THRIFTY MONDAY: more pyrex love....

I found both of these little pretties at Value Village....  

This pattern is Spring Blossom, first introduced by Pyrex in 1972 to accompany Corelle's Spring Blossom dish set (1970).  Spring Blossom was also relaunched in 1979, no longer in avocado green; it featured a scaled down pattern size and available in lime green and dark green.  The dish in my collection (pictured above) is from the original introduction in 1972, and I'm happy to report that it has been lovingly cared for and shows virtually no signs of use... YAY me!

This pretty turquoise Butterprint dish, is quite possibly the oldest in my meager little collection.  This pattern (Butterprint) was introduced in 1957 and produced until 1968.  Orange and pink versions of this pattern were also printed but discontinued in the early 1960's.  You know I've talked previously about wanting (needing) pink Pyrex....  well, now that I know there are also orange pieces tucked away in someones cupboard, believe me, my want for this colour almost overshadows my need for pink :(    Aaaanyway, this pretty mixing bowl is beautiful on the printed side with one or two little (teeny-tiny, really) scratches; however, the inside looks like it's made a few cakes in it's time.... it's all good though, I still love it completely!

I've come to realize that finding Pyrex in pristine condition, like the first few pieces I purchased, is not so easy.  And I've also realized that since finding those few pristine pieces, that I cannot settle for pieces that are, well,  less than.... It's pretty clear when pieces are washed in a dishwasher, the pattern become etched and faded.... you can imagine just how sad this makes me.  I've found my coveted pink Pyrex, several times, in several locations; sadly, they've all been abused by the dreaded dishwasher one to many times.... I just can't bring myself to adding something so terribly cared for to my collection of gleaming superstars.... is that me just being prejudiced?

Anyhow, there's your Pyrex history lesson for today.  Have a happy, thrifty Monday  ;)

THRIFTY MONDAY: 'Le The'

Wow!  What a fantastic thrifty shopping day the girl monkey and I had with Mr. Monkey on Friday.  We found so many interesting and fun finds while browsing a junky old flea market and a Bibles for Missions thrift store.  But one of the best things I found was this....

A vintage 1975 Centura Spice O' Life tea pot for Corelle.

In searching for the particulars about this piece, I found out that this tea pot, my tea pot, is not the original design.  Originally, the pattern was larger and leafier (1971) then went through a redesign released in 1975 (my tea pot).  There are actually four versions of the Spice O' Life tea pot, each of which may or may not bare the french wording 'Le The' printed under the handle.... unfortunately, my little pot does not have this imprint. 

My little tea pot is in pristine condition.  It looks like it's barely been enjoyed with very, very minimal marks or discolouration on it's base.  The pattern itself is perfectly perfect with no scratches at all....

I am in love with this little steaming pot of morning joy.... My old tea pot, which was a brown betty look-alike, dribbled terribly.  I loved the look of her, but sadly, she made me growl every time I poured a cuppa.... She is being donated, and hopefully, will find a home with some other tea lover who has more patience for her insolent, drooling nature.

My inspiration to seek out and purchase a Corelle tea pot, was my mother-in-law.  She had a Corelle Blue Cornflower tea pot that she remarked, 'was the best tea pot I ever had.'

Blue Cornflower Tea Pot - A Lot To Collect Shop on Etsy

I remember back in dating days, having dinner at my in-laws house.... while clearing the table after we ate, my father-in-law would pour the hot water in the Blue Cornflower pot and it would sit steeping on top of the stove until we were ready.  He would bring the tea and milk to the table, and I would have to ask almost every time for sugar.  The sugar was housed in yellow plastic Tupperware container....

Anyway, I had to see what all the fuss was about.  So, I cleaned the tea pot thoroughly, then me and the middle monkey, who loves to enjoy a spot of tea with mommy, wasted no time in steeping a fresh pot of decaf earl grey.  We sat at the table together sipping from cheerfully coloured Fiesta.... I love the moments where my children share something simple, and so adult.... they are certainly cherished times....  And!  NO DRIBBLES!  I love. this. tea. pot.

Have a great day everyone  ;)


Oh, and P.S.  Here's a shot of the TWO t-shirt bracelets I'm giving away....

