4th of July Party!

Two days down, two to go! Do you have plans for the 4th of July holiday? I am excited for the fireworks and extra day off from work... might have to do a little shopping beforehand at J.Crew.




My lastest installment of 4th of July related blog posts includes patriotic crafts... I'm not really that crafty (relatively speaking), but these seem easy enough! And, if you are hosting a party on the 4th, why not try a couple! All of these are from the Martha Stewart website, of course.


get the "How To" on Martha's Fireworks Tablesetting HERE.



learn how to make your Striped Picnic table HERE.



get the "How To" on these sweet little Drink Parasols HERE.



learn how to make your Red, White & Blue Garland HERE.

Crab Cakes!

Last year, I made these crab cakes for the 4th of July and they were such a hit that I have decided to make them every year. I actually got the recipe from OK Magazine (lame, I know). They were doing a spread on celebrities and The Laundry Restaurant in East Hampton, New York. The Laundry is a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Cattrall, Renee Zellweger, and Mandy Moore (according to OK Magazine, June 2008).

But, enough about the restaurant, let's talk crab cakes! These are so super delicious. Seriously! I surprised myself, they were so yummy. Plus, they are easy to make and make you look like a star chef! Here is the recipe:

Laundry Crab Cakes

serves 8-10, prep time: 45 minutes, cook time: 20 minutes

3 lbs fresh jumbo lump crabmeat (picked clean of shells)
1/4 cup chives, minced
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, leaves only, minced
1/4 cup dill, leaves only, minced
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs (no crust)*
1 each red and yellow pepper, diced small
1-1/2 cupes mayo
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
salt to taste
white pepper to taste**
Tabasco to taste
Panko breadcrumbs

*I bought plain breadcrumbs and they were just fine!
**used black pepper

Keep crabmeat on ice at all times, and pick through for stray shells.

Add herbs, peppers, salt, pepper and Tabasco. Toss gently to combine. Add breadcrumbs and toss thoroughly. Be careful not to break up the lumps of crabmeat! Mix should be able to fall through your fingers.

Combine mayo and Dijon mustard with mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Form small cakes with mixture. Pour a layer of Panko into a shallow flat dish and pat crab cakes into Panko, so that two sides are well coated.

In a nonstick pan, saute until golden brown on top and bottom. Finish cooking in a 425 degree oven for about 6 more minutes.

Crab is expenive, but buying jumbo lump crab will pay off. Trust me.

Here is the scan from my files!

Red, White, & Blue!

I can't wait for the 3-day weekend. I'm in count-down mode (one work day down, three to go). My plans include going to upstate New York, relaxing by a beautiful lake, soaking up sun, watching fireworks, and eating crab cakes (I will share this amazing recipe later). So, I have decided that all of my blog posts this week will be related to this fabulous summer holiday.

Flags are graphic and colorful. Why don't we frame them and hang them on the wall? American flags, the Union Jack, and even vintage yachting flags can be found on ebay, or at flea markets. Try this.

New Vintage!

Check out the new items available for purchase this week at High Street Market!


1950s ceramic Horse Head lamp, mint condition, $135.00


white porcelain hand, $36.00


1950s nine inch globe, $48.00


Aqua blue and gold Stangl plate, $28.00


white vinyl 1970s ice bucket with lucite handle, $48.00


Sheffield silver plated toast rack with original tag, $48.00


Large cream linen with red crewel Hungarian embroidered pillow cover, mint condition, $89.00


Japanese girl tea tin with lid, $18.00


Royal Haeger vase, $36.00


Large silver plated trophy style ice bucket, $48.00


pink glass taper candle holders, $32.00


vintage milk carrier with green handle, $18.00 each (3 available, 1 with a white handle)


vintage refurbished fan in aqua blue, $48.00


pair of turquoise ceramic Owl salt & pepper shakers, $18.00


Vintage framed Hummingbird print, $38.00


Small brass apple, $16.00


1940s Bakelite set of dominoes in original case, $38.00


Clear glass Hobnail cake platter, $38.00


Set of 3 tiny brass elephants, $18.00

Happy Weekend!

After weeks of rain, I will be shopping the local Flea Markets this weekend (with sunny skies, fingers crossed)! Check back on Sunday for a preview of the new vintage listings at High Street Market.

One of my favorite pictures... read how Farrah brought attention to such a rare illness HERE.

Living In A Time Capsule

There is an interesting article in the New York Times Home & Garden Section about homes that have been left untouched, with their yellow Formica countertops, and even vintage appliances. Calling them "time capsules" — a home that has been preserved for years and years, giving visitors the feeling of being in a "décor-warp."


Identifying exactly when a home became stuck is easier. “Pink-tile bathrooms, Dishmaster faucets, colors like aquamarine and sunbeam yellow — all very 1950s,” said Pam Kueber, who runs retrorenovation.com, a Web site devoted to midcentury design. Shag carpet and avocado appliances indicate the ’70s. Lava rock and ultrasuede? As ’80s as a Rubik’s Cube.

Ms. Kueber posts midcentury time capsules on her site with photos provided by readers, often taken from real estate listings. In many cases, she said, the homes were occupied by elderly couples who were immensely proud of them. “I think the owners of these homes were tremendously invested in them emotionally, as well as financially,” she said. “They came from an era where a house was very hard won.”

As a rule, she said, the homes were well cared for, and the belief was “Why change something if it’s not worn out?”


And, in my opinion, why change something if it is still beautiful? Don't some of these spaces stand the test of time? These three images below are my favorites. Read the article HERE, and check out the full slideshow HERE.











Pam Kueber's site, Retro Renovation is really great. If you love vintage accessories, historical homes, and mid-century design, it's a great read. Check it out the galleries of images HERE.

I love you, Thom.

I love Thom Filicia. I think he is precious, and funny, and incredibly talented. He is from upstate New York, and I have a slight bias toward cute boys from that area (I married one). I DVR "Dress My Nest" and I know sometimes the rooms on that show turn out a little too "set designed" but truth be told, I think that Thom is part genius and I always find something about his work that makes me think, "Wow, would I have thought of that? Would I have thought to do that?"

This entry from Vogue Living takes my breath away...






I love how Thom's designs always seem to have a vintage influence... The accessories are eclectic, and I love his attention to scale and proportion.




This book is great. I think you'll like it.



Available HERE.


Here are some images from Thom's terrific apartment in New York, which has been featured, well, everywhere.


Table lamps on your dining table? I like it.

















I love this shot. Remember Kristan Cunningham's huge maritime canvas? When I saw that, I immediately thought of Thom's apartment. Super cool. And, don't you love the round jute rug?




He also has a (super chic) lake house which was featured in a later issue of my beloved Domino (RIP). Remember?

Summer Stylin' and Tim Clarke

When I lived in Santa Monica, I very often would walk past the store and office of interior designer, Tim Clarke, off of Main Street. I loved seeing the pendant lights hang in the window. Never actually went into the store, by the way. And as I write this, I wonder why? Maybe I never went past during their open hours (hmmm, weird now that I think about it). Anyway, Tim Clarke has a uniquely "beachy" feel to his interiors and since I am wishing myself out of the office on this officially summer day, I thought I would share a bit from his gorgeous portfolio.




this room sort of reminds me of my trip to Thomas Edison's Florida Estate...



























And, Tim Clarke, I've got to say, I like your old website. This new fancy format... with the lifestyle shots mixed with interiors? Not sure if it's user friendly. That's all I'm sayin'.

And, by the way, where are all the old shots with the gorgeous painted Mexican tiles? Need to find those...


*UPDATE: found one.