Lovely Milk Glass

I love the delicate and feminine look of  vintage milk glass. It's a great item to carry in my shop because it's something I can always rely on finding and something I know people look for. I love using it as a serving piece for cupcakes and candy, or for a bunch of bright pink peonies!

I thought I'd talk a little bit on the history of this adorable houseware:

Milk glass originated in Venice, Italia in the 16th century. However, back then milk glass came in all different colours including yellow, brown, black, pink and blue.

Milk glass became popular during the end of the 19th century in France.

During the early 20th century, also known as the American Gilded Age, milk glass was synonymous with the cultural prosperity of the wealthy American culture. It is known for the delicacy and elegance and was often seen on dressers and shelf tops in upper-class American homes.

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martha

and here are some milk glass pieces from my Etsy shop :)...

There you have it - milk glass!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

How-To Wednesdays - Seersucker French Board

I made this darling little french board from a cork board that would have otherwise been thrown away at work - Bonus: there are many more where that one came from! I picked up the fabric, ribbon, and upholstery pins from the garment district during one of my last trips to NYC. I bought the poofy foamy stuff I think they call 'batting' from my local craft store and took the staple gun from my dad (poor guy, I think it will be some time before he'll see that tool again!)

It all started out one morning on my living room floor, where I tend to do most of my crafts *please disregard the flamingo pajamas that show up in some of the pics and also excuse the poor photography :(

fabric, batting, board, staple gun, and scissors

Stack the fabric, batting, and board

Very simply, wrap the fabric up over the board and staple (don't be afraid to over-staple)!

how beautiful!! I've been looking at that tree everyday :)

Start wrapping the ribbons, pulling very tightly! Again, don't be afraid to use multiple staples to make sure the ribbons stay in the board.

I used upholstery pins to pin down the ribbons at the various intersections throughout the board.

And...

I added burlap on the back of the piece to finish it off and make it look all nicey nice!

Viola!!

Inspiration Tuesday - Clean Lines and Beachy Pastels

As my blog starts to take shape (somewhat), I am starting to see patterns forming on the themes I blog about on certain days of the week. I had a thought as I was lying in my bed this morning wide awake before I needed to be of course, I think I am going to have a theme for everyday of the week, well maybe not everyday because I don't see myself blogging everyday, but maybe four or five! Here is the schedule I am looking at as of right now:

Monday: Write about anything interesting I experienced over the weekend that is worth sharing, and any projects I completed in the past week

Tuesday: Inspiring photos I came across throughout the week online and in print

Wednesday: Follow the making of a certain object, instruct readers on how to create an item

Thursday: Write about a topic in decorative arts, i.e. milk glass, where it comes from, how it is used today, etc...because I have to put that Art History major to use :)

Not sure about Fridays yet, something short and sweet I am thinking!

Suggestions welcome!

Sooo to go along with Inspiration Tuesdays, I have chosen to post photos of decorated rooms by Tracey Rapisardi whose style is, "clean lines and beachy pastels, a mishmash of new and old furniture unified by color and fabric”.  Enjoy!

I am loving the white and blue stripes - I can't wait to try it on one of my pieces!

love that damask, so elegant!

Ahh, I could see mom making sandwiches in here with kids and family running in from the beach for lunch.

What I like about this room most is the combination of all the fun pieces like the mermaid print and natural shells in the corner shelf mixed with the elegant and formal.

love blue glass! Here is a piece I had in my shop, sold to my good friend Jules!

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My Florida Vacations and Years of Inspiration :)

I have grown up visiting the beautiful East Coast of Florida, at first when I was a little one to the Sebastian/Cocoa Beach area where my grandma had a home, and eventually to Jupiter, where my parents purchased their second home. I love going there for the beach and the whole vibe of the tropical lifestyle -- so much outdoor recreation like beach-going, tanning (hehe), body-surfing, surfing, kite-boarding, fishing, water-skiing, etc... and then there are the beach shops, the surfers, the tropical seafood restaurants, the tiki bars, easy-going people, pina coladas, and the list goes on...BLISS!

