11 July 2011

"C" is for Cookie Cutters


How was your weekend lovelies?
I hope you had one of the best ones yet.

Last Friday, I told you about my fab find

It's this set of mini alphabet cookie cutters.
I paid only US$3.75 for it! The set was complete, there
were no deformed letters and they looked hardly used.

When you buy kitchen accessories like this, it's best
to give them a thorough cleaning before use.

I washed the cookie cutters in warm, soapy water
and scrubbed them by hand.

Then I let them dry with the help of a dish cloth and
some time under the sun {I'm afraid of rust!}.

This week, I'm figuring out different ways to use them.

Let's start with toast.
It's a tasty breakfast or snack but it can look so blah.

Before putting them in the toaster, spell out some words
like "Yum", "Cool" or your kids' names if they aren't too long.
Press them half way through & gently remove the cutters.
You just want to make indentations, not remove any bread.

Pop the bread into the toaster and...

TADA! Personalized toast!

Depending on your toaster and heat setting, the
results can vary. I would have wanted a darker piece
but I prefer my toast on the less crunchy side.

Have a mighty good Monday ya' all!

08 July 2011

A Thrift Store in New York City


Whoopee, it's Friday!
We end our travel/shopping series today but I
hope to feature more markets in the future.

Today, we're in New York and instead of
a flea market, we're going to a thrift store.

This is just one of the many branches of the


Proceeds from shop sales go to New Yorkers
Isn't that TADA!?

All merchandise are donated and I visit
as often as I can because there's
always something new!

Recently, they arranged their books by color.

Lots of records, CDs and DVDs.

They have awesome furniture, too.
I would have loved to get that school desk and
matching chair and possibly add a fresh coat of paint.

They also have a nice selection of
clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

I like to spend extra time in the houseware section.

This is what I found in my latest visit:

An alphabet cookie cutter set.

All 26 letters complete!

You'll have to tune in to see the many ways to use this set.
Have a fun weekend everyone!


07 July 2011

Flea Markets in London


I'm not crafting this week, but that doesn't mean
I have no nifty ideas to share.

I hope you've been enjoying our trips to the flea markets.
Fancy a visit to London today?

London has many remarkable flea markets.
Here are three of my favorites:

The first, of course, is the one located on Portobello Road.

This sign shows how extensive the market is.
There are stalls open during the week, but it's best to
come on Saturdays when all the fabulous vintage
treasures and one-of-a-kind antiques come out.

Something will surely catch your eye here.
Make sure to step inside the independent boutiques
in the area if your preference is "brand new" -- clothes,
cookbooks, ceramics, travel guides or jewelry.

Another market, though smaller in scale,
It's open on Fridays from early morning to noon.
They sell smaller items like silverware, glassware, China and
other interesting curios that are easy to pack in your suitcase.

I like it because it has old items, handmade products like
clothes & bags, plus there's food {if you need a meal
right after shopping} all under one roof.
The neighborhood also has a youthful energy.

Okay, so here's what I bought:

Care to guess what it is?

It's a toast rack where you'd display freshly toasted bread
and put it directly on the dining table.
Trust the British to add pomp & circumstance to
everyday items. I've never seen this used elsewhere,
I just had to have one! And a vintage one at
that {I chose a more modern style}
for less than US$10.

The bottom slides off for easy crumb clean-up.

But because in my house, toast is consumed
on a eat-and-run basis, here's what
my flea market find looks like now:

It's where I organize all the postcards I've received!
TADA!


06 July 2011

A Flea Market in Rome


I'm reliving my previous travels, specifically to flea markets
in different parts of the world. I'm also showing off
some of my second-hand souvenirs.

Today, it's off to Rome, Italy!

This is the Porta Portese market in the Trastevere quarter.

It's open on Sunday mornings and gets crowded as
the day progresses.

Here you'll find new and used Italian goods...

...as well as not-so Italian items.

This is what I remember that trip by:


It's a metal tray that can be hung as art.
It's tarnished and has a few difficult-to-remove stains.
It has seen better days but I felt I had to buy it.

These days, I use it with my Moroccan glasses
when I serve homemade mint tea.

For the summer, the tray is an appetizer platter
brimming with gazpacho and crackers.

I can't wait to use it for dessert, too!

05 July 2011

A Flea Market in Chicago


This week, I'm showing off some flea market finds.
Selling and buying second-hand goods are a form of
recycling too -- somebody else's junk can be
someone's jewels, right?!

Today, Chicago is where we're at.

held on a selected weekend once a month. There's an
outdoor section {I recommend wearing a hat} and an
indoor market as well.

They have everything from furniture, clothes,
accessories and collectibles.

There's also the Indie Designer Fashion Market inside the
premises with products created by local talent.

You can easily spend a few hours here.

Let me show you what I bought:

A vintage teacup & saucer, one of the
very first in my small collection.

Apart from the pink roses, this is what
sealed the deal:

It had my name printed on the bottom!
It was meant to be mine and I paid less
than US$10 for it.

Here's another adorable find:

A small dish which is meant to hold a pat of butter
{all you need is a basket of dinner rolls}.
I bought it for US$3.

On some afternoons, I opt for "tea time" instead of
a coffee break.

I take out my tea cup & saucer and use the dish
to hold my tea bag.

Even if my tea and cookies are of the supermarket variety,
this tea service is still fit for a queen.

04 July 2011

A Flea Market in Toronto


Happy Monday and Happy Fourth of July!

This week, let's take a little break from crafting.
Instead, let's do some traveling and shopping.
I bet you'd like that!

First stop, Toronto.

I've been to Toronto a few times and whenever
I'm there, I like to pop into St. Lawrence Market.
It's a little paradise for food lovers with prepared
Canadian specialties, fresh produce, meats &
seafood, baked goods, cheese & wine,
kitchen equipment, art and souvenirs.

On Sundays, just across the market,
must-see for treasure-hunters like me.

Browsing the market is a lot of fun.

There are so many unique things
that will call your attention.

This table absolutely lured me in.

Here's what I bought:

It's a dainty creamer made in England.
I love the pale blue color, gold accents and
delicate flowers painted on it.
I paid six Canadian dollars for this baby.

I've been finding many uses for it.
For today, it holds within it an orange marmalade
sauce for my morning crepes.

It turns something so simple into something very special.

Have a fun day everyone!


01 July 2011

Crystal Clear


Hey, hey, it's Friday!

I found some loose chandelier crystals in my stash of beads.
Some I got from the bag of scrap. The rest, I removed
from a candlestick too frilly for my taste.

Oh the possibilities of transforming these from
blah to...

...TADA! A new bib necklace!

It's made of pale pink felt, a layer of fabric softener sheets,
crystals, clear beads, tiny flowers {made from
felt remnants} and a silver chain.

I really like how the crystals catch the light.

Have a sunshine-y weekend & to all of you in here in the US,
enjoy the long Fourth of July weekend!