When the Cat's Away...

the Mouse gets Painting!! (that's how the saying goes right!?)

The Boy has been away for a three day bachelor party marooned on an island in the middle of a lake in Ontario somewhere and has now decided to spend the weekend at our place at West Hawk. So I find myself home alone for a week!!
 He's a funny boy, he loves the "after" of home renos, but detests the mess between the "before" and the "after".

So while he's gone I've taken it upon myself to get some unfinished painting done that has plagued me since we painted our living room, dining room and hallway three years ago: the hallway doors. It's not unusual for me to get a project done while The Boy is away. I get to make a mess and work at my own pace.

In fact, having The Boy away for so long (we're rarely apart for more than a day) has made me revert to my livin' single days.

I've spent the last three days watching bad movies on tv, Sex and the City, drinking copious amounts of coffee till noon and eating vegetarian food for dinner. Or breakfast for dinner, whichever strikes my fancy! And of course I've been eating in the living room watching tv.

Oh and painting...
I painted three closets this week...I took my time...it actually only took me two days...and I only painted the doors. Ok, maybe that's a long time, but it was a pain in the butt! I had to paint the trim, the doors are 8 feet tall, they have all these nooks and crannies...this is why it wasn't done three years ago...it sucked. I am so sick of painting. Now I know why all the rooms in my house aren't painted yet either. I like to get started and when I'm about 3/4 of the way through I am cursing myself for starting this messy project. I am a messy painter and always end up with paint ALL over me.

This is just a taste of me covered in paint. My feet look weird. And yes, those are my pj pants. Why get dressed if you're gonna get messy? Stay in pjs I say...

Right, the painting...I'm all over the place today...
It's a subtle difference, but here's the front closet door before. As The Boy calls it in "Dirty Old Bra" colour that much of our house was/is.

And the subtle after. Can you tell the difference? Yes, you can. It's so overcast today I thought I'd be able to take some decent pictures, but the light is messing with my not so fancy camera.

It makes the alarm box look dingy...maybe it's time for a new one...

Our front door needs to be painted inside and out as well. I'm still trying to decide what colour to paint it. Any thoughts people?

That mark on the bottom left corner is from the former owners dog scratching to get out. It had also chewed some of the baseboards in the house as well. Annoying!! 

So that's been my week and I still have three days before my man gets home. I've made some plans with family and friends this weekend to keep me busy.
After all, I did just spend a month at the lake. I have some catching up to do...

Have a great weekend!

Lisa.xo

Mixing it Up

Yesterday's post actually inspired me to play dress up in my closet for most of the afternoon.

My favourite outfits revolved around this 70's does 30's two piece outfit. I bought this ages ago when I worked at Ragpickers. It was one of my first vintage purchases. I've considered selling this outfit a few times, but I'm now glad I decided not too. I have a feeling this top and skirt will be staples in my winter wardrobe.

As you can see from the photo above the fabric is pretty light weight (and see through!) so a slip underneath is a must. Making these pieces perfect for year round mix and matching which I've done below. Click on the photos to enlarge the images.

Left: Blazer and Flower Brooch: Ricki's;  Rhinestone Necklace, Purse & Seafoam Wrap Sweater: thrifted; Slip: Lune Vintage;
Boots: Le Chateau
Right: Slip (worn as camisole): Lune Vintage; Belt & Straw Clutch: thrifted; Wedges: Le Chateau

Left: Vintage Enamel Earrings: thrifted; Camisole: Randy River; Belt: Le Chateau; 40's Wool Skirt (part of suit): Ruby Slipper; Navy Vintage Suede Purse: WildWoodRose Vintage; Pumps: Calvin Klein
Right: Camisole: Randy River; High Waisted Jeans and Coral Bangle: Forever 21; Turqoise Bangle and Red Straw Clutch: thrifted; Wedges: Le Chateau

This is another great example of how to take vintage pieces and mix them up to keep them from looking too costume-y (Go here to see my last post on dressing up modern basics with vintage accessories). I think all 4 of these looks have a very modern look to them with enough of a vintage touch not too look like a cookie-cutter mannequin straight from the mall. My favourite way to wear vintage!

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Cozy Vintage Layers

It may be a little early for this (the temp will be 30 + here in the 'Peg this weekend!), but like many fashion and lifestyle bloggers, when September arrives I start dreaming about cozy fall layers.

