Yup. Redic. Why yes, that’s a vegetable garden in the bottom left. Oh, and it was 100% vegan too. Right?!

So anyway, see the giant piece of scrap wood that it’s sitting on? I saved that. For a while. Like almost 2 years. I thought that it might come in handy for something one day. And boy it did.

I had an idea to paint my favorite lyrics onto it – from Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero’s “Home” (do yourself a favor and listen to it if you haven’t already). So good. Come to think of it, Abbie is the one who introduced me to that song. How appropriate!

Anyway, here’s that big ol’ piece of wood before I started playing:

And drum roll please —- here’s the after:

Likey? I do.

Here’s what I did. So easy you probably don’t even need instructions but just incase –  1) spray paint the thing with ivory spray paint. I used the whole can. the wood grain still showed through and I liked the aesthetic and I didn’t have another can of spray paint so I decided to go with it. 2) make a stencil and stick it on! My super awesome husband made a vinyl stencil at the sign shop he works at. 3) paint! I wanted it to look kind of vintage-y so I didn’t paint in each letter 100% – I used a dry bristly brush and lightly brushed on black acrylic paint. 4) let it dry. Duh. then pull your stencil off and voila! I’m going to add eye hooks to the top and wire it up and hang it!

Warby Parker  seemed to have a huge selection of vintage-style frames, and all pairs are $95 (lenses + frames)! Seriously, y’all. It gets better, too. You can try on up to 5 pairs at home at a time (FREE! they pay for shipping and return shipping!) and they also give a pair of glasses to someone in need with every pair purchased (like Toms shoes!). To date, they’ve given over 50,000 pairs. I love a company with a conscience.

So I placed my order on Friday and received my home try-on kit on Thursday! They come in this cute little box and each pair labeled with an instructions card. So, here are the five that I ordered:

So, what do you think? Like any of them?? I think the Miles and Huxley are my two favorites.

Thus far, I’ve been really impressed with Warby Parker, and will probably be ordering one of these soon!

Disney's Peter Pan, Illustrated by Mary Blair

Mary Blair was probably most well known for her work with Disney from the 1940s to late 1970s. Her work with Disney included creating concept art for  Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Song of the South and Cinderella as well as serving as color stylist and art supervisor for those and other Disney animated films. Beyond animated films, Mary was responsible for the design of It’s a Small World and a huge mural at the Contemporary Resort. In addition to designing and drawing for Disney, Mary illustrated four Golden Books and designed ads for Nabisco, Maxwell House, Pall Mall, Dutch Boy Paints, and Bakers Instant Chocolate. To me, her style truly characterizes fifties and  sixties illustration, and was not only influential on her contemporaries but on artists and illustrators still today. Also interesting tidbit – her husband and brother-in-law were both Disney artists as well!

Amazing concept piece by Mary Blair for Cinderella

I had never heard of this amazing woman until recently, and was blown away by her artwork. It’s crazy that I’d never heard of her before – my top 3 Disney films (non-Pixar) are three of the four she did concept art for!! And I’ve definitely spent time staring at that Contemporary Resort mural while waiting for the Monorail and have ridden It’s a Small World more times than i can count.

Contemporary Resort mural by Mary Blair

Sadly, Mary died of a brain hemorrhage in 1978. She was posthumously honored with the Disney Legend award in 1991.

Mary Blair's lovely illustration from Peter Pan

Check out Mary Blair’s webpage here: http://magicofmaryblair.com/

The Mad Hatter - concept piece by Mary Blair

More good info on Mary Blair is here: http://cartoonmodern.blogsome.com/category/mary-blair/

Caterpillar family - from Little Verses Golden Book, illustrated by Mary Blair

and here: http://legends.disney.go.com/legends/detail?key=Mary+Blair

Oh, and she was also a total fox.

Perfectly worn in and soft,

You fit like a dream.

——————————————-

So, sadly, my favorite t-shirt has gotten some sort of oily/greasy spots on it, that will not go away despite my best efforts. The tee is from American Apparel – it’s the Tri Blend Short Sleeve Women’s Track T, in athletic grey. So I know it’s kind of expensive, ya know, for a PLAIN T-SHIRT. But, seriously, y’all. It’s totally worth it. I purchased it probably 3 years ago, and have worn it at least once a week since then. And it’s still in perfect condition! Even after wearing it at a minimum of 156 times. No holes, no creepy pit stains, no tears, no seams coming unsewn. Even brand new, the t-shirt feels perfectly broken in and fits perfectly. And totally looks vintage. I don’t know what i did to get those spots on it, but it’s safe to say, I’m heartbroken to have to toss my beloved tee.

<3

First up, this navy blue pleated polyester skirt.

Although this is a weird mom-like 1980s skirt, i really loved the pattern when i saw it. It’s this cute white flower pattern that looks like polkadots from afar. The pattern reminded me of something you’d find at banana republic or something. Perhaps we can work with this…

I originally thought about cutting it, making it a cute pleated miniskirt. Playing around with it in front of the mirror, I realized that it’s got an elastic waistband, and when you pull it up, it hit at just the right spot for a dress.

Last step, I belted it to make it look like I actually have a waistline, and am not, in fact, wearing a skirt as a dress.

As bicycle lovers, Tim thought maybe doing something fun downtown with our bikes could be pretty cool. Then, he suggested perhaps a picnic in a park, with our bikes propped up against a tree. LOVE IT. I, of course, want to add a vintage twist with our outfits and props.

I’m thinking we need

• gingham or patchwork blanket
• picnic basket, filled with vintage dishes
• glass bottled coke or cheerwine
• fresh flowers wrapped in brown paper, and in milkglass bud vases
• vintage camera
• fresh fruit and sammiches
• vintage playing cards or dominos
• portable record player and records
• old books

dreamy...

whispering sweet nothings

just lovely.

PK will not ride one of these. Sad.

Just a few items posted for now – more coming very soon.

So excited to finally be doing this. Yay!

Soon we’ll be slinging sweet vintage wares for the home at www.etsy.com/shop/FloriVintage !