Home » Crafty » Vintage Purse Makeover at Dream a Little Bigger

Vintage Purse Makeover at Dream a Little Bigger

Looking at this post’s title, you might be thinking, “Dream a Little Bigger…we know that name!”  And you sure do if you saw the amazing Gold Shoe Makeover Allison, author of Dream a Little Bigger, shared here on Monday.

Well, Allison and I are totally in cahoots with a guest post swap this week (mwah ha ha!), so I’m sharing my makeover (also involving gold) over at her corner of the blog-o-sphere right now.  A Vintage Purse Makeover to be exact!

Here’s a little teaser to get you intrigued:

Vintage Purse Makeover | The Thinking Closet

And while you’re over at Dream a Little Bigger, you’ve gotta see the collection of over 30 shoe makeovers that Allison has done in her gallery.  I am so in awe of her refashioning skills!  And if it weren’t for her help and encouragement, I don’t think I ever would have had the courage to experiment with leather dyes.  {Thank you, Allison.}

Also…I wanted to thank you all for the well-wishes on my birthday post, On Turning 30.  I felt the love!  And Tuesday turned out to be a day for the record-books.

It started off with breakfast in bed made by my hubby…three delicious courses!  

My Thirtieth Birthday | The Thinking Closet

Followed by birthday cake, gift-opening, card playing, and a dinner outing with my in-laws….

My Thirtieth Birthday | The Thinking Closet

Then, I ventured out onto the lake via stand-up paddle-board to watch the sunset….

My Thirtieth Birthday | The Thinking Closet

Afterwards, Mark gave me the best 30th birthday gift I could have ever imagined.  Here’s what I saw when I opened up the big box that had been sitting in our living room since the night before:

My Thirtieth Birthday | The Thinking Closet

Yes, that’s a laptop inside with my sister’s face via video chat!  She shared the exciting news that thanks to Mark and my parents, she is flying out for 5 days of sister time starting tomorrow afternoon.  Ahhhhhh!  This will be the first time Lisbeth has visited us in Orlando, and I couldn’t be more surprised considering she is in the midst of grad school, and I never imagined she’d be able to steal away for a visit during the school year.  Wow.  Do I feel loved or what?

If these past few days are any indication of what my 30s are going to hold, I anticipate it’s going to be a wild and wonderful ride.  Thanks, dear reader, for being my travel companion.

Catch you over at Dream a Little Bigger with my Vintage Purse Makeover!

This is Lauren, signing off.

|

27 Comments

    1. Ha ha. The presentation of that gift was outta this world awesome. You two are just so cleva’! It has been so much fun to have you here these past few days. Excited to kick off the second half of time together tomorrow with a visit to the shark attack capital of the world! (Never thought I would combine “excited” and “shark attack” in the same sentence.)

  1. Thanks for sharing about your day especially since we couldn’t be there to celebrate with you in person! So thankful you are surrounded by loved ones and beautiful sunsets!!

    Sending much love and happy birthday wishes!!

    1. With Lisbeth by my side last right now, I have to say it has been one of the best celebrations I could have ever imagined. Especially in conjunction with your amazing birthday gifties, which I’m going to feature in a post in the next week or so!

    1. Thanks, Maria! You are too kind. My sister is here right now next to me, working on a project on her laptop. It has been the best birthday gift ever to have her here visiting! Hope your weekend has been marvelous.

  2. I love this makeover so much! I saw your post over on Drream a Little Bigger, and am totally smitten with your blog. 🙂

    I’m excited to browse through your past DIYs more this weekend!!
    xxMonica

    1. Monica, thank you for the oh-so-sweet comment. To hear you use the word “smitten” and “your blog” in the same sentence has me all blushy-faced. I had such a treat visiting your beautiful blog and am eager to explore more there! So happy to have “met” you!

  3. Yay! Sounds like a wonderful day then! So great you get to see your sister. I’m fortunate that my family are all nearby. However, the in laws all live in Arkansas. We are hoping to try getting them to come visit us soon. So far only one sister in law had made it out here.

    Those stand up paddle boards are ail the rage up here. I’ve never gone out on one, but they look fun. There is a yoga class that does yoga on the boards during the summer!

    Going to head over to your guest post! Hugs!

