Thank you http://moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com/ for hosting a linky party to define our blogs!What a great idea! Well, here it goes!  

RACHEL'S JUNK IN THE TRUNK BLOG DEFINITION:

Yard Sale Junkie  taking it a day at a time looking for the wow factor. There’s plenty of junk in my trunk after a yard sale adventure and of course after a whole bag of lime flavored chips. I am a 47 year old Mother to Julia & Rodney and wanna be Domestic Cougar Goddess to Tito. I am an Operations Manager for a thriving Construction Company named of all things, Tool Time Construction.

 I am often asked about the T.V. show and no I am not the Tool Time Girl. I wish I could prance around in shorts with a Makita Drill in my hand all day long. Yet, reality hits and there’s payroll, audits, scheduling, time cards, H/R duties, email research and keeping our clients happy. With the stress of the week behind me, I venture out every Saturday morning to the local yard sales. I find great deals and even when I don’t, it relaxes me. I guess it’s better than sedatives and hitting the bottle right?  

Rachel’s Junk in the Trunk Blog is a snap shot of my life unexpected .Things in my life swirl just as much as they swirl in my head (bi polar? or just a busy working Mom?). I love everything and want to do it all which is reflected in my blogging style. I love shabby chic with a touch of Gothic & Gypsy. I wear thumb rings with business casual attire & heels. Funny, my clothing and decorating style swirl along side me like partners in crime. I invite you in to enjoy some “blogging time”.  

                                                                                                                               

Junk in the Trunk Project

I found Emily at a yard sale. She and her Sister Elizabeth, yes I named them, were 50 cents each.They were a  little dusty and plain yet I couldn't resist. I found paint at another yard sale so I spent Monday night painting . I wanted to give Emily an antique look. I found a cork in my craft box to use as a "look like it has chips"method. I take a regular cork from a wine bottle, before the paint dries ,rub the cork on the spots I want to create the "chipped" look. Bacially wiping away the paint.   

Here Emily sits with Elizabeth my next project. I ran out of daylight so she'll sit plain for another week.  

Emily looks like she went to a tanning booth next to Elizabeth -maybe she can make a cameo on Jersey Shores?

Beauty Within Matters

 Before

                                                                      After


I find little inspirations in the oddest places.

The Before picture was taken to display a necklace I created from several different yard sale hunts. The glass pendant, silver chain and display all under $5.00

 The After photo came to me in a dream. I brought it to life and added the saying "Beauty Within Matters".

Pigtown Atelier: Announcing Atelier Pigtown!

Pigtown Atelier: Announcing Atelier Pigtown!:The shop will feature some of Meg Fairfax Fielding of Pigtown Design  handmade items, like pillows and pennants, as well as books, silver and silver plate items, French Ivory cutlery imported specially from the UK, china from my extensive collection of blue and white pieces, antique engravings, photographs and much, much more!

Visit Pigtown Design!  

Tito's Corner of the Universe

Here's another game Tito is requesting. The alarm is setting in......lol

Tito's Corner of the Universe

Tito called requesting this game. Should I be alarmed? lol

Megan Miller Nail Polish at Anthro » Eat Drink Chic

Megan Miller Nail Polish at Anthro » Eat Drink Chic

Fabulous!

Vintage Bag



Vintage Bag



French Vintage White Ribbon

Ok, look at my lastest finds from Raggy Girl Vintage. Thank you Tammy with Beatrice Banks for introducing me! It's like a Spring Christmas! Can't wait for my treasures to arrive!    

Burlap and Blue



From Burlap and Blue

 Beatrice Banks introduced me to Burlap and Blue . Loved the site! Purchased this set of vintage coasters.

forkfabrikationz: I Heart Paper Dolls!

forkfabrikationz: I Heart Paper Dolls! This blog brought me back to my favorite past time as a child,paperdolls!

Bella Rosa Antiques

 After viewing Beatrice Banks blog went on line shopping @ Bella Rosa Antiques





                    http://www.bellarosaantiques.com/



Can't wait for this to come in! It will look great in my mini showroom/home office.





Jar of Hearts

Heard Christina Perri's Jar of Hearts song and loved it! My Daughter, Julia (12) of course instantly knew her name. Me, being the uncool Mom had no clue who she was. I googled her when I got home then I joined her fan club, put her   on my wallpaper and ordered the CD. Can you say stalker? lol ....She reminds me of Julia,minus the hair and tattoos..... 
                      
Why am I blogging @ 12:29am on Friday morning? .........Well.......

This Saturday is the Annual Rancho San Diego 40 plus Family yard sale. I have my dollars neatly tucked in my wallet,  new walking shoes,water & snacks in order. All the essentials to spend about 5 hours roaming the streets of Rancho. I will gas up Friday night to be ready bright and early ---6AM BABY! Yeah me! It's only Thursday night and I am already excited!

