What I'm Wanting: Vintage Market Bag

Vintage Basket Weave Purse, Hillplace etsy shop

I've seen bags like this before at the thrifts, but I didn't get them. Now, with spring on its way, I think it would be the perfect bag for the warmer months! So, I'm on the lookout while I thrift today. :)

Wish me luck, and happy weekend!!!


Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: An Animal Sweater!

I've really been wanting and searching for an animal sweater for ages! And I still haven't found one, so it's still on the top of my thrift list :)

Here's a pretty amazing one on etsy right now:

Vintage Leopard Sweater, Charlievintage on etsy

Hmmm. If it was only a couple dollars, that baby would be mine! Here's to hoping I find one just as good while I'm thrifting this morning :)
Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Military Green

I've been eyeing the old Swiss bags on etsy for months now, trying to decide what to get! The army green color is just right mixed with caramel leather and a cross-body shape. They are just so cool!

Here's the one that I'm 99% sure I'm going to buy, since it also features a cool bird print:



Vintage Birdy Military Bag by Meatbagz on etsy

 I think I'm in love! I might actually just get it now before it sells...hmmmm...

But definitely check out the Meatbagz etsy shop for more of these awesome bags at pretty great prices :)

Well, I'm off to my fave thrifts! Hopefully I'll have better luck thrifting this week, and I won't have to give you another etsy-overload next week :) Other things I'm searching for? A hooded jacket, vintage hair clips, and Christmas presents!

Always,
Amanda

PS: I just got this crazy-big faux fur jacket and I have no idea how to style it! Suggestions please?!

What I'm Wanting: A Fall-Time Poncho

I was browsing etsy the other day and ended up looking mostly at fall items. Unfortunately, it's not quite fall in Richmond yet, but I'm looking forward to when it cools down a bit!

On the top of my fall thrift list is an earth-tone 70s poncho. You know, something that goes well with changing leaves and crisp air.

Here's one that I've got on my etsy favorites list:

Vintage 1970s Poncho can be purchased HERE in the etsy shop Baptuma

Of course, I'm still on the hunt for the perfect cowboy boots, too. Ahh, fall. Please come soon!

I have to work this morning (sigh) but I will be hitting the thrift stores as soon as I get off! What's on your list for fall?

Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: An Awesome Pocket Watch!

I've been searching for the perfect vintage pocket watch for awhile. It's obviously not too easy to pick out of a Goodwill bin, though.

I'm determined that, like the sunset sweater, it is out there somewhere!! Here's one on etsy right now:

Vintage Pocket Watch can be purchased HERE on etsy

Wish me luck, and have a great weekend!!!

Always,
Amanda

The Formula for the Most Perfect Sweater. Of All Time.

It all started a couple weeks ago, when I was looking through my in-laws photo albums. My father-in-law owned the greatest 1970s sweater of all time. I couldn't get a decent photo (of the photo) of it, but here's the basic formula:

Vintage Cardigan can be purchased HERE on etsy. Sunset photo by me in Florida, June 2010.

Trust me here. A space dye sunset on an acrylic sweater is just perfection. And now, of course, I'm on the search. I know you're out there somewhere, you ol' 70s space dye sunset sweater of my dreams!!! Wish me luck!

Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Fall and Cowboy Boots!

Is anyone else ready for fall? It's my favorite season up here in Richmond! The pretty leaves and cooler weather just make it perfect. Even though it's still steamy outside, I've already started thinking about what I'm wanting to thrift for the colder months.

On the top of that list? Cowboy boots!

Vintage Cowboy Boots can be purchased HERE on etsy

These ones I found while browsing through etsy are perfect, except they are way too tiny for my feet! If you wear a 5.5, definitely check them out!

Other things that are still on my mind? Books about thrift shopping/antiquing, crazy non-metal jewelry, and Saltwater Sandals :)

Have a great weekend!

Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Saltwater Sandals :)

How did you all like the hubby's first post yesterday? He was a little nervous, but I think it'll be fun to have a guy's perspective!

Anyway, I have to work this morning, but I will definitely be heading straight to the thrift stores after :) Here's what I'm looking for: (A dream find, really.)

Saltwater Sandals, Available Here on Etsy

I've been hunting for some for about a year, but I just know they'll turn up someday! Do any of you have Saltwater Sandals?

Have a great weekend!

Always,
Amanda

PS: I have a new Thrifty Blogger of the Month I'll be posting tomorrow, so I'll post my thrifting outfit later today :)

What I'm Wanting: Strappy Wedges

Since I thrifted my Clarks wedges a couple weeks ago, I've become more confident in my ability to balance in them! I decided to take the next step and start looking for another pair :)

Here's what I'm looking for:

Wedge Sandals from This Etsy Shop

I think that being strapped on will help these stay on my feet, even if I am a little wobbly. (I'm sort of clumsy...I twisted my ankle walking down the stairs last year!)

