Four square and seven ~

Amador Hospice in Martel had 50% off day on everything.  I found 4 cute tops, 4 packets of water-color notecards, a Kobe enameled bowl and tenor banjo music all for $7!  

Remember the bread machine from a previous post?  I used the machine twice and it would work fine up to the point of the dough raising but then in the baking process something would go awry.  Was going to return it, then was going to donate it, but then I thought - the preparing the dough is the hardest part.  I'll fix its wagon and just use it for the dough/pasta setting.  Ah-ha!

Got my hair did ~

I keep returning to Spanish Fly Hair Garage in Midtown Sacramento.  It is such a fun salon with talented stylists.  The salon also showcases an artist's work about once every couple of months and large paintings are on display during that time.

Seems these houndstooth pants (a previous TSF from a couple years ago, affectionately called my Rodney Dangerfield pants), have come back in style.  I think the hairstyle is sorta reminiscent of ...

Or, this - 1961 photograph of my mom, me (kiddie brunette flip-do) and my brother at Pacific Ocean Park in California.  Not quite sure what the artist was thinking with these "sculptures" ... perhaps inspired by a magical mushroom experience?  

Finally, a find!

While this is not the most exciting find from my fav Thrift Town in Del Paso Heights, it is typical of my usual fare - a pair of soft polyester pants ($3.99) to go from work to college, a bag of hair do-dads ($1.99) so I can be oh so unstylish with my scrunchie-wearing self, and Yardley english lavendar soap (69 cents).

I am awaiting delivery of a purchase of approx. one hundred 35 mm slides from an EBayer in England (for the grand sum of $19!).  One of my past-times is converting slide images to digital format.  I am especially fond of pictures taken in the late 1950's, early 1960's, that I will showcase from time to time on this blog.

Took this picture for kicks and giggles - wanted to show off the Lauren skirt (a previous TSF).  If I keep sneaking donuts, then this skirt will fit forever, but if I shed a few poundages, then the skirt will be recycled back.  

Orange you glad to see me?

It was time to juice the oranges from my tree ... 

Two bags ~

And about 2 hours later, those oranges turn into containers of fresh squeezed wonderfulness.  

There is my recent TSF blue candy dish, a lovely blue vase (this past year's Christmas gift) and my siamese fighting fish Sashimi in his thrift shop bowl.

Black, blue and guinea pigs too ~

Yet another thematic day for clothes-colors, black and blue. Snowline Hospice in Folsom, California produced black soft pants, blue soft pants with side button details, black kick pleat skirt and royal blue George stretch long-sleeved shirt.

Goodies were a blue glass candy dish ($4.50), scented drawer liner ($2.00), blue candle ($1.50), pink heart tin ($1.50) and CDs Honeymoon in Vegas (Elvis hits performed by various artists) and Sweethearts of the Rodeo.
 

Small animal cage including two water bottles and feeder ($7.50).  I have two guinea pigs, they were badly in need of a new indoor cage.  

Had to think twice about this Oster bread machine - but for $8.50 (possibility of return within five days if it doesn't work), meant I'd take that chance.  At premium bread running $5 a loaf, time to make my own.

Inside of the appliance ~ clean as a whistle!  I was able to locate online the instructions for the machine.  All in all, I spent about $40 for the lot.

Blog addict? My TOP 10 favorites for 2011

By the frequency of my postings, one would think I find all sorts of goodies each time I visit a thrift shop.  Alas, that is not the case.  This past week I have been to 3 (perhaps 4) of them and NADA.  I think that is why it is so fantastic when I do find something that appeals to me.

I subscribe to at least 100 blogs ~ all of which roll through on Google reader.  It is a great invention (that reader) if you haven't discovered it.  Of those 100+ I do have my favorites and since my blog setup is the mobile template, it doesn't allow for the usual extra pictures, links to other blogs, blah blah blah.

Here is my list of top 10 favorite blogs - for various assorted and sundry reasons:

gold country girls - they "live" just up the road a spell
urban farmgirl - delightful photography
Dear Helen Hartman - for kicks and giggles
Sweetheart of the Rodeo - she is adorable, and I like her style!
Scarlett Loves Elvis - whimsy at its best
Kitschy Living - a romp
tikiranch - eye candy
A BRIT GREEK - all around enjoyable
BlueberryBunny - random, funky pics
Vintage Passions Just Like Mine - blogger with attitude, LOVE her!

