Jennifer's Junky Life ~

Restyle {By Heidi}

I have been posting so intermittently lately that I have neglected to share my sister, Heidi's, new Etsy shop! Check it out for cute upcycled items.

Restyle {by Heidi}

Polka Dot Baby Tee (Upcycled).

80's Inspired Striped Tee.

Etsy Favorites :: Calikatrina

As part of Nikayda's birthday gift this year, I had ordered a purple bow headband for her from Etsy. I found it at Calikatrina. It was wrapped so nicely in tissue and aqua yarn when it arrived that I was able to gift it to her the way it came. I liked the little sprinkling of sequins that came with it, too!

Nikayda was thrilled with it, as purple is currently her favorite color. I liked it so much that I've even borrowed it. And after wearing it for a day, I loved it even more. Because of the crocheted nature of the 'band' it stays tied securely in place without any need for readjustment during the day. That was a first for me with headbands! I feel like I'm constantly needing to readjust them throughout the day.

And another thing I love about these ones is that you can slide the bow along the band to get it exactly where you want it once it's on your head. These headbands are all specially designed by Katrina of Calikatrina. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a cute bow accessory!

These little bows also double as bow ties for the little men in your life!

After wearing Nikayda's purple one, I knew we needed some more colors so we ordered the mustard yellow and teal ones. And Katrina, upon stopping in on my blog and seeing that I was expecting, so thoughtfully gifted me two additional colors with my order. (Thank again, Katrina!) It was so nice of her and we just love these. I can't wait to be able to wear them on our little baby girl, as well!

If you're looking for cute headbands/bow ties or equally adorable crocheted baby booties (BUGGS) - check out Calikatrina! And don't forget to stop by her blog while you're at it.

Show and Tell :: A Tiny Obsession

I've been doing a bit of shopping ever since I found out we're having a girl. Thrifting, to be exact. Most of what I'm looking for is vintage but a few 'modern' items have caught my eye so I've picked a few of those up as well.

(Slightly obsessed with retro knit baby dresses. l to r: cream dress (gifted from a friend), pink and white dresses (thrifted), sea foam green dress (thrifted from Oopsie Daisies! on Etsy).

(Aqua dress (Hazel & Maude Vintage on Etsy), winter hat, and vintage winter headband (thrifted).)

I still need to go through Nikayda's box of baby clothes to see what I still have that I'd use but I keep putting it off because I still need to paint the baby's dresser.

(Stocking up on leggings for all of her little vintage dresses. (That pair is aqua, they almost look white on my screen.))

(Pair of leggings I forgot while photographing the others. Colorful pajamas (thrifted).)

We ran to St. Cloud yesterday to meet with our new home birth midwife, who lives closer than our previous one, and did a little thrifting while we were there. If anyone is looking for a really good thrift, the Goodwill is great for those of you who aren't me. (They had almost nothing that I consider to be 'good' vintage.) Everything was modern and relatively new and a lot of it was Target leftovers. (They get Target's end of season things, I believe. At least, that's how it was years ago when I lived near the area.)

(Thrifted sweaters and a crocheted dress.)

(Mint green corduroy overalls. Thrifted.)

(Thrifted tops. First two are from Style by Me in PR.)

We also ran to Savers (they often have great vintage items) and there was another thrift in the same strip mall as Savers (can't remember the name) that was 'new' since I'd last been there. It may have been there for several years - I haven't thrifted in the area in a while. Anyway, it had loads of vintage but a lot of it was 1980's. I prefer anything beyond the 80's but I've been slowly growing an appreciation for some of the 80's - so long as the prints/colors aren't too wild. I found a few items there. I wish I'd been in the mood to go through books - they had a lot of vintage books.

(Vintage mint green sweater with pink elephants - hands-down my favorite sweater so far! (gifted from a friend. Found at La di Dottie on Etsy.), handmade peach sweater and little pink dress (both thrifted).)

Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked... I've been wanting to share some of the things I've found for the baby so far. These are all the things I've picked up in the past few months. Seeing them all laid out makes me anxious to go through Nikayda's things, her baby shoes, and the vintage items I've collected over the past six years since Carter was born!

(Thrifted pajamas and gowns.)

(Stocking up on necessities.)

Not photographed: 2 huge boxes of natural baby wipes. And I need more diapers but plan to use the organic ones so I'm hunting for good deals before buying too many big boxes - I'm open to suggestions!

I also just got a Mamma's Milk sling after seeing one recently on one of my favorite blogs (Cakies) to use so I can wear my baby easily in the beginning. (I ordered the milk chocolate one and like how it holds the baby up close to me, and that it's adjustable - seems like it has great support.) I think I'm going to really like it - will give a review once the baby arrives. I have a Sleepy wrap (similar to Moby) that a friend sent me that I'll be trying out, as well. I still need to order a convertible carseat. And I need to find some hooded towels. (Have only looked at Target and am hoping to find thicker ones.)

