Ruth of WhimsicalWinston
Congratulations!
More giveaways coming soon...
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Giveaway Winner Announced!
Ruth of WhimsicalWinston
Congratulations!
More giveaways coming soon...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Art - Shabby Chic Style
This time of year most of us are looking around our homes and wanting to freshen up our decor. One great way to do that is with art. There are so many great options no matter what your taste. I found some great pieces in 3 different categories:
Paintings...
Pink Roses
Mixed Media/Assemblage...
Photography...
Thread Spools
Valentine book
So many to choose from! I love them all, but photography may be my favorite. . . today. What's yours?
Paintings...
Pink Roses
Mixed Media/Assemblage...
Photography...
Thread Spools
Valentine book
So many to choose from! I love them all, but photography may be my favorite. . . today. What's yours?
Friday, January 7, 2011
My Favorite Things...
A new feature on my blog this year is "My Favorite Things". This is where I will write about items I have and love. I could live without these things, but I wouldn't want to! The two items I have featured here are perfect for the currently cold winter weather.
The first is fleece pajamas. I have two sets and I love them because they are extemely warm and soft! These are the warmest, softest pajamas I have ever owned. My favorite of the two I own has a black and white damask print, but I love this simple pink set too. Thankfully fleece pajamas are quite popular this year, so you can get them just about anywhere in any price range.
My other favorite item is also featured for its warmth. They are these soft, comfortable boots that match with just about everything. I like this darker brown color as they won't show dirt as easily as the lighter tan color. I also bought the shorter fit because I'm not very tall and they seem less cumbersome to me. Wear them over your skinny jeans or under your bootcut jeans. I wear these boots almost everyday - when I'm not working. (I have not yet found a way to make these look right with dress slacks and a blouse.) They feel like you are wearing slippers. Finally, a pair of shoes you won't want to kick off right when you get home!
The first is fleece pajamas. I have two sets and I love them because they are extemely warm and soft! These are the warmest, softest pajamas I have ever owned. My favorite of the two I own has a black and white damask print, but I love this simple pink set too. Thankfully fleece pajamas are quite popular this year, so you can get them just about anywhere in any price range.
My other favorite item is also featured for its warmth. They are these soft, comfortable boots that match with just about everything. I like this darker brown color as they won't show dirt as easily as the lighter tan color. I also bought the shorter fit because I'm not very tall and they seem less cumbersome to me. Wear them over your skinny jeans or under your bootcut jeans. I wear these boots almost everyday - when I'm not working. (I have not yet found a way to make these look right with dress slacks and a blouse.) They feel like you are wearing slippers. Finally, a pair of shoes you won't want to kick off right when you get home!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Free Giveaway
Let's celebrate the new year with a new giveaway - it's not one, but two pieces of beautiful art for free! Both of these painting are of Paris. The larger painting has a sticker on the back that reads "Les Editions Braun, Paris" with a copyright of 1959 - "Utrillo, La Basilique du Sacre-Coeur 1926, Collection dr Roudinesco". Maruice Utrillo is the artist (on the front along with the original date of the painting. It is just over 10.25 inches by just over 8 inches.
The second smaller painting has much less information. It is simply stamped "PARIS" in ink on the back. It is 6 inches wide by just under 4.5 inches high. Both are on stretched canvas. You can frame these or hang them as is. Either way, there's no better price for art than free!
Rules:
1. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.
2. Ends Friday, January 14th at midnight PST.
3. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via information provided in comment entries within 24 hours.
4. Each contest entry requires a separate comment.
To Enter:
- Follow my blog (or tell me you're already following).
- Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is. Visit ShabbyNChic
- Post on Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway.
- Follow me on Twitter at @ShabbyNChic.
**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.**
The second smaller painting has much less information. It is simply stamped "PARIS" in ink on the back. It is 6 inches wide by just under 4.5 inches high. Both are on stretched canvas. You can frame these or hang them as is. Either way, there's no better price for art than free!
Rules:
1. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only.
