My Love/Hate Relationship With Antique Shopping!

Oh, this story is pretty much as epic as Romeo + Juliet. Actually it's not. But it's close. My mom is an antiques nut. Ever since I was a wee little baby, she's been dragging me to antique malls, thrift shops, estate sales, rummage sales and the like. Some days I'd love it, but most days I'd hate it. And here I'm mostly talking about antique malls (I love thrift shopping). 

Why do I hate it? Because you rarely find treasures in a load of junk (and my mom is an extremely slow shopper, ugh, so it doesn't make shopping easy). And most of those treasures are OUTRAGEOUSLY priced. That's why I hate going. Why fling the few things I want in front of my face & I know I can't have it? Especially when I know I can get it cheaper at say...Goodwill (when I can find it that is)!? We went to three huge Antique malls today in Waukesha, WI after church. She bribed me into going, especially telling me we'd only go to 2 of the three (and that I'd get the second and third book of the Hunger Games trilogy, hehe). Yeah, that never happened. But anyways, so I took a few Instagram shots in the malls (I'm too chicken to bring my normal camera with me) & I'd like to share them with you! 

They had a lot of really old photographs, like this one, she actually creeped me out. Must be that murderous look in her eye ;) 

Cute little tins!

The girl planter on the right is SO pretty. I have one similar to her in my room, even with the pearl earring, but she isn't as pretty as this one!

An old cash register.

Guys, I wasn't kidding when I said my mom is really in to antiques. She collects and sells them to antique dealer(s). See that dresser and end table? Yeah, those used to be ours. This is the main booth my mom sells to. It was really odd to see a lot of our stuff in there, especially because my mom uses all this stuff to decorate our home (then she gets sick of it and sells it). 

I really want the top Pyrex bowl. Like now! :)

Lovin this dresser!

Pretty bead detailing on an old antique bag. 

Okay girls my age, do you remember this Barbie?!?! Part of the "Wedding Party" collection. I squeeled when I seen her, because I HAD (well, still do, somewhere) this doll!!! Oh, memories :)

I did score some goodies (I will be sharing in another post), but I made sure to only buy stuff that was REALLY cheap, or fairly priced for what I wanted it for. I seen a lot of stuff I already had in these antique malls, and what was sad was their pricing. I know these people need to make money and all, but when most of those items are a dime a dozen, you shouldn't be charging five dollars a glass when you could go to Goodwill RIGHT NOW and get it for 49 cents. Legit. Call me whatever you like, but I really hate it when people abuse their pricing rights. Okay rant over, haha. Do you guys like going to antique malls or thrift shops better, how come?

xo.

Lightbulb!

Last night, I totally had a lightbulb moment. I know on here I talk about Crandon, a lot, and I was sitting there thinking how much I wish you guys could see what I see when I'm up there. Then I totally remembered, I shot a few videos of Crandon last summer.

So here I am, sharing the few videos I have with you all! The first video is when I was on Little Rice Lake with my family. We were out fishing and then we seen this gorgeous Bald Eagle soaring right above our heads. So I decided to shoot a video of it! I love eagles so so so much! They are one of my favorite animals of all time. I get so exhilarated when I see one when I'm up north. I've seen them so many times now, it shouldn't be a shock, but it always is. Can't help it I suppose ;)



This next video is of me shooting a Red Winged Black Bird and a little bit of the lake. There's a slightly funny (but not really) story behind this one...I seen this Red Winged Black Bird. I thought this bird was something special, especially because I never seen one before (that I know of anyway). So I was so stoked, I had to video it. Until my Uncle tells me later that they are all over the city and are nothing special. I was bummed at this, but I still think they are awesome birds! I wish I would have filmed this one better. I kinda swooshed past the lake pretty quickly in this one. I promise that I'll take a better one this summer!! Oh, and totally ignore me cawing at the bird, I'm a dork...



And then there is this last video...It's of a thunderstorm that's moving across the lake. I especially love this video because you can hear what Crandon sounds like...it's so beautiful!! All you hear is birds chirping and crickets and the lake swooshing back and forth. I love it. When I miss Crandon a lot, I play this video. The original is much longer, but I wanted you guys to get a taste!

