I smile as I write this blog post, reminiscing to a few weeks back.  We were with some dear friends, helping them get their first baby’s nursery in order before the little one arrived. My friend offered me some tea, I gladly accepted, never anticipating the beauty that awaited me in my cup. This gorgeous chamomile tea by Smith Tea Maker is appropriately named ‘”Meadow”. Such a suitable name for such a lovely tea! Each tea bag brimming with  tenderly plucked, delicate stems from a wildflower garden. The color in each tea bag is inspiring!

I remember exclaiming to my friend that this tea was so special, it needed to have its own blog post, something revolving entirely around these little buds. It’s amazing looking back how it almost seems like God was trying to signal the gender of the new little miracle waiting for arrival. Our friends decided to make their baby’s gender a surprise, but between the sweet, girly, tiny blooms in this tea and us randomly driving by a remote town in Washington by the name of “Selah” (the name they had chosen if their bundle of joy was a girl), I’d say God was trying to whisper us a secret.

So, if this post seems to have a slightly feminine lean, that might explain why. I am so happy to be Aunt L again and little Selah is such a gift!

So you could say this recipe for Chamomile Poached Peach & Raspberry ‘Ice Cream’ was inspired by the tea we had that night, but I think maybe it was inspired by something bigger, more important & special.

 Ingredients:

 Create poaching liquid.

1.Combine water, tea bags, honey, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, vanilla bean pod (seeds removed & reserved for later use), zest and juice of 1 lemon in a large cast iron skillet or pan and bring to boil.

2. Reduce heat and add peaches. Poach in simmering liquid 7-10 minutes or until softened. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.

3. Remove tea, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, and vanilla bean from poaching liquid.

4. Add half of the raspberries and 1/2 tsp. of xantham gum to the poaching liquid, bring to boil, then reduce heat & simmer until a jam-like consistency is achieved (you want to reduce it by about half so be patient).

5. Remove pan from heat and strain the jam-like poaching liquid through a fine sieve, reserving the now-seedless, jam-like raspberries.

6. Remove the skins from your room temperature peaches and chop the peaches.

*PS, you could fully enjoy the poached peaches alone, drizzled with raspberry ‘jam’ if you want to enjoy a delicious treat, sans ‘ice cream’.

Make Ice Cream

7. Combine 1/2 of the raspberry jam (reserving the other half), chopped peaches, reserved vanilla bean seeds, coconut milk, almond milk, and stevia to a high powered blender/food processor and blend until smooth.

8. Pour this mixture into your chilled ice cream maker bowl and allow it to mix the ice cream according to your models instructions.

9. When you can see that the ice cream is close to being done, add the remaining fresh raspberries and the remaining raspberry jam.

10. Once these have been mixed in, you may now enjoy your ice cream!

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You will love the subtle tart sweetness of this ice cream and the bits of fresh raspberry are such a joy! This ice cream is quite creamy considering that there is actually no cream or eggs. This ice cream will be softer upon initially making. You can freeze & store it in a freezer-safe container. The only thing I would note is that when you are ready to go back for seconds (or thirds, fourths) you may want to let the ice cream sit for a few bit at room temperature to dissolve any ice crystals. I found it to be the perfect consistency this way.

*If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can pour the ‘ice cream’ mixture into a covered freezer-safe container, freeze and whisk every hour to mix air into the mixture (or else you will have a frozen brick). This won’t give you quite the same consistency as an ice cream maker would, but it’s the next best way to get close

Bon Apetit!

Although I love how antiques look in an old display case, you shouldn’t feel like showing off your antiques in a china cabinet is the only way to enjoy them! Instead, we use our whole house to show off our favorite treasures!  Whether you want to display many antiques or just a few special accents, here are a few tips I use to make my antiques shine in our modern home.

1. Give larger pieces room to breathe!

I love the way one large piece can be the statement-maker for a room. This minimalist approach will deter any chance of the cluttered “antique store feeling” some collectors can fall into with their homes. If you want to accentuate a large piece with other pieces, just pick two or three items that are slightly smaller but still hold their own weight in the room so they don’t get swallowed up by the larger item. See in Darryl Carter’s room below, the desk is the main large focal point in the room and it is accentuated by a telescope & antique ballot boxes, which hold their own in proportion to the desk.

