My New Obsession

A few months ago, I was shopping in one my favorite thrift stores and found a single gold glass that looked like one of these below.  I bought it for $1.00 or $2.00, I can’t remember.  The gold was sort of worn and I loved the vintage feel of it.   I thought it would be cute  to put flowers in.   A month later, I ran across an entire set at the same store, some had different patterns than I had seen before.  They were in great condition.  All the glasses were marked on the bottom and I was trying to find out what it meant, since I had never seen it before.  I had no idea who made them and when they were made.  I decided to go for it and bought the whole set.   I figured I would use the large one as a vase, the tumblers as vases or drinking glasses and the small ones for tea lights or drinking glasses (I multi function my glassware).  I just loved the glasses and had to have them.  Here’s a peek at a bunch of them piled up in my hall closet (I’m running out of room for all my glasses and mixed matched plates).  Fast forward to the photo below this one……

A few months ago, I get my issue of Architectural Digest and I’m flipping through the magazine, when I see this picture of Claire Weiss’s Apartment in NYC (see below).  Everything came to a screeching halt.  I read the article cover to cover hoping that they would share who makes these glasses since she had such a large collection of them.  There was nothing.  Since I can’t remember what issue I found this photo in you can see view the article here.  I decided to take a chance and email AD to see if someone knew who made those glasses.  I received a prompt email from Robert Rufino, Interiors Editor of AD.  He advised me he checked with Ms. Weiss and that they were called Shoji.  With a little more research, I found out that these were made by the Imperial Glass Company who produced these glasses between 1965 and 1979.  I was so happy to learn the source of my glasses so I could collect more.  In all my years of antiquing and shopping, I had never run across these.  I got an entire 15 plus set including the large vase for $75.00.  I just saw the vase on eBay for $1400.00 and the tumblers are selling on replacements.com for $25.99 each.  I’d say I got a bargain.  I’m in love with this bar and how she displays the various patterns.  Now I’m on the hunt for the other patterns and the ice bucket and decanter.  If you want o send me something for Christmas here you go, LOL!.

I was at my friend Nick’s house the other day and she had a bunch of trimmed kumquats in a little vase.  I commented on how cute they looked and she said she had a whole bag of them. I took a whole bunch of them home and filled four of the tumblers on my dining room table (see the photos below).  Next week it might be peonies and the following week it might be sparkling water for a dinner party.  Either way, I love the versatility of the glasses.  If you spot them on your travels let me know, I’m on the hunt for more.  I love a great bargain and I’d say I hit the jackpot on these.  Now, I don’t want to be fighting you on EBay for these!  LOL!

I can’t help but smile when I see these kumquats in my bargain tumblers.  Stay tuned Peggy & Fritz will be opening a little online shop in the upcoming months full of my thrift store bargains.  Why shouldn’t we all benefit.  Also, if you’re on Pinterest, stop by and visit.

 

PHOTO CREDITS:  Photo 2:  Thomas Loof, Photo 1, 3-5 by Peggy & Fritz

Table Setting for Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving!  Blake and I typically don’t go home for Thanksgiving and usually host our friends and/or people that can’t get home to their families.  This is the first year that our gathering will be on the smaller side, just four of us.  We have two of our friends coming over (normally we have anywhere from eight to twelve people) and I’m looking forward to a more intimate dinner. I’m so excited because it afforded me to be a little more extravagant and creative on my table setting.  The last few evenings, I shined the silverware, ironed the napkins, washed the plates and got everything ready so that tomorrow won’t be so stressful.  I found these great plates on sale at Sur La Table.  They had a green acorn print on them and I thought it would be a little different than the traditional orange, yellow, and burgundy. I used mason jars (it took me five stores to find them) with mixed filler from the grocery store (they matched my plates perfectly) and made my own bouquets. For the tablecloth, I went to Joanne’s Fabrics and bought several yards of burlap and put it over a table cloth to give the table a more rustic feel.  I got this great idea for the mixed nuts from a regular blogger I read and I’m having a brain fart right now and can’t remember where I just read it…PLEASE! forgive me?  Post to my blog so I can credit you. I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving with your friends and families. I’m thankful for all my new friends and bloggers I have met.  Your all so talented and inspiring!   See below what I cooked up for the table for tomorrow. I’ll post on Friday what we had for din din!  