2. Ends Friday, January 14th at midnight PST.
3. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via information provided in comment entries within 24 hours.
4. Each contest entry requires a separate comment.
To Enter:
- Follow my blog (or tell me you're already following).
- Visit my Etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is. Visit ShabbyNChic
- Post on Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway.
- Follow me on Twitter at @ShabbyNChic.
**Remember to post a separate comment for each entry.**
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A New Year and A New Look!
With any new year comes change and for my blog, it was the right time! I hope you enjoy the new look. I will not be changing the content, but do hope to post more frequently. I have several giveaways lined up as well as a new regular topic I'm excited about: "My Favorites" which will feature some of my favorite things. Along with the fresh look is more space for ads on the right-hand column. I hope you like the new look as much as I do!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Art on a Budget
My most recent project for my own home was a photograph of a door in Europe taken by a woman I met at an art/craft fair. She sells her photographs at very low prices currently, so I got this 8x10 for $4.00. I know - unbelievable! I had a rustic wood frame that I thought would be just perfect for the photograph. I found the frame at a rummage sale months earlier for $1.00! It had a picture of the 3 Stooges in it, but I could look past that to see the frame...that was what I wanted. Now I just needed matting for it. I went to a framing store and was surprised to find that they didn't have a cream or beige matting for my 8x10 photo.
So I went home disappointed, then realized that I already had what I needed. I had matting that would fit in just the right color in a frame that I wanted to refinish anyway. So that was no additional cost - we love free! So for a grand total of $5.00 I have this beautiful photograph and frame on my wall and have received so many compliments on it.
So I went home disappointed, then realized that I already had what I needed. I had matting that would fit in just the right color in a frame that I wanted to refinish anyway. So that was no additional cost - we love free! So for a grand total of $5.00 I have this beautiful photograph and frame on my wall and have received so many compliments on it.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Holiday Traditions
We all celebrate holidays differently. Traditions are important to have and pass on to our children. I wanted to share a few of our family's Christmas traditions.
One that I always had growing up was a Christmas tree. It may sound like something typical that most families have, but when I was in high school and my father passed away, we did away with a lot of traditions (just too difficult I suppose). So my mother sat us down and asked each of us children what holiday tradition we wanted to continue and she would do those every year, no matter what. I chose having a Christmas tree and I continue that with my children even if we are not going to be home for Christmas. We each get or make a new ornament every year, so the tree is quite meaningful for us.
Another tradition I grew up with and continue with my children is stockings. This is another common tradition, but we just love it! My mother made the stockings when we were very young (and now sells them in her Etsy shop). I think filling people's stockings, then watching them open them is my favorite part of Christmas.
Finally, we do Christmas crackers which I believe is an English tradition. I am not sure when it started, but it was one we added to our family's traditions as adults. I think I bought some once and we all enjoyed it so much that it stuck. This year, the kids and I made them and they have been so excited to give them to family and friends. They are typically filled with a paper hat, a toy, candy... We have also used lottery tickets or money, but this year it's all candy!
Please comment with traditions you and your family share.
One that I always had growing up was a Christmas tree. It may sound like something typical that most families have, but when I was in high school and my father passed away, we did away with a lot of traditions (just too difficult I suppose). So my mother sat us down and asked each of us children what holiday tradition we wanted to continue and she would do those every year, no matter what. I chose having a Christmas tree and I continue that with my children even if we are not going to be home for Christmas. We each get or make a new ornament every year, so the tree is quite meaningful for us.
Another tradition I grew up with and continue with my children is stockings. This is another common tradition, but we just love it! My mother made the stockings when we were very young (and now sells them in her Etsy shop). I think filling people's stockings, then watching them open them is my favorite part of Christmas.
Finally, we do Christmas crackers which I believe is an English tradition. I am not sure when it started, but it was one we added to our family's traditions as adults. I think I bought some once and we all enjoyed it so much that it stuck. This year, the kids and I made them and they have been so excited to give them to family and friends. They are typically filled with a paper hat, a toy, candy... We have also used lottery tickets or money, but this year it's all candy!
