Gift Guide: For Him!

This holiday season is flying by so quickly, that I cannot believe we are just two weeks away from 2017! Before that, I put together yet another Gift Guide of presents for all the men in your life, which I updated from last year's, with some help of course.  :)  You will find plenty of fun things to add to your shopping list, and afterwards make sure to take a peek at this year's Gift Guide for Her to inspire your own wishlist!

Happy browsing!

Look and Feel Fresh

Read More

Shop Small Saturday!

Today is one of my favorite days during the holidays... Shop Small Saturday!  Haven't heard of it before?  Well, here are a few reasons why you should shop small!

Are you ready to support some incredible makers and artists now?  Well, take a gander at all of the previously featured shops and be treated to some truly original gifts for your loved ones... and yourself!

There are so many awesome items to shop in the categories of: Crafted Gifts, Bags, Purses & Wallets, Men's Clothing, Delicious Artisanal Foods, Jewelry, Children's Clothing, Home Decor & Accessories, Paper & Stationery, Bath & Beauty, Accessories, Women's Clothing, and so much more.

Happy shopping!

You might also like...

Why Shop Small?

Shop Small Saturday Showcase

Haus & Home and Lord & Little

Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quick note to say I hope you enjoy your holiday and long weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

You might also like...

Spicy Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing

Thanksgiving Menu Ideas

Easy Sweet Potato Pie (without a crust!)

Read More

Hello (& Instagrams) from the Philippines!

Originally, I had scheduled a crafty post for today (per my brand new blogging schedule)... but I'm in the Philippines!  So far, I have only had about a day in Manila.  It consisted of sleeping, food, and a short walk around town before the entire city practically shut down when the Pope arrived.  However, I have a few pictures to share with you already!

To keep up with all of my adventures, check my Instagram feeds at both @vintagezest for the sights and @theepisodiceater for the food!


Here is Day Zero (at the airport) & One of the journey so far to whet your appetite...

• Left from LAX, where I actually did a little celeb spotting!  I did get pictures, but no... I'm not about to name drop.  :) 
• Uploading some old pictures on to my computer because no, I couldn't quite cut the cord... 
• On the plane with three travel essentials: hydration, nuts, and Chris Pratt!

Ate a ton on the plane.  Seriously, I'm surprised at how pretty this plane food was!  Also, this is what one person was given to eat, minus a couple of courses that you can see on @theepisodiceater.  Granted, this was a long flight, but really?  Plus, I could order from the snack menu whenever I wanted.  It was bananas!  Irony: I skipped the banana during breakfast.

After touching down in the Philippines, we got acclimated to the hot weather, the time difference, and  the money!  Fun fact, the two 500 peso bills below are both real currency, but they change the money so often here that you'll often see different bills with the same denomination.

On a side note, aren't the bills pretty?  I just had to share on @vintagezest because I thought so.  :)

Read More

Shop Small Saturday!

Today is one of my favorite days during the holidays... Shop Small Saturday!  Haven't heard of it before?  Well, here are a few reasons why you should shop small!

Are you ready to support some incredible makers and artists now?  Well, take a gander at all of the previously featured shops and be treated to some truly original gifts for your loved ones... and yourself!

There are so many awesome items to shop in the categories of: Crafted Gifts, Bags, Purses & Wallets, Men's Clothing, Delicious Artisanal Foods, Jewelry, Children's Clothing, Home Decor & Accessories, Paper & Stationery, Bath & Beauty, Accessories, Women's Clothing, and so much more.

Happy shopping!

Read More

Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember that slightly irreverent, silly girl who liked to cook, craft, sew, travel, and blog about it all?

Here I am!

I have so, so many new things to share with you and I cannot wait to get to it.  But first, we'll have to take a break because it's a holiday and we should spend time with our friends and family with LOTS of food.  I'll catch up with you later, but in the meantime...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Read More

Happy July 4th!

Happy July 4th!!!

What are you doing inside?  Get out there and eat some grilled food and ice cream, and then watch some fireworks!  Have a lovely holiday today.  :)

July 4th Ice Cream recipe... but it's good year round!