Other things I'm searching for this week: breezy summer clothes, good books, and some cool non-metal bracelets. It's supposed to be 106 here today, so the hubby and I are going to get an early start on thrifting to beat the heat!

Have a great weekend :)

Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: A Fringed Leather Bucket Bag

You know how yesterday I got all weird on you and told the pretend story of two wooden animals? Sometimes I let my imagination get the best of me, and I get to thinking about the past and future lives of thrifted things! And I actually left a word out of one of the sentences, as my eagle-eyed dad pointed out for me :) Let's just write it off as an odd post. Deal?

Anyway...this week I'm looking for a great fringed leather bucket-style bag. I've had my eyes peeled for quite some time- I even bought one on etsy that turned out to be not so great. (Smelled like it was used as an ashtray of some sort. Yuck.)

Here's one that does look great, and is pretty close to what I'm wanting:

Fringed Leather Bag found here on etsy

Of course unique accessories are still on the list, too :) Oh, and while I'm totally jinxing myself from ever finding these goodies, I'd like some Polaroid 600 film too!

You never know, though. That's the beauty of thrifting. Tomorrow might be the day that I walk into Goodwill Outlet and find a fringed bucket bag, some 30 cent jewelry, Polaroid film, and designer shoes!

I know most of you who read this understand what I mean. It's not like going to the mall, where you pretty much know what you'll find. A thrift store can be like the toy store is for kids. You get that little excited flutter in your heart as you walk through the door, where amazing finds may be just moments away.

Have a great Saturday!! (Can you tell I'm ready to get out and thrift? Lol!)

Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Unique Non-Metal Jewelry!

The fact that I have an allergic reaction to most metals makes it difficult to find interesting accessories. For this reason, non-metal jewelry is always near the top of my thrift list. This week, however, it is the main thing I'm searching for.

I've been browsing etsy vintage shops lately and seeing very, very unique pieces made of glass, plastic, or wood. Here's one that I couldn't pass up:

Vintage Wood Face Carving Leather Bolo from Penorus Etsy Shop

How neat is that? I know that my dad, if he's reading this, will think I'm crazy for wanting an odd little man's face as a necklace. But what can I say? I love little quirky things!

Wish me luck!

Always,
Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Circle Sunnies and a Light Blue Shirt

Ahhh. It's the weekend. I have to work this morning, but you can bet that by 12:30 I'll be on my way to my favorite Richmond thrifts! I have two main things I'm searching for today: a light blue shirt for the in-laws family beach picture and oversize circle sunnies. :)

Vintage Circle Frame Sunglasses, Found Here on etsy

The key for the sunnies, I think, is to find oversize circle frames like the ones above. Otherwise, you start venturing into 90s scary-grunge or current Olsen twins territory. Which is not to say that these two things are bad, but you have to be a certain type of cool to pull them off.

The light blue shirt is kind of a necessity, since the hubby's fam decided on the color for the group beach picture down in Florida, and I have no light blue shirts whatsoever. (Unless you count my work shirts, which, believe me, would not fit in on the beach!)

Wish me luck, and hopefully I'll have some great finds to show you!

Always,

Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Sandals and Stripes!

I've been searching my favorite thrifts for months looking for the perfect striped short-sleeve shirt. So far, no dice. I have found the one striped sweater that I wore a couple weekends ago, but it's a little too thick for this warmer weather we're having.

So, I'm still on the search!

Another thing on my list due to the arrival of warm days? Some leather sandals! While I love my Dollar Tree flip-flops (and they are surprisingly comfy) I know they'll break any second now. So some sturdier sandals like these are on my list:

Leather Sandals From grandmafliesabroom esty shop

So, I'm off to (hopefully) find what I'm looking for for myself, and also some things for the etsy shop! I haven't updated it lately due to travelling and being sick, but I promise to get some new goodies up by tomorrow :)

Hope you have a great Saturday!

Always,

Amanda

I'll Be Going on Bike Rides to Nowhere :)

Yesterday didn't start out as the best day ever. I have this awful chest cold and I had to work in the morning anyway. Then, I managed to trip and fall on the way to my car and break our little point-and-shoot camera. Oh, clumsy Amanda! :( But I was determined to make the day better, so I went and bought a very cheap digital camera to get me by until I save up for a new one and headed off to my favorite Richmond thrifts.

