Valentine's Day Card Download!

As I was creating my Valentine's Day card this year I thought it might be nice to share this one.  Check out the page here.

explore & discover

I've been obsessed with all things camping since my parents got a pop-up trailer in the 80's and my brother was a Boy Scout.  I was amazed at how a metal box quickly became a fully functional space for four people, and that little red key chain in my brother's room contained a bottle opener, knife, and tweezers!

So here is a little collection of all things I wouldn't mind having at my next camp site.  Who says you can't camp in style?

Picnic blanket and leather carrier by Pendelton.  Knife with cutting board by SnowPeak.  Tepee by Dave Ellis.  Swiss Army Knife by Victorinox.  White duffle bag by Eena.  Long back camp chair by Snow Peak.

summer love and shortcakes

I know many of us are looking forward to this July 4th weekend with bbq's and fireworks!  So I thought I would share one of my recent tasty recipes.  I whipped this one up in a jiffy and served them on a festive american platter.

Grab a cute mini-bundt pan like this one from Barking Birds and a lovely plate from Cloth and Patina and make some adorable old fashioned strawberry shortcakes!

Ingredients for shortcake: 

3 pints fresh strawberries 

1/2 cup white sugar 

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup shortening

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

Ingredients for whipped cream:

1/2 pint of whipping cream

3 tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1.  Slice the strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of white sugar. Set aside and place in refrigerator.

2.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour cake pan.

3.  In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar and the salt. With a pastry blender cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and milk. Stir until just combined.

4.  Spread the batter into the prepared pan, filling only two-thirds full for each bundt. Bake at 350 degrees F  for 10 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool partially in pan on wire rack. I had to adjust the baking time for these mini's, so keep a close watch even for 10 min! I suggest the least amount of time and KEEP checking!!

5.  Combine ingredients for whipped cream.  Cream with mixer. Be careful not to overbeat or else it will get thick like butter. When it begins to thicken, add sugar and vanilla; stir.  Refrigerate, this will help thicken it too.

6.  Remove cakes and slice a little bit from the bottom so that they are rest a little more flat.  Place whipped cream on top, then strawberries.  Dribble with left over strawberry juice!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!

Photoshoot with Lisa Warninger

Last Saturday the Ace was having Summer School classes about blogging, floral arranging, packing, and photography taught by some amazingly talented designers/bloggers.  You can imagine how excited I was, as this is all right up my alley.  I attended the photography session taught by the wonderful Lisa Warninger, check out her blog Urban Weeds:  Portland Street Style.  One of my favorites!
Overall, a really inspiring day with new photography tips and wonderful new people!

  

Special thanks to the lovely Lauren Hartmann for her Prop Styling, she also has a wonderful blog All Little Things We Do, which I am now a fan of.  Super cool gal.  :)

Modern Country

I created my first treasure on Etsy today.  You think I would have learned to do this by now.  Better late than never I guess.  Enjoy!  :)

Image via Etsy

Andy Vogt

Beautiful use of line.  Sculpture made of reclaimed wood.

  

image via Andy Vogt.  

chair obsession revisited

I got some new vintage items that I will be adding to Etsy later this week so stay tuned!  Get updates via Reinhabit on Facebook.

In the meantime I wanted to share with you one special find that I am super excited about, though not for sale.  It's an original bentwood chair by J&J Kohn.  Closest thing you can get to a Thonet!  Lovely isn't it?

Image via Reinhabit all rights reserved

vintage chairs: obsession number two

Ok.  I admit I have a lot of obsessions.  Chairs are one of them.  I currently live in a small studio where there are more chairs than potential party guests.  And oh, there are some in storage too.  And well.. let's not forget about the chair business (long story).
So what's super crazy is that I saved this image a while back as inspiration for two identical chairs I want to reupholster.  I meant to blog about it but could not remember where I found the image.  And atlas!  It's on the front page of Etsy today by Pigeon Toe Ceramics!  They do beautiful work by the way.  Definitely worth checking out!  One of my favorites :)

Image via Pigeon Toe Ceramics on Etsy.

pattern obsession

Yes indeed I do love patterns.  And while browsing for inspiration I came across this wonderful Sashiko pattern.  I had never heard of Sashiko before (so out of the loop sometimes.. lol), but I think I am hooked!  I absolutely love the modern design on this one.  Beautiful!

So many craft projects..  so little time...  :)

image via Marirob

dreamy beds

As I was getting my haircut the other day by my lovely friend Jess at 220 Salon (check her out if you are in the Portland area, I highly recommend her!), we got talking about furniture and she introduced me to a wonderful furniture company called Nightwood.  Nightwood uses salvaged wood and vintage, organic, and sustainable fabrics.  

We agree this bed is absolutely dreamy don't you think??   

  

image via Nightwood

sexy chair

I love the look of this chair but wondering how comfortable it is... hmm..

image via Merchant 4

peaceful interiors

I love the colors and composition of this room.  So peaceful...

(Photography by Jake Curtis via Jessica Comingore)

Terrarium Workshop!

This weekend certainly had its perks!  Not only did I get these great pickles jars from work, but my friend informed me of a terrarium workshop that was happening this weekend!  I've been eager to make one so I decided to attend (pickle jar in hand).  Check out Pistils Nursery for the next workshop.  Not bad for the first try!

Busy Bee

I know I haven't posted in a while.  I've been super busy working on the new Tender Loving Empire store opening downtown this May.  We still have a long way to go!!  Wish us luck!

Bailey's

This store Bailey's was mentioned on Apartment Therapy and I think it's amazing!  Unfortunately it is in the UK.  They have a huge variety of vintage goods and they also design useful simple products.  Anyone feel like taking a trip to the UK and checking it out?

Oh, and did I mention they also make chocolate?  :)

Images from Bailey's www.baileyshomeandgarden.com

Storage Solutions: reusing shipping crates

Really loving these used shipping crates!  A wonderful and inexpensive storage solution for that sewing room I've been dreaming about.  

Images from Design Squish -A blog about sustainability, nature, trees, design, and art.

This week's find

I had been wanting a mirror for our apartment for a while because it really seems to open up the space.  Of course, it's also great for getting ready too.  Also since I'm kind of into Feng Shui this gets me one step closer to balancing my chi.  So I figured overall a great find.  :)  Now I just need to figure out how to keep the glass secure (you can see it's falling out) and hang it on the wall.

Let's get this blog rolling!

Hello Everyone and Welcome!  Well I've been thinking about doing this blog for quite a while and finally here I am.  I'm sure you will see occasional changes to the blog as I am a huge perfectionist, who can't stop thinking about how to make things better.  Please send comments or questions as I figure out how this whole blogging thing really works!