The Happenings: It's A Date

Two Birds and Salvaged Strawberry are teaming up with Salon Stella to embellish, adorn and style you for Valentine's weekend. These girls have such lovely style, you are sure to find something fab! Want to know more?

For more sneak peaks!
-Ladybird

Vintage Icons: Librarians

Librarians. We love them; their intelligence, their glasses, and their ability to catalogue, organize and alphabetize just about anything. I love the classic (albeit incredibly stereotypical) style; high waisted pencil skirts, horn rimmed glasses, button up blouses, cashmere sweaters and the smart, all knowing look. They get my stamp of approval!
-Ladybird

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Vintage Inspired: Paint by Numbers

I have been in pursuit of a new hobby, and some new art for my upcoming apartment, and I think some vintage paint-by-number kits could be just the thing. I love the natural, subdued colors like terracotta, teal, navy, gray, brown, and cream that these old scenes supply. I especially love the landscapes, but some floral designs would complement the space in my mind as well. The following serve as inspiration, I am on the lookout for completed and blank pieces.

-Twill

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Tea Inspired: A Quote

From Alice in Wonderland:

"'There is no use trying,' Alice said. 'One can't believe impossible things.'
'I daresay you haven't much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.'"

Vintage Alice

 -Twill

A Slideshow of a Day

We have been trying to make the most out of our last week in Portland. Taking many walks around the neighborhood, trying new places, taking in the sights and sounds, and enjoying the weather (so much). Here is a look into our day yesterday, slideshow style.

It was a lazy morning, filled with numerous refills of coffee, a few packed boxes, and a phone call from my Ladybird. We headed out on a walk from our neighborhood to the Pearl district, stopping at Deschutes Brewery for a beer. I had the sampler, 6-4 ounce glasses that looked cute, but hit hard, since our plan was to eat lunch afterward. It made me happy to write out my own list of beer choices, as I like to take any opportunity I can to hand write a list.

We went to lunch at a taqueria called CHA CHA CHA! and then to Henry's Tavern where they have 100 beers on tap. We stopped one last time at Whole Foods and got some essentials: bread, eggs, oranges, apples, granola, almond milk, coffee, and some new tea. We tried some bulk vanilla rooibos and I swear it tastes just like my favorite Tazo tea from Starbucks by the same name and at a fraction of the price. We came home and watched Dinner for Schmucks, it was quite funny. Have a great weekend!

-Twill

The Shop: I Like You!

Exciting news! Teacup Vintage headbands will be on sale at I Like You in NE Minneapolis! We like them too! Check out their oh so cute shop, you will not be disappointed!

What We Wore: In Stitches

It is a good night when you laugh like this. . . we laughed in doors, and went out later to play bar stool match game. I wore a long Zara black t-shirt and leggings, a *sale* dress from Urban Outfitters, a thrifted leather belt, angora hat and cowboy boots, a vintage cashmere cardigan and a silly grin.
-Ladybird

Vintage Inspired: Tobogganing

In the thick of the winter, there is nothing better than going sledding with two darling kids. We bundled to the brim and set out on our plastic orange toboggan. It was a short lived run, but a good one, full of giggles and red cheeks. We tipped over, got oodles of snow down our boots and had ice cold fingers, but isn't that what winter is all about? When they seemed to be tuckered out (which only took about five minutes), we came home to some homemade banana macadamia nut muffins and some hot lemon tea. Wonderful winter day!
-Ladybird

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The Happenings: Vintage Suitcases and Piles of Brown Boxes

I spent the day packing, rolls of tape and a sharpie in hand; only taking a break to indulge in some breakfast and coffee from the cafe by our house. Seeing all of my belongings packed up in piles of boxes makes me anxious. It is sort of nice to purge and start fresh, with clean counters, clean walls, uncluttered corners, bare wood floors. I had hoped I wouldn't be moving again so soon, but I do like the clean slate that comes along with it. There will be a whole new slew of "This Old House" posts coming your way in the coming months once we find a new vintage apartment to decorate and call home. Until then we will be staying with family, which we are very lucky and grateful to have, while we figure everything else out. We appreciate you more than you know.

-Twill

The Happenings: Rainy Day in Old Town

So it is official. Alex and I are moving back to Minneapolis in two weeks! It has been an adventure living in Portland and we love this city so much, but economically and logically speaking it wasn't making sense to stay too much longer. It is a place where I could live with my wheels just spinning, not moving forward, just barely getting by for years, without making much of myself. However, at this point in my life that isn't what I am after. I wish I would have discovered it before or right after college, but I have to admit to wanting to be a grown up and make something of myself, not just getting by doing what is comfortable forever. I will be happy to be returning to family and my lovely Ladybird soon and planning our business in person rather than over the phone. If I am somewhat absent the next two weeks, this is why, as we have so much to pack up and organize in so little time. This weekend, we decided we should explore a part of the city that we haven't really been to yet. We went to a place called the Davis Street Tavern in Old Town, thanks to a gift certificate my bosses gave me for Christmas. It was so cute, with tons of exposed brick, cozy corner booths, and the food was delicious. It was pouring rain, so my thrifted vintage rain booties and hooded trench coat were put to good use. Also, I am loving my navy floral Anthropologie tights, a lovely gift from Ladybird.

The Shop: Window Displays

In thinking about what I would want for my own shop, I have been looking a lot at window displays. I love the creativity and ingenuity of Anthropologie displays. Each shop has their own dedicated team, they are given parameters, but allowed to interpret the challenge in their own unique way. How can you not love a shop that staffs their own artists?

Milk Jug Igloo

Repurposed Plastic Bottles

Bee-utiful

Bee-Cause (Photo Credit)

Design* Sponge Love.

Woven Joy

Tea With Style

I just passed by my local Anthropologie, and their spring windows are sure to make the winter melt away!
-Ladybird

What We Wore: Lazy Day

In the winter, when the snow isn't quite fluffy and the temp is nearing zero, I tend to stay close to home. Today I listened to some records and danced (trying to keep my new years goals) and brewed some tea. What have you been listening to lately? I am loving last year's Deerhunter album.

I wore a vintage wrap green checkered skirt, a zara white frilly shirt, dark green tights from a calcetines shop in Spain, and red leather booties from Spain.
-Ladybird

Teacup Inspired: Teacupakes

When browsing for tea party planning ideas, I came across this cute product from Fred and Friends: Teacupcakes! This website has so many interesting and funny home products, perfect for parties, hostess gifts, or just to add some quirky style to your own home. How clever would these be for a tea party birthday cake option? They come in sets of four and are made out of 100%-pure silicone and phthalate-free plastic with matching saucers. Pour in the cupcake batter, bake, frost, and start singing, "Happy Birthday to You!"

-Twill

Recipe + Vintage Teacup : Ginger Tea

A few years back, while living in Spain, a friend of mine made me this home-brewed bliss. Feeling a little in need of some warmth, I made some today. It is perfect for a cold, sore throat or just to cheer you up with a zing.
















Ingredients:
fresh ginger root
lemon
honey

Peel the ginger root and cut into large chunks.

















Place the chunks in hot water, let boil or simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Add lemon, turn water down.

When ready to serve, add honey. Yum!

-Ladybird