Repurposing: Vintage Hankerchiefs

About a month ago I found a pile of vintage handkerchiefs at a garage sale.  I think there are about 12 of them.  They cost me a dollar.

I had no plans for them when I bought them, but I knew I would figure something out.

Their original role was out because, lover of all things vintage I may be, I am not a handkerchief kind of girl.  I know it looks all cute when Meg Ryan gives one to Tom Hank's sister (or is it his aunt) in her book shop and waxes poetical about handkerchiefs.

But I have to be honest.

Those times when I really need to use a handkerchief, I have to blow my nose a lot.

A lot.

And having a fabric square full of snot hanging around in my purse or pocket doesn't sound appealing to me in the least.

Which brings us back to the question: what to do with these handkerchiefs?

Turns out they make lovely napkins.

And they pair so nicely with my vintage silverware.

Don't you just love those star bursts?

This pattern is nearly identical to the silverware Aaron's Aunt Mimi had and that he has always loved.  When I found a full set at an estate sale for $10, it was a happy, happy day.

Besides the white ones, there were a few other handkerchiefs as well.  There were 3 of these little stripey guys.  I wish there had been a few more so there would at least be a set for the 5 of us.  But you can't complain too much about garage sale finds.

I especially like the blue one with the thin red and yellow stripes.  Such a great color combo.

 There was only one of these.  I often using it when I am eating a meal alone at lunch  like this.  (sometimes I eat after the kids and read for 15 minutes.  (Even stay at home moms are allowed a lunch break, right?)

So now I am on the lookout for vintage handkerchiefs.  I like using them so much better than paper towels or paper napkins. 
They feel better.  
They look better.
It's a pretty easy upgrade.
And a pretty easy thing to re purpose.
No work required aside from a little bit of thinking.


And now I am wondering.  What have you re purposed around your house?
Do tell.
Love from,
Greta

Bedroom Makeover: Getting Started

Quite a while back, I posted about my bedroom.

You can read it here.

We were in desperate need of a makeover.

Well, that post was as far as I got for a long time.

That's not entirely true.  

I've been thinking.

And that is a good place to start.

Because, if you've been thinking about the colors, patterns, textures and things you want in your room, you'll be ready to pounce when you see these pillow cases on major clearance at Anthroplogie.  

Because they look like they were made to go with your current bedding.

Those pillow cases were the start of the bedroom makeover.
We've finally begun.
And though the bed is all we've done so far, it is the focal point of the room, so I say we're in good shape.


I took Heather's advice and took down our old wrought iron bed stand. Even though I was sad to see it go, for sentimental reasons only, I was happy with the clean look of just a bed frame.

Then I added more texture to the bed with this modern looking quilt I have been loving for months.  It's from Target and I wanted it, but I didn't have a reason to get it yet.  So glad I waited cause I got it on clearance!
I also added 2 new pillows for my sweet new cases and stacked the old shams behind them.  I like the look.  It is fuller, more luxurious and less matchy.

Now we really need to work on a headboard.
It's feeling a little empty up there.
See:

Here are a few ideas I found floating around the Internet.

This one is bold, simple, clean and graphic.

All things I like.

(image from here)

This one is really whimsical and fun.  It makes me smile.

(image from here)

This one is my favorite.  

The colors, the different textures and types of art that somehow all work together.

And those chairs help a lot, too.

Swoon.

(image from here)

Still on the list after we figure out the headboard situation, are window coverings, a vanity (sitting in the garage waiting to be painted by moi) art (we found some lovely drawings we forgot we had that will look perfect in there) and reading lamps.

There is still a lot to do.

But it feels good to get started.

What are you working on these days?

Love from,

Greta

On my Walls: Tray Art

I love trays.

I am developing quite a collection.

They are just so handy for serving coffee, dinner on the patio or lots of cupcakes.

For corralling keys, change, phones and sunglasses.

For making a messy stack of papers look neat.

For turning the random bowls of taco sides into a cohesive, delicious presentation.

For elevating the everyday.

And I am all about that.

Trays are also great to hang on the walls.

Like this tray:

I found this tray at IKEA a while ago.
It is $4.  4 stinking dollars people!
Go buy one now because it is too cute to pass up.
I bought 2 so I could have one for hanging and one for serving.


Then I found this tray:

It's quite new.  From this line at Target.
I actually went to 3 different Targets to find this tray.  There was only 1 left at the last Target I went to.  I was slightly ecstatic when I found it.
Yes.  I border on the crazy.
But it was just too perfect for the spot right below my bird tray.
In our office/schoolroom.
For my boy who loves the wondrous workings of the human body.
See:

Art doesn't have to be fancy or formal.
It doesn't have to be paper or in a frame.
It just has to be something you like looking at.
And I am loving looking at these trays on my walls.




Love from,
Greta

While You Were Out: A New Table!

This weekend I went to the mountains.  I had 3 days to spend with my mom and my sister, with new friends, to pray, to laugh, to cry, to ride a zip line and to hike.

It was really wonderful.

Aaron kept the kids the whole time.

And while I was laughing my head off at late night movies, he was doing things like standing in line at  Disneyland with 3 kids in 100 degree heat.

2 of whom were crying.

1 of whom then threw up on him.

Ahh Disneyland--the happiest place on earth.

He was also at the beach.

Which he promptly had to leave when 1 child got sunscreen in his eyes and it sent him over the edge.

Did I mention it was over a 100 + degrees all weekend?

Did I mention that 2 of my kids were sick?

And everyone was tired?

Did I mention that my husband is a rock star?

Cause he also took this table:

and turned it into this table:

With 3 little helpers in 100 + degree heat.

They went to the hardware store.

