A Tale of Two Sisters

Vintage Yummies!

2012-09-07T15:44:00.001-07:00

So there is a website that I am sure that a lot of you have heard of. It's called Nasty Gal and they have a great collection of grungy vintage fashion.

They actually have a section on their site that is dedicated to just vintage, and everything on there is original and authentic. My favorite things that they have available are their vintage tour tees. Now, they are pretty expensive, but keep in mind that they are ORIGINAL. So these are shirts that were actually sold for these concerts.

Here are a few of my favorites:

'86 Bob Dyan and Tom Petty Tour Tee

'88 Poison Tour Tee

'89 Rolling Stones Tour Tee

There's a ton of other ones and they all aren't just band shirts. If anything, these pictures and shirts just give you some good inspiration for a DIY project or to find some things that are a little less pricey!

OH! And by the way, I have re-listed all of my shop items on our shop, ArtyandJo. So I hope some of you go check it out and hopefully see something you like! Click here to go straight to the shop!

See you all next time!

-Sam and Ash

I hope there are still some viewers out there!

2012-09-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, Ashley and I are still alive. But, for those of you who have followed our blog at all will know that we take long breaks. But we always eventually come back!

So this is another return of ours, and a promise that there is much more to come on this blog.

So many things to show you and talk about! After all, it has been 8 months...wow. We are really terrible at this. :/

Anyway, I hope some of you will return and read this. I've got to muster up some new viewers!

Be back soon!
Sam and Ash

DIY Teacup Candles

2012-01-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

So I have been looking at a lot of blogs lately, and I have seen a lot of these DIY posts and all of these handmade things. So please allow me to jump on that bandwagon, because frankly, I like it.

A little while ago, I went to tea with my cousins and sisters. Being the little Martha Stuart that she is, my cousin Karen gave each of us an adorable teacup candle, all in a different little teacup. I loved this idea, and they really are very easy to make.

So basically all that this project entails is going to an antique shop and finding a tea and saucer set. (Trust me, antique shops almost always have an abundance collection of these) Or, some of you might have your own that you want to use. Then, you take some old candles, using whatever scent or color you like. Take a large pan and fill it with water, and simmer it over a medium to low heat. Take another pan and place it in the water. This is the pan that you are going to want to melt the old candle in.

Take some wick, and secure it to a sustainer. Place it in the teacup, making sure it stretches above the rim. Once the wax is melted, pour it into the cup, right below the rim. It's that easy. They are super adorable, and they definitely catch people's eyes.

Here are a few examples:

Teacup Candle by pinkfence

I hope everyone enjoyed this! Let me know what you think of this idea. Thanks for reading. :)

-Sam and Ash

We've Set Up Shop!

2012-01-19T23:28:00.000-08:00

Now don't get too excited, as there is only a few items posted, but, we are officially open for business! There are currently 4 items for sale with more to come!

Don't worry about the blog...just because we have a shop doesn't mean we won't be keeping up with it! Thank you so much for everyone who has kept up in reading our blog and has supported us! We hope you enjoy the shop and that one of our items catches your eye.

The link to our shop:

ArtyandJo on Etsy

Oh and btw, just as a special for my blog readers, use the coupon code VINTAGE20 to receive 20% off your purchases. :)

Feel free to critique us as well! We need all the help we can get.

-Sam and Ash

Good News!

2012-01-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I hope everybody had a great holiday season and is enjoying getting back to work. Ashley and I have decided to open up our very own etsy shop! So far, there aren't any items posted, as I still have to take pictures and upload them onto my computer. We are going to have a mish mosh of vintage clothing and household knick knacks. And who knows, maybe we will even attempt to hand make some things...you never know!

The link to the shop is: ArtyandJo

But don't expect to see anything on there just yet! You will very soon though!

Thanks so much to all of our followers! :)

-Sammi and Ashley

Down Home Sounds

2011-12-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

Most people have not heard of the band that provides the song of the day. I just recently discovered them, but Ashley has had their music on her phone for awhile. They are called 'The Civil Wars' and they are a combination of blue grass, rock and country. I think everyone will enjoy them.

'Barton Hollow' by The Civil Wars

Happy listening!

Thursday Thing-a-mabobs

2011-12-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

So today I don't just have one item for my pick of the day post. I found a few things that I just couldn't resist to post up right away. The shop that I am posting from is called 'Wildflower Vintage' that is owned my two girls, Lindsay and Emily. Their shop is pretty new, but so far everything that they have for sale is adorable.

This milkshake ornament caught my eye. It's so adorable! I want it right now to hang on my Christmas tree. Don't you agree?

I love this vintage earring case. I would definitely use it in my travels!

Lastly, this hat got my attention. I am obsessed with hats that have netting on them. I would wear one everyday if I could without looking a little strange. I love the color on this one!

To see their entire shop, go to this link: Wildflower Vintage

I hope everyone enjoyed these items! What does everyone else think? Aren't these 'gotta have 'em' items?

This Is How We Decorate

2011-12-07T23:14:00.000-08:00

We've been little elves this evening. Bringing out all the Christmas tubs full of ornaments, garlands, and snowman statues. I always love how a living room lights up when there is a Christmas tree in the corner while a warm fire crackles away in the fireplace. There are a few ornaments that I especially like that are on the tree.

This one I bought in the Christmas shop at Disney World as a present for my mom. She loves anything and everything snowmen. What could be cuter than a snowman with Mickey Mouse ears?

This one is actually a handmade ornament. It's a seashell snowman! My grandma gave me the idea for it and we sat down and made them one day. The shells are covered in glitter and then glued on top of each other. Of course, you couldn't make a snowman without his top-hat and scarf! I think he's adorable. I love handmade stuff.

This is the other one's twin brother. :)

Even our little cat, Molly is interested in decorating!

Here's the tree... still has a little work left to do!

How is everyone else's decorating going? Are you already finished?

Merry Christmas! :)

Tastes Like Pork and Beans

2011-12-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

Today the song that I have chosen is one that I particularly like. I've always thought that it would make a really good road trip song. If you like bluegrass and country music, then I'm sure you will enjoy it. It's by Old Crow Medicine Show, and it's called "Down Home Girl". I hope everyone enjoys is as much as we do. :)

'Down Home Girl' by Old Crow Medicine Show

Happy Listening!

Merry Christmas! (Circa 1940's)

2011-12-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

Does anyone remember what Christmas used to be like? It would be hard to imagine with days like Black Friday where crazed women run around with pepper spray close at hand to ward off any person who dare try to take the last Tickle Me Elmo from the toy shelf at Walmart. People will literally ignore a dying man on the floor while saving a few cents to buy their bratty children all the things that they supposedly 'need'. Honestly, it angers me. While of course both Ashley and I are much too young to remember what Christmas was like before the 1980's, it is still nice to hear stories from relatives about what it used to mean... family, love, and giving. That's why every year I stride towards creating a "vintage" Christmas.

My Grandmother sent me an email with a bunch of old photos, and the one that really caught my eye was this one:

The little girl is my grandma, with her parents on either side. My grandma always told me that her mother would put one piece of tinsel on the tree at a time. Isn't it beautiful? This picture is probably from 1943 or 1944. This picture makes me want to go back!

Much love and blessings this Christmas for everyone who reads this! I hope that everyone has a home to be at and family to love this season. :)

Who doesn't love lace?

2011-12-02T18:12:00.000-08:00

It's feminine, delicate, and oh so romantic. I have always loved lace. Some people don't really have a taste for it, but I could never really get enough of it. So that is why today my fashion find is an all lace blouse from the 1930's. It's from the shop Dear Golden on etsy. Her shop is filled with tons of authentic items that are of course vintage. She also has a lot of hats...which I love. As always, a link to the item and the shop are located underneath the picure.

1930's Blouse

Enjoy!

Don't be scared of the name...

2011-12-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

I'm sure this is the moment you all have been waiting for... the return of Ashley's song of the day. This evening, she chose a song by the band "Deer Tick". The song is called "Dance of Love". Link for the song is under the picture. :)

'Dance of Love' by Deer Tick

Dance your hearts out!

