Babes in Thriftland Turns 2!

Happy birthday to my little blog! It has been another fun year here and I'm so happy that you all stop by and read what I have to say.  It's interacting and befriending all of you that keeps me coming back and posting. I also love that this blog has connected me to people who have similar tastes and ideas. It makes me feel less strange. I'm the only one of my (non-blogging) friends that shops at the thrift store and wears mostly vintage/thrifted items. I also love all of the inspiration I get from other blogs. Whether it be for an outfit, a craft or just a nice pep talk, you all really inspire me! I can't wait to see what year 3 and 2013 have to share. There will be lots of Europe photos after my trip so I hope you don't mind this turning into a travel blog for a bit :)

I would love to hear from all of you though.  What features on here do you like? Some that you wish would come back or stay gone? Would you like to see more outfit photos or are you happy with the mix of outfit and lifestyle posts. I want to keep improving and changing so let me know!  Since it's the new year and my blog's birthday, I thought I would include some of my favorite outfits from the past year!

Which outfit is your favorite?  I feel like over the past year, I've gotten a lot more comfortable wearing all vintage pieces.  I still need to get better at finding pieces I like and pairing the right items with them but I'm working on it.  Thanks again for being a reader of my blog. I can't wait for all that's to come in the next year!

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve! My brother flies in today and the festivities can begin! The plan for today is to go to work, go home and bake a chocolate peppermint cake, pick up my brother at the airport and head to my parents. We are going to drink Tom and Jerry's, play cribbage and open presents. The only thing that would make this better were if my sister, brother-in-law and niece were coming home. Hopefully, we can skype with them tonight or tomorrow.

I thought I would share some of my decorations with you like I promised! I didn't go all out this year but I really like what I did end up doing. I only bought one item and that was my new vintage tablecloth from Hill Valley Boutique. Right next door is her parent's garden store and that's where my parents and I got our trees this year so we had to stop in. I definitely need to stop in there more often because she had some really great stuff! If you are a local and head over there, tell Liz I said hello!

   

      

Last year, my mom gave me some of my ornaments from when I was a kid. These are 3 of my favorites

 I hope everyone has a great day and if you don't celebrate Christmas then happy Monday :)

Christmas Outfit - Casual

My plan was to photograph a bunch of outfits that I'll be wearing this Christmas but I've been so busy getting presents that I haven't had time. Ahh the life of the procrastinator. I feel like being sick for two weeks really put me behind in getting presents and getting in the holiday spirit. I'm starting to catch up but tomorrow is Christmas Eve so I better hurry up! Today I'm off to my parent's house to bake cookies with my mom.  Hopefully that will help :) Tonight I have a little holiday party with some of my neighbors over at a local bar. Bring it on Christmas!

Here is an outfit I wore the other night out with friends. I might wear this again to my extended family Christmas. No one really dresses up but I want to be festive just the same. I like the red and white combo because it's Christmas-y but not over the top. It's been really cold here the past couple of days so you all get the pleasure of indoor photos again. :)

I can't wait for my brother to get here tomorrow and for the festivities to begin! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it. I'd love to hear what everyone's plans are for the holidays!

Local Love - Juniper Boutique

I'm finally getting back on track and posting another addition of Local Love. Today's feature is a new boutique in Maple Grove called Juniper. Juniper carries a lot of great brands in their store including Tulle and Kensie but also carries local designers as well.  The items I've seen all seem to be unique in some way either in their shape, color or pattern. I can't wait to head out to her shop this weekend and see all the gorgeous items myself!

Juniper has been generous enough to offer my readers 15% either online or in the store! Enter the code babesinthriftland at checkout online here or mention my blog if you head into the store. How perfect to spread a little joy just in time for the holidays!  You can follow Juniper on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on new items coming into the store. 

My Talented Brother

I just had to share this video with you. My little brother lives in LA and is working to be a writer and also does a lot of improv. I know he is going to be famous someday :)

Here is a video that he and his friends just put together. His friend and he just did an improv show about a newlywed couple and this is one of the raps from the show. So hilarious. *it does have some f bombs in it so if you are going to listen at work, use headphones* I hope you find it as funny as I do!

Farmer's Market by The Newlyweds (Drew and Tess Robertson) - watch more funny videos      

Christmas Decorating

Since I've been sick for the past week, my Christmas decorating and activities have fallen by the wayside. I'm starting to feel a bit better and I went to White Christmas at our local theater.  I want to get my decorations up this weekend. My parents are going to help me get my tree on Sunday so I'll probably try to decorate Saturday. I'm not sure if I'll get time for any crafts this year but here are some inspiration pictures. You can find all of them on my Christmas Ideas pinboard.

Hopefully, I'll share some of my decorations on Monday and maybe even a couple of Christmas DIYs!

A Couple of Excuses

Hi Friends,

I've missed you and the thing we call the internet. I was out of town in Vegas for work and at the same time got hit with a horrible cold that is still going on. I went to the doctor yesterday and it turns out I have a double ear infection and some sores in my throat.  Pretty awesome.  On top of that MN got hit with a huge snow storm when I got back. So, I've just been hanging at my parents having them baby me and take care of my dog :)  Needless to say, I'm way behind on reading blogs, commenting and replying to all of your lovely comments. I promise I'll try to catch up! My bloglovin reader was up to about 305 this morning... yikes!

 Here are a couple of photos from my trip and since I've been back so this post isn't quite so boring.  I hope you all are having a better week than I am!

    

   

Trip Planning Update

I'm sure you all want to hear more about my fabulous trip... no? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway because I'm really excited!  I BOOKED MY TICKETS!! We are flying into Amsterdam and out of Prague. I'm posting about this now because I would love any suggestions of places to see, good things to eat, etc. If you think there is a place near where we are going that you think we can't miss, let me know that too! Everything is up in the air still so I am more than happy to adjust if need be :)

Itinerary so far:
Amsterdam (day trip to tulip gardens!)

Belgium (Brussels and Brugge most likely)
Paris
Southern France
C
Cinque Terre

Florence/Tuscany
Rome (maybe)
Venice
Prague


We will be there for 3 weeks! Again, any ideas or suggestions are welcome. Also, if you are international and know of cool people we can stay with, that would be great!

Online Shop Love - Eager for Word

It's not very often that you stumble upon a shop that gets you right from the start.  Well, that's how I felt when I found Eager for Word. This shop combines three of my favorite things: vintage, books and great photography.  This store doesn't just have cool vintage books at reasonable prices but they also have such great photos that accompany each book.  I love how each photo incorporates something about the book in the photo. So clever!  Now which one to get first?

Go check out EAGERforWORD and see for yourself!

**This is not a sponsored post. Just a cool shop I thought I would share with you!**