From the monthly archives: "January 2012"

The Greatest Vintage Book of All Time! (image heavy)

By On · 2 Comments · In Thrifting

Recently I took a trip to my favorite vintage bookstore in Atlanta (Atlanta Vintage Books if you’re in the area).  They were having a Scoutmob deal of 50% off, so obviously I had to go.

Now, I’ve been coming to this bookstore for about a year now and I always manage to find a few treasures.  Once I got a fantastic children’s history  book from 1885!  Well, on this particular trip, I was having quite a difficult time deciding on what genre I would like.  Lately, I have felt pretty content with my vintage book collection; some classic literature, history, and a few children’s books (my top things to look for).  So, I decided I would take a look in the art book section since I love art, but really don’t have many books on the subject.  What a great decision that was…seriously, I may have found the most amazing book in the history of the world.

Handbook of Early American Advertising Art by Clarence P. Hornung was published in 1947, and my copy came from the Carnige Library of Atlanta, which made it that much cooler because I was able to see the check-out dates from the 50s!

 

Take a look for yourself!

(Seriously, about 100 pages of this amazingness)

 

 

 

(This was the page I first opened to when I saw the book, it was love at first sight!)

(This starts the gorgeous typography/font section, my heart literally skipped a beat.  You font nerds will know what I’m talking about!)

 

 

(heart flutters)

…and

I hope you enjoyed this little peak at my new (old) book!

 

Edit: Just want to add that the book was originally $18.00 but with my Scoutmob, it was only $9.00!

Shoe Shine!

By On · 3 Comments · In Products

(can I just mention how hard it was to come up with a title for this post, and I am sorry for the cheese factor you just witnessed)

So, I am not a fashion obsessed girl…at all, and I secretly wish I was.  I love shoes, however I like one very specific type of shoe.  I own at least 3-4 pairs of heeled oxfords (Exhibit A).  You see,  I have quite the unintentional uniform.  Peter pan collar dresses and tights if I’m feeling fancy, and jeans and a sweater or cardigan for those regular days.  I wish I was more adventurous, and I’m working on it, I promise!  As step one to branch out of my fashion funk, I did a little online window shoe shopping!

Exhibit A: A cute Oxford with a slight heel

 

 

I realize now that I need to expand my winter foot wardrobe, so I decided to pick out some shoes to lust after that are not Oxford related.  Here are my picks!

Exhibit B: A super awesome floral pair of Dr. Martens!  The perfect fun boot!

 

 

Exhibit C: Every girl needs a nice pair of dress boots!  I think this is the perfect pair of dress boots for women!

 

Exhibit D: I rarely wear heels, but these are awesome dress up heels/booties!

 

Let’s raise a cup of coffee to breaking adorable oxford heel addiction (wipe’s tear)!

Homemade Caramel Deliciousness

By On · 4 Comments · In Food

As part of the family’s holiday gift bags, the gentleman and I also made a few treats!  We included a bottle of homemade vanilla extract (not really a treat, but whatever), some homemade chocolate peanut butter fudge, and homemade caramels! These are so easy to make, and taste delicious!  Seriously, like Werther’s candies.

I just want to say I’m sorry for using Instagram pictures, but my regular camera pictures just didn’t turn out that well…Oh well, it happens to everyone I guess!

Here’s the recipe!

Ingredients:

1/2 stick butter

1 1/2 cup heavy cream

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

pinch of salt (more if desired)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (more if desired)

…and make sure you have either a candy thermometer or a thermometer that goes to about 300 degrees Farenheiht!

 

Directions:

1. Mix everything minus the vanilla in a saucepan over low heat.  Stir constantly…seriously, otherwise it will burn the bottom of your pan, and that stinks.

2. When the sugar has completely dissolved and you can’t see any more granules, increase the heat to medium and let it bubble.  Stir about every 5 minutes.

3.  Here is a handy little chart to use with your thermometer as a guide for when to take you caramels off the heat:

Approx.   240° for soft

245° for hard

250° + for “toffee” caramels (super duper hard)

4.  Take off heat and add the vanilla extract.

5.  Pour into a parchment lined 8×8 or 9×9 dish (I used 9×9 and it was just fine).  Cool.

6.  After they solidify (mine took about an hour or so) use either a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to cut however you like!

7.  Enjoy!


(we hand wrapped each and every one…that part was a bit tedious!)