Pinkie Fashion and Flowers

This post should satisfy my Fashion Friday and my Pink Saturday posts, since tomorrow is the 4th Holiday and I'll be busy with family festivities for a few days.

Recently, I've been hitting the thrift shops and second hand stores looking for some unique planters and pots for flowers. I was craving something rustic, galvanized, or shabby. Nothing! But I did find this purse on sale for $9.00. {click on pictures to enlarge details.}

Isn't it fun? Pink, quilted, a la Chanel! I can tie the long strap in a knot and wear it on my shoulder, or I can wear it long and across my body if I want to be more hands-free. And it's pretty roomy, for a smaller purse! I envision wearing it with jeans, cowboy boots, and a fun ruffled top.

Or even just a plain white tank top and a great belt. Cowgirl chic! I got it at the thrift shop that benefits the American Cancer society, ran by a couple of sweet little old ladies.

Two weeks ago I visited my parents, who live in the same town as my grandparents. While having dinner at my grandparents one night, I noticed these little carnations growing in their yard. I could smell their fragrant scent wafting along the carport walkway.

Before I left town, I had to stop by my grandmother's. My grandmother cut me a whole bundle to take home. She told me they are called "pinks". I never knew that! They are miniature carnations. I do remember that my mom always had them in our yard when we were kids. They spread out and grow pretty quickly. Even their almost sea mist-blue colored stems add a little color variety to a typical green-leafed flower garden.

I took the pinkies home and put them in one of my blue mason jars. All flowers look delightful in a blue mason jar, especially pink flowers!

The other reason I stopped by my grandmother's was to buy a baby shower gift. My grandmother is an amazing knitter and crocheter. She has these adorable baby caps and I bought two of them for my friend's baby girl.


Doesn't the trim on this one look like confetti cake? I love confetti cake!

This one didn't have as much pink, but it was still a fun, feminine, and go-with-everything color.

I couldn't decide which one I liked best. I will probably give one as a gift and keep one for myself!

Last but not least, here are some of the flowers I bought to plant in pots for my patio.

They have some bold pink colors to them! I will find some shabby rustic pots, somewhere! I wanted to buy the little pink carnations (they had them at the nursery) but I think they might do better in the ground, not in pots?

Thanks to Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday every week!

Mangled Mess

My jewelry is in need of some serious help. I show you this picture first to calm your mind from the mess you are about to see.

Here is an overhead view of the chaos.

I got the wood carved leaf tray at an antique store. It's currently dusted in a coating of mineral powder foundation and needs a cleaning. Of course, that would require me to remove and reorganize the mess. The tray is perfect to hold trinkets on my bathroom counter. It's just kind of big, meaning lots of space to put things....and it doesn't help that the trinkets in my ownership have multiplied.

I don't wear a lot of jewelry to work. Usually just earrings and maybe a necklace. Weekends and special occasions, I wear more. I go through phases, though. For example, I was into big earrings for a while. And big bangle bracelets.

Most of my jewelry now takes on a western theme. Much of it is cheap, trendy costume jewelry from stores like Target. The rest are gifts from friends, family, or children I've taught over the years. But nothing fancy. No real pearls (what a shame.) No fancy diamonds. That is okay with me, I'm more funky than sophisticated. More rustic than elegant.

This venetian glass pendant?

It came in this little blue bag. A gift from a friend who recently traveled to Italy.

It didn't come with a chain, so I strung it on my favorite leather latigo string, which I got last summer at the feed store. Voila~ rustic elegance.

The chaos has overflown the wooden tray and spread to this wooden box. Or is that vice-versa?

Now, if you think it looks like I have a lot of jewelry, I don't even want to talk about my collection of these.

I feel utterly lost if I don't have at least 5 elastic hairbands in my line of sight at all times. I swear the black ones get up in the middle of the night and run away. I rarely have a black one on hand. I really should have called myself Pony Tail Girl.

Happy Friday everyone!

