August 16, 2013
My Dad is to thank for this fantastic thrifting find. He picked up these 2 Bay Blanket Pillow cases at a garage sale for $5 for the pair. They are in perfect condition and actually still have the tags on them. I’m pretty excited about these, you know I love a Bay Blanket.
What have you found lately on your thrifting adventures? Can you top this one?
August 14, 2013
Our new, more modern, living room is coming along. I’m so excited about the latest addition to the room, this huge botanical print of a walnut tree! Walnuts and I go way back. When I brought this home, my husband asked me if I was ok with having a walnut in our living room, considering our history. When Dylan was just 3 months old and Denali was almost 2, I broke my foot on a walnut. Yes, I had a cast up to my knee for 6 weeks because of a walnut. We had a tree and walnuts actually have a green skin around the hard shell we see. So, I stepped on one in the back yard and it is kind of like stepping on a banana peel. It was interesting getting around the house with a baby and me on crutches. I ended up putting Dyl in a stroller to move him around the house in order to feed him and change his diapers. But, back to the poster. Isn’t it fabulous?
There is one thing in particular that I am always on the look out for at flea markets. I love vintage maps and Science charts. I’m married to a geek (Lonnie is a High School Biology teacher). We even borrowed a cool frog chart to decorate with for Dylan’s science themed party from his classroom. I’ve wanted to find a cool oversized chart for our home, but they are almost always out of my budget. There is a vender at the Rose Bowl Flea that sells amazing vintage Science charts and maps from France. I always stop and look through her stuff, but most of the pieces start at about $200. She even has a newsletter that she emails out with her new stuff, and I drool over it every month.
I got to go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market this last Sunday. It really is one of my most favorite things to do. I took my sister in law, who had never been, and my mother in law. I love taking someone for the first time. It’s so exciting to see their reaction and help them find a fabulous treasure at a steal. My sister in law walked away with the jack pot. We found a set of 4 paint by numbers that someone had done beautifully and each one was of a different Season. I really wanted them, but I wanted her to leave with something really great and have a good experience. So, she took them home. It was a really fun day and I only bought a cute jadite turkey dish for Thanksgiving and a vintage California felt pendant for Riley. I spent less then $20 and I had a blast!
And again, I keep heading off on tangents, back to the posters. Here’s a couple botanicals in homes that I think look really great.
 |
| source |
 |
| source |
I especially love the charts with the black backgrounds. They are bold and graphic and just the statement I want for my space.
Here’s a few more that I’ve found online. The two reproductions of the Male Fern and the Mushroom are both of from the same shop Nicole of Making it Lovely got her Dog Rose print. They are priced at $198 with the dowels on either end for hanging.
This pineapple reproduction makes my pretty happy and it’s priced reasonably at only $50.
And now I’ve saved the best for last. Guess where I got my chart? And you’re not going to believe how reasonable it was. It’s not an original, but I’m ok with that. I got my walnut print at IKEA for $19.99!!!!!! How fantastic is that? I think this is a pretty fabulous fake, and I’m sure we’ll love it for many years to come. I love all the green in it, and when you see the whole room together, I think you’ll agree. And don’t you love the nice contrast of the black print on the white walls. Can you tell I’m pleased with my purchase?
August 13, 2013
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™
and Outshine Fruit Bars, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #SnackBrighter http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”
I love to entertain and in the Summer that means throwing something on the grill. It gets really hot here and turning on the oven is the last thing I want to do. But, any good get together has to end in a yummy sweet treat. I say, keep it cool and serve something icy cold. When it comes to enjoying a refreshing treat, Outshine Fruit Bars are the only way to go.
I can’t get enough of these fantastically fresh fruit bars. They come in lots of really great flavors, my favorite is probably the creamy coconut. All the bars are packed with real fruit and made with simple and honest ingredients. And did I mention that some of the bars have as little as 70 calories! They are totally a no guilt treat.
I’m serving creamy coconut, peach, strawberry, and pineapple. The colors all look fabulous together and served on a tray of ice, everyone’s treat stays cool.
For more about Outshine Fruit Bars, you can follow them on Facebook.
August 10, 2013
In keeping with my pineapple theme this week, I’ve made a couple pineapple tote bags. Pineapples are such classic motif and they add a touch of summer to these simple pre-made bags.
This is an easy craft for my all my Cricut friends. I purchased a couple canvas bags in cream and denim and my local craft store. Then I used the pineapple shape from the Cricut cartridge, Serenade, and cut out 3 of each shape on Cricut Iron-on Vinyl. And finally, just as simply as it sounds, I ironed on the vinyl pineapples. The glittery gold on the denim is my fave, but the black on cream is pretty sharp as well.
For more pineapple fun, check out my Pineapple Chicken Rice Salad and the Window Shopping I did for Pineapple Pretties.
