Holy Grail

Every collector has a handful of items that they covet. The kind of thing that they would love to add to their collection. Most of the time, those items seem kind of unattainable, especially if you're the kind of collector who doesn't have the money to just go out and buy what you want at any price.

But, sometimes, you get lucky....

The kids had Bible School a couple weeks ago. It was held about 20 minutes from our house for two hours for four days. I didn't want to drop them off, drive home and drive back every night, so I found ways to amuse myself. The last night of Bible School, there was an auction in town. A small auction. And, of course, it fell on the one night where I had to go back to Bible School early to watch the kids' program. But, I still had an hour to spend. I got there about an hour and a half in to the auction. They were just getting started on a trailer full of household items. I scoped it out and found an entire box full of Pyrex and Fire King bowls. The best was a PAIR of these pink striped Pyrex mixing bowls. I have been wanting this bowl for a while, but I wasn't seeing them "in the wild", and I wasn't willing to pay the shipping on eBay. I ended up getting the entire box for less than $45. It had three out of four of the Pyrex primary colored mixing bowls, these two pink striped bowls, a pink banded Fire King bowl and a white painted fruit Fire King bowl! That's a lotta bowls for the price!

So, I was thinking had found my prize for the night. Until I saw them hold up this Fire King tulips range set. This is a true holy grail kind of item. This set sells for about $200. Apparently, I was the only person there that night, who recognized their value, because I paid less than $40. I was giddy!!

Apparently, I've been a very good girl this year, because this past Saturday, Roger and I were visiting an estate sale on our block and I saw this Singer Featherweight machine sitting on the floor. I took a look at the price, shut that box and declared, "MINE!" These little beauties sell for at least $300. I paid $75. Now, THAT is a true holy grail moment!

All three of these lovelies are staying in my personal collection, because frankly, they are things I love, and I'll never get that kind of deal again.

Linking up with Thriftasaurus!

Vintage Glamour

Remember back in the 80s and 90s when Glamour Shots were all the rage? You went to a studio, and they used a can of hairspray and a make up trowel to make you glamorous so they could take some delightfully awkward pictures of you.

Yeah. Here's mine circa 1994:

Try not to laugh.

So, fast forward 20 years. I'm driving home from work and I see a sign for a photography studio specializing in pin-up style photography. I love pin-up artwork. It's cute. It's glamorous. It's fun and sexy. I do a little Facebook research and discover that Aleycia from Eye Kandy Pin Up Photography has just moved her studio into town.

Roger turned 40 years old last month and our 16th wedding anniversary is this Friday. Those seemed like good excuses to have some fun photos taken of myself!

I knew I wanted to feature the bicycle that Roger built for me. And, I love how they turned out. 

Aleycia did my hair and make up, and she had a room full of outfits to choose from. Look at my hair! That hair made me want to weep. It was so beautiful. When she said, "What about victory rolls?" I nearly jumped out of the chair. "Oh, yes, please! I've always wanted that!"

The worst part of the day was having to take my hair down before Roger got home. This was all a big secret surprise, remember?

There is also a set of photos from this day that are for Roger's eyes only. (Okay, a few of my girlfriends have seen them.) Nothing that would disqualify me from the Miss America pageant, but you know, the interwebs don't need to know everything about me!

Roger was definitely surprised and pleased with his birthday gift. I think he was mostly impressed that I hauled that monster bike out of the house, into the van, out of the van, into the van and back into the house all by myself!

If you get the chance to do something like this, go for it! It's fun! It makes you believe in how beautiful you are. And it's definitely a better kind of "glamour shot".