My very own La Plate and antique oil lamp

Before I get into my La Plate and "Benjamin Franklin" lamp, I have to tell you excited I am that today has finally arrived.  Today is my PAY DAY.  This blonde took broke to a new level this month.  On Tuesday I charged a value-sized bottle of Barefoot Riesling and a loaf of bread to my credit card.  Necessary?  Absolutely.  

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My dinner for the last two nights has consisted of wine and a PB&J and I wouldn't have it any other way.  This is a luxury only a single girl living alone can enjoy with no judgment.  I get to watch the latest ep of "Teen Mom 2" while laying on my couch, adorned in my Snuggie I swore I would never own but wear every night, one hand in a bag of White Cheddar Natural Cheetos (mine & my neph's new fave) with the other grasped around a glass of cheap wine. Y'all ... this is my life and I make no excuses.
  
As perfect Emily told Brad at the beginning of this season's Bachelor, "It's better to be home alone than home wishing you were alone."  Amen sister.  I get to watch whatever trash TV I want when I want, I can eat cereal for dinner and polish off a bottle of wine with absolutely no (OK, maybe a little) shame.  I don't have to forgo Desperate Housewives or Brothers and Sisters when the NFL takes over every man's Sunday night (been there, no thanks).  I mean, don't get me wrong, relationships can be fabulous, but so can being single.  Yes, I'll throw myself a pity party from time to time, but I've learned to embrace the single life.  This is the last time in my life I don't have to worry about anyone else's needs but my own, and I plan on enjoying every second of it.  I refuse to waste my twenties living in the future worrying about what is going to happen down the road.  My life is what is happening now, not worrying about when I am going to get married, buy a house, have kids, etc.  Ya heard???

Wow.   I don't know where all that came from, but I'm glad that's off my chest. Now to the topic at hand.

So you may remember I had a La Plate on my Christmas wish list, and guess what?  Santa (aka my Grandma) came through!  My bedroom is chocolate brown, light green, some bronze and a little bit of white.  So I decided on brown on brown.  You likey?

Isn't she a beaut? 

My Grandma also has quite the collection of antique oil lamps, and she surprised me by bringing me my very own when she came to Dallas for Christmas.  This was bought from an antique dealer in the late 1970s by my Grandpa in Ohio and my Grandma estimates its about 100 years old.   I absolutely love it and I think it looks perfecto on my dresser turned "second night stand".  In this pic you can see the lamp plus how I use my La Plate as a trey/catch all. 

And a closer look:

Notice my Lafco House and Home Collection candle? This candle was featured as one of Oprah's Ultimate Fave Things this season.  I haven't really disclosed this yet, but I'm obsessed with her.  Every night I watch her show that I DVR during the day and now, I also DVR almost every single show on her OWN network.  Is she trying to ruin me?  I don't have any more room in my TV line-up.  UGH! 

And for inquiring minds, that is Aldi's Lacura - Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream and it's only $3.99, smells heavenly and I lather it around my eyes every night.  Just check out the rave reviews of it on Make-Up Alley.  It's now a staple in my skin care routine.

Vintage Vanity Tray

So I made my first antique purchase, whadayathink?


I love this vintage vanity tray for the counter top in my bathroom. The best part? It was only $9.95. From my limited research, I found most vanity trays this style and size are going for about $19.95, but I searched the entire 25,000 square feet of the Allen Antique Mall (I could spend HOURS here and still not be bored) looking for the perfect piece and price.

Isn't it so interesting to think about the story behind an antique? I wonder whose dresser this was on and what their life story was.


Now it's on mine and that's where I like it.