Sometime between 1970 and 1990, homeowners decided to renovate (AKA ruin) kitchens and bathrooms in old, historic homes. I would give a large sum of money (that I don't actually have) to see what my kitchen looked like before 1979 and even more money to see the original kitchen circa 1923. My kitchen is totally fine—that's how I would describe it. And it feels extremely cozy—like a kitchen you would want to make a Thanksgiving dinner in. The kitchen felt so much better once I moved into my house and added my decor and beloved knickknacks. In other words, I'm in no rush to renovate it and bring it back to its original era. However , I decided to switch out the kitchen cabinet hardware. This is the easiest and quickest way to give kitchen cabinets (of any kind) a makeover. I would have the energy and motivation to paint the cabinets white in a perfect world, but this will do for now. I opted for crystal knobs because I love the timeless look of original door knobs in historic homes. My first thought before swapping out the hardware was, " Do people use this type of hardware on kitchen cabinets? "These look like something you would use on a dresser." My next thought was, "Who cares? " These crystal kitchen cabinet knobs are incredibly versatile and can be used on just about anything (bathroom cabinets, office drawers, and dressers to make a few.) I give them a big ole 10/10. And as part of my frequent cleaning routine, you better believe I sparkle them up with my glass cleaner on the regular. Virgo's brains are fascinating. Links : Sassafrass / Baking Yesteryear / The Lebanese Kitchen / Crystal Cabinet Knobs xoxo, Jacki

My post-hysterectomy brain fog has been a 10/10. That's right. I had my reproductive system (sans ovaries) removed last week, and my mind feels like a bouncy ball with lots of fog. Yesterday, I had a random thought and immediately posted about it on my Instagram story, as one does. "I should start a website." Actually... "I'm going to start a website, like, this week , even though I don't feel well." Bingo. My grandma (bottom right) in one of the greatest photos ever taken. I don't really have a clear plan. I mean, I'm unemployed right now (which sounds very alarming). I spent the last nine years at A Beautiful Mess working my way up from Office Manager (we didn't have an IG, and the term "influencer" didn't exist when I started ... what did I do all day?) to Content and Communications Manager. It was truly my dream job. However, as we all know by now, things change. Change was my least favorite word in the dictionary until a few weeks ago when it was forced on me. And it was exactly what I needed. Do I sound insanely optimistic? Trust me, I'm surprised too. The game plan I came up with the day after I was laid off was: Have surgery in 2 weeks Heal and recover Search and apply for jobs And because I'm apparently all about change right now, and I have no chill, let's add "start a personal blog" to that list. Having said that, there's only one stipulation about this idea—I desperately want this blog to be for fun and nothing else. I'm proud to say that I know how to write a blog post that will rank on Google. SEO research is good for my brain. I can also manage the heck out of an affiliate program while running social media accounts and writing newsletters for a lifestyle blog. HOWEVER, that isn't what this blog is about. I want to keep things simple without any pressure. The Golden Years came to me yesterday (seemingly out of nowhere), and I knew exactly why. I remember when my grandma talked about growing up during "the golden years," a period I can only experience through flea market finds, old TV shows, and my goofy nostalgic brain. On the flip side, I experienced two life-changing events during August, and another one is coming up in September— My 40th birthday. Wow, OK. All of this signifies positive change and a new path in life. Here's to the golden years. ✨ Related Post: Life After A Beautiful Mess

I decorated for Halloween yesterday, and it feels pretty darn cozy here. I like to use a mix of vintage, vintage reproduction, and dollar store stuff for my house. I'm doing a little vintage Halloween decor pop-up at Culture Flock this Friday, October 13th, from 5:00 to 8:00. (Insert spooky, scary sounds here.) Here's a link to the Rountree Witches neighborhood event. Hope to see you there! I've spent the last month searching high and low for cooool things that I can't keep for myself. It has been a fun challenge. 🎃 Here's a link to the black cat cutout , skeleton tissue dancer , and garland . I've been buying Beistle vintage reproduction decor for years. They are so good! And affordable. I've been using this immune-boosting spray for six months, and it works . I spray it on my tongue every morning. I've been working at Hakaar's Bazaar occasionally on the weekends, which has been equally fun and therapeutic. If you haven't been there... it's a treat! My favorite shampoo . It's pricey, but a little goes a long way. I wrote a post about my everyday makeup and skincare routine . I love reading this sort of thing about other people. A cute set of Halloween dish towels . Do you swap yours out for holidays? I had one of these as a teenager, and I'm pretty sure it was from Natural Wonders. Ahhhh! These jeans are the perfect amount of stretchy and super duper-flattering. Katie got me this candle for my birthday, and it smells like Egyptian amber heaven. Lighting a brand-new candle is a GREAT feeling. I'm kind of weird about microwave popcorn with a lot of butter. If you feel the same way, try this kind of thing . I like to add some nutritional yeast and a little garlic powder. I'm such a grandma! xoxo, Jacki P.S. Here's a link to my last 10 Favorite Things post. ✨

