The Blues Vintage Collection

I don't know what it is about collections that draws me in so much, but I love creating them. As with many other posts I've done in the past, I'm a sucker for pairing things with a similar theme, color, fabric, etc.

I didn't realize that I have been going through a blue phase until I realized that the past few vintage bags I've been picking up have had one thing in common: yes, the color blue.

Without further ado, The Blues Collection. Each item is now available on Vintage Fix!

New Years Eve VINTAGE GLAM tips!

One of the best things about being a female is not having any particular reason to look your best. We don't need to have an excuse to get creative with our makeup. We don't need permission to wear a particular dress. And we certainly to need anyone's approval to look glamorous! 

However, New Years Eve is a perfect reason to have fun with your look and be creative by adding a vintage flair.

Long live the days where wearing your staple LBD (little black dress) will suffice. NO! You must be daring and more adventurous then ever! 

With that in mind, I came up with a creative twist on the whole New Years Eve look. I'm tired of relying on classics or staples. After all, the new year means a whole new you, so why not dress that way?

Here are some tips on being creative this New Years Eve:

• Forget about wearing a little black dress. This year is all about color. Consider wearing jewel tones, like this pretty teal dress by MadCapClothing

• Don't forget about accessories! Relying on glitzy, over-the-top necklaces and diamond encrusted bracelets, although pretty, is a lazy way of accessorizing. Instead minimalistic, edgy pieces will add a vintage-y touch to any ensemble. Try these ideas from ImYourPresent and jacarandadesigns for inspiration on your own look.

ImYourPresent

jacarandadesigns

• Perfect your face with pretty makeup. Both of these shops know just what it takes to complete any nighttime look.

Experiment with different colors on your eyes to create a new, one-of-a-kind smokey eye 

PureFusionMakeup

Pair with the perfect shade of deep burgandy to up your vixen factor!

HeavenlyNaturals

• If you are already set on your look for ringing in the New Year, adding interesting elements is sure to make you stand out from the rest

BeatrixBlackHeart

PoppyChicDesigns

MaroDesigns

BelleBlakeDesigns

Most importantly have fun! And be safe! Happy New Years everyone!

xo, Brooke

Swedish Walnuts...as promised

So, I like to ramble on, usually about random things on my Twitter account: #vintagefixstore. Nothing wrong with that right? The way I see it is, I really enjoy reading other people's ramdom tweets about their everyday musings, and so, I should be doing my part to.

Today, I did my best to share how delicious these Swedish Walnuts were, that a coworker of mine had made, and I really couldn't do them any justice, except to say that I think I want to move to Sweden. There's only so much one can say in 140 characters, after all.

In order to share all good things in my life (okay, carefully edited things), I wanted to share this recipe with you guys. I think just reading the recipe should make some of your mouths start to water. Oh and please share this with others, as we are just around the corner from Christmas, and they would make a great treat to bring or serve at any party or get-together you may partake in. Enjoy!

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Swedish Walnuts:

Melt one stick of butter or margarine and melt in a 9x13 in. pan.
Beat 2 egg whites. Add 1(one) cup of sugar and a pinch of salt. Beat for 2 or 3 minutes. With a spoon, stir in 5 cups of walnuts until well-coated.
Spread nut mixture on top of melted margarine.
Sprinkle cinnamon over nuts.
Bake at 325 for 45-55 minutes, stirring every ten minutes.
Feel free to add more cinnamon the first couple of times your stir.

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Easy right? Even for all of you who thought it would be some complicated thing. Silly you! I would never hand out something difficult like that.

xo, Brooke

The wonderful thing about Black Friday is....

Not waiting in lines at huge, impersonal retailers who could care less about me and only about my credit card.

And guess what? Vintage Fix is not like that.

I decided to have a storewide sale to show just that! You entire purchase will be 15% off Now through Monday so HURRY! Check me out here for details! Yippee! or just click the link:

http://www.etsy.com/your/item/edit/62911103?step=publish

xo,
Brooke

Finally!

After a couple of months being preoccupied with graduate school and a crazy workload, I am back and going to kick butt this Christmas season! Don't worry about me being late in the game people, your girl, Brooke is ready to shine! Oh, and so is Vintage fix! Woohoo!


I took the pledge!


I, Brooke, creator of Vintage Fix, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere! 


Watch out people! Mamas back! And if anyone wants a buddy or support system they can email me here.

Advice.

So, wow another month has gone by! Isn't it crazy how we always say were busy, but what are we so busy doing? It's one of theose comments that you say to get yourself off the hook, but are you really THAT busy, or does it make you feel better about yourself to tell other people how busy you are? So I'm not even going to go there.

[Something to think about, maybe even meditate on.....]

Actually, the real reason I dropped by this morning is to share a great piece of advice my boyfriend of five and a half years just shared with me. I'm not sure if I should give a background story on this, so let me just share the advice first and if I need to elaborate more, I will.

He said that he just had a conversation with an old man around the age of 100. And of course, I don't know about you guys, but when we ( I'm talking about my bf and I ) meet someone of that age, we can't help but wonder what the secret is to living that long? What did they discover along the road of life that led them to where they are today? We're both very philosophical, I know.

The old man said, " You have to be able to laugh most things off " - hmmmm...think about that for a second.

To me that means that my lovely neighbor who keeps whistling at me everytime I come out of my house, and when I kindly ask him to stop, refuses, I should be able to laugh it off instead of seriously contemplating what will do to his house, car, etc.

To me it means when I get stuck in a traffic jam on my way to some very important place, I need to just laugh it off, preferably right by the window of the cars right next to you, so they can wonder to themselves about what in the world is so dang funny!

To me it means when I make a comment about what my bf is doing with his life and get a smart ass remark or eye rolling from certain unnamed members of my family, I should laugh about how narrowminded and ignorant they are, instead of letting make my blood boil!


What does this piece of advice mean for you?

It started with a purse

Despite all that is going on in this crazy economy, there has been one amazingly good thing that has come from the ruins - ESTATE SALES. WOOT!

So I started outside of one amazing house located amongst the beautiful orange groves we have out here, trying to look in every little nook and cranny (because that's how I roll) and came across an amazing selection of clutches. And I'm talking about the kind that have the prettiest of details. The first one I'm in love with has a lovely little clasp that's too pretty to put into words, so I'm going to to just show you.

So....awesome right?

And you simply can't beat the pretty color. It's subtly sheen in a light gold, absolutely perfect for a night out with the girls, or your man. Doesn't matter. Either way, you're going to rock it.

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Okay, so this next one, looks really simple on the outside. It's a soft creamy, white, and to be honest, I didn't even think to open it up until I got home. (actually my roomate opened it up) and I was happily surprised

So, not only does this have a cute coin purse inside, but another pouch attached with a small gold chain. Perfect.

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Then there's this pink clutch with chain. Enough said

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So, here I am, thinking that I have already found some amazing little clutches, and my morning is turning into a successful one, but my stars must have all been aligned on this particular morning, because at another amazing Victorian house in our lovely little Redlands town, I found this gorgeous doctor's bag just waiting to be claimed. And it's made by the one and only American Tourister!

You don't have to be a tourist to appreciate this amazing bag!

Stay tuned at Vintage Fix!

<3 Brooke