Sara says: I LOVE JUNK

I do, I do!

I hope no one's getting all barfy about Valentine's Day here in the blog-o-sphere. But I'd thought I'd put a fun, junky, spin on it and present you with my recent thrifty finds - which just so happen to be seasonally appropriate.

A Daher tin with an adorable pattern, a fab 4-strand pink plastic neckace, enamel flower brooch, and vintage Hallmark Valentine's card!

Here's a close-up of the card. It's super sweet and will be on it's way to Matt's grandmother shortly.

A close-up of the pattern on the tin. One of my favorites in my collection. I have a pretty righteous damn tin collection, if I do say so myself.

Check out this "key to my heart" brooch with a beautiful leafy hankie. Teal/red is the best color combo!

One of two vintage valentines. "VALENTINE - if I ask you to be mine... PLEASE DON'T GIVE ME THE BIRD"









 The background in the next couple of photos (and this one) is a red scarf I snagged at an antique mall yesterday!

I love the swanky doors. "VALENTINE - everything 'HINGES' on your answer. WILL YOU BE MINE? Don't 'SHUT' me out"

A funny little novel with handwritten little quips on the inside from it's previous owner. I adore the cover, but look inside!

A napkin with friends and their beaus (both real and imaginary, observe Paul McCartney up there!) written in the cutest delicate handwriting. Dated June 13th, 1966.





I picked up a small baggie of the wee plastic red birds (above) at an estate sale last weekend. I see them becoming a garland in the future...

A metal tray with some painters doing their thing. Check out that hideous plastic strawberry candle ring on the right - had to have it!








The upper left is some of the crochet strawberries I've been randomly making. I've strewn them around as decorations for the moment.




Like I've been saying (for like a month now, sorry!) I'm having fun with the kitschy side of V-Day. You should too! Ya know, as opposed to being bitter or angry. Or just ignore the thing entirely. Eat some nachos if you can.

Found anything fab thrifting recently? I want to know! Hope you're having a great week! 

Sara says: TUT-A-LOO!

As in a tutorial! As in I'm gonna learn ya how to make a cute (and CHEAP) Valentine's decoration! Hooray!

I mentioned, like a month ago gosh, that I am all into V-Day this year. I love the colors, hearts, and whimsy!

I also love paint chips. They're free. They're colorful. And there's something rather "devil-may-care" about swiping a stack of these. Hint: pick them out of the discard pile and you'll feel better about yourself. Unless the colors are ugly, then don't.

Anyways, I've shared some paint chip ideas before, but here's one in action! Here's how to make a lovely paper chain garland.

You'll need:

<3 paint chips (the long ones)

<3 hole punches in cutesy shapes

<3 thin ribbon and/or brads (fancy ones for scrapbooking) and/or a stapler 

(depending on how you want to join the links)

Here we go! Punch out holes in the middle if you like. Go crazy! Hint: save the punched out bits.

Option 1: tie the ends together with pretty ribbon!

Option 2: punch holes in both ends with a standard-sized hole punch.

Put both ends together with a brad.

Bonus idea: this also makes a swell BOOKMARK. Awww...

TA-DA! Link your chains together as you go and you'll have yourself a garland! I used shades of red and pink for Valentimes (<- that's intentional, teehee)!

I used fancy, sparkly brads to put mine together.

Bonus idea: SUPER SEXY CONFETTI from the hole punches! Brides, now you can be hyper anal and make table confetti in your EXACT wedding hues with paint chips! Huzzah!

This is a great craft for the wee ones or anyone as obsessed with color as I am. I hope you enjoy! Don't let cupid get ya down!

Sara says: GIVE ME A TUMBLE

OMG you guys I am so ready for Valentine's Day.  I totally understand why a lot of people hate it, but I'm focusing on having fun with pinks and reds and fun decorations.

This week's edition of Creepy Thrifted Clowns features some fun finds from my adventures into the soul-sucking world of eBay. I've recently taken up collecting vintage valentine's, more on that hopefully next week. However, in the mean time, you can probably guess where this is going...

Source: ebay.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: ebay.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: ebay.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: ebay.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: ebay.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: ebay.com via Sara on Pinterest

The "give me a tumble" one is the obvious winner here. That sounds awfully suggestive, but what do I know? Mr. Frowny-Face on the bottom is moveable, so you can turn that frown upside-down! "Don't clown with me" means business, as he looks like he's waving a flaming broomstick around...

*le sigh* I love vintage valentines! Hell, I love contemporary valentines! You have no idea how much self-restraint I have to employ not to send everyone a singing Justin Bieber card in the mail...


Don't you also "love" the way vintage valentines are all parenthetical?

I "hope" you're having a "good" weekend.

Sara's feelin sexy: Music for V-Day!

Valentine's Day is officially upon us! 

Do not stress, gentle readers! Nor should you confuse your relationship with prostitution and get tacky gifts! NO! I say serenade your loved-one (even if your loved-one is yourself, your kids, your cat, or your mailman...whatever.) Nothing is sexier or more relaxing than winding down a day with music you love or that makes you feel in love. For the holiday, here's a small list of suggestions for any situation! 

Suggestions are welcome! And report any dead/shitty links! Have a lovely day.

..::Songs for Lovers::..

+Roberta Flack- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 
+Norah Jones- The Nearness of You
+Coldplay- Yellow (Me and mine's song, if you will.)
+Lady Gaga- Bad Romance (You know, for slightly less functional lovers perhaps.)
+The Monkees- I'm a Believer
+Bruno Mars- Just the Way You Are
+Elton John- Your Song
+Sade- By Your Side
+ Des'ree-  Kissing You
+Queen- You're My Best Friend
+Lonely Island- I Just Had Sex

..::Songs for Pissed Ex-Lovers::..

+Christina Perri- Jar of Hearts
+Alanis Morissette-You Oughta Know
+Cee Lo Green- Fuck You
+Rihanna feat. Eminem- Love the Way You Lie Part II
+Lady Antebellum- Need You Now (You know, desperate times...)

..::Songs for Fabulous Single Ladies::..

+Beyonce- Single Ladies
+Sara Bareilles- King of Anything
+RENT Soundtrack (Rosario Dawson)- Out Tonight

..::Songs For Swaggerin Single Fellas::..

+Loney Island- The Creep
+Lil Wayne- Comfortable