It Comes from the Heart

A few weeks ago, my sister Charlene went to a flea market to look for wedding decor. She came across a vintage Winnie-the-Pooh book. It is a 5th printing from 1969...and she bought it for me! Bless her kind 'ol heart, I LOVE the book :)

{Tidbit Fact}
I LOVE Winnie-the-Pooh. We're old friends, he and I...

{Side Note}
For a while now, I have been wanting to start a collection of Classic Pooh memorabilia. My first toy when I was a kid was a classic pooh bear ...so I want to focus on that style (I'm kicking myself in the rear right now for not keeping my first classic pooh!). Anyway, this book is a wonderful start to my Classic Pooh collection. THANK YOU SISTER!

Wedding Notes: Wandering in Country Roads

{Location: Downtown Orange}

This past weekend, Charlene and I went to downtown Orange to check out some vintage/antique stores. We were looking for specific items for her centerpiece elements/decor (Charlene and Enrique had recently been to this one store in downtown Orange, called Country Roads, which she also wanted me to check out with her).

Country Roads is AMAZING...it looks like a regular store from the outside, but when I stepped inside, my mouth literally dropped. It was HUGE inside and there was so much stuff to look at, I felt a bit overwhelmed but at the same time, I was in awe of everything there. All of the items were set up in sections, almost like exhibits really...and I guess each section was set up by their own vendors (i.e., different vendors selling their antiquities and vintage finds in one big warehouse).

I couldn't help but take some snapshots as we were shopping around. I love this place...I want to go there again already :)

We found a few things that we really liked (and could afford) for the wedding decor. Overall, pretty happy with what we purchased! It would have been great if we could have bought ALL the things we laid our eyes on...but this place had its share of fairly reasonable and ridiculously unreasonable price tags ;)

{Side Note}
I like these Mickey Mouse twin chairs...yet at the same time, I'm kinda creeped out by it...

This place also had an outdoor/garden area...LOVE...

I have a pretty good feeling we'll be coming back here (multiple times) for wedding decor items and just plain inspiration for ideas! I'm really excited to get started on the centerpiece elements.

Debutante Notes: Looking for Inspiration

{Location: Downtown Orange}

As my sister and I were perusing around the various vintage and antique shops in downtown Orange for her wedding decor, I was also looking around for inspiration for Renee's debutante. I found this old wired vintage airplane sculpture...hmm, I'm wondering if this is something I can actually make for the debut. Initially, I wanted to buy old airplane models, but the price range for these models are...a bit on the high end. So I need re-think the decor. It's going to have to be a DIY definitely.

{Side Note}

Luckily for me, my sister has experience with wire sculpturing back when she was an art student. If she can teach me the basics...I think I can work with it for the debutante decor. We'll see what happens :)

Family QT: Mama MIA, Oh Brother

I've said it before and I'll say it again...can't get enough of this little girl!

She's so fluffy, I can't stand it!

Also spent some QT with my brother and sister-in-law this past week (they flew in from Florida).

Debutante Notes: Themed Dress Options

In addition to searching for my MOH dress, I have been looking for dress options for Renee's debutante. I will be the Co-Mistress of Ceremony/Coordinator of the event...so I need to find the perfect dress that fits her theme. Renee's theme: a vintage 1940s/1950s military inspired Pearl Harbor-esque event. I think her theme is awesome and we can really do a lot of things with it. As I was looking for dress options, I realized there are many different ways I can go with it as well- classy high end, pinup, sailor inspired dresses, vintage glam, etc.

Here are a few options that tickled my fancy:
The first three dresses are pinup styles. I found these from a site called pinupdresses.com.

The first dress is very classy, yet sexy at the same time. I really like the two front openings at  the bottom of the skirt.
[Black & white retro pinup sheath dress]

I like this dress too...but it may come off looking a bit too costume-y.
[Blue & white retro sailor pinup sheath dress]

This dress may be a bit over the top! But I like the full skirt and the novelty style of it (i.e., turned up collar, classic red bow, ruching at the waist).
[Red retro 50s style full skirt dress]

This next one is a bit more simple, but very cute. I love the excess fabric detail in the back and sweet heart neckline.
[Navy blue retro sheath]

These three are so much fun! I really like the idea of wearing a sailorette dress...but I worry it's too playful for my own good. The dress in the middle is so classic and glam...I can totally see myself wearing this too...with a pillbox hat! The last dress is just cute, cute, cute! Playful polka dots, yet still very vintage in its style!

Oh and of course I want to wear gloves! Something like this would be nice...but it would totally depend on the kind of dress I get.

Renee's debut IS somewhat of a formal event, but not too formal to the point where it's dull and constricting. We can definitely be playful with this :)

Ready, Set...Thrift!

{Location: San Diego, CA}
This past week I went thrifting on my own in Point Loma. With everything that I've taken notes on from my sister Charlene (aka the thrift pro), I wanted to see if I could apply all that I've learned without her being there with me. I didn't do too bad...and I was happy with the items I found!

{Thrift Finds}
I found these tops that were ready to go (no need for alterations). Like I said before, I'm sort of mad for plaid right now, so I was excited when I found this H&M shirt. I am also loving colors and prints. So when I saw this top (Merona from target), I grabbed it right away. Another hauling success!

[Yellow geometric print top- $5.00//Mint plaid button down shirt- $4.00]

I scored these two bags as well. I've been looking for a bright colored bag for Spring time and personally, I just like bags with lots of compartments (both inside and out)! This H&M bag I found fits the bill perfectly! I also found this simple, white clutch that can also be used as a shoulder bag. I'll probably use this when I don't need to carry around too much stuff (i.e., family/friend parties, lunch outings and such).

[Arm/Shoulder bag in Sea Breeze Green- $5.00//Woven straw clutch in white- $4.00]

{Side Note}
I bought a skirt that needed altering. It was way too long. So I gave it to my sister so that she could hem it shorter. I'll post up the before and after picture for that once she finishes.

My sister came down this weekend and gave me the two items that needed salvaging from my previous thrifting trip in Orange County. I was SO pleasantly happy with the turn out! Thank you Charlene, you are awesome!

[Mustard yellow ombre skirt- $1.50]

[Blue leaf print sun dress- $3.00]

{Love}
This dress. It was a little bit on the loose side, so I cinched it in the waist with a belt and voila- perfect fit! I decided to include a picture of the dress on me, so that you can see the difference and how great it looks. Perfect for Spring/Summer time!

{Side Note}
Apparently, thrift stores in San Diego are comparably higher priced than the ones in Orange County...hmm.

Life's Celebrations: A Naval Retirement

Today, we celebrated my Uncle Rico's retirement from the NAVY. He served for 24 years and we are so very proud of him and his accomplishments!

I thoroughly enjoyed the ceremony! I love how their entire family was acknowledged and given recognition as well.

{Love}
My cousin Regina's Navy sailorette outfit! SO fits the theme :)

{Tidbit Fact}
Come to think of it...the majority of our family and relatives are/were Navy families. Charlene & I were Navy kids too early on. Luckily for us, our dad retired when I was 5 years old (Charlene wasn't even born yet). So, we grew up with our dad here with us :)

{Love}
Awww, that smooch...and those two crazy girls making the heart symbol :)

Regina baked all the cupcakes and decorated each one with a Naval symbol. My Uncle Rico built the tri-level platform to simulate the top part of his ship. A job well done!

{Love}
Regina was in true form for supporting her dad the entire night!