  

 

  

 

Table Setting Items

Tablecloth:  Burlap Fabric from Joanne’s Fabric Store

Mixed Nuts: Von’s Grocery Store

Vases:  Mason Jars from Michaels

Flowers: Filler from Von’s bought separately and made my own bouquet

Acorn Plates:  Sur La Table

Leaf Plates: Pottery Barn

Green Glasses:  Home Goods

Chargers:  Borrowed from my friend Nick (believe she got them at Cost Plus)

Silverware:  Mikasa

French White Steak Knives:  Home Goods

 

~HAPPY THANKSGIVING~

What are you thankful for?

Table Settings for the Holidays

I wanted to post some of our tabletop pictures from the 4th of July.  Many of my family members are not on Facebook so this post is for them.  I used an old farm table and covered it with a block print tablecloth, I got at the Long Beach flea market.  The runner is burlap and the centerpieces are antique silver tea pots with white hydrangeas and red flowers in the middle.  I cannot for the life of me recall the name of the flowers but they were the perfect touch of red.  The bar cart still has not been repainted (I’ve been a busy lady), but I still used it for the party.  I put the wine glasses on it and put the drinks on a mosaic table I had in back.  I pulled pillows from inside to anchor the two large chairs that flanked the ends of the farm table.

Our appetizers consisted of prosciutto and melon with arugula and feta cheese (compliments of Marcie) as well as various gourmet cheeses.  We had some yummy food (see post on potatoes).  We grilled spicy garlic chicken and marinated flank steak, grilled artichokes (with lemon, olive oil, and garlic), fingerling potatoes, and a orzo salad with sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, feta cheese and arugula.  Dessert was compliments of my friend, Nick.  She made homemade cheesecakes with raspberry filling and one with lemon curd topped with whip cream and blueberries and raspberries.  I have amazing friends who are great cooks and helped in making our day extra special.  I’m also grateful to my friend Erin her boyfriend Petro who made the trek from the big city LOL!  XO XO!  Also, I put in a few pictures to put a face with a name!  Hope you had a great day celebrating.

 

The flea market bar cart – still not painted!  I know, I know, I know!

Front yard (see below), picture is a little blue.

Setting up the drink table (see below). 

My friend Nick (See Below) made these unbelievable mini cheesecakes.  YUMMY!  I had the lemon curd one for breakfast.

The helpers (see below) Sash (Nick’s hubby) and Blake (my boyfriend) relaxing after me driving them crazy getting everything ready.

Erin and Petro – How cute are they (see below)?

The Couple Picture (see below) ~ Left to Right: Petro, Nick, Sash, Me, Blake and Erin.

Maureen and Ms. Ginger

The girls late night – we were freezing. Left to Right:  Ann – Maureen, Nick, and Marcie.

Winter Wonderland

It has always been hard being away from home during the holiday season.  My parents  live in Connecticut and unfortunately, I could not make it home this year.  It makes me miss the snow, cold, and ambiance of New England during the holidays. For Christmas day, we went over to our neighbors Quinn and Jeff and had a fabulous “Left Over” Christmas dinner sharing our dinners from the night before.  They had their family in from San Francisco, Christmas Eve and  Blake and I had our great friends, Nick and Sash, over for a formal holiday dinner the same night.  I wanted to create a magical evening reminiscent of the holidays, I grew up with ~I concluded our theme would be, “Winter Wonderland”!  I felt we needed a little snow of our own amongst the 60’ degree weather we were having in Manhattan Beach. 

