A Burst of Energy

A fantastic way to add "pop" to your home decor is with a splash of color and Pantone's 2012 color pick of the year - Tangerine Tango - will certainly do that! Its an orangy-red that evokes a burst of energy and it looks great in all shades. Picture a feature wall this color or perhaps a vase or even a coffee set arranged on a dining room buffet. 

Or how about a great enamel pitcher full of flowers on the dining room table? 

 

Give a summer outfit a shot of sophistication. 

Pantone is famous for its color selections and designers everywhere take notice. According to Wikipedia, Pantone Inc. is a corporation headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, USA. The company is best known for its Pantone Matching System (PMS), a proprietary color space used in a variety of industries, primarily printing, though sometimes in the manufacture of colored paint, fabric, and plastics. This system has been widely adopted by graphic designers and reproduction and printing houses for a number of years now.


Watch for the exciting Tangerine Tango to show up in home decor (including personal electronics and home appliances), both women and mens fashion, and the cosmetic industry during 2012!


(For more information on any of the items pictured, please visit Retro Junction on Etsy)

Exploding Photo Album

Much to my surprise and delight, I was chosen to receive this beautiful photo album from a fellow blogger and Etsy store owner, English Lavender Studios of Calgary, Alberta.

It measures about 4 inches square and ties with a creamy satin ribbon. Unfolded, it spreads to 22 inches wide and 11 inches high with lots of spots to display my prints. It's beautifully handcrafted and I love the subtle colors. The first photo is the back of the album, followed by a front view.

Debbie mailed my gift just before Christmas, along with a package of her divine red and cream gift tags. I have to say they are both absolutely stunning! What a lovely gift just in time for the Holidays! 

She was celebrating the one year anniversary of her blog with the prize giveaway. If you haven't discovered her blog already, you really should check it out. There's lots of great ideas and tutorials on paper crafting projects, baking, decorating, etc. If you're interested in viewing (or purchasing) more of Debbie's items, please visit her Etsy shop.

Thank you so much, Debbie! Keep on blogging! 

Happy New Year!

Golden Pine Holiday Promo 1961

It came up fast but the holiday season is definitely in full swing in my home town!

I would like to share a beautiful carafe from my vintage shop that was introduced as a holiday promo in 1961 by Pyrex. It was collected by my mother, who would have been a 21 year old farm wife with 2 small toddlers underfoot and a holiday season to prepare for. Nice job, Mom!

I love the tall, lean lines and the delicate gold painting of pine cones and fir tree branches. The pattern looks like starbursts and fireworks. The carafe itself is heat proof for serving coffee, tea or hot apple cider. I think it would also be very festive for serving egg nog or fruit juice.

In 1961, Pyrex also released the pattern on a milk glass casserole dish with a clear glass lid and milk glass mixing/serving bowls with the gold pattern painted on a bright red background. If you know of other items with the pattern, please let me know.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Perfect Pair

If you're like me, coffee gets you up and keeps you going through the day. During the cold winter months, it's nice to switch it up a bit and have something different once in awhile. I recently tried this homemade Swiss Mocha Coffee mix and give it two thumbs up! It tastes just like the store bought version and it costs a lot less to make! 

Swiss Mocha Coffee Mix

1/2 cup instant coffee 

1 cup sugar 

1 cup instant dry milk powder 

1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer 

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 

1/4 cup vanilla flavored instant pudding mix (optional, but very good) 

Measure all of the ingredients into a clean, dry bowl. Use a fork to combine everything evenly. Powder everything in a blender. 

To Prepare: Measure 3 or 4 tablespoons into a coffee cup. Fill it up with hot water (about 3/4 cup) and stir to dissolve.

This is a very sweet and chocolaty coffee. I like to have a cup after lunch as my "dessert". Decaffeinated instant coffee, instead of regular, could also be used. 

And when you store it in a fancy container like the vintage canister featured below, it would be a beautiful gift for someone this holiday season or as a special way to pamper yourself. 

Such a perfect pair!

A Crafty Good Time!

My son's Deadmau5 costume created for Halloween.