Trash or Treasure

One man's trash is another man's treasure. We've all heard this cliched saying before and its presence is quite common here in the blogosphere as bloggers from all over (yours truly included) share and discuss their beloved second-hand wares. My father is a man who takes this quirky little quip to heart as well and has been bringing home discarded commodities for years. I thought it might be fun to create a new feature on my blog labeled 'Trash or Treasure' and display such finds (be them his or mine) here for some random amusement. (I know this is somewhat similar to Wallet-friendly Wednesday. However, I've decided to keep that clothing related while this will encompass all other categories of delight).

A favorite of mine from my dad's collecting escapades (or rescue missions as I tend to think of them, haha) is this pair of adorable Holt-Howard salt and pepper shakers.

Holt-Howard is a well-known and sought-after name in whimsical pixieware collectibles. Founded in 1948, their popularity peaked from 1958 to the early 1960s. These porcelain shakers are from the "Cozy Kitten" line and in their brand-new-and-exceptionally-excellent glory came with little noise makers inside. One noise maker in this pair still works and when shaken makes a sound somewhat similar to a kazoo. Dad brought them home a few years ago with a box full of other pretty (and free!) little kitchen wares. These cuties sit happily on our cluttered kitchen hutch gazing adoringly at each other. I can't help but smile every time I see them.

Surprise!

I've been busy this past week planning a surprise party for a friend. Ensuring everything's in place and double-checking the details with my co-conspirators have been consuming my thoughts. I've never organized such an event before. It's been fun. Tonight is the big night and so... let the fun continue!

While we're on the topic of surprises, I have a little surprise for you!

In conjunction with the opening of their online boutique, Spotted Moth has generously offered a coupon code for readers of Resplendent Tranquility! The Spotted Moth catalog is full to the brim with items both "chic and sweet" and "stylish and unique." Go have a look and see what strikes your fancy! The Pumpkin Pie Dress made my heart flutter.

Use the coupon code TRANQUILITY to receive 15% off your entire purchase!
Please note: one use per customer.
**Discount coupon code has been changed to resplendent**

Wallet-friendly Wednesday

It's been six months since I've shared my thrift store finds in one of my Wallet-friendly Wednesday posts. Wow, six months. One of the things I missed most during my blogging hiatus earlier this year was sharing my thrifted and second-hand goodies with others who can appreciate such things. I've been debating over whether or not to do Wallet-friendly Wednesday spotlights with some of the clothing items I picked up during those six months. I may just end up working them into regular outfit posts instead. We'll see.

So, without further ado here is my most recent find -- a beautifully embroidered blouse for 99 cents:

While this blouse is practically perfect in every way (ah, how'd you like that Mary Poppins reference?), I was thinking about tea staining it. What do you think? I'm not sure if I am going to attempt it because the ink on the label has worn away leaving the garment material a mystery. I believe tea staining is best suited for cotton or cotton-blend fabrics. Hmm. Perhaps I'll just look for a more suitable blouse to try it with and leave this one alone.

P.S. I'd like to acknowledge and say hello to my new followers and readers. Hello! *waves* Thank you all for your kind words and comments. I have been a bit unorganized and tardy in returning your visits, but I will soon :)

Violet amour

Oftentimes I wish that violets lasted the duration of the warm and mild months. How lovely it would be to always see a carpet of grass interspersed with dainty shapes of purple and white. I suppose as with all other flowers it is the violet's ephemeral nature that makes it so exquisitely charming.

Let's take a walk down memory lane: prior affection for these darling little buds can be seen in this post.

Tell me, is there any one flower whose loveliness you wish lasted just a bit longer?

Before I call it a day here on the blog, I just wanted to extend a thank you to the kind birthday wishes left for me last week (thank you!) and to share a glimpse of the delightful little parcel that arrived for me on my birthday morning. Lynnette has been in the US for a few weeks visiting with family & sightseeing and sweetly sent over these chocolates from Seattle. We've been corresponding for well over six months now and always seem to include candies of some sort for each other with our letters. Thank you again, Lynnette!

Make a wish

I turned 25 on Wednesday. Half way through my twenties already! Birthday celebrations are generally quiet affairs for me and truthfully I've come to enjoy them best that way. Warm May weather, pretty blossoms, dinner & cake with my family and my day is complete.

My mother tried something new this year and iced some of my lemon cupcakes with vanilla frosting. The combination was very flavorful, but nothing can out-do when they are simply topped with powdered (confectioners) sugar. She treated me to both. Mmm. ♥

Dress: H&M The Garden Collection, Cardigan: Target (old), Shoes: Aldo

This dress has been hanging on the back of my bedroom door since March. I've been tempted by it for months, but ignored its calls to be worn so that its first outing would be as my birthday dress. Organic cotton? Two floral prints in one? Big, billowy pockets? Yes, please.

"Sunlight is painting"

This afternoon's intermittent sunlight brought to mind this partial* quote I borrowed for today's post title. Breaking through the clouds it poured forth coloring everything it touched with its illuminating wash and brushstrokes of warmth.

Dress: H&M, Top: Target, Brooch: thrifted
Sandals: Delia's, Sunglasses: TJ Maxx

*"Moonlight is sculpture; sunlight is painting." - Nathaniel Hawthorne, Passages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1

Film and some favorite things

A few months ago I was on a quest for a 35mm film point-and-shoot. My quest had to extend further than boxes and drawers inside my home as I couldn't find the camera I remember my parents having. No big deal. With each visit to my favorite thrift store, I poked around through the bric-a-brac section hoping to spot one and think, "yes, that's the one for me!" Some weeks the pickings were slim, but I persisted until I found this Kodak for... wait for it... $1.49. Love that.

This particular model is the VR 35 K40 and was manufactured from 1986 to 1993. I've been so used to my SLR and manually focusing all of my film photos that adjusting to the fixed focus feature has been a little funny for me. "Just remember to point and click, Em. No need to zoom or focus." Hehe. I've been having fun with it, regardless. Below are some of the first shots we took together.




One of my favorite things in the world is early morning fog at sunrise. It's a sight that never grows old or tiresome to me. I find the colors at dawn to be so beautiful and mysterious. They create such a serene, placid, or tranquil (if you will) atmosphere that I can never seem to get enough of.

Camera: Kodak VR35 K40
Film: Kodak Gold 200
Click photos for an enlarged view