    1. Oh, you’ve got to try stand-up paddle-boarding, Bethany. It took me all day (and a lot of water swallowing) to get up on a surfboard (once!), and stand-up paddle-boarding is a whole different animal. More like canoeing, but you’re standing up! Not sure if I could do yoga on a board; my balance isn’t the best, so I think I’d be doing “swimming yoga” before too long. Ha ha.

      And thanks for your sweet words on my guest post; I’d like to think that Ruth would be proud. 🙂 Hope you’re having a happy weekend!

  4. Lauren, I found your purse makeover via Dream a Little Bigger. It’s awesome! I would have never known that trick about the leather spiffer-upper. I’ll look at all old thrift store purses differently now. Thanks!

    1. Thanks for your sweet comment, Jess! I’m so glad that the tip on the magical “all-in-one” dye has you looking at used leather purses in a new light. You and me both. Purses are no longer safe around us…ha ha.

  5. Yea! So happy for you that you had a wonderful birthday and that you get to celebrate with Lisbeth! I know you two are going to have a great time! That paddle board pic looks amazing! When can I come visit you and “your” lake? Heading over now to check out your purse.

    1. What a fabulous post over at Allison’s home! I really enjoyed the story of Ruth and the purse. You shared such a touching tribute to her in giving her purse new life. I especially enjoyed the purple boots and swinging, by the way. Maybe a pic of you holding the purse while washing your car would also be fitting. I have to admit I was hoping for a peek at the “mutant” polka dots, although I don’t believe you as the purse turned out perfect!!

      1. Ha ha, yes, I think I could totally get more outrageous with the “unrealistic scenarios” in future posts; cooking with the purse. Sewing with the purse. Exercising with the purse. Now you’ve got my creative gears spinning with ideas, Jessica! Ooo…and I think I do have a photo of the mutant polka dots. I’ll have to include that one when I re-post the tutorial on my own blog in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the reminder to include “more honesty, more mess”! We all appreciate that, don’t we?

  6. That was such a touching story about your purse and Ruth. I kinda got choked up a little. It is so wonderful that you can re-purpose that purse. I have several that were my mother-in-laws and I just hate to pitch them. Sometimes I even run into some great ones at the Goodwill and your idea would give them new life.
    ———
    Now for your sister and her visit. Since this will be her first time in Orlando, I am sure you will be showing her the sites so I have a question. I was there years ago and near downtown, I think, there was a place called (maybe) Church Street Station where there were some train cars parked and an indoor shopping area. Is that still there? If it is, I have some history with the train cars that you might find fascinating and can add to your tour details with other friends and visitors that will be staying with you occasionally.
    Was that the same box pictured in the background of the picture of you and your cake? I can see your husbands eyes rolling as you and your sister remember some of the silly things you did as kids. Ha Ha!

    1. Glad you enjoyed my recollections of Ruth; she was an incredible woman, and it was a joy to pay tribute to her in this small way.

      I have inherited a lot of accessories from family over the years, as well. I think if we’re not using them, might as well give the items away to folk who will…OR refashion them! I have a lot more accessories to refashion…especially in the jewelry department. One project at a time, right?
      ___

      Yes, there is a Church Street Station still in Orlando! I drive by it on I-4, but have yet to explore that area myself. Would love to know about your history with the train cars. Do tell! (And if it’s too long for a comment, you have my email!) Thanks for always being so generous with your stories, Karen. I delight to hear them.

      And yes! Great eyes! The box in the background of the photo of me with the cake is the very one that was hanging out in our living room for nearly a day before I opened it and discovered my sister on video chat! (She wasn’t in there the whole time, mind you. Mark sneakily put it inside before gift-opening time, which added to the surprise.)

      Ha ha, and yes, I’m sure some of our sister giggles could merit some eye-rolling, but I have to say, Mark is great about joining in on the laughs…. And the three of us really bonded on a road trip we took a few years back. So, it’s really going to be sis-sis-and-bro time!

  7. so pretty! 🙂 just came back from reading your post over at Allison’s, I love what you did with this purse! & l like those purple boots too! 🙂 I knew you were going to be spoiled on your birthday, glad to hear your sister will be there with you; sounds fun! 🙂

    1. Ha ha, glad you approve of my crazy purple boots! I was determined to wear them…even though it was rather warm out that day. That’s my stubborn streak, I suppose! 🙂 Thanks for checking out my project over at Dream a Little Bigger! And glad to see your comments aren’t getting incorrectly labelled as spam. Small victories, right?

Your comments make my day!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *