Saturday, October 10, 2015

Yours, Mine, Ours: Moving In, Piece By Vintage Piece

My newly acquired vintage watering can.

Since being with my boyfriend James for over 9 months now, and navigating around our respectively busy and often times conflicting schedules (plus one bridge between us), we've come to the realization that living together would be more than ideal. And as that possibility becomes increasingly more viable, I had a thought.

Can my style...become his style....become our style? While James joins me on the occasional thrift trip when time allows, he doesn't actively go thrifting or flea market shopping of his own accord. And aside from finding a few records here and there (my influence, of course)... he's not really into vintage.

At least not like I am. So I've decided that slowly but surely...I'd "spruce up the space." And ladies-who-thrift know what that really means.

I'm not sure which is cuter...this basket tray or The Beverly Bee newspaper in it. 

What that really means is: I'm bringing in my vintage wares, one at a time.  

Like that too cute to be true vintage watering can that will act as a vase. Or this decorative basket that will temporarily house all of the junk mail that needs to be sorted. So far, there have been no complaints. But then again I feel like it would take a lot for James to issue a complaint. 

To be fair, I do ask for his opinion.

Here. Sniff this. 

Take candle scents, for instance. A scent to fill the home should probably be a mutually agreed upon purchase. And while this lovely candle with rope detail wasn't thrifted, but bought on clearance, I like to think that his opinion on what I bring into his---soon to be our---place matters.

I don't want to feel like I'm taking over. Sure, I cook. Sure, I clean. And sure I have this running joke that one day he'll come home to find the place looking like something out of Antiques Roadshow.

But he says that he's more than okay with that---that he kind of expected that to happen as soon as he gave me a copy of the key. 

And to my credit, it has been a slow and controlled process, a process in which he makes decisions with me.  

I mean, look at these. 

Except these vintage daisy glasses. I snatched these up for less than a dollar each, washed them, and plopped them right in his kitchen cabinet without question. 

It's not like he has to drink from them. Right? Right!? I stand by my purchase. 


There he is. Totally immersed in an episode of The Flash. 

And he's not angry about any of this---I swear. And though I have an obvious bias in favor of the secondhand, I think all of these homey little touches adds a domestic element. It's   just warmer, more welcoming. In nerdspeak: it's no longer the Fortress of Solitude. 

James knows the lay of the secondhand land for me, and what that eventually means for us as a couple as we make strides towards our future together. A steamer trunk here. A refurbished bar cart there. 

And I guess time will only tell, as the inevitable question arrises...

Sure, you love me. 
But can you love my vintage?
_____________________________


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6 comments:

Witchcrafted Life said...

What a lovely, relate-able post. I wish you two nothing but the best and bet that James will warm to vintage all the more as time goes on (I know my chap did!).

Big hugs & happy Columbus Day wishes,
♥ Jessica

Jackie Jardine said...

Many thanks, Jessica. Something tells me, he'll come around!

<3 Jackie

Anny said...

LOL My husband just shakes his head when I come home with stuff. I am constantly swapping in "new" stuff.

Scents we agree on :)

Jackie Jardine said...

Ha Ha. Don't worry, Anny. I'm sure James will be doing that with me soon enough!

<3 Jackie

Urban Homeschoolers Of Columbus said...

Hello I found your blog through the blogger group on Facebook! I love thrifting and can wait to read all of your post!

Jackie Jardine said...

Thanks for reading, Healing Mama!