Do You Play..?

{source}

Croquet Makes a Comeback | Peterman's Eye

Shared via AddThis

Playing croquet reminds me of my childhood and I'm loving the idea of it coming back into fashion. Can you imagine...croquet at football tailgates instead of cornhole or hillbilly golf? I think we'd be OK until someone decided to use the mallet as a weapon :)

*Winner* 200th Post Giveaway

Congratulations are in order for Angel! She's the winner of my 200th Post Giveaway.

Angel -- please email me your contact info and I'll get these goodies out in the mail to you shortly!

Thanks for playing :)

Inspiration: Little Old Rhode Island Inspired Wedding

{Clockwise: Mission Happy, The Chanler at Cliff Walk, Pegeen, Dauphine Press,
Gail Watson via Brides.com, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Amsale via Bluefly,
Brides.com, The Knot (top & bottom), Amsale via Brides.com}

Little Old Rhode Island | Peterman's Eye

Shared via AddThis

Yesterday on Peterman's Eye, they featured interesting facts about one heck of a little state and a hip little ditty, too. Always fun to learn something new about one of our oldest states!

And, of course, it got my mind aflutter with the great weddings one could have there...like a New England-inspired homestead soiree inspired by the area's natural, nautical beauty.

PSA: 200th Post Giveaway Ends Soon

Just a friendly public service announcement to remind you to enter the 200th post giveaway!

All it takes is a comment with your favorite recipe to get in the running for some super cute vintage goodies! And who wouldn't love that?

Just click the link above or on the right side bar under 'Freebies & Giveaways' :)

So Cute Southern Vintage Invitations

Aren't these invitations from Benign Objects to die for? I love the combination of patterns and colors. The kraft envelopes keep everything relaxed. Makes me want to drink a mint julep and sit under a magnolia. Gorgeous.

{Benign Objects via Oh So Beautiful Paper}

Busy Bee

Gosh, sorry for not posting anything new this morning...I spaced out! I've been running around all day like a chicken with my head cut off (gross), trying to get every last bit and bob that is needed to finish putting together the wedding invitation suite so they can go out next week (*squee*).

And, for the record, I did spend a fair amount of time in Filene's/DSW, but let it be known that I didn't purchase a single thing (how's that for willpower!)

Without completely revealing my true geekedness, I'm also going to just say that I'm having some intermittent issues with my graphics card. Strange things with virtual memory not being dumped properly. Anyhoo. It's a pain and so I'm trying like the dickens to figure that one out...which is turning out to be relatively complicated. I digress..

The rest of this week is shaping up to be festive and busy, with working on the invitations, my bridal shower and two birthday parties this weekend. What a whirlwind! And to make things even more completely fantastic, my new online BFF from one of my favorite retailers is sending the man and I a super secret wedding gift. AHH! So excited! It was very unexpected, but we've had a great time with a little back-and-forth Q & A. If I get the green light, I'll share more on that later :)

So...this was my very long (winded) explanation as to why this week's postings may get a little thin...Thank you kindly for understanding! I swear, your regularly-scheduled postings are back on track on Monday! Or perhaps Tuesday...but soon!

xo,

Drying For Freedom, A Film About Clotheslines

Laundry in the Back Yard via Flickr

Apartment Therapy has a good write-up and video snippet on the documentary Drying For Freedom, A Film About Clotheslines that I found interesting. It's all about promoting clothesline drying and cold water washing to reduce energy consumption, being driven by Project Laundry.

I've been talking for ages about wanting to line dry again (when I was a kid, we line dried our clothes whenever Ohio weather would allow us.) Nothing smells as lovely as line-dried clothing, not to mention how unbelievably more responsible it is.

Now, imagine for a moment that you're not allowed to line dry your clothing? Really think about it.

Taken from the "Right to Dry" Campaign: "Community covenants, landlord prohibitions, and zoning laws are the three primary means of stopping people from using clotheslines. State, local, and federal legislators are encouraged to introduce "Right to Dry" legislation to stem this growing problem; government executives and commissioners are encouraged to act by executive order or rule-making. It is time for Americans to re-claim their rights and shine the sun on common sense solutions."

So let me ask you: How do you feel about line drying laundry? If you already do it, what advice would you give to those considering it? If you don't, what would it take to convince you to start?


Did you know that almost 6% of residential electricity consumption goes to your clothes dryer? That's appalling, actually.

200th Post Giveaway!

