thriftstore find: $5 bookshelf

Hello my dears! This is the first time I've gone on my computer in almost a WEEK! It's just been so busy and then right on Remembrance Day, I somehow got sick with a fever which left me bedridden for all of yesterday. But now I'm feeling well enough to drag my sickling-self those grueling two metres from my bed to my computer, so you shall get a blog post (or two?) today! =)

Last week I had a super awesome thriftstore find at the "thrift store with the red door" at Steveston Village. This place always has really unique furniture and it just so happened that all furniture was 50% off on the day that I went! I had been looking for a bookshelf (to put my shoes on, actually) and I found one that was deep enough to use as a shoe-shelf! It was an antique cream which perfectly matches my vintage dresser (acquired from another thrift store in Steveston). The best part was, the bookshelf was only $5!!!

So the next day, I borrowed Mr. Potatohead's SUV and then I borrowed my DAD to help me lug the ginormous thing back home. We got there and my dad started using his hand width in an attempt to measure the shelf. Consequently, I went over to the staff in the back and asked them for a measuring tape. In the end, after walking around the bookshelf for about half an hour hmm-ing and pondering about whether the massive thing would make it home, we shoved it into the back of the SUV and luckily, it JUST fit. We drove home with the entire trunk open, at the pace of a snail, until we safely arrived in our front yard with the bookshelf, me, and my dad still intact. =) Success!

good ol' BEAST was such a handy vehicle in our predicament...

(lurker below) not creepy at all... not creepy at all...

The turquoise shirt I'm wearing was also thrifted from a Value Village in Toronto for... $3.99? But really, nothing beats the $5 bookshelf. Except for those shady free couches on Craigslist...

thriftstore thursday: gold bow brooch

Thrift stores are the best place to find some unique accessories or antique jewelry for super cheap. This gold bow brooch cost 50 cents and adds a little bit of vintage flair to any outfit. It's pretty versatile since I've worn it clipped onto my jacket, pinned to shirt pockets, fastened to my brown leather bag, and as a hair decoration. I was thinking I could also take off the backing and glue it onto a belt buckle, or hang it from a chain and make it into a necklace. I'm all about re-using and rewearing the same items in different ways.

 

Oh and the white blouse and my brown "creepy face bag" (see the face?) were also thrifted from long ago. Do you have a bow accessory, and if so, what's your favourite way to wear it? Here's some gold bow inspiration below! I especially love the black bowtie embellished with gold safety pins. That's an easy DIY - now all I need to do is find one of my DAD's old bowties... ;) hahaha.

images via: augustine wong // loveitsomuch // a.bp // weheartit 1 // weheartit 2 // tumblr

 

Happy Thursday! =)

wedding post #3: mason jar centrepieces!

I know designing our centrepieces is not exactly the most important thing to think about during the first stages of planning a wedding, but Mr. Potatohead and I were going over our budget the other day and we ended up thinking about decorating our reception tables. haha! To go along with our woodsy vintage theme, we decided to use mason jars as our centrepieces. We immediately went on Craigslist to look for them and lo and behold! The first link we clicked on was a listing for 35 small ones (250ml), 50 medium sized ones (500ml), and 12 big ones (1L) - all for $50!!! It just so happened that a couple who recently got married had also used them for their centrepieces and of course, post-wedding, now had boxes of unused mason jars stored at their home. So of course I made the hour-long drive to retrieve these babies!

Oh how I love Craigslist. The previous bride had meticulously glued lace trim on all the jars. At first, I wasn't a big fan of the lace but when I saw the jars in person, the lace fabric actually looked really cute and dainty. I must say, the bride did a great job putting the DIY lace on these jars.

So, Mr. Potatohead and I now have part of our centrepiece display! Mason jars are so versatile. I think they would look great with a bloom of peonies, a simple bundle of baby's breath wrapped with twine, or romantic tealights to make the jars glow in a darker venue. Here are some of the inspiration pictures that I absolutely love. By the way, I love the floral tablecloth in the first few pictures... perfect for a garden wedding!

 images via: e.claire creations // wedding chicks // please note // elizabeth anne designs // apartment therapy // she walks in beauty // a beach cottage

So many simple yet gorgeous DIYs!!! Now the hard part is choosing which look to go with! ;) What do you think of mason jars? Which centrepiece is your favourite look? 

Oh and by the way: I was truly ecstatic to get so many comments about CRAZY MONKEYS in my last post. haha. LOVE IT.

wedding post #2: colours!

From my last wedding post, I asked you all to guess what my wedding colours were going to be... (the hint was 2 "warm" shades, and one "cool" shade). The answer is: coral, peach, and mint green! Here are some random items from around my room that inspired me to create this colour palette.

And... here are some more inspiration pictures that I collaged together. All of these pictures below were found online. The whole look is so soft, romantic, and rustic. I especially love all the gorgeous peony bouquets, flowy chiffon dresses, and delicate lacy details. 

images from: weddings by lilly // wedding bells // the smith family // sarah yates // Belle 

However... I'm not totally sold on this colour combination just yet... for some reason, I feel like something is missing (oh how indecisive I am). Don't get me wrong - I think these colours are beautiful together - but for me, it seems a little too "typical". I do like shabby chic elements to some extent, but when it's too much I feel like I'll drown in the girliness and end up fainting, teacup in hand, with my pinky in the air. 

So I suppose the quest for wedding colours continues. haha. In my mind, I'm envisioning a wedding that's still got that rustic, vintage feel but I also want to choose colours that are more bright, vivid, and "fun". I've always loved bold colours and maybe that's why I'm so indecisive! I should just have a RAINBOW wedding... (or not).

So, what do you think? Do you like this colour combination, or do you agree with me that it's too girly?! If you are already married, what were YOUR wedding colours? And even if you're not married, do you have any colour suggestions? Let me know!! =)