... being added now ...

Here's a preview of what is being added to the shop ...

Mixing Patterns...

Another goodie from this months Country Living magazine. A peek inside Glenn Holley's Virginia home... loving the mix of patterns and pops of color.

images: via Country Living magazine

A Swedish Christmas ...

From this month's Country Living magazine... inside the home of interior designer Edie van Breems at Christmas time. Gorgeous!!

(And her book with Rhonda Eleish looks positively inspiring ... Swedish Country Interiors.)

images: Country Living magazine

Aunt Hazel's cookies ... via Natalie

So here's the recipe for the incredible chocolate chip cookies from Natalie. (Thanks Nat!!) It is a family recipe handed down to her from her aunt Hazel Erickson. (Thank you, Aunt Hazel!!)

Now... these bad boys call for shortening (read: Crisco). But Natalie swears it's what gives them their wonderful, crispy tender texture. So ... I guess I will be buying my first can of shortening very soon.

Aunt Hazel's Chocolate Chip Cookies ...

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Cream above ingredients.
Fold in 2 well beaten eggs.
Sift 2 1/4 cup flour.
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
Add a bag of chocolate chips.
Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Inspiration ... Ämanda Belle Rogue's Polyvore Sets

After checking Twitter this morning (lame, I know...), I found a new Twitter follower's Polyvore set. Ämanda Belle Rogue is a fashion merchandising student and I'll have you know, I have wasted an incredibly inordinate amount of time perusing her gorgeous collections. Apparently, I still love anything black, and I'm also partial to ruffles, lace, bows, sparkles and shimmer, grays, taupe and muted pastels. Lord, help me.

FYI - All of this loveliness reminds me of Emily ... a brilliant blogger with an insanely well-honed fashion eye (love her [If I Were a Buyer...] posts...) who is also a genius with economics (oy vey!).

Coming soon...

Working on getting these "new" vintage pieces into the shop. Loving the "no shrinking violet" Hawaiian dress ... the handknit emerald green, mohair, lined sweater coat, and the three piece fine wale corduroy suit! (and that's an authentic WWII Air Force Wool Pea Coat!!) Oh yes... I especially love the men's wool duffle coat, too. Oh... what to choose, what to choose...