I'm excited to share another edition of my Time Capsule series. If you missed the first post, click here . It's a good one! Today's post is dedicated to a local business called Junker Joe's . If you're wondering what the heck I'm talking about, you're in for a treat. If you live in Springfield, MO, you can find Junker Joe's on historic Route 66. I guarantee you've driven by it a bunch of times. If you're cruising around, you probably wouldn't think to go inside Junker Joe's unless you were selling scrap metal, copper, or an old car battery. However , if you pull into the parking lot, you will see that it's much more than that. Here's the entrance on the side of the building: That's right. A big freaking junk museum awaits you. The thing is, Joe does a lot more than we all realize. He collects a lot of COOL stuff. None of it is for sale—it's his personal collection. And let me tell you ... it's fun to look at. I met Joe Bryant a couple of years ago after a friend told me about his eclectic shop. I was like,  "Let's go right now." We talked for at least an hour while he showed us his collection of oddities. Get ready if you love 80s horror movies, freaky things, or old-school Springfield collectibles. Honestly, the photos don't do it justice! Junker Joe's has been at 2317 W. College Street on Route 66 since 1993. This stretch of Springfield is truly a step back in time with old, abandoned motels, diners, and plenty of businesses that are still doing their thing today. Did you know that Springfield is the birthplace of Route 66 ? Contrary to belief, Michael Myers is displayed year-round in different areas of the shop. I'm terrified whenever I see him because he looks SO REAL. Oh, cool! It's another thing that spooks me every flipping time. The last time I was there, I spotted this old grocery sack from Smitty's with the Three Missing Women on the back. I've spent countless, insane hours researching the case and reading message boards over the years, so it was a trip to see this in real life. Random fact: If you go to Coyote's , you will find that they still have one of the original yellow Three Missing Women signs on their front door. So, yeah ... get a hold of me if you want to discuss the Springfield 3 in full detail. I have a few thoughts. 😅 There are some NSFW things inside this case. I guess you'll have to go in to see them. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I hope you stop by Junker Joe's the next time you're in the neighborhood. Grab yourself an ice freak'n cold soda pop and enjoy the freakshow. xoxo, Jacki

I may keep my Halloween decorations up for a couple more weeks. Don't get me wrong—I love decorating for Christmas, but it has been more challenging for me to get in the Christmas spirit the past couple of years. I want to work toward changing my mindset about December. Grief and past hardships don't have to change how you feel about a particular month every year for the rest of your life , you know? Does anyone else relate to this feeling? Speaking of Halloween, though, here's a little video of my decorated house and some photos of my porch . My hot take on I .G. reels: I think they're fun to watch, but I don't think my type 1 perfectionist brain enjoys the process of making them. LOL. I saw that this bra had over 42k positive reviews, and I was like, "OK, I'll try wearing a bra (and not a sports bra type thing) again." It turns out it's really comfortable and affordable. Two weeks ago, I watched my favorite movie, Rosemary's Baby , with Elsie and Emma. It was perfect. Soup and movie nights are good for the soul. I've been searching for a vintage quilt (that doesn't cost a fortune) for a while, and guess what ? I placed a bid on this one and won. It was only $8! Conditioner of any kind weighs down my wavy hair, but when I apply a little bit of this leave-in product to it after showering, it works like a dream. The best bathroom night lights . I bought a clear green shower curtain for my bathroom last year and found a VERY identical one for a fraction of the price. Maybe I'll buy the orange one, perhaps I won't. I started reading this book (it's so good!), and nobody is surprised . This is my favorite coffee shop in Springfield. My go-to order is an Americano with oat milk and cinnamon, and I almost always order their homemade quiche to go with it. I don't buy new bath towels very often, but I buy this set when I do. This is my go-to sparkling water flavor right now. I drink quite a bit of it every day. I decided to call it my "emotional support sparkling water" because I always take a can or two with me when I leave the house. 🤷🏻‍♀️ P.S. Here's last month's favorite things  post in case you missed it! xoxo, Jacki

