Repurposing Kitchen Stuff

Do you sometimes just buy something even when you don't need (yet!) it or don't know where to use it?  I am guilty of that.  I buy unnecessary things, as long as they're pretty and make me smile  :)  Here are some proof of my thoughtless buying but are now actually serving a purpose!  Yay!

(1)  ceramic pink mug with fleur de lis holds pen and markers  (2)  lacquered bamboo  tray keeps everything organized  (3) vintage depression glass saucer  (remember my post about it here?) holds a couple of washi tape  (4)  mini ceramic planter with legs keeps all the USB and security devices  (5)  egg cups (so pretty!)  holds paper clips and push pins  (6) ceramic dish tray keeps post its, paper clips and stapler (hidden behind post its)  (7) baby blue vintage milk jug (love the bird detail!) holds pencils  (8)  toast holder holds mini memo pads

They're not unnecessary after all!  Right?  They're pretty and purposeful!   :)  And mind you, these stuff are really cheap!

I'm loving how I started my study revamp.  Remember the first time I said I will tackle the study project here?  I  think that was two years ago!  I know, I keep the record on the worst procrastinator!  Well...it's never too late.  I did some repainting on the wall , some bleaching on the furniture, etc..  I still need to redress my study chairs but I'm getting there.  Promise to share with you my "new" study soon!  For the meantime, go and check out your kitchen and do some repurposing, upcycling of your   collection!

Have a good week ahead!

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Up Close and Personal

Exactly a month ago I shared with you here, the house of my dear friend Aura.  I was just being bold and ambitious to create a once a month post on beautiful, REAL homes.  But to tell you honestly, I didn't know if I can come up with a second one.  Now it can be told, I was a bit scared if I can really pull this through.  But I guess luck is on my side or should I say I got friends on my side?  Because today, I am excited to show you another friend's house.  Yup...I charmed my way to have her house posted here in 40andbeyond.  And of course, she cannot resist as I implore with French pastries in my bag.  So, for this month of November, let me share with you the second...

Up Close and Personal

My very good friend Doris, has the most charming "Shabby Chic" - inspired home right smack in the middle of the City.  The moment you enter her home (shared with her hubby and beautiful daughter), you instantly feel like you're in a country home and you just want to find a corner (amongst the many cozy nooks that she has!), lounge and bask in a good book.  Or just like what I would do when I visit her, I'd just be idle and feast my eyes with all her pretty vignettes!  Take a visual tour with me and feel some French, country charm...

As you enter the main door, you will be greeted by the family's oval-framed silhouettes.  I am not very fond of frames but this set is just perfect to welcome the guests!

The warm and inviting living room.  The color palette of green and white, accessorized with silver makes it very relaxing.  It really feels you're in a bed and breakfast  cottage.

(1) Collection of antique, silver candle holders  (2)  A snuggly corner of the living room (3) Simple cushions dot the all-white cozy couch (4)  Shabby and distressed candelabras on the coffee table

The dining area is right next to the living area. I love the way Doris make use of old pieces, (some were hand me down from her family) and gives them a new life by making it functional again. Can you see the old sewing machine behind the chair?  She refurbished it and made it into a console.  Now it's perfect to hold her antique, silver tea set. 

The study is accessorized with inherited and vintage stuff.  This nook is screaming I-N-S-P-I-R-A-T-I-O-N!  Can you hear it??

(1-2) Medicine cabinet of Doris' grandfather, now houses her collection of thimbles and vintage children's books (3) A bread box cum chopping board is now used to keep clutter away (4)  My favorite!!!  Super cute, vintage, mini Golden books (remember those story books with very simple illustrations?) (5) A DIY mirror/candle holder.  How clever is that? Doris has her own handyman whom she trained to make her distressed furniture (6) A collection of mini bird cages

Located at the attic, is Doris' guestroom. Very "Rachel 

Ashwell-y"! I would not be surprised if guests would want to stay there forever!  It's very cozy and it's like a big eye candy for people who like vintage and shabby chic interiors!

The white, wrought iron bed is draped with a quilt hand made by Doris' grandmother.  Can you see the pretty Doris by the canvass panel?  Sorry Dors,   I know I said you were not in the picture. :-)

(1) Study nook at the guestroom with an antique swivel chair (2)  Bookshelves that hold Doris' collection of Classics (3)  Hard bound Charles Dickens collection.  I envy this! (4)  Bedside table is home to vintage Pooh collection (5)  An antique Dutch table lamp with a pretty vintage photo frame, shaped like a purse.  Very pretty! (6)  Complete view of the bed with the side tables 

And here is the master's bedroom...simple, white and still true to the house's look - very Chic!  Doris made sure she is surrounded with all her favorite, pretty, vintage things.  Most of them were found and bought in the antique and thrift stores during her US trips.   

