HAPPY NEW YEAR & HAPPY EATING

ICEBERG LETTUCE WITH BLEU CHEESE VINAIGRETTE DRESSING







SALAD IS EASY WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHOP OR TEAR ANY GREENS. JUST QUARTER A HEAD OF ICEBERG LETTUCE AND TOP WITH A ZESTY BLEU CHEESE VINAIGRETTE

3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar 1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (1 ounce) Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 head iceberg lettuce, quartered into wedges

1. Whisk together vinegar, shallot, and mustard. Pour in oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until emulsified. Whisk in half the blue cheese. Season with salt.
2. Arrange lettuce wedges on a platter. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Sprinkle with remaining blue cheese, and season with pepper.

IT'S TIME TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR!!!!

AS THE NEW YEAR RINGS IN, IT'S OUT WITH THE OLD & IN WITH THE OLDER :) I HAVE BEEN DECLUTTERING EVERY ROOM & THE ATTIC. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS I FOUND: 2 SUITCASES FULL OF TIN TOYS,OLD PAINTINGS, SHEET MUSIC, RECORDS, 50'S GAMES,LAMPS, A MANNEQUIN THAT LOOKS LIKE ME ( REMEMBER THE SEINFELD EPISODE),
IF YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN ON MY CURB MONDAY YOU COULD HAVE HAD SOME GOODIES FOR YOURSELF & WHEN I TOOK SOME STUFF TO THE LOCAL THRIFT STORE, THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE IT :) I MADE 5 TRIPS SO FAR.
I KNOW I'M EASY BUT WHAT I FOUND ESPECIALLY GOOD TO ME WAS MY ARCHIVE OF PICTURES FOR FUTURE ARTICLES & RECIPES, SO I'M PSYCHED FOR THE NEW YEAR TO KICK MY BLOG UP A NOTCH WITH NEW IDEAS THAT I HOPE WILL HELP EVERYONE :) & I WILL BE ADDING TO MY JUNQUE STORE ALSO.
I AM ALSO REDOING MY BEDROOM, I PURCHASED A COOL BLACK BED ( YES, I SAD BLACK, NOT WHITE.....ALTHOUGH I CAN PAINT IT LATER), ANYWHOO, IT HAS 2 DRAWERS ON EACH SIDE (QUITE HANDY), SO I'M DECLUTTERING IN THAT ROOM AGAIN, WHICH I JUST DID 3 WEEKS AGO.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL & TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

A MERRY JUNKIN’ CHRISTMAS

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE
THE JUNK WAS ALL PILED
EVEN MY MOUSE

THE FRENCH STOCKINGS WERE HUNG BY THE CHEMINÉE WITH CARE
IN HOPES THAT BÉBÉ de SANTA SOON WOULD BE THERE
AND I WAS NESTLED ALL SNUG IN MY BED
WITH THOUGHTS OF “JUNK” DANCING IN MY HEAD

THE CATS WERE CURLED ALL UP IN A BALL
WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN
I HEARD NOISE IN THE HALL
I SPIED SANTA WITH BAGS OF WIRE & RUST
AND SOMETHING FRENCH WITH WHITE & CRUST

COULD IT BE A SANTO, OR EVEN A “TOWER”
OR A LOVELY BUNCH
OF LAVENDER FLOWERS.

OR MAYBE A TICKET TO PROVENCE OR FRANCE
I’D SNEAK A PEEK, TO TAKE THAT CHANCE!
WHEN WHAT TO MY WANDERING EYES SHOULD APPEAR
BUT A CUTE LITTLE FRENCHMAN
WITH PERFECTLY SHAPED EARS


AND FOLLOWING BEHIND HIM WERE EIGHT REINDEER
WHEN HE LOUDLY EXCLAIMED
GET THE H*** OUTTA HERE!
NOW DASHER , NOW DANSEUR, NOW PRANCER AND RENARDE
ON COMETE, ON CUPIDON, ON DONNER AND BLITZEN



FROM THE EAVES OF THE ATTIC
TO THE BASEMENT STAIR
BRING ME SOME “JUNK”
THAT I CAN SHARE.

HE RAN TO HIS TRAINEAU &
AND I HEARD HIM EXCLAIM
AS HE DROVE OUT OF SIGHT
HAPPY JUNKIN’ TO ALL AND
TO ALL A” GOOD (JUNK) NIGHT”

A MERRY JUNKIN' POEM FOR YOU

A MERRY JUNKIN’ CHRISTMAS

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE
THE JUNK WAS ALL PILED
EVEN MY MOUSE

THE FRENCH STOCKINGS WERE HUNG BY THE CHEMINÉE WITH CARE
IN HOPES THAT BÉBÉ de SANTA SOON WOULD BE THERE
AND I WAS NESTLED ALL SNUG IN MY BED
WITH THOUGHTS OF “JUNK” DANCING IN MY HEAD

THE CATS WERE CURLED ALL UP IN A BALL
WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN
I HEARD NOISE IN THE HALL
I SPIED SANTA WITH BAGS OF WIRE & RUST
AND SOMETHING FRENCH WITH WHITE & CRUST

COULD IT BE A SANTO, OR EVEN A “TOWER”
OR A LOVELY BUNCH
OF LAVENDER FLOWERS.