You Have to Start Somewhere

After seeing the above picture, you are probably wondering what in the world? But let me digress a bit. I have some concluding thoughts to my bull-riding post. Don't worry, we'll come back to this picture. If you can stand to look at it again.

One of the comments on my post about bull-riding was from Sydney who asked if I'd ever heard of "mutton busting." Yep I have, but have never seen it live at a rodeo. Here is the definition of mutton busting according to Wikipedia:

"Mutton busting is an event held at rodeos similar to bull riding or bronc riding. In the event, a sheep will be caught and held still while a child is placed on top in a riding position. Once the child is seated atop the sheep, the people holding the sheep let go and the sheep then starts to run in an attempt to get the child off. Often small prizes or ribbons are given out to the child who can stay on the longest. The children are on occasion injured by the sheep. Height and weight restrictions on participants generally prevent injuries to the sheep. Parents are often asked to sign waivers to protect the rodeo from legal action in that event."

Interestingly, this was also part of the definition:

"Anti-rodeo groups such as S.H.A.R.K describe the practice as child abuse. Organizations such as the A.S.P.C.A also discourage the practice on the grounds that it does not promote kindness or respect of animals."

Most bull riders get their start at a very young age, probably mutton busting, riding bucking burros or calves, then moving into high school rodeo. You have to start somewhere. In fact, one of our fellow cowgirls, The Wife, recently posted about her own adventures riding rough stock as a young girl here. Can we get a woo-hoo? You go, girl!

I remember a video I saw over at the Pioneer Woman's site of her oldest daughter riding a bucking burro at their local rodeo last spring, which you can watch here. Goodness! Hold onto your hats. Can we get another woo-hoo (after knowing she was okay, of course!)

Let me tell you, I'm not sure I would have been brave enough to ride a sheep, a burro, or a calf as a 11 year old.....then again, at that age I did climb aboard my pony and did this, and in this outfit.

Oh, the humiliation! This one is going in the mortification memoirs. I mean, let's break down the whole awful mess.

First of all, let's take a look at the outfit. The hot pink too-small sweatpants. The grubby tennis shoes. The little 1980's rainbow t-shirt, also a size too small. WHERE OH WHERE were the Twisted X boots? The Cruel Girl Jeans? A shirt that fits? The Troxel Sienna helmet?

And how can a pair of sweatpants be too small for you when you appear to only weigh about....42 pounds?

I am most proud of the bareback pad I am riding on. After all, I made it myself, probably on my mom's sewing machine. Or maybe I even hand stitched it. Don't ask how it was secured around my pony's belly. I think I just knotted the nylon strap. I do remember the material, it was striped like a train engineer's denim overalls. The underside was some leftover batting my mom had in the sewing basket.

Now, that jump. One blue vinyl lawn chair on one end, an orange vinyl lawn chair on the other. Two cedar split rail posts and two 2x4's in between. It even looks like we (I saw we, because I am most certain Paint Girl was my partner in crime here) propped up the rails onto scrap plywood and bricks to give it an extra couple of inches of height. This was one well-thought out and designed obstacle, my friends. Which we probably also made the family dog jump over after we put the ponies away.

And just so you know how influential my fashion sense was at the time, here is a picture of Paint Girl jumping her pony the same day.

I guess I hadn't taught her how to make bareback pads yet. I was probably too busy filing the paperwork to trademark my pattern. But the too-small sweatpants and t-shirt, sneakers, and lack of helmet....she clearly took fashion advice from her big sis.

I guess I have come a long way since I was.....11.

But as I said, you have to start somewhere.

My Boot Rescue Organization

Yep, I've been holding out on you guys. You see, maybe I feel a bit guilty. In the past two months, I have bought two new pairs of cowboy boots.

Before you ask me if I won the lottery, let me explain! Remember, I wrote the book on bargain shopping!