Please comment with traditions you and your family share.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Before and After - Upcycling
Here's a find that I redesigned and sold recently in my shop: a chalkboard. It started out gold with a dark distressed look and a gold cord attached to the top. I love gold when accompanied by white, so it had to be painted!
I painted it white and distressed it so the gold would show beneath. I didn't love the gold cord either, but thought a pretty white ribbon would add even more of a pretty, feminine look to it. So here is the result...
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Super Easy Recipe!
If you follow my blog or know me personally, you know that I have a very busy schedule. I rarely enjoy spending a lot of time cooking, so I am always looking for quick, easy, healthy recipes. Last night I tried something new for dinner and it turned out great, so I am sharing it...
I will call it Easy Baked Cornbread Chili. First, you mix a package of cornbread according to the instructions on the package.
Second, open 2 cans of chili and pour them into a baking dish. Easy, isn't it?
Then pour and spread the cornbread mixture over the chili and bake according to the cornbread's instructions.
When the cornbread is golden brown, dinner is ready. It's that easy! You can add cheese to the chili and a side salad to finish out the meal. Enjoy!
*Obviously you can make your cornbread and chili from scratch which would be even healthier, but that wouldn't be as easy.
I will call it Easy Baked Cornbread Chili. First, you mix a package of cornbread according to the instructions on the package.
Second, open 2 cans of chili and pour them into a baking dish. Easy, isn't it?
Then pour and spread the cornbread mixture over the chili and bake according to the cornbread's instructions.
When the cornbread is golden brown, dinner is ready. It's that easy! You can add cheese to the chili and a side salad to finish out the meal. Enjoy!
*Obviously you can make your cornbread and chili from scratch which would be even healthier, but that wouldn't be as easy.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Our Trip to Tillamook
Although it is only about 1.5 hours away, I have only ever visited Tillamook Oregon once when I was a child...never since then. After deciding that we needed a brief getaway, I selected Tillamook since it is not too far and there appeared to be a lot to do there. See, this is Oregon and we would be going at the end of November...it's not a warm or dry time, so we had to have indoor activities.
So I found a hotel with a pool, a museum I thought the kids would like, and 2 cheese factories (dairy country). The famous Tillamook Cheese Factory was a must-see, but we really didn't know what to expect - and that was fine with me! Honestly, we didn't even look up directions. Maybe stupid, but at the time it felt adventurous!
So we left at dusk and drove 1.5 hours in the dark and pouring rain and most of it was winding roads barely wider than 2 cars with a cliff on one side. Once we got there we were so excited to hit the pool...one problem...
At check-in we learned that the pool was under maintenance and would reopen the day we were to leave - great. That was our only planned evening activity, so that became TV watching after tiring of the few games we brought. Well, the kids also enjoyed jumping on the beds. What? If the hotel staff doesn't like it, they can fix the pool faster. :P
The next day we visited the Blue Heron factory which we all loved! They had animals we could feed: donkeys, llamas, goats, sheep, chickens, and emu. My daughter loved it!
My son loves animals, but more from afar. Touching and feeding them is not really his thing. In his defense, they did drool...not that he knew that though since he wouldn't get within 5 feet of them. He did have a strange bond with a sheep though.
We had a great lunch and found a lot of goodies for Christmas for friends and family. Not only do they have specialty cheeses there, they also had an entire case of assorted chocolate truffles. We bought caramel apple and pumpkin pie flavored truffles. (We ate them too quickly to get pictures.)
The Tillamook factory was very different. There were samples to try as well of cheese, fudge, and ice cream, but it really felt like a factory. I told my husband it reminded me of Ikea. My son loved the ice cream though! I did enjoy the shopping there too. We found honey sticks, vegan jam, and more Christmas gifts.
Finally,we went to the Pioneer Museum. I homeschool my son and we have been reading the Little House book series, so I thought this would be a great connection to that. I was amazed at how big this museum was and how much they had there. One room of the basement had 5 different wagons from different periods. It was great to see that up close.
