Holiday Flea Marketing

It certainly looked a lot like Christmas at the Alameda Flea yesterday, where the rows of already covetable antiques were decked with tinsel and garland and everything else holly-jolly. I can't show off our purchases without spoiling a Christmas surprise... but I can certainly share some things that caught my eye!

Adam and I always stop to rummage through boxes of flatware on the off-chance that we spot a piece of our goldware pattern. Our silverware already has a mismatched look, but wouldn't it be fun to do a table where every fork and spoon was unique?

We're also scouting finishing touches for our bar cart (which I haven't even shown you yet!). Isn't a well-stocked bar a must-have for the holiday season? I loved the scrolling banner and gold touches on the vintage cognac poster, and the bold type on those ice buckets. What's that they say about champagne taste? I have it. We're working with a stocking-stuffer budget... luckily the Flea had those in endless supply!

And yes, even though we were shopping for others, I couldn't help looking a bit for myself. I had my eye on the tiny adornments this time: the floral pattern on this cookie tin, the whimsical detail of those earrings. Oh, those earrings. To say they captured my heart would be an understatement. But again- champagne taste.

The flea truly sparkled this month, and I have the pictures to prove it. I'll be sharing more photos of my finds all day at the One Must Shock the Bourgeois facebook page.

Happy Weekend

I'm taking a cue from Tildy-Cat and starting our weekend a bit early. Just practicing for our upcoming four-day holiday! It'll be a short week, but a full one. I need some opinions on a new decorating scheme (so get ready to comment and give a girl a hand!), and I'll show you how I'm tablescaping a Thanksgiving for two!

xoxo

Elizabeth

Happy Friday

A pink peony, a bowl of berries, some summer fashion inspiration... I'm ready for the weekend!

 

I so want to be that girl... crisp and lady-like, with no-fuss hair and chic black & white adornments. Forget bright colors and barely there bikinis, this is my idea of classic summer beauty.

xoxo

Elizabeth

The Summer Garden

Did everyone have a happy 4th (and hopefully, a long weekend)? Adam and I tried to put a three-day break to good use. On Saturday we hiked 5 miles through a redwood forest, on Sunday we walked the rows at Alameda in 80º heat, and on Monday we could hardly get our exhausted, aching selves off of the couch! 

If you stopped by Maggie Rose to see my tablescape last week, you probably noticed (and perhaps oohed/ahhed over) the bunch of freshly cut flowers decorating my Mom's table. Gorgeous- and merely a sampling of what's blooming in the back yard. Now that I'm back to my weedy plot in Berkeley, I thought we might all enjoy a walk through my family's garden.

Ah, if only there was one more day in the weekend. I could use a relaxing afternoon in the shade to recuperate!

Today my Facebook and Twitter followers will get pictures of my favorites from the Alameda Flea... are you following?

Kitchen Chemistry: Beer Can Chicken & Potato Salad

Still wondering what to get Dad this Father's Day? How about a wishbone, a funny bone, a case of beer, and (best of all) leftovers? Here's a meal that truly commemorates dear old Dad...

I found fabulous instructions for Roasted Beer Can Chicken in Martha Stewart Living, which I followed almost exactly (though I substituted rosemary for thyme). As a side, I made up a pan of roasted red potatoes seasoned with olive oil, sprigs of rosemary, pepper, and rosemary salt for extra flavor.

Our chicken was a fairly tubby specimen, but he was still extremely stable on top of the beer can in the oven (I was surprised!). He took a little longer to cook than expected, so I basted several more times than Martha recommended. When done, the skin was crispy and the meat was tender. I'd been skeptical about using stout with white meat... but the Guinness flavor was so complimentary that I might never cook chicken without it again. I made Martha's gravy as well, but found it to be weak and unnecessary (don't bother with it!).

Just like Dad, this is a meal that gets better with age (har har). Though we did our very best to take down that dinner, we had two wings, six ounces of thigh meat, and a pound of potatoes leftover for the next day. I told Adam I wanted a delicious potato salad to take on a picnic, and he didn't disappoint. Here's what he came up with:

Combine the chicken (shredded or in chunks) and potatoes in a large bowl with a small diced onion and a quarter cup of chopped Italian parsley. In a smaller bowl, mix together about a half a cup of mayonaise, a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder, a half tablespoon of paprika, a tablespoon of cracked black pepper, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and a teaspoon of white truffle oil. Spoon this mixture over your chicken and potatoes and stir until well coated. Lastly, add one or two large dill pickles (diced, per your taste), two hardboiled eggs (diced), and salt (keeping in mind that the potatoes and chicken are already salted and may not need much more).

The result is a mouthwateringly zesty salad that pairs well with (what else?) a velvety Guinness.

Happy Father's Day, and Happy Weekend!

xoxo,

Elizabeth

Wicked Plants

Last Christmas I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of Wicked Plants, a fascinating tome that grafts together some of my favorite topics: history, horticulture... and murderous intrigue!

