I love a beautiful blankets to wrap up in when the house is nice and chilly from a cold front. That’s all we’ve been getting here in Austin. Cold fronts. It’s still pretty warm but I love to bust out my blankets when the temperature does drop. I think if I let myself, I’d be a bit of a blanket hoarder. So enjoy all of my blanket eye candy for today.

Vintage Granny Square Afghan by Good Grace

Pendelton Sunset Stripe Blanket at Urban Outfitters

Flea Market Throw by House8810

Yellow and neutrals quilt by Crafty Blossom

Geometric Brick Quilt by Barbara Perrino

Right now Brendan and I are hosting friends who flew in from California and New York. It’s so nice having everyone here! Yesterday, one of our friends suggested that we check out The Cathedral of Junk. Cathedral? Junk? I’m down.

It’s located in South Austin and created by Vince Hannemann. You walk up his short drive way and ring the gong to see if Vince is around. If he’s not, you can just give him a call because his number is right by the fence.

At first, all you see is a pile of junk and then you start to notice how purposeful everything seems to be.

There was the rolling hills of bowling balls, roof of rubber duckies, and most of it was organized by color. The cathedral area is three stories and the way up is by tire stairs.

If you happen to find yourself in Austin, you’ve got to go. It’s completely free and totally worth it! Definitely Keeping Austin Weird!

Jess inspired me with her Thrift Share post from yesterday. Honestly, checking out the great deal someone snagged buying secondhand has got to be one of my favorite blog posts to read out in the blogosphere. And, her desk is awesome!

This past weekend I traveled to my parent’s house for a family reunion and in typical fashion my mom and I went and hit up the estate sales. She totally treated me and what I scored was just enough to satisfy my secondhand shopping fix for at least a couple of days. hehe.

First up, this beautiful trio of nesting tins.

These are in such great shape! Also, I’m in love with how feminine they are and the pretty colors. Honestly, these go with absolutely nothing in my house and I completely broke my rule of buying only things that fit my life right now. They were just too pretty to pass up.

Look at the detail!

I don’t have a little girl, but if I did have one these would be prominently displayed with baby things in them. For now, they sit in my closet until I find the perfect place. Do you ever do that? Do you find something that’s too perfect to pass up but doesn’t quite go with what you have right now? Do you ever wind up pulling it out for the special time that you had in mind when you purchased it? I really would like to know! Please tell me I’m not alone.

Then, I came across this load of vintage sheets. There were several sets to choose from and I kept thinking about Rachel from Smile and Wave (she’s got a shop with only vintage sheets!). She would have loved this stash, but I was drawn in by the brown and orange masculine plaid.

There are two sets of queen size sheets here. I went back and forth because the top set is my favorite. I love that thick plaid pattern.

But there was no way I was going to leave behind the bottom set with the thinner plaid. I couldn’t do it. Seriously, I sat in that dated bedroom with these sheets for way too long. So, I just bought them all. I think the whole stack here cost six bucks!

Then, this lovely granny square caught my eye. It had to come home with me. Can I confess that I’m the worst person to shop with?! I waffle like crazy. To buy or not to buy. It’s really annoying, but because of that I spend less money. So, that’s a good thing I guess.

Aren’t all those colors set to that white background so pretty. I’m excited to put this lovely afghan on my guest bed!

So, as you know, I’m a bit crazy for estate sales. Man, I love a good estate sale. I just think there is something really beautiful about items that you love and treasure being loved and treasured by someone else. It makes me feel connected in a really weird way. For example, there was a woman who was perusing through the house along with my mom and me. She kept picking up all of the handmade crocheted doilies. Doilies aren’t my thing but I completely appreciate the artistic talent that goes into making such intricate designs. Anyway, the woman shopping loved them! She was getting really excited by how pretty and how well priced they were. I can’t help but think that the women who made those doilies would have loved for someone to appreciate her craft as much as the stranger who purchased them did. You know? I think there’s something beautiful about that.

What are your thoughts? Am I just justifying my obsession with estate sales? hah!

I linked up with Apron Thrift Girl and Her Library Adventures. Head over and check out everyone else’s finds!

I’ve been needing a little inspiration lately. Just something that will get me going on all the projects I need to complete around here. (By the way, I think I’m going to work on the credenza remodel this weekend so hop over to this post and share your opinion for what I should do! And I’ve created a pinboard of inspiration!)

I decided to just photograph things around the house that I’ve caught myself thinking lately that they are pretty. Or they just create such happy moments. I know they are just things, but sometimes those things make you feel at home, or feel cozy and secure. They are fleeting and will change but each beautiful to me anyway.

Trio of bartlett pears. Fresh from the grocery store this morning.

Pretty pillows on the couch. I love all of these bright colors and I will have bright colors year round. I’m not someone who will ever switch out colors for the seasons. Well, the only exception might be Christmas. The red rectangle pillow I got from Room Service Vintage, the crocheted pillows from Fabricadbra last year on sale, and the yellow chevron pillows I made. So they were all special to me, because I’ve collected them over the last year.

My Le Creuset Carribean Blue Dutch oven full of chicken stock in progress. It is the nicest kitchen item we own. My parent’s gave it to me for Christmas last year along with the matching tea pot. Fall wouldn’t be fall in our house without the dutch oven and teapot. They add so much color and fun to my small, dark kitchen.

My vintage, soft wedding ring quilt. It’s still hot here in Austin, so instead of my regular blanket that’s much heavier on the bed I’ve been using this tattered, light weight, vintage wedding ring quilt. I bought it for FIVE DOLLARS (holy cow!) last year at the City Wide Garage Sale. Brendan’s not a huge fan of it (because it’s kinda falling apart) but I love it. It’s so soft, worn, and colorful.

Hope you enjoyed these happy moments around my house!

What’s made you smile in your house lately?