Tuesday Mourning

Tuesday Mourning

I am having so much fun with my Pinterest account.  (Want to see what makes me happy?  Check out my pins, here: http://pinterest.com/cheliseh/

So today, I did a search for Tuesday (what else) and here were all the wonderful pins that appeared:  http://pinterest.com/search/?q=tuesday. 

I love Pinterest because of the wonderful visual finds, and today ~ my Tuesday search brought up several images by this fabulous Southern California Artist, whose store is called Tuesday Mourning.  My husband and I are in the process of moving, so I have to wait a bit before investing in some new art pieces, but when I am ready, i shall definitely return to Tuesday Mourning's etsy account, to select a special piece of my own.

Is she not fabulous?  I hope YOU are having a fabulous Tuesday!  See you tomorrow, when I hope to post something red and whimsical for Rednesday.

The sight of the stars...

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”  

- Vincent Van Gogh

Oh, I have been beside myself with misery the past two days, fighting a flu.  I am just starting to feel better now.  Phew!  However, I found the greatest site, a beta site called Pinterest ~ that serves as the world's largest online inspiration board.  The idea is that you collect images that inspire you, and create categories for images so that you can visit them at any time.  Likewise, others can view, follow, or copy elements of your boards.  

http://www.pinterest.com

So, while I have been stuck on the couch watching daytime t.v. ~ I've made it through by viewing and creating the most wonderful images, and my own boards.  What boards have I created of my own?  Everything from Places and Spaces I Love, to Polka Dots and Cherries!  You can view all of my boards, here:

http://pinterest.com/cheliseh/

 

Because the site is in beta stage, you have to request an invite to join.  I did so, and was invited within a few days.  I am so glad.  I am having a blast!  Enjoy looking around, and re-check anytime you want.  I have a feeling my boards will be updated regularly.  When it comes to inspiration, it knows no bounds!

We Create the Dreams

"We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears, we dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams."  - Albert Einstein

In just a few hours it will be Wednesday.  Woo hoo!  Jump for joy.  Half way through the work week.  Do a little dancing, and the next thing you know, it will be the weekend.

Speaking of  dancing, several months ago I uploaded a playlist with a few of my favorite songs.  You can check it out anytime you want by clicking on this image on my sidebar:

 

http://chelsmending.blogspot.com/p/listen-along-with-me.html

And speaking of jumping for joy, and fine music ~ I was delighted to blog-surf my way to the Birdie Blue blog:

 http://birdiebluesky.blogspot.com/

  Not only are the graphics delightful, but the music playlist (at the bottom of her blog) is to die for.  Anyone who listens to Kate Bush, the Talking Heads and Jack Johnson - is a music friend of mine!

So listen to my playlist, Birdie Blue's, or create one of your own.  And when you do, don't forget to dance.  Remember, you are the dancer.  You create your dreams...

Go Wild

Happy Monday Everyone! 

So today, Cherry Chick is hosting ME Monday - a new meme for those who love and collect all things Mary Engelbreit, and Free Pretty Things for You is hosting a Mouth Watering Monday meme.

So, in honor of these two new memes - both of which I find exciting and fun - I have decided to ~ Go Wild! ~ and inexplicably, post on both at the same time.  Adding confusion to the odd bedfellows, is  the fact that I am not really following the rules for eiher meme.  Oh well, my heart is  in the right place.  Bear with me!

First, for ME Monday, I am supposed to take my own picture of a Mary Engelbreit item that I own.  This week's theme is specifically the most unusual Mary Engelbreit item I own.  Ok, well - aside from telling you I DO own many a ME item, for reasons having to do with my camera (or lack thereof) - instead I am going to show you a picture of an unusual ME item that I particularly covet.  Here it is - I would love, love, l.ove to have this in my personal collection.

How adorable is that apron up there??  I just love it!  And you can MAKE one just for yourself, if you want!  This apron (or, more precisely - the book with the pattern) was featured on the Farm Chicks blog, which is where I first saw it.  You can purchae the pattern for yourself, here.

Ok!  So, imagine that you are wearing said apron, in the kitchen. Since the other theme today is recipes - let me state that I do know that we were supposed to take a picture of a recipe that we have already created.  Well, I think I covered the camera issue above.  (Promise, that will be resolved SOON!)  In he meantime, forgive me for sharing one of my favorite recipes, along with a picture that I personally did not take.

I LOVE love this special french toast recipe.  It is the perfect recipe for a special breakfast or brunch.  I have served these on Christmas morning, as well as Easter morn.  They always get rave reviews.  And they are surprisingly easy to make.  Enjoy!

Cheese-Stuffed French Toast with Strawberry Sauce

Ingredients

12 (1-ounce) diagonally cut slices French bread

1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 (8-ounce) tub cream cheese

2 1/2 cups milk

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 large eggs

Cooking spray

Optional:

Strawberry Sauce

Candied Lemon Rind

(Note, you can also use jam or jelly of any flavor in place of the strawberry sauce.  Whipped cream and/or fresh fruit are optional/additional garnishes).

