saturday morning vintage

April was a really busy one for me, which meant it wasn't very busy around here.  I've already started brainstorming ideas for May though.  I think May is going to be a very good month all around.  Hope you'll join me around here!

I will be out of town next week on a much anticipated trip to Washington DC.  I'll be closing the shop for a bit while I'm gone.  If you have your eye on anything, please pick it up in the next few hours!  The shop will be on vacation starting at 3pm PST.

 

and i said yes.

(engagement photos by Photography by Anjuli)

 

began dating:  January 1, 2003

engaged:  April 2, 2011

will be married:  August 25, 2012

welcome November!

Welcome November!

Everyone always says the same thing, but can you believe another month has come and gone?  Craziness.  Lance and I said goodbye to the last of October with a laid back Halloween - fancy apple cider (complete with cinnamon sticks!) and some Trick or Treaters.  Now onto Novmber!

 

• I am going to take a break from the monthly themes for November.  I'll be going out of town twice during the month and will have to temporarily close the shop for a bit (just a week at a time!).  It'll be hectic enough without a theme to follow.  Don't worry though - I'll still be adding to the shop throughout the month!

 

• I was asked if I am going to be making more Christmas mixed paper journals.  It's only November 1 and there's just one left in the shop.  I am going to try my very best to make a few more in the next week or two.  I just need a little input from you guys!  What would you like to see for the next round of Christmas journals - certain size, preferred cover style, with or without tabs...?  I'd love to hear any and all preferences!

 

weekend recap.

Happy Monday!  Another weekend gone too fast; another weekend trying to get our house into tip top shape.  We've been here for awhile, but our house is starting to finally feel like a real home.  Too exciting.  I'll try to get some pictures next weekend and share.  We've come a long way since teal carpet and 70's light fixtures!

Accomplished this weekend:

• Another light fixture replaced!  Our hallway light came down when we took the popcorn (glitter infused popcorn!) off our ceilings and has been bare ever since.  There was a saw involved and lots of drywall dust, but we now have a new hallway light!
• We painted nearly all of the interior as soon as we got our keys, but held off painting our entryway since we had to jackhammer out the sunflower terra cotta tiles.  Messy job!  We finally tackled the paint job now that the terra cotta is out and the slate is in.  We went with a crisp white - the only white walls in our house!
• We adopted this fun striped plant!  Her name is Venezuela.  When I was a child I had the crazy idea to name my child Venezuela.  We decided to give the plant this lovely name to get it out of my system.
• We also adopted a new power tool - a Dremel 4000.  He didn't get a name, but was used to finish off the hardwood floors.
• When Lance cleans he likes to gather up everything and put it on either a bed or table, then clean and replace.  He was pretty amused when he saw our pile of pumpkins.  Don't forget that big pile in the corner in the old milk crate!
• It's a little tough to see, but I dug out my vintage shopping cart.  It was my mom's and she graciously passed it down to me.  I took it for a spin around our backyard, told Lance I was shopping for a good man, and asked him to get in my cart.  Then proceeded to fill it with lots of pumpkins!
• Of course, time was made for more soup due to more chilly and rainy weather!

Now that our house is starting to come together I've vowed to spend some weekend time on non-house related events.  I've already promised myself a trip to the flea market next weekend!  I'll be sure to share any good finds!

chilly fall days.

[1] aylla,  [2] DreamsandJewelry,  [3] vintagejane,  [4] experimentalvintage,  [5] sadieolive

 

It's been cold and overcast and rainy in San Diego for a good week now.  I can't say I mind it much though.  It's a good excuse to drink lots of apple cider and get into bed early.  Spent this week:

• Serving my civic duty via jury duty.  Anyone else seem to get called each and every year?  At least it gave me time to scribble down lots of ideas and plans - holiday shop update, Christmas decor ideas, birthday and Christmas wish lists...
• Finishing up Christmas journals!  I felt like I was cheating on Fall a little, but it's always good to get ahead and I'll admit seeing all of the red and green was a little exciting.
• Putting said plans for holiday shop update into action.  If you're looking for vintage supplies and decor for your Christmas projects keep an eye on the shop in the next few weeks!
• Eating soup, and lots of it.  It was a dinner staple this week.  Easy and just feels right when it's raining outside.

