Five MORE Things....on Friday

Right after I wrote my 5 Random Things post I found five more things to share.


So, I am linking up with Five on Friday, hosted by Amy at Love Made My Home.


Monday was a great day and is my Number 1!


I have been looking for a new rug for my parlor because the one that was there was quite worn and almost 20 years old. I painted the walls cranberry to match the rug which made it hard to find a new rug with the right color.


The only picture I could find of the old rug is from a few Christmas' ago. It was an Aubusson rug with long fringe, which I grew to hate.

I looked online and finally decided on a burgundy rug from a large retailer. When it arrived it was Rust! Luckily for me, the UPS drop off is right up the street in an antique shop. When dropping it off to send it back I just casually asked if they had any large 100% wool rugs. There hanging in the corner was the perfect rug!

The owner offered to deliver it to my house, which is just down the street, so I could try it before I bought it. He actually brought it in, moved the old rug and laid it out for me. He has a flair for decorating and thought it matched although the color is burgundy, not cranberry. It turns out to be exactly what I had envisioned and I love it. It matches my chairs and window treatments and has transformed the look of the room.

I decided not to wait for my husband to see it because I knew he'd love it and leave it up to me anyways. The best part is that when I went to pay for it, I had a 10% off store coupon that was on the receipt I got for returning the first rug! You know that commercial with the woman just sighing at her newly remodeled kitchen and the daughter says "c'mon Mommy, turn off the light and let the kitchen get some rest"?? That's me....standing in the doorway, sighing at how gorgeous my new rug looks!

Number 2

Once the new rug was down, the blotchy floors were so much more apparent, especially in front of the window seat. I remembered a trick I used before in my dining room, which is good ol' olive oil.

The
Before





I sprinkled it on the floor right out of my olive oil bottle, rubbed it in with a paper towel.....

and ta da....

It filled in all the light stains enough to make it look so much better.





Number 3


I love getting decorating ideas from other bloggers and sometimes those ideas are "aha" moments. That is what happened when Carol at Art and Sand posted about how she has books all over her house. She had some fabulous wire baskets filled with them under her table and I loved the look. I bought one of those baskets last year and never did anything with it. Now it holds my grandchildren's books for when they visit, which were not being read because they were hidden in the toy chest. It sits on top of my "new" chippy stool that I am deciding whether or not I can sell!

Number 4


I also got inspiration for a Spring/Easter centerpiece from so many decorating blogs. This is my version of what I saw. I used my lace edged burlap runner from last year under an old pine plank. The slice of tree is actually from Target and the cloche was new at Christmas, from JoAnn's.

I painted some plastic eggs from Walmart with my "Cascade" chalk paint and then splotched on some white. The bird nest is from my yard and the deer is from my vintage deer collection.

Number 5

Our dear friends Karl and Diane are moving to North Carolina at the end of March. We have had some great fun and laughs with them and wanted to capture the highlights to give to them as a keepsake. Good old Walmart was there for me with their photo center machines that you can make a photo collage on. For $2.93 I made an 8 x 10 of the best pictures I could find. For $4 I found a really nice black frame. There you have it....a pretty nice going away gift!

Another week gone by and a busy weekend ahead......

Happy First Day of Spring, Sunday March 20th!!!!

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these fun blog parties:

Five on Friday

Home Sweet Home

Anything Blue Friday

Best of the Weekend

DIY Sunday Showcase

Amaze Me Monday







5 Random Things

There is lots going on all at once at my house but not one thing enough to write a post about.


I decided to show and tell you five random things I have been up to.


ONE...


I have been going fairy crazy lately, making fairy terrariums for gifts ever since I received a kit to make myself one for Christmas.


I plan on doing a tutorial post soon on how to make one, since they are easy and very cute. I have made five of them so far but I am going to show you the newest one I made for my sweet friend Lora for now.

It's a little hard to get a good picture but this little terrarium is a layered ecosystem all contained in a jar.

I also plan on making an outdoor fairy garden in a huge galvanized bucket I had filled with flowers last summer. There are so many cute houses and accessories available to make these sweet gardens and I have gotten most of mine at Michael's and JoAnn's.


I picked the house and fairy up recently at JoAnn's in anticipation of my garden. The Gnome I got at a new vintage store.

TWO...

We are making progress on our dining room (click to read my original post if you'd like).


Or I should say, my husband is making progress on our dining room. I have had a head cold/sinus infection for 3 weeks so it would not be good for me to be scraping wallpaper!


Two walls mostly done....

Still to do.....

Lots of furniture and stuff to move around with no where to put it! Still, the room feels so much bigger already!