2. If the items you collect are small, try to display them together or in groups to avoid having them disappear in your room. This will make a big difference in the presence of your small antiques, and if you’d like, even go a step further and put your small items under a cloche or in a shadow box to really draw attention to them.

3. Mix old and new.

I love the reaction people have to our home office, seeing a brand new shiny mega-wide computer monitor on top of an old suitcase. It’s these element of surprise which can make a room interesting. I also really like the way a modern sofa or arm chair can juxtapose with your antiques, re-awakening your space and making your antiques look more refined and current.

4. Going back to my first point, don’t discredit the power of a cool display case.

In fact, this year for Danny’s birthday I surprised him with his very first display case. Ok, this story is just too good not to tell you. We were at an antique store and we saw this display case, and Danny liked it, but we weren’t sure if we should pull the trigger. After leaving the store without it, Danny just kept talking about how he wished we would’ve bought it. I snuck out one day & went to buy the display case, knowing full well that I’d probably be back at the store with Danny over the weekend so he could redeem his honor & get the display case that got away…or so he thought hehehe (sly laugh). So, I told the owner, when we come in next, just pretend you’ve never seen me before & if Danny asks about the display case just tell him someone bought it to display their teacups. Hehehehe.  As we entered the store that next weekend, I winked at the store owner, diabolically giggling inside. The store owner & I played our roles well & Danny was totally tricked! “Ugh, teacups??” Danny sighed as we left…nothing against tea cups…but he was just sick over the idea of teacups in his display case rather than his prized man-tiques. hehehe. I gave him his display case the next week for his birthday and he had to admit I totally pulled one over on him HA LOVE IT!

So yes, display cases can be a great means to house your collections, but not the only way! Have fun with your antiques & think of new inventive ways to incorporate them into your space! I hope these tips have been helpful to you and will help you enjoy your favorite antique gems! How do you like to display your antiques?

*It is important to me to provide correct sources, so if you know of a correct source I have not listed, please let me know!

Hello all my antique lovers out there! Today I present to you something that might look familiar…kind of. You might remember my blog post a couple months back about my collection of hand-blown glass inkwells. Well, this time I am bringing you inkwells, but these are inkwells of a different kind! What can I say? I guess I have a “thing” for inkwells!

I think it’s because they remind me of the lost art and beauty of script and calligraphy handwriting. These ones are suh-weet! They are made out of thick glass and feature original boldly colored graphic labels.

I find it so interesting to look at the fonts they used, and the creativity that went into the labels! And all this, pretty early on in the print, marketing, branding obsessed world we live in today. Don’t get me wrong, in fact I am quite passionate about all this stuff, but I just think it’s almost funny that our world today, with all the advancements, doesn’t take the time to make quality like this. That pretty much sums up why I am an antique lover in general!

Someone told me recently that schools were going to stop teaching cursive. TRAVESTY!!! I just love the personality that handwriting has, whether elegant and artistic, or near-illegible chicken scratch. Even as I type this, I wish I could be writing to you all instead, injecting individuality into each letter!

Oh, I love the original ink-stained cork lids on these too! Fun! My hubby covets these inkwells in his office. It’s funny how a bold graphic can make an impact,

 hehe ;D

Hope you all enjoyed yet another installation of this fun stuff that I love, I hope you love it too! Happy Hunting!

Have you all seen this trend out and about, maybe on Pinterest, it’s called “What’s in my Bag”? Don’t you think its such a fun little snapshot of someone? And I always seem to go away thinking “I could really use that!!” (Sometimes I think the ‘want’ factor outweighs the ‘need’ factor HAHA!). So I thought it would be a hoot to show you what’s in my bag at the moment, products I love and totally recommend!

Ok, I just have to say it….this tote is #totes amaze LOL!!  I love this woven sea-grass & braided leather tote from AbesMarket.com! To me, it is such a great transition piece. It looks as chic in the garden as it does on a hot date night! And I just found out about AbesMarket.com. It sounds pretty neat. It’s an online marketplace for natural products, which I am always a fan of!

