Stuff... And Nonsense

As I left for work this morning I fondly looked over at my vegetable garden popping up in neat little rows and wished I could just stay at home and forget about all this working and making money and paying bills stuff.

 *sigh*

I've been feeling the need to simplify my life recently. Some things I don't have control over - like my suck-ing work schedule. I'll be glad when this lung transplant episode is finally over and I can get back to my normal schedule - my work from home all day schedule. I decided sitting with the elderly is not what I want to do with the rest of my life.

Some things I do have control over - like managing the times when I am not working to be more productive and not just waste it with Netflix, Hulu, Pinterest, etc. etc. Like staying in control of my spending habits (yesterday's post). Like keeping up with house cleaning and yard work. And I do have control over the stuff in my house.

 I have friends who have packed up and moved long distances, several times over; and their "stuff" didn't hold them down. One friend sold off practically all their worldly possessions before moving; then just started over with new stuff when they got a new house. Their "stuff" didn't have a hold on them the way my "stuff" has a hold on me.

I've never had to move all my "stuff". I've never had to reduce the amount of things in my house to fit a storage unit, or a moving van. I've never been forced to let anything go. And I'm grateful for that. My life, since marriage, has been really deeply rooted.... I left my parents and my childhood home with several boxes of my meager little possessions, and immediately started setting up house on my husband's farm. It's been four years now, and I seriously have a problem with "stuff"! Having a "old stuff" type of business doesn't help. I sell a lot, but for every one item I sell, I bet you I keep two. Or three.

My drive to simplify is helping me let some of my things go. Things I don't wear, don't use, keep packed away and never look at.....I have to let some things go. I've purged before, but not like I have in the past few weeks. I've let go of some things I thought I never would. If I don't do it now, what will my house look like in 10 years? In 20? The thought makes me shudder.

Some of it's going in my Etsy shop - mainly the vintage clothes and purses and antiques and collectibles that are easy to ship.

Plus, this weekend I am having a 2-day blow out yard sale.

It's going to be a good one. There might be crying, and kicking, and screaming, as I let some things go...

But there is one thing I have learned about "stuff":  There is plenty of it in the world. There is more than enough stuff to go around. If I sell off all my stuff today, there will be twice as much stuff tomorrow.

The Original Pinterest

My pin board that hangs over my desk.  

Hat Collection

My Hat collection was featured on Eva's blog, "Evaelena", as part of her series on collecting.


Here is one photo I didn't send her to use: where my hats live. About 2/3 of my hat collection live in these vintage cardboard hatboxes, and more like it in another room. I fit 3-4 hats per box, depending on the size of the hats. Some of the larger hats with more details require a box all for themselves.



Read Eva's post to see more pics and read the interview.

Thanks, Eva!

Giveaway Extension.....And Other Things

-I am extending the Cameo Necklace giveaway through the end of this week (To Friday Feb. 3). I think I need some more entries to make it evenly "fair"..... so please drop in to this post and add your comment to enter. One way or the other I will post the winner on Sat. Feb 4. I was going to do a second giveaway of some other equally as awesome items but it's not going as well as I had hoped, so I'll hold off on giveaways #2 and #3 until later .......

 - Visit my friend Mary's "Fashionably Yours" blog; she has some great tutorials on there and cleverly put together outfits as well.

- Check out the new website for L*PIDA. The Project Leader is my sister Noelle, and they're raising money to support The Nepali Rescue Project; who then use the  money to rescue and restore women and girls who are victims of human (sex) trafficking. Read more about it here.

 - I have been (finally) reading the "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" trilogy by Stieg Larsson and loving it. Highly recommend. (But not if you are squeamish, or easily offended by crime/violence/sex/etc.)  They're some of the most brilliantly written novels I have read in a while; I find it hard to put them down.

- I have been drinking hot cocoa made like this ; and I will never drink it any other way again.

- Downton Abbey Season 2 is airing on PBS in the States right now; are you watching? Downton is my new favorite in TV viewing; I have watched the first season about six or eight times through; no kidding. Then I figured out ways to see season 2 before it was released here in the US. However, if you have not seen the first season; don't try jumping into season 2. Too many details you won't understand. (Season 1 is on Netflix.) Also, They'll be doing a 3d season! I am thrilled!

Valentines Day Giveaway

I was going to try to do this at Christmas but never got around to it. But Valentine's day seems just as good an excuse to give away stuff! This will be the first of several giveaways I am planning for the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

This is a fun combo to treat yourself, or give away.

