Thursday's Unique Picks - Looks Can Be Deceiving

Close your eyes and picture a domestic goddess.

Illustration of "The Goddess of Cooking", from a vintage cook book, found in Arcanium Antiques etsy shop. She is painfully absent from my kitchen.

Did you see me?

I knew you wouldn’t.

What inspired today’s picks from great etsy sellers? Let’s just say that looks can be deceiving, so it would behoove you to keep things organized.

This lovely little vintage recipe box, from CoopDeVilla on etsy, will keep all of your well loved recipes tidy.

Here is a glimpse at what happens when a self-proclaimed “domestically disabled” girly tries her hand at baking some cookies. Not one of my favorite things to make (I would much rather put together a killer casserole), but when mother asks…

So I decided on a recipe that is fairly simple, no crazy ingredients, and it yields quite a few cookies.

mmmmm.
 Chocolate Chip Mexican Wedding Cakes!
(A.K.A. delicious bite sized balls of goodness) 

• 1 cup (2 sticks butter) softened
• ¼” cup powdered sugar sifted
•  1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-2 ½” teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 6 oz. Semi-sweet chocolate mini morsels

Preheat oven: 350

Beat butter and sugar together until creamy + beat in vanilla + gradually beat in flour and cinnamon + Stir in chocolate chips = cookie dough (consistency should be like wet sand).
Roll dough into 1” balls and place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake for about 12-14 min. (Bottoms of cookies should be slightly tanned). Cool on cookie sheet for 2 min. then move to wire rack to cool completely.

Should yield about 3 ½ - 4 dozen cookies

This is what the finished cookies should look like sans the chocolate drizzle, because for me that would be taking things just a little too far. This picture is from my c.2003 cook book Simple Mexican Meals from Ortega.  

Could it be any easier? I have made these many times before so by now they should be a snap to whip up. Last Saturday afternoon, while dancing around in my kitchen, I proceeded to assemble the dough.

What's Cooking? Great vintage photo from Romance Writer's etsy shop.

The dough seemed to be an odd consistency. It was sort of sticky and slimy. Did I let the butter soften too much? I went over the list of ingredients again and again, yes, I had included everything on the list. Never mind, the cookies are sure to right themselves when baked. Into the oven they went and the smell of chocolate chips filled the room. About five minutes into baking, I decided to sneak a peek to see how they were coming along. Gasp! Expletive! I had a tray of caramel colored bubbly goo and melted chocolate. I called my hubby to the scene to inspect my disaster and possibly help me figure out where I went astray. I dredged out all of the ingredients again…The powdered sugar…

It seems that I had just a little bit of powdered sugar in a bag.

I don't usually store baking stuff like this. When ever I get a bag of flour or sugar, I try to transfer them to a plastic storage container or canisters. This keeps things fresher and makes them easier to store. Mine are not really cool and stylish looking but they get the job done.

The flour...

Hubby asked, "Which container did you use?". Hmmm. Why would that matter? They are both flour. Why would I have an entire container and a little baggie of powdered sugar? Turns out I did have an entire container of powdered sugar and that was what I put into the cookies. 1/4" cup sifted powdered sugar and 2 cups powdered sugar. Looks like my space saving/organization system had a few holes.

 At a glance can you tell the difference? Humor me. Tell me they look the same to you too.

Today's Unique picks are fantastic finds to keep your kitchen organized and avoid mistaken identities when cooking and baking.

What could be better than see through storage on a lazy susan? Ease your way into organization with this great 1970's canister set is from Vintage Eye's etsy shop.

Spice up your spice jars! These sweet glass vintage spice jars from filed away's etsy shop sure do beat those plastic ones from the grocery store.

A place for everything, and everything in its place. This beautiful vintage french spice rack is from Benefit Jewels on etsy.

The possibilities are endless with this cottage chic metal rack from CareyLeigh007 etsy shop. What do you want to be today, a napkin holder, a plate holder, a mail sorter? This could even store your pot lids in style!

If you need the counter space or even drawer space might I suggest using some organized vertical storage solutions. 

Check out this vintage wall mounted paper towel, wax paper, and aluminum foil dispenser from Sixty to Seventy's etsy shop. That is what I call easy access.

There will be no need to fumble around in a drawer for your pot holder when you keep them within arms reach, using these upcycled vintage silverware hooks from Legacies For You on etsy.

 I fear that I have neglected to address the most obvious need in my kitchen to get organized and avoid future mishaps.

Proper labels! These fantastic primitive looking craft labels can be found in Twine's etsy shop.

These great finds from etsy seller may not earn you a the golden oven mit for cooking...