Hi my lovelies! I hope you had a great weekend...mine was stupendous! We were very adventurous, driving a couple of hours away from home in search of Dole Whip (to no avail. Very sad.), hit the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival and I made the most glorious Boeuf Bourguignon! It wasn't scary or difficult at all. Just a bit time-consuming, but I did it! It's tonight's dinner, so I'll report more on that later.

Now, onto the fun stuff!

Last Thursday, I hit my 200th post. Because you guys truly keep me going, I wanted to have a little giveaway in celebration of this momentous occasion!

I've been very inspired lately by Julia Child and her great vintage kitchen. So whether you're a vintage lover and collector or just starting out, here's a few bits of fun to get you going:

· 1 vintage, handmade apron - black & white check w/ red thread accents, front pocket. Cut-out detailing around hem and on pocket.
Wrap & tie around waist with long ties fits most sizes.
*Sorry, dress and pearls not included!

· 1 vintage hobnail milk glass vase
· 4 vintage Better Homes and Gardens cook books chock full o' the classics:
- Pies and Cakes
- Make-Ahead Cook Book
- Jiffy Cooking
- Blender Cook Book

· 1 Anne Taintor Modern Office notepad
· 6 card stock tags - great for gifts, name tags or seating cards!

How to enter:

Please leave me a comment naming your favorite recipe and why it's your fave. It can be a recipe for anything -- salad, soup, dessert, main course, a great punch - anything goes! No need to write out the recipe...yet!*

The giveaway will end on August 31, 11:59 p.m. EST. Winner will be chosen at random and notified on Sept. 1, 2009. Don't forget to leave me your email address or a way to contact you if you're the winner.

*If ever you would like to share your favorite recipe and story, please let me know. I would love to add it to my growing recipe collection and share it with everyone on the blog, too! That makes everyone a winner :)

Good luck!!

Blog Love: {sweeter than me}

{sweeter than me}

Dear readers,

Check out {sweeter than me} to enter Kristin's weekly giveaway -- this week, it's a $25 Gift Certificate to Intres -- whimsical felt creations extraordinaire! She offers lots of ways to enter; a little something for everyone and it's super easy.

Which is your fave? Mine is this house. Isn't it cute?! Good luck to all who enter! xo

{intres}

{Must Have} The J. Peterman Company

With as much time as I spend online poking through treasure troves of online finds, so rarely does anything jump at me quite the way The J. Peterman Company did. Oh my, do they have some delicious goods! It's my new favorite.

But honestly, not only do they have tip top rare vintage finds for the home, completely adorable vintage-inspired fashions and accessories for men and women, it's the descriptions for each piece that practically made me swoon. I freaked out a little, actually, then proceeded to read outloud to my fella at least a half dozen of the things. (He loved it, I promise.)

Like this one for the Tournabuoni Shirt & Skirt (darling illustration below):
"The women of Florence are famous for their trim miniskirts and designer scarves, their slick sophisticated pumps.

But there’s another side to their wardrobes, one that goes deeper into the Tuscan character. Practical, active-spirited...you could even call it tough chic.

This outfit discovered in a small shop on the via Tornabuoni is a fine example. Looks like something Oriana Falacci might have worn on a journalistic adventure to one of the more remote latitudes.

(There was a Florentine for you. As a pigtailed schoolgirl, carried explosives for the anti-Fascist underground. Later, the sharpest political interviewer in the world, pursuing truth with remorseless charm that got Yassir Arafat, Henry Kissinger, and the Shah of Iran to disclose the most amazing things.)

You’ll look right at home in a trattoria on the Arno, nonchalantly twirling pasta on your fork.

Even better, it’s just about all you need for a week or two of exploring the city and the ancient hill towns beyond, discovering those whites and reds that the Italians keep for themselves."

All that to describe a shirt & skirt combo. Now THAT is how you sell, my friends.

And look! Even more completely to-die-for pieces. Oh J. Peterman Company. You've just created a monster.

{all images courtesy J. Peterman Company}

For We Servantless American Cooks

{time}

I had the best day yesterday. It started with a homemade hazlenut iced coffee, Tommy Dorsey in the car and off to see Julie/Julia with mom. Sure, I had a dress needing a new zipper and hemmed, but chores needed to wait. It was girl time and we had so much fun!

The movie theater was nearly empty, given it wasn't quite noon, but bless them, we're pretty certain we were the youngest people in there. What a nice change -- not a pip or a ring or a cell phone screen light anywhere in sight! (We mostly frequent the theater adjacent to OSU campus. Oh what a joy that is...ugh.) The movie was endearing -- especially the "Julia" storyline. You really just fall in love with her. Meryl Streep did an amazing job. The "Julie" storyline? Well. It was OK. At times, Julie seemed to grovel and took on a bit too much self-loathing for my taste. In more than one scene, I wished her husband to keep his mouth shut *while eating AND in general. But don't let that stop you from seeing it. It's well worth it!