 

 

 

 This giveaway includes a cameo necklace (ruby red plastic with creamy white cameo, measuring 2 inches long an 1 1/2 inches wide, on a silver tone chain) and a dark chocolate bar with a vintage inspired wrapper.

 To enter, just leave a comment on this post. For two entries, become a NEW "follower" of this blog (let me know you've "followed" in your comment, please!) The giveaway will be over on Jan. 28 and I will announce the winner on Jan. 29. Please feel free to invite your friends and blog readers to enter as well.
 The prize will be shipped free of charge to the winner, no matter where you live in the world. :)

In case you're wondering what the necklace looks like on an actual person (me):

 

Thanks for your participation!

After Christmas

- I did not take one photo over the Christmas weekend. Not one. Wow.

- I always have to mess up at least one recipe for every holiday, so in keeping this this tradition, I made a chocolate Kahlua bundt cake - turns out, you really canNOT trust PAM. From now on I will always take a minute to butter and flour my bundt pan.

- I got all three of the first Star Wars flims on DVD from my sister; and from my other sister, "Th Help" DVD. Yay!

- My momma bought me a steam cleaner so I can clean my vintage coats and gowns at home. Awesome!

- I did not bake a single sugar cookie this Christmas. Not one. On the other hand, I did make about 10 pounds of fudge, butter toffee, peppermint bark, and peanut butter buckeyes. Mmmmm

- I've been working on my resolutions for 2012. The list looks something like this: Waste less. Stay organized. Manage time better. Save more money. Eat out less. Do some strength training......... more to come probably.

- I had my first International blog feature - on this Spanish blog, featuring red lingerie! Wearing red lingerie for the New Year is good luck in Spain - I never knew that.

I have an unexpected 2 additional days off - yesterday I rode with my husband for his job, today I've been catching up on laundry, dishes, kitchen cleaning, refrigerator cleaning and organizing, pantry sorting, list making, and putting away of all the stuff that piles up everywhere.... later, I am off to town to buy some plastic totes for my Christmas decorations. I think it is time they had a plastic tote home, instead of a cruddy old cardboard box home. Plus I want to stock up on Holiday decor clearance sales - woot, woot!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday and I want to thank you all for reading my ramblings on this blog this last year.

onwards to 2012!

Ruche Holiday Guide Feature!!

I am so thrilled and excited that my recipe and photo were chosen to be featured in the Ruche Homemade Holiday Guide. You can see the recipe (and photo) HERE. There is a lot of cool stuff in there!

I am so excited and thrilled! Thank you, Ruche!!

Miscellaneousness

I think I just invented another word to add to my personal thesaurus.



 
 We have a goat now. I kind of inherited her from a few friends.... it's a long, unimportant story. Her name is June, or "Junie", and she eats brush and weeds and poison ivy off our old barns. Hooray!

 
 We have a new kitten now, also. I don't know if I mentioned it here or only to friends on Facebook; but a few months ago we lost our kitty Spook in a sudden accident. We knew that eventually another kitty would find us, and he did! It's a long and unimportant story..... basically, he was an orphan, and now he has a family. We call him Bugs - like Bugs Bunny. 

I want to try this project. I have just the lamps. I only have to find the perfect fabric.

I love this blog. I found her via "Flea Market Style" magazine. Her clean, basic, vintage, understated, uncluttered, bright style is very similar to what I call "my style", also! Check out A Country Farmhouse.

I think I'll go make a pie.

Y'all come back now, hear?

My Endorsements.

I got this swell idea from a fellow vintage wearer/lover's blog "Miss Tallulah Porkchop".You can read her answers here. I copied the whole questionerre onto my blog and filled in my own answers. Play along and do the same on your blog; I love getting to know fellow bloggers and their faves!

 

Note: you will find, from my answers, just what a simple woman I am..... I don't get attached to many brands. I simply buy and use what suits my fancy at the time. Except for the make up - I am kinda devoted to Mary Kay since they started mineral make up. :) 

 

 

UNDERWEAR: Whatever I find that is cute and comfortable, sexy and romantic, and above all - whatever fits well - on the undies rack at Ross or Marshalls.

JEANS: Old Navy; or whatever I find that I like at - you guessed it - Ross or Marshalls.

T-SHIRTS: Seriously... for t-shirts, I buy whatever it is they're selling at Wally World.

SHOES: Vintage ones, of any brand, when I can find them.

