i think i have a problem...

Last Monday was my birthday.  It was easily the best one I've ever had.

It all started Sunday...I had a 3 hour uninterrupted nap. 

Alone. 

It was divine.

That night, my sweet husband had a few friends over for dessert to celebrate...it was a surprise.  I jumped and almost cussed when I walked in the door and everyone screamed at me. 

We had delicious cheesecake and there was lots of talking. 

I actually lost my voice.

But it was totally worth it.

The next morning I woke and decided the day would be best spent thrifting.

And it was.

Look what I found: 

I think I have a problem.  I can't see one of these without buying it. 
So what started as a cute owl trivet purchase has quickly turned into a family of 8....and a weird obsession.
They live on my green credenza. 
And I think I should stop buying them...because it's getting kind of creepy.
Also I found a new thrift store in town called Thrift City. 
It definitely is competition for the Will. 
I found AMAZING clothes (which I definitely need more of) for $.50-$1.50. 
It was like a humongous yard sale.

My mom and dad gave me a watch (which I've become a collector of) and I love it:

My wrist looks totally manly in that picture...I'm not sure why.  And the hair on my arm doesn't help the cause.
It's a harm...that's hand/arm.
King of like cankle.
I feel like I'm getting off track here.

About a year ago I was talking to my friend Lisa about a little old shack that I've fallen in love with.  It sits right off the highway and we pass it every time we drive into/out of town...have I mentioned that Forest Grove is in the middle of NOWHERE?? 
It is.
So the shack is practically falling over and hasn't been cared for in years.  For some reason I really love it...and when we move away and leave this life in Oregon, I know this is one of the things that will stick out in my mind.
She's an amazing photographer, and for my birthday she gave me this framed print...:

...and truffles of course. 
Everyone should have a friend like her.

Dylan is sending me to the spa for my birthday...it really is the best gift ever.  It's a facial, massage, manicure, and pedicure.  And I plan to go to lunch afterwards.  And rumor has it that there are some bins near there...which I've never been to.  It's going to be 4 hours of total relaxation. 
Not to rub it in.
But I'm pretty excited.

I received calls, texts, treats, and gifts on my birthday.  I felt completely spoiled.
It was wonderful.

Oh, and this has nothing to do with owl hoarding or birthdays, but Beckham has been potty training for 2 days.  And has only had 1 accident. 
I'm sure it's a fluke, but it's thrilling really.
I just keep thinking about how this is the last time I'll ever potty train again.
And I'm pretty excited about it.

xo,
tracy
ps: I got a HUMONGOUS mirror at a yard sale this weekend and can't wait to repaint it.  Hopefully tomorrow.

28 things...

...that you may or may not know about me.
And may or may not care about...probably the latter.
In honor of my 28th  birthday, which is today.
I don't really feel that old...maybe it's my immaturity.  Or youthful nature.
Or sheer denial.

i am the second oldest of 4 girls
when i was young, all i wanted to be was a mom
i love to cook and bake
i have a fear of sharks
if i could change something about myself, i would wish for more patience...and possibly a new nose
i am addicted to cheese
my pet peeves include: the misuse of 'your and you're,' children wearing leashes, the word breath
i am taking college courses in hopes of earning a degree....someday in the distant future
my dream job would be a personal shopper
i wish i could play a musical instrument
my favorite color is black
i could never live without mascara...because without it, i look 8 years old
my favorite thing about oregon is the goodwill...and delicious berries
my first child was a puppy named grace...and i treated her like a human
being a mother is the hardest thing i've ever done
i love old people
i wanted to marry dylan on our 2nd date
i wish i had nice handwriting...like my sister jennifer
i have a major sweet tooth and eat truffles daily (thanks to my friend lisa)
my favorite flowers are peonies
i should have been born in the '70s and love anything retro-inspired
i vacuum every day...at least once
i own over 30 pairs of jeans and 70 pairs of shoes.  my name is tracy...and i have a problem.
if i don't have a project to work on, i feel claustrophobic and mopey
i love the show 'flipping out' on bravo
i could eat chips and salsa every day
i am not creative in any way...but try to be
i say the word 'totally' far too much

If you read through that entire post, you have officially filled your 'pointless information' quota for the day....or possibly month.
Every birthday that rolls around, I think about my tiny sweet mom.  And wonder how she ever (naturally) gave birth to an 8 lb+ baby.  And how my dad almost missed my birth, because he ran to the store for Certs and gum.  And how my older sister was not at all excited about my arrival (even after being bribed with a big-wheel bike), but we quickly became the best of friends (and by quickly, I mean 18 years...up until then she still thought I was annoying.  And in her defense, I totally was).
And then I think about the birth stories of my own 3 kids...and how grateful I am that they are ours.  
I think my old age is making me nostalgic.

