VIP Home: It’s the Little Things…

February 10, 2014 Abby Hathorn2 Comments

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to VIP Home!

Today on VIP Home, I would like to chat about trinkets…it’s the little things that make your home truly you…

I have always loved trinkets. When I was a little kid, I would stare desperately into my grandmother’s curio cabinet wanting to play with the variety of tiny treasures. Sadly, that was frowned upon in that establishment. As Emperor Kuzco said in the Emperor’s New Groove, “No touchy–no touchy!” My goodness, I sure did love that movie when I was younger!

Now that I have my own collection of tschotskes, I fully understand why my grandmother was so protective of her curio cabinet’s precious contents.

So, what is so special about the record player, green pig, dog, bunny, and owl figurines in the picture above? Well, why don’t I tell y’all!

The record player: About two years ago, I bought this Silvertone Solid State Sound Instant Play record player from the cutest little old man EVER at an antique shop in Springville, Alabama. When I saw the turquoise blue and pink, I instantly fell in love. Note to Self: Get another needle so I can continue to overplay Frank Sinatra’s Come Dance With Me album *wink* Second Note to Self: Record player needle number is 57-88163.

The green pig: Ah….my adorable handmade green pig. I got the cute piggy when I interviewed renowned shoe designer Donald J. Pliner at Belk the Summit last year. I was so excited when Donald signed it for me and to me :)

The dog: The dog has no special meaning–I bought it at Trussville Antiques & Interiors for a steal of a deal–$5.00, but come on…look at it–isn’t it too precious! *wink*

The bunny: On my 18th birthday, my parents gave me the Peter’s Pottery bunny which represents my “Special Bunny”–the first stuffed animal that my parents gave me. Also, I just really, really love bunnies *wink*

The owl: My owl “piggy bank” was a Christmas gift from my parents, and I absolutely LOVE the colors! It is so inspirational, and I see it playing a huge role in the theme of my future apartment…

Other items noted in photo: Kiss Me Stupid Marilyn Monroe art piece--I picked it up on of my many adventures, and I immediately fell in love with it. The pop art mixed with old Hollywood is fabulous. The houndstooth table--my mom, an avid artist and upcycler, made this table for me not because I am an Alabama fan but simple because I love the pattern*wink* — Other items noted in photo:
Kiss Me Stupid Marilyn Monroe art piece–I picked it up on one of my many adventures. The pop art mixed with old Hollywood is fabulous.
The houndstooth table–my mom, an avid artist and upcycler, made this table for me not because I am an Alabama fan, but because I love the history of the pattern*wink*

Other items noted in the photo: My personal collection of vintage records--I have picked up the variety of vinyl I have from lots of different antiquing journeys. Oh, how I love my records! The kaleidoscope--It was a gift...and kaleidoscopes are just fun no matter how old you are! — Other items noted in the photo:
My personal collection of vintage records–I have picked up the variety of vinyl I have from lots of different antiquing journeys. Oh, how I love my records!
The kaleidoscope–It was a gift…and kaleidoscopes are fun–no matter how old you are!

Remember all of the awesome fun the VIP had at the Birmingham Home Show 2013 interviewing celebs Mark Brunetz and Ty Pennington? Well, the Birmingham Home & Garden Show 2014 is coming up, and the VIP is super pumped about attending and interviewing some of the celeb guests. Get your tickets now and don’t miss out!

For more information about the Birmingham Home & Garden Show 2014, please visit http://www.homeshowbirmingham.com/BHS/EventsHome.aspx.

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

VIP Home: A Piece That Sits Close to Home

January 20, 2014 Abby Hathorn1 Comment

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to VIP Home!

Today on VIP Home, I would like to chat about a piece that sits close to home. It is a dresser that my Paw Riley made for my mom when she was little girl.

My mom with her dad (Paw Riley) when she was in high school. Check out that dress and bow, y’all *wink*

When I was little, the dresser was in my bedroom in its original, stained wood finish…(see photo below).

