A Blondie Day

Clog Happiness

With the impending visit from Irene this Sunday, I am busying myself with happier things tonight to keep my mind occupied.  We are prepared for the storm. Anything that can fly about outside has either been tied down or put away in the shed or garage.  The girls' coop has been secured and plexiglass windows are going in tomorrow.  I have lots of candles and flashlights gathered and our cell phones are charged.  I have piles of fabric ready to be cut out into wares for the shop. That is something that only requires energy from me!

The new Lehman's catalog arrived in the mail yesterday, and I purposely have not read it yet so I can savor it during the storm.  My Girl has an assortment of new books to read.  We have plenty of food.

I truly can't think of another thing to do at this minute.

Except look at clogs.

All fall and winter, my absolute favorite thing to wear is a pretty cotton dress with cozy tights and either boots or clogs upon my feet.

Just a little while ago, while surfing about on the net, I discovered Cape Clogs. Have you ever heard of them?  

Well, if you like clogs like I do, you will appreciate the lovely assortment they offer of gorgeous Swedish clogs.  They look comfy, the prices are reasonable - especially if you check on the sale items on their website.

 

They recently had these fall clogs on sale for $38.00!!!

 

Sadly, they are sold out.

 

They offer styles for all tastes and for different seasons, and they also have kids' clogs.

Here are a few of my favorites...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not quite sure if I like these, but they certainly are interesting...

 

 

 

 

And my ABSOLUTE favorite...

There is something vintage-y and snuggly looking about these.

I may have to get them.

 

So, if you're like me, and a super cute pair of clogs

makes your heart do a little dance,

check out Cape Clogs.

 

Sending a little prayer to all of us 

on the East Coast.

Be safe and sound.

 

XOXOXOX

 

 

 

Fabulous Finds Part I

I have been on a roll lately.  The thrifting fairy has been looking out for me!

In the last few weeks, I have gone to the thrift shop several times, visited one estate sale, 3 garage sales and discovered some amazing "trash".

I would just love to share it with you...

 

Can you believe that someone was throwing this out?  I couldn't believe my eyes as I eagerly dialed my friend's number and asked if she could run over with her van.  She happily did, and helped me scoop this up.

 

There is one loveseat...

 

and 2 chairs.  I'm in love!

 

 

Next are these vintage aluminum folding chairs for $1 a piece.

 

I particularly love the starburst patterned arms.

 

 

 

 

A set of enamel bowls for $5. Love these!

 

 

 

 

A pretty colored blue colander and 2 vintage Beach Vehicle

license plates from the '60's.

 

 

 

An assortment of vintage teacups and saucers - 29 cents a piece.

 

 

 

 

 

A little bit beat up, lonely Kokeshi.

 

 

A GORGEOUS old wooden box for $2, which, after a thorough cleaning

became the perfect home for some of my laces, twine and ribbons.

 

There were 2 of these boxes - the other slightly different, but I only bought one.  WHY?  I don't know!!!!  

 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed these goodies.  There will be a Part 2!

 

Happy Thrifting Dear Friends...

 

xoxoxox

 

Embrace Your Humanity

 

 

 

 

From My Concrete Sky

 

 

 

XOXOXOXO

 

Lonely Teacups, Wayward Saucers

Every time I go to the thrift shop, I see them.  Sitting there, all alone… sometimes with matching siblings, and sometimes not.  I look at them.  Touch them.  Admire them.  And then walk away.  After all, just how many can I possibly use?  They already occupy so many spots in my little house and even in my garden as well.

 

I also see the other lost souls as well.  The little wayward saucers, with no matching cup to nestle warmly on top.  The patterns and colors are lovely, but without their other half, they are mostly left behind.

 

But really, do the cup and saucer need to match perfectly?  Is there any set rule written in the Cup and Saucer Law Book? 

 

I think not.

 

I love anything mismatched anyway.

 

So I began combining teacups and saucers that were not originally meant to go together and found that they made some pretty combinations.

 

But now, what to do with them?

 

I have seen, in the past, many tutorials sprinkled around the net on how to make vintage teacup candles, and thought that was the way to go.

 

So I’d like to share with you my version of the Vintage Teacup Lights with Mismatched Saucer.