(1) Doris' closet is defined with a pink, fabric curtain.  Just pull the curtain to the side, and voila!  You see all your clothes in a single hand sway.  How easy is that?  (2) Desk that holds her thrift store finds, like the African American ragdolls.  Truly a rare find!  That's my other favorite!  (3-4) Her pretty, pretty, (did I say pretty?) dresser.  I love the mini, dainty luggage boxes used to hold her perfume, brushes, etc.  I thought it's a mini boudoir in it's own right!

Now, let me take you to Gaby's room.  As I have known Doris way back our working days in the same company, I kinda witnessed and watched Gaby grow from that little cute girl, and now a beautiful woman.  Yup!  I feel so old last time I saw her.  She's all grown up and working!  Where did time go??  And this lady is not just physically gifted; she is also very smart and writes very well!  Visit her blog here and be the judge.  If only I can have a fraction of her writing competency.

Hand painted checkers in baby blue and white for the wall.  How sweet is that?  Her quilt (again another handmade piece by the great grandmother) matches her wall and complements her white, shabby, wooden bed.

(1) Study bureau with shelves on top that houses her books and collectible toys (2&4)  Some of Gaby's vintage dresses and camisole.  Sorry Gabs, your mom and I raided your closet! (3)  The classic Pooh collection which my daughter Bianca adores! (5)  Hat and bag rack by the side table keeps her collection organized.

More pretty things that can't be missed!  

So, there you have it.  The "Ignacio cottage" brought me so much inspiration that I started pulling out my Rachel Ashwell books just so I can continue to enjoy Shabby Chic interiors when I got home.  I should start looking for another home to feature here...before I start painting my house white!  I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed working on it.  Thank you so much Dors, for opening your home to 40andbeyond!  Hopefully I can produce the third post  of 

Up Close and Personal  

by December!  Calling all my dear friends!!!


I would love to hear your thoughts.

Vintage Bling

My grandmother, Lola Au-au (Aurora) lived with us while I was growing up.  And I would fondly remember how she loves jewelries!  She has all sorts...necklaces, earrings, bangles, rings, brooches, etc...  I can still vividly imagine how she would carefully lay each one of them on a white towel, with a bowl of soapy water and a toothbrush.  She would then clean her collection, brushing each piece meticulously and then drying them with a very soft cloth.  She does it all by herself and I will not leave her side until she finish cleaning the very last one; until she is satisfied with the shine, luster and sparkle .  My eyes would glow with excitement and I will always ask her permission first If I can touch them or try them on.  I love the feel of the cold jade bangles on my arms.  I would try on the long necklaces with big pendants like cameo, ivory and crosses and it would sway up to my tummy.  But the pieces I love the most were Lola's rings!  The big chunky ones!  At that time it felt so big on my little fingers.  Among all her pieces of jewelry, I will always remember that one ring that is shaped quite like a very thin rhombus, set with little diamonds or "diamante and brillante" as Lola would call them.  If I remember right, she calls it 'lanzadera.'  It's a Spanish term which means 'shuttle'.  It looks something like this, but thinner and with smaller stones, set very close to each other.  

 

This is a vintage pair of rhinestone earrings that my very good friend, Aura gave me as an advance birthday present.  When I  saw it, I was instantly transported back in time, I remember my Lola and the fun times we shared together while I was growing up.  Oh how I miss her!   Thank you Aura, not just for the beautiful earrings, but for the memories that the ring brings! 


For me, my personal vintage jewelry pieces do not only bring back good memories but when put side by side by some of the things I like, they look like they're the source of inspiration.  

Top:  An art deco-designed rug, side by side with a Lisner vintage gold earrings.  Look at the similarity on the pattern.

Middle:  Faux Lucite leopard print earrings with gold trimmings, side by side with a tablescape I did for a farewell party, some months ago.  Can you see the bold and the gold on both photos?

Bottom:  An inspiring all-white study corner side by side with dangling faux pearls set in gold.  Both dainty and white!

Vintage jewelries...I just love them!  How about you?  What are your sources of inspiration?  Would love to hear from you!