Do you think I will ever do a lifestyle post without an Anthropologie reference? Actually, I don’t think I can because someone once told me that if I was a store, I would be Anthropologie, so, just sayin’, I gotta have it. The inky color  in this ravello scarf makes it go with everything, but the pops of pink & orange are what make it special. Light Scarves are great for spring because with unpredictable weather, you never know when you might need an adorable cover-up!

Warning! DO NOT EAT THIS COLOGNE! It smells so good, I know you will want to have a lil nibble, but just don’t, it will leave a bad taste in your mouth. The nectarine and honey give it a juicy, sweet airiness, perfect for spring!

Does anyone else feel like it’s time for a spring pic-a-nic? Well, every time I look in my purse & see this adorable gingham phone cover I am reminded of a lazy spring day, bare toes whisking through the dewy grass…is there an app for that?

I don’t know about y’all, but I have combination skin and especially when the warmer months hit, my face can get a little oily. I love having these E.L.F. shine eraser sheets on hand. They are so handy, they have calming green tea extract, they will mattify your skin & they are only $1! I know, $1!!

Tarte cosmetics is a great brand of naturally nourishing beauty products that I really like. I got one of their lipsurgence lip luster sticks in a kit I ordered earlier this year and it really is my go-to lip product as of right now. It gives your lips pigmented color and moisture at once. It feels pretty natural, kind of in between a balm and a lipstick, definitely not sticky. I have the color “delighted” and it is pretty much my natural lip color, so its great for a naturally polished look. Also works great if you need some color on your cheeks in a pinch!

Ok, these are so cool! I am determined to figure out how to make them, because they are pretty pricey! They are handmade Fugata waxed canvas reusable bags made to look like brown paper bags. I know everyone is probably thinking, why not just use a brown paper bag, its a lot cheaper HAHA! But c’mon, you gotta admit, there is something rustically refined about these artisanal beauties. I like having them on hand in case I make a stop at the market, the garden, ikea, antique sales, need a lunch bag…the possibilities are endless.

I cannot say enough about the Mychelle line of skin care products! I was never really a big believer of skin care until I tried a travel kit of their products, and they actually did what they claimed they’d do!! Dare I say, some of their products are true miracle workers for me! I will try not to gush too much and just stick to this product. This daily defense cream makes so much sense to me! Kind of like an AHA moment. If I am going to put sun block on my skin, why not have it moisturize & nourish all at the same time!!

I like to keep these mini-pocket shears in my purse once gardening season rolls around. We have a garden box at a wonderful community garden and I never know when I might have some time to swing by and harvest some fresh bounty. Whether I’m pruning my tomato plants or cutting fresh stems for an ironstone vase, these lil’ tools make it easy.

In the beginning of the day I might like to wear my hair down while running errands, but if I find myself outside for some play time later, I find it handy to have a few rubber-bands and bobby pins in my bag for brading, top knots, ponytails, whatever the occasion calls for.

I will never forget how ridiculous I felt the first time I drank out of a Camelbak water bottle. In case you’ve never used one, let me spare you some embarrassment…you don’t need to tip it at all like a traditional water bottle. While holding it upright, all you need to do is gently squeeze the mouthpiece with your teeth, and magically, water softly jet-streams into your mouth! Once you get used to it,  you may find yourself wondering why you ever used “ordinary” water bottles. This one is super cool because it is BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and has a filter built-in. What more could you want?

I just adore these versatile sunglasses! I feel like they go with any outfit I own and always lend a classy urban vibe without feeling too overdone. Oh, and discount stores like Nordstrom Rack always seem to have screamin’ deals on quality sunglasses! These are pretty affordable as-is, but I think I snatched up my pair for about $20! And with how much I lose my sunglasses, I like to find them for a bargain.

Ok, that’s all for me & my bag! I hope I gave you some good ideas for things you want…er…need for your highly in-demand purse space! What are some must-have items you could not live without in your bag?

Hey y’all! I recently noticed that amongst my ever-growing collection of time-worn ironstone, a trend seemed to be developing.

Faces on my Ironstone!

