Thursday, September 30, 2010

lovely lockets: the vamoose

In the current day of statement jewelry, some of us just want something simple and elegant to wear with our classic outfits.  If you are that person then I've found just the jewelry designer for you.  The Vamoose is a company out of the UK run by Kathryn Blackmore.  Kathryn uses vintage and found ephemera and stones to make her simple but chic necklaces and other jewelry.  Here are a few of my favorite pieces but she has many more over in her shop.  Go check the rest of them out!







Images: The Vamoose

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Halloween Decor Ideas

Last night I pulled out my Halloween decorations and started to decide how I wanted to decorate for the holiday this year.  I love looking through archives on the Martha Stewart website to get ideas for how to change up my decor every year.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I'm thinking bats and lots of black!





  

Friday, September 24, 2010

British Week - Union Jack Bunting

For the last day of British Week, I wanted to share with you a fun project I did recently for a party I had with some of my girlfriends.  We try to get together once a month and have a dinner party where everyone brings a dish.  Sometimes we choose a theme and this month was British Nite.  We had fish and chips, a ploughman's platter and a great autumn fruit pudding for dessert.

Since I hosted the night at my place, I decided to make a bit of themed decor to hang around my apartment.  I made banners with the Union Jack flag with blue papers and red Japanese tapes.  As an added bonus for British Week, I decided to have a download for all of my readers of these banners.  Here are some shots of the banners and how I used them for British Nite, but you can use these in many different ways to add a bit of British flare to you party or home.  Thank you again for joining me for British Week and I hope you have a great weekend!




Thursday, September 23, 2010

British Week - Etsy Favs

Today for British Week, I thought I'd share some finds on Etsy that have a British theme to them.  What I love about Etsy is that anything you think of is probably made by someone on Etsy and you can do a simple search to find it.  I even found a Union Jack Dress Form and Wedding Invitations with a British theme.  How awesome are these great items!




Tuesday, September 21, 2010

British Week - Chatsworth House

Today for our British Week I wanted to show you some shots from one of my favorite houses in England, Chatsworth House.  If you recognize this house, it is probably from familiar because it was used as Pemberley in the recent production of Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.  Chatsworth is the home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and has been in their family for years and years.  I love how picturesque the house looks on the grounds and how the grounds just roll around the house so perfectly.  This year is the 90th birthday of Deborah Devonshire and the family is celebrating with many activities and an interesting celebration of her life.  This is definitely a stop on my next trip to England!







Monday, September 20, 2010

British Week - Designers


This week is British Week here on the vintage yankee and I will be sharing some of my favorite things British.  The week will culminate with a fun project tutorial and download (a sneak peek is in the British Week header above)!  Today we start with some of my favorite British designers.

First up is Cath Kidston.  I have loved Cath's style since the beginning.  Her use of bright colors and prints and her ability to mix old with new is amazing.  I love how she is able to produce items for her line that are new but evoke an old world, vintagey feel.  Even more exciting is that you can view the Cath Kidston website in American currency and have her items shipped to you here in the states!





Images: Cath Kidston

Next up is Lisa Stickley London.  Lisa's fun, funky use of florals just makes me smile.  She uses a lot of basic black and light blue but adds in a smattering funky colors like neon pink and yellow.  Lisa just recently came out with a book, Made at Home that has lots of fun and simple sewing projects for your home.  Definitely a book to check out.




My last shop on this post isn't really a designer but is a very fun shop, Caravan.  A cute little shop in London, owner Emily has done an amazing job of putting together fun obscure objects from past and present to sell in her shop.  Even though I've never been to Caravan, just looking through their website gives you a feel of how fun the place must be.  Take a look at some of the style boards they have put together to give you an idea of what they shop is all about. (I really want to purchase the cute little caravan for my office!)




Friday, September 17, 2010

Rue Magazine

To end out the week, I suggest you head over and peruse through the new online decor magazine, Rue.  It is chalk full of great inspiration for your home and you'll get to see some pretty amazing homes and work spaces.  These are a couple of shots from one of my favorite bloggers' homes, which is featured in the premiere issue.

Also, get ready next week for British Week!  Next week's theme will be  all British and I will have a fun download at the end of the week for you all.  Get ready to be inspired by all things from across the pond.  Hope you have a great weekend!




Images: Rue

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hercule Poirot on Etsy

In honor of mystery writer Agatha Christie's 120th birthday yesterday, today's post is all about my favorite Belgium detective, Hercule Poirot.  With Poirot in mind, I decided to search Etsy and see what fun items people have made with the little Belgium as their inspiration.  Here are a few of my finds.



I also love that Google UK did this little omage to Agatha Christie will all of her famous characters represented.  What a fun idea!


Image: Google UK

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

ASOS Curve

I have recently found ASOS the United Kingdom's largest online fashion retailer and have fallen in love with their Plus Size line, Curve.  I purchased a couple of pieces from them to see how they measure up to what we have here in the US.  I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised and thrilled that the two pieces that I bought fit very well.  I purchased a top and a dress and I will have to have the dress taken up a bit in the top but other than that, I love them.  ASOS is currently offering free shipping to the US so I took advantage of that as well.  I can't wait to place an order for more of their stylish pieces.  Here are a few of my favorites from the Curve line.  Enjoy!



Images: ASOS

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Spiced Chutney

I been having lots of conversations lately with various friends and colleagues about canning and what they like to 'put up' during the fall months in preparation for Winter.  My grandmother used to can all types of things, my favorite being her Pear Honey.  I haven't ventured to try her recipe however but I am toying around with the idea of making some chutney.  I think it would be a great way to help me get into the mood for Fall, especially when the temperatures in hot, humid Alabama sure aren't helping very well.  This Spiced Plum Chutney that Amber made looks amazing and I can use these Chutney Jars from Terrain for storage!



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Dark Walls + Bright Light

Lately I've been loving these dark walls in this dining room I happened to spy a while back on Pinterest.  I also am a fan of the exposed light bulb fixture and the many framed pieces on the walls.  This room makes me want to have lots of people over for a dinner of stew and potatoes or an amazing casserole.  I am ready for fall to role in!


Image: via little blue deer

Friday, September 3, 2010

Orange Inspiration from Terrain

With fall just around the corner, I've been eyeing some new fall items at some of my favorite shops.  Terrain, the online garden shop is one of those places and I've seen lots of fun fall inspired items that I would love to order and that I've added to my wishlist.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I hope you have a very relaxing and fun Labor Day weekend and I'll see you back here next week!


Images: Terrain

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Fall at Anthropologie

I am very much in love with the latest Anthropologie catalog and wanted to share with you a few of my favorite ensembles.  Fall has to be my favorite season because the weather starts to turn cool and you get to wear tights, sweaters and fun, cute boots!  I love wearing layers of clothing and drinking lots of tea and hot chocolate and going to the pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkin for my front door.  What are your favorite things about fall?