{Let's start with boot pair No. 1.}

These are vintage Dan Post brand buckaroo boots. Okay, I am not truly sure how vintage they are. They are not from the 1940's or anything. Which, by the way, does anyone out there know how to research a pair of old boots? Like, is there a special number or secret code stamped on the boot that I can submit on some wonderful website and find out more information? That would be really cool. I hope you tell me it's that easy.

Moving on. These boots were made in Spain. I think someone darkened the foot. They are a rich brown, but it looks like someone either dyed over the color they were, or possibly just went over the former brown to enrich it. At least they did a fairly good job. These babies ride high on my calf, like- nearly to my knees! I can't tell if they were made for riding or for fashion. I would not wear them riding. But I am thinking of all of the fun skirts I can wear with them this summer!

Okay, here is the kicker. How much do you think I paid for this pair of boots? You guessed it! $23. Yep, that is twenty-three-dollars. Goodness, what a good deal, eh?

{Next up: boot pair No. 2}

These boots are Justin brand, and I don't believe they are vintage. They have a snakeskin foot (either faux or real, I can't tell, but I'm leaning towards faux.) They have a really comfortable arch, and are in good shape (I always check the heel and sole wear on the boot.) I wore them the other day and they are quickly going to become my favorite "boot around town" pair. These were a little more than the Dan Posts....I paid $52 for them.

So, I got two new pair of boots for $75. What a bargain! Where did I find such boots? And why would I buy used boots?

I am a believer in used things. Antiques, second hand, recycled items....one woman's junk is my treasure. I found these boots at a flea market. I have no idea why someone tossed them out. The vendor had a table full of women's and men's boots of various brands, colors, styles, and sizes. I am amazed at how many used and vintage boots that are out there, in great shape, and in need second homes. Really, I'm just helping out the neglected boots of the world. I'm giving them another lease on life, a forever home. It's all good!

And they aren't just collecting dust. I wear my boots everywhere. To work with corduroys or skirts, with jeans and a flashy top out on the town, or to the grocery store. The funny thing is, I've been seeing a lot of people wearing western style boots lately....and they sure don't ride horses. It has become a fashion trend again. Suddenly, vintage cowboy boots have become hippie and rocker chick cool.

Have you ever bought used or vintage boots, or would you?

My Pink and Green Friday

Meg over at Lucchese to Louis Vuitton suggested a "pink and green" themed Friday blog post last Friday, so I decided to give it a go! I quickly discovered that although I love pink and green and have a fair amount in each color separately, I have very little "pink and green" together! But I wandered around and was able to snap some things from around my house.

First up is my green camo and pink Wrangler baseball cap.

Something pink and green...in my bathroom! Two of my favorite perfumes, by Sarah Jessica Parker. The pink one, Lovely, is very subtle and great for someone who doesn't like really strong scents. True story, I walked by a woman in Target once and she said, "Excuse me, what perfume are you wearing, it smells just lovely." I laughed and said, "It is Lovely, by Sarah Jessica Parker!" The green one on the right, Covet, is a little stronger.

My great-great grandmother passed away a couple of years ago and all of the great-granddaughters got something of hers. I got this ceramic teapot. I am not sure who made it, but I am pretty sure that either my grandma or my g-grandmother did, as they did a lot of ceramics. Maybe Dusty Devoe knows? It is actually a flat teapot with a hole in the back, it is designed to be decorative rather than functional and hangs on a wall. It is hollow, and cute to put little wildflowers in.

I used to have quite the collection of pink floral shabby chic style plates of all sizes. I have most of them packed away now, as it seems I never host anything and bring them out anymore. I have also used this one as a soap dish.

Another one of my shabby chic treasures, a little sugar pot.

A friend gave this "piggy bank" to me for Christmas a few years ago.

Any quarter that ends up in my coin purse, gets tossed in here. Eventually I roll around $20-40 in quarters.

When I first started saving up for a horse, I used this coin collection method as one horse-crazed attempt to put extra money into the "horse account" I started. So I suppose, it should really look like this:

Not sure if "green halter and pink scab" works for this theme, but hey- it's my post!