This summer, I think I'm going to do a camping series. We have no internet up there, but I'd love to show you guys some things we do up there! Ahh, June can't come quick enough!!!!

xo.

ps. I finally have a Youtube channel... autumnbalmbotanicals ...which means, time for Vlogs!!! I think the first will be that regional dialect video that's been going around for awhile now!

Junk Yard Art

Yesterday morning, my brother and I took a ride down to Al's in Franklin. It's a junk yard full of smashed cars, blown up cars and lots of used car parts. Our mission was to find me a spare tire. My car failed to come with one (yeah, meant to get that 2 years ago...and now I have a flat) so that was what we were sent out to get. 

Before I left, I was going to bring my camera, but then I thought "There would be nothing cool to photograph, and it's not like I'm going to put it on my blog." WRONG. There were TONS of things to photograph, and then I wanted to put it on my blog. Bad Rachel, BAD! I seen so many awesome smashed up cars (yeah, that's my inner boy talking...blame growing up with only boys). There was one realllly old Cadillac that reminded me of a murder vehicle (I really regret not photographing that!!!). My mind is morbid. Anyway, I took only a couple Instagram shots and I wanted to share them with you...

This is of a huge stack of old rims. Many were crunched up. I thought it looked pretty awesome. 

Then this was the GM section of smashed cars. My brother and I walked through the entire place. You see that huge hill behind those cars? Yeah, that's the Waste Management Dump. Funny thing is is that I've been there before, with my dad...he was a garbage man. I used to go to work with him allll the time, and I totally forgot we went there together. Haha, boring memory is over. 

This pic was of a blown up car. It was very old, I'm not sure the year of it exactly. From the 30's maybe??? It was sooo awesome though. I love the steering wheels the most on old cars, why, I couldn't tell ya! 

Little secret, I love cars. New cars, old cars, muscle cars, smashed cars, shiny cars...you name it, I like it. I had so much fun with my brother. When we were little, we used to put his old Hot Wheel cars out in the street to have a car run them over. Then we'd lay them out in our back yard, like the junk yard. I have a boy side, clearly, and I'm totally not afraid to share it. I really wish I brought my big camera with me yesterday. Only more reason to go back! 

xo.

A Day at the Dog Park

Yesterday I had taken my pup Lady to the dog park. This was our first time ever going to a dog park. I was very excited, and also nervous. I wasn't sure how she'd react to a lot of other dogs roaming around. I usually do doggie dates with one of my good friends and her dog, and they are pretty good together. 

I kept her on her leash at first, just to test the waters. I wasn't sure whether or not I was going to let her roam around on her own yesterday. But she did so well, I eventually let her go. 

I felt like a mother taking her child to the first day of Kindergarden. I didn't want to at first, and I even got a little sad, but I knew she would love to run around. 

This park was simply gorgeous. I was glad to see that there were some trees with leaves still on them. 

This park was really large. The dog area was much larger than I expected. They even had hiking trails, too. 

Lady stayed by me for most of the time. I think she didn't feel comfortable roaming too far. 

We had so much fun. We both needed the fresh air! Do any of you take your pups to dog parks? Aren't they awesome??

xo.

All Hallow's Eve...

Today was a fun, but wet, day! A big group of us took our fellow kids trick-or-treating. My brother and I took his son Miles. I dressed up as a Zombie, and Miles was a Ninja! 

Every year, he and I like to dress up and go trick-or-treating together. This year I wanted to go all out! 

I was very fortunate to have all my make-up supplies on hand. I used a very pale concealer with a white powder, brown, black and purple eye shadow, and to finish up, red lipstick. 

My brother's twist on a Halloween costume!

Leaves are almost all gone :(

Mmmm....brains!

Silly Pylie!

So pretty!

These are my favorite trees! 

Miles and his cousin Shaelynn! 

Have a great all Hallow's Eve everyone!! 

xo.

Weekend Recap and 10 Facts Tuesday!!

Oooh boy what a weekend! Saturday I managed to get my gauges in. They are now at a 12g :) See!!

They're just itty bitty babies as of now. I ordered cute plugs, I can't wait to get them and put them in (once they're healed of course)! I can't wait to go bigger, and post that video, too ;) I'm getting my hair cut tonight (getting bangs if I'm tough enough to do it), so you all will get to see that soon. 