This lovely pewter oven mit charm necklace found in Michelle Hartney's recycledrings etsy shop, goes to the cook with the most organized kitchen!

but you will surely earn silver for having your kitchen in ship shape order for your next baking extravaganza. Anyway, if you can't deliver the baked goods you can always go to the bakery...that is what they are there for, the domestically disabled.

Sunny Day Brunch

Enjoy a

Sunny Day Brunch

at The Unique Bird

Recently listed collection of vintage decor from The Unique Bird on etsy

Infuse your kitchen decor with bright vintage pieces to make any morning feel like a sunny day!

Cheer up your counter top with a sweet vintage plate, Green Thumb uniquely displayed in, Daisy May I, a 1960's napkin holder.

Stylish, stackable vintage storage, Stack Em High, with these brightly colored glass Pyrex refrigerator containers.

Layer in a touch of kitsch. This great lidded milk glass container, Henpecked, is hen shaped and would make a fantastic sugar bowl.

Early Blooms have been captured in this framed vintage floral fabric.

Wake up to Cups O Cheer, with this convenient and vibrantly colored mug tree and coffee cups on your counter.

Get Carafe -inated! Fab mid century glass carafe is perfect for serving coffee or could double as a sweet vase.

These delightful enamelware trays will have you asking What's For Lunch? when

used as fun and functional magnetic boards.

Even if you are not a domestic goddess you can look and cook like one with this sweet vintage apron, Garden Party and 1959 Crisco cook book Praise for the Cook.

Your Nest or Mine? Either way, clean up will be a breeze especially if you are using a cheerful vintage dish towel.

Start everyday in a sunny vintage way, with these great vintage pieces from The Unique Bird's etsy shop!

Thursday’s Unique Picks – Cannot tell a lie…

Get those party hats out. Crank up “Hail to the Chief” on your iPod. Drape yourself in bunting.

Next Monday is President’s day kids!

Outstanding Letterpress print of an original illustration of all of the 44 U.S. Presidents from oneCANOEtwo on etsy.

Garage Sale Girly is going geek on you this week with the inside skinny on President’s Day, plus great finds from etsy sellers that will help you celebrate this holiday in style.

I always loved history class, but I think that I may have retained a little bit more of the knowledge if the information had be presented to me with visual aids of awesome items that I had the option to buy.

Shallow geek.

Once upon a time, in a far away land, when I was in elementary school we would celebrate President's Day.

This 1923 original photograph from Ephemera & Objects etsy shop takes the cake. These kids know how to celebrate George Washington's birthday in style!

February was always a fun month in elementary school; there was Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. It was always the month we learned about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in history class. I especially like the part where we learned about the Presidents when they were kids and facts outside of their political achievements. It was sort of like the E! true Hollywood story of history class.

What little nuggets stayed in my brain?

Awesome Upcycled (from a wood fence) Lincoln silhouette from Recycled State by John Birdsong on etsy

President Abraham Lincoln:

16th President of The United States

Birthday: February 12th, 1809

I love this print created from an illustrated graphic by Jamie Patrick Paul in The Lost & Found Dept.'s etsy shop

Honest Abe was raised in a log cabin.

Spice up the decor of your log cabin with a woodland inspired Eco Chic moss covered "S" monogram from astylishdesign on etsy. 

Abraham Lincoln's mother passed away when he was nine, and his father remarried a lady named Sarah (Gee, don't know why that stuck with me). Abraham Lincoln was very close to his stepmother, who encouraged him to read.

Pour over history with a 1940 World's Fair George Washington Pitcher found in World Vintage's etsy shop.

President George Washington:

1st President of The United States, aka "Father of Our Country"

Birthday: February 22nd, 1732

Stylish vintage painted axe found in Opendoor Studio's etsy shop will liven up any room's decor.

Apparently young George Washington had an axe to grind.

Gorgeous vintage cherry brooch found in General Whimsey's etsy shop.

He took his hatchet and chopped down a cherry tree.

When his father asked George if he had chopped it down, he replied "I cut down the cherry tree with my hatchet. I cannot tell a lie".

These charming 1960's false teeth charms are from the Olde Farm Vintage Supplies & Treasures' etsy shop.

George Washington had false wooden teeth.

This is what I retained from elementary school about our 1st and 16th Presidents. Stop acting so impressed.

Recently I discovered though, that my knowledge about George Washington wasn't actually accurate.

I just had to go and read a book.

Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents: What you teachers never told you about the men in the White House, by Cormac O'Brien. It is sort of like US Weekly but about the U.S. Presidents.

1. That whole "chopping down a cherry tree", "cannot tell a lie" story was a myth. After the president's death, a man named Mason Locke Weems, wrote a book about George Washington's exploits and seemed to have embellished some stories about the President's life in order to make him seem like a super human.

