French Stitches

This fine Sunday morning,
I'm bowled over by these vintage French napkins!


{Four Vintage Napkins from Petit Cocon}

Set The Table

I would seriously consider basing an entire kitchen design off of these vintage linen placemats from Rags and Hollers, I adore them that much. I didn't even know I loved purple until I looked at them. If I owned a cupboard with a proper dining space, I'd have snapped these up before I could post about them.

Tweeter

Always an intrepid Etsy scourer, I found this little guy and had to share. He's a vintage bottle opener from Denmark, crafted in a distinctly Mid-Century modern style. I think he's got the most charming profile.

{Vintage Birdie Bottle Opener from Ella Cinders}

Tulips In The Kitchen

I think what I like most about tulips is their deceptive demeanor: They appear to be tidy and modest, a cup-like bloom atop a skinny and sometimes floppy green pole. They keep it together, complying with any vase or arrangement, dignity in their petals. But then, they inevitably crack up: They lose their composure and erupt in laughter. They fling themselves open, giggling and chortling. For a second, you can't tell if they're laughing or crying, the emotion is that gaping. Strange, but I think that's when tulips are most beautiful, most true to themselves -- when they're unable to maintain reservation because it just isn't who they are.

Herewith are some tulips, ready and waiting for all kinds of joy in the kitchen {which happens to be my new favorite place ... yes, I've been cooking!}:

from Patti's Polka Dots

from Buttons 'N Such

from Lilia Rose

from General Whimsy

Heartfelt, Part Deux

In an hour or two, I've got to be ready to run out the door and cruise up to northern Maryland with Mr. Original for the second wedding of the season. I'm a bit more prepared this weekend than last, so I thought I'd show you the {very small} gifts I purchased for G and T.

These heart rings {for eggs, pancakes, and even cookies}
are amazingly constructed and cost me a song.

The original packaging, however, left something to be desired.

I pulled down my box labeled Ephemera, and set to work,
using recycled materials {like the plastic sleeves in which
fancy letterpress cards are sold}.

A little handwriting and stamping gave the hearts
a personalized touch.

I also snapped up this cast aluminum {it's pretty heavy!} baking pan
{complete with heart-shaped molds, of course}.

Nordic Ware is a great brand, and the packaging really wasn't
offensive at all {kind of cute, no?}, but I'm all about
coordination, so out came the turquoise paper ...

and also the heart hole punch.

What's with Helen's heart-obsession? Is she twelve, or something? Both good questions. I never used to be much of a heart person, but the cuteness of their shape and its sheer buoyancy just sort of occurred to me one day ... and I've never looked back. {Feel free to giggle here.} Anyway, I think the couple will enjoy using both of these kitchen tools -- hopefully not only on Valentine's Day, but for random, mid-week surprises.


P.S. I'll see you back here on Monday. Happy weekend, friends.

Spotted!

WHO: World Market
WHAT: A sale
WHEN: Now
WHERE: I already told you that.
WHY: Seriously?
HOW: Heart cake mold {check out that glossy red metal!}
and cookie cutters are down from $6-8, to $2-4


Do you have a bridal shower to attend ... ?

A Homemade Life

I'm so very behind on reading all of your blogs and commenting. I feel itchy because I feel I'm missing many things ... like hanging out with you all in your cupboards. Lately, life has been full of grading students' papers and having bad dreams about my students grading me {last night, I got a D+ from one of them}; listening to a heartbroken friend in a pitch-dark backyard, trying to convince her it will get better because it has to; needing, myself, to emote {with tears} rather often; and wondering {and worrying about} how another friend will cope, following her double mastectomy two days ago. There is a lot going on in these first couple days of sunshine after all that rain.

I just bought Molly Wizenberg's book yesterday, because I need to slow the heck down. I need to cook and bake for the people I care about and allow myself to nurture them, because sometimes, that's all there's left to do when things are crumbly and gaping. I've never been much of a cook. I use my microwave more than I'd like to admit. I eat when I have time, and don't when I don't. These are things I'd like to change, especially now that I'm in a period of transition in my life and could probably implement some {better} habits.

Do you have any tips? Words of wisdom? How did you develop a relationship with the kitchen?

Monochrome

Accidental Acquisitions 2

LOT 2
Three kitchen knives: one wood-handled chef, one plastic-handled serrated, one rubber-handled small bread. Fair condition; some white paint on handle of bread knife.
Acquired in Summer 2005, where they were left behind by previous tenant, name unknown,
at 601 E. 31st Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218.
13 in., 12 in., 9.25 in.