Holy smokes. It's been weeks since I've updated the blog, and it's not a habit I want to get into. I feel like I have a pretty good excuse since I started a new job last month. Right now, I'm trying to balance my work/personal life, and I can't say there's been a balance of any kind so far, LOL. I love my new job, but man ... learning new things in a brand-new environment has been more mentally taxing than I thought it would be. It feels like I'm back in college, but the funny thing is that my job didn't even exist when I was in college. I love that I get to be creative, write content, and come up with new ideas for things like ad campaigns. I'm only a month in but know I'm in a good spot. I need to adjust to all the changes. My favorite word. 🤪 In other news, I still haven't shared a tour of this room, but I really need to because it is before and after eye candy, and I'm pretty darn proud of it. I think everyone in the universe knows by now that I'm a diehard Ozark Mountain Daredevils fan, so it's not surprising that I have this poster on the wall. But, you probably don't know that this poster is STRAIGHT OUTTA the 1970s. A friend of mine was a roadie for them back in the day (he's clearly three times my age) and still had several of these posters rolled up and sealed to perfection. I freaked out, per usual, and carefully unrolled it and put it inside a poster frame . I love that the bottom area isn't filled out with the city or state—a promo poster at its best. Anyway, here are ten more things I'm into right now :)) I've been adding this cherry concentrate to my water (it helps me drink more) and my hot tea at night. I love these handmade jumpsuits (and everything in this shop) so much. The purple one and the mint green one are my favorites. I'm one of those people who needs to have a space heater on at all times this time of year while I'm working. I bought this little one to put under my desk, and it's not ugly! A plus for a space heater. My favorite afternoon snack . It almost tastes like the real thing. I paid $19.99 to watch the new season of RuPaul's Drag Race , and I have zero regrets. I'm Team Dawn. 🏆 My friend Andie bought me this incredibly on-brand blanket hoodie , and yes ... I've slept in it. I would love to find the entire set of these kitschy perfume bottles "in the wild." I have one so far, and you can see it in my 1970s bathroom makeover . Speaking of house stuff, I wrote a whole post about my vintage packaging collection . Have you ever sat and stared at boxes of old packaging for way too long? Yeah, me either,r. 👀 I wear my pink furry slippers all the dang time. These are extra good because they have a rubber sole and can be worn outside, too. And I TOTALLY have. Last but not least, in true grandma fashion, I recently bought some fake flowers to put inside the pots on my front porch so they looked less dead and dreary. So much better! Have a great week! Spring will be here soon. xoxo, Jacki P.S. Here's a link to my last 10 Favorite Things post.

I have my third interview with a local company next week, and I feel a cool combination of excitement and nervousness. I can confidently say I nailed the first two interviews, but some of the things I have to present for the next one feel out of my comfort zone. New things can be scary! Regardless of what happens, I try to remind myself that this will be good practice. Like, if I don't get this job, my life won't be over. It just means that it wasn't meant to be (but I'm very ready to find the right thing, and this job feels like it). So yeah, that's where my cold, virus-ridden head is. I didn't plan on announcing the job stuff to anyone, but I figured it couldn't hurt to put it out in the universe. As the cool kids say ... "fingers and toes crossed!" In other news, I've been wearing Christmas turtlenecks , sweatshirts, and sweaters every day for the last week. It's funny how many I've collected over the years. For this week's ten things, I thought I would share what I have on my Christmas list this year. Cool? Cool. A nostalgic (but not full-on vintage) microwave . I love the color. I've had my eye on this limited-edition eyeshadow palette for a while. The pun is 100% intentional. Update: It looks like it's out of stock everywhere, but here's a similar one . I bought a pair of faux Birkenstocks over the summer and have worn them to death. They have a little life left in them, but not much. I also have them in brown . I love this puffer jacket . Plus, the brand makes me feel cool and younger than I am. I would really like to replace my old and boring flatware set with this one . I like its unique design and mix of gold and silver. Oh, and it's affordable . I'll admit that I'm pretty terrible at dressing appropriately for cold weather. But I'm pretty sure these gloves will help motivate me this winter. I obviously want this t-shirt from one of my favorite Etsy shops . 🔪 I desperately need a frying pan set without all those weird chemicals in the coating. These seem perfect! This makeup bag reminds me of the 90s. And my high school bedroom, of course. Last but not least, I received a fresh set of hand towels for my bathroom. It's hard to choose between this design and the floral one . They're both A++ to me. xoxo, Jacki P.S. Here's a link to my last 10 Favorite Things post.

