~this ‘n that and beach coastal shots~

Hello friends,

Well that was a rather long unplanned blogging break! I had great intentions for me and this little ol’ blog in the summer months, I always seem to forget just one small detail : my kids are home too!! 

So I didn’t get to post here on the blog but if you follow me on facebook or instagram {raggygirlvintage} you will know a little of my summer goings-on. {I must say I am having a lot of fun with instagram, it is so on-the-go user-friendly and the filters are FUN!}

So I spent much of the summer ferrying the kids to their various activities, but evenso we all enjoyed the change of pace. I hadn’t realised quite how much until I had to start getting up at 6am again. I know for some of you that is the norm, but I find it rather early!!

The highlight of the summer for me was undoubtedly a family trip down to the Oregon coast, it had long been on my wish list and I was smitten, it was love at first sight, simply gorgeous ocean and waves. Loved every minute of it!

Long golden beaches, frothy waves, sunshine, fires on the beach….

This was the view of sunset from our bedroom window. I know. 

I KNOW!!

We woke to the same view each morning and watched the tide ebb and flow.

And of course I got to do a little of this…

and this…

which about makes for a perfect vacation!

This was one of my favourites, in an old church building that also served as a school once. Gorgeous wood floors and quaint white siding.

Well I just wanted to pop in and say hi and let you know I’m back!

 Remember that beachy coastal party I told you I was planning for the summer, well I have some photos of that to show you too. 

I am not quite ready to leap into fall, I’m holding summer tight with both hands, so we’ll stick with beachy coastal just a little longer shall we?

Just loved this gorgeous weathered board fence down at the beach, wouldn’t it be awesome for making signs. When it falls down of course!

Here are a few more coastal shots:

Some of you may recognise this landmark, yes, it is Haystack Rock!

Be back soon!

Tracey

~french farmhouse stylin'~ vintage milk carrier~

Hiya, I wanted to start talking about a few ways you can introduce a french farmhouse feel into your home and decor, and we’re starting with a ~vintage milk carrier~

I shelled out a pretty penny for this one, but I had passed up one too many and knew it would be one of those “I wish I woulda” deals.

Sometimes this vintage carrier sits on top my kitchen cabinets with a couple old milk bottles inside, but quite often I pull it down and fill it with flowers.

Currently my runner is just an old floursack on my family farmtable. We use this table all the time, so I like to have something that is quick and easy to move on and off. Even everyday spaces should have something to pretty them up and make you feel ~happy~

I popped in a few of my favorite blue mason jars and white tulips, and instantly have a pretty focal point in front of the window that shouts to me “french farmhouse stylin’”!! 

I closed the blinds to shoot these photos but typically the light floods in the back of the house in the afternoon.

Heart the old wooden handle and worn metal.

It’s a quick and easy decor item that you can change up in so many ways, with BIG impact, so next time you see a vintage milk carrier, don’t pass it up!

linking up to Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Home and Family Friday at Home is Where My Story Begins
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday over at Coastal Charm
Take-a-look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts
Cowgirl Up at The Farmhouse Porch

~Tracey~

vintage treasures...

it's always a big thrill when I go thrifting/garage saleing and find vintage treasures...

like this framed photo of a cute little girl with her dolly

 these colorful vintage cotton spools

and these all-leather child's skates (for 50c!!), they're gonna look so cute hanging on my sleigh come winter...

I have more to show you, but I'm saving them for another "themed" post, just as soon as I have sunshine long enough to take a photo!!

what are your favorite vintage finds?

I'm linking up to Thrifty Thursday

happy days,

Tracey

three reasons I'm a happy junker!

three reasons today was a totally amazing day!

reason no. 1: I got to go thrifting with "Rust and Ruffles" Janis for the whole day, that's right, the WHOLE day!

...and we found lots of treasures today, we almost couldn't see out the back of my van!

reason no. 2:  Janis greeted me with this gorgeous gift for my birthday, don't you love birthdays that just keep going!

(it was all nicely tied together but of course I had at it right away...)

yummy burlap sacks that I have so been wanting to get my hands on

this gorgeous necklace Janis made 'specially for me, I wore it all day of course!

this cute vintagey tile " I bought only two gowns in Paris"

(ha, ha, not likely)

all tied up with a little birdy tag

now is that a great way to start the day or what!

reason no. 3: I found the best chairs ever. I have been looking for around 6 months for kitchen table chairs. The ones we have we bought almost 20 years ago when we were first married (yes, I was a young bride), and one by one they are falling apart on us, or more like under us (hmmmm....)

anyway, I digress, we've gone from 8 chairs down to 41/2, and since there are 5 of us on a daily basis = problem

...but I wouldn't settle for just anything, I knew exactly what I wanted, something Queen Anneish,  but only had a budget of $100 for four chairs

so I found these, nice and sturdy and a compromise as I couldn't find exactly what I wanted in my price range

so bought the three for $30

well, wouldn't you know, the very next stop I found my dream chairs, four of them...

Me : Janis, I have a  problem

Janis: What??!!

Me: I just found chairs I like better than the others

Janis: Where?

Me: Here across the store, see, they're exactly what I want!

Janis: Well, you'll have to buy them

Me: We don't have enough space

Janis: Sure we do....

Well, we squeezed two in, (remember I already had three chairs and a ladder in there), I have to go back for the other two tomorrow, but aren't they beauties!!

look at those scroll backs and shapely legs

picture them white, with white upholstered seats....

sigh...

oh, did I mention they were on for half price!!!!!!!!!!!!

yup, so came in under budget

so now I have 3 + 4 = 7 chairs

what do you think bloggers?

I was kinda thinking 4 chairs + a bench

do you think I should mix and match them all, or return/sell the first 3?

of course, Mr Keeper hasn't actually been in the garage yet........

but for now i'm one happy junker!!

happy days,

Tracey