Pillivuyt Bakers.

I found these matching bakers at a local thrift store over a month ago.  I've had my eye on them ever since, but couldn't pull the trigger since they were marked $24.99 and $34.99.  Even with 50% off, I just couldn't do it.  I could tell they were high quality, but did some more research and now I know all about Pillivuyt.  Founded in 1818, Pullivuyt produces culinary porcelain in the heart of France.  Check out more details here.

Last Saturday I went to visit them again and say hello.  I asked the nice cashier when things that have been around a while go on sale at a deeper discount.  I showed him what I was looking at and he offered them to me for 75% off.  Sold.  They are finally mine, and the lesson of the day is: it never hurts to ask.

Sunday popovers.

I saw some popover action on The Food Network, and I've had them on the brain since last week.  I got myself my very own popover pan and am going to do this thing.  I researched a variety of recipes, including sweet and savory, and decided on this version as a starting point.  One of the keys to super-high popovers is heated ingredients- eggs and milk, so the batter is warm, and then that goes into a pre-heated popover pan.  I took some pics and love how big they get in the oven.  Bam.  They are best straight from the oven and since they only make 6 at a time, so they go fast!

Terrarium, what?

My friend Kate started talking about terrariums a few months ago and they've been on my brain ever sense.  I found this glass container at TJ Maxx, and bought a terrarium kit at a local garden center, along with a few mini plants.  Combine those and one of my vintage akro agate cullets, and this is what you get.  I love the pop of color inside from the vintage glass (it's a leftover chuck from the marble-making process!).

Detroit bowl.

 

This is a super cool handmade bowl I found a few months ago at the DIY Fest in Ferndale.  It's awesome and I especially love the"Detroit Made" stamp.  This is the artist's website- http://lauramacintyre.com.  She is really nice, and I love all of her paintings of Hamtramck.

Too many pictures.

So I have too much artwork and not enough wall space.  I saw this idea in a magazine and put it to use and now my stacks of pictures are displayed in my guestroom.  Added bonus- no hammer required!

Yarn Wreath.

This project has been going on for a few weeks, and I finally picked up the glue I needed yesterday to finish it.  I wrapped a straw wreath in mustard-colored yarn, made some felt flowers out of grey and dark brown felt, embellished it with a fun feathery thing, and used a navy blue ribbon to create a hanger.  I think the colors are great against my blue door!

And now my real Christmas tree.

A Douglas fir, retro globe lights from Target like these, ornaments I've collected my entire life, red velveteen ric rac, candy canes, and a Winnie-the-Pooh angel treetopper.  It's crazy but it's personal and lots of fun to look at.  It makes me smile every single year.