Coupe or Flute?

Do you have a preference? 

People feel very strongly about their glass of choice for champagne, prosecco or other bubbly beverages. 

Champagne flutes are a more recent glass shape development (1950's) and many who enjoy bubbly or fizzy drinks feel that flutes preserve the bubbles (which is the point) better than a coupe and that the wine stays colder longer in a flute. 

Coupes are an iconic, even historical shape, as the coupe glass has been used for hundreds of years. Some feel that it should be the glass shape of choice for that very reason. Using a coupe definitely gives off a vintage feel or maybe the roaring 20's vibe. 

We like both and I also think that coupes can be used for mixed cocktails or other fun uses, like serving a sherbet or mousse dessert, if you prefer your champagne or prosecco in a flute. 

Delicious prosecco cocktail recipe here.

Most of our champagne flutes are clear glass and a classic shape but we have collected a few different coupes over the last couple of years. We have a beautiful set of vintage coupes that are fun for a special occasion.

Mollie purchased some pretty green glass ones that are perfect for multiple holiday tables. We found the red ones at the Target Dollar Spot and thought why not for Valentine's Day? 

We love a glass of bubbly and a nosh on the porch and spend a lot of time out there. For that reason these shatterproof coupes were a must have. We also have shatterproof flutes that we have had for years. It's about time to replace them and I have my eye on these. I'll probably freshen up our non-breakable champagne glasses before porch season gets here. 

So, what do you think? Coupe or Flute?

I Was Ready For February.

I'm not sure why (because I enjoyed our snow days) but I was ready for February. I think it was the relentless cold and a lot of gray days that had me ready for the new month. I also wanted to put out a few little nods to the month of love to cheer things up a bit. I don't go overboard for the 'smaller' holidays but I do like a seasonal touch here and there.

This year I gathered up some vintage thrifted frames I had on hand, grabbed a few more for $1.09 at Goodwill, and then I decided I'd find some great little cherub images to frame and prop on the library mantel. I simply googled "vintage cherub art public domain" and dozens of options popped up. I tried to choose ones that were similar in shape to my thrifted frames and then I just printed them on white cardstock. 

I cleaned the frames up and popped the prints in. I decided that I'd mix gold, silver, dark wood and black frames together for a very collected, relaxed look. Plus I had a mixture on hand and that simplified finding the rest of the needed frames in just one trip to Goodwill. This was an under $10 project and it was quick and easy!

I did add an old milk glass vase with some roses and magnolias. I love a touch of something green or fresh mixed in. 

This little pile of framed cherubs on the mantel makes me happy every time I pass the Library.

Gather Up All the Pink and Red!!

Valentine's Day is about telling people you love them. I think it should be sweet and filled with kindness not stress about spending money on over the top gifts or flowers. I also decided a long time ago that I did not want to wait in lines or eat in overly crowded restaurants that night either. Valentine's celebrations, for us, have always been family events and simple but fun.

When Mollie was young she decorated with hearts she made and taped everywhere. We made hearts from wax paper and crayon shavings like my mom did with me and we often ate heart shaped pizzas we made at home. I would buy cannolis or a special dessert at the bakery because that is not my strong suit!

This year I pulled out everything pink or red and put it all together! On Valentine's Day it just works. I did create DIY red and pink marbleized chargers from some thrift store finds. Everything else (except the candy) I had on hand and most of it has been thrifted over time. 

I didn't buy any fresh flowers but I did pull out a family heirloom glass compote that I fill with roses that I let dry when I do buy them. I love fresh flowers and I do believe you should treat yourself when you are able. 

Tie a gingham bow on your every day items and suddenly they are fun!

I hope that you get to spend time with those you love but should you find yourself alone then treat yourself because you are worth it!

Heart Shaped Magnolia Wreath

 

This heart shaped magnolia wreath did not cost anything to put together.

I had everything on hand and you probably will too!

I used:

scrap cardboard boxes

magnolia leaves

hot glue

duck tape

scissors and yard clippers

ribbon I had on hand (this might be the only thing you would need to purchase)

This wreath is just meant to last through Valentine's Day so it is put together quickly and easily using found items. 

