini. But I loved the colors and the print enough to buy it for the Little Miss and see what I could do.

Turns out I didn't have to do much to transform it into a dress. All I did was cut out a strip in the back where there wasn't any elastic at the waist, sewed it back up, and used the strip of fabric to make straps.

Then I hand stitched these doilies on the pockets for a little something extra.

And here is the back view.

I love how it turned out. I would totally wear this myself!

the post in which i lament...

...the fact that I do not own a house and therefore have no room for certain amazing finds. First, let me start by saying that the shop tour on Decor 8 featuring Brass Razoo is giving me all kinds of inspiration. I am definitely filing this away to return to when I have more space to fill (and will keep the small things in mind for now).





With that said, there is a definite downside to thrifting and this week I am suffering from it. It goes something like this - you stumble upon an unexpected amazing find that you don't really need (or in my case you don't really need it or have room for it) but you know that it's a one-of-a-kind! You can't go back in a month or a year when you have the perfect spot for it. It will be long gone and you'll only be left with the memory of that perfect chair, or couch, or dresser that no other finds will ever live up too. Dramatic, right? I know. Let's just say if you want the perfect vintage couch that looks like it was never sat in and still has the original matching pillows go to the DI in AF. And whoever got that mid-century chair I passed up because I couldn't think of a place to put it, you're welcome. Sigh...

At least I am not becoming a hoarder.


Photos by Amber Fischer

old books, new books

I am a bit of a bookworm so I am excited about the old/new books I acquired this week.

Old book covers are so beautiful. The top one caught my eye first because of the design on the side but then I saw it was written by Louisa May Alcott whom I adore (think Little Women). The bottom song book was used by school children in the 50's and is full of cute songs like this:

The Diet Rebel's Cookbook is going to be my food bible this summer - I am determined to try every recipe. I met these two ladies when I worked full-time at the health foods store and am so happy they are sharing their recipes with us. Usually I have to change recipes to make them healthy but I'll be able to use all of these as they are and know they will turn out nourishing and delicious!

And I'm looking forward to delving into Built by Wendy Dresses and Martha's Encyclopedia.


***

I just finished reading the Chronicles of Narnia again and need to find another good read... Have you read any good books lately?


And thank you to hellodarlingvintage for featuring one of my items in this beautiful treasury!