An engagement session

A month or so ago I ventured out to Rio Vista CA to do a little engagement photo shoot for my adorable cousin and her charming fiance and since I am about to go get my bridesmaid dress for their big day I figured I should finally share these fun shots. The husband and I spend the afternoon driving around their city snapping away and I must say, I am pretty please with what I was able to get...mind you professional I am not! But the most important thing was they are happy with the results too. He is in the Coast Guard and she is all things glamour so we opted for a more vintage-y look along with a few casual shots. Even their dog Daisy got in on the photo fun... she was tied up to Uli for a bit and somehow ended up tangling the lovely couple- a great photo moment if you ask me. Now, I'm off to go squeeze myself into a dress and hope I can lose this baby bump in time for their big day, I will have 6 months to get myself back into tip top shape. No pressure.

photos by our designed life

Out with the old in with the new

I simply adore my wedding ring, like love love love it. Its vintage, its super detailed and in my opinion completely stunning. Yet its a bit of a baby problem...you see, the intricacy of it is so delicate and ornate that it is a huge magnet for things to get caught in it. Like baby poop. And puke. When we started looking for rings I had originally just wanted a simple band but then the husband took me to a vintage and estate clothing and jewelry expo and a week later it was mine. For three years it has lived on my finger all regal like but in the back of my mind I always knew it would need to be put aside when baby comes...so when the husband suggested for our three year anniversary we get me a new wedding band you better believe I jumped at the chance. I didn't want anything fancy and had been looking on Etsy for a while for something sweet and simple but without trying it on I was having trouble making a decision. Then one day we were walking in our neighborhood and stopped in on a shop just to get my finger sized; 30 minutes later I had purchased my new band. I had never given this store a second thought but after walking into Pearl and seeing their contemporary pieces I just had to try a few on. Though my new band may not be as flashy as my original wedding ring, it has character and was made by a local designer. I love to support local businesses and this rings artist is so local I could literally walk to her neighborhood from my house!

I have a few jewelry boxes that I have been storing bits and pieces in but something so cherished as my wedding ring might just need its own box. I'm loving these individual ring boxes from Oh Dier, made from salvaged oak wooden banisters and givin a bit of life with a touch of paint. I might just have to pick one up for something so near and dear to me, after all, I will be having a daughter that will no doubt be eyeing my ring in no time.

ring images by our designed life. box image via oh dier\

Milk glass

If I had tons of storage to spare there is no doubt I would have a giant milk glass collection. I fell in love with these goodies from Barking Sands Vintage, they would be perfect for colorful and fragrant summer blooms...and I have yet so see a teal beauty pop up in my local vintage shops! There is just something about the textures, shapes and colors that completely draw me in...I currently have a few milk glass pieces and they are by far my favorite table top accessories. Do you have any home decor collections that just make you smile?

images via barking sands vintage

Linked

And for a few things here and there that caught my eye....


The next time the husband threatens me with another cord stretched across the room I'm so doing this. 

image via design sponge

Completely loving this list of 35 life changing ways to use everyday objects. My mind has been blown. I mean, using a can opener to pry open those annoying and totally unnecessary hard plastic wrappers around gadgets is pure genius. Had a total 'duh of course' moment.


Now that most of my friends are having babies or are surrounded by toddlers, I am for sure passing on Treehouse Kid & Craft for all their specialty toy needs. How incredibly adorable is this wooden sewing machine!

image via treehouse kid & craft

Totally loving this spring/summer collection from NAHM. I wish I had another 5 maybe 8 inches in height, being so short does have its downfalls, especially with dresses. 

Discovered I like the taste of fresh garden parsley in green smoothies. When the husband made me a very green very potent smoothie it was like my sinuses opened right up! And I always thought it was just a garnish. 

