vintage yankee

Holiday Greetings!

2010-12-02T12:00:00.051-06:00

I've been debating this year about what to send as my Christmas cards. Do I send the usual cards I pick up at the store or do I make personalized cards instead? Some of my favorite cards to receive are the personalized ones from friends and family but they are a dilemma for me as I am not married or have children and fell that I don't really have anything to showcase in my picture. I do have a couple of friends who have taken pictures of their animals and used those instead. An idea...

Anyways, I've been looking through various photo card websites and some of my favorites have come from Shutterfly. Shutterfly has so many options that you can use for your Holiday cards. They have Christmas, New Year, and general Holiday cards available. They have so many designs to choose from that it makes it hard to just pick one. Here are a few of my favorites.

While looking around at the different options, I also noticed that Shutterfly has Christmas Invitations available. A great way to incorporate a picture into your family get-together for the holidays. Here are a couple of those that I like as well.

Another fun project that I like that Shutterfly offers are their Photo Calendars. I did one of these a couple of years ago for my parents with various pictures of us from the previous year and they really enjoyed having it. As you can see, this is a great way to showcase your pictures and share your memories with friends and family. I highly recommend doing something like this for your family and friends.

Which Holiday cards do you like? Are you sending a personalized one this year? I hope you're Holiday season is going well so far!

Images: Shutterfly

Orla Kiely Radio

2010-10-20T12:00:00.005-05:00

I happened to see this the other day over on decor8 and wanted to share it with you all too. A cute new EVOKE Mio radio designed by Orla Kiely. Isn't it cute and a great inspiration for Fall with the warm colors and Orla's iconic leaf design. I hope you're all having a great week!

Image: Pure via decor8

Brits are the Best

2010-10-19T12:00:00.003-05:00

Aren't these two just the cutest! I love me some Carey & Keira and I can't stop looking at their adorable outfits. Ahhh, to be in England...

Image: via The Neo-Traditionalist

Fall Inspiration

2010-10-14T12:00:00.001-05:00

Today I wanted to share with you some pretty inspirational photos to help get you in the mood for the cool weather of Fall. It's supposed to get down into the low 40's here in the South tomorrow so I'm looking forward to wearing a sweater or long sleeves! Let's hope this cool weather stays around for a while now.

Images: 1. Hilda Grahnat 2. Stab stencil 3. How To: Simplify 4. little brown pen

Give Thanks + Gather

2010-10-13T12:00:00.004-05:00

I've been looking around for some creative ideas for decorating for the Fall season and the holidays that come with it. The other day I was perusing through the EmersonMade website to see what new items that had to offer and I found these linen table runners that would be perfect for the Thanksgiving holiday. My favorites are the Giving Thanks and Gather runners. I love their simple look and the directness of each of the words. I think it would make your guests really think about the reason for the holiday. Have you already started thinking about decorating for the Thanksgiving holiday?

Images: EmersonMade

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

2010-10-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

What a great weekend! Over the weekend I had a fun Fall Celebration Day with some of my girlfriends. We went to the local Farmer's Market, then to The Great Pumpkin Patch and then did a little holiday shopping at our local Hobby Lobby. That evening we all gathered at one of our friends' houses and ate pizza and watched Sleepy Hollow. A great time was had by all! Here are a couple of shots from our trip to the patch!

Images: vintage yankee

Summer to Fall Dress: Two Ways

2010-10-04T12:00:00.012-05:00

I recently purchased a cream colored linen dress on ASOS and since we've come into a cold snap here in the South, I have been searching for a couple of different ways to wear my new dress and still keep warm. I've put together two different ideas: the first is a budget friendly version and I have a couple of the accessories already at hand. The second version is more of a dream version of what I could get to pair with it. Do you have outfits like this? Ones that can go easily from summer into fall?

