Such Pretty Things

Pretty Collecting: Sequined Fruit

So, my organizing continues...slowly, but surely.  Today, I "unearthed" (from the depths of my studio) my collection of vintage sequined fruit.

I had packed them away several years ago and have been looking for them ever since!  Pretty sad, huh? Well, at least I finally found them!

I just love these - I don't know much about the history of them, but I believe they were originally sold as craft kits - consisting of foam forms covered with sequins and secured with straight pins.  I have pieced my collection together over the years - an apple here, a banana there...

These berries are my favorites.

Such pretty colors.

And the wonderful tarnish of age.

I love these pale, shabby ones, too.

Such delicate colors.

These vintage sequined fruits are fun to collect and great to display around your home in the Autumn months.  And wouldn't they make a perfect centerpiece for Thanksgiving???

Happy Tuesday!

:-)

Jessica

Rainy Day Project

We are in the middle of a rather dreary and rainy weekend around here.  A good time to stay home and work on some long-overdue projects.  I was going through (and trying to organize!) my many piles of vintage fabrics and came across a small piece of this...

It's one of my favorite patterns (from the 1940's) and I love the slightly faded, soft colors.

I just wasn't in the mood to make a pillow, so I decided to make a little footstool for my younger daughter's room.

I started with a basic wood footstool that a bought a few years ago at Target (they may still have them). I just added some thick foam, some batting, and after a few rounds with my heavy-duty staple gun, I had a brand new footstool! I added the fun pink pom pom fringe for some additional whimsy.

I have footstools all over my house - mostly used as mini-side tables to hold a myriad of little things...like in my daughter's case - a few "secret" diaries and some pretty hair accessories.

This is a fun and easy little project.  Perfect for a rainy day.

:-)

Candy Shoppe

It's no secret that I love candy.  Especially pretty candy in pretty colors. I like to keep the prettiest varieties in glass apothecary jars in my kitchen...it's like having our very own candy shoppe!

I am always on the hunt for beautiful candy. I found these wonderful old-fashioned candy sticks when were were out in San Diego.

The colors are so bright and cheerful.  They make me happy just to look at them.

I scored these vibrantly hued gum balls at a candy shop in New York.

They are HUGE!  

And I have always been in love with candy necklaces...  

So sweet and pretty and girly.

Our candy shoppe's inventory changes frequently, as I am always finding a new, pretty treat to display...and we kinda eat a lot of it, too!

:-)

Jessica

Target Tuesday: Pretty Hobnail Glasses

Well, Target did not disappoint this week...I found these really pretty hobnail drinking glasses at Target yesterday.  And you know how I love a good Target glass!

Believe it or not, I found these in the Halloween decor aisle.  They are available in either black or clear.  I opted for the clear, but I think the black ones would be fun for a sophisticated Halloween party.

And while they do look like glass, they are actually plastic - so great for the kiddies and outdoor entertaining.

Sadly, I didn't see much else at the store that I had to have, but I remain eternally optimistic...

:-)

Happy Tuesday!

Jessica

Vintage Velvet Rosebuds

These vintage velvet rosebuds are one of my newest additions to my millinery flower collection.

I bought them at Gilding the Lily while I was out in California.

I was immediately drawn to their muted, pastel colors.

I love the texture of the soft velvet...it gives such depth and variation to the coloring on the buds.

And the old paper tags are so sweet...

Well, now I'm off to Target to see if these's anything good for tomorrow...wish me luck!

:-)

Fresh Picked

I decided to take the girls to a local farm today to pick some fresh flowers. The drive there - over the hills and through the woods - was beautiful...

There were fields and fields of colorful snapdragons, sunflowers, and zinnias.

We picked and picked and picked...

When our buckets were over-flowing, we headed home to make some early Autumn bouquets...

In pretty white hobnail milk glasses...

Now we have fresh flowers all over the house and, for some reason, they seem even more special because we picked them ourselves.

:-)

Happy Weekend!

Pretty Collecting: Vintage Perfume Bottles

I have been collecting these pretty vintage perfume bottles for many years now. As with most of my collections, I stick with my color palette.

These are some of my favorites.  This lovely pale pink one reminds me of the one Rachel Ashwell had reproduced several years ago for her Simply Shabby Chic line at Target.

These pale, powdery blue ones are so beautiful...

I was very fortunate to find a set of them.

This lavender-pink one is one of the first ones I found.

And this one with the gorgeous pink rose was a gift from my husband for one of our early anniversaries.

Even the stoppers are pretty...

Love this one especially...

And the bottles have the most delicate, hand-painted details...

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday!  I am heading to Target later today, so hopefully I'll find something good for next week...

:-)

Jessica

Shabby Chic: Even More Breaking News!

It's officially open!  Rachel Ashwell has re-opened her Shabby Chic store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica! Check out the website!  It appears the new shop is called "Rachel Ashwell - Shabby Chic Couture". How wonderful!   I am so happy for her and so very excited to see the new place.  I may just have to go jump on a plane and fly out there right now...

:-)

Jessica

SusieCakes: Retro Bakery

On our way down to San Diego last month, we stopped in Newport Beach - home to one of my favorite malls (Fashion Island!) and one of my favorite bakeries, Susie Cakes.  

Susie Cakes is an all-american, old-fashioned bakery with a super cool retro feel.

Their glass display cases house row upon row of luscious treats like these beautifully decorated cakes in classic flavors like coconut and carrot...

and pretty pastel cupcakes featuring yummy butter cream and confetti sprinkles.

They also have monthly specials that they post on a chalkboard out front.

I love their packaging, too!

We couldn't leave without these...and they only lasted until we got back to the car!

Susie Cakes has four locations in and around Los Angeles, so be sure to check them out on your next visit!

:-)

September Bling

Well, I did it again.  Wandered into Forever 21 and came out with a bag full of baubles.  This rhinestone pendant proved utterly irresistible.

Such pretty, pretty colors.

These rings were equally fabulous...

In pastels...

and jewel tones.

And these stackable beauties were just too fun to pass up.

Oh, and this bracelet...

So completely over the top - it totally works!

Yes, it looks like September is going to be a very "blingy" month.

:-)

Jessica