Check out yesterdays post for the particulars of my second anniversary blog giveaway.....  The bracelets are seriously cute.... I'm definitely making more.... Enter your comment after yesterdays post to be eligible to win.... CHEERS!

BESTIES OF ETSY: apron love

I don't know what it is about an apron that I love so much.... maybe because it reminds me of Happy Days.... I love that show.  Mrs. Cunningham always working away in the home wearing her beautiful day dresses, ever protected by her kitchen aprons.

Last year, I added an apron to my Santa list, and as luck would have it, he obliged!  It just makes sense to wear one really.... how many times have I been making tomato sauce and splattered one of my white, off white or lightly coloured shirts?  I'm sure you can relate, right?   Anyway, I thought with baking season getting into full swing over here, that I'd show you all a beautiful collection of very useful aprons.... ENJOY!

Vintage-inspired print, full apron by my very favourite apron maker, Chadley of Terrace Hill.  I've had the pleasure of e-mailing back and forth with Chadley, and she is SO. NICE.  Someone who builds these beautiful creations using equally beautiful designer fabrics.... and doesn't skimp on customer service.... I hope one day to be the proud wearer of a Terrace Hill apron....

Nerdy Owl apron by Zig-Zags.... I am a self-professed nerd, and so I can truly appreciate this cute piece of work....

From Sunday Afternoon, a vintage, large-patterned gingham, half apron complete with rick-rack detailing and pintucking at the waist.  Couldn't you just see someone wearing this in a tiny little cupcake bakery?

I love making little apron and chef hat sets like this for birthday presents, then giving them with a children's cookbook.... This set is from Sweet Apronz n Cupcakes.

I'm thinking this little number, by Snappy Shop, would be the perfect apron to wear while hosting an evening dinner party where martini's are the featured beverage....

And lastly, every household needs an apron for cleaning, for holding yard sale money, for playing store with the littles.... This one is the perfect size, with very generous pockets, in a super-fun print.  By Little Miss Dinah.

I hope you enjoyed this tiny collection of kitchen-y goodness!  Check out Etsy for TONS more....

Have a great day everyone  ;)

P.S.  Check me out at Tutus and Tea Parties.... she's having a Pinterest-ing linky party!  Click the button in my sidebar and it will take you to her blog :)

Pyrex love....

I've found 2 more little cuties to add to my small collection....

They were found on two separate thrifty Monday shopping trips with my girl-monkey, and as luck would have it, they match (ok, so the colour isn't an EXACT match, but close enough for me)....


The casserole was a steal at $5.99; 

and the bowl was an even better deal at $3.99.... 

The bowl was actually part of a nesting set; but, sadly, I couldn't bring myself to buy all four of them.... I picked the most pristine, and most perfect size for my needs, and after apologizing to the others, I said so long.

This pattern is named Butterfly Gold.... up close and personal, the gold is so pretty, and the coverage of the enamel is so perfect (how much of a nerd am I?!).... 

History lesson:  This pattern was released by Pyrex in 1972 as compatibles to Corelle's Livingware pattern Butterfly Gold, one of Corelle's original Livingware patterns, 1970.... I'm sure you've all eaten or drank form this pattern either in your own homes or the homes of someone you knew....  I think my mother-in-law may still have some pieces (if not an entire set) of Corelle Butterfly Gold....

Anyhow, my peeps, my search continues for the ever-elusive pink Pyrex.... Pink Gooseberry, Pink Daisy, Pink Stripe or Solid Pink.... While I'm not a lover of pink in general, I can't seem to get the pink Pyrex out of my head.... I'd be happy with even one tiny little piece.... sigh, one tiny little piece of perfectly pretty pink Pyrex (ha! an alliteration for all you other word-nerds out there!).... 


Enjoy your day all   ;)

S.A.P. seeks S.A.S to spice things up....

While away for a belated anniversary adventure with Mr. Monkey; we stopped in some little towns full of great shops and interesting galleries.... I promise in the near future to devote an entire post to said adventure....