TGIF!

 

Terrace by the master's bedroom. 

This rocking chair brings back memories of myself, breastfeeding Raphael...

 Dainty old thermos and a Peranakan coffee cup.

They still use these kind of coffee cups in some of Singapore's old kopitiam.

Love the details...the embroidery, color and tassel.  Boho chic! 

Here, it adds color to an all-white bed sheet.

 

You'll dream of the beach with this sea shells dream catcher! 

Hangs prettily by my herb garden.

  

My antique bench turned sunny yellow!  

This is the first thing that welcomes my guests when they enter the house.

 

Marble solitaire...an all time favorite!  I move things around the house quite often, but this solitaire is a permanent fixture on the coffee table.

Just a bit of randomness around my house to end a busy week...and be reminded that I am so blessed with a lot of beautiful things and people around me!  It might not have been a perfect week, but there's just too many things to be thankful for!  Enjoy your weekend!

I want one of this please!

DOMINO...the decorating Bible

Dedon round lounge chair...i can read and sleep here all day long! 

This will be perfect for my lanai.

 RED Verner Panton chair...an icon of modern design. 

How tempting to get an imitation piece...but NO!  I will save for the real one!

Vintage cameo earrings... I love looking through my Lola's jewelry collection

when I was a kid and my favorite was her Cameo collection. 

I've always wanted a pair!

How about you?  What's on your wish list??

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

I am lucky to have friends who know exactly what to give me as presents...things that are not just decorative but serve other purpose as well.  These pieces have become a favorite collection of mine!  They can't seem to have a permanent place around the house.  They just keep moving around.  Last Friday, we hosted a dinner for Ferdie's colleague who is transferring to another assignment.  Guess what?  My Asian-Oriental collection found another use...they became a centerpiece!  Take a look at the tablescape...

 

Candleholder at the front was a gift from my badminton group in Singapore. 

Love the gold and blue handpaint design!  The green (jade stone) one is a personal purchase from a furniture shop in Singapore.  

Lacquered Burmese lunchbox from my best friend Jing, who used to live in Myanmar.  She said monks in Myanmar parade in the streets every morning, carrying these lunchboxes to store their solicited food.

Bowls given by my Catechism students in Singapore as a farewell gift.  It is a 6-pc set, consisting of 3 green bowls and 3 yellow bowls.  These Peranakan (referring to the first Chinese settlers in Malaysia) bowls are very charming with the handpainted, embossed little flowers on it.  It even came in a nice vintage Peranakan red box (maybe I'll post a photo of it next time.)!  Even prettier with the little "Quiapo" flowerettes in it; which I start growing in the garden.

This opium pot is not a gift but a personal purchase from Hanoi, Vietnam in one of my trips with Ferdie.  With such a stylish opium pot, you would feel like smoking.  Won't you?

Chinese button knot napkin holders.  You can't go wrong with this simple and elegant table accessory!  I bought it from one of the quaint home store in Singapore.  I only got 6 pieces, I should have gotten a dozen!

So there goes my Asian-Oriental inspired dinner!  I wonder what I could whip up for the next dinner?  Maybe I should start looking around the house for inspiration!

Have a good week!

Irene

New Found Joy From An Old Thing

It all started with the Lemony Snicket series.  You know that 13 books on the story of the Baudelaire children?  Bianca, my daughter went through that Snicket phase and was fascinated by the font used in some parts of the book that reveals clues and instructions.  That's when she started asking for a typewriter!  But who uses typewriter in this time and age?  Should I scour Bangkal to give in to Bianca's fancy??  But lo and behold...my mom kept my typewriter and now that we're back in Manila, I got it and it's the new toy in the house!   My kids love the manual operation and can't get over with the dual color ribbon, the sound of the keys, and of course, Rapha's favorite is the repeat spacer that brings him to the right side of the paper faster, plus, it sounds like a gun! 

My kids have simple joys, and this is one of them...appreciating old stuff in the modern world!  As Bianca said, this is one of the most amazing inventions!  It was a whole new experience for them to actually use, feel and listen to the nostalgic sound of the typewriter!  We do not have the techie games that kids play these days like xbox, DS, PS, etc.. but hey... we have an authentic typewriter!  And it brought joy to my two angels!  And that's what matters.

Thank you Mama for keeping my typewriter all these years...about 25 years, right?

Tomorrow, I will share with you some of the new jewelries I made.  Watch out for it!

Irene