Some new cuties were just added to the shop! Get em while they're hot!

Quiz me

A few months ago, I purchased a box of vintage vocabulary flashcards off of eBay. Truth be told, I got the whole "little light" thing when sifting through them again the other day. Whether you are constructing sentences, framing them, or simply using them as greeting cards, vintage flashcards are a nifty thing to keep around!

Uhmurica

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! What a wonderful excuse to get your patriotism on.

Announcement

There is some good news and there is some bad news.

The bad news first: The name, "Lazybones Vintage" is no more. Coincidentally, (yes, that was indeed some sarcastic italicization) the name is in use by Audrey Kitching. She's got the domain name and everything.

I know that it's partially my fault. I should have shelled out the $12 and claimed the URL last June when I came up with the name. It saddens me because the 1933 Tin Pan Alley song, "Lazybones" has become a "standard" in my family since the passing of my great grandfather. It's one of those songs that we sing at family gatherings (What? You're telling me your family doesn't break into song?) It was so fitting for a vintage store name because it has been a song that has been passed down from generation to generation, which is what vintage is all about.

It's ironic because Johnny Mercer, the song's lyricist, was a real-deal Southern boy who resented Tin Pan Alley for rejecting songs that reflected traditional Southern vernacular in favor of music about the South that was written by lyricists that had never even been there before. The song "Lazybones" was written in protest against the Southern posers that were swiping his steeze. He lays down the law at the beginning of the song, declaring authenticity, "Long as there is chicken gravy on your rice".

But enough wallowing.

The good news is, there is a new name:

I chose the name for a few reasons. First, I love myself a good alliteration. Secondly, the name references a song from the same era as Lazybones. It was important to me to maintain the nostalgic quality of the name. I also love that the song is about shining and expressing yourself, which ties into vintage clothes quite nicely I think.

So there you have it.

The official Little Light Vintage website should be posted sometime later today!

Life in Technicolor

You could be my flamingo

Terrarium Imaginarium

Fifty-something keys, tangles of hemp and embroidery thread, an odd thrift-store find, and a hanging cord kit later, I bring to you a DIY key chandelier. Tres anthropologie, non?

With this new lighting fixture, I think it's safe to say that my living room is complete (for now).

Yes, those are terrariums on the coffee table if you were wondering. Such a fun project! All you need are some bowls (thrifted these for .50 cents - $2), some small pebbles or rocks, filtered carbon (found at Petco in the aquarium section), cactus mix, and some clippings from your neighbor's yard.

Pour a 1-2 inch layer of pebbles (or rocks) into the bottom of the bowl. Now, sprinkle some carbon on top. The carbon helps in filtrating the air inside of the terrarium so that it won't stink. Next comes the cactus mix. You want to use enough cactus mix so that your clippings can take root, but not so much that your plants are sticking out of the bowl when you arrange them.

When it comes to arranging your succulents, there aren't any real rules. I personally have a tendency of placing my tallest plant in the middle, but this is entirely up to you. However, make sure that your plants are at least an inch apart from one another. They need room to grow!

Now comes the fun part - decorating your terrarium. I used leftover pebbles and figures (dinosaurs and mushrooms, mostly) made out of polymer clay (a fun project in itself).

Terrariums need lots of light, so keep your mini ecosystems near a sunny window. They don't need a lot of water. I'd say every 2-3 weeks or so.

Garden Party

Although it can be very rewarding, being a crazy plant lady has its drawbacks. You will find yourself wanting to plant things all of the time. This can be an issue because pots can be expensive. Solution: save your used cans! With a little love, they can be transformed into functional, decorative garden planters. Observe:

This has been a project I have wanted to attempt for quite some time now. A friend of mine who works at a creperie was nice enough to save some empty cans for me. Here is the end result:

All you need for this project are large, oversized cans, a hammer, a screwdriver, and spray-paint. First, wash the cans out and remove their labels. Then, puncture about a dozen drainage holes on the bottom of the cans with the hammer and screwdriver. Now simply spray-paint! (You can also cover the cans in paper or fabric then apply a coat of shelack on top of it to prevent water damage). When the cans are dry, fill with soil (or cactus-mix) and get planting!

This is a fun, easy project that only took me about an hour to do. The cans add so much color and life to our backyard. They'd also make great, personalized, hassle-free gifts!

Hello Lomo

It's official - this new hobby is here to stay:

I'm Going Analog I'm So Alt

A few weeks ago, I visited the Lomography gallery store in Los Angeles. I've entertained the idea of adopting a toy camera of my very own a few times before but for whatever reason, I always shied away. Since the digital age, film just sort of scares me. I guess I used to think, "Why would I spend money on film and developing when I can take as may pictures as I'd like with a digital camera for free?"

Then I remembered middle school. When I was in middle school, it was all about the disposable camera. It was the most practical way to take a picture at the time. Picking up prints was always such a joy. I couldn't wait to get back to the car and look through them all to see how they turned out. Those were simpler times.

So I got the Diana mini in the mail a few days ago. (I made the executive decision of adding it to my birthday wish-list).I haven't really been able to stop playing with it since I got it. It shoots in two different frame formats - square and split-screen. It's also capable of shooting long and multiple exposures.

I can't wait to share the results with you! I feel like this hobby is here to stay!

Teenage Dream

I've been on the hunt for OPI's Teenage Dream since the debut of the Katy Perry collection back in January. I mean, really - How could a girl resist pink sparkles? I finally tracked it down yesterday at Empire Beauty in Carmel Valley. It just so happened that they were having a buy one, get one half off sale, so I kind of ended up going to town. I love me some OPI nail-polish. Behold!

Teenage Dream:

Gargantuan Green Grape:

Ya'll Come Back Ya Hear:

Do You Lilac It: