On the grapevine...

Our carrots are all harvested. This is the lot.
I feel sad that we've been growing them for so long only to be devoured in ONE sitting.



We shared some with our dragons...



who by the way, is shedding. Verne is, at least.



Then I got busy crafting again, so there're new items in the Etsy! Whoo! This one is my favorite so far!


And i've finally learnt how to play "Dream a Little Dream of Me" on the guitar! Still practising and nursing swollen fingers.


Enjoy your weekend and be productive!

Thrifting: 3 dollar specials!

I went Goodwill Hunting awhile ago, and because we moved, there's a new Goodwill in this area that was waiting to be pillaged checked out...

Here's a bunch of $3 (or less, before taxes) items I scored over the two weeks since I moved in! I really don't think I will pay full price anymore. (Although that remains to be seen because I'm antsy to check out the new H&M in Singapore.)


From Goodwill,


Tiny skirt that flounces really prettily, and i can wear cute tights under. Love the prints too!


Dress that I squeezed into and found in the kids' section. The elastic waistband cinches so tight it is hard to get into, but once that's done, it sits nicely on my frame. I guess having not much of a chest works. Sometimes.




A hat I found randomly stashed in the women's slacks section. And a few different expressions I think I can manage. Sorry for the cam-whoring. I actually don't do this very often, but I was packing my luggage and drinking coffee at the same time.


A very big but retro looking top that I thought I could pull off as an off shoulder thing. I'll be pairing it off with my jeans and some boots, but that's kinda like my staple getup, nothing too crazy!


A plum colored maxi skirt that was maybe four sizes too big, but before i fix the problem, i'm making do with belts. And it was the prints that sold me! Reminds me of the shoot-the-aliens games in the early Microsoft computer days. OMG, i think that just inadvertently revealed my age.


Two very new belts @ $0.99 apiece! SSSSSCORE!!!! And the dark blue (it looks black in the picture) matches very well with most of my dark colored outfits. And the yellow is just fun!! I'm in love with skinny belts at the mo'.


Speaking of widths. My eye caught sight of this wide elastic belt with a big bow in the middle. There has to be a name for belts like this one, but I'm fashion-technical-term un-savvy like that. So sue me.


And because it's getting colder, i spotted this lilac knitted sweater in just the right size, and spun from the prettiest yarn.

From another trip to Target.


A cute little clutch purse on sale for $3!

And they say, all good things come in 3s!!

Anyone else has got good thrifts to share?

Thrifting: Sungei Road Thieves' Market

A gem of a find, perhaps ten years ago, when I was still a newbie to thrifting. This flea market is located in Singapore, my home country, a congregation of makeshift stores of second-hand wares haphazardly laid on the ground. Known to most as the Sungei Road Flea Market, I've only recently came to be made aware that it was also known as "Thieves' Market" My only find that day, but a very rewarding one, was a little flowery clutch, in perfect condition, sold to me for a mere $2.





I had almost missed it too, the clutch lying half-hidden beneath a pile of clothes and heels and bags. J often says I take too long looking at stuff that he can glance through in a minute. But it's finds like these that make me tell him "You're wrong, you don't find treasure like this, in one quick glance."

The only thing about this flea market is that it's held under the open skies. So it's definitely not a rain or shine event. Check your daily, or even hourly, weather report before heading out. Singapore's fickle-minded skies can change in a matter of hours.

Thrifting: Stuff Etc

On a trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I found this huge consignment store with the help of my husband's grandmother.



Leather box tote bought at $6.99

A sturdy leather tote that I now use to house my polaroid camera. It's good for taking out on little field expeditions, like when I go mushroom picking, or bird watching. My polaroid and digital camera fit perfectly in it, along with a few cases of polaroid film.


Pink Pumps bought at $6.99

I was in the checkout lane, waiting in line to pay for my stuff. As I silently added up how much my purchases would cost me, my eyes continued to roam around the store, hoping to catch a glimpse of something I might have missed. I am a pumps person. Heels, no. Kitten heels, maybe. Pumps, ooh I LOVE! So when my vision zoomed in onto these shoes, I excused myself from my line and made a lunge for them. A quick mental calculation brought a satisfied smile to my face. I was still within budget, which meant that I didn't have to discard anything else in my shopping basket.


Vintage Mustard Yellow Traveling Trunk $14.99

Our most expensive purchase for the day. My husband found this and called first dibs. Now he uses it to travel around, but only when he is traveling light. We are very careful with it because we don't know when the trunk might burst open, spewing its contents on other bewildered travelers. So far, though, the trunk has been sturdy and strong. No such mishaps.


Chicago Bears' Jersey (Boys) $6.99

I had been looking to buy a Chicago Bears' jersey, but the ones they sell on the NFL website are super expensive. So my heart skipped a beat when i saw this on the racks. It was a perfect fit! Item automatically transferred onto the Must-Buy list.


Owl Wall Hanging, Set of 2 for $3.00

Stuff Etc (Cedar Rapids East)
252 Blairsferry Rd NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 5240

They have many locations, do check out their link above for phone numbers and operating hours.