Just a little L-O-V-E

Not long ago after perusing some old Victoria Magazines, I found a wonderful image again in the February 1999 edition. Victoria never gets old or outdated, they are always lovely and classic. I knew once I saw it that I wanted to put my own "take" on it, so I used what I had on hand; tags and romantic elements to say "LOVE" in a very special Valentine-y way. 

Old stamps

vintage buttons

Millinery flowers

faux pearls

L-O-V-E

I had so much fun putting this together...

I'm joining in for these great parties:

Copy Cat Challenge

Metamorphosis Monday

A new linky party, Simply Klassic Sundays

The DIY Showoff

Embellishing Life

The Girl Creative

Coastal Charm

It's Overflowing

Cheap Crafty Mama

Hope you're off to a wonderful week,

xoxo,

Heart Shaped Happiness

Don't they say the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach?

So how about a little heart shaped tummy love...

home made iced sugar cookies...

Source: savvymode.com via Debra on Pinterest

Le Creuset has some adorable ramekins

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

I'm thinkin' I need some...

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

but if you don't have those,

how about some jam filled cookies...

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

or ice cream sandwiches...

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

even these will do...

Source: image

good grief, heart shaped cherry pie...

Source: meetthedubiens.com via Debra on Pinterest

macaroons...I'm losin' it folks...

Source: thisnext.com via Debra on Pinterest

I don't know if this is some sort of red velvet,

but I'll take my chances...

Source: sprinklebakes.com via Debra on Pinterest

and Heart Shaped Marshmallows...

Source: bestfriendsforfrosting.com via Debra on Pinterest

can you tell I did this on an empty stomach?

Just letting you know that 

Vintage Inspiration Friday

is still going,

come link up if you haven't yet.

just scroll down to the next post.

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 73 Cooking the French Way

Take a look at these images and see if you can guess 

 what's been inspiring me this week for

  Vintage Inspiration Friday...

Apartment Therapy

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

What do each of these images have in common...

can you guess?

It's what has me on this fooding, eating, cooking, kick... 

Well, a couple of years ago the St. Louis kids and I were hitting the antique malls when what do you think my son-in-law spied...?

you got it, a vintage Le Creuset dutch oven. (They've been around since 1925, and still made in a small town in France.) Now, I knew what they were, but the bug just hadn't bitten me yet.  Clearly he had found something fabulous. He was thrilled and made a mad dash for the checkout!
So then fast forward, and each time we go up to visit, there it sets with a prominent spot on their large gas stove. "Do you really use this?" I asked my daughter. "MOM...at almost every meal!" OK, excuse me, I'm not hip or trendy enough in the kitchen. But it did get me thinking, and I was a Crock Pot Queen in the day. So for Christmas this year this was my "one thing" that was a must for a Christmas present... and hurray...that's what I got!!

so now I'm searching out recipes to try out with my new French baby...

And as Julia would say...Bon Appetit!!

Here's some of the great inspiration from last week:

MaryAlice from Chateau Chic shows off a wonderful chippy old door

Rhonda from Blue Creek Home shares her lamp makeover,

I love this, she did a great job!

Sherry from Pondered Primed Perfected  put together this

great look-alike Restoration Hardware Tripod lamp.

Kathleen at Faded Charm always has a great place for some 

wonderful  "White Wednesday" inspiration.

She has a new camera and her photos are yummy.

Here is her  "Simple winter table decor."

This "Upcycled Stair Shelving" from Tattered Tiques

shows us how to use some salvage materials for some perfect shelving.

and Shabby Story totally revamps the kitchen pass through.

You won't believe the "before" pictures!

Thanks everyone for joining in, and a heads up for

A Valentine Party 

to share all our vintage Valentine fun.

I'd love for you to grab the image for your sidebar!!

I'll be joining in for

Feathered Nest Friday

Home Sweet Home

Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence

2805

Stuff and Nonsense

French Inspiration at the French Cupboard

Hope you'll join in for the party

and if you've been featured, 

remember there's a button for you on the sidebar!

"Anything vintage or vintage inspired"

this link now requires a link back 

to Common Ground within the post.

Thanks a bunch!

xoxo,

I'm Hungry for Comfort Food

I'm not a "Foodie", but I have been searching out some recipes for some yummy comfort food lately. I'm trying to cook more healthy dishes this year, and I'm all about easy and the least possible mess in the kitchen.
Here are a few that I think look and sound super good, with all the comfort that goes in having a simmering pot on the stove or in the oven.

Turkey Chili from Dishy Goodness

Braised Beef Stew from Art of the Home

Chicken in Coconut milk from The Kitchn.com

No Knead Bread from the Kitchn.com

Chinese Chicken and Rice 

Vegetable Pot Pie but I like mine with Chicken...

These cold winter days and evenings

are making me want to put on an apron

and get busy...

Meryl Streep as Julia Child. Loved this movie!

(google images)

See ya tomorrow for more inspiration with...

 Vintage Inspiration Friday

xoxo,

A Necklace Give Away at Ruby Jean's

Have you met Angelina from

Ruby Jean's?

She has the sweetest blog.

Each time I go there I feel like I'm in a candy store!

She's having a Give Away this week featuring one of my Pendant Necklaces.

If you have a minute,  run by and say Hi,

enter the Give Away,

and be ready to be tickled pink with her fun creations.

xoxo,

Shabby Apple Earrings Winner

Hi Everyone,

 thanks so much for entering the

  Shabby Apple Earrings Give Away this month!

I am so lovin' these wonderful Swarovski Gold Filled Earrings.

But they're going to a beautiful gal who will wear them so well!

Congratulations to Paula of Virginia Sweet Pea

Thanks so much to all of you who entered!

And don't forget, Shabby Apple is having a 20% Off Sale

just click on my sidebar image for a big savings!

xoxo,