Cozy in White

Can you believe it finally snowed? Well it did, and someone told me it’s supposed to snow some more. Ugh. I do have to admit that the light that travels through the house after a good snow is just beautiful. It throws just the right amount of light around the room to make everything feel so cozy and comfortable, even if it is miserably cold outside. Kind of like this…

(thehappyhomeblog)

(livecreatingyourself)

(cocokelly)

(designsponge)

White isn’t normally a color I would associate with being cozy, but today it is. Perhaps it’s my longing for slush free floors or a clean cars. Whatever it is, it’s helping me cope with the idea that winter is here and I’m determined to enjoy it’s splendor…maybe;)

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Vintage Shades

Last week I found these gems and couldn’t wait to share them with y’all, assuming your sunglass lovers like myself.

They are never worn, vintage, oversized sunglasses and are absolutely fantastic. It may be winter, but the sun has been shining more than average and it’s aways good to protect the eyes while maintaing a little style;) I mean, look how great vintage glasses can look.

(via here)

(via here)

(via here)

(via here)

Sunglasses might be something not necessarily associated with winter in Chicago, but I never leave home without my vintage Ray Bans.

And don’t forget the piles and piles of scarves we have to complete the look. Just saying.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our thoughts exactly

HAPPY 2012, friends!!! It was a mad dash to the finish, but we made it and then took some time off to enjoy with our families. We hope that you all were able to do the same.

I found this great post on Apartment Therapy that I wanted to share with you and hope that you will find it inspiring. It’s pretty much what we’ve been preaching since day one.

Nine Reasons To Consider Adding an Antique (or Two or Three) To Your Home:

1. Antiques tell a story, and are a tangible link to the past and sometimes your own heritage.

2. Antiques are green! Antiques are inherently recycled and reused. Very few products can claim such longevity.

3. Antique furniture is generally very well made — and made by hand.

4. Antiques are trendproof. If you buy a piece with beautiful lines, curves and construction it is unlikely to offend even the trendiest of trendoids.

5. Antiques are the key to eclecticism. Antiques can add texture, energy and personality to even the most modern or contemporary decor. If you don’t want your home to look overly styled or to resemble a chain store’s showroom, a few carefully chosen antiques will do the trick.

6. Antiques retain or increase in value.

7. Reupholstering or restoring an old piece is a satisfying process with often wonderful results.

8. Antiques are often more appropriately scaled for older or smaller dwellings (unlike, say, Restoration Hardware pieces).

9. Antiques can lend a room character, personality and charm.

Take a look at the full post and all the pretty pictures they have posted as well.

Cheers to the new year and a vintage life well lived!

Jessica and Julie

Peace

As we wind down here at the shop, we wanted to let all of our faithful blog readers, store shoppers and fellow vintage lovers and patient family members;) how grateful we are that you are in our lives. Without all of you, our store would not exist. So we’re spreading a little love and hope that you will keep on spreading the love to all you encounter in your lives.

This week is a time to celebrate everyone and everything in your lives and show a little love to others in unexpected ways.

So however your family celebrates the season, we wish you all happiness and joy forever. And remember…

We are going to take some time for a little R&R, so after today the store will close till after the new year and will reopen all refreshed on January 5, 2012. We can’t wait to see what the new year will bring.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived and loved!

Jessica and Julie

Holiday Store Hours!

I hope everyone has been enjoying celebrating the season with family and friends and maybe even passing along some holiday joy to a stranger or two. The feeling this time of the year brings is so special, and I wish I could bottle it up and open it occasionally throughout the year. It is a great reminder of how big life is and how important it is to celebrate the here and now.

We have special holiday hours this week to make last minute shopping a bit easier. Come visit us TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY and FRIDAY from 10-5. After this week we’re taking a break, closing up the shop and plan on enjoy some time off with our families, so come see us after the new year. We’ll be all refreshed and stocked up for your viewing pleasure.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

W-O-W!

I am often impressed with the amount of creativity that exists in the world, but this stopped me dead in my tracks. I understand that not everyone might not be as impressed with this idea as I am, but you can’t deny it’s pretty ingenious.

(found here)

There really are a million things you could do with these as frames, but I’m picturing them as chalkboards. I’m just impressed someone came up with the idea in the first place. Take from it what you may, but in my book creativity is priceless.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Vintage scarf turned pillow

Do you remember the post I wrote a while back about all the fun things you could do/make from vintage scarves? Well, as I was reading one of my favorite blogs, look what I found…

 

(Check out the full blog post here)

It’s a vintage Gucci silk scarf sewn into a pillow!!! How clever and cool all rolled up into one. Although we don’t have any Gucci scarves in the store (at least I don’t think so – maybe I should go take another look through our stash;), we do have loads and loads of beautiful silk scarves ready to be repurposed. And for all you “make your own gift” givers, this is a great last minute (and inexpensive) gift idea.

And if you’re not in a crafting mood this holiday (or if you just don’t know how to use your sewing machine, like me;), scarves are beautiful and handy to give as is. You really can’t go wrong. Ahhh, the beauty and versatility of the scarf.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Paint by numbers

I have a serious addiction to vintage art in general, but have also developed quite the collection of paint by numbers. I currently have 8 vintage paint by numbers and I’m sure the collection will continue to grow.

(All images found here)

I’m very much attracted to the color blocked, graphic nature of a paint by number and the themes are pretty fantastic as well. I love animal portraits, pastoral scenes, ocean and boat scenes and of course the florals. Does anyone else share my obsession?

We have a few in the store along with other fantastically amazing vintage artwork. Come take a look and maybe find some great gift ideas as well.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived!

Jessica and Julie

An Ode to Color…Green and Gold

And in celebration of the holiday season, I'm in the mood for a little green and gold…

But gold and brassy tones are not just for the holidays…they're fantastic year round.

(I didn't have much time this week for blog surfing, so all of the pretty images came from Pinterest)

Oh, that green dresser with the gold knobs is killing me.  I think I may need a green dresser in my life, or maybe some green walls.  I have PLENTY of gold/brass details in my house, but almost no green (aside from plants).

We have loads of brass/gold and green in the store in the form of candle holders, pottery, mirrors, and various other fun accents.  Come take a look!  It's a pretty fun place, if I do say so myself;)

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie

Some holiday inspiration…

Has it really been a week since we last spoke?  I guess I could blame it on the business of the holiday season, but that would just be an excuse.  Anyhow, I'm here now and wanted to share some holiday inspiration I found in the abyss of blogs I seem to spend way too much time on.  From the Right Bank is my go to blog for hard core design inspiration of all sorts, so imagine how excited I was to stumble upon this gem of a home.

I've always loved the clean sensibility of danish design, be it furniture and full interiors.  And my favorite holiday decorations include a lot of natural elements infused with some vintage holiday spirit, so this home it just perfect.

Enjoy the spirit of the holiday season and aim to make it the spirit of your life lived year round.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

Jessica and Julie