I’ve been missing so long.  Did you give up on me?  I decided that a mosaic of pretty things would be an easy way to get back in The Habit.

Since I dropped off the face of the Blogging Earth, my daughter turned 4, I turned 30, and my husband signed a job contract that is sending us to Virginia Beach.

I’ve never been there.

1. Untitled, 2. a little wood & wool xmas tree…, 3. 4peonies, 4. Crocheted footstool cover, 5. stockings, 6. calendar 2011, 7. Mary Had a Little Lamb, 8. {film.974}, 9. Chicken Family

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Well, maybe not.  But I sure can take pictures like one!

Cool, huh?  I am the proud owner of an iPhone, and I’ve determined that it takes better pictures than my old camera (No offense, Dear Old Friend).  But beyond that, I can get apps that help me take retro-looking photos.  Now, I’m not going to argue that using an app is the same as owning a Helga and waiting patiently for your quirky, old film to be developed.  I don’t really know what that’s like.

But I do know this is fun.  Plain and simple fun.

The app I used here is called Hipstamatic.  Because I’m so hipsta.

With the Hipstamatic, you can buy different lens/film/flash packages that make completely different looking pictures.  Clever, no?

My favorite combo is the Bettie XL lens with Ina’s 1969 film (which I used in all of these pictures).

So if you happen to have an iPhone and are not too pretentious for digital-pretend-retro-awesomeness, this is worth your $1.99.

If you happen to have a pretty Saturday forecast, I highly recommend hitting up your local Craigslist and planning a morning of yard sale shopping.  Evan actually did all the planning for us to visit about 15 or so yard sales in our area on Labor Day Weekend.

I found this set of vintage canisters for $1.

And these Dutch clogs for $1.  I am “refashioning” them & will share again soon.

As you can see, they were $17 originally.

Before hitting the yard sales, it helps to know what kind of things you like.  Evan hunted for European board games, and I generally spent my time looking at housewares.  But a day spent looking through old clothing or books could really pay off too.

Evan thought you might like to know how he planned our trip, which was amazingly efficient.  Go to Google Maps, type in your starting address and a yard sale address, and then keep adding stops to your route.  Google Maps will do all the work for you and plan out your path.  Along the way, you’re likely to find more unadvertised sales, which is a nice bonus!

We scored a huge bag of beads for the children, a red Victorian side table, a large vintage mirror, several board games, a vintage needlepoint picture for the kids’ room, and more.  And we spent, oh, about $15! :)

1. Untitled, 2. vintage, 3. Mix-it - Pyrex and String, 4. NEW Southwest collection, 5. the {vintage} balloons, 6. eating apricots, 7. the good days, 8. spoons & manhole covers, 9. A Gentle Reminder

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One of my pictures was on decor8 today, which just made my heart leap with glee.

(Top left is our bedroom, right alongside some of my favorite inspirations on the internet.)

Thanks, Holly, for the mention!

1. New Aboriginal artwork for the living room, 2. Untitled, 3. home is where the heart is., 4. growing collection, 5. Placemats & Coasters, 6. Bathroom Storage, 7. new dress…, 8. Mobile Shop - Time Capsule, 9. Morning After

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New in the shop, I have a tiny embroidered hoop and a cheerful yellow mug. :)

Happy Weekend!

1. 2 sides tote, 2. when life gives you lemons, make lemon curd, 3. letting the sunshine in*, 4. kitchen, 5. Custom Bouquet Light Shade, 6. the goods, 7. Untitled, 8. Dogwood finished, 9. para todo el año

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Do you find it hard to blog in the summer?

I do.  Apparently.

Here are some pretty cake plates I spied at Abingdon, Virginia’s Antiques Market last week.  I’ve never seen so many gorgeous collections in one place.

Like this display of ice cream scoops.  I feel like this collection belongs in a glass case on the wall.

And I fell in love with this small gathering of Chinese dolls.

Would you believe me if I told you I stumbled upon all of this during the lunch break of a creative writing conference?  That’s why I was there! My Mother-in-Law and I were attending a conference where the keynote speaker was Robert Olen Butler.  When we arrived, two giant tents filled with antiques were erected beside the conference center.

Like they knew we were coming. :)

Of the summer variety… mostly.  See credits after mosaic.

1. Untitled, 2. picking up…, 3. New arrangement, 4. Dresses on a Clothes Line, 5. Frances, 6. butterflies, 7. Untitled, 8. Untitled, 9. Untitled

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Evan just returned from Haiti.

And now we’re at a family campout in Galena, Illinois.

This is not the laziest summer ever…

but it is a good one. :)

1. studio, 2. Pale Posies, 3. Dresser in our kitchen, 4. 9 granny apples, 5. Variation on the crochet garland, 6. march challenge interior styling, 7. in a little girl’s room, 8. 5 july, 9. Untitled

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