random obsessions: bowling shoes

yesterday we took the boys bowling & i was reminded of how much i LOVE bowling shoes! i had picked up this pair (lower left) last year & i knew they would come in handy someday (although i have been seen wearing them outside the bowling alley). - the bowling alley had the CUTEST kid shoes though...i WISH i could find regular shoes that cute for the boys!

here are a few of my FAVES from the 'Bowling Shoes' category on ETSY:

{ top LEFT - available HERE from godo }

{ top RIGHT - available HERE from adVintagous }

{ bottom LEFT - available HERE from TaileyVintage }

{ bottom RIGHT - available HERE from HeathersTreasureBox }

.

to see more of our bowling adventure, visit our family blog: theBLUNTtribe.

.

♥rebecca

my LOOKs: green pencil, polkadots + a NEW "do"

today i wore a SUPER fun outfit (in my opinion)! it is a LOOK that really screams the styles i love. i seriously wish i could dress like this more often, it just isn't practical though for a crazy mother of 4 rowdy boys. it does make me appreciate more, the times that i DO 'dress up' & makes me plan those outfits with a bit more thought.


skirt:
green is my FAVORITE color, so this thrifted pencil skirt was an instant winner in my eyes! although, i have never been a 'high-waisted loving' girl...in fact i seemed to be more of a 'hater' of the high waist. but as of late i am starting to LOVE the look (especially the way it hides the leftover baby belly!).

blouse:
i picked up this off-white knitted blouse from TJ-Maxx last fall, but didn't get much use of it due to my increasingly growing belly this time last year. i am LOVING it now though, especially
the pleated neckline.

shoes:

these lace-up beauties were one of those 'MUST HAVES' that rarely seem to cross my path! last year while shopping for shoes for my husband at RackRoom, i spotted these & it only took a few seconds of begging to convince him i NEEDED them (a nice perk of rarely 'MUST HAVING').

necktie-bow:

this is my favorite of the necktie-bow's that i have made so far (available in my shop). i said that green is my FAVE color...well, BROWN comes in at a close 2nd. & the polka-dots just take it to seriously amazing next level!

hair-do:

yes, i did get a haircut (sorry Rach...i just HAD to!). i have been trying to grow out my hair for 4 years, only to discover that i don't like long hair on me. after looking over pictures of our past 9 years together, rich and i BOTH decided that we like short hair on me WAAAAAAAY better. so WHY was i keeping it long anymore!?!? - yesterday while at my mom's house i told her if she didn't cut it for me, than i would! so she, knowing my threat to be a serious one, went against her 'long hair is best' philosophy & cut it for me!!! i LOVE having her cut it because i can tell her EXACTLY what to do & she LISTENS! i realized that she has been cutting our (her children) hair for over 30 years & she know what i like...so WHY did i ever go to someone else for a haircut??? - needless to say, we LOVE it!!! & as soon as i see mom again, i'm gonna have her go a little shorter!

hope you enjoyed my outfit...& hope that you had a GREAT weekend!

:) rebecca

giveaway: winner

& the winner of the 3.in.1 necktie-bow GIVEAWAY is...

lolamichele
{ randomly picked by random.org }

*thanks to ALL of you that entered the giveaway!!! see more 3.in.1 necktie-bows HERE!

giveaway: 3 in 1 necktie-bow

this GIVEAWAY has ended...

in effort to promote the newest product in the LOOKs shop...I am hosting this GIVEAWAY! - these HIGHLY versatile bows are handmade [by me] from vintage neckties. - they are the perfect item to spice up your outfit [or hair]. also, they are an upcycled item, making them super ECO-FRIENDLY! - the LOOKs necktie-bows can be worn 3 different ways:

1. brooch [pin included on back]
2. headband accessory [slide your favorite headband through the back]
3. necklace pendant [slide your favorite necklace through the back]

GIVEAWAY item:

[ your choice of the LOOKs 3.in.1 necktie-bow ]

there are a few ways to enter, you will get an entry for each way you participate...so the more you do the better chance of winning!

to enter:

● follow my blog (on the right sidebar). if you already do, GREAT!

● visit the LOOKs shop & let me know which item is you FAVE

● tweet about this GIVEAWAY

● blog about this GIVEAWAY

● share this GIVEAWAY on facebook

● buy an item from the LOOKs shop

*please leave a separate comment below letting me know each way you have entered & be sure to leave an email address so that i can contact you if you are the WINNER!

the winner will be announced on friday, september 17th. i hope you enjoyed this feature/giveaway...GOOD LUCK!

