Recreating

Finally got around to covering this Thonet "Snodgrass" chair that I love because of the chrome and modern lines. It was originally covered in a nice rust fabric that was spotted and also wasn't quite the right color here. The original fabric is still underneath and slip covered. The neutral color will allow me to experiment with different pillows. This one adds a punch of color and is entirely from vintage fabrics.

Smile and Wave

Walking along the cliffs today there was an awful lot of giggling going on as passers by would unsuspectingly be pelted by a wave.

Keeping Fit

I haven't been exercising for a while and this morning I went on a little hike with my son. When other parts of the country are covered with snow, the sun came out today here after some rain. Although I've always been interested in nutrition I'm inspired lately by Tosca Reno and the "Eat Clean Diet", because she's just a little older than me and she super fit at fifty. I do a pretty good job of shopping healthy, but may do fast food for convenience. My other weakness is candy, and I'm going to try and knock that out. Back pack is a "Lolabag" by Ana of Rearranged Design
-light weight and perfect for walking




My post hike meal was this beautiful protein smoothie with almond milk, frozen blueberries and strawberries, half a banana, hemp/whey protein powder and some ground flax seed. The camelias were cut this morning from my yard.

Organized Linen Closet

Being absolutely fed up with my tiny linen closet and the fact that there never seems to be enough room I had to make some changes. As I pulled all the the linens from my closet I began to ruthlessly make decisions about what to keep and what could go. I do an ok job of folding, however I am not the only one that accesses the linen closet. Folding neatly is not enough to keep it orderly. Consistency of technique was going to be more important after taking into account the specific items stored and the size of not only the closet itself, but the individual shelves. Once I learned what would work for my specific situation I was going to have to transfer that information to the rest of my family to ensure it stayed that way.


I have towels that are roughly in two sizes. If I used the same technique for folding all the the towels, they wouldn't stack evenly. After some experimentation I figured out that the small towels should be folded in thirds and the larger towels could be folded in half (length wise) and then in half again for all towels to be relatively the same width. Now I can fit approximately 16 towels on one 17" by 36" shelf.
I also remembered that years ago I watched a segment of a Martha Stewart television show explaining how to fold fitted sheets. It was fascinating, but I didn't record it and it was impossible for me to remember all the steps. This was before the internet so I've continued on in frustration all these years folding my fitted sheets into puffy wads. Then I had a sudden realization that I might be able to find a reference to sheet folding by Martha on the internet. I was extremely amazed to find that Martha is not the only one to be skilled in the art of sheet folding. Click here to see one popular instructional video on You Tube called "How to Fold a Fitted Sheet Like a Pro" There are tons of videos on the subject.

Now fitted sheets are flatter and I go a step further and fold the fitted sheet inside of the flat to create a little package.


Now there is plenty of room and even added empty space.

Organizing After The Holidays

Happy 2010. I am still working on my paper filing system and have already cleaned up and packed away my Christmas items, removed gifts from their wrapping and flattened and recycled boxes, but wanted to share a post from Benita of Chez Larsson about how she stores her holiday stash.

New Years Eve Resolutions

To get ready for the New Year I have resolved to spend the day weeding papers, shredding, recycling and reconfiguring my home "office" which happens to be an armoire in my kitchen. The holidays are kinda crazy. We also have three December birthdays in our family so I've had enough partying. If I feel like I've accomplished enough, I will make sure to have some champagne and chocolate.

Aebleskivers for Christmas

Yum. I remember dad making aebleskivers, a Danish dessert kind of like a cross between a doughnut and a popover, for the family years ago in that funny pan that was made just for making aebleskivers. He was the only one that cooked them, but I loved to eat them. This Christmas morning we got the old pan out of the depths of the cupboard and decided to give it a try. I whipped the egg whites into "soft peaks" while my mom mixed the rest of the ingredients. I decided to take over the cooking as I wanted to learn how to make these things. They look so complicated, but actually were kind of fun to make. We found this recipe on the internet. We did not add filling, but served with syrup and a dusted with sugar and cinnamon.


This particular recipe called for one tablespoon of oil in each cup, but I used one teaspoon and they turned out just fine. Our pan is probably 50 years old and cast iron, but I found this one over at William Sonoma in case you'd like to give it a try.

Taking a Break

I'm sorry, but I realize that my posting is few and far between. I will take a break for a while, regroup and hopefully begin again when I feel I can contribute in a meaningful way.

