A weekend re-cap

I'm still in denial that the lovely long weekend is over.
Instead of jumping right into reality, I will take a moment to reflect...
:)
One of my bestie's came into town on Friday.

Red wine, chit chat, and Thai takeout!

On Saturday, we got our nails did with these in tow.
Trashy in the can?  Perhaps.  But oh so delicious.

Saturday perfection continued with paninis from The Green Kitchen

and a wine flight from Thief!

I left with an amazing French rose and California pinot in and.

Then we did some antiquing, of course.

Remember this and this?

LOVE.

Here were some of my favorites...

Blue-toned art...

A brown leather clutch...

Vintage plaid luggage for a purse corral!...

Mid-mod accent chairs...
(I could do without some of the fabric choices, however.)

Next up, sushi and cocktails at Kanpai.

Can you believe that was my first post-pregnancy sushi??!

YUM.

What the hell was I waiting for?

Sunday was a day of R&R and cleaning,
and a trip to Whole Foods for organic fruits, veg, and meats for a LOT of baby food making.

The Biscuit is into advancing his textures,

so here's what we made this time:

Cinnamon Apple Raisin - to mix with oatmeal

Chicken and Veggie Stew

Spaghetti with Chicken Bolognese

 Butternut Squash Risotto with Tomatoes & Cheese

Stellina with Veggie Sauce - that's little Italian pasta stars!

Carrot + Butternut

Broccoli + Spinach + Cauliflower

Blueberry + Pear + Banana

Lucky little boy, I know.

Yesterday, I took a "continuing education" day.

Among other thigns, I learned about pediatric nutrition
(which inspired the above).

The huzz also so happened to be off for Pres's Day.

Bonus!

Now it's back to the grind.
A rude early a.m. awakening,
followed by a blustery walk into work.

But it's already Tuesday - date night! - 

so there's lots to look forward to!

:)

~photos by b~

Antiquing in Milwaukee, Part 2

The other weekend, we hit up 4 more places in downtown Mil.

{Our first excursion - HERE}

So much amazing stuff!!

I lost wind and couldn't make the 3rd floor of one emporium, so we will definitely be back!

A montage of my favorites....

(Seriously, Bob and Cortney Novogratz.  You NEED to come to Milwaukee!)

With a little re-upholstering, this chair could be AMAZING.

Adore the simple glass chandeliers.

Mood lighting!

Cute office chair. 

Perfect for a kitchenette!

70's done right.

Very mod.  I picture a Mad Men themed poker party happening here.

Such a shindig would not be complete without a pair of unique rocks glasses.

Hard to tell, but this duo is pink and charcoal!

Perfect for a ladies' walk-in closet or powder room.

More luggage...

How cute would this little travel bag be for an Ivy League alum?!

Bangles = arm party possibilities.

Fur trim...

...and lace.

(Side note:  My husband and I often question why we weren't in our prime in the 50's.  Minus the whole lack of womens' rights and social standing, of course.)

Don't even get me started on the amazing-ness of this signage...

I was frantically searching for, say, a "Highway A" to match up with this:

No such luck, but there were still some awesome things!

That "children at play" sign would kick ass in a playroom or nursery!

As would one's own very own carousel horse!

Or fire engine!

Transparent AND black globes.  I die!

Sweet wine racks.

And old Fiesta-ware.

I think this aubergine pitcher would make a stunning vase.

A nice set of outdoor furniture...

which could be so fun with a bright coat of spray paint!

An at-home bar...straight from an ice-cream shoppe.

I think this pair of paintings would be so beautiful in a black & white space...

Speaking of art (which was really the whole purpose of our scouring),

Riverview Antique Market had quite the selection, 

from paintings to sculptures to signage to local pieces...albeit pricey.

Which brings us to what we actually purchased...

Yep, don't think that vintage I-94 Wisconsin sign didn't catch our eyes!!

Now just to figure out what to pair it with...

And if you can't find your first initials,

maybe you'll luck out and find your last name initials!
Which so happen to be the same as the last major U.S. railroad to switch from steam to diesel in the year you were born.  SCORE!

