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  1. July and August round-up

    Saturday, August 25, 2012

    Don't forget: For the month of August the promo code LA24SEN can be used to get 10% off at eShakti on their custom made, tailored to fit clothing. The coupon is valid until August 31, 2012 and can be used in addition to the other offers online (like their fall preview sale!) except for overstock.
    Full disclosure: I am receiving 10% credit on orders purchased with this coupon code.


    My goodness, I have not been a very consistent blogger this summer. It's not because I've been off galavanting on vacation (I wish) but I've just been incredibly busy. I've had a pretty big life change (sorry for the teaser, but it deserves a full post later) and so the blog got put on the wayside.

    So here's a round up of just what I've been up to. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter (RetroLaurie) or Instagram  (RetroReporter) if you'd like more frequent updates.

    The most significant thing that happened in July was the passing of my Grandpa Marchant. He's my first grandparent to ever pass away, and although it wasn't a shock, it still leaves a void. I miss him very much, and I do want to write a post about him - I just have to figure out what I want to say.


    So of course we went down to Saskatchewan for a few days to say goodbye and celebrate my grandpa's life. While we were there, I picked up some Marchant family goodies to add to my collection.

    I looked through my mom's vintage button collection
     and found some goodies.


    This was my grandpa's monkey ashtray.
    Rest the cigarette on the tongue and smoke
    comes out the nose!

    My favourite find in the button box!
    My grandparents got this toaster for a wedding present.
    Still works great! 
    The rest of July and beginning of August has been pretty quiet. I did a lot of working this summer:


    A LOT of knitting - and I still have loads to do before I even think about Christmas:

    I did some cooking:

    And I did some reading (and joined a book club!)


    Of course, I did enjoy quite a bit of sunshine as well (I have sunburns that can attest to that.

    Garret celebrated his 24th birthday and I turned 22:

    To celebrate my birthday, Miss Bee and I went to Fort Edmonton Park. (If you remember, I did that last year for my birthday too!)

    Miss Bee on the train!
    We took in some Dixie ragtime
    Ft. Edmonton is one of my favourite places in this city.
    Treated myself to a Bette Davis Paper doll.

    And just last night G and I went to visit his mom, and she gave me her mom's Eaton Viking sewing machine! I haven't had time to research it, but judging by the manual I would say early 50s.
    I used my birthday money to register for sewing lessons in October. I am beyond excited, and can finally get into The Complete Book of Sewing Bee bought me eons ago.


    And that has been my summer! I will be posting another huge, picture-heavy post soon, so be prepared.

    XO Laurie

    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 9:00 AM | Labels: , , , , , , | 1 comments | |


  2. Miss Bee Vintage and I are hosting an afternoon vintage tea party and we are looking for more Edmonton and area vintage enthusiasts and bloggers to attend.

    We ask that everyone wears a vintage or vintage-inspired ensemble. Hats and gloves are encouraged.

    *please note: since this event is being held in a private residence, we require an RSVP to one of the emails listed on the invite. On that RSVP, please provide a blog address, twitter, or instagram (if applicable). There is a limited amount of space so we may not be able to accommodate everyone. Please RSVP by September 16th.*

    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 5:55 PM | Labels: , , , , | 2 comments | |

  3. Hello dear readers! As you may remember last month, eShakti offered my readers a 10 per cent off coupon on their purchases with a coupon code. Well, they're offering another for August! Lucky you :D

    The promo code LA24SEN can be used to get 10% off at eShakti on their custom made, tailored to fit clothing. The coupon is valid until August 31, 2012 and can be used in addition to the other offers online (like their fall preview sale!) except for overstock.
    Full disclosure: I am receiving 10% credit on orders purchased with this coupon code. 

     Right now, eShakti has their fall preview line on sale for 20% off, so you could received up to 30% off on a item made custom for you! Here are some of my favourites from their fall line, via Pinterest.

    (Click the eShakti link in the credit to be taken directly to the item on eShakti.com)
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    And here are some favourites of mine from the all-season line.
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest
    Source: eshakti.com via Laurie on Pinterest

    Remember, the promo code LA24SEN can be used to get 10% off at eShakti on anything but their overstock. Valid until August 31, 2012.

    XO Laurie

    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 5:09 PM | Labels: , , , , , , , | 1 comments | |


  4. One of my most detested chores is grocery shopping. I'm not sure why - perhaps its the fact that I can't push a cart straight or maybe it's just the siren song of frozen pizza and ice cream - but it's not my favourite thing to do.

    A problem we've had in the past is buying twice. We'll buy something one trip, then the next trip we forget that we picked it up last time and buy it again. That's how you end up with 20lbs of Basa fillets and no freezer space.

    If this sounds like you, never fear! I have a solution.

    I whipped up a little household inventory list, inspired by these magnetic ones from Knock Knock (who I looooooove, by the way. I'm such a stationary lover). Instead of spending $7 on the sheets, I spend about 45 minutes creating my own, and now I am going to share it with you. Just download the PDF, print it out and keep a list on your fridge.

    Food Inventory

    My key for this is to highlight the items that I do have (although I've learned that if you do this, keep the list out of direct sunlight as the colour can fade) and then mark an X in the bubble once that item is all gone. When it's time to go grocery shopping, you now have a list of what you need as well as what you already have at home!

    XO Laurie

    Posted by Laurie Callsen at 9:19 AM | Labels: , , , | 2 comments | |