friday happenings

(Roses my boyfriend picked from his garden)

It’s finally here! The much anticipated Avila Beer Festival. I can’t wait to have my college girlfriend’s stay at my apartment, have mimosas Saturday morning, and then enjoy beer at Avila Beach all afternoon. In the meantime, here are some things that make me happy.    

(Only in San Luis Obispo would there be a happy hour for bike riders)

(Vintage blue Mason jars I found in my parents storage)

(Another treasure found in my parents storage: a globe that now stands next to my dresser)

swap meet sundays

(Vintage, beaded dress for $10)

This past weekend was spent eating late night dessert at Novo, an afternoon lying in the park, and a trip to the swap meet. We got a late start due to pulling an all-nighter downtown, so I thought all the good “stuff” would be gone. But, much to my surprise, I was able to score some awesome finds. One of my favorite finds was a set of Fire King bowls and a matching coffee cup. They are made in the 1950’s and usually sell between $20-500, depending on the date and make. I paid $8 for all three! Score!      

(I wish I knew how to reupholster a chair with pipping!)

(Vintage, tin lunch pail)

(A bowl I though Anthropologie would replicate and sell) 

(Is it a book holder? A wine rack? For $5 I thought I could find some use for it)

 (A coffee table for $8. I wanted it so bad but told myself I didn't want to become a hoarder)

(Antique vanity)

(My new wine holder)

(My first set of Fire King dish ware) 

 (My new, 70's style, cheese plater for 50 cents)

 (A coral choker for $1)

oyster fest

I spent one Saturday this month doing something I never thought I would do: eating oysters. Well, technically I only ate one oyster. And it was barbequed.  But still, I gave myself props for branching out of my comfort zone.  This all went down at the Oyster Festival held at San Francisco’s Fort Mason. It was a sunny day filled with many laughs, many Heinekens, lots of people watching and, of course, oysters .

obsessed

 I am majorly obsessed with this fabric. So obsessed that if I got my hands on it, I would base my whole house around this fabric. But here’s the catch: I can’t buy it. It’s only available to licensed interior designers. Come on now, Schumacher! (That’s the company) What about us wanna-be interior designers that appreciate beautiful fabrics?! Anyone know any interior designers that would let me use their license? Just saying…

before and after: $4 Goodwill chair

A couple weeks ago I randomly stopped by the Goodwill, just to peak. I had been looking for a chair to put at my tiny kitchen table but had no luck at the last few swap meets. So of course when I walk in to the Goodwill there is the cutest, perfectly sized chair staring right at me. This chair was seriously blocking the doorway as I walked in. I didn’t even bother to look around. I asked how much it was and the sales lady happily replied, “All pink tickets are half off today, so it’s $4!” Sold. I didn’t even know the Goodwill had half off sales?   

(The brown just wasn't cutting it...)

(The previous owner is obviously like me and can't make up their mind about fabrics)

(Makeover time: going from brunette to blonde) 

(Using one of my fav tools: the staple gun)

(Found this fabric at the Cotton Ball. Obsessed much?) 

 (In love. Total cost: $10)

weekdays are the new weekends

A lot of times I don’t have weekends off at work. This resorts to me having 2 days off in the middle of the week AKA my weekend. I can’t deny it makes me kind of nutty. My days get so turned around that on Sunday’s I’m asking people what their plans are for the weekend (even though the weekend is over). 

I visited my boyfriend last “weekend” (a Wednesday and Thursday), which also happened to be Cinco de Mayo. Aye Aye Aye! Our weekend was filled with my first official sushi dinner, a trip to Santana Row where I scored some killer deals at Anthropologie, wine tasting at a local winery, and a Cinco de Mayo dinner filled with carne asada tacos and Patron.     

(I actually liked the sushi! Along with the beer and sake. But there was no way I was trying the raw fish in the top left corner...yet) 

(I want this elephant from Z-Gallerie)

(At Jason Stephens winery)

(I love how they have poppies in  the vineyard)

(Gorgeous view from Sarah's Vineyard)

(Delicious carne asada)

swap meet sundays

(This vendor wanted $10 for the bronze elephant. At the time I thought he was asking too much...now I wish I bought it!)

The swap meet hosted some stingy people last Sunday. Once again, a reminder to vendors: it’s a swap meet. It’s a time to wheel and deal.  It’s not the time to get offended when someone offers you half the price you asked. Half the fun is bargaining! However, one vendor had the right idea. She had an amazing white mirror that caught my eye the moment I got there. I love it because it looks like one I saw at Z-Gallerie last week for $350. She asked for $5. I didn’t even try to bargain. I would have given her $20. It now hangs next to my white lamp, which I still need a lampshade for.         

(A cool side table.)

(A beautiful chair for $25. Too bad it was broken!)

(I liked this coffee table, but he wanted $50. Really?)

(I wished these were matching pairs!)

(A bad-ass "radio hutch thing")

(Leather chair anyone?)

(I thought this would look awesome in a "manly house". Or at Bulls.)

(I should have got this for my bookshelf!)

(My new mirror. I love it!)

before & after: tv stand...with knobs!

After buying my marijuana-filled tv stand at the swap meet for $5 (seen here), I had been on the hunt for some cool handles and knobs to replace the dated ones it came with. So when I was home last weekend my mom and I made a shopping trip to Anthropology. We spent nearly 30 minutes mixing and matching knobs. We finally decided on some cool “ripe melon pulls” for the top drawer and the “lace-strewn knobs” for the doors.  

(Before)

(After the paint job)

 (After with new hardware! I still need to drill a hole through the back for the tv cords)

(I love the "lace-strewn knobs". They came in so many fun colors. I want them all!)