Have you ever become friends with someone through Facebook Marketplace ? Well, I have. I met my friend Taryn in 2019 after she bought a few things from me, and we've stayed in touch ever since. She's close to my parent's age, but as you likely know by now , I'm an old soul, so I don't even think about it. Taryn has given me a lot of great life advice over the years, and the last time we had lunch, she gave me something that she's had for years (but didn't have a place for)— the incredible Brady Bunch-esque light shade pictured below. I can't wait to hang it in my sunroom. It's the only room I have left to decorate in my house, and I've decided to base the decor around this light fixture— it will be full of retro fun. However, until I feel motivated, my sunroom will look like a sad garage. Lol. Here are a few things I've been into lately! I'm thinking about doing something different with my Christmas tree this year, using colorful glitter bows. Here's an inspirational photo . We'll see! I've been wearing these gold earrings on repeat since I bought them. They remind me of something from Madewell, but less expensive. I shared my house-buying story last week if you didn't see it. It's crazy that I was looking for a house to buy last year, and now I'm looking for a new job. The universe is demanding change in my life! I've tried a bunch of different dry shampoos, and this one is the clear winner . You can also find it at most Walgreens stores. Leopard print has become an unexpected favorite of mine in the past couple of years. We're talking about pants, tops, sneakers, and socks (sometimes simultaneously). I found the perfect pair of mules to add to my collection. I have a Himalayan salt nightlight in my bathroom, and I love the heck out of it. I can already think of a couple of people who are getting a set of them for Christmas. My favorite splurge lipstick . It's made with clean ingredients, and the formula is really moisturizing and long-lasting. I wear the color Rosette. I can't believe it's almost time to buy a 2024 planner. I've been using this brand for years, and I use the fun sticker sheets it comes with for birthday cards and little things here and there. It's officially sweater/turtleneck season, and I'm here for it. There's one in particular that's going to get its OWN blog post soon. I have a crazy amount of turtlenecks (especially holiday-themed ones), and they've all been Goodwill finds. The best tea in the universe —especially when it's cold outside. Do yourself a favor and cozy up with some asap! P.S. Here's a link to my last 10 Favorite Things post . xoxo, Jacki

My grandma was the best at decorating, and her Christmas decorations were always next level. She made the holidays extra special and 100% influenced me to do the same thing in my home. I've been collecting Christmas decor for the past 15+ years. This is my second Christmas at this house , and I decided to do something ... different ... with the tree. I'm not totally sure how I feel about it. It's a crazy tree, to say the least. OK! Tour time. It's truly a Christmas miracle that this Heer's Department Store banner was hanging out at a local antique shop. A friend found it, and I (obviously) freaked out when I saw it. It looks brand new! I love imagining what it looked like in one of their holiday windows back in the day. I already had a wooden poster hanger that was magically the same size, so I stuck it in there with some fabric glue. That's about as DIY as it gets around here! This tree might look "normal" in this photo, but in person, it resembles something from a rainbow-themed rave Christmas party. In all honesty, it's kind of fun. My other tree looked wonky, and some of the lights weren't working, so I picked this guy for Christmas 2023. I switched things up even more by not hanging up my big collection of ornaments on the tree this year. I kinda love the bow trend that's going on right now, so I used a combination of gold glitter bows and a vintage set of ornaments with colorful jewels on them. I ended up finding both at the flea market for next to nothing. A score, indeed. Hi, Norman. Hi, weird Santa pinata. My grandma made the angel stocking when I was little. It's perfect! I love the note on the back of this frame. I found it at an estate sale a few years ago, and I had to bring it home with me. I usually treat myself to a new Christmas decoration every year, and this honeycomb candle was the clear winner. I found it in October at one of my favorite flea markets in Kansas City. I did a little decorating in the kitchen, but nothing too crazy. I'm just now realizing that 99% of my decorations are Santa-themed. LOL Someday, I want to put old-fashioned Christmas lights outside my house . They are the best kind, hands down. 🤶 Merry Christmas! - Grandma Jacki