:) rebecca

interested in hosting a GIVEAWAY on the LOOKs blog??? contact me at: rebecca@LOOKsVintage.com

giveaway: winner

& the winner of the Glamourpuss Creations GIVEAWAY is...

L of She Played With Snakes

{ randomly picked by random.org }

she is the winner of this BEAUTIFUL Divine Daggers Vintage Earrings!

*thanks to ALL of you that entered the giveaway & a HUGE thank you to Lisa from Glamourpuss.Etsy.com for this making such BEAUTIFUL jewelry!!! be sure to check back tomorrow for another AWESOME giveaway...

random obsessions: the harmonica

when i was a little girl i absolutely LOVED when my dad would pull out his harmonica! & it was even BETTER when he would put on that "neck thing" & play it while playing the banjo or guitar (i prefer the banjo). he would even bring it along on our many roadtrips across the USA>Mexico>Canada. it really is the PERFECT in-car instrument, especially if you have one of those "neck things" (which i need to get). - anyways...about a year ago i picked up a SWEET little vintage (brand-new-in-package) harmonica on Etsy & have been annoying my family ever since, yes even in the minivan! i am nowhere near as good as dad yet...but maybe someday i'll be good enough to challenge him to a "harmonica duel". - below is my attempt at playing...i dedicate this to my 13 year old sister: Susanna!

please excuse the CHEESY smile at the end...heehee!

{ Vintage Hohner International Harmonica - purchased from MamaBearsVintage }

hoped you enjoyed this random obsession....why not try YOUR mouth at a harmonica!


:) rebecca

home: fall decor

today i climbed up into the attic & busted out the fall decor! & i must say, that it goes quite well with the smell of the SWEET CINNAMON PUMPKIN wallflowers that i got last week from Bath & Body Works. - last year i made the yarn wreath...& i've been WAITING all year to be able to put it up again! new to the fall-family is our little vintage "Squirrel Friend"...although, i haven't decided what to put inside him yet. - what will REALLY make it feel like fall though, is when it's cool enough to have a fire out back in the firepit, while listening to Coldplay. that is our FAVE fall activity!

:) rebecca

giveaway: Glamourpuss Creations

this GIVEAWAY has ended...

a few weeks back Lisa, from Glamourpuss Creations, contacted me about having a giveaway on my blog. from the MOMENT i clicked into her shop i was in LOVE!!! her pieces are AMAZING...vintage goodness with a modern twist. - here's a bit about the girl behind the jewelry...

tell us a bit about yourself...what do you want us to know about you?

Hi, I'm Lisa O'Neill, designer of Glamourpuss Creations Vintage Modern Jewelry. For 12 years I've lived in the beautiful city of Boston with my husband Jason and our pets, Lola and Casey Doodle Bug. Making jewelry out of all vintage components is like a manifestation of all my loves - history, fashion, antiques, repurposing. Every piece I design is telling a little story of the past and that's pretty special.

what is your most treasured vintage belonging & why?

That's a hard question because I have so many! But if i had to pick one, it would be my grandmother's ruby ring. When I was a baby, I'd sit on her lap and twirl it around and around....to this day red is still my favorite color.

what is the one item in your wardrobe that you find yourself reaching for most & that you couldn't live without?

In the summer, my flowy black knee-length eyelet skirt, in the winter my western leather campus boots.

what is your idea of a 'perfect day'?

Anything that incorporates music, swimming, good friends and delicious food. Recently I got to see Loretta Lynn play on Webster Lake with some great people and that was as perfect as it gets!

what is your favorite item in your shop & why?

I'm totally in love with my new Divine Dagger Earrings. The colors are so warm and despite their statement-making size, they're super lightweight!

{ GIVEAWAY item: Divine Daggers Vintage Earrings }

there are a few ways to enter, you will get an entry for each way you participate...so the more you do the better chance of winning!

to enter:
● follow my blog (on the right sidebar). if you already do, GREAT!
● visit Lisa's Shop & let us know which item is you FAVE
● tweet about this GIVEAWAY
● blog about this GIVEAWAY

*leave a separate comment below letting me know each way you have entered & be sure to leave an email address so that i can contact you if you are the WINNER! the winner will be announced on friday, september 10th.

i hope you enjoyed this feature/giveaway & i KNOW you will enjoy browsing Lisa's shop...GOOD LUCK!

