Happy Easter!

Image from Vintage Fangirl

Breaking the Curse!

I've been joking that we are suffering the wrath of some kind of gypsy curse, because we've seem to run across a streak of bad luck in this house.  I had to stop and ask myself, though, if we were really experiencing bad luck or if I was just focusing on the negative things and failing to recognize the positives.  Life is full of ups and downs, right?  I suppose it's just up to us to make the most of it, so that's what this post is dedicated to.  I am such a list maker.  It truly helps me sort everything out.  To balance out the negatives and take away from the attention I've given them, here's a list of things in my life, both big and small, that totally kick ass!

• Being recognized at my agency's annual dinner and receiving a plaque
• Reconnecting with a really dear friend
• Bedtime stories with Oscar
• Finding a favorite toy from childhood for $2
• My first check from our flea market space
• My husband moving to a slightly closer store and the small raise that went along with it
• Parents and in-laws who are super helpful, especially when mama needs a break
• My grandparents- They will always be on this list!
• And all the rest of my family- They're all really awesome!
• My flea market space partner in crime and the ridiculous texts we exchange
• My work lunch buddy who always listens to my rants and silly stories
• Two faraway friends in England and Australia
• The most supportive, loving, and understanding husband a girl could ask for
• Doctor Who, Skins, The Inbetweeners and countless other British TV shows
• Playing with Lincoln Logs and wooden trains with the boys
• Being able to completely unload on the most amazing counselor
• Thrift shopping
• Healthy, happy, and sweet children
• Having my very own space to craft and work in

It feels really good to actually type out these things and I can feel the curse lifting already!  Being able to have this outlet, my blog, is a really great thing too.  Thanks for reading!!

Hippity Hoppity Easter's On Its Way!

Easter sort of snuck up on me this year, despite coloring eggs at the beginning of the month.  I haven't really properly decorated for my very favorite holiday, but I have managed to add a few festive touches around our dining room.  I've been lucky recently at finding some cute vintage decorations, so I haven't even bothered digging out whatever we have in the attic.  I have managed to find time to gather lots of goodies for baskets for everyone in the house.  Putting together baskets is my favorite!  On Easter Sunday, we will head to my grandparents for an afternoon egg hunt and pinata and then on to visit other family members.  I'm hoping to dye some eggs with the boys before then too and eat my share of Cadbury eggs!

A New Collection

I was a Brownie, but I never got to officially be a Girl Scout.  That's such a shame, because I would have looked super cute in the uniform!  Maybe it's because of this that I have such a fascination with the Girl Scouts.  I bought the cookbook a few months ago and just bought the other three scout books recently.  I am such a nostalgic sap, so I love that the books have the original owners names and the purchase date in them.  The Cub Scout book has sections where the scout has to have a parent sign off after they've completed an activity and most of it's filled out.  All of the books are full of adorable illustrations, fun crafts, and good recipes!  As I am typing this post, I realize that I have a stack of the old American Girl magazines from the 1950s, so I suppose those were officially the start of this collection.  I can't wait to add to this fun collection!

My Birthday Boy

My sweet Oscar turned three on Sunday and we had a small celebration at home, complete with balloons and party hats, cupcakes, a special dump truck cake that Oscar and my mother made together, and visits from grandparents.  He's growing so quickly and is such a neat little guy.  Sure he has his days, but he's generally happy and easygoing.  He's also one of the silliest people I know!

All Aboard!

On Saturday we took the boys for a train ride in Walkersville, MD, as part of Oscar's birthday celebration.  I love trains and it makes my heart really happy that my boys share that love.  Now this was no regular train ride.  It was a special Easter Bunny train!  The Easter Bunny walked through the cars waving and posing for pictures (My boys kept their distance!) and handing out plastic eggs with a little toy inside.  After the ride, we checked out some of the old train cars and enjoyed cookies in the train's museum.  It was a really lovely time and I'm sure we will do it again!  You can find more info about the Walkersville Southern Railroad here.

I was glad we boarded early, so I could get a good shot of the sweet old train car.

The birthday boy!

Heck yeah, everyone actually looked at the camera for once!

Their excitement was so cute!

Donnie had no idea of the terror lurking behind him!

Cover Lover

I really enjoy a good cover song!  I like when the cover isn't an exact copy and the artist adds their own touches to it.  Sometimes a good cover can even make me a fan of a song I otherwise really don't like, Hounds of Love, for example.  Here are a few of my favorite covers.  Enjoy!

Her name is Molly too.

Wishing for Warmer Weather

I'm done with winter, really done.  I want sunshine and some warmth!  I'm dreaming of evening walks and cookouts in our backyard, so keeping in that spirit, here's a playlist full of spring and summer themed songs.  Enjoy!

Recent Finds

I think the local thrift shops have been pretty bare lately, but I've managed to find a few things.  My mom has had some good luck, so a few of these finds were gifts from her.  I also have some gifts from my grandma and one that I snagged from our flea market space from Heidi.

I love the pattern on this Pyrex bowl!  I've been keeping an eye out for it!

My mom found this adorable little pewter cup.  I traded her an owl tin for this!

My mom found this one too.  I think it suits my bossy stubborn personality so very well!

This is another mom find and a seriously good one.  A Miss Priss wall pocket for $1!!

This little bowl was the one that I was missing from my set!

My grandma and I found this little plant stand a few weeks ago, but the lady at the shop couldn't find a price.  My grandma went back when the owner was working and got it for me!  Thanks, gram!

Easter tray

This is a little square container that matches a tray I bought awhile ago.

How sweet is this little tin basket?!

I know these will creep a lot of you out, but I've got plans for these little doll faces!

My one and only St. Patrick's Day decoration

I nabbed this planter from Heidi's side of our space!

Vintage cards are always so darn cute!  This one is my favorite!!

Collections - Treesons

We have vinyl toys all over our house and although we don't quite have the disposable income that we had before children, it's a collection that I think will continue to grow for a long time.  It's hard for me to pick a favorite vinyl toy, but my Treeson rank pretty high.  Treeson are the creation of Bubi Au Yeung, an artist from Hong Kong.  They're a pretty simple design, with the only variations being in their facial expressions and colorways, but I just adore them.  There are some blind packs with other characters, but I haven't quite gotten into them.  You can find out all about Treeson on the official site here. 

Shop Crush - Magpie Ethel

I think it's safe to say that I am smitten with Magpie Ethel.  I mean, it's a shop full of adorable creations made out of lovely vintage goodies.  How can I not be smitten?!  I probably could have called this post "Shop and Blog Crush", because Laurie's blog is just as sweet as the things she makes.  Anyone who is a fan of collecting and cute vintage items, will be in serious awe of her collections and estate sale finds!  I'm always amazed at the amount of spun cotton heads and holiday decorations she seems to regularly find!  I've been busy making my own versions of little decorations from thrifted goodies, but hers take the cake!  I've recently ordered from her for a second time.  The first time was a Christmas gift for a friend.  The little chicks above are my most recent purchase and they're all mine.  I can see myself becoming a pretty regular shopper!  Here are few of her currently available creations that are on my wishlist-

Above items available here