Little Snippets

It's been a while since I've blogged.  I couldn't snap out of my mini vacation mode and I've been hooked on watching Felicity on Netflix at night, so my blog and shop took a hit.  I needed a mini-vacay though because I can only take so much of working until 2 am.  It does feel good to be back blogging and listing items in the shop, so hope you start following along, again.

Here are some snippets from my morning.  Mornings are becoming more and more fun as the kids get older.  It's so intriguing how my babies are developing their own personalities and likes and dislikes and I feel so blessed to be able to watch them grow up and work from home.  I make an effort to not work on the shop while they're awake now and sacrifice sleep.  It's all worth it.

 

All these snippets were taken this morning and they reflect pretty much most of my mornings. 

Pictures 1-3: Before Jessie takes her first nap, the kids just eat breakfast and play with various toys.  Jessie likes anything and everything.  Jonah enjoys dinosaurs, puzzles, and playing drums. 

Pictures 4-5: While Jessie naps, Jonah watches an educational show while I brush my teeth and try to get one major chore done.  Today was hang drying my vintage clothing and cleaning the bathrooms. 

Pictures 6-10: Today, we were lucky to have lunch with my hubs at Lee's Sandwich.  The kids lunches were homemade while I bought myself a $2.50 grilled chicken sandwich. Jonah had a ham, cheese, avocado sandwich on whole wheat and Jessie had a mango, apple, banana homemade mash up with little pieces of wheat bread.  Then, they had a blast playing with each other through the window of the sandwich shop.

Pictures 11-12: We play for about 20 minutes after lunch, before nap time.  Today, we just played in front of our garage. Jonah recently learned how to ride a bike by himself and it's wonderful but sad to see how much more self-sufficient he's becoming in so many things.  They sure do grow up fast.

Anyhow, that's my "exciting" morning.  Thanks for reading!

Some Mom Truths, Vintage Style

I found these little vintage inspired postcards/posters quite humorous and true. I can relate to each one at certain times of the day. Being a wife and mother is quite the best and worst thing I've done.  I would never trade my role in life right now for anything else, but there is nothing else that tries my patience as much as child-rearing and living with someone else.  Word.

 sources: 1, google image, 3, google image, 5

Some Dresses: Back in Black

polka dot deco 1930s dress

sweet 1960s pink dress

light pink 1970s blouson dress

1950s Lanz cotton voile sundress. 

vintage polka dot scarf

vintage periwinkle cameo brooch

vintage 1950s inspired black dress

1940s novelty print dress of deers in foliage!

vintage high waisted genuine leather skirt

never been worn 1980s gold metallic heels

1960s white beaded purse

click on captions for source.

Been listing a lot of dresses, as well as some accessories ready for spring. I can't seem to stay away from the classic black though. See anything you like? Everything is discounted 15-30% off in the shop until I reach 900 sales, which is getting quite close.

Stay tuned for a little vintage giveaway coming up tomorrow!  Hope everyone has a great Monday!

A Few of my Favorite Things

Here are a few of my favorite things...

red pencil skirts

cute little puppy salt and pepper shakers

anything Christian Dior

animal print dress and green!

pretty necklaces

warm baby sweaters

vintage wiggle dresses

Happy Friday! click on captions for sources!

A Quick Mommy Outfit

I realize that all my outfits are "quick" or "last minute."  The truth is they are.  I literally browse my closet for a minute and lately, I just have one requirement for my everyday outfits:

1) It must be breastfeeding friendly

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to maneuver your shirt or dress to provide a sufficient meal for a fussy baby.  I love this flowy top from Simply Audrey because it has buttons- a breastfeeding mom's friend. 

I threw this outfit on when my husband and I were going to meet (with the kids) for an impromptu lunch date, but then he backed out due to work piling up.  I kept it on at home though because I realize I feel better if I brush my hair and don't wear my pajamas at home.  Also, who says moms can't wear heels?  I'm 5'2" on a good day, so I need all the help I can get.  I get the occasional, "You're a mom and you wear those shoes?"  I've earned every right to wear whichever shoes I want, thank you very much.

Outfit details:

cropped blazer- Forever 21 for $15

navy blue flowy top on sale!- Simply Audrey

grey jeans- thrifted

grey booties- can't remember

Also, the winner of the giveaway is Melody! Congrats! 

I will be contacting you shortly!  Thanks everyone and you can enter my $30 giveaway over at VixenVintage's blog here, and stay tuned for another giveaway on this blog in the next couple of days!

Moms of Etsy ~ Desiree of ArtDecoDame

I am extremely honored and excited to bring you the following interview of the gorgeous Desiree from the Etsy shop ArtDecoDame.  She has an amazingly curated shop full of vintage from the 20s to the 60s with bright photography and a wide variety of apparel.  She does all this while watching her two lovely children and pets!  Find out how she balances her life as mother and shopkeeper in the following interview!

Meet Desiree

What inspired you to start your Etsy shop?