Have a wonderful weekend friends, we have yet to make plans and I'm a bit excited about it. A bit of sleeping in sounds awfully nice. 

image by our designed life

Quick break for boots

Oh how I wish my feet were just a wee bit bigger, these vintage yellow mud boots from Spool 72 would be perfection for the garden.

photo via spool 72

Magpie Fields

I've been trying my hardest to slow down on purchasing little odds and ends for the house...my ample storage space is getting smaller and smaller by the day it seems, but these vintage goodies from Magpie Fields are just so charming I might have to break my buying hold. I've always had my eye on keys of all sorts and those colored ones are calling my name. Owner Emily Whittenburg has built quite the collection while on her worldly travels, you can find more about her shopping trips and finds on her blog as well as keep up with all things vintage. Do you have any collections? I'm currently digging owls of all kinds and anything geometric seems to catch my eye.

photos via magpie fields 

Thrifted

One of my favorite past times is to go thrifting and vintage shopping with the husband. He loves it and totally gets into it making it just that much funner and last week we found a few fun new pieces. We had a few hours to kill and stopped in on a few thrift stores and vintage shops in Sunnyvale and San Jose CA. At one of the stops he spotted this ugly duckling print high up on a shelf, {I would have totally missed it} and we knew we just had to have it. Its so adorably charming on old wooden slats, now we just need to find the perfect spot for it.

We stopped in at Black and Brown in San Jose with 7 minutes till closing and I managed to find this awesome beaded purse while the husband found a pair of sunglasses. We also picked up another record for our now giant vinyl collection and I got that colorful sweater down there. Its still undetermined if its a yay or nay, it was one of those purchases that you think is a good one but you're just not sure if it will actually look like what you are thinking. What do you think? Its a bit big on me so I was thinking skinny jeans and boots but who knows. For $3 it was worth the gamble.

photos by our designed life

Guest post: Vintage vignettes with Arcadian Lighting

A while back I was contacted about having a guest post here on Our designed life about vintage finds and boy did Arcadian Lighting give the goods! I just love to have a different voice join the mix every once and awhile so please, enjoy the beautiful vintage inspired eye candy- its already got me itching to do a little rearranging around here to showcase all of my vintage goodies.

Hi, I'm Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting, a website and blog dedicated to wonderful lighting fixtures and ideas for the home. I'm so happy to be visiting Our Designed Life as a guest blogger today. My post is about amazing vintage vignettes—something I absolutely love. Creating these vignettes allows you to tell a story with your fabulous vintage finds. Enjoy!

I love this amazing vintage vignette that would be so charming in a guest room. This vignette tells the story about about traveling to Europe.

This vintage vignette is a lovely nod to vintage books. The heavy roses give the vignette a nostalgic, romantic charm.

A vintage farmhouse inspired kitchen is one large, amazing vintage vignette. From the pottery to vintage bread and cake boxes, there is so much charm in this space.

This beautiful vintage vignette is full of French country charm. It transports you to France with the large painted armoire and the amazing light fixture, a vintage chandelier, above a rustic farmhouse table.

Another vintage inspired kitchen is full of charming vignettes. We love the soda bottles on top of the shelves and all the vintage cooking gizmos.

Vintage silver and silverplate can make incredible vignettes. I love the tarnished silver color. The antique bee print is also so very lovely.

A desk, vanity, console table or even nightstand is a wonderful place to create an amazing vintage vignette. This desk is filled with beautiful objects and lamps.

Vintage vignettes can incorporate furniture, objects, lighting and art. These vintage prints work beautifully with the old school chairs and antique cameras in this cool foyer.

Give your fleamarket finds and hand-me-downs new life by creating vintage vignettes throughout your home. Come visit Arcadian Lighting's blog for more wonderful ways to re-imagine your home decor. (Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

About Arcadian Lighting: We are the best source for lighting fixtures and accessories at discount prices. Arcadian lighting has been in the lighting industry for over 15 years selling decorative home lighting fixtures and lamps online, and has become one of the top internet retailers for home lighting products.

A little vintage

Is it wrong to want a vintage beach cover up just to snuggle in on the couch? Nope.

photo via lotus vintage ny

The things you can find

I am always on the hunt for the next great piece of furniture that I can redo and make my own, and this found table from Post Road Vintage is one amazing find. DIY'er Heather of post road vintage came across this table at a thrift store for a whole $7, chopped off the legs and gave it a coat of paint and voila a custom and oh so good looking coffee table.  I just love looking though others home projects, gives me so much inspiration to keep going on my own projects.  Be sure to stop by and check out the rest of Heather's fun projects as well as her fun etsy shop that is filled with mason jar love.
Do you have anything in the works?  I've been trying to get up the courage {and skills} to make a few hanging garlands for the house as well as a few pieces of glass that are in desperate need of the right fabric backing and frames.  But that I suppose is another day.

photos via post road vintage

Accessorizing

Happy Monday friends, I had one seriously busy weekend how about you?  The husband and I managed to do all that we had planned, a trip to the Academy of Science, a stop at the succulent and cactus sale along with the local plant sale in Golden Gate park, a trip to a local flea market and even a late night concert last night seeing Mother Mother.  By the way, they are totally awesome!  But alas, the week is here again, so back to our regularly scheduled work right?

