Vintage finds & tips on shopping vintage.

Continuing from my post yesterday on Salvage Shopping, I thought I would show you the few things I picked up & give you maybe a few tips that will help you on your vintage quests. A few of you have asked how I keep my head on straight when surrounded by SO many things I love. Well, when I'm on pretty things overload, there are 3 major things I try to remember when deciding whether or not that pretty thing belongs in my house or not.

1. Remember your budget. Before I go shopping I usually figure out how much I have to spend that day. It's important to do that before because when you see that amazing rare antique fill in the blank here that you always wanted with the price tag of $300, it's SO easy to get wrapped up in the moment and just BUY it. 

2. Look for statement pieces. Know what style you are going for, whether it be found, shabby chic, or industrial, and look for large pieces that really bring out that style. Bunches of little things are pretty, but you would be amazed how much a vintage metal or wood crate, or big graphic art piece will impact the room and bring the look you desire. I try to look for things that will bring visual and textural interest most and then fill in with other things later.

3. Know where it's going before you take it home. Clutter gives me hives, having things lying around that don't have a home do too, so when I see something I really love I always figure out where it's going to go before I buy it so I can control my hive breakouts if ya know what I mean. I am a sucker for pretty chairs, well worn wood crates, and dang vintage aqua mason jars but if I don't have a specific purpose for them I let them go. They are really easy to find anyways and they will be around next time I'm looking for them.

Keep those things in mind and you'll be golden. 

Here are the things I picked up yesterday that I REALLY love.

Vintage stop sign. I loved the color and had NEVER seen one grey & white before. 

Antique dining chairs. 

My new breakfast nook table that I picked up at a flea market a few weeks ago is dainty and the legs on it are my favorite part so I didn't want to hide them with chunky chairs. I found these two sweet chairs that happen to be the perfect wood shade in my opinion. For the other side of the table I think I'm going to build a farmhouse style bench in the near future.

Vintage wrought iron stand. 

I really don't know what this was meant for originally, or if it was always meant to be a jewelry stand, but I saw it and knew I NEEDED it. I could never find a jewelry stand tall enough for the long necklaces I think every one has these days. It's perfect and all my necklaces are untangled and SO happy.

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Salvage shopping.

Today my friend Nikki, from Grand Design Co., and I headed off for a shopping kidless day [with 5 kids between the 2 of us that is quite the feat.] I've learned that once you become a mom, the few and far between chances you get to go shopping kidless you definitely NEVER pass up.

I forget how fun and relaxing it can be.

My favorite stop of the day was Sweet Salvage, and Not Too Shabby.

One word. AMAZING.

So many pretty things to look at. All the rusty, chippy, vintage loveliness was INSANE. I kept thinking to myself, how on earth its taken me SO long to get my vintage loving self to shops like these. Seriously, I thought HomeGoods was a HUGE thing when I started shopping there... turns out their stuff mostly sucks in my world now.

Ok, I still love HomeGoods... and I'll stop talking and just show you the pictures I snapped.

 A few things managed to make it home with me, I can't wait to show you them. I am EXTREMELY excited about one of them in particular.

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Chevron Frames in my etsy shop!

I just listed these awesome chevron frames in my etsy shop.

They are 24" x 24" so basically HUGE and super awesome.

My friend Nikki from Grand Design Co. has been selling these, but she has too many other projects to keep up with the demand... so she taught me a little bit of her awesome ways.

I'm so excited because I love them so much!

They come in either 

black

grey

yellow

pink

or peacock blue.

Photos via Grand Design Co.

You can pick one up in my shop here.

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Eye candy.

Hey ya'll. [I never say ya'll so I don't really know why I just typed that, but I like the vibe that it comes with the use of the word so I think I'll keep it there]

Anyways, sorry that I haven't been around too much. My two weeks in Vegas is coming to an end and I am really excited to get back into the groove of things back home. Though Grace has been in heaven with all the attention and play buddies, and I've loved hanging out with my mom... I miss our life in Arizona. We have it good there... plus I think I've brainstormed about a zillion house projects I want to get done.

I thought I'd just pop in and share a few pretty things that I totally love right now. There's a little crafty, a little fashion, and a little bit of home decor... which are the things basically always on my mind.

Source: sparkleandhay.com via Jenna on Pinterest

These doily mason jars have been tantelizing me. I definitely have to make some of these this spring.