La! La! La! Check out this silly photo that my mom took of me when I was little--haha too funny! Also, check out the dresser in the back ground *wink* — La! La! La! Check out this silly photo that my mom took of me when I was a toddler–haha too funny! Also, check out the dresser in the background *wink*

A small peek at the dresser when it was in the living room of the Mississippi house. I always loved the way my mom decorated the top with her artwork. The bicycle wheel sculptures are some of my favorite! — A small peek at the dresser when it was in the living room of our Mississippi house. I always loved the way my mom decorated the top with her art pieces. Her bicycle wheel sculptures are my favorite–I currently have one hanging above my bed–y’all will have to stay tuned for that VIP Home blog *wink*

After being moved throughout several rooms in our Mississippi house, the beloved dresser finally found a home in the living room. While it was there, each person had his/her own drawer to do with what he/she pleased–to a certain degree, of course *wink* In my drawer, I had an assortment of Polly Pocket dolls and Play-Doh…Man, those were the days!

Now, the dresser resides in my bedroom at our house here in Birmingham. Mom and I repainted it “Melody” by Behr Premium Plus Ultra. The dresser truly pops against the dark purple (“Lunar Shadow” by Behr) walls. It looks FAB-U-LOUS!

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

VIP Home: Custom Marilyn Monroe Art Piece

January 13, 2014 Abby Hathorn2 Comments

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome to my new segment: VIP Home! Yay!

Today on VIP Home, I would like to chat about one of my favorite art pieces, which is a Marilyn Monroe print that my mom customized just for me.

For those of you who do not know my mom, she is a retired school teacher who now spends her time creating magnificent art pieces and sculptures. Not only does she create, but she also collects. There is not a wall in our house that does not have a piece of art hanging on it. It is safe to say that we are a family of art junkies *wink*

My mom took a simple poster and breathed life into it with vintage jewelry, glitter, some paint, and magical powers–okay, so she did not use magical powers; however, she did work some magic on a plain, ordinary print *wink*

What’s in the news? Beauty Tues that is! Come back tomorrow for a fun and fabulous makeup post with the VIP!

While you wait for tomorrow’s Beauty Tues, check out the archives here.

Stay Fabulous,

Abby Hathorn

Weekly Whistle: Zoolight Safari 2012

December 21, 2012June 6, 2013 Abby HathornLeave a comment

Hello, hello, hello, my lovely fashionistas! If y’all were wondering why this week’s Weekly Whistle was not posted on December 19, it is because I was volunteering at the Birmingham Zoo for the Zoolight Safari! It was so much fun, and I just had to share it with all of you! Since I was unable to walk around and take adorable pictures as usual, I gave my mom permission to be “Miss VIP Jr.” as I took up tickets for the train ride! Let’s just say my mom had a lot of fun “playing me” haha:)

A short tour of the Birmingham Zoo’s “Zoolight Safari” brought to you by the VIP’s mom, Chasidy Hathorn!

Sweater: The Loft
Blouse: The Attic (Yes, I let my mom borrow my beloved vintage pieces.)
Pants: The Loft
Shoes: Sanuk
Purse: Vera Bradley

I styled my mom’s outfit to help her to be comfortable with her new Mini Med Paradigm Revel Insulin Pump with CGM. My mom is a type one diabetic so finding the prefect outfit is key to being comfy and confident!

I met a lot of amazing people as I volunteered at Zoolight Safari on December 19! There were lots of laughs and smiles as I got random hugs from joyful kids who thought I was Santa’s helper. The event that made my night was when I met several very enthusiastic girls who thought it was “totally boss” that I write a blog, newspaper column, and style outfits for a magazine at 17. Totally boss…I might have to start using that…

I could not do all of the fabulous things I have done without my amazing parents! Thank you Mom and Deddy for everything y’all do for “the sake of the blog”! From shopping sprees to staying up all night planning photo shoots, there is no way I could do it alone!

This basically sums up how ridiculous my Dad and I act on a regular basis...got to love us:) — This basically sums up how ridiculous my Dad and I act on a regular basis…got to love us:)

Don’t forget to like my Facebook page to keep up with all the latest VIP news! www.facebook.com/vintageinspiredpassionista

Twitter: @Abbysauce_

Instagram: @VintagePassionista

Newspaper Column: www.realstorypublishing.com (The Adventures of the VIP in the Lifestyle section!)

Happy Holidays to all! May your holiday events be filled with love, laughter and fashion!