WATCHES:  Pulsar. I inherited it from my Great Aunt. Speaking of which - I need a battery in it.

SUNGLASSES: I destroy them so often, I get cheap ones at department stores and they're sat on and broken in a week. For special occasions, I have a pair of vintage cat-eye sunnys from France with rhinestones. :)

SWIMWEAR: Esther Williams... in my dreams. I have not gotten an Esther Williams yet. In the meantime, I have a vintage-y swim dress, two bikinis from Wal Mart, and a 1950s swimsuit I have never worn in the pool.

DRESSES: Vintage ones.

BAGS: Vintage ones.

LABEL: Right now? Charlotte Russe; or things from the Ruche website.

ACCESSORIES: Forever 21; or the thrift.

BEAUTY

PERFUME: I can't wear it.... I get headaches. But once in awhile, I can get away with a body mist; the one in my bathroom right now is Bath and Body Works Cotton Blossom - or something like that.

MASCARA: Mary Kay

LIPS: Mary Kay tinted lip balms - for the SPF (for my surgery scars.) I have "Rose" and "Blush". Also, Mary Kay lip gloss in "Gold Rush".

SHAMPOO: Aussie

BODY WASH: In the shower right now: Softsoap Coconut Scrub.

HAIR PRODUCT: Aussie taming milk

MOISTURISER: Williams and Spence Almond Blossom lotion

BRONZER: Mary Kay, "Sandstone"

NAIL POLISH SHADE: TeeHee...right at the moment, an $.88 BonBon I grabbed at the checkout.

 

LIFESTYLE

SHEETS: Spring Maid; 100% cotton

CANDLES: Yankee

STATIONERY: Vintage; and whatever I find at Marshalls - or the Dollar Store!

LUGGAGE: Samsonite

GADGET: I hate gadgets and don't use them...

CAR: Car?! How 'bout 4x4 farm truck! Ford F250 Super Duty. I LOVE my truck. :)

ONLINE STORE: Etsy, Sense of Fashion, Ruche, Charlotte Russe, or eBay

BOOK: Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte.

CD:
In my CD player at the moment: Imelda May's "Mayhem". That, or the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack - for the piano music. :)

DRINK: Southern Sweet Iced Tea. For all time.

Cute Love Story!

In this post by Aunt Ruthie at Sugar Pie Farmhouse, she relates the story of how a lovely lady met, fell in love with, and married a wonderful guy she met by

- Visiting the guy's sister's blog
- Commenting
- emailing
- Saw the guys picture on the blog
- Meeting up with the blogger
- Meeting the blogger's (handsome and single) brother

and...

You have to read the post to find out the details and the rest of the love story.

Just too cute.

Oh yeah, happy Groundhog Day. :)

This Is Pretty Cool.

Ten things Ree Drummond has learned about blogging. Check it, if you're a serious blogger; or even if you're not; or if you're just thinking about blogging; or if you blog and you're not serious about it; or if you blog and you could care less about it and just do it for kicks; or whatever your reasons are, and whatever your attitude towards blogging is; this is interesting.

New Favorite Blogs

I've been venturing out into blogging land and discovered some wonderful blogs. I thought I'd share their links with you and spread the love.

Betty's Vintage Musings: Vintage living, decor, fashion, hair, make up - you name it. I love that the writer dresses authentically 1950s just about all the time. Down to the last detail.

The Vintage Housewife..(& Her Closet!)Another vintage diva who is into all the fashion details and dresses vintage every day!Such commitment. :)

Dandelion Daydreamer - An Irish girl living by the beach in the South of France and consequently offering some really outstanding European vintage clothes and accessories in her Etsy shop.

Dream in Cream: A fabulous vintage decor blog and a huge inspiration to me. I love the whites and creams and neutrals.

Life Is Too Short Not To Wear Red Shoes: Super groovy is all I can say. :)

Anyway, check these girls out. :)

Business Meeting

The seasons are on the verge of changing again, and with the changing of seasons, changes around here as well....

For starters, I deleted my cooking/food blog. I just wasn't keeping up with it. so from now on all my cooking and food posts will be here; and I apologize before hand to people who get bored by cooking posts. I try to keep my food posts interesting, mostly about cooking my own home grown produce, old-fashioned recipes, etc. etc. (I wish there was a way to categorize blogs into separate pages.... without building a whole site from scratch. Oh well.)