OR MAYBE A TICKET TO PROVENCE OR FRANCE
I’D SNEAK A PEEK, TO TAKE THAT CHANCE!
WHEN WHAT TO MY WANDERING EYES SHOULD APPEAR
BUT A CUTE LITTLE FRENCHMAN
WITH PERFECTLY SHAPED EARS


AND FOLLOWING BEHIND HIM WERE EIGHT REINDEER
WHEN HE LOUDLY EXCLAIMED
GET THE H*** OUTTA HERE!
NOW DASHER , NOW DANSEUR, NOW PRANCER AND RENARDE
ON COMETE, ON CUPIDON, ON DONNER AND BLITZEN



FROM THE EAVES OF THE ATTIC
TO THE BASEMENT STAIR
BRING ME SOME “JUNK”
THAT I CAN SHARE.

HE RAN TO HIS TRAINEAU &
AND I HEARD HIM EXCLAIM
AS HE DROVE OUT OF SIGHT
HAPPY JUNKIN’ TO ALL AND
TO ALL A” GOOD (JUNK) NIGHT”

HOLIDAY DECORATING TIPS

* DON'T BE AFRAID TO ADD BOLD COLORS OTHER THAN RED AND GREEN, SUCH AS PAIRING PURPLE, PINK, BLUE AND GOLD TOGETHER, THEY WILL BRIGHTEN UP A ROOM.





* CANDLES THAT FILL THE AIR WITH SCENTS OF THE SEASON, SUCH AS PINE, CINNAMON, CRANBERRY.




* SWITCH OUT PILLOWS WITH FESTIVE ONES OR TAKE PLAIN PILLOWS AND TIE A RIBBON ROUND THEM.





* CREATE A CENTERPIECE WITH FRESH FRUIT OR PINECONES GATHERED IN THE WOODS.







* DECORATE USING FAUX FRUIT FASHIONED INTO GARLANDS.

A NEW FLOOR LOVE IT & SOOOOOO EASY

I FINALLY GOT MY CHERRY DINING ROOM FLOOR IN (DEEP BREATH) NOW THE END RESULT MAKES ME WANT TO KNOCK OFF THE WALLS AS IT IS A LOG CABIN OR SHOULD I SAY A ROUGH SAWN RED OAK WALLS ON THE HORIZONTAL,SO COOL. HOW DO I KNOW YOU ASK? WHEN I PUT IN FRENCH DOORS A FEW YEARS BACK MY CONTRACTOR SHOWED ME, VERY THICK WALLS, SO I'M THINKING WHAT A NICE WINTER PROJECT :)
IF ANYONE IS INTRESTED IN THIS FLOORING, GO TO HD IT'S CALLED "ALLURE" COMES IN MANY COLORS & TEXTURES & MEASURES 3 FT X 6 INCH PLANKS......HERE'S THE EASY PART, IT'S VINYL (BUT TRULY LOOKS LIKE WOOD) IT'S WATERPROOF & IT'S NOT ALLOVER STICKY JUST THE EDGES SO YOU OVERLAP, IT'S LIKE A FLOATING FLOOR. SO FAR I'VE DONE THE KITCHEN & A FEW WEEKS AGO THE BATHROOM & NOW THE DINING ROOM. I LOVE IT........TOO BAD YOU CAN'T DO WALLS OR CEILINGS LOL.

BEFORE





AFTER

LEFTOVERS & A GOOD READ FOR YOU!!!!!!

COTTAGE STYLE


COTTAGE STYLE IS SOFT, COMFY & COZY. IT’S A MATTER OF TASTE ON HOW YOU WANT YOUR DECORATING STYLE TO COME THROUGH. SOME PREFER THE TAILORED COTTAGE LOOK WHILE OTHERS PREFER THE LAID BACK APPROACH. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS THAT I HAVE USED FOR MY CLIENTS OVER THE YEARS.

FOR A NEUTRAL PALETTE, THROW ON SOME PILLOWS OR A THROW WITH COLOR.



PAINT ONE WALL A COTTAGE COLOR THAT WILL POP WHEN YOU WALK IN THE ROOM

MONOGRAMS, VINTAGE LINENS, LAMPSHADES GIVE YOUR ROOMS ONE OF A KIND APPEAL.


CUSHY SLIPCOVERS THAT CAN BE PULLED OFF & TOSSED IN THE WASH OR CHANGED ON A WHIM


VIGNETTES OF CANDLE STICKS, SHELLS, NATURE TO EVOKE THE COTTAGE LOOK


DON’T DO IT ALL AT ONCE, AN OVER TIME LOOK GIVES A MORE COHESIVE, EASY FEEL & IT’S FUN TO GO OUT “ON THE HUNT” SEVERAL WEEKENDS.
LANDSCAPED ART GIVES YOU THE FEELING OF BEING ONE WITH NATURE & IF IT’S A SENTIMENTAL OIL, ALL THE BETTER




USING MULTI PATTERNS IS OK AS LONG AS THE PATTERN HAS ONE HUE IN COMMON. I LOVE THE LOOK OF TOILES, FLORALS, CHINTZES & CHECKS

AHHHHHH!! PAINTED FURNITURE, WHAT SAYS “COTTAGE” MORE THAN THAT……ESPECIALLY IF IT’S PAINTED WHITEWASH MY MOTTO: “IF IT’S NOT MOVING, PAINT IT WHITE©”

ZHOOZ IT UP!