Onward and forward - Ole!

Could it be? Miu Miu?

Even though I hit up Amador Hospice thrift last weekend, I had time on Sunday to really browse.  A splurge was this lead crystal art deco-inspired vase ($14.50) no chips, no cracks and in absolute perfect condition.  The small fall print round table cloth used as background in these pictures ($2.50).

I swear I heard angels sing when I spotted this Miu Miu black skirt ($3.50).  Italian-brand labels are an amazing find.  It was a trio of "black" finds, the skirt, the shrug, and a pair of NWT Covington pants (not pictured, $2.50).

The Inc. brand black shrug was a keeper for $3.50.  At 40 cents each, the paint instruction books will be perfect for reference when I return to painting.  The Art of National Geographic just had to join my collection of art books ($2.50).

I have been in a bread-baking mood.  Last week, I attempted a recipe from the New York Times Cookbook by Craig Clairborne (1961 ed.) of Cuban Bread.  It tasted fine but didn't raise like I would have liked but this week's batch turned out just fine.

My plan was to make fruitcake last October to enjoy this past holiday season, but that didn't happen.  My family made it for years. The past few years I have been trying to produce that same wonderful treat but to no avail.  The ingredients alone cost around $30.  When I was grocery shopping I saw the candied fruits and baking tins, even the dry sherry to soak the cakes in, were half off.  So, why not?  Must have been good timing, because here they are ~ they will be wrapped in sherry-soaked cheesecloth, encased then in aluminum foil and stored in a cool place for a few months.

Gotta love Old Las Vegas!

These photographs were taken by my father in the summer of 1958, Las Vegas in its heyday - I especially like the vintage vehicles in the pictures.  

When the going gets tough ~

the tough go commando shopping!  It wouldn't be a New Year without a trip to Thrift Town and Beto's Tacqueria.  Plowed through the usual detris for a Lauren calf-length cotton skirt ($7.99) and a NWT Style & Co. sport pants ($5.99, Macy's retail $40).

Lady Di and color!

Now is the time to plant bare root roses, they are half the cost of roses potted in early spring.  My new addition to the garden this year is a pink Lady Diana.  I will showcase them as they bloom.

A stop in to Amador Hospice Thrift produced a NWT two-piece ruffled Sele print blouse ($5.50, marked $49.00 at Macy's).  The blouse is adorable on and the sorta funky yellow green print at the bottom will be tucked in paired with a dark brown skirt and dark brown pumps.  My two fun items are the Casino Royale DVD ($2.50) and a pack of floral print pencils and papers (.50).  

Sun, Sand and Shopping ~

I have been off work for the past two weeks enjoying the amazing California sunshine.  My criteria for a perfect vacation is Sun, Sand and Shopping.  While there was lots of sun, and sand (of sorts) - as the picture below was taken in the high desert, there was definitely no shopping.

The thrift-shop tie-in here is I bought this St. John's Bay reversible jacket at This N That in East Sacramento.  It is worn but not shabby, large enough to accommodate several layers of clothing if need be.  The American Rag hat is haute couture for wilderness visits *giggles* ($17.00 at Macy's).

Here is the table runner (a recent TSF) put to use on the buffet table.

To continue the spirit of fun ~

A trip up-country to Interfaith's Great Finds in Sutter Creek, California lived up to its name with the purchase of kitschy pony ($2).  I'm guessing this ceramic was made YEARS before My Little Pony (notice the resemblance?)  

And, ok, these are not so much finds as props ($2 ea.).  I will be on the lookout for wigs, costumes and accessories throughout the year for whimsical photo shoots.  

The retro scarf will come in handy as a background for another blog.  The photo journal has stickers galore to use.  The Here and Now Story Book (pub. 1948) will be an interesting read-through.

Hoping 2012 is a barrel of fun ~

Shooting for a nomination as best new Weblog and chosen as a finalist for the 2012 Weblog Awards ~
http://2012.bloggi.es/

Thank you readers! Tami