Merry Christmas

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I hope you all had yourself a Merry Little Christmas.  I had a lovely time with both my family and the husband's family.  Good food and good company, can you ask for more?  

Christmas Decor: The Balsam Wreath is Hung

To be honest, I have not decorated much for Christmas in the past.  We have often lived in tiny little apartments while going to school and spent the holidays with family.

This year I decided ot give decorating a try.  I recieved this wreath from Balsam Hill and I have to say I am mighty pleased. They have wreaths and garlands that look like the real deal.  I got the Sugarland Spruce, isn't it gorgeous? Right now Balsam Hill has a sale of up to 40% off and free shipping.  Don't miss out!

I got the vintage christmas cards from my husband's grandma.  They had been sitting in her basement for years and she knows how I love vintage anything.  Before anyone in my family throws something out they always come to me to see if I would like it.  I am a jukner.  What can I say? Find the deerhead hook {here at UO}.

Cheeseburger Wrapping Paper

The hubba hubba hubby truly enjoys a good cheeseburger, who doesn't? How perfect would it be if I wrapped his christmas gifts in this {Gift Couture}? Read more about {GC} and if you like it check out their kickstarter. 

Weekend Wonderment

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Happy December all!  I can't believe it is already here.  My December started off with 100 mile per hour winds in a grand wind storm and no electricity for 24 hours (thank goodness for candles and a down comforter).  You never know what December may bring!

I am looking forward to drinking hot chocolate and snuggling in a blanket in front of my tv watching a fake fire. Not to mention all the fantastically cheery christmas music I will be listening to.  I hope you all have a warm and jolly weekend! 

Weekend Review: Snow Cave

Let me start off by saying, never again.  Things were going great until about two thirty in the morning.  We arrived at the top of Farmington Canyon at about  4PM and began to dig ourselves a little nook in the side of the mountain.  The snow was deep, 15 feet or so. Digging and building the cave was fun and hard work.  We finished the cave at about seven or so and began to lay out our tarps and gear.  We changed into dry clothes and snuggled up in our sleeping bags.  We even cooked dinner in our "new home".

We had a great time playing "would you rather" and talking about random subjects until we finally fell asleep.  At two thirty, everyone woke up.  Something was wrong, we all knew it.  All four of us began to inspect the snow cave.  One side of the cave was bulging in.  The cave was getting smaller.  I jumped up and moved our packs away from the door (AKA hole we crawled in and out of).  We were snowed in, and the weight of the snow was effecting our cave. It was then we decided to dig our way out and "sleep" in the car. The thought of the cave collapsing on top of us made us all uncomfortable.   We didn't really sleep in the 17 degree temperature in the car.

Morning came a few hours later.  We attempted to get off the snow covered mountain to no avail.  We were stuck, only twenty feet from where we had parked at the top of the mountain. We ended up having three burly (and I mean burly) snowmobilers help us get our vehicle out of the snow.  Our second attempt we made it a little further, about half a mile, before getting stuck again.

Luckily angels were sent our way; a man with a big truck and the three burly snowmobilers were there to help us get out of our situation.  We finally made it home at about three in the afternoon with frozen toes, soggy clothes, and a grateful yet exhausted spirit.  Would I do it again?  No.  Do I regret doing it?  No. I built and slept in a snow cave.  Once in my life is good enough for me!  I hope you all had a marvelous weekend!

Don't miss out on entering the $20 giveaway to Ande Monster Vintage!

Weekend Wonderment: Freezing My Buns Off

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Hello dearies.  This weekend I will be snow shoeing up the the Rocky Mountains of Utah to find the perfect spot to build a snow cave and sleep in it.  That is how much I love my husband!  Truly, I am not a cold/snow lover.  Building and sleeping in a snow cave has been one of my husband's goals of this winter... thus we go out in the wintery snow and dig a hole, only to sleep in it.  If I live, I will report next week.  I hope you all have a nice a toasty weekend!

{Remember to enter in the Photo Print Giveaway!}

Winter Photo Shoot

I have been dying to do a photo shoot for my shop with real people at a fun setting.  Since it is freezing in Utah and it gets dark fast I bought a dress form to photograph items in my shop 'til spring.  I personally like photographing my items on real people because people bring it to life.  Models add personality and give more inspiration to how to wear the article of clothing.  I feel the photos are more enjoyable to look at as well.  

So, my model Jessi braved the cold yesterday and we took pictures at a quaint old building in downtown Salt Lake City.  Soon after a snow storm rolled in.  It was warm(er), then windy, and then stormy.  Luckily we hit the "warmer" part for the shoot.  So, what do you prefer?  Do you prefer clean white backgrounds with a dress form to show off vintage clothing?  Or a real model showing the dress with a lively background?

