Simple Living

Photo courtesy of www.theprojectgirl.com

I have given a lot of serious thought to simple living this weekend. I prefer to eat organic and consider my lifestyle fairly healthy. Of course, there is always room for improvement. And although I try to be frugal, I can become lax about this as well, especially when it comes to buying food.

So while I was searching for Weekly Menu Planner Templates to help me plan my meals for the week (and hopefully cut back my grocery expenses!) I found this wonderful site: www.theprojectgirl.com. She has great craft ideas as well as free templates to download.

Here is to a week of living simply!

Postcard Exchange

I don't know if anyone else feels the same way, but (aside from bills) I LOVE getting things in the mail. Since I have two little ones , both two and under, it is difficult for me to go shopping, so I do what any girl would do, shop online.

So when I came across this blog, I decided this was something I would be interested in doing. A postcard exchange with other bloggers across the country. If you are interested, please check it out. Http://fairfieldhousenj.com/2010/02/24/youve-got-mail/

All Things Pink and Girly

I have two little girls and it is hard to believe that my little baby is going to be one in June. Actually, it is harder to believe that her big sister is only two. I have already started to think about her first birthday party. I am one of those moms who likes to choose a theme for the party.

I am leaning towards teddy bears as the theme. But as I have been searching blogs and other websites, I am also loving a ladybug, bumblee bee and pig themes. Of course, All Things Pink and Girly, with whichever one I choose.

I was just on Martha's site and found the above pictures for inspiration.

Soul Searching

A few weeks ago I was reading a blog post that eerily could have been my own words, because it expresses EXACTLY how I have been feeling lately. One of the things I have been trying to deal with is realizing the fact that I have grown apart from many of my friends. We no longer have the same interests and goals. And I have been feeling sad and lonely.

I though once I grew up, had my husband, home and two children, I would not feel this way, but I do. I feel like a school girl trying to be accepted by her peers.

So many of my fellow bloggers, GET IT. But so many of you live far away. In other states. Across the country. You and I have the same interests.

We love thrifting, decorating, crafting, laughing, drinking coffee, sipping tea, talking to God, just having fun. And I don't get to share that with nearby friends, because that is not who they are.

And so, as one friend who does GET IT puts it, I am soul searching. I am reading Calm My Anxious Heart and So Long Insecurity. I didn't think a 30-something stay at home mom would need this, but you know what? I do and that is ok.

And I keep praying to God that I find my Soul Sisters too!

Outdoor Garden Furniture

Photos and others from harvestmoon.co.uk, wilshiregardenmarekt.com, housetohome.co.uk, patiofurniture.guidetobuy.com, homeportfolio.com, stylehive.com

Since moving into my first home five years ago, I have been dreaming of having an outdoor French bistro style table and chairs in my backyard.

This year I hope to get one. I do not want one that looks like it is brand new. Besides, I am frugal like my blog name, so I will hopefully start scouring thrift shops and yard sales when spring finally arrives.

I was wondering if anyone else has one or dreams of having one?

Happy Weekend!

Spring Cleaning and a Blog Giveaway

I am really good at giving things away to charity. Really, I am! I just end up finding more things to buy (at really good prices!) when I am out thrift shopping.

And, of course, I add to my collection of "things" with my stash for my Etsy shop. I really enjoy shopping for vintage items and thought my shop would be a good outlet for me to make a little money. Yet somehow, most of the items I have bought recently have ended up in my own home decor. Like the photos above which are all recent additions to my buffet table.

So I decided to once again do some Spring Cleaning and tomorrow the Vietnam Veterans of America will be stopping at my home for boxes and bags full of clothes and table linens and other little treasures.

Of course, this means I have room to add to my collection again. And I am hoping to win one of TWO giveaways from the lovely Susan at http://homewtowngirl.blogspot.com. She has some really cute things for the giveaways.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

Photo from thestrollerguide.com


We are getting rain here in New England.

Alot of it.

My husband and I would normally make the best of it.

But not this time.

This time, it decided to find a new home.

In our basement.

But good news, tomorrow we will see the sun again!

Time To Spring Ahead

Photo one is from Sovietvintage and the others are from Clockwork Universe, both on Etsy.

It is time to Spring Ahead and turn the clocks forward one hour on Saturday night.

Have a great Weekend!

A Shopping Spree, A Sale and A GIVEAWAY!