Summer to Fall Dress

ASOS CURVE Linen Pencil Dress, $15
Old Navy Womens Corsage Cardigans, $20
Women's Xhilaration Salina Pump - Black : Target, $20
Forever21.com - New Arrivals - 1078456004, $6.80
Cloche To Me in Charcoal | Mod Retro Vintage Hats | ModCloth.com, $40
Carlsbad Bag - Anthropologie.com, $178

Summer to Fall outfit take 2

ASOS CURVE Linen Pencil Dress, $15
Flanders Fields Cardigan, $128
Hidden Sun Mary-Janes, $95
Five Points KINSEY, $345
Coral Corral Necklace | Mod Retro Vintage Necklaces | ModCloth.com, $24

lovely lockets: the vamoose

2010-09-30T12:00:00.031-05:00

In the current day of statement jewelry, some of us just want something simple and elegant to wear with our classic outfits. If you are that person then I've found just the jewelry designer for you. The Vamoose is a company out of the UK run by Kathryn Blackmore. Kathryn uses vintage and found ephemera and stones to make her simple but chic necklaces and other jewelry. Here are a few of my favorite pieces but she has many more over in her shop. Go check the rest of them out!

Images: The Vamoose

Halloween Decor Ideas

2010-09-29T12:00:00.011-05:00

Last night I pulled out my Halloween decorations and started to decide how I wanted to decorate for the holiday this year. I love looking through archives on the Martha Stewart website to get ideas for how to change up my decor every year. Here are a few of my favorites. I'm thinking bats and lots of black!

Images: Martha Stewart Online

British Week - Union Jack Bunting

2010-09-24T12:00:00.031-05:00

For the last day of British Week, I wanted to share with you a fun project I did recently for a party I had with some of my girlfriends. We try to get together once a month and have a dinner party where everyone brings a dish. Sometimes we choose a theme and this month was British Nite. We had fish and chips, a ploughman's platter and a great autumn fruit pudding for dessert.

Since I hosted the night at my place, I decided to make a bit of themed decor to hang around my apartment. I made banners with the Union Jack flag with blue papers and red Japanese tapes. As an added bonus for British Week, I decided to have a download for all of my readers of these banners. Here are some shots of the banners and how I used them for British Nite, but you can use these in many different ways to add a bit of British flare to you party or home. Thank you again for joining me for British Week and I hope you have a great weekend!

Download: Union Jack Banner

Images: vintage yankee

British Week - Etsy Favs

2010-09-23T12:00:00.007-05:00

Today for British Week, I thought I'd share some finds on Etsy that have a British theme to them. What I love about Etsy is that anything you think of is probably made by someone on Etsy and you can do a simple search to find it. I even found a Union Jack Dress Form and Wedding Invitations with a British theme. How awesome are these great items!

Items: 1. Queen Elizabeth II Cross Stitch 2. British Race Car Print
3. Union Jack themed Wedding Invitations 4. Union Jack Dress Form

Items:1. Union Jack Gift Tags 2. God Save the Queen themed Magnets
3. Union Jack Brass Ring 4. Union Jack Bunting Kit

British Week - Chatsworth House

2010-09-21T12:00:00.016-05:00

Today for our British Week I wanted to show you some shots from one of my favorite houses in England, Chatsworth House. If you recognize this house, it is probably from familiar because it was used as Pemberley in the recent production of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Chatsworth is the home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been in their family for years and years. I love how picturesque the house looks on the grounds and how the grounds just roll around the house so perfectly. This year is the 90th birthday of Deborah Devonshire and the family is celebrating with many activities and an interesting celebration of her life. This is definitely a stop on my next trip to England!

Images: Chatsworth House

British Week - Designers

2010-09-20T12:00:00.088-05:00

This week is British Week here on the vintage yankee and I will be sharing some of my favorite things British. The week will culminate with a fun project tutorial and download (a sneak peek is in the British Week header above)! Today we start with some of my favorite British designers.