Keep the legend alive with this pre 1915 postcard celebrating Washington in his boyhood days from Vintage Vendor's  etsy shop.

2. The President didn't really have wooden teeth. He did wear dentures though. Most of them were ill fitting and he even had a set that was upcycled from hippopotamus bone. This fact was amusing, but I cannot tell a lie...I liked it better when I thought his teeth really were made out of wood.

Make no Bones about it, this little vintage hippo planter from Little Edith Bee's etsy shop is adorable!

Since my brain seems to be a bit fuzzy, clouded with legends, folklore and partial truths, I figured I better find out what we are really celebrating on President's Day. So I checked out these articles on Snopes and Wikipedia (of course).

A day to celebrate all of the U.S. Presidents? Nope.

Who would win? Washington vs. Lincoln? Duke it out with these magnetic paper dolls from Melly Mo's etsy shop. 

Surely it is to celebrate the birthdays of Lincoln and Washington (Just like they taught us in school, right?).

Wouldn't this be a great little ring to have around? This handy metal lie detector ring can be found in belluga's etsy shop.

Foiled again. It seems that it really is a holiday just to celebrate Washington's Birthday. It all started back in 1879, and was meant to be on his actual birthday, but alas in 1971 the government decided to move the holiday to the third Monday in February to streamline holidays into convenient three day weekends.

Don't be blue Mr. President, this holiday is for you! Great vintage glass bottle shaped like the birthday boy, found in WaldenRoad's etsy shop.

There you have it. I could not tell a lie...

Thursday's Unique Picks - Keep it Casual

Ahhh, Valentine’s Day. A day to celebrate love and romance.

Show your Valentine that romance is alive and well with this original cross stitch from bombastitch's etsy shop.

No hubby, Hallmark did not make this one up to torture fellows. I swear.

Got something you didn't expect? Vintage postcard from World Vintage Books on etsy. Don't let this happen to you.

My sources ( from the history channel) tell me that the tradition of exchanging sweet little love notes to express how much you care dates back to 270 A.D. in honor of St. Valentine. (Pre- Hallmark)

Over the years the tradition of sending little notes to express love has evolved into extravagant gifts, decadent dinners, and so on and so forth. SO MUCH PRESSURE! I completely understand. What if you just “like” her and don’t "like her, like her?” You can’t just ignore the holiday…

This awesome vintage tin can be found  in Vogue Vintage's etsy shop. "Play on playa" as Nas would say. This post goes out to all you players out there that would like to stay that way. 

My goal for today’s unique picks was to compile some great finds from etsy sellers to help you guys out of a potentially sticky situation.

Vintage photograph of a couple enveloped in romantic bliss, found in La Casa Monina's etsy shop.

Don't become an unhappy couple as a result of a poorly chosen Valentine gift.

These are Valentine gifts that won’t give the wrong impression.

This adorable handmade wood super couple is from The Pretty Pixie on etsy. You can let her know she is "super" without getting too serious!

You can acknowledge this holiday without getting all sappy, sentimental, and serious with your date.

Being upfront with your gift's intentions. This seriously saucy gift bag can be found in Saucy Sacks' shop by ideafield on etsy.

 It may not be romantic, but at least it is honest.

You can say it with out having to say it...This fab hand painted mug from LENNY MUD on etsy is a great way to let your date know that you appreciate one of her finer points. But beware, compliments can sometimes lead to a commitment.

Lingerie is also a great way express your intentions to your Valentine.

Slow down! You are moving too fast. Not ready for carnal commitment...

This will help you to resist the urge for a night cap. This cozy vintage house coat from Tracy's Cat Walk on etsy is sure to keep her warm and reassure her that you don't plan on letting things get too hot and heavy.

Flowers can be thoughtful and romantic so it may be in your interest to go a different route.

Gorgeous antique package of seeds from gardinlelah's etsy shop.

Nothing says "take it slow", like giving a packet of seeds instead of actual cut flowers. Who knows, maybe you will stick around long enough to watch them grow...along with your looo...nope. Chances are she may not keep you around for a second date.

A popular thing to do on Valentine's Day is to cook up a little something special with your Valentine.

By no means should you make whoopie pies. That may give the wrong impression.

My suggestion...

This vintage cookbook from selloholicmom on etsy, is as sweet as low calorie ice cream.

There will be no mistaking your intentions with a gift like this. She shouldn't be offended, you are just looking out for her health and you will be doing an activity as a casual couple. She should chill, it's not like you handed her an apron.

Face it, if you really don't have romantic intentions, honesty really is the best policy.

Keeping it real in a tasteful manor with this lovely cross stitched piece from Subversive Jewels etsy shop.

I hope these great finds have given you ideas on how to still give your Valentine's Day date a little something special with "no strings attached".