See you tomorrow, Scabhead!

It's in the Bag!

I was tagged by the South Dakota cowgirl at Whoa My Horses! blog for a tag game called "What Purse are You Carrying Now?" Be still my heart....who created this? How fun!!

Here's the rules:

1. Post a picture of whatever bag you are using today - not last weekend when you and your hubby went out to that fabulous restaurant. No cheating!!!
2. Tell us how much it cost. This is a no-judgment zone -- there will be no ridiculing or eye rolling here. And, if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I'd love to hear it.
3. Then tag some friends.

I also noticed that other purse taggers had been showing what is inside their purse, so I will participate in that as well.

As you might remember, I got this great animal print cowgirl purse from my parents for Christmas.


This purse has no "brand name" on it anywhere. It was also a gift, so I have no idea how much it was!

This bag is a lot smaller than what I typically carry. Amazingly, my handbag is rather clutter-free, but you wouldn't think that from looking at my dining room table or kitchen counter!

{wallet}
The first thing in my bag is a black nylon faux Prada wallet. Sorry I do not have a picture, but for some reason I couldn't get a decent one and it is a typical black wallet.

{blackberry}
Next up is my little red Blackberry curve. I got the BB last summer so that I could access my email quickly, and use the calendar feature so that I could be more organized.

I just noticed that you can see the reflection of my camera! A picture of My Boy is on the wallpaper screen, of course!


{planner}
Ironically, I am still addicted to using this little plan book from the dollar store and have yet to set up my BB calendar! Umm, yes, I have a hard time with change.


{notepad}
Here is a cute notepad and pen set which I got at Barnes and Noble. Just in case I see a cute cowboy and want to write down his number. Yea, right!

{make-up bag}
I got this in Palm Springs a couple of years ago and it has held up well.


Here is what inside this little black bag on any give day.....

{excedrin}
This is what I take 75% of the time I get a migraine and it usually works quickly.


{hand lotion}
I got this as a gift and love it, it makes my hands super soft and smells yummy, too!


{lip gloss}
My sister gave me a boxed gift set of like 15 lip glosses from Lancome for Christmas a few years ago, and this is the one I have been using the most, it's kind of basic and goes with everything.


{hand sanitizer}
This stuff is great for use after I pump gas, or before I eat at the mall...or anytime I feel I've touched something grubby and germy! But not my horse. Why is that? I never consider my horse grubby and germy, interestingly. Just humans!

{gloves}
Because it is winter, I can't be without gloves. Typically I have my favorite pair in my coat pocket, but this is just an extra little pair that I stash in my purse.

{bag balm}
This is my miracle goop! I get it at the co-op and have this small tin in my purse which I use for my lips. I also have a little tin in My Boy's tack tote to use for him. And a HUGE tin in my bathroom, which I use on my dry cracked fingers in the winter. It's heals them up quickly!


Other things floating around in the bottom of my handbag......

{zicam}
Whenever I feel like I'm getting the scratchy throat that accommodates a cold, I start popping these every 3-4 hours. I still get sick, but usually for a much shorter duration and I swear it keeps sinus infections at bay!


{mints}
I bought these while on vacation because I loved the tin! Look at the quote on the top: knock out stubborn breath. Even when I am done with these mints, I plan to just refill the tin and keep using it because it is so darn fun!

Even though this is "tag, you're it," I'm tired and don't feel like running (hee hee), so I'm not going to tag anyone specific. But if you want to play, please let us know in the comments so we can stop by your blog and check out your handbag!!

Somehow, this post ended up turning into more of what's in the handbag, rather than about the handbag itself! On that note, My Boy wanted to play! Last spring, I did a post about what is in my grooming tote bag last spring. I posted a link to it on my sidebar.

Happy Friday everyone!

p.s. No, I am not crooked, I don't know why all of the objects in my photos are tilting to the left! Says something about my photography, I think!