Have a good weekend everyone!  Stop by tomorrow if you want a little peak at the Christmas journals...

 

insert Fall here.

Love all of the bits of Fall popping up here and there and just about everywhere!

Around Our Home:

• Bowl of gourds + two itty bitty pumpkins from the farmer's market
• Indulging in Fall inspired Hershey Kisses!
• Warm and rich mums for our bathroom
• Cart full of pumpkins at Trader Joe's

 

Around the Blog World:

• Autumn Leaves Napkin Rings at Making It Lovely
• Yarn Ball Wreath at Write It Down
• Autumn Color Week at Poppytalk
• Fall Home Decor at Elise Blaha

 

Around the Shop:

• Halloween Inspired BINGO Markers
• Halloween Craft Kit
• Autumn Mixed Paper Journal
• Orange and Black Vintage Playing Cards

mama.

My mom is coming to visit tomorrow night and I couldn't be more excited.  She has already promised to take me shopping and help make our place a little more home-y.  I'll also have her teach me how to prune our roses before I kill them.  And I'm sure we'll hit up a few estate sales and the flea market.  Good times.

holiday weekend recap.

A friend of ours from Connecticut was in town, and a good time was had by all this three day holiday weekend.  Out of town visitors are a good excuse to explore tourist highlights and local favorites. 

Sunday Morning Farmer's Market & San Diego Zoo

 

Veggie Kabobs for BBQ & Clue, Simpsons Edition Circa 2002

 

Breakfast at Our Favorite Spot & Hike at Torey Pines

orientation.

I have never been a fan of ice breakers or other "introduce yourself" games.  I'm quite shy, especially around those I don't know.  But I jumped into this blog thing and never really introduced myself, so here are 15 random facts about myself.

1.  My name is Xenia.  Pronounced Sen-ya.  Yes, it's like Xena the Warrior Princess with an extra i.  I really hated it when that show came out.

2.  I live in San Diego, but only go to the beach about 2-3 times a year.

3.  I do wear sandals whenever I can though.

4.  I am 26 years old (soon to be 27 in a couple of months), but could easily blend in with a group of high school girls.  I'm not sure when I'll look older than 18.

5.  Checking the mail box is one of my favorite parts of my day.  Getting a handwritten letter or package (usually from my mom or Etsy!) can turn any bad day around.

6.  I am a compulsive list maker - shopping lists, to do lists, wish lists, you name it.

7.  I have been a vegetarian for the past 13 years.

8.  I'm always behind on technology.  My phone doesn't browse the internet or have email.  I didn't have DVR until a few months ago.  I did have an iPod pretty early on though!

9.  When I was younger I wanted to be a teacher, artist, and mom when I grew up.  Those still sound pretty good to me.

10.  I've never seen an episode of True Blood or Dexter.  I have watched a couple of seasons of Weeds and love it.

11.  My biggest pet peeves are people who are late (especially habitual offenders!) and super aggressive drivers.  The late people annoy me and the aggressive drivers scare me.

12.  I drive like an old lady - always follow the speed limit and never run through a stop sign.

13.  I lived with my old brother for two years in college and couldn't have asked for a better roommate.  (If you're reading - hi roomie!)

14.  I like to get up early, even though I'm not naturally a morning person.  I feel more productive when I'm up before everyone else.  I'm working on making it my norm.

15.  I'm pretty messy, but know where everything is.  When I start organizing my stuff I can no longer find anything! 

Consider this the first day of school or orientation.  Feel free to introduce yourself with a random fact or two.  I'd love to get to know you all!

check.

1.  Go to Post Office...Check!

2.  Homemade Pizzas for Dinner...Check!

3.  Water Flowers...Check!

4. Confirm Couch Delivery Appointment (yay!)...Check!

5.  Put Together Blog Post...No Check.

It was a busy day with not a lot of time for blogging, but want to end your day with this sweet print from olivemanna.