Read More

20 Recipes for July 4th!

Have you decided what is on the menu for your July 4th party?  It's only a week away!  Fortunately for you, I put together a round-up with a bunch of dishes for you to make complete with appetizers, salads, easy entrees, grilled entrees, desserts, and even a kid-friendly dish!

Appetizers

Red Pepper Spread with Roasted Eggplant & Garlic

Creamy Jalapeño Poppers with Sausage

Lettuce Wraps

Read More

5 Vegetarian Dishes for July 4th from Rini!

This is one of the last recipe guest posts for the month, and it's a special holiday round-up with a collection of five recipes.  Yep, it is ending with a bang from today's post courtesy of Rini of Healing Tomato!  As you already know, I love tomatoes and many of the recipes I share here vegetarian or rely heavily on vegetables, but Rini has the vegetarian thing all wrapped up!

Today, she is sharing some great dish ideas for your July 4th bash for vegetarians and veggie lovers alike!  I am drooling over the corn, and laughing over her vegetarian woes.  :)  Check it out!

********************

What To Feed Vegetarians On July 4th

Read More

Summertime Wreath from Katy!

Today's guest post is from Katy from An Inside To My Heart, one awesome scrapbooking and card making lady!  When she was interested in guest posting, I asked if she might use some of her skills to making something home decor-related and she whipped up this super cute summertime wreath!  Ready for the tutorial?  Check it out!

********************

I'm so excited to be helping out Diane of Vintage Zest...her projects have inspired me and I hope I can do the same with this SUPER SIMPLE Summertime Wreath made from supplies you probably have at home.


You will need:

• Styrofoam Wreath (preferably the kind that doesn't flake off)
• Ribbon or Tulle
• 4 sheets of 12x12 Scrapbook Paper (I doubled one of my patterns but you could use 4 different patterns if you want).
• 1" push pens
• 3-D Foam Squares

Directions

Wrap Wreath with Ribbon or Tulle until all the Styrofoam is covered.

Read More

Memorial Day wishes

As I wrote the title to this post, on instinct I was going to write "Happy Memorial Day," which is how we greet people on most holidays.  However, I remembered that it is a bittersweet occasion for the families and friends of fallen soldiers, both remembering their loved ones and honoring them for their service.

Yesterday, we celebrated at a barbecue with five veterans of different generations, who had all been blessed to come home.  For us, it was a joyous occasion, and I was fortunate to thank them in person.  To all of you who have veterans in your lives, I send thanks and good wishes to you during this Memorial Day.

We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.   -Francis A. Walker

To those whose loved ones have fallen, I also send my deepest condolences.


Cover them over with beautiful flowers,
Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours,
Lying so silent by night and by day
Sleeping the years of their manhood away.
Give them the meed they have won in the past;
Give them the honors their future forcast;
Give them the chaplets they won in the strife;
Give them the laurels they lost with their life.

- Will Carleton

Read More

Weekly Wrap-Up: Exploring L.A.!

Originally, I had zero plans for this weekend, but then my friend and I decided to catch a last minute craft fair and have fun being tourists in our own city!


Precap (jump to):

• Sights:  Echo Park Craft Fair, Echo Park, Carroll Avenue, Grand Park, Walt Disney Concert Hall
• Eats:  Oaxacan Quesadilla Cart, Bouchon Bistro, Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ, Creme de la Crepe

I invited my friend to go to the Echo Park Craft Fair, which was not in my original upcoming events post.  It seemed like it might be cool and had some shops I hadn't seen before, so we met up!

It was kind of a strange craft show: very crowded, dark, and not conducive to showing off the best of the goods.  Still, I did find some awesome features for Shop Small Saturday Showcase!

However, outside the craft fair was something pretty awesome: the Oaxacan Quesadilla Cart!

The fresh, handmade blue corn tortillas were shaped and formed for a long line of hungry people.  To see the whole process and where to find the cart, check out The Episodic Eater!