(Blue dress (Vintage Aga on Etsy) and yellow German dress (Fuzzymama on Etsy).)

(Little thrifted pajamas.)

Mint green nightgown (Sprightly & Co. Baby on Etsy), and tops (thrifted).)

Things are starting to feel a whole lot more real around here! I'm 31.5 weeks now and the weeks are still flying by. I feel great. I've been able to continue to keep the heartburn at bay (my biggest issue during all of my pregnancies) by drinking a lot of raw, organic farm milk, eating plenty of viili and yogurt every day, and not drinking coffee (which I quit in 2007 - but drank through all of my other pregnancies. I've since learned that it helped to create a lot of heartburn for me). I just learned from my new midwife, Ruth, yesterday, that papaya is also great for heartburn relief. Good to know since I eat papaya a lot, too, because we put organic canned papaya in our fruit smoothies on a regular basis.

(Blue dress (gifted from a friend from La di Dottie on Etsy) and mint green dress (Simple Mittens on Etsy).)

A close friend asked me recently if I'm starting to get scared or nervous and I said I'm blocking it out. Any time it pops in my head, I just push it out. This isn't a cake-walk and I was so scared for my second and third and refuse to give in to that this time. But, yeah, deep down I'm nervous as all get out. It's just so much easier to live in denial, and in this case, I think it's better to ignore the fear than to face it. I'd rather squash it and not think about what needs to come before we have this little baby in our arms. It's the end result I'm wholeheartedly focusing on right now! It won't last forever and then I'll get to start 'playing house' again. Can't wait!

(I love the pink fabric that all of these items are photographed against. It's the polyester fabric I thrifted the other day.)

Animal Hair

Something on my mind...

I don't have pets.

At least, not the kind that live in the house. So, it can feel a little discouraging to receive things in the mail that look relatively 'clean' but have animal hair on them.

I order from Etsy and Ebay fairly often. Lately, three out of five things that I ordered arrived with animal hair on them. (And, to be honest, with all the times I've ordered on-line, it really doesn't happen that often but...) It's such a turn-off. It feels unprofessional to me when someone sends out products that have hair on them. Not just one or two accidental strands... Granted, they're not completely covered in hair but enough that you would notice when you're sending out your package.

It's not worth noting in my feedback - at least, I haven't. But I definitely think items should arrive without it.

I was window shopping on Etsy today and came across a pretty vintage blanket. So I clicked on the link to the item and all of the other photos had a big greyish-black, long haired cat sprawled over the blanket.

No thanks.

I have nothing wrong with people keeping pets but after seeing the pictures, I didn't bother to read the description or add the item to my favorites even though I really liked it from the first photo. All I could think of is how much black cat hair would be on it if I ordered it. And that can be a tricky thing to get out of a woven blanket.

(Speaking from experience...)

Three Things I've Learned About Heartburn...

A rambling post about heartburn with a little goal at the end... The entire reason I shouldn't do a post when I'm tired (because I tend to ramble).

I get heartburn with every pregnancy. And all three of my kids, so far, have been born with a head full of hair - whether there is any real connection with that or not, I'm not sure... But I think that I'm finally learning how to combat it...

I haven't really drank coffee (other than an occasional Starbucks Caramel Macchiato, once or twice a year) for over four years. (I drank it through every other pregnancy except this one.) I quit in 2007 because I was drinking way too much and I was getting heart palpitations from it. So I just quit cold-turkey. I switched to tea and never looked back.

Source.

Well, at Christmas time, while we spent the holiday with my family in Michigan, I drank coffee. I had one cup almost every day. And I got heartburn for the first time in this pregnancy. So I quit drinking it a couple of days before we left and I haven't had any since and the heartburn almost went away.

I've noticed that if I really watch my meal portions, especially at suppertime, I have far less incidences of heartburn, as well - and especially if I make sure not to eat a couple of hours before I go to bed.

But the biggest thing that I contribute to helping rid myself of heartburn this pregnancy (because I think I finally have it mostly under control) is eating viili before I go to bed every night. It doesn't seem to matter when as long as it's within an hour or less of when I go to lie down. (For anyone new popping in here, viili is Finnish - it's a yogurt-like cultured food. I make a new batch of it several times a week. I like mine plain with just a little scoop of flavored organic yogurt mixed in so it has some flavor to it.)

I'm thrilled about this discovery because with all three of my other kids, I had to take Zantac nearly every day for the last trimester because if I didn't, I couldn't sleep at night. (And if you've stopped by before, you probably know how much I prefer natural remedies/medicine over conventional stuff.)