THREE....

I saw this sign at a diner recently and knew I had to make one for our community theatre for the table we set our coffee and desserts on.

Theirs....

Mine....



FOUR...

I don't know where I saw this quote but I jotted it down on the back of a piece of mail. I just want to share it with you.



Life with Christ is

an endless hope:

Without Him

a hopeless end

FIVE....

At the end of last quarter we received this postcard from my son's high school counselor. He made the honor roll! He is a senior this year and we are busy planning his future!

Random is good sometimes....

What's new with you?

AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these great blog parties:


Dishing It & Digging It
What'd You Do This Weekend?
Make It Pretty Monday
Let's Talk Vintage
Roses of Inspiration
Talk of the Town
Home and Garden Thursday
Share Your Cup
Thoughts of Home on Thursday
DIY Sunday Showcase



Thrifting on a Whim

There are all kinds of thrifting outings.

There's the planned, search the internet and newspaper for sales in your area and then hit every spot there is in one day, kind.


There's the huge show you have been waiting and waiting for, kind.


And then there's the thrifting on a whim. You know, when you had absolutely no plan to stop and hunt for anything but you did anyways. On a whim.


I had one of those kind on Sunday and it was a good one!


We had gone out to lunch to Dinosaur Bar-B-Cue in the city of Rochester. It is an Upstate New York restaurant chain with the best barbecue ribs and pulled pork. The one near us is located right on the Genesee River. We got a window booth with a great view.

I am sharing this fact because it adds to the full thrifting experience. It is always better to thrift on a full belly.

Full to the brim with Pig Salad (salad greens with pulled pork, candied walnuts and spicy blue cheese dressing), cornbread, fries and chocolate cream pie, we headed toward home.

On a whim, we stopped at the Goodwill near our home. I had just been there with little luck but I wanted to walk some of the food off and, it was on the way home. As soon as we walked in, there were our good friends and avid thrifters, the Merrill's. I didn't expect to find much so I took my time chatting with them.

When I finally pulled away, and did my three times around, I came away with a pretty good stash of different stuff.

This cute bunny is a bank. She is flocked and has the cutest little face. I cannot resist items that trigger memories from things I may have had during childhood. So sweet to put in a child's Easter basket.

Available

These peg coat racks are always a great find and a great seller. I have never seen a whitewashed one though so this is unique to my shop.



 

Available

I could not believe my eyes when I found this next item at the Goodwill. It is a wooden lap desk painted in a gorgeous aqua. It is quite distressed and chippy. Perfect! It has a medallion on the lid that starts with L and ends with "ess". Other than that I cannot make out what it says.  I thought about trying to redo the top but quickly talked myself out of it. A great DIYer I am not!

Available

Another item I thought about upcycling is this vintage cutting board. I never turned it over until I got home and that is when I saw the carved sunflowers! I originally thought to stencil the plain side. In the end I decided to let the buyer decide what to do with it. I kind of like it's rustic, retro look.

Available

This vanity mirror is another item I could not believe I was seeing at the Goodwill. It actually caught my breath as I was running to grab it! I knew it was a Syroco the minute I saw it's lovely gold finish.

Available

It is marked 1949 and a perfect décor piece for Victorian or Hollywood Regency style. Hmm, I may have to keep it awhile on my parlor mantel.


This sweet Shaker style bench or settee is doll sized. I own two others very similar to this from the 1980's. That is the only way I am selling this one!

Available



I learned sewing when I was about 12. My mother was a seamstress and I am sure my grandmothers were too. Never have I seen one of these vintage hem markers. This one is from the David Traum Co. Inc. from the 1950's. I was so intrigued by the fact that you could pin the hem right through the openings on the adjustable marker. Such technology!

Available

This last item and the first one of the post, the Zenith radio, were given to me by my 85 year old friend Fred. He was a real cigar smoker in his younger days. This is the second Humidor he has given to me to sell.

Both items are great vintage finds but need to be cleaned up and given a coat of wax finish before they are saleable. I just love that Fred thinks of me and that I know his stuff is the real thing!

I will chalk that trip up to a successful thrift on a whim. They are not always like that.


I have to keep my fingers crossed for another one to come along!




AnnMarie xoxo


I am linking up with these great blog parties:
Thrifty and Vintage Finds
Let's Talk Vintage
Talk of the Town
Share Your Cup
Roses of Inspiration
Vintage Charm Party
BTTCG Blog Party
Best of the Weekend
Simple and Sweet Fridays
Anything Goes Pink Saturday
Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party

Time to Get Ready for Summer

Say what?? Get ready for summer?

Yes, even though we are having the first real snowstorm in the Northeast today, with 11" expected, I am already thinking about getting myself ready for summer.

Right about the beginning of March I start concentrating on getting my skin, nails and muscles ready for nice weather. I start this far ahead to have enough time to get them to where I feel comfortable exposing all the parts of me that have been covered up all winter.

Although I don't wear shorts anymore, I do want the lower part of my legs and of course my feet to look good in my capris and sandals.

I do go sleeveless so the upper arms have to be buff (or somewhat shapely!)

I recently discovered body sugar scrubs. I found a recipe to make my own chocolate scrub and it is yummy! Always use a plastic container to put it in for use in the shower!

Here is the recipe thanks to Dee from

Meatloaf and Melodrama

DIY Chocolate Sugar Scrub

Ingredients

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together until fully incorporated.

Spoon into small plastic jars.



This was so easy to make and I was able to make it right out of my pantry....no need to run to the store for ingredients.

One tip: In the shower, be sure to rub the sugar scrub into your skin till the sugar has dissolved. It leaves a satin finish to your skin that water will bead off. Pat dry.

Once your skin is nice and exfoliated, apply this next product.

Although I am 100% Italian, I am pretty pale or fair skinned so I have to use a self tanner. I am not supposed to go out in the sun for long so this stuff makes me look like I do!

I discovered Jergens Natural Glow a few years ago and I think it is the most natural looking self-tanner there is. I started with the Light for fair skin but have graduated since up to the Medium to Tan. I also choose the +Firming option. Not sure how much firming it does, but why not?

I have used Original Jergens lotion forever mostly for the scent of "Cherry Almond Essence" but it is also a rich lotion on your skin. They work well together.

Some tips.....

*rub the Natural Glow in well and as evenly as possible. I don't have problems with streaking when I do this

*let it dry completely before getting dressed. It does transfer onto clothes.

*use it daily until you get the color you want and then every other or every few days for maintenance.

* make sure to wash the palms of your hands or you will have tanned palms!



For sandal ready feet, I use my foot brush, a foot emory/file and Burt's Bees Miracle Salve. My toenails tend to get very dry over the winter so this salve truly is a miracle. It is great for fingernails too.

And probably most important but not very fun for me is the use of my two pound weights EVERY NIGHT. I found a few exercises for my upper arms that really define them. You will have to find what works best for you. Just pumping your arms up and down holding the weights does wonders!

Last but not least, check all of your bottles of nail polish to make sure they are in good condition and not dried up for sitting over the winter.


Now, if you live in a warm climate where you always have a nice pedicure, or you keep up on them over the winter, you probably are good. I only use my nail polish on my toes in warm weather.

I like to have a variety of colors for my changing mood. My favorite brand is OPI. I love the colors and the names. That gorgeous aqua color is called "Can't Find My Czechbook".  Following through on my own advice, I found two bottles that are dried up and useless. I am sorry to see "Alpine Snow" and "I'm Not Really a Waitress" go.


Last tip:  Make your first pedicure of the season appointment early but not too early. One thing I can't stand is to get a great pedicure and then have to cover it up with socks because it is cold out. I wait till mid-June here in the Northeast. Lucky you, if you have more warm than cold weather or if warm weather starts earlier for you!!


If you start now along with me, we will both be toned, browned and polished by the end of June!!

Do you have any routines for getting yourself ready for summer?


AnnMarie xoxo
***I was not compensated for mentioning any of these products. I just love them and wanted to share.

I am linking up with these great blog parties:

Roses of Inspiration
Talk of the Town
Share Your Cup
Practical Mondays
Thoughts of Home
Home Sweet Home
Best of the Weekend
Pink Saturday
So Much at Home

Embracing the Cracks....or What Was I Thinking???

I started stripping wallpaper in my dining room this week.

What was I thinking??!!



I have talked myself into leaving the wallpaper in the dining room for the past 20 years for a couple reasons.


I thought it added an old world charm, enhancing the age and style of my home. It may even be original from my 1870 Victorian, but it was most likely added in the 1960's.



It matched my madeover furniture I brought from my farmhouse perfectly. The color of my huge cupboard and rocking chair is called Buckwheat. I painted all the trim the same color.

I was okay with it also because being an old home, I knew that the walls are plaster and lathe and that there is a really good chance that there were many cracks and imperfections in them. It has proven true in other parts of the home that we have redone.


That was all good and well until I went to my Pastor's home for a ladies' bible study. Our Pastor's wife Kathleen went to school for design and I have always loved her style. She has done a wonderful job styling their new home with every single element I love and have seen on HGTV!