I don’t know why…maybe it was the way their lil’ snouts had been worn away from years of use…

…or the ethereal ghostly silhouette that beckoned me.

But the number one reason I always pick ironstone is just for the sheer age of it. People have often told me what an odd bird I am because of my affinity for less-than-perfect ironstone LOL! I like it all!

Anywho, like i said, I was noticing I had these sweet lil vessels begging to be used for something special, and it occurred to me that Mother’s Day is coming up! I just thought these would make for the perfect little window sill herb potager!

You don’t really need much to make these! Just grab one of your favorite ironstone vessels & a potted herb start.

When you buy your herb starts, they already contain the perfect amount of soil to fill one of these pots (unless you are using a larger dish/crock/pot, you might want to grab some extra soil).

Just take your herb start out and gently massage the roots until they loosen up and aren’t strangling your poor herbs!

Go ahead and place your herb right in the ironstone! I also bought some moss/ground cover to fill in the soil around my herbs. Delicately, tug the moss into clumps and use it to fill in the borders of your pot.

You can use any herb or flowers! I picked lavender, oregano, and thyme, it’s gonna be smelling G-O-O-D in my kitchen y’all! I also thought mini hyacinths or daffodils would be really cute in this.

Voila, now you have an incredibly posh way to enjoy your kitchen herbs, a wonderful gift idea for mother’s day, or any day you want to make someone feel special! Crackled ironstone and fresh sprouts in the kitchen….sounds like the perfect reminder of slowing down to enjoy the beauty of spring! Hope you all enjoy!

Hello lovelies! Today’s Runway to Room is featuring a new spin on Bohemian chic. Isn’t there just something romantic and eccentric about bohemian style? I feel like bohemian rooms are telling the story of a traveled gypsy, who collected interesting artifacts while trotting the globe! I also love that you can play with so many different styles and colors, or keep it neutral with interesting textures! All is fair game when playing with the bohemian style! Here are some photos that I love which show how this Spring 2013 runway trend can be used in your home!

Note to self: must collect bottles in all colors! BEAUTIFUL!

Although bright, whimsical colors are one of the amazing signatures of bohemian style, I equally love the subdued mix of black & white with the textures of wood & leather in this next photo!

If you ask me, baskets are a MUST in any bohemian setting!

What do you think…would you guys like this style in your home, or what are some ways you’d like to use this style in your own home?

1. Source 2. Source 3. Source 4. Source 5. Source 6. Source 7. Source 8. Source 9. Source 10. Source 11. Source 12. Source 13. Source 14. Source 15. Source

*It is important to me to provide correct sources, so if you know of a correct source I have not listed, please let me know!

Good day all my lovely antiquarians! I hope you had the most wonderful Easter and please know I was counting you in my thankfulness! Today I am bringing you something that I am SO EXCITED about!! Firstly, because it is just so amazing and rare, and second, because I am offering it for sale! I don’t often do this by way of my blog, so it does seem quite the thrill for me!

Let me introduce you to my new friend, which can also be your new friend. This is a wonderful, original and rare, fully intact, American-made, early 20th century Toledo Uhl Art Steel Desk. This drop-leaf, roll-top desk has all the industrial swagger you would expect from the Toledo Metal Furniture Company of  Toledo, OH.

Probably my FAAAAVORITE part of Toledo’s well-designed furniture is their signature four-legged base with “spider” support system. It is not only staggeringly beautiful, but also functional. There is even a lever which raises and lowers the cast iron legs, leaving you free to wheel this transportable lil desk wherever you please!

This piece has the increasingly hard-to-come-by quarter-sawn oak, or tiger oak with rich tones throughout.

The edges are wrapped and rounded with folded pressed steel and there are also the most handy slats for storing all your paperwork and stationary.

I styled this desk with some of my favorite antiques, an old Underwood typewriter, chrome desk fan, alarm clock, brass lamp and a super cool antler inkwell! But keep in mind that this desk is just as stellar with any decor, new, old, or a mix of both! This piece has so much character, it will be the star of any room, whichever style you choose.