I started eating viili in December and I don't think it's a coincidence that this is the first winter where I went over a month without being sick. (I just caught a cold at the end of last week but it's clearing up now.) And up until then I was constantly catching colds and getting sick. I normally get sick all winter long. I constantly have a cold or cough or something. But I contribute the lack of colds in the past month to eating viili two to three times a day.

The goal... Way back last summer, I made a goal for myself to start sewing this winter. I have only used my sewing machine a few times over the past nine years or so and it's something I've always wanted to do. (I can't believe I've had it that long and used it so rarely when I appreciate handmade things so much.) I see so many fun projects out there and I have way too much vintage fabric for a girl who doesn't sew! So, it's high-time I start learning.

I don't have very many 1960's prints yet but they're my favorite. I love the bold colors and floral patterns of the 60's. Especially blues and greens. Today, I bought myself 5 1/2 yards of the fabric you see in the photo from a shop on Etsy. I can't wait to get it!

I've been wanting to make a slipcover for my couch ever since I thrifted it a few years ago. I want to use fabrics that clash-match so I haven't decided if I'll use this fabric for part of that since it's a good amount of it or for something else like curtains, a dress, throw pillows, or a slipcover for one of the ottoman stools I have floating around here... We'll see. But my goal is to test out my sewing machine in February and March.

Once I learn how to oil it and thread it again.

Etsy Favorites :: Lil Cleo

eta: Heather from Lil Cleo has just offered my readers a 10% discount off of their first order if they mention that they saw this post! Thanks Heather! :) end of edit.

I just realized that the last few posts have been about food, how about something else? I love sharing my favorite Etsy shops and items I find on Etsy.

So, a while back I was on the hunt for pretty receiving blankets and came across an Etsy shop, Lil Cleo, with some great colors!

After emailing with the shop owner of Lil Cleo, Heather, who also happens to be from Minnesota, I decided to order several blankets for our baby girl. I ordered four different colors, aqua, turquoise, dark pink, and purple, and I can't wait to wrap her up in them!

These blankets are a nice, soft stretchy jersey knit - perfect for swaddling your newborn. All of the edges are serged (above) to give them a nice, finished look. And as a girl who loves colors, I was thrilled about the bright color selection! The size is really nice on them, too. You will have plenty of room for wrapping up your baby.

Three of the blankets I received are the standard jersey knit and one of them, the dark purple, (see photo above for fabric comparison) is a very light-weight jersey knit which will be perfect for a light covering for the baby or a nursing cover up in the summer time!

Lil Cleo also offers many other baby related items. I received a pretty pacifier clip with my order, and like the blankets, it was very well made. Check out her shop for cute little hats (I love this one!), pacifier clips, crocheted toys, burp cloths, bibs, car seat signs, clothing, as well as a few items for moms, and many other great items! I know you will love whatever you order! These items would be great for your baby but they'd also make awesome gifts.

I brought my blankets home to Michigan at Christmas time to share them with my sisters. If any locals are interested and would like to see them, let me know. I'd be happy to show them to you, as well!

Etsy Favorites :: Little Red Mushrooms

eta: I've updated the shop! I have about 3-5 more listings of little red German mushrooms that will be up on Saturday.

I have a little box full of vintage German mushrooms, the cute little red ones with the white dots, that I spent time photographing today for the junk shop. They're a living estate sale treasure. The woman was just parting ways with a huge lot of her stuff! I love these little red mushrooms and it got me thinking about what other kinds of fun vintage mushrooms I could find on Etsy. Here are a few of my favorite finds... Be sure to check out the rest of these shops for more great gift ideas!

Vintage Mushroom Serving Tray from Confetti Garden.

2 Vintage Spun Cotton Mushroom Ornaments from efinegifts. Be sure to check out all of the beautiful vintage Christmas items in their shop right now!

 A Child's Vintage Mushroom Terrarium from Wee Green Spot.

6 Vintage Christmas Coasters from Pretty + Simple Shoppe. Check out the other great vintage Christmas items in the shoppe!

Alice in Wonderland Vintage Ring (size 6) from Decades of Baltimore.

Vintage Mushroom Candles (set of 3) from The Gingham Owl. I love all of the little owls used as props in this shop! Such a fabulous collection.

Pair of Retro Ceramic Mushrooms from Ugly Santa.

I'm working on getting my tiny mushrooms in the shop. They should be up sometime tonight, or tomorrow at the latest! I will have quite a few listings with little clusters of them.

I'm planning to make gingerbread cookies tomorrow. The kids want to make gingerbread houses -- I still have to find a recipe. The one I tried last year wasn't real great. We've got our candy ready and they're excited. I started the tradition a couple of years back.

I was planning to make pasties today (beef and pork combined) but ended up not getting to them due to taking pictures for the junk shop, so I'll be working on those on Saturday, too. I love making individual pasties but I'm going the easy route and filling pans and pie plates this time. Too much going on with the holidays here!