Source: 100layercake.com via Jenna on Pinterest

I absolutely love these paper roses. I want to make dozen.

Source: gabbagabbagorg.tumblr.com via Jenna on Pinterest

Ah, the colored denim. Turquoise + red is such a lovely combination.

Source: longenecker-storyshort.blogspot.com via Jenna on Pinterest

The soft pink and navy stripe is such a classic combination. I just really love this outfit, I need that skirt in my closet like yesterday.

Source: bhg.com via Jenna on Pinterest

Styling shelves has been on my mind lately. Mine at home are in diar need of some sprucement. I love all the texture combinations on these. Lots of storage, yet tons of pretty things too.

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Jenna on Pinterest

I love the use of an old window with hooks for an entry way. So clever and lovely.

Okay, I know that was a little random but totally followable right? I hope your Thursday was wonderful and your Friday is even better.

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For the love of packages.

I love getting mail. Packages especially are my all time favorite.

So when I saw this Blogging party + gift exchange I was SO excited.

I was paired up with Brittney from The Luycx's.

It was so fun to think up ideas on what I thought would bring a little smile to her face [hopefully] when my little care package got to her.

I kind of forgot that she was even sending me something.

[funny how giving makes you forget that you're getting something]

I got my package yesterday and I was so excited.

It had cute little wrapping.

Inside was a sweet little necklace that is so dainty & sweet how could it not bring a smile to your face?!

Thank you so much Brittney I love it!

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{Giveaway!!!} Junghwa by Amy Stewart Necklace

Today I have literal butterflies about this giveaway. I ran across Junghwa by Amy Stewart on Etsy and I about died at how gorgeous all of her pieces are. When she agreed to a giveaway I died even more! Her pieces are timeless and so chic.

You lucky ducks get the chance to win her Turquoise Nugget Necklace.

It will add the the little touch of "special" to every. single. outfit.

Amy's collection is gorgeous and so elegant but still simple enough for everyday.

That's what I love most about it.

To enter just leave a comment below.

For extra entries [Leave a comment for each thing you do]:

1. Like Junghwa by Amy Stewart on Facebook {here} and let her know Paddington Way sent you.

2.Visit Junghwa by Amy Stewart at her blog {here}.

3. "Like" Paddington Way on Facebook.

4. Repost this giveaway on Facebook and tag me @PaddingtonWay.

** To win you must be a follower of Paddington Way. **

Good luck! Winner will be announced next Friday.

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My favorite handmade items.

I love owning handmade items. They are extra special, they make me smile big.

I thought I'd share with you some of my very favorite handmade items from shops that I love. I'm doing a lot of handmade gifts this year & I am SO excited about it.

I love these chevron messenger bags from Marigold & Sage.

I want a Gussy Sews bag SO bad. Omgosh, they are adorable! Ps, you get to choose your ruffle! Love that!

I love these large bloom necklaces from Little Miss Momma. I have the mustard one &it's one of my absolute favorites.

I love this print from The Wheatfield. Her art is whimsical & fun. I love it all!

I love these Shine necklaces from The Shine Project. Seriously, what could be better than wearing this pretty little reminder to do a little good each day. I'm giving these as gifts this year for sure! 

Last, I love these statement necklaces from LoveStitched. So darling with just about everything I can think of.

What are some of your favorite handmade items? I'd love to see them!

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Katie Holmes Hair.

Once I cut my hair short I started craving even SHORTER hair. I know. I'm crazy. I didn't know if I had the guts to tell ya the truth. I mentioned to my sister in law [ who totally rocks a pixie cut like it's nobody's business ] that I wanted to go a little shorter but didn't know if I could.

She assured me that I could go a good deal shorter.

So that was it. I was pretty set on the idea. I still don't have the nerve to go to a pixie, but I did have in mind what I wanted.

Katie Holmes is one of my hair icons because she's always so classy and timeless.

So we did it and I am in total love. It is much shorter than I've ever had before. The back is only a couple inches, the front we left a few pieces a little longer.

My other sister in law is a hair stylist & she is the one who did it. I showed my husband the picture I was going for and he told me it looks EXACTLY the same.

Whoo hoo, Amanda you rock!

It seriously takes me 10  minutes wet to finish. I love it.

Maybe someday I'll get that pixie.

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Things I love: Our Best Bites.

Have you ever heard of the ladies from Our Best Bites?