Wicked Plants has been a major inspiration for some jewelry pieces to be debuting soon at my Etsy shop. After all, Rappaccini's Garden is named for a gothic tale about... you guessed it, a deadly flower. Since I've loved the book, I'm excited to see how the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers has brought it to life with their current exhibit...

There could be no better place to display these alluring poisons than the Conservatory with its dramatic Victorian stylings. The exhibit runs until October, but I'm scheming to visit this weekend. Between this, the Yellow Owl Workshop book signing tomorrow, and the rescheduled Alameda Flea Market on Sunday... my weekend (and my camera's memory card) should be quite full!

Hope your weekend is just as delightful!

xoxo

Elizabeth

Here & Now: Simple Pleasures

Thank goodness for Friday, an end to a mean little week, a series of pesky disappointments, and (for my poor fiancé) a nasty bout of food poisoning. There's often a simple cure for what ails you. For Adam, a day of sleep and soup. For me, feeling low and uninspired, $10 and some fresh air. I walked up to our neighborhood farmer's market and bought asparagus and a peach (the first of the season), an iced latte from Peets, and a single stem from my friend at the flower stand. By the time I got home, the stings of the week had faded. Today we both feel much better.

I know what you're thinking, dear readers. "Wait a second, Elizabeth- what's that in the picture? Your sofa isn't leather, or wingbacked, or tufted, or trimmed in brass nailheads!" Very true. My old couch was sadly none of the above.

Meet our new couch. It's a beauty. And I plan on spending my Friday in its embrace with cats, coffee, and magazines by my side, watching my peony unfurl. 

xoxo

Elizabeth

Some Girl Time

This post and its comments vanished during Blogger's technical difficulties- I'm reposting as much as I can recall. A good reminder to all of us to back-up our work!

If you were wondering about the conspicuous lack of Mother's Day well-wishes on the blog, never fear: I was delivering them in person! I flew up to Seattle for a girls' weekend with my gorgeous mom herself...

We drove down to Portland for a baby shower (congratulations Samantha & John!) and some quality time with my Uncle Craig (who's officiating my wedding!), my Aunt Amanda, and their boys, my littlest (and thereby current favorite) cousins. I even got to raise a glass with my lovely bridesmaid Kalin, the witty voice behind I'm an Eating Machine. 

Of course, no girls' weekend would be complete without a shopping excursion... or without doxie gals Ella and Paige. I think Miss Paige enjoys hunting for pretty things just as much as I do! 

It might have been an impromptu visit, but it certainly was a productive one. We managed to whittle down the wedding checklist: shoes, ribbons, trimmings, Mom's dress (stunning, by the way), and decor, just about done! I also made a major decision about our invitations. Hope you liked my save-the-date cards, because I'm designing a whole suite!

What a wonderful trip- I miss you already, Mom!

Happy Easter Weekend

It's Easter, and Adam couldn't resist a well-priced (and downright enormous) hunk of ham. What the heck, let's host a luncheon. Last year I did the pastel garden party thing- pretty, but predictable. I've invited over some thoroughly modern friends, so I thought I'd put together a tablescape to match. 

The mod runner is a fabric remnant that plays well with my caned chairs. Keeping the palette black and white lets me feature rabbits and fanciful details without getting too frou-frou. My tiny pedestal dishes add some height to each place setting, and if I get truly motivated tomorrow, they'll each hold a colorfully dyed Easter egg. Perhaps as place cards, like so?

So that's what I'm up to this weekend- tidying up the place and cooking a ham I can barely lift! What are your plans for Easter?

Until Monday,

Elizabeth

Ending Soon...

Only 3 more days to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway! I'm loving those answers so far- there truly are unlimited options for a modernized classic like the Tess Skirt. 

So many, in fact, that I couldn't help sharing another variation on the outfit I posted. By swapping the accessories, I've got an outfit suitable for my favorite weekend activities: sipping a vanilla-bean soda at the Elmwood Cafe, browsing a bookstore, scouting estate sales. I played with sexy shapes in casual fabrics. Sandals and a headband in beachy jute, a fancified canvas tote that can stash sunscreen and farmer's market produce, and a faded floral jacket with a rounded hem to frame the Tess Skirt's adorable bow.

The Tess Skirt from Shabby Apple featured with the Cropped Wisley Blazer from Anthropologie, the Vince Stripe Favorite Tank from Piperlime, Tory Burch Platform Sandal from Nordstrom, Jute Rhinestone Headband from Ann Taylor Loft, a jeweled bracelet by Rappaccini's Garden, and a Sequin Strap Tote from Gap.

Better catch this giveaway on its way out... I'll accept entries (as  comments on the original post) until midnight PST on Sunday, and announce the lucky winner on Monday!

Happy weekend,

Elizabeth

A Bright & Busy Friday

It's a bright Friday in Berkeley, the kind that will tempt cubicled workers to sneak out and start the weekend just a few hours earlier. I'm impatient for the afternoon too- not to escape work, but to get to it! At about 3:45 the sunlight through our bay windows will turn a white dining table into my photographic studio for Rappaccini's Garden. Today I'll be styling new jewelry and vintage finds with a Spring Green theme. 