This is an oldie, but a goodie from Sally Jane Vintage's Four Ways posts (love them!):

The thing that I really love about these looks is that I really feel that I could wear them to work without feeling like I'm too dressed up. That is a win win in my book.

I have several vintage suits and this is tempting me to play in my closet today in anticipation of the drop in temperature.

Lisa.xo

Still Alive...

Whoops! I went to the lake again...I really didn't mean to take a week off from the blog. But to be honest, it was good.

I have some posts planned and I feel relaxed and rejuvenated. It's amazing what a holiday does for the mind, body and soul.

Lisa.xo

Lake People

It happened again...I abandoned you for sunny days on the dock, clear water and endless afternoons in the boat...

Can you blame me? You'd do the same thing if you had August off...don't lie to me...I know you would...

Lisa.xo

Another Birthday for Matt

Holy Cow! I've really been slacking on the 'ole blog this week. I haven't even done anything productive to explain why...I've hit the lazy part of my holidays...hopefully to be followed shortly with the productive part, because right now I feel like a slug.


But the real reason of this post. My brother's birthday was last weekend and he had a bunch of people over to celebrate.

Last year we took a few goofy pictures of Matt, Will and myself and I thought it would be fun to continue the tradition (and somehow I've managed to wear almost the exact same thing! lol! What can I say? A white tee and jeans is classic. No brainer...)

We're like superheroes or something! 

'cause this is thriller....

I just want you to know these are the tame photos...we may or may not have had a lot to drink that night...and we act like idiots when we're together...

possibly the most attractive face I've ever made.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT! LOVE YOU!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Shirtwaist Dress

I wore this out for iced coffee and window shopping in Osborne Village with my friend Jenny today.

The weather has cooled down significantly (and by that I mean it's still 26 degrees Celsius instead of 38 degrees, so it's still freakin' hot out!) and I've been dying to wear some of my shirtwaist dresses, so I did. I love this dress. I've had for a while, but never worn it on the blog before for some reason. The Boy's brother calls this my diner dress.

I bought it at Ruby Slipper for a song (I think it was on the sale rack for about $12).

It's handmade with lots of sweet details like decorative buttons on the collar, beautiful rolled cuffs and a yoked back with gathering underneath.

I imagine this was someone's housedress for cleaning. It is super comfortable cotton with lots of flexibility due to all of the clever construction like these underarm gussets!

Imagine someone making this beautiful little dress to clean the house in? I can, but you won't catch me cleaning in it! lol!

50's Pink Shirtwaist Dress: Ruby Slipper

Vintage Millinery Flowers worn as a brooch: Ruby Slipper

Vintage White Skinny Belt: Ragpickers

Yellow Wedges: Thrifted

Vintage Straw Purse: Thrifted

Lisa.xo

Shop My Closet!

Hello friends!

I've been gone for a few days because I've been working on a new project:

Butterflies and Daisys Vintage Closet

I'm in purge mode these days and I'm pretty excited to start this second blog to pass along some of the things in my closet and my collection that I no longer want.

I've currently listed some shoes and bags, but I'm working on adding some clothing in the next week or so.

The blog is not an auction. It's on a first come, first serve basis. Leave me a comment or email me if you would like to purchase an item and we will arrange payment through PayPal and I'll ship it out to you! Easy Peasy!

On most items shipping in Canada will be through the mail (unless you'd like to pay extra for priority shipping) so I'm guess-timating that shipping costs will be approx $9. The cost will go up for heavier and larger items, naturally.
If you are an international buyer I will get back to you on postage and packaging costs.

Please let me know if you've got questions! This is new for me too and I want to make it as streamlined and easy as possible!

Thanks!

Lisa.xo

Fooled You Again!

Did you wonder where I was? I've been posting pretty regularly for the last few weeks...

Well, The Boy, Dave and I were at the lake for the last 5 days. I had loaded up the blog with scheduled posts and we were supposed to come home on Tuesday, but it was just too nice out. We stayed till Thursday night.

Gotta love summer holidays...I know Dave does! lol!

What have you been up to this summer?

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Idda van Munster

I have been browsing the blogosphere this last week or so and have added many awesome blogs to my blogroll.

One of my new favourites is Idda van Munster.

I am completely taken with this beautiful blogger's immaculate look. I'll let these photos speak for themselves.

Beautiful no? I'm just too lazy to look this good every day! lol!

Lisa.xo