I haven't officially announced it on here yet, but I'm starting a new job (!!!) next week. I'm so excited and very ready to start working again. I got the news right before Christmas; it was the best present I've ever received. I'm going to be an SEO and Content Specialist for a local digital marketing agency called BixPxl . When I told my mom the news, she had no idea what I was talking about and told me she never really knew what I did at A Beautiful Mess either (I was there for nine years). Lol. I figure the best response at this point is, "I work in marketing." ANYWAY, I'll keep you posted. Until then, I'm counting down the days till January 3rd! Related Post: Life After A Beautiful Mess On another note, after being unemployed for almost five or five months, I can confidently say that I will be one of those people who still needs to work somewhere after retirement. My brain likes to stay busy, and I've felt pretty dang restless lately. OK, it's time to share ten things I'm into right now: I LOVE these leather gloves . I've been wanting a nice pair for a while, and these are 1. purple, 2. very warm, 3. lined with cashmere, 4. affordable, and they come in 7 other colors. Speaking of winter gear, I'm also the proud new owner of a warm, green, plaid puffy coat . This doormat is extremely relatable to my current stage of life. 😆 I bought this soft $15 throw blanket and promptly ordered another as a birthday gift. It's perfect! My glitter-filled water tumbler recently sold out, but Ban.do just came out with two new ones that might be ... even better? ( 1 , 2 ). This is the best clarifying shampoo. I use it once a week to remove excess oil from my hair. After years of going to flea markets, estate sales, and obsessively browsing online auctions, I still haven't found a set of candles like these , but maybe this year! I'm filing these earrings under "things I don't need but want." I can't help but love gold hoop earrings, you know? There's a reason why this spray has almost 18k reviews on Amazon. I always use it for sore/tense muscles and on the bottom of my feet before bed. Speaking of magnesium, a friend of mine had so many good things to say about these drops that I ordered some yesterday. I'll keep you posted on the results. 👍🏼👍🏼 Have a great weekend! It's almost 202,4, and I'm ready for it. xoxo, Jacki P.S. Here's a link to my last 10 Things post.

