I know the end of summer comes at different times for everyone, but the end of my summer is just around the corner. I start my last year of college August 27th and by May 2013 I will have graduated with a bachelors in art education. It seems like it has been a long time coming, but I think I'm ready!

So what have I been up to? I recently gave the website a new mod background I found as an open source graphic. I also revamped the links & fonts as they were getting hard to read-- my apologies!

I have also been fall shopping for myself (a rare occasion actually) and also picking out my fall/winter inventory. Expect more sweaters, coats and cold weather accessories.

With school, a full work schedule & preparing myself for a little thing called student teaching, I know I've been slacking in the listing department. I've actually considered hiring someone to take photos and/or take the time to list items while I'm busy or off gallivanting the thrift stores. Honestly, probably my favorite part of this job is just shopping for inventory. I have an inventory list of approximately 60 items to be listed (consisting of many vintage pieces I would like to keep for myself). BUT you can't have your cake and eat it too, so I have to work on my listing motivation in the next couple of weeks.

Summer is drawing ever nearer to a close-- I'm back to college classes August 27th. One more year left until I graduate with my Art Education degree! It seems like forever (like when I had braces...) My student teaching begins next semester. I am so excited, and yet quite nervous! The student teaching program is extremely rigorous (as it should be) and takes up a vast amount of time. They even tell you to not have a job during this time...though to avoid living in a box, I will be keeping mine and my Bonfire Vintage store open. :)

On happier notes, my best friend Kim and her husband Eric are having a baby in like...days! Can't wait to meet their new little Noah. I know I'm biased, but that baby is going to be the cutest baby in the world. Just sayin'.

My mom has asked me to help her with a garage sale she's planned for next Saturday. I remember when every summer in my early teens I hosted a garage sale (one time a craft sale!) and was so stoked to make $20 over the three days I sat in the boiling sun. We're looking to make enough money for my younger brothers' back-to-school clothes and supplies (maybe $200 or $300?). Money has been tight for all of us and it is one more step to make some extra spending money.

I feel like I need a vacation. I'm the kind of person that would just love to jump up one morning, toss the cat some food and scurry off to an uncharted destination. My boyfriend is not so spontaneous, but I am hoping we can make a weekend trip somewhere in the next couple of months. We need it!

I have had weddings on the brain lately. Not that I'm even engaged yet (Brent--wink, wink). My boyfriend and I have been happily sharing an apartment for the last two years and every once in a while, I tag another "wedding idea" on my "dream wedding" pinterest board. Knowing myself, I will want to do as much on my own as possible--partly because I believe if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself and also because it can be a heck of a lot cheaper. I think I'd even bake/decorate my own wedding cake if I gave it some practice.


So this post is in honor of those budget-minded brides out there. We all want a fabulous and memorable wedding---just minus the $30,000 price tag. Am I right? And once again, I will be featuring a host of Etsy sellers with budget-minded brides in mind. Enjoy lovelies!

Well lovelies, the Mad Men party was a success! I highly advise you to have one of your own. This post will go through everything from snacks & drinks to activities that can make your party a blast.

As you now know, I went as Joan Holloway. My costume included a can of spray-in temporary hair dye, gold pen necklace, black/pearl brooch, a black 60s rocket bra, a genuine 1960s black velvet gown, red nail polish and light gray 60s slingbacks.

Prices: $4 for the hair dye, $18 for the necklace, $2 for the brooch, $1 for the nail polish, $4 for the black rocket bra, $6 for the hair dye, the dress was free from my great aunt and $3 for the shoes.
Total costume cost= $38

I'm thinking of possibly going as Betty for Halloween, but I think I made a pretty good Joan! What I love about her character is her curves---she is by no means a pencil, but that is what makes her sexy! So I embraced my curves and went for it--so glad I did!

We ended up going down to the bars for part of the night, and BOY did we get noticed!! I would overhear people say, "That's Joan!" or "It must be a wedding..." Haha, we got a lot of attention and it was so much fun! We also played a Mad Men drinking game which is described below and listened to some great big band & jazz 60s music on Pandora (what a cheap and virus-free way to get swingin' party music).

Mad Men Drinking Game
This is a fairly basic game and all you need are some episodes of Mad Men (available on Netflix or DVD/Blu-ray), some drinks and these rules:

• For every sexist comment made, guys take 1 drink.
• If Pete Campbell gets shot down, take 1 drink.
• For every cigarette lit, take 1 drink.
• If Betty gets angry at someone, take 1 drink.
• For every time Roger cracks a joke, take 1 drink.
• If Bert Cooper takes his shoes off, take 1 drink.
• If someone cries, take 1 drink.
• For every time Peggy seems frustrated with her job, take 1 drink.

A word of caution---we all went through about 4-5 drinks doing this game...so be prepared!

The party was such a success, I think I'll have another one next year after season six :) I hope you enjoy and feel free to comment or leave suggestions for more Mad Men party ideas!

My family and I have been planning to go camping together this coming weekend. Six kids (myself included) and my mother are going to drive a little over 6 hours in two cars to Grand Marais, MN which is about 40 minutes from the Canadian border. We've gone to this same location every year for as long as I can remember. The staples of a north shore vacation include: waking up and getting donuts & coffee, sitting on the beach for at least three hours a day, hunting for agates and having lots of campfires. Sitting next to Lake Superior is like visiting any ocean. It's cold (I've heard somewhere around a constant 40 degree water temperature) and I've seen waves that surfers would be psyched to see. I've had good memories camping-- even when it was 32 degrees one year!
In honor of this illustrious adventure, I have decided to create a little showcase of handmade and vintage camping items.

Enjoy lovelies!

I have recently decided to host a Mad Men party set for a weekend in July. I had been thinking about it for some time and after a friend urged me to hold one, I finally decided to do it! Though our 750 sq ft apartment is not the most ideal location for such an event, I have figured out some the details in advance.

Some possible activities include:

• Mad Men drinking game
• Poker or Texas Hold'em
• Costume contest (who makes the best Betty?)

Possible appetizers and snacks:

• Cheese and crackers (yes, I went there...)
• Celery stuffed with veggie dip
• Hawaiian punch with fruit chunks
• Cocktail shrimp with cocktail sauce
• Chicks in a blanket
• Lamb kabobs with red pepper

I've decided to encourage dressing like your favorite Mad Men character, though for people who aren't necessarily into watching Mad Men, I've encouraged 1960s attire (perfect shameless selling tactic for my business, right?)

My boyfriend and I have already discussed the types of liquor we'll have displayed-- I'm on the hunt for some vintage decanters like the ones shown in Mad Men. I have also decided to begin purchasing 60s barware in which guests can keep their glass as a party favor.

1960s Mad Men Drinks:

• Bloody Marys
• Retro Highball
• Old-Fashioned
• Classic Martinis
• Manhattans
• Tom Collins
• Mai Tai

I will definitely be taking photos of guests and posting them as soon as the party is finished! I will also be adding more party details as the time goes on.

Have any Mad Men party ideas? Share them with a comment below!