I Love Where I Live

With the passing of another Thanksgiving, I'm reminded of all the things I'm thankful for, including my 1969 ranch house.

I love my house because...

1. ...its 1,500 square feet (including two tiny bathrooms) doesn't take a week to clean.

2. ...we all "live" in the same area. We can get away from each other, but there is plenty of interactivity in the main rooms of the house. Yes, this means we occasionally trip over toys in the living room, but whatever; it worked just fine for 1960s families!

3. ...it's affordable. My husband was laid off a year ago, but we've been OK financially, in large part because we were living within our means.

4. ...it's in a diverse neighborhood: retired people, young families, white people, brown people, disabled people, and the occasional homeless dude wandering down the main street.

5. ...we don't have to adhere to any crazy neighborhood association rules, dictating what color curtains we can have or for how long the garage door can remain open. Hell no! We do what we want and it all works out. Take my neighbor Bill's excellent Christmas light display (pictured), probably only 50% finished at the time of this photo. I'm not sure it'd fly in a fancier "community".

For instance: I attended a 3-year-old's birthday party recently at a new subdivision during which the association president came to complain about the petting zoo temporarily parked on the amenity center's lawn. That wouldn't happen where I live, friends.

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.

Retro-luxe Craigslist Score...

TA-DA!
Found these chairs on Craigslist last Tuesday.
And the best part? Didn't have to drive to Circle-C or Steiner Ranch (McMansion/Suburbia) to pick them up. These babies were located in that awesome mid century neighborhood right off of Northland/2222 west of Mopac (West of Allandale).
They look beautiful with my red formica table that I thrifted when I lived in Washington DC in the early 90's.

Hello, Gorgeous!

Photo found here.

You know what I saw on the road today on my morning commute? A beautiful wood-paneled green station wagon, like the one in the picture. With suitcases -- REAL, hard-sided, no-wheels-just-a-handle-to-lug-them-around-with suitcases -- strapped on top. Held on with bungee cords.

The driver wasn't talking on a phone. He wasn't looking into his lap every 8 seconds, texting, while swerving into the next lane. [Unlike the lady in front of me. I'm still mad at her!]

No, he was driving. D.R.I.V.I.N.G. And only driving. That dude is a freakin' revolutionary in this day and age, and my new hero!!

Where were you going, Wagon Man? I'll never know. I hope you were gassing up before picking up the family back at home for a mid-week vacation. Gas prices be damned! But maybe it was all a prop and you were on your way to a movie set.

I don't give a damn, frankly. You made my day. Safe travels, Wagon Man. Safe travels.

Mid-Week, Mid-Century Round Up

Two headboards for $60!

Red table found here.

Pink vintage floor lamp.

Pop a top on a nice cold can of Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Saarinen-style table and tulip chairs.

The Tufted Headboard Saga...

Please bear with me, I'm still obsessed! I'll try to at least begin to branch out to upholstered headboards that aren't tufted...

Found here.
Found here.
Found here.
Found here.

Let's Learn about...G-Plan!

Helpful info here and here.

G-Plan is a UK line of furniture introduced in 1952 by Donald Gomme. The three main tenets of the G-Plan idea were: branding, constant range that people could by piece by piece, and contemporary style.

In the 1950s, furniture makers were all but anonymous. Gomme's advertising strategy soon had people asking for G-Plan by name -- something new in this era. In addition, the brand offered coordinated pieces for every room in the home, rather than the traditional idea of "suites". This way, people could buy a piece as they could afford it, rather than all at once. And the "constant range" meant that the furniture was a consistent style for the whole house, and one that did not change over the years as people were purchasing additional pieces.

Finally, the contemporary style of G-Plan was mass marketed to the people. This worked so well, that although people bought traditional furniture in the beginning of the decade, by the end of the '50s, most people bought contemporary.

G-Plan continued to be produced into the 1970s, and you can still find pieces on eBay and Craigslist. Austin folks, check out this and this.

The Tufted Headboard Saga...

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
My Target tufted headboard arrived, and it was not champagne gold. The color on the box read "Aztec." Yuck.
I sent that bitch back.

Here's the thing. There are more tufted headboards this week than there were last week. These are definitely hot right now...these are going to be the new "foo dogs!" Part of me wants to resist this trend, but the thing is, I've not had a headboard in years. I'd like a more grown up bedroom. I'd like some curtains that didn't come from Ikea. Perhaps a faining couch would add a nice touch. While I'm at it, I'd like a Bose radio and ipod dock. Is that too much to ask?

Here's a taste of my room now. The walls are white and shall stay that way. The rugs are navy blue.



Here are the choices:

This one is my favorite color. Oh, how I wish it were tufted!



This one in navy. My rugs are navy. Curtains probably will be too. Is that too matchy matchy? I like the clean lines on this one.


This looks like one Sue Ellen Ewing might have. And if it's good enough for Sue Ellen, it's probably good enough for lil' ole me. Or do I want it in gray?

Come on you lurkers, give me some love!

Mid-Week Mid-Century Roundup

Vintage button-back chair, $100.

Yellow chair, $100.

1960s Broyhill dresser, $250.

His and hers retro striped chairs, $375.

Teak G-Plan dining set, $799.

Retro kitchen cabinet, $300.