Note # 2:  Looking for a low cal version?  Replace 4 of the six eggs with egg whites, and use low or non fat versions of the milk and cream cheese.

Preparation

Cut a horizontal slit through bottom crust of each slice of bread to form a pocket. Combine powdered sugar and cream cheese; stir well. Spread mixture evenly into pockets of bread. Place 6 bread slices in each of two large, shallow baking dishes; set aside.

Combine milk, sugar, vanilla extract, egg whites, and eggs in a bowl; beat well with a wire whisk. Pour milk mixture evenly over bread slices. Cover and chill 1 hour or until liquid is absorbed.
Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and place over medium heat until hot. Arrange half of bread slices in skillet, and cook 3 minutes. Turn bread over, and cook 3 minutes or until browned; remove from skillet. Repeat procedure with the remaining bread slices.

Serve with garnishes recommended above!

YUM!

(*I usually make this recipe from scratch now.  In looking for a more precise recipe for you to use, I shared a variation of the recipe from MyRecipes.com.  Photo from same source.)

So, I hope you enjoyed seeing the apron I covet, and I hope you make the yummy french toast for your family.  I have yet to meet someone who does not LOVE this recipe!

To see more fun Mary Engelbreit collectibles, or to share your own - visit Cherry Chick's blog!

And to share your own yummy recipe, or find more recipes from others - check out Free Pretty Things for You! 

Have a great Monday everyone!

Retro Wonderful

Obviously, one look at this blog ~ and it goes without saying, I'm a kitten for vintage kitsch.  I love it all.  In my book, if it is retro, it is wonderful.  I'm not a stickler for one era, though.  Give me the twenties, the thirties, heavy on the fourties, and throw some other 'ies' in there, and we are good.  I like shabby chic, victorian treats, and mid-century diner style thrown in for good measure. 

Over the past year, my husband and I have been woking on re-decorating our home with 1. no money; 2. A lot of elbow grease; and 3. A fair amount of compromise.  (The hubby is a fan of modern clean lines, cool colors, and bare minimalism.  I... am not.)  However, we seem to have finally (after nearly a decade of cohabitation!) started to find our happy middle ground.  In the coming weeks, I'll start sharing those results with you.

In the meantime, since it is Studio Saturday here at Born Broken - I figured I would share a new favorite website.  It offers endless inspiration for working with retro decor and playing with vintage goodies.  Be sure and check out their blog too!

http://www.tpartyantiques.com/

http://www.tparty.typepad.com/

Here is a peek at some of their website goodies:

Be sure and check out the T-Party website and blog for even more vintage/retro fun!  Happy Studio Saturday, all!

Do you have any houses, studios or decor that you adore? Leave me a comment and a link. I love to visit new places, and I'd love to feature reader favorites on upcoming Studio Saturday days.

Hannah Grey and The Wild Gypsy

http://www.hannahgrey.com/shop/

http://wildgypsyart.blogspot.com/

Doesn't that sound like the name of some kind of fantastical tale?  Hannah Grey and the Wild Gypsy?  Actually, it is the combined names of two fantastical businesses.  Long time ZNE members and old friends Shoshannah Jennings of Hannah Grey Curiosities and Drygoods, and Carolyn Sadowski of The Wild Gypsy are both offering some amazing freebies in their online stores today.  Since it is Freebie Friday here at Born Broken - I thought I would share the info!

 

So, be sure and ~run, don't walk!~ over to Hannah Grey.  This wonderful store full of art supplies and mixed media goodies is closing down its online division.  What does this mean for you? A 35% discount on anything orders equalling $50 or more, LOTS of clearance items, and FREE shipping on orders over $100.  Go quick!  Things are being snapped up fast over there.

And speaking of run don't walk ~ check out The Wild Gypsy's blog, where she outlines how to receive a beautiful collage  sheet download absolutely free - but only from 3:00 to 6:00 pm (eastern time, noon to 3 pacific) TODAY - Friday June 11, 2010.

And with that said - what do YOU have for us on Freebie Friday?  We love tutorials, giveaways, and freebie images, gifts, and goodies.  SHARE SHARE SHARE!  Leave your freebie link below.

Simply because we exist...

"If the prospect of living in a world where trying to respect the basic rights of those around you and valuing each other simply because we exist are such daunting, impossible tasks that only a super-hero born of royalty can address them... then what sort of world are we left with?"

-WONDER WOMAN #170

Some days, my heart breaks.  Well, really - don't we all live with a bit of a broken heart - all of the time?  The things that human beings are capable of doing - saddens and distresses me on a daily basis.  We - all of us - always have the opportunity to act in love, to enable justice, and to promote compassion on a daily basis.  Of course of course there are millions of us  who do make a whole hearted human effort to make this world a better place.  But on some days, the news of the world is a little much to take.  (Click on the sentences below if you want to share some misery.  Sigh.)

I am outraged about this.

I am overwhelmed and grief stricken on a daily basis ~ about news such as this.

And closer to home ~ I want to know why things like this still happen.