So onto the weekend...a huge group of friends and I drove down to Round Lake Beach, IL to go to a haunted house...The Realm of Terror! (check out the video, it's awesome). 

I wish we could have gotten pics on the inside. If you know me, I LOVE anything scary. This was apparently the scariest haunted house in IL two years running. Yeup, sure didn't scare this girl! I had lots of fun though. We hung out in the parking lot after (so high school, I know I know) to talk (and in my case, gaze) at some of the actors. 

Pizza? That's all this lovely burnt up nurse would say. I lovvve her hair color. Of couse I'm the weirdo who looks at details like that. 

Pizza?

She was having fun with Johnny. 

Then there was this guy. He was my FAVORITE. We seen him in the parking lot when we came in. He scared the crap out of us, the way he was walking and looking at us....then he would run then sliiiide on his knee pads. It was fun to watch people jump when he did that :) He was sooo cool, this guy had the best personality ever. The stuff that came out of his mouth was just hilarious and shocking. It was great. 

Photo's courtesy of Grace Bae, edited by Moi.

Ash and I were cracccking up talking to him. He pulled out a chest hair and gave it to her. Too darn funny. Good times indeed. Now onto 10 facts.

\\ 10 Facts About Yours Truly //

I am absolutely, positively, incredibly scared of spiders. I hyperventilate, get sweaty and can't hardly talk when I see one. It's terrible. I can't kill one to save my life. Last time I tried, it feel on my pants. Um, ew right? My future husband HAS to have magical spider killing properties, otherwise it's a no go. 

I'm extremely impatient. I hate waiting on people or red lights. I'm trying my oh so hardest to stop being this way. It's no way to live to be impatient about things all the time and to get mad if they don't go your way. I think I'm doing pretty well as of late :)

My best friend Ashlee and I have been besties since I was born. Yeup, 23 long years. Her mom and my mom were besties when they were 16, and stayed friends ever since. Ash and I always remained close. If anyone was ever my other half, it's for sure that girl! <3 

Sometimes I'm psychic. Yeup, you heard it. I can predict stuff before they happen. This little gift comes at random. When my dad was still alive, I knew exactly what day he would call me. I was right nearly every single time. And if I called him he'd say "Rachel, I was just going to call you, how'd you know?" Oh Dad... :) Sometimes I still have those same feelings, that lets me know he's still with me no matter where I am <3

I adore fishing like nobody's business. Last year was the first time I ever really fished. I was hooked (ha ha) right away. I've only managed to catch 2 fish in my lifetime (well, 3, but I don't count that one. Story for another time). It's the most epic crazy feeling ever. I'm not sure why I like it, cause I do find it to be rather mean, but I always let them go after. I like holding them and talking to them before I let them swim back. They're too cute. 

I sing to my animals. Each pet has their own song. Yeahhhh, I swear I'm not crazy. They love it tho. The kit cats sing along with me. They lloooovvvee it. Lady on the other hand, not so much. She's a crank. 

I used to have reallly long hair when I was little. Down to my butt. I loved it, but wanted it cut off. I chopped off all my hair when I was 7, and been doing so almost every summer since. 

I love going to the museum. I can't even count how many times I've been there my whole life. It's magical every time I go. 

I've always been fascinated with boats ever since I was reaaaallly little. My dad always had a boat. Sometimes he'd let me drive it through the Milwaukee river. We'd always pass a sunken wooden fishing boat. I always though it was sooo cool. I have a pic of that boat somewhere. I'll have to post it for you all to see :)

I'm pretty outgoing when I want to be. I usually am shy when I'm around a ton of people I don't know. I find it hard to strike up a conversation with people I feel that I may or may not have something in common with. 

I can't wait for tomorrow's post, I just love how my nails turned out, stay tuned! 

xo

UW Madison!

Yesh! Another weekend has passed! But it was a great one! Yesterday my best friend Ashlee and I drove to Madison, WI to go to a Badger game. Incase you have no clue what a Badger game is, it's college football. I grew up watching football every Sunday with my dad. He was a BIG fan. We even had him buried all in his Packer gear! I was so excited to go to a Badger game this weekend. The last time I went to one was in about 6 years....so it was long overdue! 

