Ta ta for now...

I can't think of a better way to send off Andrew than CUPCAKES for everyone!

Even the little pup. 

we're SURE GOING TO MISS HIM. 

- nicola & the {happy} little pup

Salt and Pepper and a Little Collection

The Perfectly Paired Condiments.

found everywhere, but often overlooked.

I love Salt & Pepper shakers and cellars. I don't know what it is about the little gems that I just adore. I think it's the cute designs, miniature statures, and the idea that they're "perfectly practical" when I'm out spending on things that I NEED. 

It all started because they were cute... I mean look at those mini spoons...    

And then it was about being useful...

Finally they just became a collection of cuteness.

And I think I have more in my kitchen cabinets. But I won't stop. The collection must go on. Perhaps I should rent them out for parties.

-Nicola

The Little Pup goes Antique Shopping

We went to lunch today with June, Emy & baby Averie at Bruxie in Orange. For those of you who have never been or heard of it, I'm sorry. It's a little hole in the wall that makes sandwiches in waffles!  It was so nice to see them (since they live in Maryland) and it was even better that it didn't rain on us as we ate our waffles out in the clouds.

We also stopped by some antique stores... the best part... the Little Pup was allowed in too! I would have gone more often had I known. 

A while ago, I started collecting some old American pottery. I like the pieces that are solid colors and old fun shapes and designs.  I found a few to add to my collection...

Here they are... in all their glory! 

They live in my cute, old kitchen. It has a high shelf above the sink. It's the perfect spot for some color and height. 

This also happened...

I'm not sure what I will make with this (or use it for), but I'll find something. It was just too cute to pass up.

Antiquing is exhausting...

-Nicola and the little pup

Puppy Party

The line-up: Andy, Jetson & Miles... Snoop is missing from the picture. Maybe because he's 15 and doesn't have time for this nonsense?

So we had a few people over last night, which was great fun for us and the little pup because all of them came with dogs! We all spent the night eating, playing games, and watching the pups run around playing. I think they could play for hours without getting tired. The humans, on the other hand, were falling asleep. 

You know what you need when you have people come over for a dog party...

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So we decided to have Bellini's and pear cider (the ladies did anyway). Luckily, I had a chance to use the cute drink decorations that I made for New Year's Eve (and then forgot them at home- super disappointing).  I was jumping for joy when I remembered that I had them and had the perfect reason to use them! Anything that sparkles adds a little more happiness to the night.  And, on a side note,  how good are frozen raspberries?!

We also made some treats...

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Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Cookies
1/2 C Butter
2 C Sugar
1/2 C Milk
4 Tbsp Cocoa
1/2 C Peanut Butter
3- 3 1/2 C Quick cooking Oats
2 tsp. Vanilla

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a saucepan. Bring it to a rolling boil, and let it all boil for 1 minute. Stir in the next 3 ingredients and drop onto wax/foil paper. It makes about 40 little cookie blobs.  Super easy and super good.  

It turned out to be a fun night with good friends, good food (and drinks), and cute pups.

-Nicola & the little pup

Re-Purposing!

I found this old jar at a garage sale by my house. I love the writing and symbols on it.  I’m sure at one time they made it look quite fancy in a store.

I was going to plant a traditional succulent in there {since they don’t need much space or water}. But I found the next best thing... a Kalanchoe! Kalanchoe's ARE succulents, which means they are hard to kill and easy to live with. The best part is that they flower often! 

Perfect for Valentine's Day.

-Nicola

Things to remember...

You know what sounds great?  Remembering what amazing things you have done all year!  

  I think this may be just the solution:

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Here is my version...

Supplies & assembly: 

I wanted this calendar to last {for the 10+ years that it's supposed to},  so I tried to find some well made (sturdy & cute) things to put this together. It looks pretty close to the original.

Plastic berry container: Homegoods 

Vintage postcards (all vertical and some are themed for the holiday of the month): American Rag

Vertical note cards: Staples

Date stamp: Staples (don't stamp the year, you write that on with each entry)

 It took about an hour to do all that stamping (which was rather boring). Once all of the cards are stamped, you simply put them all in order and divide the months with postcards.  Viola!

Daily Success: 

So far, I have been pretty good about writing down the highlight of my day. 100% of this year filled to date... all 3 days! :)

We'll see how long it lasts!

  

- Nicola

Cheers to 2013

The little pup and I hope that you all had a wonderful & safe New Year's Eve.  

We spent NYE with our dear friends Jennifer and Ben (and their cute little boys too). We spend every New Years with them... usually with Bellinis, horns and poppers and sometimes with games and  Rock Band. It's always a good time.  Horns and poppers make every party better. I'm sure of it. 

To prepare, I decided to find something on my Pinterest that I had once pinned with good intentions to actually make.  I didn't have much time, so I picked something that I thought I could master on the first try. Oh the pressure.

  

We made something simple... sugar cookies... New Years Eve style.

The source for the original is no longer available. Just know that some creative lady and her kids came up with something like this. 

A few things you should know:

1) Writing with frosting deserves a medal.

2) Transporting these slippery, frosted, gooey gems may cause heart problems.

3) The clock design is cute, but really can't be saved if one falls (or gets eaten by Andrew).  There's no recovering.

They made it!

Nice  pours Ben. We know who your favorite is. Warning: Cookie transportation will lead to drinking {and then eating lots of cookies}.

The little pup had a good evening too. Lots of love and good cheer for him. 

Probably because of his bow tie.

So many kisses.

He had been eyeballing those horns all night. Imagine his excitement when he finally got a hold of one.

Happy New Year everyone! 

Cheers to 2013.

- Nicola