Now. I'm no cook. I'll bake and candy-make anything under the sun, but when I was a kid, I had a bit of a kitchen fire and it put me off of cooking completely. Honestly, I want to learn and get creative and make delicious things. I have a great collection of vintage recipe books and everything, but I just can't seem to take that first leap. Until now. Julia Child has inspired me.

This Sunday, it's Boeuf Bourguignon, to honor my grandpa (because it was his favorite and ate it every day he and my mom were in France.)

And I'm not going to tackle just any Boeuf Bourguignon...non, mes amis. It's going to be Julia's famed Boeuf Bourguignon, thanks to Random House/Knopf Doubleday, the recipe is here for the world to try. I took that as a sign to get off my keister and give it a go.

(Below, I've linked their PDFs taken directly from Mastering the Art of French Cooking)

· recipe for Boeuf Bourguignon (beef burgandy)

· recipe for Champignons Sautés au Beurre (mushrooms sautéed in butter)

· recipe for Oignons Glacés à Brun (brown-braised onions)

I hope that your weekend is filled with adventures, in the kitchen and out.
Let us all be fearless! Bon appétit!

{time}

{edit: What are the odds that I just got my Martha Stewart newsletter via email and they're featuring Julia Child's Beef Bourguignonne recipe? Take THAT, Martha!}

Happy 200th Post!

I almost keeled over when I saw that I was on my 200th post. That's just crazy talk! Or maybe it's just a lot of talk in general? Hm. I do suppose that's possible...

SO, with that in mind, I want to give stuff away to a lucky reader. Yay for stuff!

Here's what I'm thinking...

Because this really snuck up on me, I'm going to take the weekend to put together some fun gifties for the winner...and I'll get back to you on Monday with the details, so stay tuned!

{Wedding Details} Take a Seat, Part II

So when it comes to wedding details, I'm all about it. The pew reservation cards, the escort cards, the menus, table numbers, guest book...to me, they are the tiny details that finish off the wedding the way jewelry does an outfit. Of course, they don't make the wedding, but when you've worked hard to create a certain kind of ambiance to your celebration, isn't it nice when everything fits together well?

Here are more great escort and place/seating card ideas I found while searching for inspiration:

Different paper or fabric selections could indicate menu selection, too.
{Martha via VintageGlam}

Aren't these mini notebooks great? Practical favors meet place card.
{ShopBirdDroppings}

Mini clothes pins are too cute for words. These could work for a casual, rustic wedding or a baby shower.
{Real Simple}

Stunning. And I'm only a little partial since they showed it with my name on the sample :)
{TimelessPaper via A Touch of Bliss}

What did you do for escort and place cards? Something traditional or avant garde? If you had to indicate menu selections, how did or would you go about it?

art's cool/ART SCHOOL

Now here's some real stuff to dress up those drab dorm room walls, kiddies.

Trust me. I know these things. I went to art school.

Buy these and lots more at The Little Friends of Printmaking Ye Olde Shoppe.

{all images: The Little Friends of Printmaking}

Sew in Love

{source}

D. bought me Amy Butler's Frenchy Bag pattern for my birthday and I want to make it so badly I can hardly stand it! I've been eyeing some Heather Bailey fabrics that are completely adorable, but I don't think anywhere local sells them...hmm...may have to pop over to a few shops and find something for the time being because, really. There's no such thing as too many purses.

Oh, and check out the completely awesome wrap dress pattern I snagged on sale for $1 a few weeks ago. Lurv it! This is most definitely going to be a winter project, though, which is a little depressing. I've just been so busy lately that most of my own projects have been sidled for later. At least I have something to look forward to come springtime, though! It could make a perfect Easter dress...all it needs is a cute little cardi over it, don't you think?

{source}

Boot Scootin'

Let's add these boots to my Fall '09 Most Coveted list. It hurts, I love them so.

{source}

Daft Punk + Tron Legacy = Sweet Geekdome

Watch.

Listen.

I absolutely love this photo.

{f8 Studio}

I love the kind of photography that not only tells a story, as you see in so many photojournalistic-styled wedding albums today, but really manage to capture those very real and very rare moments. Like this one by f8 Studio. I don't know how we could manage a photo like this for our wedding, but I'd sure like to try to bribe Christa into staying late to take one.

Let me know...