Well, they're adorable. They have a food blog where they share recipes, and lots of tips and tricks like how to cook a perfect steak and cut a watermelon into perfect little squares.

I've made a lot of their recipes and every. single. one. is. perfection. Seriously, I get so many compliments whenever I make their dishes! I pat myself on the back for finding such an awesome blog every single time too.

They have a new cook book out, and I finally got my hands on it. I am SO excited. We're going to be eating GOOD at our household.

[ Yes, that is me taking a bite out of the book... that's how bad I just wanted to eat everything inside ]

You can order one here or pick it up at your local Deseret Book.

Your family & tummy will thank you.

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Together.

I got a new necklace. It's called "Together" by Lisa Leonard.

This one is so precious and so true.

It says, "shaped by grace, laughter, joy & tears - family"

You can see it here.

I like to wear sweet little sentimental things.

Every time I put it on I smile a little inside.

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Window Panes.

I've wanted to find myself some vintage window panes for a long time now.

These little buggers are so hard to find!

And when I have run across some, they were either glass-less, completely out of my price range, or both.

On our St. George adventure earlier this week we went to a bunch of antique stores and as I was walking out of one with nothing in my hands, the lady asked what I was looking for.

I kinda said, "Ohhh nothing really, I'm not a real collector yet... I just like to look... butttttt do you have any window panes?"

Smooooooth, real smooth I know.

Her face lit up and said, "As a matter of fact, my dad owns this place, and he has sheds full of stuff on the property and I happen to know he just brought some window panes."

I was excited, I may have jumped up and down and sang a hallelujah chorus.

He was the CUTEST old man, after I paid him he said, "Nice! Now I have $25 bucks to go spend at another yard sale!"

They may not look like much, but they are so sweet.

They're a cute sea-green and dirt color.

I'm thinking about removing the dirt and keeping the color, because I think it's charming.

Or I may just paint them altogether.

They're from an old train depot in Wyoming.

They have rusted window locks on them which are probably my FAVORITE part.

A little elbow grease and they will be so adorable!!

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We're back! And I fail.

We packed up our little family and went to St. George this week.

We had no real plans, we just wanted to get up and go!

So that's what we did.

And you know what... those kind of trips always end up the very best!

We had a fun filled trip! So busy but so great!

Grace spent lots of time with Spencer's family.

She was definitely spoiled with love and attention.

Not that she isn't every single day of her life.

But she got even EXTRA amounts.

Lucky girl.

We went antiquing.

I ended up with two treasures and I can't wait to share the story of them!

I got to eat at every. single. delicious. restaurant.

St. George is filled with dining gems that I crave so bad.

Yum. I was well fed.

I met Spencer's best friend growing up, Kimball.

I think it's hilarious that Spencer and Kimball were best friends.

Because of the LDS prophet Spencer W. Kimball.

Guess you have to be mormon to understand that one.

We went to dinner with my old roomate from SUU.

Danelle is freaking adorable, I love her.

Danelle and I about 3 years ago at the Parowan Parade.

We didn't take a picture this time but we look about the same.

Except I am FAR LESS tan.

Bet you're wondering where all my pictures are?

I am a picture lady ya know.

You all know that.

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLL.

I took lots of wonderful pictures with my new beauty... BUT I accidentally deleted ALL OF THEM this morning.

EPIC FAIL!

We went on a photo shoot by Ancestor Square and the new carousel in St. George.

Grace was precious in them, and Spencer oh so handsome as always.

I am so mad at myself, I almost started crying when I realized what I did.

Just imagine Spencer in a plaid button up and Grace with a big flower headband and skinnies.

UGH, FAIL!

In other news, I had lots of packages today.

I love mail.

I might just order everything online from now on because getting mail makes me giddy.

This is my new favorite, beautiful camera bag.

You will see her hanging on my arm from now until ever.

Meet Rose, from Jo Totes.

She's a pretty one.

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Etsy Finds.

I LOVE ETSY.

It's no secret. I've mentioned it before.

I find so many great things I thought I would start sharing some of my favorites with you.

The theme of today's group of Etsy finds is signs.

I love words. I have quotes all over my home, framed and painted on wood. I like to walk by them each day and remember the message they display.

I love this "Let Life be Imperfect" Family Rules Sign @ Barn Owl Primitives.

I love you in many languages @ Vinyl Crafts.

Cottage Chic Love @ Life Unscripted

Shabby Chic Hearts @ Old New Again

Keep Calm and Carry On @ Vinyl Crafts

Clearly I'm still in a love affair with aqua, turquoise, sea glass.