August 8, 2013
August 7, 2013
I am on a pineapple kick lately. So get ready for some topical goodness this week. Being in Maui, reminded me of how much a love this fruit. Just looking at a pineapple makes me happy, it’s such a fun and unique shape. And it reminds my of my childhood, growing up in the South Pacific.
I’ve got a yummy, cool summer dish for you. There is no cooking necessary for this one, so don’t bother turning on the oven at all. We’re having days in the high 90s and even into the 100s. The last thing I want to do is cook over a hot stove.
This is a recipe that dates back to my childhood. More mom made this beautiful dish when we lived in Papua New Guinea with sweet ripe pineapples from the market. But, over the years I’ve come up with my own version. I’ve added rice to make at a full meal deal and red peppers for color and crunch.
Pineapple Chicken Rice Salad
1 rotisserie chicken (remove all the meat from the bones and skin)
2 ripe pineapples
3 stalks of celery
1 red bell pepper
3 cups of cooked brown rice
1/2 cup of sliced almonds (lightly toasted)
1 1/2 cups light mayo
4 tbsp. white vinegar
3 tbsp. milk
3 tbsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
Cut the pineapples in half length ways and remove all the fruit from them. Chop the pineapple into tidbit size pieces. Shred or chop the chicken into bite size pieces, place in a large bowl with the pineapple, chopped celery and red pepper, rice almonds and coconut (optional).
In a bowl whisk together the mayo, vinegar, milk, curry, onion powder, salt and pepper. Then pour over the chopped ingredients and mix well. Place the salad back into the hollowed out pineapples. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until you are ready to serve.
Serves 6-8
August 6, 2013
I’m working on gathering things I want to hang in my new, more modern living room. I’m ready to change a few things up. Sometimes you just tire of things that you once really loved. But, I don’t want anything generic, I want it to have some meaning or history on my walls.
I’ve had this beautiful handmade textile for years now and I’ve done nothing with it. It’s sadly sat in my closet for way too long. I bought it when I lived in Yemen a few years ago, when I was living there. It is entirely hand made by local woman. Actually all the proceeds went to the woman that made these specific pieces.
I’ve loved the colors and patterns in this piece, but just wasn’t sure how I should display it. It’s not quite square and I really didn’t have the money to invest in getting it stretched and professional frames. So, I DIYed it and I’m really ok with my $10 shadow box frame from Target. I know it’s not perfectly smooth and flat in the frame, but I like that it’s finally going to be a part of my home. The frame cleans up the shape and will allow this textile to fit nicely in a group of other frames filled with art and photographs.
August 1, 2013
I’m pretty excited about this find. I’m up in Northern Cali and on Monday, my youngest brother, my mom and I did a little thrifting and antiquing in downtown Eureka. My brother found a new shop for us, Annex 39 Antiques. It’s fabulous and the prices are really great. It’s one of those fun antique stores where everything is displayed beautifully and it’s just a treat to walk through the shop. Yes, I do love a good hunt through a dusty, messy shop now and then, but it’s refreshing when someone puts a little effort into their displays.
This green picnic basket was the first thing to catch my eye when I walked in the shop. Actually she had quite a few really great woven and metal baskets. This basket will be an awesome addition to Riley, my vintage trailer. It’s even the right color of green and it’s thought to be from the 1940’s (which is perfect for my 1948 trailer). I think I’ll store blankets and pillows.
It’s in really great condition and I think at $38, it’s really a pretty great deal. Have you scored an fantastic thrift finds lately? Tonight I’m going to go to a local furniture auction here in Eureka. I’m excited for the experience and don’t have plans to buy anything, but if there is anything super spiffy I won’t hesitate!
July 31, 2013
July 29, 2013
I’m still in the mood for some tropical, Maui flavors since our trip. Pineapple and Coconut are the perfect flavor combination. I put the taste of a Pina Colada into a light, cool, super easy dessert.
Pina Colada Frozen Yogurt
16 oz. container of vanilla greek yogurt
1 cup of crushed pineapple (drained)
1 cup of sweetened coconut (toasted)
optional 1-2 tsp. coconut essence or flavoring
Drain the liquid off a can of crushed pineapple. Spread out the coconut on a cookie sheet and put in an oven at 350 F for about 5 mins or until the coconut is just golden brown. In a bowl combine all the ingredients, then place in an ice cream machine and freeze according to the direction of your machine. Serve right away. You can place it in the freezer for later, but it will be very hard to scoop.
We just finished VBS at my parent’s church in Northern Cal yesterday. It’s been a long week of painting sets, decorating, bible story telling and kids, kids, kids! I’m pooped. Today I’m hoping for some peace and quiet and maybe I’ll get to pick some blackberries or visit a thrift store or two.