Our tastes are similar except for one thing. Where I use color and wallpaper, she used a backdrop of plain grey walls. All of her décor just popped! Industrial and primitive mixed in with modern worked so well.


I have been incorporating a lot of  industrial and primitive items into my dining room décor but they seemed to have gotten lost in the busyness of the wallpaper.

When I got home from her house I went into the dining room and started ripping the wallpaper off in an area I knew was loose....I really did! I have left the remnants there as a reminder that I was really going to do this.



Should I even go into the fact that there are two other projects that I was definitely getting to this winter? I still have the paint swatches hanging from the door frame in my linen closet area. The wallpaper has to be stripped from there too and it should be a fairly easy and quick job. But still it is waiting.

My front foyer floor and stairs are hardwood and a hot mess. This house used to have two apartments upstairs so it was the main entrance for those and the main house. After I saw Tuula's makeover over at Thrifty Rebel Vintage,  I was determined to pretty mine up too. Still it sits waiting. That would be a significantly harder job!

I think it comes down to how sick you are of looking at the stuff that needs fixing. I am pretty sick of looking at my front hall entrance, I am still okay with the linen closet area, but the dining room? I was more than over looking at that wallpaper.


Can I say I might be regretting it now?


It is too late to turn back. Major cracks.

And did I mention yet that the wallpaper is not cooperating on coming off? It is GLUED on pretty good.


I am now thinking of how I might be able to embrace the cracks. You know, make them part of the design and décor? My vision is to paint the walls a neutral linen color so that all my stuff shows much better.


I have visions of those ancient walls you see in Italian villas or castles in Ireland.


Yeah, probably not.


Our handyman Jim is coming over this weekend to fix our kitchen faucet. I may have to ambush him and negotiate a job.


The dining room!


Stay tuned!


AnnMarie xoxo

I am linking up with these great blog parties:

Thoughts of Home on Thursday
Vintage Charm Party
Share Your Cup Thursday
Home Sweet Home
Best of the Weekend


New Jersey Crumb Cake

This is probably the best crumb cake I have ever had and some compare it to Entenmann's....I think it is better than Entenmann's. It just happens to be my husbands favorite crumb cake too (maybe because he grew up next door in Manhattan?!).

This is the nice golden color it should be right out of the oven.

Hubby has requested I make some so that he can take it for breakfast at work. He is a total carb guy in the morning.


So since I am making a pan (a 13 x 9 pan! It freezes well) I thought I'd share it with you, since it is pretty easy and worth trying out. Amy, at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes, I am thinking of you over there in New Jersey!

Lots of crumb topping!



Not sure how this recipe got it's name. After googling it, I have come to realize that crumb cake is or was the thing to eat on Sunday morning in New Jersey. They may just have dibs on the best crumb cake ever made, since this breakfast cake is not available all over the country.

Wikipedia describes it this way:


"Streuselkuchen (crumb cake) is a German specialty. Traditionally it is made of a yeast dough covered with a sweet crumb topping referred to as streusel. The main ingredients for the crumbs are sugar, butter and flour, which are mixed at a 1:1:2 ratio.
German Streuselkuchen is usually a flat cake made on a baking tray and cut into oblong pieces. It should be very flat - about one inch - so crumbs make about 50 percent of its height."

Hmmm...my recipe meets some of the criteria. My topping cheats by using Bisquick mix with the butter and sugar. Can't go wrong there!


Without further adieu....

New Jersey Crumb Cake

Cake

1/2 cup margarine or butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

3/4 cup milk

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream the butter and sugar. Beat eggs and milk; mix with butter.

In another bowl mix flour and baking powder, then add to

butter mixture. Stir in vanilla. Pour batter into a

greased 13 x 9 pan.

Crumb Topping

1/2 cup margarine or butter

1 cup sugar

2 cups Bisquick or any biscuit mix

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 - 1/2 powdered sugar

Cut butter into sugar, biscuit mix and cinnamon. Sprinkle

over batter in pan. Bake at 350 or 35-40 minutes, or till done.



Top with powdered sugar till cool.

Serves 8-16 depending on how large you cut the squares.

This piece was not hurt in any way while taking the multiple pictures it took to get halfway presentable ones! After spending so much time with it I could not resist so I ate it.

This is a MUST try. I hope you do!

AnnMarie xoxo

I am sharing with these great blog parties:


Share Your Cup Thursday
Home Sweet Home
Best of the Weekend
Anything Goes Pink Saturday
Bouquet of Talent
Table It Link Party
Something To Talk About
Amaze Me Monday
Tasty Tuesday
Roses of Inspiration
BTTCG Blog Party