It's Back! Fashion Pick of the Day!

2011-12-01T15:44:00.000-08:00

Staying true to our roots, I have chosen our Fashion Pick of the Day from an etsy.com shop. I love promoting these little shops. The people on there work very hard to collect or create their items and to maintain their online shop. :)

Today, I have a dress from the shop bonnechancevintage. It's and adorable 60's style that really caught my eye. The shop is quite new, so I'd love to help them get the word out there... especially since the dresses are so adorably vintage. ( The link to the dress and store will be found beneath the picture)

Vintage 1960's Bardot Dress

Enjoy everyone! :)

And alas, there is life after coma.

2011-12-01T14:45:00.000-08:00

Could it be?

Truly?

That we are back? For good this time?

I was shocked/ horrified when I saw my last post was in July. It's now the first of December. I went from Summer to the Holiday season without writing! How could I??

Well, I'm here to tell you that I am back. WE are back. It's hard to believe that last time I typed on this blog, the sun was still scorching and I was struggling to keep myself from overheating. Now, my feet are frozen and I spend the day in a fleece blanket. To all those who followed us, I apologize for the absence. I hope that everyone hasn't pulled the plug on us yet... there was still life to be had in our humble blog!

I promise that more posts are yet to come... music and fashion to ease your ears and eyes!

Nothing Like the Sound of Transformers in the Morning

2011-07-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

What better to watch on an early Placerville morning? Austin, our oldest nephew, could watch this show 24/7 if we let him. Fortunately, there are things like breakfast and lunch (and bathtime) to interrupt it!

Today's fashion pick of the day comes from the shop called ThisVintageGirl (on etsy of course). She has a ton of adorable clothing at very reasonable prices. What I have picked today is her peach colored sweater. It's lightweight, and can be worn even in warmer temperatures.

ThisVintageGirl Peach Sweater

I hope you all enjoy!

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

Lover of the Light

2011-07-05T15:15:00.000-07:00

This marks the return of our song of the day post, so we are giving you a song from a band that both Ashley and I like (an occurrence that should be cherished since it doesn't happen that often). It's from Mumford and Sons, and the song is titled "Lover of the Light"

Link:

Lover of the Light by Mumford and Sons

Enjoy! :)

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

Back From the Dead (With Pictures)

2011-07-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

Goodmorning!

It has certainly been awhile. You know how is goes, you take one little break and then bam.... one day turns into two weeks.

But, never fear, we have returned, with pictures of our San Francisco adventures!

We started off our first day with a visit to the Cheesecake Factory that sits on top of the Macy's in Union Square, which of course is never a bad decision. Ashley ordered the Three Cheese Pasta, I got the chicken club.

Yummy!

And since you have yet to see the faces of this blog, we thought we would grace you with our presence.

Ashley:

Sammi:

This is our view off the top of the building, from where we were eating.

We then returned to our hotel to change our clothes and of course take pictures of ourselves. Remember our very first fashion pick of the day? It was a rose ring from onceuponapeony on etsy.com. Well in these pictures, the rose earrings that we are wearing belong to her shop, and I must say, they are quite adorable.

Later on that day, after a much needed nap, we took to the streets to get a little shopping done, and what would a shopping trip be without a visit to Anthropologie?

Their stuff is so irresistable.... but don't expect to get out of their without spending a penny or two. ;)

Ashley and I were very excited to visit the Britex fabric store, and we were so relieved when we finally found it. But much to our dismay, Britex was closed. *Sniff *sniff.

Later that night, we enjoyed the sights and sounds of city life from our Super 8 Motel room.

Anyways, there was a little taste of our trip to the Foggy city, and we hope you enjoyed it. :)

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

The Face of the Earth

2011-06-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

You'd think we'd fallen off of it.

Ashley and I have returned from San Francisco, sleep deprived, yet very grateful for the memories we obtained. Of course, I've forgotten my camera today, so the pictures will be up soon.

Hopefully soon we will get back on our regular blogging schedule. :)

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

Laziness Takes Over

2011-06-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

What a day, what a day.