I'm so glad I was optimistic, 'cause guess what I found? An awesome vintage excercise bike!!!!! At Love of Jesus, just like I thought I might! All it needed were a few coats of paint (I chose 'ivy green'), and now it's all set! The best part? It's fairly small and has tiny wheels on the bottom, which make it easy to move from our balcony to the living room :)

Vintage Canadian Exercise Bike, Love of Jesus ($25)

Oh, and did I mention it's Canadian? Yup! What could be better than a Canadian exercise bike found in Richmond, VA? The funny thing is that Love of Jesus had not one, not two, not three...but four exercise bikes! This was definitely the cutest and most functional for our apartment, but I'm glad I had a selection to choose from :)

I was going to show you yesterday's outfit in this post too, but it's already getting a little long with my bike babbling! So expect a thrifting outfit post for your Monday morning :)

Always,

Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Vintage Exercise Bike

Something I've wanted for a long time, but never had room for, is a vintage exercise bike! They are so retro-cool, and good for you too :) We have plenty of room in our apartment now, so I am actively on the hunt. Once I get back to my favorite Richmond thrifts, I'm going to check out Love of Jesus Thrift, which is most likely to have one :)

Here is an example of what I'm looking for:

Vintage Exercise Bike Painting by Justin Allen found here

I've found quite a few on eBay, but non close enough to pick up. (They are a little too expensive to ship!) I don't know how likely it is that I'll find one in working condition, but I definitely will be on the lookout :)

Have you ever thrifted any exercise things? This will certainly be my first!

Always,

Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Vintage Alice and Summer Clothes!

I'm pretty sure I told you all that I saw Alice in Wonderland in the theatres a couple weeks ago. I thought it was good, but I'm really glad I didn't read the book first. 'Cause I just read it, and it was crazy! I don't know how I never read it before now, but it's quickly become a favorite. I wasn't able to find a vintage copy at my favorite thrifts, so I just bought the $4 cheapo soft cover version. I'd love to have an awesome vintage copy, though, like this one on etsy:

1970 edition of Alice in Wonderland from this etsy store

What else will I be searching for this afternoon? (I have to work all morning.) Summer clothes! Although it's cooled down a bit again, the recent 90-plus temperatures have me longing for some summer florals and lightweight things. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Always,

Amanda

PS: I've listed a small "springtime collection" to my etsy shop- go check it out!

What I'm Wanting: 80s Sunnies and Overalls!

Thank you for your comments and emails yesterday about Rosco. I really, really appreciate your support and kindness. It helped me a lot, and I know I will feel better soon.

So, on to thrifty things. I never did find those overalls last weekend, but I am determined to find some! They will be the perfect summertime throw-on-and-go item, and goodness gracious would it be nice to have an outfit shot without the same four pairs of jeans!

Also, I'm looking for the perfect pair of 80s sunnies. Perfect= nice color, the shape below, and not scratched.

I love these from this etsy listing

Wish me luck! Nothing gets me past a bad week like some great thrifting :) The only thing that would make it better? If you all could magically join me!

Always,

Amanda

What I'm Wanting: Vintage Overalls!

I was talking to my sister-in-law (hi Ashley!) this past weekend, and we both are on the lookout for some overalls! I just plain love how comfy and wonderful they are, and broken-in vintage ones would be perfect :)

Here are some I've been eyeing on etsy:

Vintage Overalls, from This etsy Listing

Other things on my thrift list? A woven straw purse (the one I got last weekend, it turns out, is not clean-able), wedges, cute short sleeve shirts, and sandals. Boy, am I glad it's the weekend!

What are you searching for?

Always,

Amanda

PS: I'm wearing a skirt today! Outfit pic tomorrow :)

What I'm Wanting: Wedges and Short Sleeves!

After the really long winter, I am so glad for warmer weather! It's finally time to break out the sandals and short-sleeve shirts :) So naturally, while I am thrifting today, I'll be on the lookout for both.

Against my usual flats-only nature, I am longing for some summery wedges. I feel like I'll be able to walk in them better than heels, and they'll add a little height to my 5'3" frame!

Wedge Sandals, From This Etsy Listing

Also on my list? Some great flat espadrilles! I've been looking at some on etsy, but hopefully I can find some for less than $25 :)

Wish me luck! More on my finds and my thrifting outfit tomorrow :) Have a great weekend, everyone!

Always,

Amanda

Books Are Big Fun

I've always been an avid reader. I was the kid with every single Babysitter's Club book- the kid who loved "quiet reading time" at school. The Hobbit was my favorite book at age 12, which is when my dad introduced me to it. Before I ever considered myself a 'writer' or went to journalism school, I was a reader. So of course I was drawn to this awesome button at Good Samaritan last weekend!

Button, Good Samaritan (50 cents)

I'm pretty sure I'll be sporting this on my cardigans all spring :)

In other news, one of my windshield wiper holders decided to break...just in time for it to rain all weekend! Yuck! The hubby is pretty sure he can fix it, but since he works all weekend, I'll be sporting a very odd wiper until Monday. (It goes up like normal, but then kind of slams down awkwardly!)

Here's to hoping that by the time I get off work today, it stops raining so I can safely go thrifting :)

On my thrift list: a chambray shirt, oxford flats, vintage keychains, and a striped shirt. Wish me luck!

Always,

Amanda