First up is Cath Kidston. I have loved Cath's style since the beginning. Her use of bright colors and prints and her ability to mix old with new is amazing. I love how she is able to produce items for her line that are new but evoke an old world, vintagey feel. Even more exciting is that you can view the Cath Kidston website in American currency and have her items shipped to you here in the states!

Images: Cath Kidston

Next up is Lisa Stickley London. Lisa's fun, funky use of florals just makes me smile. She uses a lot of basic black and light blue but adds in a smattering funky colors like neon pink and yellow. Lisa just recently came out with a book, Made at Home that has lots of fun and simple sewing projects for your home. Definitely a book to check out.

Images: Lisa Stickley London

My last shop on this post isn't really a designer but is a very fun shop, Caravan. A cute little shop in London, owner Emily has done an amazing job of putting together fun obscure objects from past and present to sell in her shop. Even though I've never been to Caravan, just looking through their website gives you a feel of how fun the place must be. Take a look at some of the style boards they have put together to give you an idea of what they shop is all about. (I really want to purchase the cute little caravan for my office!)

Images: Caravan Style

Rue Magazine

2010-09-17T12:00:00.014-05:00

To end out the week, I suggest you head over and peruse through the new online decor magazine, Rue. It is chalk full of great inspiration for your home and you'll get to see some pretty amazing homes and work spaces. These are a couple of shots from one of my favorite bloggers' homes, which is featured in the premiere issue.

Also, get ready next week for British Week! Next week's theme will be all British and I will have a fun download at the end of the week for you all. Get ready to be inspired by all things from across the pond. Hope you have a great weekend!

Images: Rue

Hercule Poirot on Etsy

2010-09-16T12:00:00.027-05:00

In honor of mystery writer Agatha Christie's 120th birthday yesterday, today's post is all about my favorite Belgium detective, Hercule Poirot. With Poirot in mind, I decided to search Etsy and see what fun items people have made with the little Belgium as their inspiration. Here are a few of my finds.

Images: 1. Little Angels Jewelry 2. Kristy Lin 3. Bugs & Monsters 4. Between the Covers

I also love that Google UK did this little omage to Agatha Christie will all of her famous characters represented. What a fun idea!

Image: Google UK

ASOS Curve

2010-09-14T12:00:00.008-05:00

I have recently found ASOS the United Kingdom's largest online fashion retailer and have fallen in love with their Plus Size line, Curve. I purchased a couple of pieces from them to see how they measure up to what we have here in the US. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised and thrilled that the two pieces that I bought fit very well. I purchased a top and a dress and I will have to have the dress taken up a bit in the top but other than that, I love them. ASOS is currently offering free shipping to the US so I took advantage of that as well. I can't wait to place an order for more of their stylish pieces. Here are a few of my favorites from the Curve line. Enjoy!

Images: ASOS

Spiced Chutney

2010-09-09T12:00:00.005-05:00

I been having lots of conversations lately with various friends and colleagues about canning and what they like to 'put up' during the fall months in preparation for Winter. My grandmother used to can all types of things, my favorite being her Pear Honey. I haven't ventured to try her recipe however but I am toying around with the idea of making some chutney. I think it would be a great way to help me get into the mood for Fall, especially when the temperatures in hot, humid Alabama sure aren't helping very well. This Spiced Plum Chutney that Amber made looks amazing and I can use these Chutney Jars from Terrain for storage!

Images: Amber...Bamberoo and Terrain

Dark Walls + Bright Light

2010-09-08T16:00:00.007-05:00

Lately I've been loving these dark walls in this dining room I happened to spy a while back on Pinterest. I also am a fan of the exposed light bulb fixture and the many framed pieces on the walls. This room makes me want to have lots of people over for a dinner of stew and potatoes or an amazing casserole. I am ready for fall to role in!

Image: via little blue deer

Orange Inspiration from Terrain

2010-09-03T12:00:00.022-05:00

With fall just around the corner, I've been eyeing some new fall items at some of my favorite shops. Terrain, the online garden shop is one of those places and I've seen lots of fun fall inspired items that I would love to order and that I've added to my wishlist. Here are a few of my favorites. I hope you have a very relaxing and fun Labor Day weekend and I'll see you back here next week!

