colonial times

Thank goodness for the Goodwill.
Where else could you pull together a colonial costume
for an 8 year old boy in a matter of an hour!
A white shirt and vest for $4.00....and in my sons size!
What luck!

baseball pants,  socks, and a trip to the party shop
for a $3.99 hat tops off the outfit!

serious cuteness!

Of course he was to cool to wear the hat on the bus;
the pants came down to his ankles as well.

I scored a few other things at the Goodwill like these
brand new Sofft wedges($2.99),
and a fabulous vintage Lord and Taylor hat($1.99).

I also found this "like new" Tignanello Leather Bag.

There is nothing like a $100.00 bag for $4.99! Woot!
Such deals! How will I ever pay retail again?

Littleton, New Hampshire

I love this quaint little town.
This is my second trip, and I am constantly amazed by how friendly,
and courteous everyone is.
I have heard it is more about the journey, than than the destination.
The journey to Littleton did not disappoint!

a gaggle of turkeys?  Nope!
Groups of turkeys are referred to as a flock, a brood,
a bale, and a rafter of turkeys. Huh, I did not know that!

This was an amazing sight! (click on photo to enlarge)

a little turkey poo.... burnt sienna.
(don't click on photo to enlarge)

I look at this photo and see amazing textures.

a snow covered group of planted raised trees... a tree farm.....

five horses in a field...a herd. (click on photo to enlarge)

This is where we stayed.  A building full of rooms where
people sleep.... a hotel.
(I know the definitions are getting old...last one I swear!)
The Hampton Inn....is a nice, affordable hotel $139.00 a night.
There is a  pool, which was a bit to pee pee filled for me...
complimentary breakfast, which was edible, but not of high quality so,
(we got some amazing whole grain berry muffins from Miller's bakery!)

There are loads of cute local stores and restaurants downtown....
this one is quite impressive!

Chutters has every candy you can image...

loads of candy from my youth!!!

We had a great lunch here. Yummy fresh quality sandwiches!

A goddess store, with a tattoo parlor and adult toy store downstairs.
(we didn't go downstairs because we had just eaten)

Love these stuffed monsters!!!!!  I think I may make some of these!

There were 3 or 4 consignment and thrift stores...

This book store / toy store / cafe is the heart of the downtown.

A must eat is Miller's everything is so fresh and so yummy!
The guy who owns the place is super friendly.

We also ate at a very yummy Thai place with killer drinks!

There was a great antique place. However, most everything was overpriced-:(
I loved these.... pebble prints!

creepy yet sort of fun clown glasses...

I had these when I was a youngster.

I seriously considered this guy.... vintage owl clock.

I really wanted the rabbit bank...but at $28.00...
it was just sooo overpriced!

loved these wooden tops...

The building was beautiful...it was an old masonic lodge.
The craftsmanship was beyond amazing.

We did do some work......
(the trip was all about helping Shelley with her new Chalet).
bought some furniture (all TJ MAXX), and
some accessories....birds nest came from Shelley's deck.
I'm going to make some felted eggs for it,
and I have a yellow bird figurine that will make this
little toilet scenario super cute!

I will share more of Shelley's Chalet makeover in a few weeks.
Here is the start of the paint palette... (colors are slightly off)

The town has a few department store...TJ Maxx saved us,
along with Home Depot, and um...yup Wal-Mart(shiver)
(generally not an Interior Designers destination),
but we found great stuff that Shelley loved...so Yay for wally world!

 This is the view leaving Walmart. Gasp!

Here are a few more photos of the town....

We (Shelley, Charlotte, and I)  had a great time. The people of Littleton were so friendly.
People spoke to you, and smiled. Cars would stop for you so you could cross the street (every time!).
Old men tipped there hats!!! People were not pretencious.  We made friends with the restaurant owners,  the fabric lady at Wal-Mart, and another fabric lady who specializes in Nascar fabric (who shares a building with a gun shop).  Yes, a bit humorous, and she was a stitch (get it?).
The cashiers at Home Depot engaged in conversation with us....
asking where we were from, and why the heck we were so loud and laughing so much.
It wasn't about what you were wearing, or how much money you had.
It was a NICE town, a kind of town I want to live in one day!

some new glasses

My son, Ivan needs glasses, and
I seem to be taking it harder than he is.
I know there will be some struggles, with a lot of...
"Ivan, where are your glasses?",  and "Ivan, put your glasses on!"
He already told me he didn't want to wear them on the school bus.  Hmph!
Kids can be so cruel....if anyone makes fun of him...WATCH OUT!!!!

Off to Lens Crafters, where we were lucky, and got a great lady to help us.
She has a son Ivan's age, so she was quite good at dealing with little men!
We brought Ivan's friend Oscar, for moral support.
Oscar came out of the womb wearing glasses.

The kid kills me, he walked in to the store knowing the look he wanted.
He tried on a few different frames, but wanted his first choice. 

I think he looks pretty good!!!!!! actually, GREAT!
Anyway......
I scored super huge at Goodwill the other day.
I think someone had dumped all their jewelry making supplies there.
My guess is that they had just had it....they were done!
I get it.  Selling jewelry for profit is next to impossible.
You really need to find amazing deals on supplies,
and have really unique stuff;  because everyone is making and selling jewelry!!!
BINGO!!!!! Amazing deal.....

Above is just a small portion of what I bought.
I spent about $40.00, and scored about $800.00 worth of stuff.
Most of the items still have the price tags on(a lot from the Beadin' Path in Freeport).
There are loads of tools, and jigs, and things that I have no idea what to do with.

Everything is in my shop 50% of sticker price...plus free instruction if needed.

I've added a couple of new cups to my collection... woot!

I have some cool crafty post coming up.
I am just getting over a 6 day sinus infection...YUCK!
See you here tomorrow!