Favourite Vintage Finds of 2013.

Today I'm counting down my favourite vintage items I found last year in 2013. Some were dirt cheap; others not so much. But hey, all of these keepers were remarkably low in price in relation to what I could have paid! Here we go!

ONE) Atomic Era Floor Lamp

I got this bad boy off Kijiji this Fall, and had it hidden in our basement as a unique Christmas present to us both. It was so hard to play it cool while this thing was in my house and not being used. I wanted to bring it out so bad! It was definitely my most expensive vintage purchase of the year, but totally worth it in every way! I will never regret shelling out some extra cash for this lamp.

TWO) Retro Pink/Lavender Laundry Bin

This was an estate sale find. I got it this summer along with a sizeable collection of furniture. In total I spent $50 at this sale and got some really stunning large pieces I had been coveting secretly for a long time. The starburst on the side of this beauty makes my heart happy!

THREE) Green Lamp with Splattered Shade

This lamp was my favourite find from my September trip to Wisconsin. It'll forever be a little memento in our home of all the thrifting I got to do outside of Canada this year. I've never done any U.S. vintage hunting before up until this trip, but I'm hooked and I'm really looking forward to bringing home some treasures from Chicago this spring!

FOUR) Plastic Terrarium

I found not one, but TWO terrariums this year! The one pictured is my first find, which I later sold when I found my new one. It's bigger and in much better shape. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would own one of these. It was one of those things I didn't know I needed until I layed my eyes on it. Now, I couldn't do without it.

FIVE) Fibreglass Lampshade with Gold and Black Splattered Pattern

I found this lampshade for $5 at an estate sale, and it still makes me swoon! I added the shade to a vintage bronze lamp I already owned.

SIX) Set of 2 Hanging Lamps

These two beauties are from the Old House Revival here in Winnipeg. We loved them straight away and knew they'd be perfect for our retro living room. I adore their asymmetrical look. The best part is they pair so perfectly with our floor lamp, which is close by, along the same wall!

SEVEN) Teak China Cabinet

This teak cabinet is so beautiful to me. The fact that I got it for my birthday last year was so special. It's a family piece and I'll keep it until I have someone to pass it down to.

EIGHT) Metal Wall Sculpture.

I was so obsessed with my mom's metal wall sculpture, that I was ready to splurge to get one of my own. But just when I least expected it, I came across one at Vlue Village! I love when that happens. It was like it was meant to be. Oddly enough it looks exactly the same, only hers is painted beige on some areas.

NINE) Vintage Couch

After we said goodbye to my grandma's white couch set this summer, I thought I would never find another one I would like as much to replace them with. I was wrong. We stumbled upon this couch along with it's ratty old partner (aka chair) at the Habitat For Humanity Restore, while rainy day shopping for 50s kitchen cabinet pulls. The chair was too far gone, but the couch was perfect and on sale!! I will never regret bringing this big thing home.

TEN) Lefton Poodle Cookie Jar

 This fancy poodle cookie jar is not mine personally. It belonged to me for a couple weeks while I washed it, photographed and listed it in the shop. This Lefton jar was in the shop for one day before it was purchased! Just coming across it was a dream. I love holding these cool things for a bit before they go to their new homes. It's like I run daycare for vintage items. Or better yet an adoption agency. All in all, this was my best find out of the things I didn't keep for myself.

I got so many neat items this year, so it was tough to narrow it down to ten. I thought I'd spare you the long version, because believe me, I could go on forever. 2013 was a thrill of fantastic finds. I keep wondering what things I'll drag home this year. I will have an entire basement to furnish soon enough, and of course a vintage shop to stock!

What were your best finds this year?

Marissa xo

Jewellery Clearout at CharmingShop

Alright everyone, for 2014 I've decided to streamline everything and to direct my focus. This is starting with a large sale to clear out my jewellery line from CharmingShop. EVERYTHING is on sale. Well out of my jewellery that is. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces. If you have special requests let me know, because I have so many unlisted pieces as well. I might just have what you're looking for behind the scenes. If you'd like to know the original prices of anything in the shop, just ask. I have a price list nearby! 

You might be wondering why I've decided to clear all my lovely jewels out of the shop. Well, it's just time to narrow down to a few things. I took a hard look at what I am able to create and what I enjoy most. I no longer have the time to make jewellery, photograph it and list it. The good news is, that time can now be spent elsewhere. On some new artwork perhaps. 

Jewellery-making is going to forever be a hobby of mine. I'm sure down the road I'll bring out a new collection. And of course I would never say no to any custom orders! Here are a few of my favourites, but check out the shop link on the right to see the rest of my pieces that are up for sale. Get 'em while you can!

Elegant Peacock Collar Necklace 

was - $41.75    now - $35

Turquoise Metal Collar Necklace

was - $25.05    now - $15

All earrings and earring sets now $6 to $10

Opalescent Snowflake Collar Necklace

was - $45.33    now - $40

Art Deco Bracelets

were - $14.31    now - $10

Help me find homes for these pretties, so I can fill my shop with all new goodies!

Marissa xo

2014 Goals

I know I'm a little slow to get my goals in for this year. How are we a week into January already? I couldn't let this week finish off completely without sharing my goals for this year; in my life and my work. So here they are...

My number one goal is to be more open and outreaching. I am a shy person, and getting myself out there is a tough thing for me. Last year I rekindled some really great friendships, where we just lost touch over the years. I think it's really important for me this year to keep my friendships alive and keep up my end of the deal. Its so easy to put off a call or a text or an email until it's too late. This year I want to be there for as many people as I can. 

I started off my blog in 2013 with blogging nearly every day! I'd like to get that momentum back by sharing some new kinds of ideas and posts. My shops are ready for an update and so is my Blog. You'll be seeing some changes here and there at CharmingShopLife. 

I'm trying to be more aware of what I put into my body. Saying no to my favourite things is incredibly hard, but my health is so important to me at this point in my life. So for 2014, I'll be juicing! Maybe I'll post some recipes here. ;)

I made this one pretty general. 2014 will be my year for crafting up DIY projects and working on new art pieces. I have been exclusively focussed on the vintage shop, and I need to get some new creativity flowing over here!

We bought our house knowing that we would have to renovate and restore it. It was begging us for help from the moment we stepped in it, and there was no turning back. Love at first sight. This year I want to make sure we finish painting this beauty completely. We are aiming to fix up the basement this summer and I've been busy gathering up decorating ideas. (I'm so ready to have our 60s blue velvet couch down there!) Just having the extra space will be a life-saver.

This is the most cliche goal out of all of them, so I saved it for last. Our big thing this year will be travelling. We are planning to go to Chicago this Spring, and it'll be the first trip we've taken as a couple in the five and a half years we've been together. Sooo long overdue. This winter we also had to write off our very old car, and we bought a new one just in time for Christmas. The new car is much more reliable, and I'm seeing some trips to the lake in our future... No matter where we go, I'm just excited that we'll finally get to go somewhere together!

Thanks for reading my super ordinary goals for 2014. Nothing crazy, but hopefully doable. 

What are your goals for this year?

Marissa xo