Pluggin' Our Pal & Freeform Friday

via jennymccabe

Friend & Family

That's Jenny. She's part of our family. She's my bil and sil's niece, one of my Dublin sisters, and our friend.  Jenny came to visit us before she had even met us (little did she know what she was getting herself into). Her arrival was not what you would call 'pretty'. Right JenJen?  Jenny was traveling on her own all the way across the pond, to relative strangers.  As if that wasn't enough, they lost her luggage. Not the way you want to start off.  All that aside, Gar, I and Jenny have all been fast friends ever since.

via jennymccabe, liliforberg & alimurphy

Jenny is quite the talented gal. Lovely voice. What this means is we have a professional singer available to pipe up at just about every family function when we're home. She not only sang at Gar's brother Niall and our sister-in-law Caragh's wedding, she has graced more than 500 weddings in Ireland with her beautiful voice. 

Here we are at Niall and Caragh's wedding.

If she's not singing at a wedding, you'll find Jenny onstage in a theatrical performance. She has received critical acclaim from the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera and won both Best Supporting Woman and Best Actress from the Irish Musical Society. 

Jenny moved on from performing in the amateur circles, and began supporting and performing with the likes of Josh Groban and Andrea Boccelli. She has also sung on famous stages like the Point Theatre,the Olympia Theatre and the Cork Opera house as well on television programs.

In addition to singing, Jenny is quite the hoofer. Give this girl a pair of tap shoes and she's good to go.  As you can see, between the singing, acting and dancing she is a triple threat and yes, quite the busy gal. 

via jennymccabe

To us though, she's still just JenJen.

You can find Jenny on facebook and on her own website, jennymccabe.com. 

Freeform Friday

First, a wedding selection from Jenny McCabe. A song from one of my all time favorite albums. Click here if you're reading by email.

And, something a little more 'raunchy'.....one of my favorite performances by Jenny in Jekyll and Hyde, Bring On The Men. Sorry the video quality isn't as good as it could be.  Click here if you're reading by email.

You'll find Jenny's own youtube channel here. 

Thanks for reading this edition of Friends and Family- wink wink.

Enjoy your Friday. We were hoping to have a campfire out back tonight since we got a little more rain. However, the wind is whipping, so don't think that's going to happen. We'll probably end up youtubing- our own little Friday night tradition. Gar djs while I sing and dance around the living room. Have I told you I LOVE youtube?

peace out,

A Tip Of The Hat

Saying So Long to A Swell Gal

That's CourtneyJo of Milk & Honey Naturals, seriously good soapmaker, blogger extraordinaire on The Everything Soap Blog, comic at heart, mother of twin boys (I was going to say two twin boys, but that's kind of redundant), wife, food lover, and one of the first friends I made in this little world we call 'blogland'.

Yesterday CourtneyJo announced that she was saying goodbye to blogging permanently, for a variety of reasons which include some of the aforementioned (twin boys, soapmaking) and a variety of others.

Although this makes me sad, it does make me happy that Court knows what she needs right now, and is going to try giving herself the break she needs.

That said, I will miss her. Really miss her. She's funny as hell. She's a good cook with great recipes. She continues to grow and grow as a photographer. She's honest. She's down to earth. She's focused on the right 'stuff'.

Did I say she was funny? I will miss the laughs CourtneyJo gives me.

I will miss seeing how her two cute lug-nuts are growing.

I'll miss seeing her husband Jaime sleeping on the floor with a stuffed animal for a pillow.

Most of all though, I'll just miss Court because shes Court. And that's also what I really love about her.

Be well my friend. Wishing your bright blessings including much love and laughter.

 

Damn, I knew I've been meaning to do something. I have got to order more obsure helitrope soap from CourtneyJo.

It's simply divine. Just like the girl who makes it. 

Things I Found & Heard At The Party

via literatepackrat

CleanUp Can Be Fun

Following the start of each new Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party, I post take a look around and post things that participants have left behind. There is always such a great bunch of links, that it doesn't make my job easy.

That said, here are my picks from last Thursday's party (which is still going on if you haven't linked up yet).

Krista, from Block.Paper.Scissors  linked up to one of her photo blocks. What a great idea. Add the burlap and you've pushed my love for this item over the top!

via Block.Paper.Scissors.

