About Amy

Two things I love

Ahhh, Spring.  It's been here for a couple of days and it looks like it's going to stay with us a few more.  Regardless of how warm it has been, the trees are still naked and the yard is spotty.  Ollie and I ventured out yesterday for a flat of pretty pansies.

I figured it was the safest route to color without the risk of freezing. 

Oliver picked out one perfect primrose that we planted in this sweet but silly faux bois pot.

I am going to cut some branches from the forsythia tomorrow to force in a vase and pretend that we are well into warm and wonderful Spring.

I am so excited for gardening.  I'm not much of a green thumb yet but love the planning and dreaming.  We have a smallish urban yard, completely fenced but exposed to all the neighbors.  I am searching for hardy, vining plants to cover the fence and envelope us in our own secret garden.  This is where I need help.  With our giant trees, we get, at best, partial sun.  Recommendations?  I would love fast growers, flowers would be nice. We have a nice start but need to beef up what we've got. 

While you're flipping through your Rolodex of gardening ideas, look at these beautiful gardens (and gardeners) I found on weheartit.

Happy planting...or planning.

amy

Makeover Monday

Today's makeover is actually going to take a little more planning than usual and a few more days.   

I have been completely inspired by two items found on etsy.  This amazing peacock feather dress by Nadinoo, has the most beautiful back. 

I love the simple shape and abbreviated hemline.

I also love this little baby-doll style top by Cowgirl Heaven.  I know I've shown it before, but I wanted to share again the lovely materials used and the shape.

 
I want to take these two pieces and transform this dress of mine.

 
The weight of the fabric, and colors are perfect, but the cut of the dress tip-toes between mod and maternity.  It is so ready for a transformation.

amy 

Help, help, help

Well that's it.  I just cannot seem to keep my teeny-tiny workspace functionally tidy.  It's time for an overhaul.  We were planning to repaint the breakfast room and kitchen anyway, so it is only natural for me to start planning.  Before I jump in with both feet, I need to remember that this is a shared space and a major thorough way.  I have been collecting images that make my heart pitter patter.

one, daydream lily; two, five, hello my name is heather; three, studio lune; four, weheartit. 

I am also desperately seeking two things I hope you can help me with.

One is a wonderful crocheting tutorial.  I am a 100% novice.  Starting from scratch.  Please leave a link, I'd really appreciate it.

And number two is silly, but I need some ideas for taming the tremendous clutter that ruthlessly gathers on my kitchen counters.  Mail, artwork, school papers, receipts...we collect it all.  No matter how hard I try, I cannot get it cleaned up.  Help!

Believe it or not, this pretty kitchen and that even prettier crochet work is not mine...I found it on weheartit. 

amy  

Stylish blondes I love

I find these lovely ladies to be incredibly stylish.  They never seem trendy, always a little bit classic, always unique...always dog-earred in my magazines. 

Chloe 

 
 
Kate

Cate

Gwyneth

Michelle

Sophie

Mary Kate (I really didn't want to...but I like her bag lady style)

Scarlett

Kirsten

I know I'm missing loads of fair ladies.  What blondes would you add to the list?  Any blonde gents?

Thanks weheartit.

amy

amy   

Thrifting adventures

Both kids are back in school, so I spent my free two hours thrifting my favorite, top-secret spots.  My haul was nothing compared to usual, but still I was happy with the little treasures I did find.

 



 
Good things come in small packages.

My thrifted doily collection is getting out of control.   
I am ready to thin out the selection or use them in some fabulously crafty way.  I feel so inspired by Rachel's doily covered pillow found on Smile and Wave...

 
and this gorgeous creation by Cowgirl Heaven.

 
Pretty, pretty, and pretty.  Look for a Nellie Loves Vintage etsy update tomorrow.

amy

555-5555

Don't these just make you want to give your sweetheart a call?

I desperately need that teal phone.  These dreamy phones were found on weheartit.   

Two things I love Tuesday

It's time for show and tell!  Here are two things I love in my home.

1. There is very little that I don't love about the breakfast room/ sewing room/ guitar room/ nellie loves vintage headquarters.  It's a bit small for all the purposes it serves and it is usually a big mess, but it is such a great little space.  I have shared lots of pics of that room in the past but never the sweet little phone station planted on the wall.