Honestly, it was becoming so disenchanted with selling on eBay.  I sold for years on there off and on. When I got pregnant with my daughter it became my full-time gig, but its a different crowd.  You feel lost amongst a sea of other things and the fees are painful.  Etsy, due to being more select in what they allow you to sell on the site, you don't get that.  I'd put it off for about a year, though friends kept telling me to sell on there, because I felt like it was more marketed at handmade. But Etsy has a great vintage selection and vintage sellers!

How many kids do you have and when do you find is the best time to work on your shop?

I have two kidlets! My daughter Heidi is 4 and my son Wayland is 2.

so cute! love both of their expressions here!

The best times I've found to work on my shop is throughout the day when I can.  I always take photos when I have natural light so I'll set them up with an art project while I take photos of inventory. When they're eating breakfast, I'll take that time to either sneak in a listing or work on ironing any clothing I've picked up.  I try and do prep work throughout the day so I can knock out listings either that night or the next morning.

With kids you just come to terms with the fact that you're NOT going to accomplish everything you want to do right then and there when you're feeling motivated.  So, instead of getting frustrated that you can't work when you feel like, it it is better to break up what you need to do in smaller to do lists.

What time do you go to bed at night?

I am unfortunately a night owl.  I thought having kids would help that but it didn't.  I'm good at making sure I'm in bed by midnight. Sometimes I can fall asleep right away and other times it'll be one or 2 in the morning before I can sleep.  I have an overactive mind and it doesn't shut off until I'm too exhausted to do anything other than shut my eyes.

What time do you get up and do you need caffeine?

My kids are my alarm clock and they're usually up a little before 7am.  Sometimes I can con them into snuggling in bed with me till 7:30am.  I'm not an early bird so yes, coffee is my best friend in the morning.

Do you take your children with you while hunting for vintage for the shop?  If so, what are some helpful tips.

Yes I do. The preferred method is always to go childless, but that is not always the reality for a lot of us.  I will say shopping with one is so much easier than 2 ( and if you're going with more than 2 you deserve sainthood).  When my daughter was a baby, it was so easy to put her in my Baby Bjorn carrier and go.  My best advice is to make sure your kids are fed before you go! I can't say I would dare bring my kids to an estate sale or auction, but yard sales and thrift stores are easier.  I try to give mine something to hold when we go in the store so they're less likely to grab other things.

5 words to describe yourself.

Sarcastic, Sensitive, Loyal, Nerdy and Shy

What is your favorite item in the shop?

Hmmm,that's a toss up between my Bakelite acorn brooch and the lucite purse!

 

Do you have a go to meal you cook on those days where you're overwhelmed?

I wish I did!  I'm very fortunate to have a husband that loves to cook so on days I'm feeling overwhelmed, he'll happily cook for me.

What is the best and hardest thing about working from home with little ones?

The best part is I'm here with them.  I'm not missing them grow up.  The worst is online sales aren't always reliable like an out of the home job. Also finding balance, though your shop needs attention to work you can feel like finding that balance between giving it the proper attention and being there for your kids is a tight rope.

Are there any other networking sites you post on?

Yes,I'm a tad of a social networking whore
I'm on blogger: www.ArtDecoDame.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ArtDecoDame
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Art_Deco_Dame
and if you're an iPhone geek like me I'm on Instagram under BakeliteBroad

Hope you enjoyed getting to know Desiree.  So many honest truths here about being a stay at home mom.  Thanks so much for reading and thanks to Desiree for being so open!

6 Years Ago, I Married My Best Friend

I can't believe it's already been 6 years since January 14, 2006- the day I married my best friend.  I won't lie and say this marriage has been a cake walk.  In fact, there has been many challenges and struggles like every other marriage has had.  However, I can now say that if it weren't for the hardships God placed in our lives, our marriage wouldn't be as strong as it is now.  I know I married the right man for me and I love him more now than I did six years ago.  I mean it.  Enough of the sap. Gross.

But damn, we look young in this pictures.  We were!  I was 23 and Mo was 26.  I feel even older because these pictures are a bit grainy, like it was taken ages ago, or something.

 Hope everyone will have a wonderful week!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway below!

Love,
Anna

A Sweet Giveaway

I'm in a giving mood, spurred by a need to clean out my house mood.  So, I will be doing frequent, possibly weekly giveaways!  Who doesn't like a giveaway?

Today's giveaway is of two sweet things.  The first is of an old Hershey's 1934 Cookbook.  This particular one's copyright is 1971, but has images from the 1930s which are always fun to see.  There are many recipes for cakes, pies, ice creams, and all other sweet goodness.

Along with this cookbook, I'll be giving away a sweet little 1970s brooch.

Here's how to enter! 

1. Leave a comment of what your favorite dessert is.

For extra entries:

2. Follow my blog and leave an additional comment.

3. Like me on Facebook and leave an additional comment.

4. Blog or tweet about this giveaway and leave an additional comment.

5. Visit my shop and leave an additional comment of which item you think is sweet.

6. Visit one  of my sponsor's shops and leave an additional comment of which item you think is sweet!

I will be picking the winner next Wednesday, January 18th.  Good luck!