Oh, and did I mention, this desk is also drop-leaf and roll-top, making it a super easy-keeper. When you are done using it as a completely awesome full-size fold out desk, with raised side leaf, just fold the sides back up and click them into place for a very private work station…

…or close er’ up for the night by pulling down the cold-rolled steel roll-top and locking it into place with original working key. Another really neat thing about this desk is that you will find the oxidized copper finish is just as it should be. I like the way it shines through the matte black parts of the steel. Mmmmmm!

Oh, and I LOVE the fully intact Toledo logo. I am such a sucker for these old unique graphics!

Check out these original ads for this cutting edge “Typewriter Table & Cabinet”. I wonder when they created this, if they knew that this would be such a coveted piece of American History and a feast for the eyes.

It seems like they may have been more impressed with the desk’s ability to offer such efficiency. Hmm..I like that too, talk about a killer combination! I’ll take it all, yes please!

If you are interested in owning this stunning piece, please contact me for more information and pricing. I hope you enjoyed this little tour! Until next time, happy hunting!!

Source

Come Prepared!

• Bring snacks and water! Yes, some of these venues can feel like marathons!

• Come with a loose idea in mind of what you are looking for and bring a tape measurer.

The reason I say a “loose” idea is because you don’t want to be so hard and fast that you miss out on a wonderful opportunity or overlook the possibility of re-purposing. That egg crate could easily turn into the umbrella stand you’ve been looking for or that antique armoire could turn into your new kitchen storage solution!

*Seabold Vintage space at Barn house Vintage Market 2012

• Dress appropriately.

Firstly, layers are a good idea. Imagine scouring through dusty boxes in the cold brisk hours of the morning outside, then an hour later you could be inside an over-heated building, panting as you’re hauling around a 30 pound cast iron statue and full cart…the idea is be prepared for both extremes. Second, who doesn’t want to look cute, but choose carefully. Not only are those heels going to be killing your feet in a couple hours, some dealers may see your chic styling as dollar signs, no deal for you!!

• Bring reusable bags to hold your goodies and maybe even a cart or small wagon!

My husband just LOVES toting around our granny basket HAHA, NOT!! BUT, when I left it at home, we found ourselves missing it as we tried to creatively tote our oddly shaped, heavy, awkward treasures.  My setup is a metal folding cart with two wheels, an army bag inside, and an “L” proudly displayed on the front label. One day my bag got full, but we had more items we needed to carry with us, YIKES, then an idea struck me! I grabbed the backpack-style army bag, threw it over my shoulders, then we were able to use the bag to its full extent and the cart to its full extent. Talk about efficiency, it was like a 2 in 1!! WOOP WOOP! 

Source

• Bring a notepad or have your cell-phone notepad ready!

Imagine buying something heavy or large and asking to come back later to pick it up, only to forget which booth is holding your new baby ransom! A notepad will help you to remember your purchases and will allow you to write down the booth, the vendor’s information, and even allow you to jot down prices so you can compare as you shop!

• Take CASH!

Many vendors simply don’t accept checks or cards. If they do, consider it an added bonus, but its always a good idea to have cash just in case the dealer with the “once in a lifetime” antique leather chair only takes green presidents! Better safe than sorry.

*Barn House space at Barn house Vintage Market 2012

Bargaining Basics

• Decide whether you want to be the “early bird that gets the worm” or have the “late zeal that gets the deal”. (Does that make sense, I just made it up LOL)

This is the debate my husband and I always have when we go antiquing. If you get there early, you are more likely to find the most selection, the most unique pieces, and the most crowds to fight. If you go later, you may not find the selection, pieces, or crowd, but you may find major discounts…or  you may not. Just be prepared that either way, searching for vintage treasures is always hit or miss, and like a box of chocolates,  “you nevah know whatchu gonna get.”

• You get more bees with honey…

Please don’t be that crabby, insulting shopper. I can tell you now that A LOT of hard work goes into finding each unique piece, not to mention the time and money, and coming into a vendor’s space with an ego isn’t going to help them or you. Just be your genuine, polite self and if you are seeking a deal, just remember, its always better to nicely ask than to demand. Most dealers want to make it a win/win.

