Update!

I just added 14 new items to the Please Note Vintage shop! Here are a few of my favorites...

Go take a look!

Inspiration: Plush Dolls

You might recall a post I did a while back about two Black Apple Dolls I made as gifts. I love how they turned out and I've been thinking about attempting to make some more. While searching for some cute new ideas, I discovered quite a few talented doll-makers. Here are some of my favorites...

Retro Mama caught my eye when I ran across a photo of one of her dolls on Pinterest. I love the hair! Check out her blog here and her shop here.

Of course one of my go to blogs for new ideas is Inside a Black Apple. Emily has a whole set of tattooed dolls that I just love.

These Takyaje fox dolls by Russian designer Nalogina Lubov immediately caught my attention. They are so different from what I'm used to seeing. The little fox family with the shopping cart is awesome, don't you think? Check out Nalogina's Flickr stream here.

Last but definitely not least, my newest discovery is the very talented Mimi Kirchner. Mimi creates a wide range of dolls as you can see above. I seriously can't pick which one I like best but that lumberjack is calling my name! Check out Mimi's shop here.

Snag That Style: The Big Lebowski

This edition of Snag That Style is dedicated to one of my favorites... The Big Lebowski!

Step into the movie with these great finds. The Dude abides. 

1. brown robe 2. sunglasses 3. white russian 

4. the rug that really tied the room together 5. jelly shoes

6. pink bowling ball 7. beeper

Photos found here.

Bright Idea: Chalkboard Paint

Yes, I know... chalkboard paint has been a around for a while, but there are so many different ways to use it! Here are a few of my favorites...

Paint the lid of a mason jar or create labels to organize your desk.

Label potted plants by either painting only the rim or the entire pot.

Add chalkboard paint to a white dresser. Write notes on top or label drawers. 

 Paint one cabinet or part of a door in your kitchen. Write notes to family members or never lose your shopping list again!

Double Chocolate Muffins

What better way to satisfy a chocolate craving than with warm chocolate chocolate chip muffins straight from the oven? Adapted from this recipe, these muffins won't disappoint!

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (8 ounces) milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 teaspoons vinegar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a muffin pan with paper muffin cups. In a large bowl, combine cocoa, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, espresso powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a large measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and vinegar. Melt the butter.

Out of chocolate chips? I was... so I decided to chop up a few chocolate squares leftover from the last time I made Aunt Lynnea's Brownie Cookies.

Add the wet ingredients, including the butter, to the dry ingredients. Stir until well blended. 

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins. The batter should fill the cups.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool them on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Get The Look: Vintage Swimwear

I recently came across this old advertisement from the 1940's and absolutely loved it, so I thought, instead of simply sharing it with you, I'd take it a step further... 

Pick your favorite swimsuit from the ad above and find today's similar matching suit below!

baby blue.  yellow.  navy blue.  pink.

Bright Idea: Woodland Party

Lately I've been loving everything "woodland"... squirrels, mushrooms, trees, gnomes... it's all so cute! So naturally, I'm completely in love with the idea of a woodland party. Here are a few of my favorite party ideas...

via Make it Do

via Pizzazzerie

via Celebrations at Home

via Hostess with the Mostess

Obviously, this theme is perfect for a child's party but I think, with a few slight changes, it could also make for a fantastic wedding.

Moroccan Pepper Chermoula

A family friend turned me on to this recipe and I absolutely love it. She adapted these peppers from a recipe out of Fine Preserving by Catherine Plagemann.

These peppers are delicious and can be served with a nice loaf of bread or added to a sandwich. The best part... they're so simple to make!

Ingredients:

• 2-4 large fresh red and yellow bell peppers (you can also use green)
• 4-5 fresh whole large peeled cloves of garlic per 2 bell peppers
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste but don't add too much)
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika (not smoked paprika)
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (you will probably end up adding more)
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2-4 pinches of fresh ground coriander

Cut peppers into slices about 1/2" wide (larger for sandwiches).

Place all the ingredients in a stainless steel pan, shallow enough to hold the ingredients in about one layer while also covered in oil. As you can see, I need much more oil than this...

Bring to a boil on high and immediately lower the heat. Cook peppers until they are cooked through but not limp... about 30 minutes. Spoon peppers into jars, packing them gently. Pour hot liquid over the peppers until just below the rim. Using a skewer, poke around the rim of the inside of the jar to release air bubbles. Wipe down the rim of the jar inside and out with a paper towel and seal. Cool to room temperature and keep them in the fridge. They last about a month. 

I served mine with a fresh loaf of No-Knead Bread. Delicious!

Shop of the Week: Twig and Bird

This week's 'Shop of the Week' is dedicated to a very cute shop I recently came across by the name of Twig and Bird. As shop owner, Ann, states, "I am inspired by my love of nature and the warm bonds of family and friendship. I strive to express those moments of love in a whimsical and playful way through my art pieces." She definitely does just that... whimsical is the perfect way to describe her pieces. I just can't get enough! Take a look!

Aren't these adorable? I love the little red hearts! 

Check out the shop here!

Grand Opening!

I'm proud to introduce the brand new Please Note shop...

Please Note VINTAGE!

Visit the shop anytime by clicking the new Shop Vintage gadget to your right!

Bright Idea: Create with Paint Chips

What's better than a fun DIY? A DIY with free supplies! Grab some paint samples from your local hardware store and take your pick from the paint chip crafts below...

colorful flower punch garland

framed paint chip art 

circle punch table runner 

spectrum mobile

multicolored mini notebooks

greeting cards

paint chip wallpaper (how cool is THAT?!)

Pinterest Picks: Coffee

This week's Pinterest Picks are dedicated to one of my favorite things in the whole world... COFFEE. Hot coffee, iced coffee... I love it all, and these photos are making me crave a cup!

coffee splash. iced coffee. espresso. morning paper and coffee.

Feel like making a pot now? Here are a few tips and tricks straight from Dunkin' Donuts...

• ground coffee stays fresh for up to 7 days once opened, whole beans last about 20
• for quick iced coffee, make a pot twice as strong as you usually would and pour it over ice... it will be perfectly diluted and ready to drink ASAP
• always use fresh cold water for brewing
• keep coffee beans at room temp in an airtight container... if stored in the fridge or freezer, they will absorb food odors and ruin the flavor

Happy brewing!

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

Adapted from this Martha Stewart recipe, this sun-dried tomato pasta salad is perfect for parties or picnics. I made it on the 4th of July and couldn't stop eating it! Note: this recipe makes A LOT so cut it in half if you aren't making it for a party.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. campanelle pasta (one box)
• 1 cup olive oil plus more for drizzling
• 20-25 sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon salt-packed capers, rinsed
• 4 cloves coarsely chopped garlic
• fresh ground pepper
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved

Cook the entire box of pasta until al dente. Drain, drizzle with olive oil until coated, and refrigerate while you prepare the sauce.

Pulse sun dried tomatoes, vinegar, capers, and garlic in a food processor until you create a thick paste.

With the machine running, slowly add olive oil and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Combine pasta, sauce, tomatoes, and olives. Serve chilled.

Enjoy!