The Buzzkillers Strike Again...

My children just informed me that they'd like a "real" Christmas tree this year instead of our tried-and-true aluminum one.
Sigh...


Image from howaboutorange found here.

Yup, it's time to Deck the Halls, yall.

Happy Thanksgiving To All!

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Who needs Black Friday when you can find all this cool stuff on Wednesday? Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!


Retro china cabinet/hutch (dishes also for sale), $350.

Side chairs ($145/pr.) and ottoman ($65), here.

G-plan dressing chest (1950s), $200.

Bassett wood dresser/mirror, $300.

Pair of ceramic lamps, $50/both.

Teak candlesticks, $15/pr. And kudos on the photos, poster! Nicely done.

Retro-luxe Craving: 60s Bedspreads

From the Practical Guide to Good Decorating and Home Improvement, Vol. 3, Greystone Press, 1969.

I'm loving these 60s floor length bedspreads because with these you wouldn't need a bed skirt.
I've found some similar ones here, here and here. I'm not sure I'd love the polyester fabric though...

Retro-inspired storage solutions

This post was sparked by a conversation I had last week with my friend (and retro-luxe reader) Jennifer about the issue of storage space in smaller, older homes. Particularly when you have all the accompanying supplies, toys and just "stuff" that goes along with kids.

And like Meredith, I've been re-doing the boudoir in my South Austin home, having recently purchased a gorgeous '60s dresser set (photos to come). Next up is a storage bench to replace the wicker one that I got who-knows-where and is falling apart. I really love all the cool MCM-looking storage benches, chairs and ottomans available right now. And I'm hoping there will be some big Black Friday deals on them, because mama loves a bargain!

Check out these, found at Target and Urban Outfitters:

Aubergine storage chair, here. [note: can't actually find it on UO site, however]
Gold skirted storage bench, for a touch of Hollywood Regency glamour, here.

Metallic storage bench, here.

Orange tweed storage bench, here. I'm loving this one the most.
Tufted storage ottoman, here.
Tufted storage bench (not crazy about the legs, though), here.

Happy Hour Friday: Tolan McNeil's Pub & Tub

Today's "cocktail" comes from a recipe in "Terrible Hostess" by Canadian songstress Carolyn Mark, a crazy musician friend of our family. The recipe was submitted by musician Tolan McNeil. He's also Canadian. They're kinda weird up there.

Enjoy!

You will need:

1 4-pack of Warsteiners (any tall cans of beer will do - try Lone Stars because you won't find Warsteiners easily I bet)

1 claw foot tub

1 copy of Led Zeppelin Presence on vinyl

1 full pack of smokes

2 towels (minimum)

1 maxi-family pack of cheese balls

1 chair, tub side

1 book

1 lighter

Method:

Fill tub whilst playing some other record.

Place books, smokes, lighter and towels on chair.

Wait until tub reaches perfect temperature.

Put needle on record. Remove clothes. Get in.

Consume 1/2 of first tall bot right away and then the other half. Not only will this start your buzz, but the empty can becomes your ashtray.

Light smoke. Read book. Use your right foot as an accelerator on the hot water tap like you're going through town. Then you snack:

Shovel 3 cheese balls from bag into mouth. Remember: You've got all the time in the world. You don't have to finish them. When Side One is done, dry hands so you can play Side Two and light second smoke. Repeat steps as necessary until 4 pack is gone.

Thank you, Tolan.

For Your Thanksgiving Feast: Texas Caviar

This spicy dish will really rev up your Thanksgiving table! This is a bean dish and has no caviar in it to speak of, yet it is no less luxurious to a Texan. It was made popular by Helen Corbitt, a famed 1950s food consultant and cookbook author, who directed food service at Neiman Marcus in Dallas. If you ever see a Helen Corbitt Cookbook at a garage sale or thrift store, get it. It's good as gold.