Yah for birthdays!

xo,
tracy

finds and other treasures

Last week I went to the bins. 
I met 2 of my sisters and my aunt there...my sister Jen had never been.  I'm pretty sure she thought she'd died and gone to heaven.  
It was a perfect afternoon...not too crowded, hours of uninterrupted digging (with no kids), and lots of treasures.
I spent $12.00 I think...I'm not exactly sure, because we all paid together.  By doing this, we hit the 25 lb mark and our price dropped to $.89/lb. 
Have I mentioned that at the bins, you pay per pound?  It's one of my favorite things about the whole adventure....the more you find, the less its costs.
It's pretty amazing really.
Oh, and my photographer has been busy lately studying, taking midterms, and golfing a lot working hard in school....so I fashioned this screen as a backdrop for my clothes...which seems to be working better than trying to take pictures of myself wearing the clothes.  Yes, I actually tried it and it was a totally disaster...because I don't know how to use the timer on my camera:

...see what I mean?  Awesome huh?
Anyway, on to the finds.  Kid stuff first...there is always a plethora of kids things. 
I'm pretty sure that all of Oregon could clothe their children for an entire year on things ONLY from the bins (and I think they should...because it's cheaper.  and more fun.  and better for the earth...what do you expect?!  I'm pretty much an Oregonian now):

black cable knit hoodie for harper, old navy.

gray baseball pants for dawson, mlb brand...aren't they small??
and cute??

brown khaki shorts for dawson, gymboree.

polka dot swimsuit for harper, circo (target)...this is brand new.  i love buying used, but i might draw the line at used swimwear...or underwear...or lingerie...you get the picture.

fleece nightgown for harper, carters.

striped cotton layered t for dawon, gymboree.

cream footless tights for harper...they are SO cute and will be perfect with skirts and boots for fall.
i wish they were my size.

sage green sandals for dawson, keens...i know they are kind of fugly, and look like a mix of a teva and croc but they're really practical and perfect for soggy spring...and fall...basically all year in oregon.

And here are the things I found for me...it wasn't my biggest haul ever, but one of my best for sure:

camel and cream cardigan with gathered sleeves, halogen

black and cream striped cotton t, mossimo (target)

purple corduroy vest, BCG

neon pink graffiti t, rusty.

rust orange and yellow high-waisted chevron skirt, target

black high-waisted pencil skirt, gap

maroon, orange, brown block skirt, bebop..
...which reminds me of the song 'mmmm-bop' by hanson brothers...
...and I've had it in my head for 3 days.
 you're welcome. 

gray corduroy skinnies, forever 21

And my favorite find of the day...and maybe my favorite of all time:

vintage floral suitcase

Can you believe it??  And it's in perfect condition...whoever owned it previously must have never used it. 
And then there was this:

vintage floral suitcase #2

Seriously two of the best finds ever.  They remind me of a suitcase I found on one of my first shopping trips to the bins, here.
And I actually can't take credit for finding them...because my aunt and sisters had them when I got there and gifted them to me...which I'm grateful for. 
19 items (1 unpictured...a brand new, forest green merino wool sweater vest for my dad...think Chandler on FRIENDS) and $12.00 = $.63/item. 
Oh, and I wanted to show this because it's one of my new favorite accessories:

It's a flower made from a vintage men's necktie.  And it can be worn as a headband, bracelet, or anklet.  Tied on a purse or lampshade.  Used as a belt or accessory on a sweater.  I love that they're vintage...and repurposed.
...plus my mom is the creator and she's selling them at a boutique in Oregon. 
So that makes me love them even more.
Aren't they cutesie???

xo,
tracy

ps: have you had any noteworthy finds thrifting lately??

vacation

I've been out of town for a month...literally.
Boise-2 weeks
Lincoln City, OR-1 week
Lincoln City, OR-1 more week
Traveling is fun, but I am exhausted.  And I've realized that vacation (with children in tow) is a sacrifice...and every parent that goes to the effort to take their children on vacation, is a saint. 
Because it's a LOT of work.
Here are a million few pictures of our Conklin coast trip...to say it was fun would be an understatement:

cousin betsy

walking to the beach

'cold'

don't they look like twins in this picture??

dawson

papa and the kiddos

our group at the park with great aunt shirley and uncle bob

beckham and papa

the cousins

beckham and dylan

the hatfields

dylan, harper, and beckham

flying the kite

the boys, trying their luck

harper LOVED the kite

aunt betsy helping beckham

aunt jennifer and cousin kate

sisters (minus jacque...lame)

uncle matt and beckham

uncle daniel

aunt betsy



...and I just wanted to throw this in for good measure....there was a LOT of this going on with Harper this week:

...and I'm not sure why?  Maybe she's losing weight...

This is the 20th year our family went to the Oregon coast. 
And I'm counting down the days until year 21.

xo,
tracy

ps: we went to the Goodwill in Lincoln City and I bought 1 thing:

...an antique jam/preserves holder.  It has 3 jars with lids and a cradle for each  It's very cute.  But that's all I bought.
wth.
don't worry though...I hit up the bins right before I left.  Pictures to come...