A Blondie Day

I'm still here!

Yes, it's been a long, long time.

I do miss my little blog, but my brick and mortar shop, home and family take up all my time, so as the expression goes "something's gotta give", and that something is this blog.

Someday I hope to return and spend more time here and make it into the kind of blog I always envisioned, but for now I spend most of my time on my Facebook Page, which is so easy and convenient to update. I do hope you visit me there!

I love my brick and mortar shop, and in April I had the opportunity to move it to a new and beautiful location!

 

(My great grandmother.)

 

 

I am in heaven!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And soon I will be introducing my very own line of custom women's clothing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So please come and visit me on my Facebook Page to keep on top of the day's happenings...until the time when I can devote more time once again to my little blog. 

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Giftie

I've been away SO long from my blog, although I'm always on my Facebook Page.  But here I am and with a Giveaway!!

 

 

Just stop by my Facebook Page..."Like" the page (if you haven't already) and then scroll down to find the giveaway info.  Just leave a comment, and you're all set!

 

 

But HURRY!

The winner will be announced tomorrow!!!

 

 

 

Good luck...and love.

 

Helena XO

 

 

In Which The Weekend Gypsy is Coming Along

I'm still here!

The past few weeks have gone by in a blur as I gathered together inventory, put finishing touches on wares, priced and packed goods and just generally organized and prepared.  

I moved into my new little shop on November 1st.

But alas, my dear Canon camera has gone to camera heaven, so as I await my new camera, I have been using my iPhone for pics.  So bear with me...these pics are not the best, but I must share!

Here is my petite shop from the outside - all empty and bare and ready for love.

 

 

I just adore my little porch and have so many plans for it.

 

Some inside "before" pics...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst moving in...

 

 

 

 

 

And now, as it's shaping up...

 

 

 

 

I will have more (and better) pics as soon as I get my beloved new camera!!!

I am also excited to be carrying MantraBand Bracelets!!!

If you've never seen them before, you're in for a real treat.

 

 

 

They are SO comfy, they wear beautifully, and they're inspirational. Check out my Facebook Page for info on them.  I'm offering Free Shipping on them for my Facebook Friends!!!

 

I have so many more new and exciting things to share.  This Saturday will be my first official day opened, but I'm planning a Grand Opening later in November.  If you are local, please come and visit me!!!

I would love to see your friendly face.

Also, I will be offering many items from The Weekend Gypsy Emporium in my Blondie Blu Etsy Shop, so even if you're not local, you can still get some goodies!!!

 

 

Have a lovely, happy and warm day.

 

XO Helena

(A Very Happy Gypsy)

 

 

 

Little Big Dream

For at least a month or so I've been posting cryptic notes on my Facebook Page asking for good thoughts to be sent out into the universe, or making off-hand comments that I've been busy for a good reason that I can't share yet - etcetera, etcetera.  Well it's time to 'fess up!  And now that it's official I can comfortably do so.

A little big dream has come true for me in the way of a tiny brick and mortar shop in a little cottage with a porch.

I'm over the moon excited, so bad I can hardly sleep or sit still enough to type...or (ahem) get laundry and dishes done and other housework.  Oh wait, I have trouble getting that done anyway.  Well, you get my drift.

In November, my little big shop will be born.

 

 

The Weekend Gypsy Emporium.

 

Blondie Blu will not be going away.  It will continue to be the name of my humble handmade wares.  But my shop will be The Weekend Gypsy Emporium, and it will be filled with MAGIC.

 

 

I am bursting at the seams with ideas and hope that I can fit it all in this darling diminutive space that my shop will live in.  

I will post more info and pics as soon as I can, but in my absence you will know what I'm up to.

 

 

In the meantime, I've temporarily closed my Etsy shop, just until I get my feet back on the ground and Weekend Gypsy is up and running.  Then I will continue to offer goods from both.

 

I love you!

Thank you for sending me good wishes and thoughts even when you hadn't a clue what it was all about (although maybe you guessed...).

 

XO Helena

The Happiest Gypsy

 

 

 

 

 

Latest Love

I always have a current obsession.  And like most obsessions, I go a little nutty.

Lately, it has been all bout doll heads - vintage and antique ones.  And the more I find the more I want.

Many people find them a bit creepy, but I find them completely enchanting - sweet even, and no creepiness factor at all.

Just like most vintage and old things, the more worn they are, the more I love them.

 

 

 

It's easy to look at them and see the months and years that they have been loved.

 

 

Once upon a time, they were part of a complete doll that was held and hugged and dressed and kissed.

 

 

 

I look at them and wonder the confidences that they have kept all these years, the secrets that they've been told, the girls that once held them and grew into women and perhaps gave them to their daughters.

 

 

 

 

 

It's always wonderful to remember the little girl that still lives inside of us.

 

No, I don't think they're creepy at all.

 

XO Helena

 

Positively Pretty Jars

Oh I know, you've probably been jarred to death.  I have too.  Jars, and every which way to recycle them, have been all over the crafty world forever and we just can't seem to let go of them. Browsing through the bookstore the other day however, I came upon a creative little book entitled DIY Mason Jars by Melissa Averinos.  Paging through I spotted an idea for just about the prettiest jars I've seen yet, and just had to try my hand at them.

The jars she made were modeled after the vintage red cross symbol, which I love.  She had done her jar in the traditional red and white, which looked smashing, but I thought it might be fun to try other colors.

So I did.

 

And I was pleased as punch at how they came out.

So pleased, that I have to keep wandering back into the livingroom so I can admire them.  Again and again.  Everytime I walk back into the room, my poor confused Gretel lifts her head up and stares at me as if to say "Really?"

 

 

And THEN I thought (since I was doing a lot of thinking) why stop at just the cross...why not try other patterns?

