Dime Store Pretty

brandi — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:09:35 +0000

Good morning.

It’s quiet in the house this morning…Entirely due to the fact that I woke up ridiculously early and could not fall back to sleep.

I know I know it’s been ages since I visited this space. Okay I just checked, not quite ages, not even a month…It just seems longer.

(sorry, stalled there for a moment to answer the phone…it was the Hub calling the office from the house phone wondering where I had run off too so early…kind of sweet actually)

Where was I…Oh yes…RIDICULOUSLY early.

And so I decided to pop in on some old blog friends and see what they’ve been up to…
It seems I am not the only one slow posting these days…and that makes me feel a bit less guilty.

But I have been blogging, I swear…Over at Locallily

Do you remember the post about field trips, new friends and stripey socks?
Something terrific was sparked that day and Locallily is the result.
A blog to make me bloom where I am planted.

Beth and I have created a place that supports and promotes Arizona interesting, independent locally owned businesses.
We have had the most amazing time sharing our favorite shops and spots and discovering new ones.

Just this week we found a secret speakeasy wine cellar in the basement of a liquor store.

(Ok, it may not look so secret here, but trust me, you wouldn’t know it was there unless you knew it was there.)

We’ve taken in some Roller Derby.

I could keep going, but really would like you to see for yourself.
We’ve been posting almost everyday for weeks…

And the response has been A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.

We launched the site the just before the first week of June and already have terrific sponsors hosting give-aways,
Well over 100 Facebook fans and interest from other noted community blog partners we could not have imagined.
I really feel as if the stars are aligning for us.

And so I apologize for my absence, however feel change is in the summer wind.
Please follow me over to the new site, and keep checking back here.
This space is more personal…
A place to share family, life, inspiration and adventures.

I would love to hear from you…

What are you doing this summer?
Are you restless as the rest of us?

brandi — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:06:42 +0000

Jews have a tradition of breaking a glass at times of celebration.
(usually weddings)

Last weekend I had the most wonderful day.

Swimming. Delicious food. Childrens’ Museum.
A happy Hub. A happy Boy. A happy home.

The evening ended with a glass of wine, when it slipped from my hand.
A collective gasp sucked the air right out of the room.
The stem snapped off a wine glass that belonged to my Grandmother’s wedding set.

Of course I was a bit upset, however was immediately reminded of why we break glass in the first place.

To remind us of the suffering of others and trials of the past so that we can fully appreciate the blessings we celebrate today.

brandi — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:59:42 +0000

Hello friends.

I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth…

Only taken a brief leave to work on a few new projects.

One of which I am VERY VERY excited to share with you in just a few days.

…

The other you can find now at NewThriftStore.Etsy.com.
This shop has been started as an extension of the fabulous New Thrift Store in Camp Verde. I have been given the privileged job of cherry picking the store for the most wonderful vintage finds and listing them here.

Pop in and pick up a vintage camera, a stack of 100 year old postcards or genuine can-can pettiskirt…Among other beautiful things.

brandi — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:42:39 +0000

Just wanted to pop in and say SALE!

Part 2 of the DeStash Sale is up in the Etsy store. I am putting up some of my favorite vintage linens. I love love love, them however have realized there is only so much I can use. This pic is part of the most gorgeous window panel. Visit the shop for exact dimension.

More added daily!

brandi — Sun, 02 May 2010 22:22:12 +0000

Reading other blogs often inspires in ways unexpected. Lost and Fawned has done it again, with a 50 things challenge to purge your life of the un-needed, un-wanted. I am sure I have rid our household of waayyy more than 50 things in the last 30 days.There is a large pile awaiting pickup by Pam of New Thrift Store , a few bags full that have gone to recycle and even though I hate to do it, a few bags that went straight to the dumpster. These categories consist of items most easy for the family to part with. Even the boy went through his toy baskets to purge his stashes of the broken and as he calls them “baby” toys.

Then my reader moved on to an update at Sparrow Salvage where the idea of a De-Stash sale popped-up again! I think the universe or at least my fellow bloggers are trying to tell me something. So here goes…De-Stash sale part 1 in the Dime Store Pretty Etsy shop! Books and Zines listed in this SALE are mostly collage, mixed media and art titles, back issues and out of prints. I take excellent care of my books and most are approx 50% OFF the cover price.

The rest of the titles (most are seen in the pic above) will be going up on Ebay, unless you contact me and are interested before they sell.

De-Stash part 2 is already in the works and something I am actually excited about. This portion will be be available exclusively through the Etsy shop and consist of one-of-a-kind vintage beauties!

Are you doing any spring cleaning this year?

brandi — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:58:18 +0000

Ok I’m spoiled, he brought home roses too!

Here is quick snap of my beautiful unofficial anniversary roses. (We promised dinner out and not to exchange gifts this year.)

brandi — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:57:06 +0000

This is unofficial flowers week at AbbyTrysAgain and my motto of late is to “bloom where you are planted.”

This is also the inspiration behind a new project I am super excited to share with you soon.

For quite some time, I have tried to create a planted windowsill in my dining room. It hasn’t worked out well…Basil, lavender, rosemary / thyme mix…no dice. But I digress.

Today I celebrate my 9 year wedding anniversary with the best fella a gal could ask for. Instead of roses I asked for flowering succulents. According to Randy at my neighborhood A&P nursery these beauties will blossom and do just fine.

I live in the Sonoran desert. Not Provence or Italy. Not Oregon, Southern California or even the Midwest. My hometown is in one of the most beautiful deserts in the world and if cactus can bloom here, so can I.

Here you go Abby…my humble contribution to Unofficial Flowers week…my little succulents…they are unofficial flowers after all.

brandi — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:58:02 +0000

Just like a day in the park with Mary Poppins, Bella Strada carried us away to another world. The boys and I drove out to San Tan to check out the Italian street art fair just a few warm weekends ago.

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! See more photos here on my Flickr stream.

I had forgotten my love of pastels until Pearce and I grabbed a square of our own. Maybe next year I will get my own piece of street and leave my mark among the other artists.

brandi — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:57:17 +0000

One day I would really just like wheels with this much cool…

brandi — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:14:21 +0000

Among the new items to the Etsy shop are these beautiful caramel brown boots. Waiting patiently in the back room, they are now available and in need of new home.

It really does take a substantial amount of time to find or create, photograph and them to the shop. All things I love too do of course, except take a back burner when design clients are on the desk.

Size 8.5 and for a narrow foot. My feet are unfortunately just a bit to wide to fit and so I have listed them in the shop for you!

The leather, stitching and soles are in great condition , Tony Lama, Texas brand, and well cared for and at least 30 years old.

If the shoe fits, you will love them for years to come too!