Read More

Happy Mother's Day! & Sunday Synopsis

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope all of you have a lovely day celebrating with mom, your kids, and your loved ones!  We will be having brunch at my mom's restaurant pick, and I'm sure it will be a fun time.  :)

Lastly, here are last week's posts in case you missed any.  :)

Sunday Synopsis

Monday:  Feeling adventurous?  Try out this Filipino dessert with tropical fruit, coconut milk, and tapioca pearls.  It's wonderful!

Tuesday:  Do Tell Tuesday #22 along with awesome features from last week.  :)  Come link up and try to get featured on all three blogs next week!

Wednesday:  I upcycled lotion bottle into a functional cell phone charger holder!

Thursday:  Before we get into the Blogging 101 series, check out why I am a shy blogger.  So far, I have a ton of support out there.  Thanks guys and gals!

Friday:  Wow, so much food and fun this week!  Plus, a sneak peek at Unique L.A. and adventures around town.

Saturday:  Dandyrions' feature and giveaway on Shop Small Saturday Showcase!  Check out this shop with amazingly adorable creations.

On The Episodic Eater

Forage (Los Angeles, CA):  Delicious fresh, seasonal food.  So delicious!

Brite Spot (Los Angeles, CA):  Desserts and pie from a classic L.A. diner.  Mmmm...

Guisado's (Los Angeles, CA):  Tacos with handmade tortillas and so many delicious fillings.  Gosh, I have to go back soon.  :)

Providence (Los Angeles, CA):  We celebrated my dad's birthday at one of the best restaurants in L.A.  Definitely a must read!

La Tavolata (Artesia, CA):  If it's Italian food, I'm in!

85°C Bakery Cafe (Southern California):  We tried so many bakery delights and spied even more that we'll have to try next time.  :)

Happy rest of the weekend!

Read More

Happy Easter!

Greetings!

I hope you have lots of tasty eggs, delicious chocolate, and friends and family nearby to celebrate with.  :)

Happy Easter!

Read More

50+ St. Patrick's Day crafts, recipes & decor ideas!

It's almost St. Patrick's Day!  I haven't posted anything about the holiday because we have the good fortune to visit an authentic Irish family's celebration every year.  Check out last year's fun party!

For this year, I thought it would be fun to share over 50 of the St. Patrick's Day crafts, recipes, and decor ideas that have been linked up to Do Tell Tuesday for all of you that are celebrating at home!

But first, I think it would be fun to treat you to the time I had in Ireland earlier this year!  See all of the wonderful sights, history, food, and pubs in all three posts: Ireland - Part 1, Ireland - Part 2, and Dublin!

Home Decor

Read More

Mardi Gras Post Round-up!

Every week at Do Tell Tuesday, there are always so many great projects linked up!  As a bonus to the regular party features, I thought that I would put together themed feature posts, like the ones I did for Valentine's Day, National Banana Bread Day and a Perfect Day of Recipes.

I hope you enjoy these, because you are seriously all so talented that I can't help but feature even more of you!

This week, I wanted to get us all in the mood for Mardi Gras, which is happening next week.  Let's go!

New Orleans Tour

First, I wanted to take you through my tour of New Orleans from last year, just to get everyone in the mood!  Check out the delicious food below from Po'Boys, Oysters Rockefeller, Alligator Cheesecake, Bread Pudding, Beignets, Baked Alaska, and Gumbo!  There's actually even more on the post!

And the beautiful sights, architecture, and fun things around town were just as awesome.  Check it out!

Are you in the mood for some Mardi Gras recipes and decor now?  Let's get to it!

King Cake French Toast

Perfect for starting your Mardi Gras off deliciously!

Mardi Gras Tablescape

So beautiful!

Mardi Gras Smoothie

This looks just wonderful!

Mardi Gras Push Up Pop 

What a lovely treat!

Mardi Gras Cake Pops

Even more delicious sweetness!

I hope you have a fun, non-scandalous Mardi Gras!  And as they say in New Orleans...

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Read More

DIY Coffee Grounds Scrub

Hello!