Aaaanyway, we came across a little "antique" shop FULL to the brim with trinkets and treasures.... these are my favourite kind of "antique" shops.... And - Just as a side note:  I have trouble with these shops calling themselves antique shops only because over half of the stuff in them are not really antiques at all, not in the true sense of the word anyway.... I prefer to think of them more as vintage or curiosity shops.... Ok, so I've aired my big beef - moving along.

While browsing this crammy little place, sans children (can I just say:  I love my children.  But, being able to do one of my very favourite things without having to tell a little monkey to stop touching the expensive china or please don't chop your brother's arm off with that ancient samurai sword - well, let's just say, it was a very calming experience for me)....

Again - aaaanyway, I found this little fella....

A single, aluminum pepper shaker.  There were two actually.  This one was in the best condition, a little dirty; but, nothing a little white vinegar couldn't fix.  I searched high and low for it's mate and came up empty-handed.  Rats!

This little guy actually goes with my canister set which makes me a very happy camper.... and now, the only items missing are the salt shaker, the large flour canister and the grease canister.... I'm 100% positive that I'll never use the grease canister; but, it'd be nice to complete the set anyway, right?

Have a great day folks.... officially, I think, it's the last day of summer.... and it looks like a lovely day in my neck of the woods.  So long my peeps ;)



Fiesta... ole!

I . LOVE . FIESTA WARE.

Just so you know ;)

The vibrant and fun colours, the clean, simple and concentric lines, the art deco styles of the vintage pieces.... What's not to LOVE???

I've never owned any of my own.... unti-il today  (SMILES)

Aaaanyway,  while browsing a long weekend outdoor antique market, I came upon these little pieces of eye candy.  Beautiful plum, turquoise, yellow, periwinkle, and sunshine....

They were missing their saucers; but, really, I'd never use them so I'm not too concerned.... Do you use saucers with your tea cups? ....Well, I guess I shouldn't say I never use saucers.... when I use my china tea cups for Christmas gatherings, I use saucers; but, seriously, a fine china tea cup is totally naked without a saucer, right?

6 beautiful, genuine, authentic Fiesta ware tea cups.... $15!  Yes, I said $15!  Anyone wanna come for tea? 

I have a couple of other thrifty and vintage pieces to show you in the very near future.... believe me, it's hard not to snap fifty-thousand photos and post them all at once....  I'll just say this... It's time to get my girl-babes room under way....

Have a great night all ;)

The newest addition....

I've been waiting to meet these little guys in person for a looooong time.... and today, I finally brought them home....


I've been scouting for a set of these aluminum canisters for what seems like forever, and though I've seen them online like a ka-jillion (yeah, it's a word - in the Monkey-Momma dictionary); a-hem, like a ka-jillion times, I can't seem to bring myself to pay the horrendous shipping charges, or have the patience to have them shipped to either my sister in Massachusetts or my in-laws in Florida and then have to wait for someone to bring them home to Canada....

Aaaanyway, I found them today at an antique market - a place not too far away from me that I like to browse, but rarely purchase as usually the prices in places like that are jacked up way too high. However, this set of three and bonus extra 'sugar' were only $12.50.... How could I pass them up? Well, I couldn't so they are sitting on my counter as we speak, waiting to be suds up then filled....

I'm really quite excited, I've never had canisters before.... it'll be interesting to see if I like them or if I just find them annoying to have cluttering my workspace.... Do you have canisters or do you find items like that useless?

Anyhow, people.... I'm off to finish up some more Sea Star washies.... have a very restful night ;)

Fun in the kitchen....

So, I've been taking this week off as a little breather.... much needed, and well deserved. But, this is what I've been checking out lately.... I love kitchen gadgets! I don't quite know where the love came from.... but it leads me to finding some really interesting, fun and useful items. Check out these cool and hilarious items.... things my children would certainly appreciate as much as I do!


The Condiment Gun, found at Danna Bananas.... how much fun would that be at a BBQ?


Corny Corn Holders, found at the joie shop, yay, no more burned fingers!


Kitsch Gadgets Pizza Cutter, also available at the joie shop.


Fred M-Cups, who doesn't love Russian Dolls? Available at Danna Bananas.


And last, Fish Chopsticks, from Kitchen Stuff Plus. Certainly would make eating asian food less daunting for kids (and some adults).

Have a great day peeps ;)