One room looked just like a log cabin back in the 1800's. I was so glad the kids could see that. We probably spent over an hour at the museum which is a long time, especially with a 3 year-old! I highly recommend this museum if you visit the area.
Of course I had to end the trip with a little shopping. I found an antique shop and a thrift shop on the same block! I found some pieces to refinish and a vintage Fisher Price Little People boat to add to my kids' collection. They were excited to have a toy to play with...especially since we were on our way back to the hotel which now did not have a pool to play in.
On our trip we also went on a scenic drive to see the coast. We couldn't find beach access, but when it's 42 degrees one doesn't feel much like spending time on the beach. I was happy to get some great pictures and then get right back in the warm car.
On the scenic drive we found the Octopus Tree which is a tree that somehow grew multiple large limbs in place of a trunk. It is over 105 feet tall and 250-300 years old. An amazing site that was worth the short hike in the cold to see it!
All in all it was a really fun trip. I think next time we visit will be a day trip, but we definitely want to go back. They have an aviation museum we'll probably visit next time.
So I found a hotel with a pool, a museum I thought the kids would like, and 2 cheese factories (dairy country). The famous Tillamook Cheese Factory was a must-see, but we really didn't know what to expect - and that was fine with me! Honestly, we didn't even look up directions. Maybe stupid, but at the time it felt adventurous!
So we left at dusk and drove 1.5 hours in the dark and pouring rain and most of it was winding roads barely wider than 2 cars with a cliff on one side. Once we got there we were so excited to hit the pool...one problem...
At check-in we learned that the pool was under maintenance and would reopen the day we were to leave - great. That was our only planned evening activity, so that became TV watching after tiring of the few games we brought. Well, the kids also enjoyed jumping on the beds. What? If the hotel staff doesn't like it, they can fix the pool faster. :P
The next day we visited the Blue Heron factory which we all loved! They had animals we could feed: donkeys, llamas, goats, sheep, chickens, and emu. My daughter loved it!
My son loves animals, but more from afar. Touching and feeding them is not really his thing. In his defense, they did drool...not that he knew that though since he wouldn't get within 5 feet of them. He did have a strange bond with a sheep though.
We had a great lunch and found a lot of goodies for Christmas for friends and family. Not only do they have specialty cheeses there, they also had an entire case of assorted chocolate truffles. We bought caramel apple and pumpkin pie flavored truffles. (We ate them too quickly to get pictures.)
The Tillamook factory was very different. There were samples to try as well of cheese, fudge, and ice cream, but it really felt like a factory. I told my husband it reminded me of Ikea. My son loved the ice cream though! I did enjoy the shopping there too. We found honey sticks, vegan jam, and more Christmas gifts.
Finally,we went to the Pioneer Museum. I homeschool my son and we have been reading the Little House book series, so I thought this would be a great connection to that. I was amazed at how big this museum was and how much they had there. One room of the basement had 5 different wagons from different periods. It was great to see that up close.
One room looked just like a log cabin back in the 1800's. I was so glad the kids could see that. We probably spent over an hour at the museum which is a long time, especially with a 3 year-old! I highly recommend this museum if you visit the area.
Of course I had to end the trip with a little shopping. I found an antique shop and a thrift shop on the same block! I found some pieces to refinish and a vintage Fisher Price Little People boat to add to my kids' collection. They were excited to have a toy to play with...especially since we were on our way back to the hotel which now did not have a pool to play in.
On our trip we also went on a scenic drive to see the coast. We couldn't find beach access, but when it's 42 degrees one doesn't feel much like spending time on the beach. I was happy to get some great pictures and then get right back in the warm car.
On the scenic drive we found the Octopus Tree which is a tree that somehow grew multiple large limbs in place of a trunk. It is over 105 feet tall and 250-300 years old. An amazing site that was worth the short hike in the cold to see it!
All in all it was a really fun trip. I think next time we visit will be a day trip, but we definitely want to go back. They have an aviation museum we'll probably visit next time.
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