:) rebecca

tribal update: eddie's 4th birthday!

my baby eddie (well, he's technically not the baby anymore...but he still feels like my baby) turned 4 yesterday. we had a SUPER fun day filled with bounce houses, funfetti cupcakes & a HUGE bag of legos! i just LOVE having little boys...they are SO much fun.

to see more of the FUN festivities or to just check us out...visit our family blog: http://www.theblunttribe.blogspot.com/

:) rebecca

ps....stop by tomorrow for another awesome GIVEAWAY!

sneak peek: the NECKTIE bow

as promised...here is my new & exciting vintage/upcycled/handmade product: "the NECKTIE bow"! made from vintage neckties, these bows have 3 functions: brooch, necklace pendant & headband accessory. - they will be available in the LOOKs shop later this week...i'll be sure & keep you posted!

giveaway: winner

& the winner of the Botanical Bird GIVEAWAY is...

Ladytink_534

{ randomly picked by random.org }

she is the winner of this BEAUTIFUL Red Tulip Book Locket Necklace!

*thanks to ALL of you that entered the giveaway & a HUGE thank you to Cyd from BotanicalBird.Etsy.com for this making such BEAUTIFUL jewelry!!! be sure to check back next week for another AWESOME giveaway...

random obsessions: forts

{ random obsessions }

.forts.

seriously, who doesn't LOVE forts...right? i can remember times as a little girl when my dad would makes these HUGE forts for my 6 siblings and i, he would use anything and everything that resembled a blanket...& boy were they amazing! this one time he made a maze-like fort that had two stories & took over the ENTIRE living room! i think mom was gone to the store during the building of that one because it was quite a serious undertaking to clean up if i recall correctly! - today my boys made this SUPER FUN fort in their room...they each have their own "inner-fort" within the fort. it is quite detailed, i think it even has a bathroom (ummm...scary!). - times like this are one of the reasons i LOVE having little kids...it just makes me feel like a kid again!

.my sweet little eddie.

here is a AWESOME { tipee fort } i found on etsy...

{ Your First Tipee - available HERE by EarthWhirled }

so whether you are 4 or 40, why not go home a make a fort tonight...you KNOW you WANT to!

:) rebecca

giveaway: Botanical Bird

*this GIVEAWAY has ended...

i am SUPER excited about this GIVEAWAY! - i first met Cyd on etsy a couple years back & was instantly in LOVE with her jewelry. then my LOVE grew even bigger when i won her Blue Rose Locket Necklace through a blog giveaway! & let me tell you...i get MORE comments on that locket than any other piece of jewelry i wear. i LOVE telling people where i got it & spreading the ETSY-LOVE! - below are a few FUN facts about Cyd and her AWESOME shop...

tell us a bit about yourself...what do you want us to know about YOU?

I am a huge animal and nature lover. My favorite place on the planet is lake Quinalt, located in the rain forest in Washington state. I've spent several summers working on a fishing boat in Alaska, where I also lived for 6 years. I have also lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I spent much of my time painting with watercolors. I adore estate sales, and hunting for unique vintage and antique items. I play guitar, though I fantasize about playing the violin, maybe someday.

what is your most treasured vintage belonging & why?

A sweet little music box, that plays "Raindrops keep falling on my head", my Grandmother gave it to me when I was a small child, so it's very dear to me.

what is the one item in your wardrobe that you find yourself reaching for most & that you couldn't live without?

This one is kind of funny, living in Portland, OR, I would have to say my rain parka, at least for much of the year.

what is your idea of a 'perfect day'?

Being able to spend time outdoors, taking a day trip to the Oregon coast, walking the beach and stopping to have some fresh seafood.

what is your favorite item in your shop & why?

I don't know that I have a favorite, but I'm fond of the Sky Blue Flower Necklace, because it looks great on!

{ GIVEAWAY item: Red Tulip Book Locket Necklace }

there are a few ways to enter, you will get an entry for each way you participate...so the more you do the better chance of winning!

to enter:

● follow my blog (on the right sidebar), if you already do, GREAT!

● visit Botanical Bird's shop & let us know which item is you FAVE

● tweet about this GIVEAWAY

● blog about this GIVEAWAY

*leave a comment below letting me know each way you have entered & be sure to leave an email address so that i can contact you if you are the WINNER! the winner will be announced on friday, august 27th.

i hope you enjoyed this feature/giveaway & i KNOW you will enjoy browsing Botanical Bird's shop...GOOD LUCK!