Many thanks to those of you who have participated in the Reader Survey that I posted yesterday. Your responses thus far have been illuminating! And, if you haven't already...

Enjoy your weekend friends- when you return here on Monday, there will be a giveaway waiting!

xoxo,

Elizabeth

Things Are Looking Up

Here are two pictures from a weekend ramble through Berkeley that made for an amusing diptych. A few similarities, I'd say.

Kitchen Chemistry in the Works

Our kitchen has evolved into a truly efficient workspace. The marble surface of my beloved kitchen island allows me to spread out all of my ingredients- and I still have room enough for a "basics station."

I've tried to design our kitchen to cater to good cooking practices (like remembering salt & pepper) so I established a permanent spot for the most basic seasonings. Now, while we're consulting a cookbook, we can also grab a pinch of salt, fresh-ground pepper, or sugar. We've got one of these beauties on our registry, but for now we use the mortar and pestle to grind roasted peppercorns (and we get a little exercise while we're at it!). The tray is actually an Ikea pie pan with a ruffly shape that appealed to me. I intend to try a quiche in it eventually, but at the moment it's catching loose salt sprinkles and keeping the counter neat. 

I prefer all-white ceramics for kitchen and dining, which allows me to mix and match interesting shapes, including some with floppy ears...

This weekend I'll be testing out a new gingersnap recipe, but that's not all that's cooking at Shock the Bourgeois: I'm going to be hosting my first ever giveaway! It's a good one (like, I wish I was eligible to win) and I can't wait to give you the details.

Until next week,

xoxo

Elizabeth

Rainy Day

I missed out on the last Alameda Flea when I was out of town, so I had been looking forward to November 7th for months. We pulled into the lot to find it largely empty (I had a fleeting moment of elation thinking of the prime parking spot we were going to score), but we soon realized that the Flea had been canceled! Drat! California clearly has a looser notion of "rain or shine" than we Seattleites are accustomed to.

We headed over to the auction house instead. We didn't get involved in the bidding, but I thought this hand-colored etching was awfully fun...

Sorry for the glare on the photo- I haven't been able to find an image of this print online. 

(Though, in googling I discovered that the artist, Thomas Rowlandson, was a bit better known for his xxx-rated etchings... so search with care!)

Our extra hour was spent puddle-jumping and leaf-kicking up on College Avenue, where we stumbled upon an estate sale and visited a few favorite shops (where I scored an excellent find, which I'll show off later!). I was glad I'd brought my camera, because everything was Autumn-colored and glistening... and it almost felt like home.

What did you do with your extra hour?

How We Turned Things Around for Halloween

As I pouted on Friday, our Halloween Party got axed when the attendees dwindled. To add insult to injury, my Tildy-Pumpkin's face caved in. The perfect Halloween that I had envisioned was literally crumbling- and so was I!

I'm getting to know myself fairly well. I'm a perfectionist. I like to plan. I'm not always graceful about disappointment. I'm also realizing that "perfect or not at all" isn't the best philosophy for happiness. 

So this is how we turned things around for Halloween.

First, I literally turned our pumpkin around.

Then, Adam coerced/guilted/bribed/bullied a handful of coworkers into coming over for drinks and snacks on Friday after work. In the hour before our guests arrived we whipped up some guacamole, corn salsa, goat cheese bruschetta, a batch of salty-spicy-sweet toasted pumpkin seeds, and a cinnamon apple crumble. We lit some candles, and we had a party. Was it the costume party I'd imagined? No. Did my guests stand around and talk about science, thereby boring me to death? Kinda, yes.

But we had a good time (and my guacamole was really tasty).

For the rest of the weekend we were without any plans, so we donned our costumes, took the Bart to San Francisco, and found ourselves in the midst of a Giants/Halloween celebration. Plenty of orange and black, many beards to fear, blaring horns, dozens of Mario + Luigi pairings, and what we hope was just a pipe bomb. California knows how to party!

Adam's costume was indiscriminately creepy. Vampire? Werewolf? Zombie? Miscellaneous undead creature? It was open for interpretation, and judging by how few people dared to look him in the eye, it was a success.

 I went as a Mad Men-inspired secretarial type.

All in all, a good Halloween! How was yours?

Summer-Fall Shift

In only a week I'll be visiting my family in Seattle. My mother informs me (with a grumble) that I should pack my raincoat. I'm actually looking forward to true Autumn weather!

I've discovered pluots this week, and it occurs to me that they're the perfect symbol for the Bay Area September, a Summer-Fall hybrid. Super ripe, deeply sweet, exactly the color of dappled red leaves. 

Thank you for your wonderful comments on my dining room! I'll be taking advantage of the lovely filtered sunlight this weekend so I can give you more images of my home next week...

Until then,

xoxo Elizabeth