I am still keeping my horse blog around, even though I am not posting there at present. The horse department of my life has been really messed up since the death of my horses Major and Cavort in March; and this whole summer of struggling with the health of one of my other horses; living with the fear of him dying at any point - then discovering just how traumatized he was before I got him - it has been stressful and I have not been inspired to write about any of it - yet. So my horse blog followers who also follow along here - I am sorry! I promise, I still do have my horses, but it is complicated at present and I just don't feel like talking about it. Yet. Later. I have found a dressage coach in my area and I am scheduled to begin training with her in September; so I will be posting about my sessions with her. Woot!

Back to my cooking blog: Another reason I deleted the cooking blog is because I am giving serious thought to starting another blog (yeah, I know! Another one?!)dedicated to my Etsy shop happenings, and collecting vintage in general. I am trying to decide if it is worth the time and effort. I have come to the understanding from reading things on the Etsy forums, blog, etc. that "Etsy" blogs should not tend toward the personal stuff.... like this one. Thus my contemplation of a more "business", "professional", how-to, educational kind of blog for connecting to my Etsy shop.

What think you readers?

On the Etsy note: if you follow my shop regularly, you may have noticed I have not been adding new items as much; this is because I am letting most of my Spring/Summer inventory listings expire before I add the large amount of all new Fall and Winter items; which I am super excited about. I have been buying up all kinds of groovy stuff. I just have to get it all back from the cleaner's and get it photographed. And, I am still buying new things all the time, so..... yay!

Time to let the puppy out for a bathroom break. Chow!

Good Grief.

So I popped over to the Pioneer Woman website. (I just LOVE her. I love her photos, I love her recipes, I love her humor, I love everything about her ....website. :)

Anyhoo, I saw where she is giving away three Canon Powershot Digital ELPH point and shoot style cameras.

You know how these blog giveaways work; you leave a comment and get entered in the drawing.

So I though, why the heck not? So I scrolled on down to leave my pitiful little insignificant comment and.........

....There were 17,656 comments left on there. And counting. The giveaway just started today; and ends tomorrow.... there could be twice that amount by midnight tonight.

Seventeen.Thousand. Six hundred. And fifty-six.... people read that blog today and entered her giveaway.

*deer in the headlights face*

And I blog why?

Giveaway Delay

I know I said I was going to announce the winner of my Giveaway today, but my Grandmother passed away suddenly yesterday and I have not been doing anything except staying with my Mom and coming home to sleep.
I will get back to the giveaway next week when things settle down. Sorry for the delay.....

Giveaway

I was going to do a giveaway for my 1 year blogging anniversary that was last month.....and completely forgot. Anyhoo..... I am giving away this cute, adorable, romantic, shabby chic, sweet little embroidered hanky tussie mussie.
 
I made this myself with a machine embroidered hanky, lace, and ribbon. I didn't even use a machine....
The embroidery is violet/purple, by the way. 100% pre-washed cotton.
 
Filled up with peonies, climbing roses, purple clover, honeysuckle, mint sprigs and hydrangea, it is stunning.

To win it, simply leave your name in a comment on THIS post. If you have a blog and want to link to this, please do. This is also open to all my Carolina Roses Facebook fan page followers. (Being a "fan" on my Facebook page is the best way to stay up to date on what I am listing in my Etsy shop. If you don't want to miss my shop listings, click on the Facebook link in the sidebar.)Only one entry per reader/fan.... if you're a Facebook Fan and a follower of this blog, please enter one place or the other. Thanks!

The giveaway will close one week from today on May 13 and I will announce the winner on the 14th. Good luck!

New Look for Spring

I pimped my blog.

Yup, I'm a blog primper. I change my background with the seasons, like I change my clothes and home decor around with the seasons.

I've also updated my blogroll so you can see who I read all the time. I added a couple of links to coolness in my "Favorite things" links, as well.

I took off the things I have done from my resolutions list, and stuck my annoying music allllllll the way down at the bottom of the sidebar.

I gave myself a new profile pic.

I also posted a new posting about cooking influences and memories over at my neglected cooking blog, if you're interested.

AMEN and AMEN!!!!!!!!

I LOVE this post by Aunt Ruthie from her Sugar Pie Farmhouse Blog! It is rather long, but worth the time to read!
This post reaffirms many things that have been foremost in my mind and heart lately.
After reading this post, I wanted to go bake a pie, hug my husband, sing, and dance!!
Go have a gander at it; and let me know what you think!!