Spring and Weekend Inspirations

Spring is Coming!

I really don't have a favorite season. I adore the beginning of every season when things look fresh and new. I dread the drab ending of every season. Just now, I am really getting so excited for spring, despite the mud and nasty piles of brown snow scattered about our yard that remind me that it is indeed still winter.

I have yet to begin any real spring cleaning, but as Easter begins to draw nearer each week, I know I need to put that on my to-do list. Nate's mom is planning a garage sale at Grandpa's (next door to us), and I'm looking forward to sorting and getting rid of things we've already accumulated in our two short years of marriage that we don't need. I am not sure how much it'll amount to, but the extra cash will be quite welcome! I love organizing, but since we have next to zero storage space in our house, I can't seem to get the motivation to do so in the winter.

Weekend Inspirations

This weekend gave me plenty of opportunity to relax and be inspired. On Fridays, I only have to work until 3, so I occasionally take the opportunity to stop at the antique stores in Allen for a leisurely stroll while I wait for Nate to get off of work. The photo collage above showcases some of my finds! Click on the picture to see the details.

I found this glass container (with glass stopper, not pictured) marked down to $1 and filled it with yellow daisies to remind us to look forward to spring! The yellow daisies were a thank you gift from my employer, to commemorate a year of service. (They've lasted for almost three weeks!)

I've been looking for an antique (at least in style) dresser set to display on my dresser. Bonus if I could find one that wasn't necessarily an antique so that I could use the brush and/or mirror. When I found this one at Hog Creek Antique Mall (in Allen), I was thrilled, but afraid it would be well out of my price range. I've seen sets like this on Etsy for $36-$45! Imagine my excitement when this set was only $12! If this set is really antique, it's been painted and shabby chic'd, which ideally updates the look but unfortunately lessens the value. From the looks of the comb (it's missing a few teeth), the set is at least vintage. The plastic part separates from the metal edge, so the functional comb could probably be replaced. The brush is plastic, and after I thoroughly cleaned it, I used it. I love it. It works wonderfully, and to be honest, it makes the ordinary, mundane task of brushing my now very long tresses a joy, sort of soothing and relaxing. I won't mind leaving them out on my dresser (rather than putting them away in the drawer, where they belong) as they are so nice to look at. Score! Bonus for form AND functionality!

The silver tray holding the vase and my cup of Lady Grey tea was another find, though not one from the antique stores. Nate's paternal grandfather passed away rather suddenly last year, and his aunt has inherited the task of going through the house, sorting and keeping or getting rid of everything. We spent the late morning at his house going through things we wanted to keep. I found this silver tray and immediately loved it. It's in fantastic condition, and while it's probably from the 70s, it's so antique-y and fancy. I came away with a few random kitchen items that I may use or just display in my kitchen, like a flour sifter and cheese grater. Nate is inheriting a lot of tools from his grandpa. They'll have to go into storage for now, but I know he can't wait for the day he'll be able to use them in his own workshop.

Also, notice my teacup. I have an entire set of china in that pattern that my mom and I picked up from Goodwill a few years ago. I like it because it's white, gray, and silver, so it will go with pretty much anything and I can use it at any season. The flowers are pretty but not overkill. I have yet to use it much yet, but I do like to use the teacups for a personal cup of tea now and then. Hope you enjoy the pictures!