Kelly is Inspired: Bacon Egg and Toast Cups

Ok I am going to dust off the ol'apron and make Kelly's Bacon Egg and Toast Cups for breakfast-- before I hit the yardsales this weekend. Check out her blog:

Kelly is Inspired: Bacon Egg and Toast Cups

With everything going on in the world,I feel guilty thinking and searching for a back pack for school. Yet,it's time. My brief case and purse are too small.  I am all of 5'1" tall so I can't have a bag that is too big yet I love the Kenneth Cole messenger bags. I like  the color black because it goes with anything and regular back packs looked too kid like. What bag looks like "Hi ,I am  a  5'1" ,47 year old woman who went back to school? lol 

Day Seven

Rachel's Olympic Training Center

Let me catch my breathe,just flew off the trampoline. I started 3 days ago which I could only withstand  being on for 1 minute. Yeah, that's right my dear Blogger Buddies, 1 minute. 60 whole seconds. Each night I added a minute. Just did 3 whole minutes. Is that crazy or what? Tito, Mr.Motivator ,the mover and shaker of the family,yells out "DO ANOTHER MINUTE!" Gasping I manage to muster "NO I have a routine and I am only adding a minute a day" ! Disappointed he goes back to holding  his prize possession ,the remote. In the exercise department I am Venus to his Mars. I go through the start of a new exercise with baby steps while he starts out in marathon fashion. We will always be yin and yang, night and day and a little Lucy & Ricky Ricardo. Yet opposites attract right? Now that I am a serious trampoline artist nothing can get in my way. Hey I could one day have a work out video for woman over 40....OK over 47. For now, I am shaping up for the next yard sale hunt so look out bargains! I am in supper(OMG! I WROTE SUPPER,INSTEAD OF SUPER-THERE I GO THINKING ABOUT FOOD AFTER 7PM)  training mode!......I AM IN SUPER TRAINING MODE......Have you had any baby steps lately?    

Day Six

 A few weeks ago Julia and I ventured to Cost Plus /World Market for the first time in a number of years. We stayed longer than we should have yet it was nice having Mother and Daughter time. She won't stay 12 forever.I already embarrass her on face book and   somehow this year in middle school I am no longer the cool Mom. She however is at the age where she  loves the mall thus never missing a beat when I ask if she wants to take a road trip. To her, Cost Plus World Market was "cool". Yeah score one for the ol' Mom!

I fell in love with this clean,crisp spring like patio set.

The green reminded me of St.Patrick's day which led me to this refreshing drink of choice down another isle:

I looked for the receipt on the website so I wouldn't think about eating after 7pm on day 6 and found the following:

WHICH JUST MADE ME THIRSTY AND LONG FOR ST.PATTY'S DAY! GO FIGURE!

World Market's Irish Coffee Recipe -

Irish Coffee

Ingredients:
6 ounces World Market® French Roast Coffee
1 tablespoon Torani Irish Cream Syrup, available in stores
2 ounces whipping cream
1 tablespoon Irish Whiskey*

Directions
Mix the coffee, Torani Irish Cream Syrup and whiskey together in a warm, clear glass coffee mug. Place a spoon on the surface of the coffee and slowly pour the whipping cream over the spoon. Slowly move the spoon up as the layer of cream thickens to ensure that it remains on the surface of the coffee. Allow the cream to float on top without stirring.

*If you’d prefer a non-alcoholic version, simply leave this step out.

Remember this traditional blessing as you start your day the Irish way:

May your mornings bring joy, and your evenings bring peace…May your troubles grow less as your blessings increase!

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday! Any special plans or traditions? My Mother always made corned beef and cabbage for St.Patty's Day. Yum ville! There I go think about food -again.

Day Five

The Contraption,I mean trampoline.

Today was such a pretty day here in lovely San Diego. I opened all the windows to let the sun light up house. Had a full day off and how did I spend it? Cleaning,blogging, doing laundry and dabbling with my yard sale finds. I found a trampoline for $10. I thought it was a little pricey yet, the little girl who demonstrated her jumping techniques was just too cute. Her Dad was quite the salesman by having her jump up and down smiling and giggling without a care in the world. I melted like butter. After finding room for my new found trampoline in the Master Bedroom and thinking I was alone, I proceded  to bounce, like the little girl , carefree to my own little dance jig when I hear 12 year old Julia laughing and almost in tears. I thought any minute she would video tape me thus going viral on u tube. OK, so everything bounced along with me. I didn't realize how out of shape I was in. I was exhausted after 30 seconds! Here's another goal of mine,stay on the trampoline one day for 5 minutes. I dream big baby!

Shrimp & Capers Spaghetti

Julia took a picture of dinner. It's my Shrimp & Capers Spaghetti. I love how she captured the light on the fork handle like a sign of sorts,saying yeah you no eating after 7pm!   

 Simply Square

I also dabbled in creating some jewelry pieces.

Blue Heart

Overall it was a simple and relaxing Sunday. How was your Sunday?  

Day Four

I am concentrating on not eating after 7pm so I just spent an hour on line researching the items I found at this morning yard sale finds. I googled Bill Blass,Jones New York, Targets Merona  and more. All together the 7 pair of pants retailed for approximately $165.00. When I asked the seller how much she wanted for the pants she explained ," $1.00 each". The pants are gently worn .The only indication they were actually worn -no tags. She continued to share with retiring she will no longer need business attire.Feeling slightly guilty, I said are you sure? She nodded yes. I saved $158!

 It amazes me when I find  great prices for nice clothes. The seller is moving away from business attire and I, currently taking real estate classes, am heading towards changing my attire. This, mind you, is coming from a woman who still wears thumb rings and only dresses up for interviews, weddings,furnerals and graduations.

I am more the very casual business girl who likes comfort rather than a skirt. Several friends call me a camillion. I change looks daily from  casual jeans, gothic, gypsy to hippie. I call it "Rachel Wear". I never let trends define me however first impressions are crucial in the business world. I am uncomforatable in restricted clothing and don't get me started on nylons. They are so confining just the thought of wear nylons makes me itch! Don't get me wrong it's not like I wear sweats all day yet just the thought of slacks and blouses make me start to hyperventillate. Change is good in every aspect of our lives. When was the last time you were out of your comfort zone?