It's kitschy collection time! I've shared several collections on the blog, including my ice cream cone cookie jars , printer drawers with miniatures , and my ever-growing collection of local matchbooks . I refuse to pick a favorite, but let's say that my vintage advertising and packaging collection is up there . In fact, almost every room in my house is in on the fun. I have a bunch of vintage toiletries and medicine containers in my bathroom and a combination of cleaning products, spice containers, and birthday candle boxes in the kitchen. The dining room has become a prime spot for vintage ice cream containers, and the living room has everything from a retro set of bean bag ashtrays to cardboard boxes of laundry detergent. Variety is the spice of life, they say. My vintage packaging and advertising collection has taken years to accumulate. And the fun part is that I will  never be finished with it. I'm kind of picky about what I buy, so I don't enter full-on hoarder status. However, I rarely turn down something really cool (and affordable). Sometimes, one of the biggest hurdles when collecting is figuring out where the heck to put everything. I've owned a couple of mid-century plant stands over the years, and I have to say ... they can be used for practically anything. I placed mine in front of the fireplace in the living room (front and center), and it's been fun decorating the shelves with old packaging. Happiness is an unused 3-pack of Beanie Jr. ashtrays in the original box. Among other things ... I'm constantly amazed at the illustrations and fonts used on simple things like a box in the freezer . It's a work of art. 🤓 This bright red sequin headband is one of my most recent finds. Isn't it great? I've never seen anything like it. This is the packaging that Hershey's chocolate bars came in back in the 50s. How have things changed so much over the years?! I don't have a ton of them, but I love old buttons and necklace-making supplies. The illustrations are perfect. I was so excited (definitely more than the average person) when I found an unopened package of sour orange gum. How does an old pack of gum remain unopened for so long? One will never know. The rainbow sprinkles were in my grandma's kitchen cabinet from the 1980s until she passed away a few years ago. It cracks me up that she kept them for so long, but I'm forever grateful she did. I secretly hope they were used on one of my birthday cakes. It's not often that you find an unused frozen food saw in the original box. A frozen food saw?? Again, the designs are priceless. Can you guess which one of these cleaning supplies is my favorite? I stare at this shelf a lot . It's one of my favorite things in my house, and maybe of ALL TIME. The plastic ice cream cone container in the back is full of Avon bubble bath. The box it came in is equally cute. The vintage Galaxy syrup bottle (it doubles as a coin bank) next to the bubble bath is a true gem—it was one of the first things I bought that made me want to start collecting vintage packaging. Related Post: Collections: Ice Cream Cone Cookie Jars Back in the olden days, you could buy cough syrup with chloroform in it. Can you even imagine? Lol. The box has the original glass bottle inside, and it's still filled with a black syrupy liquid. It's both terrifying and cool, in my opinion. Related Post: 1970s Bathroom Makeover Don't forget to smear on some Groom & Clean Hair Dressing and take a pull of Astring-O-Sol before you leave the house in the morning. Here's another perfect example of the allure of vintage packaging. Band-Aids never looked so good. I often wonder if people realized how COOL everything looked before the 1980s. I mean, even boxes of white chalk and bottles of Pine-Sol had character. Are people going to look back at today's packaging and want to collect it 50 years from now? I have a lot of questions! xoxo, Jacki

Instagram story templates have been trending lately with prompts like "Let's see a picture of you as a kid" and "Teenage you, I bet some of ya'll will skip this." I'm a sucker for this kind of content. This post was heavily inspired by those Instagram story prompts. The thing is, my teenage years were from 1996 to 2002. And back in those days, we had good old-fashioned disposable cameras . I'm fortunate to have a decent amount of photos from that time, but thinking about all this reminded me of how many pictures I took in my next phase of life with my digital camera . Remember those? I'm not quite ready to say they are "vintage" yet. I don't have my digital camera anymore, but I do have my Dell hard drive. This thing looks like it's from the Stone Age. I kept it when I got rid of the desktop computer I used throughout college (and several years after). I decided the other night that I was going to connect the hard drive to my laptop so I could look at the contents. It was pretty hilarious how many cords and adapters it took to do this. The whole experience made me feel like the TRUE nerd I am. Anyway, I found a bunch of college assignments, essays, and PowerPoint presentations that are super embarrassing to look at now. Lol. It was a fun ride down memory lane. But most importantly, I found tons of photos that I took with my digital camera (neatly sorted in folders, thank you very much) from things like my 25th birthday party (somehow 15 years ago) and pictures of my first apartment. The whole experience was a true delight. Here's what I found: You know the phrase "Rome wasn't built in a day?" Well, here's proof that it has taken me years and years to define my home decor style and, well .... become a low-key vintage hoarder. Lol. In all seriousness, though, I'm so glad I snapped this photo. I was proud of my living room and the things I could afford to put in it. I was 23, and this was the first apartment I had moved into without a roommate. I was living it up. Here's a photo of my apartment bedroom. I remember how excited I was to be able to afford the throw pillows and table lamp from Pier 1. Here's one of my typical outfits in 2006: layered tank tops, bootcut jeans, a statement necklace, and a belt around the waist. I will never  get over this hilarious trend. We thought we were cool, and we were . I think? 👀 This is where it all started. I didn't know what I was doing, but I wanted to explore a new love for vintage (and the idea of buying and selling) and opened a booth at my favorite flea market. It was such a FUN experience that eventually led me down the path to selling on Etsy, FB Marketplace, and at local pop-ups. Many years later, this is a huge part of my life. I love being able to see where all of this started. Here I am as a fresh-faced 21-year-old using the same computer I saved the hard drive from ... and then posting photos on it on my blog 20 years later. xoxo, Jacki