Thank you.

Project Awaiting

My latest acquisition of vintage items waiting for a little sprucing up. I never find anything with hairpin legs, but found these two in separate places within one week. The desk and chair make a good set. The smaller table may become a plant stand. The other thing? Well, that is to be determined.


After cleaning up the chair it seems to be in really good condition. Holes remain where there had once been an attached pad, but that's an easy fix. At $5, who can complain?


The desk will take a little more doing. The top had been covered in dark contact paper and judging by the horizontal ribs around the edge I'm guessing there may have been a metal trim at one time. I'll have to decide whether to paint in a color or to simulate the metal trim by using a silver metallic paint.


Don't ask me why. It just intrigued me. The inner can is removable to reveal the mesh outer cylinder. The gold zigzag trim is weirdly removable too. Trash Can? Umbrella stand? It's quite an odd, but useful thing.


I love Mid Century Modern, but I'm a little inspired by the eclectic nature of these desk and chair sets by Dottie Angel

Veteran's Day

It's a work holiday and I have a cold, but instead of sitting around the house I went down to the harbor with my son to get some fresh ocean air and a warm coffee.
Thank you to the men and women of the armed forces who have allowed us the freedoms to do these things that we may take for granted.
Thank you to
Uncle Hal,
Wigs,
Will S.
and
Mike

Before and After, Occasional Table

I recently repainted this small vintage table that holds my magazines.


The shape reminded me of a Jonathan Adler table I'd seen and I was tempted to paint it orange but settled on this turquoise which is more appropriate in my living room.


I paired it with two prints by one of my favorite local artists, Addie Rementer.


It was exciting to see some of Addie's gorgeous original pieces in Georgia and Barbara's home from Apartment Therapy's recent Room for Color Contest. So pretty. Click here for a previous post about Addie.

40 years ago...

I uncovered a San Francisco Chronicle from July 25th 1969 that my family had stored away years ago. Unfortunately it's now very tattered. The big story that day was the moon landing and the safe return of the astronauts.They were pulled out of the water onto the U.S.S. Hornet that is now a permanent fixture in the San Francisco Bay.


I remember sitting on the couch in my flannel pajamas watching the moon landing on our small black and white t.v. while my dad served us those Pop and Fresh rolls with the orange frosting that he'd made for the event. It's a very strong food memory I have even 40 years later.
Anyway, perusing through the paper, I came across a few interesting things. There were some articles of course related to Vietnam and even one about the Kennedy/"Chappaquiddick" incident that had apparently taken place the week before. Would you believe the lifeguards in Santa Cruz were on strike demanding a 40 cent pay raise.
On a lighter note I was amused by the local advertisements and events for that week.
San Francisco held a ticker tape parade in celebration of the astronauts' return that National TV network announcers deemed "The Greatest" of all others. Sirens, firecrackers and car horns were heard along Montgomery Street and apparently among the crowd were "...a few mini skirted secretaries and office girls, but mostly young stockbrokers in their sincere uniform of the day, conservative business suits" Seriously? Mayor Alioto in a telegram to the astronauts stated "San Francisco....now wishes to open her Golden Gate in tribute to your magnificent achievement."

Finally, a little bit about style:


Wrap around sunglasses inspired by the astronauts? I wonder if they ever really "took off"

Roos Atkins- Oh goodness, a pants suit

Pier One Imports with a Very Simple Advertising Campaign

Montgomery Ward
I Magnin


Oh yes, my mother thought it was very important for me to have the newest plaid dresses. No pants to school.


My dad was an optometrist and I loved to try on frames, but unfortunately I had perfect vision back then.

Darn! Frances was on vacation.

Graphic Sweatshirt Even Cooler as a Pillow

I went over to my thrifty friend Amy's house today for a visit. In her son's bedroom I noticed a cool pillow with a San Francisco graphic that I quickly realized was some sort of fabric or clothing item wrapped around a pillow. She had staged it there knowing that I would see it and like it. It happened to be a sweatshirt that she thought could be made into a pillow for me or one of my sons. I thought it was a fabulous idea so she got to work. I just "supervised".


In about 45 minutes this is what she came up with. Notice she even sewed the sweatshirt label into the bottom seam of the pillow. Love it! Thanks my friend.


This graphic wrapped all the around the back too.