Chandelier photo courtesy of http://lolabboutique.blogspot.com

THE SHOPPING SPREE:
If anyone read yesterday's post, you would know that I have been on a little shopping spree lately! Staying true to my blog's name, Frugal And Vintage, I mostly shop in thrift shops or on Etsy. Yesterday I posted two sweet little sets of napkin rings I bought from Etsy shops, Taras Vintage Kitchen and Shopjude. Don't worry, I got them on sale. I LOVE sales! And I also bought the cute little quilted bag pictured above, also on sale on Etsy! Doesn't every girl need a new bag for the spring?

THE SALE:
I have decided to share the sale love by having a March Madness Sale in my Etsy shop, offering 20% off EVERY item in my shop until the end of the month.


And THE GIVEAWAY:
I was over at the beautiful lola B's blog, http://lolabboutique.blogspot.com, and wanted to share with you her giveaway! If you love chandeliers and lamp shades as much as I do (and what girl doesn't?) then this giveaway is a must!

My Spring Fling With The Napkin Ring

Apparently I am having a thing lately for napkin rings because I just bought two sets from Etsy in the last two days.

The first is a cute little set of four mini garden spades I bought from shopjude. I think these are going to be really cute for the spring and summer months. And I do have gardening on my mind!

The second set I have had my eyes on from the lovely Tara over at TarasVintageKitchen. As I was reading her blog today, Blondie'nsc, I noticed at the end of her post that she was offering 15% off in her shop right now and I panicked. You know the feeling. Like someone was thinking the EXACT same thing about these cute little white bird napkin rings. I just know I will get alot of use out of them. They have a spring/summer feel to them, yet they are going to be perfect on my table for Thanksgiving too!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Today I spent a good part of this unseasonably warm Monday going to a few of my local thrift shops and, of course, Michaels and here is one of the things I found.

The frame was one of many things I found and of course I already have put a picture of my two little girls in it. When I saw the frame I immediately knew I had to have it. I think this frame really is like the old saying, A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words.

The words are just what I need on my living room wall where I can read it throughout the day:

LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN,
LOVE ALWAYS. LIVE SIMPLY,
SPEAK KINDLY, CARE DEEPLY,
LOVE GENEROUSLY. LAUGH
AS MUCH AS YOU BREATHE AND
LOVE AS LONG AS YOU LIVE.

The One That Got Away

The other day after an appointment I went the long way home to stop at one of the local church's thrift shop. It was one of those rare opportunities when I was alone.

This shop is definitely hit or miss but because the prices are so low, it is worth checking out. When I entered the shop there was one other customer and the Church Lady (I will refer to her as this because I don't know her name.)

My eyes immediately caught the attention of a gleaming white vintage phone. It was perfect. It was bright white and had definite style. I was making small talk with the other customer and told her how lovely I thought it was and wondered if it worked.

So I continued on and when I was ready to checkout I asked the Church Lady how much the phone was. She proceeded to tell me that it caught her attention when I was talking about it and brought it into the office to see if it worked and bought it!

Needless to say, I was heartbroken that I am so frugal that I had to contemplate if I wanted it or not! I should have picked it up and thought about it while I shopped, but didn't.

Lesson learned, if you see something that catches your eye, get it, unless, of course, it is a price you wouldn't pay.

The picture of the phone I posted is VERY similar to the one that got away.

Go Green

Spring....St. Patrick's Day....grass.....My maiden name.

Yup, all things that are GREEN!

And no, I am not going to talk about the whole reuse, reduce, recycle and Save the environment thing right now.

Maybe I will save that for another post.

I just wanted to share with you some green lovelies I found on Etsy today:

The really cute market tote by ModDiva
The little green vintage cookbook from TarasVintageKitchen
The green vintage sifter from mochamoney
The Holly Hobbie cupcake toppers by ismoyo
The throw pillow by asmuchomeinterior
The gorgeous cashmere shawl by sweetknittings

Happy March

(Photo courtesy of http://frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com)

As we begin the new week and the new month, I want to remind everyone this is the perfect time for change! So many of you have posted similar things today and as always, you have brightened my day.

As I work on making changes (which will take some time!) I wanted to share with you something I read last night. As part of the book I am reading( I don't want to give anything away for those of you who have not read it yet), I read Proverbs 31, The Capable Wife.

"She is generous to the poor and needy."

"She is a hard worker, strong and industrious."

"She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future."

I want to be more like her.

I am working towards that with the inspiration of all of you!

And I know you are all wondering how does the photo of the clock faces have anything to do with her post!

Well, my photo today is from the lovely Tracey over at French Larkspur, who is hosting a wonderful giveaway! Part of her giveaway includes three of her clock faces which I have just adored since the day she posted the beautiful table she set for her friend that she had over for lunch and used the clock faces as coasters. I really want to win!

Happy Monday!