Thursday, January 30, 2014

Dry Frizzy Winter Hair Remedy

First came the Polar Vortex and now we're experiencing another Arctic blast.  This dry, winter weather is making my poor hair super dry and frizzy!  Yesterday I decided to play cosmetologist and treat my hair to a much needed deep conditioning treatment.
 
To begin, I showered and shampooed my hair.  Then I slathered on a generous handful of conditioner but instead of rinsing it out, left it in my hair.  After I jumped out of the shower, I combed my hair to more evenly distribute the conditioner...
 
 
...And donned one of my Retro Revival Shower Caps.
 
The last step in the deep conditioning process is the easiest ~ I went about my day for 30 minutes.  I chose to do some intellectual reading.
 

My shower caps trap the natural heat from your body, helping the hair cuticles open and absorb the conditioner.

(Is Twyla rolling her eyes at me?)

After 30 minutes, I rinsed out the conditioner and styled my hair as usual.  It's so soft and shiny now!  And my shower cap, the inside smeared with conditioner?  No worries, it's washable!
 
 
This shower cap is one of my newest designs and features elephants in shades of radiant orchid (Pantone's Color of 2014), chartreuse, aqua blue, and grey.  I have 60 different fabric choices available in my Etsy shop if you want a closer look.

Hope you all have a good hair day!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Winter Styling Coffee Table

While the snow piles are still frozen outside, I decided to fashion my own snowy vignette in our living room.


Some of my white hobnail atop a silver platter...


...A cup or so of Epsom salts...

 
...Makes for a bit of snowy sparkle.

 
Putting this together was like a grown-up version of playing in the snow.  And it smells nice because of the lavender-scented Epsom.


Hope you have a sparkly day and that you're keeping warm.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

It's Pie Day!

Happy National Pie Day!
 
 
Don't you love our country?!  We seem to have an official day for just about everything!
 
 
I take National Pie Day very seriously!  Not only did I bake an apple pie from scratch (using Beth's recipe here), I also stitched up a couple of apple pie-themed aprons.
 

 
I told Twyla that I don't think there's a "National Beagle Eats Pie Day."  That didn't stop her from jumping into the shot!
 
 
I've listed these aprons in my Etsy shop if you want to take a closer look.
 
Hope you eat a slice of pie today!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Cozy Chic

 
Daughterlypoo gave me this gorgeous necklace for Christmas.  I'm a lucky mama!

 
I'm seriously in love with this thing!  I've been waiting for a special occasion to wear it and then decided why wait?
 
 
Doesn't every black turtle neck and grandpa sweater need some bling?
 
I'm one of those people who regularly uses her "good china" for everyday occasions, so why not jewelry too?  Every day is special.
 
Hope your day is special!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Vintage Burlap Feedsack Pillow Covers

 
I found these vintage, burlap potato sacks a few years ago while thrifting in Florida and finally decided to turn them into Retro Revival pillow covers.

 
I used a vintage picnic tablecloth for the backs.

 
The printing is so vibrant.
 
 
And who doesn't love roses?!
 
 
I've listed them in my Etsy shop, hoping they'll make someone smile!

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Easy Warm Meal for a Cold Night

 
My "Chicky Rice" is a staple in our home and perfect for cold, winter nights.  Here's how I make it...
 
 
1. Cook Uncle Ben's Long Grain & Wild Rice (original recipe) according to directions (I used two boxes for this recipe)
2. While the rice is cooking, sprinkle a little garlic powder and Lawry's on chicken breasts and broil (about 5 minutes each side)
3. Cut up chicken into tiny pieces
 

 
4. Put the chicken into the cooked rice (use the same pot)
 
 
5. Stir in about a pint of heavy whipping cream
 
 
Enjoy!
 

Dinner in about 30 minutes.  It's thick and creamy and guaranteed to take the chill out of the night!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Valentine-inspired Aprons

I've been busy sewing valentine-inspired aprons this past week.
 
 
Busy mixing hearts,
 
 
With pink and red fabrics,
 
 
 And candy fabrics too!  This is a bonbon print:
 
 
Candy dots:
 
 
And sugar sticks!
 
 
I thought a 1950's vintage tablecloth with vibrant long stemmed, red roses was perfect for Valentine's Day:
 
 
It was big enough for two full aprons plus a half apron (not shown).
 
 
Mixing and matching prints is what I like best about sewing my Retro Revival aprons!
 
 
 

I used pink, vintage crocheted trim and a vintage crocheted pot holder on this apron:

 
 And good, old fashioned polka dots on this one:
 
 
 I've listed all of these in my Etsy shop in case you want to take a peek.
 
 
They'll certainly last longer than flowers or a box of chocolate.
 
 
And I think they're just as sweet!
 
 
Hope you have a sweet day!