At least I have these beauties from Laura Lombardi Jewelry to lust over.  Made from vintage brass, these creations are just lovely don't you think?  I love a good statement piece and these are perfect for casual outfits, I totally want double triangle strand to wear with jeans and a tee.  How do you like to accessorize?  I like to rock giant necklaces or fancy cocktail rings with tone of color or bling.  You can never go wrong with accessories!

photos via laura lombardi

Home goods

You all know my love for all things brass and animal like, and these findings over at Estate Eclectic are perfect for my growing collection.  Filled with fun vintage finds, this etsy shop has wonderful pieces to fill your home with antique goodness all with a little touch of character.  Aside from my collection of brass, I seem to also be gravitating towards trays {they are just so darn practical!} and this plaid one would be perfect on a table top to hold smaller items.  Besides, its not a home until there is home decor.  Do you collect anything a bit out of the ordinary?  Visitors are always surprised by my animal collection.

photos via estate eclectic

Statement pieces

And speaking of adding a little something to a darling look, these statement pendants from Greenfinch Studio sure do stand out from the crowd.  Over the weekend, Kaija owner of @greenfnch found me on Twitter and I am so glad she did!  These necklaces are beautiful, made from vintage broaches, earrings, glass rhinestones and even buttons, and all handmade in North Dakota.  Bookmarked these for sure in the 'things I want!' folder for future present ideas.

photos via greenfinch studio

Photo of the day, New coat

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Picked up this fun vintage find from a great shop in San Francisco.  Its such a different pattern and color, just need to get it fitted a little better.

Photo of the day, Superficial

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Caught the whale checking himself (apparently its a him) out in the pencil sharpener.  The husband must have turned the whale around at some point.  Either that or the whale and the peacock wanted to chat.

Photo of the day, Vintage

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Went to the Alameda antique fair today, and even though it started to rain it was a pretty good turn out.  I just wish I could afford everything there.  I did however walk away with two plastic gold letters spelling out IF.  Makes you think every time you look at it.

Get your craft on

Sometimes when I need a break I make something.  Half the time I never finish it, but having the options laying around for that moment when I want to burst into craft is just nice.  And with a visit from my little cousin over superbowl weekend, I realized my stash is starting to get a little low.  I mean, a girl's got to have fancy tape and vintage stamps.

And when I came across Wonderland Room I was like a kid in a candy store.  You can find pretty much anything crafty on their site, from envelopes to stickers and vintage stamps to these diy clothespins, there is a little something for everyone.  Not to mention some great prices.

photos via wonderland room

Photo of the day, Something old

Something old

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Lately I have been collecting odds and ends from garage sales, flea markets, antique shows, you name it.  While browsing, I happened to mention I wanted a vintage pencil sharpener and my Dad told me he had one.  Not only any vintage one, the one that was from my grandparents house.  He saved it from going to the garbage pile when the wall came down in their place and just saved it in a box, for no reason.  I am now a happy owner of a vintage, heirloom pencil sharpener. 

Photo of the day, Antiquing

Antiquing

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Today we braved the weather and set out for the Alameda Antique Fair.  I was a bit bummed by the lack of vendors, but we took the risk in the rain anyway.  Can't wait to go back, when its sunny.

Happy New Year

Happy New Years Eve friends!  Doesn't it seem like time is just flying by?  We moved the week before Thanksgiving and now the year is over!  And I'm still not used to this weather.  Oh well.  Do you have plans for the evening?  The husband and I are going to venture out to San Francisco with the masses in hopes of getting into a club with a hipster band, fingers crossed, there are no pre sale tickets!  YIKES.

But before I close out the year, I had to share with you the lovely items over at Octavi, a small shop from England.  I just love the delicate and modern look of these pillows, made from vintage and new fabrics and filled with natural and eco friendly stuffing.  They are perfect for sprucing up a corner.  You can also find a few treasures here and there, loving that green bowl, just wish I needed another one around here.

photos via octavi