 

So I did!

 

 

Polka dots and hearts.

And I loved them too!!

 

 

 

These are a snap to make and truly are a great way to recycle and re-use old glass jars.

If you want to give them a try, pick up a copy of this fun book.  Lots of other projects in there as well.

 

 

Have a happy, happy weekend sweeties!!!!

 

XO Helena

 

 

 

Happy Homestead

Just a heads up, my Happy Homestead Pillow Collection is in the shop today.

The collection is inspired by dreams of my great grandfather's farm. Although not owned by my family any longer, I was privileged a few years ago to visit the house and farm once owned by my great grandfather where my dad spent all of his summers growing up…and I got to take my dad there once more before he passed away. It was an amazing experience and I was in awe at how much I felt at home and at peace there.

 

 

 

As of late, my creative heart has been divided into two parts.  This is one part...so the next collection of pillows will be inspired by the second part....coming soon!

 

Hope you enjoy them.

 

XO Helena

The Colors of the Weekend

We are fitting in as many happy things as we can these last few weeks of summer.  My Girl starts Middle School in a few weeks and I will miss her. Making memories is high on my list right now.

One evening was spent at a fair.  The bright lights and aroma of delicious (and mostly fried) foods filled the senses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch at one of our favorite places on earth...Maureen's Kitchen!  Absolutely everything here is delish and all the cows, well - too cute.

 

 

 

 

Once upon a time this wonderful place was a tiny little cottage converted into a restaurant.  It was a 1/4 of the size it was now.  I miss that...the cozy homey feeling.  Everyone that worked there was family and you felt like you were being served breakfast by your favorite aunt. 

I can't blame them for expanding, but some of the charm - well, it's missing.  BUT, the food is still fabulous!!!

 

source

 

I did not find too much in my treasure hunting this weekend, but what I did find was sweet and I was happy to make it mine.

 

 

Amongst these treasure were a lovely vintage sewing box, a rosette afghan, gorgeous crushed velvet ribbon...

 

 

...a Kitchen Madonna and a beautiful flower book from 1867.

 

 

 

 

We are working on converting the spare bedroom upstairs into a storage/workroom for me - so off to work I go.  Hopefully this room will keep me more organized!

 

Much love,

As always,

 

Helena

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters

It has been much too long since I posted my last Vintage Handwritten Recipe, and I aim to change that.

Since summer still has a bit of oomph left in it (temps in the high 80's coming this week), something quick, easy and NOT hot will fill the bill.

Hence...Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters!

Oh boy - these are yummy.  Be prepared.

So here's the recipe as written...

Double Peanut Clusters

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup salted peanuts

Melt peanut butter and chocolate chips in a double boiler.  Stir until completely melted and blended.  Mix in nuts until completely coated. Drop onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Chill.

BLONDIE NOTES:  I used dark chocolate chips.  If you are a fan of dark chocolate, you'll like that extra richness!  I also used lightly salted peanuts.  When you spoon this out onto the cookie sheet, be prepared for it to spread a bit, so leave room in between each cluster. After they have completely chilled, you can break them into smaller pieces, as I did, before serving - like a brittle.  

These were a big hit and disappeared very fast, so you might want to make a double batch.

Hope you enjoy!

Much love, as always,

XO Helena

Astor Place Vintage

One of the things I love best about, well, pretty much anything vintage is because it has a soul.  Each item has a story, a past, a history.  And one of my favorite things to do is to imagine that past.  Oh the tales I weave!  Vintage tablecloths, cookware and teacups tell me stories of the families gathered around the table savoring a wonderful meal cooked with love – perhaps a birthday or a Sunday afternoon dinner.  Embroidered linens evoke pictures of young brides working hard on their needlecraft so they can fill their new homes with beauty.  And clothing – oh clothing!  The images they create in my mind… first dates and dances; holidays and parties; walks in the park and church on Sundays, followed by a large family meal.  Furniture can also tell its story, as I try to picture where it once lived and how the rest of the room was decorated.  How fun it is and deeply satisfying to give all these things a new life and to appreciate them once again.

 

And that is exactly what I loved about Astor Place Vintage, a novel by Stephanie Lehmann.  Not only does she show you that vintage items do indeed have a past, but she brings you there!  When I was asked to review this book by Simon and Schuster, it didn’t take me more than a second to say “yes”. I couldn’t wait!

 

The story starts in more present time, 2007 to be exact, where you meet Amanda, the owner of a vintage clothing shop in New York City named, appropriately, Astor Place Vintage.  She is appraising an elderly wealthy woman’s clothing for possible purchase for her shop when she discovers a journal from 1907 sewed into the lining of an antique fur muff.  The journal’s author, Olive Wescott, lived in Manhattan 100 years earlier, and as you travel back and forth in time from Amanda’s world to Olive’s world, you will find yourself not only intrigued, but genuinely liking both of these women and identifying with them in different ways.  As the story unfolds, you find that their lives intersect and they are connected to one another in a magical way.

 

I found myself not only caring about these women, but by the end of the book I wished for more of them.  Stephanie Lehman brings you perfectly back in time to turn of the century New York City and makes it real.  I love her references to actual places and events and I found myself more than once Googling some of that information to learn more about it.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely book and am hoping for a possible sequel to see what happens next in the lives of Amanda and Olive.

 

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book…

 

“The past doesn’t just go away; it lingers on.  You can actually touch and see the remains, and to the extent that these souvenirs survive, the past is present.  You can’t say that for the future.  It’s not here in any form.  I can’t be; it hasn’t arrived yet.  Once it does arrive, it’s the present, but only fleetingly before it’s the past.  You can never hold the future in your hands.”

 

I hope you will consider this book…and enjoy it!

 

 

XO Helena