The huzz snagged a few more vintage ties,

and I got myself some fun colored bangles and a 50's black patent leather clutch.

Antiquing tip:  ALWAYS negotiate.

You can typically expect to get your item for 20-25% off the listed price.

So don't be shy!  And go for 30%.

What have you got to lose? (Besides your own money!)

Whew.

I'm exhausted again just looking at this post.

And still salty about an adorable abacus for the nursery that I "lost" to an old lady.

GRRRRR.

Until next time!

~photos by b~

Drift wood art

I really enjoy a nice sentimental piece of art.

And why not have it be one you created yourself?

All the better, I say.

Some of my favorite drift wood inspirations...

I really want this one in my LR!

I absolutely ADORE this headboard.  Perfect for a guest bedroom, no?
(And who doesn't love a little Mumford? ...besides my husband.)

Or scratch the whole paint idea, and use the drift wood as a backdrop to your favorite photos!
(And EXCUSE ME.  How amazing is that coffee table?!?!)

In case you're feeling Biblical...

It even works in kids' rooms.

And just what the world needs...more "love"!

Thankfully, there's a complete DIY tutorial over at me oh my {HERE}.

Not to mention her lyric inspiration is from one of my favorite songs!

Remember?

Get inspired!

~images via tater tots and jello, pinterest, chic cheap nursery, pinterest & me oh my~

Thrifty weekend

On Saturday, the hubbs and I explored our new city of Milwaukee

via a little thrift shore shopping!

(Admittedly, one of our favorite ways to pass time & blow money.)

We visited one vintage clothing store & one antique market in the Third Ward,

as well as another little gem over on Brady Street.

SO many great things!

Here are a few snippets of some of my favorite finds...

Old lecture hall (or theater?) seats.

How fun would this be in an entry way or mudroom for people to sit on while donning their shoes?

Vintage trunks and luggage!

And totally reasonably priced.  I almost bought one for the babe's nursery, to perhaps be used as a bookcase.  They also had a neat mini one that was over 75 years old!  I thought it would have been adorable to use on a changing table, propped open, with stacks of diapers and wipes stacked inside.  Alas, it was not in the best condition, so I (regrettably) passed.

LOVE this green accent chair.

I got distracted and completely forgot to check the price...and about this chair, for that matter, until I saw the pic on my phone.  Rats!

If I were one of the Picker Sisters, and crafty with an electrical wire,  I would fashion that vintage blue fan into  some sort of light fixture.  I just love it! But I am neither, so there it stayed.

How fun are these old type-writers?

Perfect for those "guestbook stations" at weddings that are all the rage these days.

Beer paraphernalia!
A RIDICULOUS amount of bomb-dizz bar gear, from lights and signs to glassware galore.  (Milwaukee is the brew city, after all.)  My dad would have been in beer heaven.

And here is the loot we actually purchased...

Alex scooped up 4 old belt buckles with our monogram.

Pretty cool!

Along with 4 vintage skinny ties, a silver tie bar, & a collar bar.

(The last things he needs one more of, but that's besides the point.)

;)

I snagged 2 fun bracelets.

(To help get my coveted arm party on.)

And I saved my favorites for last...

I bought the "A" (for $5!!) for the nursery gallery wall.  And the kind sales lady threw in the "N" (for our last name) for free!  I already have a silver metal "N" in our living room...contemplating where I will throw this bad boy.  I'm thinking the kitchen!

Blue mason jars!

Going to use these as votive holders at the baby shower, to go along with the blue vintage tea tins I previously purchased on Etsy (to be used as mini vases).  {HERE}
Too perfect!

Vintage blocks!

I spent at least 20 minutes trying to spell out Alex.

(There's a story behind the "A", but I'm glad it all worked out!)

All in all, a successful day of thrifting!

Great shops and so much more convenient than thrifting in bigger cities (proximity, parking, etc.).

Looking forward to visiting a few more places on a weekend to come!

:)

~photos by b~