I have obviously been sharing lots of goodies on the blog every day, but the last time I shared an easy DIY with you was almost 5 months ago!  What?!?!  Yep, it was my monogrammed glass cookie jar idea, but it wasn't even a tutorial.  The last time I shared a non-sewing tutorial was last May: my Nautical-Inspired Odds & Ends Jars.

Well, I would love to share something that is not jar-related with you all now: my DIY coffee grounds scrub!

Just to let you know, I use this all year round, but I think it would be a fun little Valentine's gift to make, give, and receive!

You might notice that I virtually put a cute little label on the jar using PicMonkey, because honestly I did not make a label for the jar in real life...  this batch is for myself!  You get the idea of how it would look cute in a jar, with a nice little label and a bow or two, perhaps!  :)

********************

I have seen recipes for coffee ground scrubs that claim to decrease cellulite, but honestly I just use this to smooth rough patches of skin.  It works great!  Also, I have never used it on my face, because that skin is far more delicate, and it would probably be more harmful than helpful.

With that, here is the "recipe" to making your own Coffee Grounds Scrub!


Coffee Grounds Scrub
A Vintage Zest original

Read More

11 Sweet Valentine's Day DIYs!

You may have noticed after I was all gung-ho about Thanksgiving, I dropped the ball on holiday posts.  But never fear, we have TONS of awesome inspiration for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday from the amazing linkers on Do Tell Tuesdays!  I found all of these really great ideas last week that would be perfect as a Valentine's gift or something to make to celebrate the holidays on the day of!

Without further ado, check out these 11 Sweet Valentine DIYs!

This Sugar Scrub Recipe from Momdot would be a nice present or a treat for yourself on Valentine's Day!

Isn't this a sweet Valentine's Day mantel?  The Ampersand Valentine Art from Life in Velvet is a lovely decorative touch!

I just adore these Cute Handmade Hearts from Passion Shake.  She has so many pretty patterns that you will have to check them out yourself to find your favorite one!  :)

This Burlap Memory Jar from My Paper Craze is perfect for keeping track of memories, but I also think it would be a perfect little present along with some chocolates stuffed inside for Valentine's Day!

Read More

Happy New Year!

Honestly, I just scheduled this to go live at 12:00am exactly, so I can wish you all a Happy New Year at the same time as my real-life friends and family!

Whether you are partying it up or fast asleep, I hope this year is full and happiness and great things to come.

Happy 2014!

Read More

Weekly Wrap-Up: Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles, B-day dinner & X-mas!

It's the last weekly wrap-up of the 2013!  I cannot believe how time flies!  These weekly wrap-ups have totally evolved this past year, but I'll chat about it a bit later.  :)


Precap (jump to):

• Sights:  Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles, Christmas!
• Eats:  FIG & OLIVE

Saturday

I convinced my guy that we should head to Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles for some last minute Christmas shopping!

It is located in San Pedro where the weather is absolutely amazing!  For this weekend, there was a special little Mom and Pop Up shop from the SoCal Etsy Guild for the holidays.

But first, I had to pop in and say hello to my friends at the Artisan Candle Company, who mentioned that I should drop by their permanent store after meeting them at Patchwork Santa Ana.  What a great suggestion!  On Instagram, I shared the candle that I picked out here.  It was a really hard choice!

It was especially a fun time because we were introduced to the Crafted's Executive Director and Leasing Director, who gave us a tour and introduced us around a bit.  Also, they gave us an inside scoop on their current location and their plans to open up a brewery, testing kitchen, and food artisan selling area for the building next door.  It sounds amazing, and I can't wait for that to open up!  By the way, this is all after filming their three separate segments on KTLA and staying up late for the Happy Hour shopping the previous day.  How nice of them, right?

Also, I had a chance to visit more vendors that I can't wait to feature on the Shop Small Saturday Showcase series soon.  I loved so many of the vendors, and my guy enjoyed his beer tasting while I did my rounds.  See, it is perfect for both crafty and non-crafty folks!  :)

Here are a few pictures from the non-vendor areas of Crafted.  A DIY ornament station, a photo booth, a free gift wrapping station, and a 10 foot tall wire baby art piece.  Yep, you read that right!

Read More