Ingredients:

2 (15.8 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
2 fresh medium jalapenos, stemmed, seeded and minced
1 small red onion, cut into small dice (I use 1/2 onion)
1/2 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into small dice
1/2 bunch chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil (not extra virgin)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (use Tony Chachere's)

Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator for 24 hours. Drain excess salad dressing, and spoon salad onto a shallow bowl lined with red cabbage leaves. Garnish with green onion tops. This dish is usually served at room temperature. I put it out during the meal but lots of folks serve it as an appetizer with chips. Do whatever you want, cupcakes. Retro-luxe wants you to be happy.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

I'm thankful for Craigslist, and readers like YOU. xxoo

Chair/ottoman (5-star base...looks like Eames! Right, Brick House?)

Starburst/bird sculpture, here.

Pristine green couch, here.

Vinyl/walnut settee with built-in table, here.

Teak dinette, here.

Ottomans (love!), here.

Teak nesting tables, here.

Watergate Salad

Watergate salad is a total winner! It's green! It has marshmallows! It's bound to gross out the foodie-snobs at the party, but here's the deal: it tastes pretty good!

Photo found here.
Ingredients:

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple
1 3.5 oz. package pistachio pudding and pie filling
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I use pistachios because my son is allergic to pecans).
2 cups frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed

Drain the pineapple, reserving 1/4 cup of the juice.
Place the pineapple and reserved juice in a large bowl.
Add the pudding mixes, miniature marshmallows, and nuts.
Stir.
Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is well-combined, but not soupy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Adding some maraschino cherries to the top adds a nice touch.

Makes 8 servings.

Retro-luxe Tips for Thanksgiving...

I'm hard at work, perusing cookbooks and planning what I'll take to the family Thanksgiving Feast this year. Thanksgiving can be a stressful time! Shop early to avoid fist-fights over sage in the spice aisle. Don't let lengthy food preparation send you over the edge. If you find that family togetherness aspect unnerving and can't seem to find it in your heart to forgive Cousin Melanie for getting drunk and wrecking your Chevy Blazer back in high school, at least consider how to put the "fun" back in "dysfunctional." Take her car to the store when the ice gets low...

This week I'll post some delicious recipes to share. I'd also like to invite you to consider your Thanksgiving table. Are you prepared? Take care of the staples first: the turkey, the liquor and the emergency stash of anti-anxiety pills you may need when Aunt June and Uncle Bill start going at it. But do also consider those extra flourishes that can make the table look really special. Like these:


Vintage candlesticks found here.


Mod gravy boat found here.


Relish dish set perfect for cranberry sauce!

Last but not least, an ashtray for Aunt Louise.

Happy Hour Friday: The Last Word

I am very happy to have been invited by Meredith and Jennie to regularly post cocktails for Happy Hour Friday. I'm thrilled to share with you some of my old favorites, new discoveries as well as recent experiments. Happy Friday, friends.

This is another cocktail I was introduced to at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic last month at Audrey Saunders’ gin seminar. I had heard of it but had never made it or tasted it at a bar, and now I am sad for all of the missed opportunities to have sampled this extraordinary drink. Herbal, sweet, sour – just plain funky and wonderful.

You will need to pick up a bottle of Yellow Chartreuse (~$50) as well as Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur (~$28) - these are great liqueurs to have on your bar anyway. And once you start making this drink for yourself you will have no problem quickly working your way through them and will promptly quit whining about how much the cost set you back. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not worth drinking unless it’s quality shizzle!

The Last Word

½ oz. Gin (Tanqueray, Junipero or my fave, Aviation)

½ oz. Yellow Chartreuse

½ oz. Maraschino liqueur

½ oz. fresh squeezed lime juice

Chill a cocktail glass. Fill your shaker ¾ with ice, add all the ingredients and shake it like the dickens. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Word up.

Awesome Vintage Couch!

Hey Austinites!

My friend Stacie is selling her awesome vintage couch. It's fabulous and even has storage!



Found here.