Going to Florida is such a simple trip from Connecticut, a 2.5 hour plane ride so I do it as often as I can! My next trip down will be in December for a long weekend with five of my closest gal pals! That trip will be filled with beach, sun, long dinners, wine, and tiki bars - life is good!

I've included some photos below of my favorite destination!

Me and Bri a few years ago at the Jupiter Beach

Me and my Mama

I love Miss Trish of Capri! That's her adorable shop in Palm Beach.

A beautiful shell mirror in Palm Beach

Me and Lauren at the Breakers, Palm Beach

The beautiful lighthouse in Jup.

The prettiest sunset wedding in Naples, Florida last November!

My seat at the wedding - I love that shot!

Watching the sunset in Naples :)

I have so many wonderful memories of Florida and have my family to thank for taking me all these years! So much of Shorely Chic comes from the inspiration of my time spent there, and I look forward to many years of vacations and inspiration to come!

I'm in love with the fall...

Although I am definitely a warm weather, beach-loving girl, it is hard not to fall in love with the fall season here in Connecticut. I love walking out of my apartment in the morning with a warm cup of coffee on a crisp fall day - there is nothing more refreshing than that air! I also love walking down narrow tree-lined streets glowing with red, yellow, and orange leaves and spooky halloween decorations popping in people's yards. And finally, I love coming home to my lovey and having a nice dinner with a nice glass of cabernet on our couch - I love it!

Back to the beach - As I try to work up the motivation to get crafting, I visited House Beautiful's website and typed 'coastal' for some working inspiration. I found this incredible home in Connecticut decorated by Jason Bell, and I'm going to share it all with you :)

what a beautiful image to walk into everyday. i love all the white and beige, so refreshing!

throwing the coral into the mix is the perfect punch

how nice for summer entertaining! I could totally see a wicker tray coming out with fun summery cocktails and snacks for guests :)

I love this room!! I want that bed, and on that note, buona notte :)

New York Shopping, New Items, Family, and Fun :)

Happy Monday! I really want to write more but as usual, "I have no time, blah blah blah...", yuck.  This past week was a fantastic one! I had lots of sales, was featured in two more treasuries, got into New York on a work day - woohoo!, saw lots of friends, Brian and I had my parents over our apartment, which we've been meaning to do, and I'm just really enjoying this fall weather :)


I've been trying to focus on the planning and production of Shorely Chic, making things, mostly my papered and shell frames, and continuing to collect new and fabulous vintage items. I have my first craft fair coming up in November, the second one in Chappequa, NY the following weekend, and my launch party the next weekend at my parent's home in Stamford, CT - any readers in the area?? I'd love to have you :) I'm thinking of having about 40-60 people, family, friends, and co-workers of mine and my mother's, champagne, wine, yummy hor d'oeuvres, and pretty "Beachy-Keen" cupcakes made my friends at Batter Up Cupcakes!  I will definitely be looking to http://craftshowdesigns.blogspot.com/ for help with that :)

I've uploaded some fun photos of my week:

my favorite, Bryant Park :)

the zillions of fabrics at Mood Fabrics and other stores in the garment district (upper 30's in between 7th and 8th avenues)

Hands-down the best latte and French pastries in the city at Balthazar

I was bored in the longest cab-ride of my life due to traffic

A really delicious pizza from Mario Batali's Otto in the West Village

This is me and my mom in my apartment

me and dad :)

just an awesome guy on I-95 driving a vintage purple cadilac, a purple sweater, and purple-rimmed glasses - AMAZING

me, pathetic at golf but trying!

new orange carnival glass vintage bowl

I love carnival glass - it is so vintage-y looking and unique. So pretty for Halloween!

Vintage Metal Dove Mail Holder

So, that was my week in review. I hope to update sooner than next Monday, but if it doesn't happen, I hope you all have an awesome week!