Here's what I did:

I cut a heart shape from cardboard boxes. I wanted mine to be fairly large so I had to cut two half hearts and duct tape together. 

Because my heart was taped down the center I used some scrap strips of cardboard to brace it across the back. This made it a little sturdier but I'm not sure it's necessary.

I took my gorgeous glossy magnolia leaves and broke them off so they were individual leaves.

When I started to experiment with how I wanted to place my leaves I realized they would work better with the short stems clipped off. I clipped all of the stems off so that I could place them more quickly once I started gluing. There are a lot of different ways you could lay out your leaves. 

I just kept gluing leaves around the heart shape moving toward the center.

Then I filled in the center. The leaves are not perfectly flat and I like that about the wreath. Even with the wavy leaves none of the cardboard shows form underneath because of the way I overlapped the leaves. 

It's so glossy and pretty. 

I wanted to put a bow on my heart wreath so I poked a small hole near the v at the top. I'm going to use wire threaded through the hole to hold my bow in place and it will also create a loop on the back to use to hang the wreath on the door.

Easy Peasy Valentine's Day Treat for All Ages.

These are so cute and so quick. 

The picture got a lot of "play" on IG so I thought I'd share a few details.

Valentine's Day Candy Skewers!

These are quick and easy. Inexpensive even if you are making quite a few.

Easy to make ahead and transport.   

Cute, fun and pretty in pink!

I bought wooden skewers from Wal Mart. The dollar store often has them. 

One end is flat and the other is pointed. 

They were 97 cents for 50.

The cello bags are inexpensive and available at Wal Mart or Hobby Lobby. 

I had a stash from Nashville Wraps. 

They have every size and shape and I think everything looks better wrapped up in cello.

The prices are good if you need cello in bulk and they ship quickly.

The candy!!

You want any and all soft candy or candy with a hole in the center that you can find 

plus big pink and white marshmallows.

We bought ours at Wal Mart, Dollar General and Dollar Tree. 

There are tons of dollar bag choices. 

We bought fruit chew type candies in multiple shapes and flavors - anything pink, peachy pink or red. 

Gummie Lifesavers and a couple of other chewey candles are ring shaped 

so they just drop right on the skewer. 

The rest of the candy you simply slide down the skewer. 

This is why you want "soft" candy.

I also bought Little Debbie heart shaped cakes for the "topper." 

Spread out all the candy, slide it on the skewer in any order 

(I didn't even try to make them exactly the same but you could), 

pop them in the cello bag and tie them closed. 

We dropped a few Red Hots in each cello bag.

We used a twist tie to get them sealed tightly and then put pink and red grosgrain ribbon (any pink or red ribbon would be fine. I always pick up the cute rolls of "themed" ribbon at the Target Dollar Spot)

 and white curling ribbon over the twist tie to make them frilly and fun!

*Please note: One end of the skewer is pointed. You need the point in order to easily slide the candies on. If you are making these for children you can snip the pointed end of the skewer off with kitchen shears (very easy) and then add the Little Debbie Cake to the end.

Chinoiserie Valentines!

February is knocking on the door??

I just got used to writing 2017 on things and now I have to write a new month!

Wow, that was fast!

I had so much fum making the blue and white chinoiserie ornaments at Christmas 
that I wanted another fun project! 
Handpainted hearts of some sort would do the trick!
(PS. They are sitting on that amazing, crazy bamboo table find!)

Last year the Chinoiserie Heart was big - this year they are tiny!

So here they are! 

Since people wanted to buy the ornaments and there was no way I could pull off getting organized to ship them out, etc. at the last minute in December,

 I decided to offer these up on Instagram!

The first batch has shipped out! 

(Whew! I have figured out PayPal invoicing!)

 There are a couple more available.

Watch for them this week on Instagram and then be sure to watch for what is coming for Easter!!

It involves chinoiserie, Spring-y colors, monograms if that's your thing, bunnies and more!!

There will be sneak peeks on IG!