"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Showing posts with label Anthropologie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthropologie. Show all posts

Thursday, February 4, 2016

To Be Or Not To Be


Sometimes, things come and go, as in my beautiful bed I ordered from Anthropologie.  They sent a gray bed; I ordered an ivory one.  It is still beautiful, but for the cost of an arm and a leg I think I should get what I ordered.  That, and it gave me the excuse to get my money back.  Just too much to spend on a bed I've decided.

See, I'm not the kind to return things: I usually keep it instead of going through the hassle of a return. Not this bed though.  First, wrong color, second, it is slatted and can only use the top mattress.  The use of a bottom box springs leaves the headboard nearly covered up when the pillows are added and I still need new pillows.  At the footboard end, the bed sticks up too high if both mattress and box springs are used. The delivery man said, Señora, you need a bungbid.  A what, I asked.  A bunyaup he said.  It went on and I finally gave up trying to figure out what he was saying.


It was beautiful though.


 I found these two night tables at a decorator's assignment store and just loved them.


With a drawer and a cabinet on spindle legs, it had glass inserts atop old velvet where I could put an old Rolling Stones concert stub and antique postcards.  Just love these night stands.


I still have not put hardly anything up on the walls.  Vexing.  I think the strangest thing about moving to a new house, is how most of the stuff you have doesn't work anymore. This large old trumeau mirror that I've had for a long time just doesn't fit anywhere in the new house.  The picture at the top is chickens scratching around in barn hay.


This large dressing mirror, though it matches the bedroom perfectly, doesn't fit, literally.  It sticks out about a foot from the wall because of its legs/footing.  With one wall all windows, there isn't room for such a large piece. As I said, vexing. 

Nevertheless, the bed went back and after the initial angst, I don't regret the decision. 



Friday, November 27, 2015

Twas The Day Before Thanksgiving

  

when all through the house not a creature was stirring except for a [SNAKE?]

Let me just cut to the chase.  The universe was conspiring to kill me.  

Went about the business of readying the city house for the family holiday and our first Thanksgiving here.  My new baby blue modern love seat arrived at the store and I went to get it in my pick up truck (free shipping that way.)  My son went with me, we loaded it up and took it home.  Just a huge box and the love seat.  No padding or protection of any kind: a thin cardboard box and love seat???  Unbelievable. This love seat is a piece of crap and made in China.  It looks good, but the quality is poor.  It has a  raw, ragged 1/4 inch edge of fabric that they then stapled to the couch.  No, they couldn't roll the hem over a couple of times before they stapled it, and I fear it will shred or pull out before too long. We had to pull back the underside to find the legs and the woodwork looks like pieces of particle board, not long pieces of hardwood. And, this wasn't a cheap love seat.  I'd have paid $250. for it but not the amount I did pay.  So, I'll have to box it up and return it myself.  Only problem is, there is a howling wind and deluge outside and will be for the next several days.  Who gets 9 inches of rain this time of year without a tropical storm?  High is near freezing today and possible icing warnings.

Okay, this is getting too long already.  Let me just say, while waiting for the trucking company to deliver my bed, I started to prepare the pies.  I looked at the oven, and what in the world did I spy?  An oven like I'd never seen before.  A convection oven.  I've heard of them but haven't a clue how they work or how to use one.  So, I have to get out booklets left by the owner and start reading the schematics.... (my least favorite thing to do in the world).  I'd rather have a root canal.  That, and I told you I've never cooked on an electric cooktop and the dials were Greek to me.

In a nutshell (I can't seem to keep this brief), they delivered the wrong bed: the deliverers said [Senora, we can't do nothing about this.  We just deliver and set up and you have to call company.] The calling began...  They'll call back within 72 business hours.  And, I saw on their website today there is a 25% black Friday sale on everything today. I am thinking (no I am unless they give it to me half off) of sending it back instead of exchanging it for the ivory one I ordered, not the gray one they sent.

After that, a snake was in the dining area of my kitchen. Deep breaths.  Haven't a clue how it got in.  Didn't know if it was a viper or not so wasn't going to chance it and had to kill it.

I unwrapped the new bedding for my wrong bed(that I agonized over) and no shams included.   What?  This wasn't a custom made set.  So, I had to return to the store.  Oh, no, those weren't included.  Have to buy the shams one piece at a time.  Nearly as much as the bed covering I might add.  Okay. Deep breathe. Get them home and one will not unzip no matter what I tried.  I will have to fight the crowds to return it.  Grrrr.  I couldn't even find an alcoholic beverage in the house.  I rarely drink, but would have if I could have found some.

There is more but this is getting too lengthy and I'm sure you don't want to hear about all of the dark comedic happenings. Needless to say, I'm not even going to break this wishbone as I am certain I will come up with the short end.  What ever!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Bed In A Teapot



Well, this is the last time you'll hear me whining about that bed.  I remembered my stash I keep in this chintz teapot.  Though I must have been dipping into it a lot, (told you I can't remember anything) it is going for my bed.  That, and I had two ladies that just left who took me to the cleaners on some of the antiques I have been wanting to get rid of.  They have a store and wanted to pay pennies on the dollar, but it was a chance to get rid of stuff and get my bed.  A twofer and a new bed to boot.  So done deal.  Yippee! 

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Just A Folly


I am decorating my new city bedroom in country French.  I have looked high and low for a French caned bed.  I have found very few and the ones I have discovered are all very expensive.  Some are antiques and even more expensive than the reproductions.