Our festivities started at 5:00 PM, with Champagne and appetizers.  Nick and Sash provided the Hors d Oeuvres, champagne, gravy for the filet and eggplant stacks as our vegetable side dish.  They made oyster shooters served in little shot glasses, which, tasted as good as they looked.   From a decor standpoint, I filled the teapots on the mantle with white hydrangeas and had candles burning throughout the house and had a roaring fire in the fireplace (as much as you can with Dura flame logs).  Unfortunately, I am in need of a new camera, so, I couldn’t quite capture everything I wanted too.  Even the picture of our tree was a little iffy, it’s so pretty in person (white, silver, and anything glittery), but every time I took a picture it looked so, blah!  Anyway, enjoy a peek at our Christmas Eve, California style.

 

Let the festivities begin! Our holiday tree.  It fits in this tiny nook we have in the living room, it’s the perfect spot for a Christmas tree.

Our fireplace, compliments of Dura flame.  I wouldn’t  know where to find real wood so we have to improvise.

Our own Gingersnap.  Ready or not so ready for the festivities, she makes a cute Mrs. Claus!  I love Hydrangeas.  I filled all my tea pots with them.  So simple but elegant. 

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I have included our holiday menu along with pictures of our dining table which was inspired by the snow and weather back home!

 MAIN MENU

APPETIZERS:

• Champagne
• Oyster Shooters
• Coconut Shrimp
• Truffle Cheese & Monchego Cheese with Assorted Crackers

FIRST COURSE:

• Pancetta-Topped Goat Cheese with Raspberry Sauce & Arugula Salad

 

  MAIN COURSE:

• Jayson Red Wine
• Beef Tenderloin & Gravy
• Balsalmic-Braised Cipolline Onions with Pomeganate
• Eggplant – Vegetable Stacks
• Roasted Red Potatoes in Olive Oil & Fresh Thyme

DESSERT:

• Banana Cream Pie & Fresh Whipping Cream

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Our table was set using little trees that I flocked and put in mercury glass pots.  The silver branches were from a bouquet I bought and I pulled them out and used them separately on their own  I really didn’t want to use a table cloth, but our wood table needs to be protected or else it gets water marks.  Bummer for us, as I think the table setting looks better without the tablecloth.  It’s a Ralph Lauren white tablecloth from Home Goods.

I got a series of reindeers initially from Pottery Barn to use as place holders but then decided to sprinkle them over the table as part of the decor (see above).  Again, the silver greens were part of an arrangement I bought and I pulled it out and stuck it in vases with crystals, I bought from Pottery Barn.  The wine glasses are Mikasa.

I became addicted to these sea salt and chocolate caramels given to Blake and I, by our neighbors Kevin and Susan.  I loved them so much, I went out and bought more and combined them with these soft peppermint sticks as part of the table decor.  I love the combination of salt and sweet paired with red wine ~ YUM!

I got this chalkboard at Thanksgiving, while visiting Denver.  I put our holiday menu on it and flocked the branches, I found laying on the side of the house (the only ones I could find) ~ left over from the Weeds set that I sprayed with flock.  The only time I was grateful for the left over branches left on the side of our house.  Now, I’ll save a few more for next year LOL!

My paper whites are finally growing and my amaryllis is in full bloom.  I am kicking myself for not getting the pair of mercury glass candle sticks I saw before the holidays, in Home Goods.  I found this one hidden on a shelf and thought it would look so pretty paired with the flowers below (I still wish I had the other one or two other ones of various heights).           

        

 

Since branches are hard to come by, I had to improvise, by flocking my bougainvillea plants (which were added to the chandelier) and trying to make it work.  It ended up looking great (pictures don’t quite capture it) and framing the table nicely. We had such a beautiful dinner and dined by candlelight (dimmed the chandelier) and played Tabletops (a fun question game) until we were so stuffed none of us could move.  It was a beautiful evening with close friends who appreciate yummy food, wine, and ambiance!  We wished we had more friends in town to enjoy the evening with us.  We hope you and your families had a joyous holiday. I’m still stuffed from all the food.

Enjoy and Wishing you all the Best,

Ann XO