They painted and sanded and cut and varnished.

Yep.  He rocks.

We have needed a table for our kitchen since we moved in.

We found the booth about a year ago, from here.

But we couldn't track down a table.

We finally decided we'd just get a base and make our own top.  (well, Aaron would)

But we couldn't even find a base we liked.

A diner style base from a restaurant supply store seemed an obvious choice, but they are pricey and we didn't see any we liked.  

The lines just didn't work.

We pay attention to lines.

There is the IKEA table and base.  But it seemed like a lot of $ for a plastic base.  Not to mention wasteful to just use the base and toss the table top.

Of course we liked the Saarien.

But, talk about pricey, right?

So we waited.

And while we were in Palm Springs, we saw this base with the weird, tiny table on top, outside a vintage store.  We asked, we haggled, we got it!

It was worth the wait.

Just look at those lines!

With the help of his 2 manly helpers, Aaron sanded the base down (it's metal), primed it, and painted it a lovely shade of turquoise.

Why turquoise you ask?

Well, I just so happen to adore turquoise.

Also, it looks stinking awesome with our red floor.
You might not know that turquoise and red are an amazing color combination.

And lastly, we have turquoise door in our kitchen of a slightly darker hue.

They work together nicely.

(full kitchen post coming soon)

He made the top out of 2 pieces of good plywood.  It's the same he used for our long desk in the schoolroom/office.  I like the blond wood and how the edges are "striped".

It was such a fun surprise to come home to last night.

But even better was seeing my kiddos seated around it for breakfast this morning.

I have always wanted a kitchen with a booth.
Dreams really do come true.
Thanks babe!  And thanks to the crew too.
Love from,
Greta

Go Check It Out

It's home schooling week over at my other blog, Lilly and the Brothers.
I'll be running the series, This Home Schooling Life, for about a week.
Go check it out.
Even if you're not a home schooler, you will find practical tips to use with your family.
After all, we are our children's first teachers and the ones they have the longest.
You can read the first installment here.


And check back here for lots of new content.  After 2 weeks away, I have much to share!
See you soon.
Love from,
Greta

Hope is the Thing With Feathers

This has been a difficult week for me.

And I think about today, a day when so many lives were changed forever, and it does not feel any easier.

We all face tragedies in our life--some are great and some are small.

Some affect many and some we walk through alone.

This life we walk on earth is rich with joy, but there is also sorrow.


We started our back to school routine this week.  That means we met our home school nature study group for a hike, poetry and art at one of our favorite nature centers.

While we were walking the trail, my William spotted this bird up ahead.  We stopped to watch him for a few moments until he flew away.
A bit later, I saw this poem posted on a sign along the trail and I was reminded of how much I love it.
It felt like a gift.

Hope is the Thing With Feathers

Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet never in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

I am looking ahead with hope.

May you also, as you walk this earth.

Love from,

Greta

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2Corinthians 4:18

The Palm Spring Series Part 2: The Ace Hotel and Swim Club

Funny thing is we didn't even stay at the ACE.  It was booked for the weekend and we wanted to stay someplace smaller.

But we stopped there for lunch and walked around afterwards. I felt like I had walked into my own sort of paradise.  Or at least a lot of the things that would be in my paradise:

Dioramas.

Orange doors.

Bright white stucco.

Good food.

Really good.

A vintage trailer.

Swimming pools.

Mid century modern furniture.

A diner that doesn't look like Ruby's.

Cool art.

Outdoor fireplaces.

Fruit trees.

Hammocks.

An ice cream cart.

Cool drinks.

Strings of lights.

Typewriter fonts.

Turquoise beach cruisers.

Mountain views.

Giant letters.

Mesquite trees.

Ping pong.

Spa.

Yellow shower heads.

Photo Booth.

Attention paid to every last detail.

    

  

And we know, it's all about the details.


So here are a few details if you want to stay at ACE:


It's pretty crowded on the weekends, even in the summer.
But there are a lot of activities and it's a pretty party atmosphere.
If that is not your speed, go during the week.
You can get a room in Sept, (king standard) mid week for $99.
That is way better than staying at the Holiday Inn.
We didn't check out any rooms (should have seen if we could) but I've read and heard good reviews.
At the very least, go there for breakfast all day and get your pictures taken in the photo booth.
To see more, go here.


Just a few more posts on Palm Springs friends.  Cause I'm not ready to say goodbye to summer even though I keep hearing people talking about fall.
It's still summer!
So enjoy this fabulous summer weekend.
Love from,
Greta

The Palm Springs Weekend Series Part 1: The Way There

You may grow weary of the Palm Springs pictures before I am done.

Sorry.

We take a lot of photographs.

In fact, as we began our drive, I asked Aaron, "can we stop whenever we want to take pictures?"

We did.

On route 79 headed East from Temecula.  That's Palomar Mountain in the distance.

A giant cutout of an ice cream cone?  Stop worthy indeed.

Would you just look at all that glorious signage?

You know we have a thing for old signs. 

This might be hanging in my kitchen soon.  The photo--not the sign.

I wish the sign would be hanging in my kitchen soon!

We stopped at a lookout point on the Pines to Palms highway, just before heading down the hill to Palm Springs.

The Yucca plant will be in our new front yard landscape.  Eventually.

Not the famous LA smog, just haze covering the valley floor.  

It was actually cool.  In August.  In the desert.

Well, it was cool for Palm Springs.  The temp never broke 95.

Without the palm tree oasis, the dessert looks very brown.

Then we were at the bottom, looking up.

Another stop.  Another cool sign.

Love.

Then, lunch here.

I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

Serious photography eye candy.

I went kinda crazy.

See you tomorrow.
Love from,
Greta