I can pretty much take or leave football. But for some reason, I've been watching it like crazy lately. I'm not sure if it's because we won the Superbowl, or if I'm trying to feel closer to my dad. But I seem to be super interested in it again. It was so exciting to go to the game yesterday. I loooove college games. I was in band all throughout middle and high school. In high school, we would go to a Badger game once a year for UW Band day. We would play with a bunch of other high school bands throughout Wisconsin. I had no idea that yesterday's game was UW Band day. I was sooooooooo excited!! I felt 16 again, haha :) UW - Madison's college band is ah-maz-ing. If you want to see why I say that, check out this video:

I highly respect this band. In general, it's not easy to march. Especially when you have a thick heavy uniform on, carrying a heavy instrument, trying to keep in step and in time...it's just not easy. And they have an even harder marching step (see how high they lift their legs), and most of their music is by memory. It's just insane to me! But I had a great time, and I was so glad to see this phenomenal band once again! It makes me miss band oh so much. It's sad that those years are forever gone :( But yesterday was a wonderful day! We won 59-3! It was great to be reminded of something I was once so passionate about. I hope to find such pure passion like that about something again! 

In other news, Ashlee had bought me an iTunes card for my Birthday, which is way over a month ago. I've been thinking what on earth I could use with that card. I wanted to use it wisely, so I had been procrastinating on getting something neat with it. I had found a few neat photo apps that are similar to Instagram. What I really love is all the neat features you can find for the iPhone's camera. I have a 3gs, so I'm not lucky to have a flash or a better megapixel or resolution, but these apps were too great to pass up. There is one called Hipstamatic. I think that one was my favorite. You can choose the film you want to use, and then how you want your photo to develop. You even get to choose the lense you want to use! How neat is that?? I also purchased Tilt Shift Generator and Lo-Mob. I recommend checking them out if you own an iPhone! You can also see A Beautiful Mess' blog and her reviews on her iPhone apps (of which include the one's I named here). 

Isn't he beautiful? I'm so excited to list some new balms this week. I will have Pumpkin Cheesecake, Caramel Apple, Vanilla Lavender, Chai tea and Vanilla Bean...just to name a few! Well I suppose it's getting to be that time for me to head to bed seeing I have to get up in 6 very short hours for work! 

xo <3

ps. Did anyone catch Pan Am tonight?? Wasn't it great? I'm totally obsessed with that show and Playboy Club...as well as Big Bang Theory! I am so glad fall shows are back! 

The Elegant Farmer : Apple Picking

So far this fall, I have three things crossed of my Fun Fall List. 

1. Apple Picking  2. Hay Ride  3. Eating Caramel Apples

Yesterday, my best friend Ashlee and I went to Mukwonago, Wi to go apple picking. This was my first time ever doing such a thing, so I was beyond excited. 

They were sooo nice at this farm. They had a wonderful store with all their homemade goodies and an apple and pumpkin farm. I know I'll be going back soon to pick some pumpkins to carve when it's closer to Halloween!! 

Ashlee and I waiting for the hay ride to start!

A huge bin full of Grannysmith apples! Mmmm!

Look at how tiny this one is!

Gorgeous <3

These were the first apples we picked. We were allowed to pick off any apples we wanted, and we could eat them right on the spot! This one was so beautiful and was my favorite. I loved the flavor. Now I only wish I knew the name of this one :(

I was so excited to see all the cute tiny apples. Those were my favorite to eat.

Omnomnomnom.

How cute!

I love the coloring of these apples!

A few pics I took of my bestie with my Polaroid.

Self portrait! 

Beautiful!

Ashlee and I!

Silly.

This was my favorite picture I took of Ash.

Pumpkins!!!!

I wanted to pick a pumpkin out sooo bad!!

Hay ride!

This weekend was so much fun! I can't wait to visit The Elegant Farmer again! If you are in the Southeastern Wisconsin area, I recommend you check them out. You won't be disappointed! Have any of you gone apple picking before? Isn't it fun??

Tomorrow I will start my 52 weeks of Polaroid! I can't wait! Have a great rest of the weekend guys!! 

xoxo