ZHOOZ ( TO GLAM UP, GIVE A CERTAIN JE NAIS SE QUA)


I SCOUR FLEA MARKETS, TRASH HEAPS, GARAGE & TAG SALES, HAVE PICKERS LOOK FOR “JUNQUE” FOR ME. I LOVE THE HUNT AND AM ALWAYS IN “ON” MODE, “LEAVE NO STONED UNTURNED” IS MY MOTTO OR SHOULD I SAY “LEAVE NO JUNQUE HEAP UNTURNED”
I LOVE ITEMS WITH CHARACTER, THAT TELL A STORY, THE MORE PRIMITIVE THE BETTER.

SOME OF MY FAVE TIPS I USE OR EMPLOY IN MY DECORATING:



TO GIVE HIGH IMPACT TO A WINDOW HANG THE CURTAIN, FABRIC OR DRAPES HIGHER THAN THE WINDOW, IT ADDS DRAMA & STYE.
IF YOU HAVE AN ORNATE FRAME OR WANT TO ZHUZZ ONE UP HANG IT FROM A PIECE OF LINEN OR HEMP

AN OLD FRAME OR TIN CEILING SQUARE LOOKS GREAT AS A CEILING MEDALLION



YOU SPY THE UGLIEST LOVESEAT AT A SALE & TRANSFORM IT INTO A ONE OF A KIND SEAT: TICKING, LINEN,A METALASSE OR CHENILLE BEDSPREAD. REFASHION & REPURPOSE IS THE BARGAIN HUNTERS CREED


AREN'T THAT IMPRESSED WITH YOUR FRIDGE (STANDING OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB IN THAT KITCHEN? PANEL IT & SWITCH OUT THE HANDLES WITH GATE LATCHES.



LOCKERS, SUITCASES, BASKETS HIDE A MUTLITUDE OF KITSCH, THAT YOU CAN ROTATE LATER WHEN THE MOOD STRIKES FOR ANOTHER REDO.



USE AN OLD FRAME AS A MENU BOARD IN THAT FRENCH KITCHEN. JUST PUT A PIECE OF LUAN IN THE MIDDLE OF IT & SPRAY WITH CHALKBOARD PAINT



FOR A FRENCH LOOK PAIR AN OUTSIDE BENCH WITH YOUR KITCHEN TABLE OR USE YOUR METAL OUTDOOR TABLE & CHAIRS FOR A CAFÉ LOOK
HOW CAN YOU MAKE EVERYDAY OBJECTS MORE INTERESTING? GIVE IT ZHOOZ!!!

RELAXED COLOR

SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH COLOR IS THE MOST PEACEFUL & LESS STRESSFUL THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF, AFTER ALL IF YOU DON’T RELAX & FEEL COMFORTABLE IN YOUR OWN HOME, THEN WHAT’S THE USE OF BEING THERE?




PILE THE PILLOWS ON, EVEN IF THEY’RE WHITE ADD A FEW WITH COLOR TO SPARK CREATIVITY IN YOU WHEN YOU WALK IN

EASE YOURSELF INTO COLOR WITH ONE EYE POPPING OF COLOR FOCAL POINT


PAINT SOMETHING, RECOVER SOMETHING……
IF YOU LOVE CHIC THINGS BUT WANT CASUAL/COMFY, USE PAINTED PIECES THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME





DISPLAY COLORED DISHES, GLASSES IN AN OPEN CUPBOARD. IF THEY’RE SENTIMENTAL FAMILY ITEMS ALL THE BETTER TO PUT YOU IN A GOOD MOOD
DON’T GIVE SECOND THOUGHTS TO PURCHASES. IF I WANT IT, I BUY IT, I KNOW I WILL FIND A SPOT FOR IT EVENTUALLY & MAKE IT WORK SOMEWHERE. I CALL IT”LIVING VICARIOUSLY THROUGH JUNQUE” NOTE: A WRITER ONCE TOLD ME HE LOVED THE WAY I SPELLED JUNQUE”……IT MADE IT SOUND LIKE MUNDANE OBJECTS WERE GIVEN A STATE OF ELEGANCE.
FOR THE BEST USE OF COLOR ON YOUR PORCH, USE VINTAGE WATERING CANS AWASH IN PASTELS (PAINT A FEW) IF YOU CAN’T FIND THEM ALLREADY PAINTED. VINTAGE GARDEN TOOLS OR ADVERTISING TINS CAN ADD A PUNCH OF COLOR. USE THE TINS AS FLOWER POTS.