I don't have all the answers.  The root causes of violence against women, war in the middle east (or war, in general) are equally disturbing and complex.  So some days, when I am overwhelmed with the ugly side of our world - I think that only a superhero could manage to get us out of this mess.

SO ~  to that end, I share with you my pick me up for the day.

Some history of this favorite heroine of mine:

Wonder Woman is an Amazon (based on the Amazons of Greek mythology) and was created by William Moulton Marston as a "distinctly feminist role model whose mission was to bring the Amazon ideals of love, peace, and sexual equality to a world torn by the hatred of men.'"[2] Her powers include superhuman strength, flight, super-speed, super-stamina, and super-agility. She is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat and in the art of tactical warfare. She also possesses an animal-like cunning and a natural rapport with animals, which has in the past been presented as an actual ability to communicate with the animal kingdom. She uses her Lasso of Truth (which forces those bound by it to tell the truth), a pair of indestructible bracelets, and an invisible airplane.  (Source: Wikipedia)

Rock on Wonder Woman.

If you want to rock with her ~ check this out (and wait for it - it gets better about 1:30):

A More Fortunate Destiny

It is perhaps a more fortunate destiny

to have a taste for collecting

shells than to be born a millionaire.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Oh, collections, collections.  Who among us does not love them?  I myself  collect everything from vintage hankies, to dolls and miniatures, to retro kitsch and knick knacks.   But the collection in and of itself has never been enough.  In fact, it is the display of such collections that draws me in.  I love love love curio cabinets, aesthetically pleasing cupboards, a well laid table, or even just a wonderful old bowl or bottle of buttons, left out in plain view.

How about you?  Sunday is a day of  comfort, love, faith, and friends.  What a lovely day to spend sharing some of our beloved collections and inviting our readers to join  in our obsession?

I'll start:

I will probably post more about dolls on Sundays, than any other thing.  Ha!  I love miniatures of any kind, and always have.  As a very young child, I thrilled in the fantasy that I could escape into a tiny world, and start anew - with a life crafted by very own liking.

Here is a recent dollhouse - I had a great deal of fun decorating and playing inside this house.  Most (but not all) of the furniture / furnishings are vintage.  The dolls are mini blythes.  Another collection - as evidenced in an earlier post.  I am sad to say that due to the economy's impact on our family, I had to let this dollhouse go last summer.  But I'll always have this picture!

I think dollhouses are a wonderful way to play, and display your miniature collections at the same time.  Don't you?

I would love to feature a few more fabulous ~collection/display~ posts I found around the blog world.  Without further ado:

Speaking of miniatures, this is one of the most delicious doll houses I have ever seen!  Wait until you step inside this door.  Leave a comment and let them know that Born Broken sent you!

http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/

Some people have incredible chintz and teacup collections.

http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

How about this collection ~  Got Milk?  ; )

http://pinkrosesandteacups.blogspot.com/2010/06/vintage-thingies-thursday-got-milk.html

So, what do you say?  Do you collect anything fun?  How do you display your wares?  I want to see!  Share you links with me.  : )

Have a great week everyone!

O Happy Day!

It's Studio Saturday over here at Born Broken.  While blog hopping this week, I came across Happy Loves Rosie.  I don't think it will be any mystery to those who know me - why I just love this aesthetic!  Give me kitsch, polka dots, and lots of red.  I a happy girl!  Plus, my mother in law is British, so the British edge is nice too.

This blog is full of so many wonderful goodies, I wouldn't know where to start.  However, since it is Studio Saturday, I'll start with the fantabulous home decor, featured throughout.  Muted / natural colorscape lovers - beware! 

           

Woo Hoo!  I thin it would be near impossible to be in anything but a cheery mood when cooking in a kitchen full of such colorful cheer!   To see more (and bigger and better) images - check out the Happy Loves Rosie blog!

Happy Studio Saturday everyone!

Catching Ruby Dreams

Catch your dreams before they slip away...

The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday 

I found a Tuesday Meme that couldn't be more suited to moi!  Ruby Tuesday features all the things we love that are red, red, red!  Check out the Work of the Poet blog to see more wonderful Ruby Tuesday Linky Love.

Given that, I figured there's not time like the present to showcase a few RED things that I covet.  Truth be told, nearly everything I love is crafted by hand.  GO INDIE ARTISTS!  However, if I am going to buy licensed items, I really like the store Plasticland.

Plasticland is an "Indie Fashion Boutique featuring Retro Clothing, Mod Clothes, Rockabilly Clothing, Retro Shoes, Handbags, Home Decor & More."  Here are a few of my favorite RED items:

            

  

That purse is to die for.  I just love it! 

And I mean come on, clearly a girl who wears those shoes truly has places to go!  People to see!

Needless to say, I approve of polka dotes, anywhere and everywhere.  The site says the bowl is for popcorn.  But why not salad?  Why not chips, or steamed broccoli, or whatever?  Yum, yum.

Finally, I absolutely adore the frame.  Way too frilly, red, and cool.  As in - wonderful!

Ok everyone, I hope YOUR Tuesday is full of ruby red deliciousness!  Enjoy.