Have a great weekend!

Etsy Favorites :: Random Jewelry

Looking for fun and unique jewelry gifts this holiday season? Here are a bunch of my favorite handmade finds from Etsy. Be sure to check out the other items in their shops for more one-of-a-kind items!

Beaded Crocheted Necklace/Bracelet/Belt from Alejandra Jacoby.

Patina Owl and Pink Filigree Necklace from Violet Bella.

Blue Bangle from Gold Tennis Shoes.

Doily Bambi Necklace from WannaBE.

Ribbon Bow Bracelet from Slight Touch.

Vintage Trinket Necklace from Vicki Sheehan.

Antique Flower Ring from Jealousy Jewels.

Lollipop Adjustable Ring from Yifatiii's Sweets & Treats.

Wrapped Bangle Bracelet (kid size/small adult) from Storybook Theater.

Vintage Button Necklace (kid size) eta: I mistakenly identified the size incorrectly on this one -- it's an adult size necklace. There are kid size ones in the shop as well, so be sure to check them out! from The Little Button.

I can't believe Christmas is only about two weeks away. The time is flying!

Etsy Favorites :: Cool & Unusual Gifts

Looking for truly one of a kind gifts this Christmas? Etsy has loads of cool and unique finds! I can get lost 'window shopping' for hours when I start looking. Here are some of my favorite finds this week...

Floating by - Doily Bloom Set from My Haley Girl.

Hand dyed Itty Bitty Doilies (bag of 20) from The Chip Chop Shop.

 Rosemary Felt Flower Headband from Giddy Up and Grow.

Eek a Mouse Pillow from Olive Handmade.

Crepe Paper Flower Hanging Lantern from Treasured Editions.

Vintage Mushroom Illustration on Paper Lamp from czechpub.

Rose Garden Wrist Band from Needlebone.

Circus Stripe 4 inch Origami Star Ornament from Rigmarole.

Reversible Posy Pillow from Looking Glass House.

Set of 3 Vintage Red Poinsettia Doilies from Scarlet's Divine Vintage.

My two favorite searches on Etsy are under the 'handmade' category when you type in 'vintage fabric' or 'doilies'. Try doing a search and see what you come up with! Have a great Monday!

Etsy Favorites :: Handmade for the guys

I got my hair cut today and love the change. But I can't wait for a few weeks so it outgrows that 'just got a new hair cut' look.

As promised, here are a bunch of great things for the guys from Etsy. It was so much fun looking for them.

Custom Bearded Beanie from Taraduff. This hat rocks. I love the humor behind it (check out her shop for many more styles).

Men's Espresso Brown Cowl Neck Scarf from Bessette Art. This chunky cowl scarf is perfect for winter. I'm loving all the cowl scarves I've been seeing lately.

Two Trees Graphic Tee in Olive from Critter Jitters. I love trees and this tee is fantastic. Check out the shop for more color options and styles.

Keep Calm and Carry Guns Print from Earmark Invitations. (Other colors available.) This is so great!

 

Custom Handprinted Small Leather Journal from in blue. Check out the other great graphics in the shop.

The Little Old Trailer Bank (no. 4BB) from rpfeikgraphics. I have such a weakness for vintage campers. Isn't this bank so cool?

Tangerine Red Juniper Spice Handmade Soap from Rose & Root. I haven't had the good fortune to smell this soap but boy does it sound like it smells good! And, the graphics on the packages are awesome.

Camera Bottle Opener Keyring from Cut Copy Create. Love the camera image and the bright red color.

Magnetic Chalkboard Weekly Calendar (navy) from Name Drop. This is such a great idea and what a cool gift it would make.

Upcycled Avocado Green Suitcase (buck) from Blue Bernice Upcycled Vintage. I'm such a sucker for vintage suitcases. I have them all over the house. Including a ton in the basement I need to clean up and haul up here to use for storage. I love this cool upcycled one with a buck image.

Some random things for altered art projects...perfect for more masculine handmade gifts!

38 Metal Acro Window Tacks from Altered Art Supplies.

Watch Parts (1/2 oz.) from Time and Materials.

3 Metal Number Strike Plates from Hilltop Times.

Tiny Glass Vials with Wristwatch Parts from Creative ARTifacts.

I can't believe it's Thursday already. Although, I feel like it's Saturday. I've been feeling like that every day for the past few weeks with Mark home. I'm still trying to get my days straight because normally he's only home all day on Saturdays (and Sundays).

I'm making Spaghetti for supper. He's been asking for it for quite a while. Wish I had some bread on hand to make garlic toast to go with it! The kids are asking for bread again now that the mixer's fixed. I'm planning to make caramel rolls tonight. (I use that recipe in the link, but do it all by hand, mixing the dough in the Kitchen Aid ever since my bread machine gave up the ghost last year.) Let the baking begin!