Images: Terrain

Fall at Anthropologie

2010-09-02T12:00:00.029-05:00

I am very much in love with the latest Anthropologie catalog and wanted to share with you a few of my favorite ensembles. Fall has to be my favorite season because the weather starts to turn cool and you get to wear tights, sweaters and fun, cute boots! I love wearing layers of clothing and drinking lots of tea and hot chocolate and going to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin for my front door. What are your favorite things about fall?

Images: Anthropologie September catalog

Jme Pantry Collection

2010-08-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

One of my new favorite products at my favorite kitchen store, Williams-Sonoma, is the line of Jamie Oliver foods that is now available for purchase in the US. I love that Williams-Sonoma decided to partner with Jamie Oliver to bring his line of gourmet foods to the US. It had previously only been available for purchase in the UK and could not be shipped here. Here are some of the items available in the new Jme Pantry Collection. I've already tried the Fig and Honey Biscuits and the Seville Orange Marmalade and both are wonderful. The English Breakfast Tea is next on my list and I love the cute packaging as well!

Jme Jams , $15; Jme Tea , $30; Jme Tea , $30; Jme Rosemary Olives , $25; Jme Seville Orange Marmalade , $20; Jme Mango Chutney , $17; Jme English Honey , $15; Jme Marvellous Mayo , $15; Jme One Mean Mustard , $14; Jme Biscuits , $9.95

Union Jack Inspiration

2010-08-27T12:00:00.016-05:00

Some of my girlfriends and I are having a British Nite in a few weeks and I've been looking around for decor inspiration for my apartment. I've started working on a fun project that I will share here in a few weeks but until then, here are some of the inspirational ideas I've been seeing around. Hope you have a great weekend!

Images: From the Right Bank, Cox & Cox, Jonathan Adler and Cox & Cox

little brown pen website

2010-08-26T12:00:00.024-05:00

If you haven't heard by now, Nicole and her husband of little brown pen have a new website that recently launched. You've heard me talk about Nicole before and I even ordered one of her husband's Rose Window prints a couple of months back. I suggest you take a look around their website, blog and shop and get to know them a little better. You'll find some amazing and inspirational photographs of Paris while you are there and it will make you want to book a trip to Paris immediately just to get a delectable pastry. Enjoy!

Image: little brown pen

Dream Kitchen

2010-08-24T12:00:00.042-05:00

Lately I've been dreaming about the day that I can finally buy a house and decorate it. I want a small cottage with a yard big enough for a dog. Maybe a three bedroom so that I can have an office/craft room and a guest bedroom as well. Here are some inspiration photos I've pulled together of ideas for decorating the kitchen. I want neutral colors and open shelving so that I can display my vintage Fire King Azurite dishes and I want a big white farmhouse sink! I think it's a great idea to start collecting ideas now because you never know when you might see something that you like and then when the time comes, you can't find it. Enjoy!

Images: 1. Southern Living 2. Jessica Thuston via Southern Living 3. & 4. Samantha Pynn Interiors via Decor8 5. via Door Sixteen 6. Emma Balch via Design*Sponge

F. Scott Fitzgerald + Coralie Bickford-Smith

2010-08-23T12:00:00.022-05:00

First off, I would like to apologize for my absence over the past couple of weeks. I have been extremely busy at work this month and have not had the time to post. I promise that will change in the coming weeks and I should be back to regular posting from now on.

Now to the good stuff! If you haven't seen these by now, I am completely smitten with the new set of book covers that Coralie Bickford-Smith has produced for a series of F. Scott Fitzgerald books. These books are reminiscent of the 1920s and exude very high taste and class. I love the art deco designs she uses and the gold, white and black tones. I think these are going to be added to my list of 'pretty books' to purchase some time soon!

Images: Coralie Bickford-Smith