Lace Collars

If anyone has seen or read Cranford, they will recall the hilarity of a lace collar being retrieved from a cat's innards. The idea of a handmade item being so valuable and irreplaceable is a little foreign to us now, but I long for it a bit.

Speaking of lace collars.......

La Camelot


Mary not Martha

Pink Polish Design

Emma Dear

Emma Dear

Boutique Belle

Zorya

Misfit Chic

Mary not Martha

Vital Temptation

Ode to a ....

Have had Grecian/Victorian (-ish) Urns on the brain lately.

Le Vintage Maison

Beautiful Reign

The Lovelys


Great Findz


Sherman Cat


Loves it Wants it


Chantclair


JWhite2


The Treasure Cat

Floral Tablecloths

I have a soft-spot the size of Texas for vintage floral printed tablecloths.
I own a few, but I'd really like to use them in my home with abandon.

Little Cabin Vintage

Vintage Girl Stuff

Swan Creek Cottage

Cat Nap Cottage

Malibu 3512

Vintage Stew

Gram's Textiles

Vintage Linens

I'd also like to (maybe) start an all-around collection of Vera linens.


Dazzleship

Swoon Antiques

Love Elizabeth
Cinful Oldies


Bastet Dreams


Betty and June

Find 4 You

Etsy Roundup: Pressed Glass

I think a collection of colored pressed glass pieces on a mantle in a white room would be stunning.

Some eye candy for this February Morning:

via Emily Lynch (my new etsy crush)



Via Helen Shassack
Incredible candlesticks via The Antique Cellar (clever name)
Amber Compote by Boots n'Gus


I'm dying over this compote - also at the Antique Cellar

Current Crush: Delphite

I knew I liked Jadeite (and even have the beginnings of a collection), but lately my eye is on the more elusive Delphite. Isn't that creamy blue color incredible?

Valentines Party in my head.

I love throwing couples Valentines Parties, though they aren't always well received. I suppose you'd have to have just the right invitees.

But a perfect party in my mind would include:

A festive typewriter and love-note writing station. Everyone writes a love-note to their spouse/significant other, then we all try to match the note to the writer. There is of course a prize for the best guesser.


(image of pink royal typewriter - and I want one)

Possibly a famous couples costume contest...... or at least some trivia.


There clearly must be an extravagant dessert table:

(Like everybody's favorite Amy Atlas)

Games would have to include The newlywed game (played with pink dry-erase boards)And possibly the Lifesaver Game - if it's that kind of crowd. (The pass-an-orange-under-your-chin-game would also work) (Image via flickr)

To improve communication and teamwork, we might have a crafty valentine competition. The couple with the best piece of art gets the best prize, but we collectively come up with an award for each entry. ("Best use of glue as a decorative element" - we can get creative) Image via Christmas Traditions

We might round the evening out with an old-fashioned dance-off. (You remember the one in It's a Wonderful Life?)
Or if this is real-life and we're having a hard time finding people to invite who know how to dance, we could always resort to a DDR tournament.

So, if I were to throw this party, would you come?

Valentines Idea #9: goodie bags

Twig and Thistle's free Valentine goody-bag PDF is a perfect last-minute solution for all your valentines panic! Now, what to put inside?

Valentines Idea #8: Vintage chocolate boxes

Jessica's lovely post about beribboned valentines boxes has me itching to start a collection. I think they would make the perfect Valentines decor.

Valentines Idea #7: Forced Bulbs

I can really think of no better way of brightening winter than pretending it's spring inside. The stunning red color prevalent in Amaryllis seems so festive and smart just about now. (Image via Hyacinth Vases)

Valentines Idea #6: Crayon Hearts

These crayon hearts, spotted over at Wee Wonderfuls, look like the perfect way to brighten up the dreary month of February, AND give a cabin-fevered preschooler something to do!

Valentines Idea #5: heart-shaped scones

Okay, I think heart-shape-ing any of your food is a brilliant thing to do right about now, but these heart-scones over at Such Pretty Things look so good I'm going to have to try them!