Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, A Super Solstice, and All Good Things

I wanted to wish you all a happy holiday season, no matter what you may be celebrating right now. And I thought there would be no better way to talk about the joys of this time of year-- like thoughtfulness and friendship-- than to share with you the delightful little illustrated card my friend Tahira "TJ" Lubrano made and sent me from all the way in the Netherlands.

TJ's a whiz with the watercolors. And her illustrations, which appear on everything from cards to buttons to children's clothing (and soon, a childrens' book!) are always happy, whimsical fantasy creations, like these smiling cupcakes that appear on the inside of my card...

You can check out her illustration blog here-- http://tjonillustrations.blogspot.com/

And her Zazzle shop here--- http://www.zazzle.com/tjlubrano

(My favorite of her items is a little baby outfit coated in happy cupcakes-- http://www.zazzle.com/cupcake_baby_long_sleeve_shirt-235541714840302090 )

Anyway, just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a happy, safe and joyous Christmas, and a shiny New Year!

--Jenn

A Little Bit of Humor for Your Thursday

Hiya, folks! I'm sorry, I haven't been out hitting the thrift stores this week; rather, I've been working on my novel's sequel during my lunch break and then doing Christmas wrapping in the evenings. (I cannot believe I'm just about done. This is super-early for me and the lack of panic I get to enjoy is almost unsettling!)

Anyway, I don't like to leave you good folks empty-handed. And I thought you all would get a kick out of the post today on my humor blog, Of Cabbages and Kings, detailing a rather unexpectedly funny series of phone messages I've been receiving on my answering machine these past weeks from some persistent strangers.

The post is called, "Orange-Ray Junior, Where You At?" Just click here to check it out.

As an aside, how is everyone's December going so far?

Wishing you much health and joy,
Jenn

Treasure Box Wednesday: Gifting Goodies and Goodwill to Men (and Women!)

The thrift store and a New Jersey antique mall helped me start the gifting season right this year, and I thought I would share a few of those items with you today.

It all began with this Gone With the Wind plate I found at a Pittsburgh Goodwill a few weeks ago. It's for this nice lady I know who adores the film and has been collecting Gone with the Wind items like dolls and figurines. I thought the plate would be perfect.

Little did I expect that when I went antiquing over Thanksgiving back home in New Jersey with my friend Josette that we would stumble upon this second Gone With the Wind plate featuring Scarlett O'Hara in her green drapery dress. (Apologies to Mr. Gable for that light reflection on his face. We're not as advanced an operation here at The Thrift Shop Romantic as 1930s Hollywood was, I'm afraid. :)

Then, would you believe it, when we popped into yet another antique mall, Josette happened to spy this plate featuring Gone With the Wind's Melanie. They're all from the same series.

So it looks like the Belles will be ringing out this holiday season. Southern Belles, that is.

Lastly, another family friend is passionate about woodworking, and the one thing he jokes about receiving every Christmas is, "No tools?" He loves older tools with character-- wooden handles and made by manufacturers like Yankee or Craftsman/Sears. Well, he is going to be one happy man with these two beauties I picked up at the same mall I got one of the plates!...

He may just cuddle the drill all holiday long and tuck it beside his pillow like a Red Ryder BB Gun. You never know.

So that's the Treasure Box for this week. Do any of you choose resale items for your gift giving? I'd love to hear about it.