 

First, I decided that I’d like to use soy wax.  I love how cleanly and slowly it burns.  I found a type that can be melted in the microwave, and since this is my very first time EVER making candles, I thought easy was the way to go. 

 

So here goes…

 

GATHER ALL OF YOUR SUPPLIES…

 

1. Wax of your choosing (I used microwavable soy wax);
2. Candy or candle thermometer;
3. Candle Wicking (I used large size with zinc core wire);
4. Wick clips;
5. Tea cup;
6. Wood skewers or chop sticks;

 

 

 

Measure your candlewick to the cup’s height plus 2 extra inches.  Attach the wick clip.

 

 

Attach the wick to the bottom of the teacup.  I used Tacky Wax for this, or you can use a bit of your melted wax.  Just dip the bottom of the wick clip in the melted wax and attach to the bottom of the cup.

 

 

 

Next, center your wick and place it between the 2 skewers so it will stay straight.  You can tie the skewers together with a twist tie to keep them together.  I used chop sticks that were still attached together at the bottom, so it created a nice little “vice” for holding the wick in place.

 

Next, melt your wax according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Once the wax is melted, add your fragrance if you desire.  I used Eden’s Garden Pure Essential Oil, and added just a few drops, since I prefer a soft scent. 

 

 

 

 

Mix the fragrance in and pour the wax into your cup, leaving about ½ inch space from the cup’s rim. 

 

 

 

Now, I have read that very often a well will form around the wick.  To avoid that, you must poke a circle of holes with a toothpick around the wick after the wax has hardened approx. 1 hour, then pour additional melted wax into the cup until the wax is ¼ of an inch from the rim.  For some reason, my wax hardened without a well, so I don’t know what I did or didn’t do to make that happen!

After approx. 1 hour (or whatever time frame the wax manufacturer recommends) you can trim your wick to 1/4 inch.

 

You're done!

 

 

I was pleased as punch with the results.

 

So the lonely teacup and wayward saucer find a home and a new career together as a light!  These make such lovely gifts, and after the candle is burned, you are left with a sweet mismatched cup and saucer to use.

 

 

I hope this little "how-to" was helpful, and that you'll be inspired to use those vintage, mismatched cups and saucers that you might otherwise leave behind.

 

 

XOXOXO

 

 

Yes, They Have Nicknames

My Girls are getting big now, and at 7 weeks old they are starting to look like mini-chickens.  There are still bits of baby fuzz here and there, which I find completely endearing.  Their personalities have formed, and they are funny, demanding, unique, affectionate and silly.

In short, I adore them.

Yesterday, after a very heavy afternoon thunderstorm, I let them out to free range for just a bit.  They were thrilled and particularly enjoyed the soft, wet earth.

It was very difficult to get pictures of them, as they moved non-stop and most of the time they were bent down munching and picking at goodies.

I got lots of pictures of chicken butts...

 

See?

 

 

 

I knew it was inevitable that they would have nicknames.  It happens.  You almost can't help yourself.

 

Elizabeth Rose... a/k/a Rosie... a/k/a Rosie Robin… a/k/a Rosie Posie

My Australorp

Sweet and docile, she is the Lookout and will

often be the first one to give a warning sound.

 

 

Rita… a/k/a Sweeter Rita

My Barred Plymouth Rock

Affectionate, loving, curious and brave.

I'm pretty sure she is Head Hen.

 

Lilly a/k/a… Silly Lilly

One of my Buff Orpingtons - the medium sized one.

She caught herself a tasty snack.  Yummy!

 

Penny… a/k/a Henny Penny (you know where that came from.)

The littlest Buff Orpington.

Scratch that itch!

 

 

Stella… a/k/a Stella Starlight… a/k/a Stella Bella

The largest Buff, and the smartest.

 

My three Buffs have pretty much formed their own club.  They stick together but they always keep Rita in sight, and they follow her lead.

 

The new coop is done, and JW did a fabulous job, for which I always be grateful.

 

This is just a little sample of the coop, but I will give a full "coop tour" soon!

 

My Girl has become much braver with the chickens.

 

And although Penny is her absolute favorite, Rita likes to be held more and

was willing to pose for a picture.

Well, sort of.

 

 

Now I am off for a swim

in this never ending heat!

Hope you are cool and comfortable.

 

xoxoxox