*Madison Park Antiques space at Barn house Vintage Market 2012

• Don’t always ask for a discount

Sometimes a deal is great as-is! Try to study up on what you’re looking for so you know what good prices look like. I can remember the sting of the pain…finding a great item for a great price…going to ask for a deal….turn around and someone snatched it up for full price, GAAAHHH!!! You also may risk insulting the vendor by asking for too low-prices. Sometimes it’s more worth it to just pay full-price.

• Know when to pull the trigger

When you see “the one” and you have that gut reaction, don’t try to play it cool. You may not have another chance to find it! These sales are competitive and often people are just waiting for you to “think about it” so they can snatch up your prized possession.  It also helps to keep a mental log of what  you see so  you know what’s common and what’s not. Keep these things in mind and you can avoid the dreaded “one that got away”.

*Me in my space at Barn house Vintage Market 2012

My favorite tip of all times and the one I need to constantly remind myself is this: HAVE FUN!!! I remember a day when I used to avoid flea markets and estate sales because they seemed so overwhelming and competitive! Just remember to live in your moment and take your time. This might not be everyone’s approach, but I have found this helps me keep calm and enjoy each memorable moment. Do you have any tips that have helped you while antiquing?

Hey everyone! I thought it would be fun to take a little departure…how about destination: the runways of Fashion Week, Spring 2013?! I am a big time fashion lover so I thought it would be fun to take a trend from the Spring 2013 runways and transform it into fashionable room inspiration! For example, on the runways, there were a lot of denim, ticking, chambray and utilitarian fabrics featured and I think these are hard-working and versatile fabrics we all know and love.  Now lets see how they translate into fabulous ideas for our homes and lives!

How do y’all feel about the denim trend for spring? I personally love this look and am using it in my wardrobe and in my home. It seems to be one of those fabrics that is so timeless. It may be considered “trendy” for this Spring, but I think we can all agree that this classic fabric has been great for a long time, and will continue to be great for a long time to come.

1. Source  2. Source  3. Source  4. Source  5. Source  6. Source  7. Source Unknown  8.  Source  9. Source  10. Source  11. Source

*It is important to me to provide correct sources, so if you know of a correct source I have not listed, please let me know!

A beautiful collection of antique hand-blown glass inkwells. They are just the most amazing assorted bunch, in jewely magical tones of blue, green, gray blue, blue-green, jade and all colors in between.

These little gems were actually unearthed during a “dig” in South Dakota and each one had to be lovingly restored to it’s present loveliness. Isn’t that COOL!

They have such character, little random bubbles floating to the surfaces, wobbly edges, jagged sheer tops, and perfectly asymmetrical & irregular form.

Ah, to ponder the silent history these inkwells have witnessed just enthralls me! Can’t you just picture some romantic love letters being written…just the parchment, the ink,  a quill, and the thoughts of the heart…hmm…I wonder if I’m a hopeless romantic.

I just love the way each bottle stands out and begs to be noticed in it’s own particular way, whether tall and slender or short and wide, clear glass or iridescent, smooth or jagged. A far cry from our massed produced culture which edits out these one of a kind traits. Isn’t it refreshing?!

The makers of these antique inkwells even had the forethought to make some of the inkwells (like the short, ridged ones shown here) with little notches that could be used to hold your quill or pen, so clever!

I never get tired of the unexpected shades that blue glass can surprise us with. So much depth of tone and uniqueness.

Every time I see one of these antique inkwells, I must spend so much time in awe over the staggering individuality of each inkwell.

I remember when I saw my first bundle of them I just kept going on and on to my husband about how I loved them so, and how I would regret it if I never saw them again! I think that’s a good indicator of whether or not you should “pull the trigger” on buying something. If you walk away and never see the item again, would you even notice, or would you think about it continually after? Well, Danny must’ve known I was not letting these ones go in my mind, so he surprised me and snatched them all up for me, thanks hubby!! Now I never have to fret over “the inkwells that got away” lol! Well, I hope y’all enjoyed this one as much as I do. I finally was able to peel myself away from the camera and get my pictures narrowed down to ONLY 12! HA, aren’t you proud? : P