All forms of pretty light blue pretty much.

Support handmade, and shop on!



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Things I love: Photography

I remember the day that I got my own very first camera.

Our family was taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park and my Mom gave each of the kids their own disposable camera to carry with them so we could each capture our own memories.

I was so excited!

I took pictures of buffalo, hot pots, geysers, trees, random rocks, and lots of things that I don't really know what I was trying to take a picture of.

I was so eager to turn in my camera and get my photos developed to see my snap shots.

I loved it.

I wasn't any good, don't get me wrong... but it was the best thing ever!

After that I always begged my mom to buy me more disposable cameras.

Silly I know. Annoying? Probably.

Technology got better and our family got our very first digital camera.

I used to sneak in my parents room and "borrow" it for photoshoots of... myself!

{ Vain young girl that I was }

I put the camera on a timer, set it on a table, and ran to pose.

OR

I would just spend hours in the bathroom taking the infamous bathroom mirror poses.

{ Super vain I know I know }

I remember when I got given MY OWN point and shoot digital camera.

I took it EVERY where with me.

My friends and I would have random photo shoots... in public even!

I took two photography classes in highschool and learned a lot.
Not saying that I remember hardly ANY of it.
But I do remember how fun it was to develop my own film in the dark room and see my shots come to life.

Now I am an iPhoto junkie.

I just snap shots on my phone... but I'm ready to continue my long time love.

Maybe even become skilled in photography.

I just got this new little guy.

I love pictures. I love the moments they capture.

I want to have lots of pictures to look back on the days when we were young and in love, raising our kids, and sharing so much love, fun, and laughter.

I'm excited to read this e-book by Kristen Duke Photography.

I heard it's great.

I love her work and how she uses beautiful natural light to get GORGEOUS pictures.
Maybe if I read her book I will somehow channel her inner genius phtographer skills and get some pretty shots of my own!

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Love? Perhaps.

I took a stab at making myself a headband.

Be honest now... what do you think?

Husband wouldn't let me wear it out today.

He said I look like a little goof in it.

Sad day. I felt adorable in it.

{ps. don't ask what face I was making in that 2nd picture... I don't even know}

I got my first batch of stretchy lace and I'm in love.

Except I'm not sure how practical it is for the babe because it is far less secure than elastic.

She is so wiggly it doesn't stay on very well.

It's super cute though!

Maybe for special occasions and new born babes who wiggle far less.

Maybe there's a better kind of stretch lace out there that I haven't found yet.

Maybe, maybe, maybe... I still love it either way.

I might become that weird mom who wears headbands daily.

Is that strange?

What would you think if you saw a momma and a baby both wearing headbands in public?


I'm linking this post up at Little Miss Momma for her headband challenge link party!

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Things I love: Baby girl headbands.

My babe has quite the collection of headbands. 

Baby Grace loves her headbands.

 

I have made them all by hand, and it's pretty much turned into my favorite thing to do.

Let me introduce you to some of the gang:

She has a bit of everything. From burnt satin to rolled fabric.

I love feathers. I think feather's on little babes heads amp up the adorability.

 Aqua with rhinestones, pearls, netting, and feathers.

 This one is quite large on a little babes head, but it is so precious and such a statement.

Lilac satin, lace, pearls, and feathers.

Peach toile, aqua satin rosette, netting, pearls, gem, and of course feathers.

One of my favorites. I just love the color combination.

This one is extremely special to me because she wore it to the temple the day our family was sealed.

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As soon as I knew I was going to have a baby girl... I pictured a little girl growing up from new born- baby- toddler- preschool- elementary- basically through the ages wearing these fantastic head pieces.

I would look on etsy for hours drooling over headbands.

Being the crafty girl I was I knew I could make my own... and just the way I wanted them to be.

This is an art I've been working on... and still learning the ins and outs of it all.

I'm going to pick up some alligator clips so even us older girls can be in on the fun.

Mostly because well... I want to wear them too!

I'm not going to say if an etsy shop is in my future... but I'm seriously thinking it will  be.

{ EEEK! That is the first time I've mentioned that out loud }

I'm thinking that it will not just have headbands, but also some home made decor items too.

Let's be honest.. I don't really know.

I make this stuff up as I go along.

Today I ordered some new supplies for these lovelies and I am oh so excited about them!

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