When I get dressed I never dress vintage head to toe.  I'd feel like I was in costume.  The same goes for the house.  I don't want my guests to walk into my home and feel like they've been cast in some period piece.  I like to mix all periods and styles...the more functional something is the better.  I don't generally go for the purely decorative.  Also, I get so much pleasure from sitting on the couch or standing at the station, talking on the phone.  The ring is dynamite too.

I am always looking for rotary phones when I thrift.  I kept the sharp black phone on the right.  The kids act like I'm stirring up some sort of magic every time I dial a number.  I highly recommend searching etsy for a great old phone.  No, there's no caller I.D. but there is so much charm. 

2. What to do with all the modern technology gumming up your fab vintage interior?  Our solution was this (inexpensive) old Deco style cigarette cart. 

It has plenty of space on the second shelf for a couple of components and room underneath for a giant old leather Samsonite to house DVD's.  We do have some exposed cord issues still, but I've been happy with our table. 

I'd love to see some of your favorite things!  If you'd like, leave a link to your pics in the comment section. 

amy   

An introduction, a coupon, and a giveaway

Introducing fabulous Nellie sponsor, Rachie's Place:

hi nellie loves vintage readers! i am rachel mason of rachie's place...creative blog and etsy shop. i live in kansas city with my dear husband of 8 years and our 3 dogs and 1 cat. i started this blog 5 years ago with one purpose...to encourage and inspire. while a scrapbooking instructor a fews years back, the biggest complaint i heard was that no one felt they were creative or crafty. that is simply not true! i also love to share my daily musings about scrapbooking, photography, and my most recent project, my vintage etsy shop. i rescue lost or forgotten treasures from thrift shops and estate sales and give them a second chance in a new home. i also have at least one giveaway per month, so be sure to check back often!

i hope to see you soon!

 

 

Be sure to scoot right over to Rachel's blog!

 

Are you absolutely in love with the jewelry pieces from Lola and George?  Lucky you!  Designer, Carla, has a coupon for Nellie readers!  To get 20% off, type in the code number, NLV20.  It's effective March 22nd through April 5th.  Buy up these gorgeous pieces (and so many more!).

 
   

And lastly, the

BonBonRose Girls are having their huge Spring Fling Giveaway this week.  I put together a little giveaway package that will be up for grabs Wednesday.  If you're interested, head on over.

I'll be back tomorrow with more fun.

amy

The return of Makeover Monday

I am so happy to announce that Makeover Monday is back! 

Today I started with two oversize thrifted t-shirts.

 
I am always looking for fuller fitting shirts that are good for layering under trim cardigans.  I can't stand tight shirts.  So uncomfortable and so unflattering.  Also, I prefer a longer fit.  I decided to use the blue tee as the base and trimmed off the sleeves and cut a rounded neckline.

I then stitched from the arm holes to the hem in a diagonal creating an A-line tank.

I still wasn't happy with the fit.  The sleeves made it look like a muscle shirt and the neckline was still too high.  I trimmed off more shirt around the arms and rolled over the neckline creating a deeper line and also a hem.

Better.  Now for the embellishment.  I took the black t-shirt and starting cutting.  I decided on a large corsage.

 
After cutting all the petals, I layered them on the blue tank and stitched each down.

Now it's perfect for layering.  It doesn't bunch up under my cardigan, it hangs just right and it is smooth under my belt.  Oh, and it was practically free. 

I have another post coming today with a fun announcement.  Check back in.

amy   

  

Shop around the corner

I finally updated the shop.  You'll find lots of fun, new things on the Nellie "shelves", just click on the link to the left.  One of my favorite additions is this cadet blue, faux leather carry-on.  I have one in green that is always in use and nearly indestructible.

I have so much more to add and hope to get it done in the next couple of days.

So speaking of shops...my dream for the movable vintage "feast" is still alive.  I've yet to find the perfect canned ham trailer at a cost that fits my current budget, but I'm searching and trying my hardest to save.  I am so excited to take Nellie Loves Vintage on the road.  I was flipping through images on weheartit and dug up some inspiring little shops around the corner.

I nearly wept when I saw this one.

 
Thank you very much and come again.

amy