I finally found this one at Anthropologie.  It is ivory with a fully carved swag of cabbage roses though this photo doesn't show the detail well.   It is the one I want - it is also expensive in my book. 

I don't buy jewelry or baubles that would cost as much.  Other than sunglasses and the occasional handbag, I don't spend much on clothes.  I guess I am trying to justify purchasing it.
My husband would just die and it would even be stressful for me buying it as I guess I am just plain cheap.  I don't like to pay retail without a discount.  I guess buyer's remorse would be the more appropriate phrase.  Oh, and I  forgot to mention I need a new dining room table and chairs and wood floors.  Those alone will wipe me out.  Since I haven't moved in such a long time, I hadn't thought about how my old furniture wouldn't go with the new house.  The former owner had a very formal style of decorating.  Me, not.  The first thing to come down were the curtains and swags she left behind.  Deep blues and green and burgundy.  I'm more whites and creams and pastels.

I'll let you know if I get up the nerve to buy it.  Perhaps if I wait long enough I'll forget about it.


Sunday, February 9, 2014

To Mope Or Not To Mope


Trying to brighten up my day (and keep from doing the things I should be doing).  This white bisque rabbit came from Anthropologie.  I guess it is glazed inside to keep water from leaking out.  I also got a goose head.  Just loved these and the gerbera daisies. But, take a look at the paper basket.

I went to Hobby Lobby last week.  I  usually just go there to buy art supplies.  All the rest I consider stuff. I have more stuff than one should have, and am trying to give it away.  Nevertheless, I was amazed at all the cute things they have. They had these paper baskets in different shapes and sizes, and made in China of course.  They were so cute.  Grandma Great used to make paper bead necklaces with a string chain to entertain all the grandchildren. Guess that is what hooked me.  They looked like her necklaces. If you haven't been recently, I suggest you go.  I can't tell you how many things I wanted to buy. 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Gifts


My birthday and Christmas come close to each other.  My family has a hard time figuring out what to buy me.  Unless I specify what I want, well...  I get quite a few stinkers.  I only asked for two things.  I love this salt shaker snow globe from Anthropologie.  It was a gift to myself.


I am not like most folk/women.  No Manolo's or Jimmy Choo's for me.  PS ~ stick doesn't work.  Yes it does.


Anyone want a bung? It goes in a hole.


Tweetle, dee dee.


Not sure how I'll use this.  Hmmm.  Perhaps I'll climb a tree and peer down a knothole. Ideas?  Maybe I can sneak up on someone around a corner and watch them unawares.



Oh, I love this medical cabinet from ikea.  Trouble is, I need another one and it cost almost as much to ship as the item did. So, do I drive to Dallas and pick up another or just pay the damn shipping? 


I got other things I love and some stinkers too.  I don't wear jewelry, except for small earrings, so I was happy with these.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Crab Apple Juice


What do you do when you've got gallons of crab apples and can't bear to let them go to waste?  If you remember, I have made liqueurs with them and jelly.  This time I decided to gather them and make crab apple juice.  It turned out good.  I froze the juice for later use.  I could have put more sugar in it, but it is sweet enough as it is. If truth be known, I don't think I added the sugar as it was just right, but the recipe did call for it. 

CRAB APPLE JUICE

8 quarts crab apples
10 quarts water
4 cups sugar
4 tsp. cream of tartar

Wash crab apples and cut into quarters or chop up.  Bring water to a boil then add cream of tartar.  Pour over crab apples.  Let sit over night.  Next day, drain liquid through cheesecloth.  Add sugar.  Water bath, can or freeze juice.  This made a lot of juice.  Oh, and the cute kitty and birds glass came from Anthropologie.

Monday, February 14, 2011

ORANGE YOU GLAD?


After the record breaking cold and snow of last week, it is 70 degrees today. I am walking around with a smile on my face, certain that spring has come. Hiding in the back of my greenhouse, I found that my naval oranges were ripe, (really almost too ripe). Nonetheless, I juiced them and drank the sweetest orange elixir I have ever tasted. Oh, and you can get precious doggie and kitty juice glasses at ANTHROPOLOGIE. And, did I say that I'm smiling? Life is sweet.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Felted Dogs


Here is a last minute gift idea for those of you (like me) that are still looking for gifts. ANTHROPOLIGIE has these little felted dog ornaments. I watched this season of MAN SHOPS GLOBE, a show on the Sundance channel, that follows the head buyer for ANTHROPOLIGIE around the world looking for the unique. An artist in Ireland makes felted dogs (larger) and they auctioned off some for charity, that went for thousands. Dog lover that I am, I had to get these. Of course, I have to keep them, so I am still shopping...

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

This Man Has the Best Job Ever

Keith Johnson does have the best job ever. He is the head buyer for Anthropologie and travels the world for iconic pieces of art, furniture, textiles and on and on. His show, MAN SHOPS GLOBE, is on Wednesday nights on the Sundance Channel at 9 central time. The things he finds are really incredible, but oftentimes, he shrugs them off (he says he's jaded) till he finds the thing that speaks to him. I love this show. If this clip won't play straight through, you can watch others at youtube. Meanwhile, don't miss tonight's show. It is that good. By the way, just heard Tulsa is getting a new Antropologie store at Utica Square. Yes!