Well, there really wasn't anything going on. Ashley and I just got lazy. So we decided to take the day off from blogging. Of course, tomorrow will resume as normally, but today, we just couldn't find the energy between watching the kids and running errands.

So, for this we apologize, and also hope that you understand.

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

From the Desk of Ashley

2011-06-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ashley loves to read, and today's quote comes from a book of poems by Alfred Lord Tennyson. She's obsessed with this book of poems. She bought it off ebay, and is constantly flipping through its worn pages. "Isn't it so beautiful?", she asks me.

This is an excerpt from the poem, 'Maude'

"She is coming, my own, my sweet; Were it ever so airy a tread, my heart would hear her and beat. Were it earth in an earthly bed; My dust would hear her and beat. Had I lain for a century dead; would start and tremble under her feet, and blossom in purple and red".

I must agree, it is quite beautiful.

And the moment you've all been waiting for, the word of the day.

sanguine (adj)-optimistic, hopeful, or confident

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

Do Re Mi

2011-06-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, there is nothing better than listening to the oldies. Today, I have chosen the sweet sound of Billie Holiday for the song of the day. I figured the the iconic Ms. Holiday was a perfect symbol of a different era of music. The soft, melting tones of her song, "Am I Blue" make me wish that era had never ended.

You can't not listen:

Billie Holiday's "Am I Blue"

Enjoy!

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

English Breakfast

2011-06-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

Good Morning... that is what it says across the big white coffee mug that I am drinking out of. I can still see the steam rising out of the English Breakfast tea... sugar and milk of course. (What kind of Brit would I be if I didn't put milk and sugar in my tea?) I'm sure my England born great-grandfather, Cyril English, would be proud.

Like most little girls, I grew up having little tea parties with my grandma... sometimes dragging my dad into my room to drink some make believe Earl Grey. Now that I am all grown up, I still enjoy the occasional tea party. Real ones of course.

Today's fashion find reminds me of a grown up tea party, with a childish twist. It's a vintage 1950's full bodied dress with a gorgeous floral pattern that matches a spring garden. If this dress doesn't make you want to sit down to some Earl Grey and crumpets, I'm not sure what will.

Make sure to check it out!

1950's Rose Print Cotton Dress

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

I Left My Heart In San Francisco: Lend Me Your Questions

2011-06-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Ashley and I are taking a trip to San Francisco this weekend. Oh to be in the Foggy City. It might not be as big as New York City, but that just means it fits better in our hearts, right? I can't imagine having lived life without having seen the sunset from the Wharf, taken a white knuckled stroll through the Tenderloin, or watching the busy streets slowly fall asleep during the dead of night.

Ashley hasn't seen much of the City. (We people from the Bay Area fondly refer to our city as The City) So thats why I am so excited for this weekend. I will have the chance to show her why I fell in love with the city in the first place.

So... what should we do? For any of you that know the city very well, tell me what you think Ashley should she. What should we eat? What should we take pictures of? We want to know.

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

A Song for the Soul

2011-06-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Continuing on with what seems to be a theme of love for today's posts, today's song of the day is called "I Know Places" by Lykke Li. I like the almost haunting edge to her voice, and it provides a melancholic aspect to her songs.

Here's the link:

"I Know Places" by Lykke Li

Happy listening!

Much Love,

Ash and Sam

A Rose By Any Other Name

2011-06-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

....Would smell just as sweet.

"Falling in love consists merely in uncorking the imagination and bottling the common sense." -Helen Rowland

Wouldn't life be so much more pleasant if we all talked in poetry? I think that's why I love listening to French people talk (and also why I love speaking in French)... because it sounds like they are always reciting a delicate rose-scented love poem.

Today, Ashley described her word as being "tasty" when I said that it didn't really go along with the theme of our post. But, nevertheless, I shall post her word.

fiendish (adj)-diabolically cruel and wicked

I guess this word can relate greatly to the theme of love (gone awry) ... for those of us who have had less than stellar experiences in this particular subject.

Much Love,

Ash and Sam