cute as a button

Button rings! I keep all of those spare buttons that come with sweaters and jackets and things. So I have a lot of buttons, but almost all different. Here is a cute way to use them!



I am happy with the color combos and these make a cute daytime/casual accessory. For sale on Etsy!

vintage

I don't usually post about non-created things... but today I have to. I checked out Good Bones Vintage in Chapel Hill, NC. Very cool. A small space, but the stock changes almost daily. I got this fabulous casserole/serving dish with a lid:

I don't think I had ever seen anything from mid-century design in this color combo. And it is made in the USA! Estimated to be from around 1956. I am in the market for a bookshelf for the craft room so I will definitely be checking Good Bones again and often.

Other recent acquisitions... Beautiful floor lamp from David's aunt (which belonged to his great-aunt). Very well built and HEAVY. This thing was built to last.


Mixed-Material end table from Aunt June and Uncle David. The lamp goes with this perfectly! I love the metal edge details and the dark glass top.


I continue to look for cake stand supplies at thrift stores. Next I will keep my eye out for fun vintage fabrics to cover cork pieces for a bulletin board. I am getting the upstairs office/craft room organized and why not make it fun and cute?

drink & eat

Aahhh... The weather is warmer and I need a drink. In an effort to stretch a buck AND be healthy, I've been buying a ton of seltzer water. It is on sale fairly often at one of the grocery stores nearby. It is fabulous with cran-raspberry juice and a splash of lime (and the cutest little ice cubes). Also, trick yourself into drinking less wine by making a spritzer. And feel extra fancy at breakfast with a virgin mimosa!


And it is getting to be that time of year when the produce is SO good and my plates look so delicious. Here are a few recent dishes:

hard-boiled egg and blanched asparagus on field greens with balsamic dressing

italian mashed potatoes (from scratch! my first time!)


assorted tomato salad with bocconcini and fresh basil


tomatillo & avocado salsa (recipe in Readymade)

mason jars

I have used mason jars for a long time. Mostly we use them for their intended purpose... canning foods. I gave salsa away in little mason jars to my clients around the holidays. We made muscadine jelly last fall. If we make a big batch of pasta sauce we store some in the big jars. So apart from pickles, coffee blends, homemade cookie/brownie mix, and special drinks, what else can you use these sweet little jars for? I'll tell you!

At Sabrina's house she has Q-tips and cotton balls on her vanity in them. Simple and chic.

We marinated and stored bocconcini in them.

In Readymade this month, and at Sarah's baby/beer/bbq fest, they were used as tea lights. I made a centerpiece for our kitchen table with tea lights and cute little bud vases:



David uses them as ink wells for the last bit of ink from the cartridges he turns into lamps. Then he paints with that ink.

I store beads in them.

We also make our own salad dressing in the tiny ones. A single serving to get to work spill-free and then shake it up before it goes over those yummy greens.


What do you use mason jars for?