Alternative Uses for Vintage Handkerchiefs

Apparently waving goodbye?

Waving goodbye to handkerchiefs?  Because gone are the days of people using them.  They have been replaced with kleenex and plenty of over the counter medications to nip a runny nose or watery eyes in the bud.  But there are lots of sweet vintage handkerchiefs out there.

I have two lovely ones from my friend Lindsay.  This past weekend, Monkey, my exceptional hairless chihuahua, was feeling a bit festive.  It being Cinco De Mayo and all.  So I used one of my hankies to make a little bandana for her.

Seeing her with it on got me wondering all the things you could do with them besides how they were actually intended.  Here is what I came up with.

Dressing up a plain vase:

A drip catcher on a water carafe:

Fly deterrant for bowls of food for an outdoor picnic:

Punch of color on a plain purse:

Accent for a basket:

Wrap for serving utensils for traveling:

I love the pattern on this one.  She gave me this to wrap around my bouquet when I was a bridesmaid.  (and another use!)  Daffodils are my favorite flower.

Then with a quick search I found all of these awesome ideas on pinterest. 

Love these curtains! 

You can find this and a whole lot more at http://pinterest.com/mercanstyle/vintage-ladies-hankie-crafts/.

Antique Milk Glass Lamps Fit For A Modern Day Princess

Well for these two little princesses actually!

 My brother, Peter, and his wife, Sharon, are the proud parents of two very sweet little twin girls (and another girl on the way!).  Abbie and Gracie lit up our lives the minute they were born.  Of course Rudy and I are extremely blessed with 15 nieces and nephews in total and I absolutely do not have favorites.  They are all so different and luckily I have been able to spend some really good quality time with each and every one of them over the years.  So no, I do not have favorites, but I will say that these two are my favorite twins ever.  And they are all about Reed which is so cute.

Here is Reed with some of his cousins this past weekend.

I was visiting my brothers at the beach this past weekend for Easter (more on their house later) and saw these two new lamps in their bedroom. 

Sometimes you see things like this and think they are only good for shabby chic or antique looking decor.  Milk Glass is popular now but would you think little girls?  I probably wouldn't have. 

But I love how they put these funky shades on them.  And they are updated now don't you think?  So cute!

A Fun Home

Deborah Needleman via Martha Stewart

I am not sure how I would categorize my style...shabby chic?  Fun?  Mix of old and new?  I don't know.  But I find myself drawn to whimsical homes where things match, but not too much, things are comfy and cozy, but not sloppy, things can be traditional, but not too much.  Notice a pattern? 

When I shopped at the Sleepy Poet Antique mall this past weekend, I also noticed some things that would be perfect in a fun home.  I have recently found Deborah Needleman (remember that great magazine Domino?) and I love her spaces and ideas.  Here are some pictures of what I found and an Interview with Deborah Needleman via Martha Stewart and Kevin Sharkey's blog.

Great patchwork pillows from various fabrics - love the trim!

Dog and horse yard art.

Old fountain bar stools.  I would love to paint the bases in a bright color.  Would be so durable in a family home and take up less space too!  Sometimes bar stools can feel so heavy in a room.

Here is Deborah's book.  Lots of great ideas!

If I...

was into mid-century design and was edgy in my style I would have a dining room with these dishes and this furniture.

This past weekend I finally made my way to the Sleepy Poet Antique Mall.  I cannot believe I had never been there!  Recently I heard two people talking about it so I knew I had to go and check it out. When I go to these places, I like to play a little game called "If I".  Where I fill in the blank of how I would use some of the neat things I see.  They had a lot of good things but the prices did not seem that great.  I feel like I see much better deals at Classic Attic.  But there were some good deals - you just had to dig.  The place is huge too which makes it fun for a few hours of poking around. 

Okay so let's get started...

If I...had a big old antebellum home with expansive porches I would take these two columns and put a board on them to create a side board.  At parties I would have a mint julep or wine station here.  When not entertaining I would have a vignette of flowers, plants and out door do dads.

If I had a mud room I would put this bench in it with hooks and storage above it so my kids would have a place to stop and take off their snow boots in the winter, drop their school supplies and coats and such.  Underneath I would place storage bins so they each had a spot for extra things.

If I had a large landing I would cover this in something fun and durable and make a cozy reading nook.  Or If I had a formal living room I would cover it is something feminine and delicate with bold pillows.

If I had a bed and breakfast I would have mismatched plates like this to serve breakfast on.

And I would have pretty linens like these vintage chenile ones.

If I needed a great large light fixture in a hall or over my dining table I would buy this and paint it a fun color like bright yellow, plum or aqua.  This was only $65 and quite large so I think this was a good deal!

If I had a coffin rental business...WHAT?  You should have seen my face when I saw this.  I was in la la land thinking about all the cool things I could do when I spied this.  CA-REEEPY! 

And $850?  Is there a market for this? 

Anyway I had lots of fun and will definitely go back from time to time.  Especially when I do have a need...we will, one day, be moving to a bigger place, so there will be purchases to make!