What you think about leaving comments on my blog now. I changed it up a bit because I've been told that some folks have trouble posting comments. SO...if you would be so kind, give 'er a try and tell me hi :)

xo

Celebration.

To say that I had an amazing birthday weekend is a huge understatement. It was, without question, a perfect birthday. D. described it as "the kind of birthday party you hear about but never are lucky enough to go to." That's how cool it was. Intimate, happy, delicious. Perfect.

What a lucky girl I am to have such tremendously kind, thoughtful people in my life. That's the best gift I think I've ever received.

If Sissy Wore Skirts...

I think she'd look something like this. Don't let her fool you; she's pure country gardener under that hoodie.

{source}

Just Plain Ol' Cool: Loving Local

Have you peeped Written Bliss lately? Loving the all-new makeover! But what I find especially cool is the local Etsy love shout-out contests she's been doing lately. Love those who love local!

Right now, she has a great 100th Post-Meets-Local-Etsy contest going to win big from Columbus' own Space Dog Studios -- either a pack of bookmark books or a recycled pages journal. Pop over and show some love for our locals.

{courtesy Space Dog Studios via Written Bliss}

Let's All Go to the Lobby

So what are my pre-birthday, Friday night plans, you ask?

We have in store for us a Summer Date Night for the books, that's for sure! We're heading out to the drive-in with a box full of candy and tummy full of Sonic slushies. Can't top that!

I wasn't sure if any near-by drive-ins were still in operation, so I checked out DriveinMovie.com's list by state. Turns out the South Drive-in is still open for business, as is Lancaster's SkyView Drive-in! I can't wait! The last drive-in movie I can remember watching is Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey in 1991. That is just sad.

Now the tricky part is figuring out which dress to wear ;)

Have a great weekend -- see you on Monday with post-birthday fabulousness!

Free Chocolate Friday!

TGIF with free chocolate from Mars Snackfood every Friday through October!

Just visit RealChocolate.com every Friday, starting at 9 a.m. EST, to try for a coupon good for a free full-sized package of Twix, Dove, 3 Musketeers, Snickers, Milky Way, or M&Ms.

(Don't wait though...there's a cap of 250,000 coupons per Friday.)

Emergency Post: How to Make a Tom Collins

{source}

Eegads! What is a Tom Collins, you ask, oh dear anonymous commenter? It's a perfect summer sipper cocktail, which was quite popular in the 1950s and 60s. Basically, it's a jazzed up gin sour, but it sure is tasty!

If you're of age and of the inclination, whip yourself up one and let me know what you think! But please. Don't skimp on the gin. Get the good stuff. Life is just too short to drink bad liquor. Srsly.

What you'll need:

2 oz. quality gin
1 oz. lemon juice
1 tsp superfine sugar or simple syrup
3-4 oz. club soda
1 orange slice
1 maraschino cherry

What you'll do:

Shake gin, lemon juice and sugar together with ice and pour over ice. Add club soda and garnish with orange and cherry. Ta-da! That, my fine friend, is a Tom Collins.

{source}

Hep Cat Kitchen

{source}

Doesnt' this kitchen just make you want to play Bridge and drink a Tom Collins?

Grandchildren.

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers."
Proverbs 17:6

I'll miss the turkey salad.

Though I had only visited the Broadmoor Market a couple times in my life, it reminded me so much of the teeny tiny local Catawba Market grocery store of my youth that I am sad to see another local, family-owned, historic business close. I will forever miss their turkey salad, which was second to none. If anyone happens to know the misters Lombardi, please let me know. I'd love to add that recipe to my cherished collection.

A Weekend for Festing

Not only did we hit up the Dublin Irish Festival this year, we made it out to the Ohio State Fair (which also happened to be my very first visit!) I couldn't have asked for better weather or company.

DIF was a little different this year -- seemingly more mellow, which for me is a HUGE plus. D. only had his foot run over with a stroller once...

I managed to eat Jeni's only once, but it took major self-control. Salty caramel + Dublin Stout = sweet beery goodness.

Very talented Irish dancers from Richens/Timm

Sunday was chock full o' festival goodness. I had no idea what to expect from the Ohio State Fair, aside from a life-sized cow made entirely of butter (which I didn't end up seeing), a plethora of deep-fried goodies and stinky farm animals. Well, given my affinity for two of the three, I was up for the adventure.

Strictly gratuitous ride shots. I'm not one for carny rides...

Disgustingly sweet and way peanut buttery...but it had to be done.

Best waste of $2 ever. The side show tent.
He really lifted that iron up...with hooks in his eyelids. *shudder*
I was entirely too close for comfort.

That's all, folks!