Les pots de verre (The jars of glass)

Bonjour mes amis...it is almost time to cozy in for the night, but first I must share my latest use for antiques. I feel like finding uses for vintage is really recycling in it's best form. And it's a fun fresh way to cozy up any space.

I began making my own organic lotion this year (there are tons of recipes online and I chose one using organic coconut oil and essential oils). But when you're making your own skin care products you must supply your own container for said product. I originally began saving jam and honey jars and re-using these to hold my lotions. But even when I put a cute little label on it I still did not think it pretty enough to want to keep on my bathroom counter.

Here's an example of one of my honey jars full of lotion.

Recently though, as I was perusing Etsy (yeah...a little addicted) and gracing the aisles of the antique stores nearby, I began a search for glass jars pretty enough to sit atop my counter. Oh so many to choose from that I had previously overlooked. Here are a few of my recent purchases. Although some of them are simple, I adore the unique curves or designs set in each. I paid between $4 - $15 a piece for these. I believe the large one in the back previously held powder and the small one in front held deodorant. The beautiful milk glass is what I love about these. The tops of some are not as fantastic to look at and can easily be painted a simple black making a wonderful contrast next to the curvature of the white milk glass.

They also make a unique and practical gift filled with your favorite lotions!

Ode to the Typewriter

Is the kettle on...? Good, let's sit down and have a cuppa and chat.

Today's installment...

Ode to the Typewriter

If you are one of those, like myself, who tends to frequent antique and vintage stores, you may have noticed the surge in popularity of these beautiful, old machines that have been cast aside by the computer age. I fell in love with these beauties of another era and had to find some reasons to buy one. They can range from $30 to well over $200. Here's what I've done with mine.

One..it's a wonderful décor piece on a shelf adding character and history to your display. The older and more unique looking it is, the better in my book. 

Two...party décor. That next fete that you throw for a family member or friend...don't spend money on balloons or cheap looking décor from the party store, use some old pieces that you already have to put together a table setting that says "unique!" I brought a few of my own décor pieces to decorate the tables at a tea themed baby shower recently. To add a special touch, I typed up a blurb about momma and baby and put a Jane Austen quote at the end (it would have been much cooler had the typewriter actually worked so it could have that "aged" feel to it, but in a pinch I just used a pretty font on the computer and inserted it into the typewriter) Add some old books and a vase of flowers and voila! 

Three...put a plant in it. I have wanted to do this but haven't yet. After I thought of doing this I did actually see it in a magazine recently, so hey, it is a thing. I'm making this the new catch phrase "put a plant in it." "Put a bird on it" is so 5 years ago. Find a cool something at the antique store that you like but don't know what to do with it?? Put a plant in it!

Cheers! Until next time...

I have a trim typewriter now, 
They tell me none is better;
It makes a pleasing, rhythmic row,
And neat is every letter.
I tick out stories by machine,
Dig pars, and gags, and verses keen,
And lathe them off in manner slick.
It is so easy, and it's quick.

Edward George Dyson

The chair

Well hello and welcome...so bear with me, I'm new at this bloggy stuff but I'm full of decorating and crafty ideas. Where to start...

How about with my current project I've started. I found these two chairs at a junk store that a friend dragged me to for $5 a piece. Can we say disgusting?! You can see just how bad they were. It took a good amount of time and some elbow grease but there is solid wood and good bones behind all that grime. What caught my eye was the unique design and graceful lines of the chair back. I don't know if this design has a specific name, guess I should look that up.😊 Someone has redone the fabric at least once because I found another layer of fabric under the first. These definitely need more padding before I recover with new fabric.

More to come on this project as I get to the next steps.