(not all items shown are in the store just yet, but you can find the scarf and green pencil skirt here)

Winter White Out

Hello dearies.  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  What do you have planned for the upcoming week?  My husband and I have a goal of being more active. It's so hard for me to be motivated when it is so cold and dark outside; I just want to snuggle up in a blanket and watch The Big Bang Theory.  Anyways, to be more active, we bought climbing gym passes.  We have plans to rock that rock wall.  (Yes that was a horrible pun wasn't it?  Moving on.)  Although the cold and dark days are displeasing to me, I do love the pure white snow that graces the earth beneath me.  To celebrate the good winter brings, try wearing winter white this season.  It may light up those dark days. Enjoy your week! 

1. Vintage Crocheted Cream Sweater

2. Vintage White Weave Oxfords

3. 60's Cream Coat

4. 80's Tassle & Fringe Boots

5. 60's Button Up White Dress

{SHOP!}

Weekend Wonderment: Happy New Year!

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Do you?

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What do you believe in?

DIY: Sweater Leggings

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I don't know about you but in cold weather, I live in boots.  I like my toesies to be toasty.  When my toes are happy, I'm happy.  I love the look of thick warm socks peeping out to say hello from boots.  A cheap and fun way to get this look is by buying an old vintage sweater at a thrift store, cutting of the sleeves off, and wearing them as leg warmers.  Make sure the hemmed part is sticking out of the top.  Total costs?  $5.  Amount of time?  30 seconds + shopping time.  Your toes can thank me later. 

Wednesday Wish-List: Pine Cone Necklace

I find this petite pine cone necklace absolutely perfect for the fall/winter season.  It comes in silver and gold, and I am in love with the gold color.  Paired with military green, you could not go wrong.  Find the {Pine Cone Necklace} on {Friedasophie Jewelry}. Have a lovely Wednesday!

Be sure to enter the {vintage scarf giveaway} from my shop Ande Monster.

Shades of Grey

Not everything is black and white in life.  Yes in some situations "wrong" and "right" are very clear, though not always easy to choose which one to go with.  Sometimes I find myself in grey areas where either situation is good.  Like with the shake I had tonight.  Cookie Dough or Snickers?  I chose snickers.  Scrumptious it was.  But now I am looking at applying for another position within the company I work for.  I am in a grey area.  I shall weigh my pro's and con's.  Either way I think I will end up just fine.  It's the grey areas in life where you often get stuck.  I, currently, am in the midst of a grey fog.

{COAT 1}

{COAT 2}

Fabulous Friday Find: How-To Holiday Wreathe

How gorgeous is this doily wreathe?  Wow.  I need to make this.  Check out the {how-to} from the one and only Martha Stewart.  This gorgeous wreathe is made from strung up lights through paper doilies.  Find more holiday wreathe how-to's on {this post} by The Chirpy Bird.  Have a lovely weekend my fabulous readers!

Also, if you can't afford a tree this year check out this simple and cheap substitute {here}.

Winter Blues: Quick Pick Me Up

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Don't get me wrong, I love the holiday season.  It brings me much joy and happiness.  The cold and dreary grey skies can get to me now and again.  So here is a quick "pick-me-up" on those days where you have the Winter Blues:  the scent of oranges.  It is energizing and can quickly change your mood.  Start your day off by showering with {this} scrub.  Next spray some {orange scented fragrance} on.   And if it wears off during the day, keep a bottle of {orange scented lotion} in our desk at work or in your purse.  And remember, breather deeply.

Be sure to enter in the {$25 certificate giveaway} to my online vintage shop.  It's the last day!

Fabulous Friday Finds: FREE Wintery Tags

I love freebies.  And these freebies are just in time for the Holiday Season of gift giving.  Download theses FREE gift tags {here} from Domestifluff.  You can find more freebies and downloads on her blog {here}.  Happy Friday!  Enjoy the weekend.  I know I will!

Hats Off to These Lovely Ladies

Hats have taken hold of my mind and I am on a hunt for the perfect wintery wide-brim topper.  The way their hair is wildly escaping from under the brim makes me swoon.  These hats are sophisticated and chic, and I am afraid I need one.  

{photos via The Sartorialist & Vanessa Jackman}

Black Friday $20 DOLLAR DRESS Sale

50+ DRESSES ON SALE!!!

You don't want to miss this.  Starting  Friday November 26th, some may call this Black Friday, Ande Monster Vintage is having a $20 Dollar Dress Sale!!!  This is a one week only sale.  Dresses are sure to go fast so don't miss out!  Message me if you would like to reserve a dress.

And don't miss out on {THESE} great discounts from my favorite Etsy Shops.  Remember to use the coupon code "iheartande" for an additional 15% off.   Happy Holidays!!!