:) rebecca

random obsessions: mugs

{random obsessions}

.mugs.

i have a SERIOUS love for mugs. random, colorful & sometimes even strange. the awesome thing is that the thrift stores never have a shortage of them, thus keeping them quite affordable. i find myself drawn to the mug section like it's a treasure hunt to find another unique piece for my collection.

each morning it's always fun to see which one my husband picked for his tea. i know i pick mine based on mood & i've often wondered if he does too...or does he just grab the first one he sees?

etsy is also a VERY GOOD place to find unique vintage mugs. here is one i find particularly intriguing:

{ Vintage Policeman Mug - available HERE by JessJamesJake }

hope you enjoyed visiting my mug cupboard. i had fun sharing them with you!

:) rebecca

so...what are your {random obsessions}?

home: mini-tour

we are on a much needed visit with my parents today. so i thought i'd give you all a mini-tour of our home while we're away. - you'll see that i've got a SICK love for citrus colors & the rustic feel!

{obviously taken before the new china cabinet}

hope you enjoyed the mini-tour..........happy MONDAY!

:) rebecca

my LOOKS: chucks & flowers

here we have today's church outfit. - i must admit that the chucks (shoes) were a little bit much even for me at first...but once i warmed up to them, i LOVED! & actually think it's the shoes that MADE the outfit!

shirt:
i got this SWEET # while i was pregnant, thus i've been DYING to wear it! it's just a simple vintage polyester polo (i think it's a boys) that i picked up thrifting, but MAN i love it. the fit, the color, the lapel....WOW, what a keeper!

skirt:
the cherry blossom print & stunning red color is what captured my attention when i stumbled upon this thrifted beauty. the elastic waistline fits nicely on my post-partum body & i am totally into the just-below-the-knee length this summer.
shades:
these vintage sunglasses had my name written ALL over them. & with a little adjustments & new lenses, they make the perfect summer pair!

shoes:
i was on the lookout for a pair of hi-top chucks earlier this year & picked these bad boys up at TRAFFIC for a fraction of the cost of Converse. i haven't got much wear out of them yet, but i know they will be near the top of my go-to list this winter.

unfortunately, these items are mine & i'm not giving them up.....but be sure to stop by my shop for many more great vintage items that ARE available!

:) rebecca

random obsessions: freckles

{ random obsessions }

.freckles.

there are certain things in life that i gravitate toward being obsessed with...& FRECKLES are definitely near the top of that list. lucky for me, 3 out of my 4 boys so far have got some SWEET spots! & being only 6 weeks, the jury is still out on the baby...but i think he's got a good chance.

because they know i love them so much, my boys are quite proud of their freckles....in fact they look for opportunities to show off their 'special spots'. - jj (5) has got some SWEET ones on his right heel, he calls it his 'freckle foot'; eddie (3) has got the cutest 1 under his bottom lip & harry (7) swears the 2 on his finger make it look like a StarWars Battle Droid!

here is an ADORABLE {freckle item} i found using the 'vintage search' on etsy:

{ Vintage Children's Dish Set - available HERE }

needless to say i think freckles are the cat's MEOW! & if it were up to me, i would've been born a red-headed girl COVERED in freckles....SO beautiful!

:) rebecca

so...what are your {random obsessions}?

{shop LOOKs here}

my LOOKs: paisley, lace & gold

in effort to share a bit about me, i am starting a post-line of {my LOOKs}. my everyday outfits, including those vintage pieces that are so dear to my heart that i will never part with. + we might even get a sneak peek at some of my much treasured, vintage home decor along the way as well.

necklace:

this gold 'frame' necklace is a true gem! from the moment i spotted it under the glass counter at my {frequently visited} salvation army, i knew we were destined to be together. ironically, until i met this dear piece i was not much of a 'gold lover'...but one look at this beauty & gold was my new silver!

under-tank:

i picked up this lace under-tank last week at Charlotte Russe & let me just say what a GREAT purchase that was. being a long waisted girl i am always having to wear under-tanks & this one gives me the feminine touch i've longed for when reaching in my tank drawer.

skirt:
this paisley printed skirt caught my eye on the thrift store 'skirt rack' a few weeks back. with a bit of hem-snipping it is a fun addition to my summer skirt collection. i love the pleated gathering look on the front.

shoes:
what a HAPPY DAY it was when these simple-lace ankle boots became mine. i'm sure they had been passed up by many prior thrifters, but to me they were vintage shoes made-to-order & a LOVELY new member in my shoe family.

hat:
my husband bought this straw fedora for me at TjMaxx earlier this summer & i just can't seem to get enough of it. in fact, i wear it so often that i'm not sure it will make it to see next summer.

there you have it. the first of {my LOOKs}.
i had fun sharing my treasures & i hope you enjoyed them too!

:) rebecca

ps.
do you like my new {thrifted} china cabinet??? i just got it on tuesday & i can't WAIT to fill it with vintage goodies.