Think you know what this little worry bird is made of? Go ahead, guess. Go on, I'll give you a second. OK, that was a second.

via literatepackrat

Ready for this one? Junk mail. The secret is out. Have you ever seen junk mail look so cool? Katrina (my neighbor to the north by about 20 minutes), or Literate Packrat, shreds and boils down her junk mail to make her own special 'green' paper mache. Honestly, can you believe that?

One of the things I love about vintage, is the story of ingenuity vintage pieces often tell. This clothes dryer rack from Kathy of The Shop Up North (another granite stater!) is all about efficiency.

via TheShopUpNorth

Folds out when in use, folds away when it's not. Somethings just don't need to be improved upon.

How about a little beauty times three.  One strand of tourmaline wasn't enough for my etsy teammate and pal Marci of 3pearls, so she made three.

via 3pearls

So lovely. 

There was no ignoring this link. Quite simply, because lilacs are my aboslutely favorite flower.  Rosekraft made this lovely bouquet from finds in her yard.

via rosekraft home & garden

Just look at the glorious peachy colored hydrangea tucked in underneath the lilac. The benefits of living in California at this time of year.

Follow the link from OffOurWall gallery, and you'll find the amazing mosaic art of Ernest Amaral. 

via offourwall

Need a book suggestion? Stop over to LayOffTheBooks. Cathy has a few picks that she gives full reviews of, always nice to get someone elses take before you choose your next read.

via layoffthebooks

See what I mean about cleaning up after the party being fun?

Enjoy your Monday in your corner of the world and I'll do the same in mine.

Ciao for now,



Favorite Finds: Look On The Bright Side

via Vintage by Shevahh

Antidote for a Gray, Misty Day

Kind of bleak here today. Gray, misty, a little rain mixed in. Last night we had some wicked thunder and lightning move through. A little odd after having a snow storm on Saturday that dropped about 12 inches on us, to have a Spring thunderstorm 2 days later.

So to combat the ugly weather blues, here's a selection of etsy favorites that are sure to brighten things up.

A fantastically happy pink ponytail holder from my etsy pal and fellow Dublin afficiando Miki Martinez in Madrid. Now, Miki has tons of awesome vintage finds, but she has now added these great scrunchies to her shop.

via mikimartinez

I will now be embarrased to wear my ugly ponytail holders. I'm not kidding, they're downright ugly compared to Miki's.

I don't know about you, but I spent a lot of time as a kid playing Barrel Full of Monkeys.  This necklace from Hearsay Designs is a hoot and half!

via hearsaydesigns

How could you not feel bright and cheery wearing a barrelful of yellow monkeys?

I love all of Josh Freidman's photos. It might be because oneo f his favorite subjects is NYC. Then again, it could be that he's just a darn good photographer. The color and the subject in this one get equal billing for brightening my day.

via JoshFriedmanPhoto

Well, I can't say I'd ever thought of putting the Virgin Mary in a cigar box, but I absolutley love this upcycled box from shrinefairy. I think it's a beautiful shrine.

via shrinefairy

I'll have to be happy dreaming about being able to pull this number, by Wonderhand, off. The colors, the herringbone-stitch-fish-scale design, the hand knitting- I love it all. Hhhhmmm......I think I could rock this look as a vest.

via wonderhand

Oh, this bracelet by ACuteCute would make me happy every time I wore it.

via ACuteCute

At $4, I might just have seriously consider that one! As my mother Marge would say, "How could I leave it here for that?". Right Mom?

What? The sun shines in your house? It certainly does with this lamp from FiligreeCreations!

via FiligreeCreations

Flip the switch and POW, right in the kisser. Sunshine yellow happiness.

More colorful photography from my etsy & facebook friend Leona of LeesWhimsys.

via LeesWhimsys

Just loving the texture and the colors Leona explored in this shot of a hydrangea. Stunning.

And one more pop of electric blue from VintageByShevva.

via VintageShevahh

That 80s blazer rocks!

I'm feeling brighter and cheerier already. How about you?

Hope your Wednesday is going well. I can't believe it is the middle of the week already.  I've been working on ad design and logo/branding design today....what's on your plate?

Ciao for now,



Things I Found & Heard At The Party

via storytellersvintage

It's Amazing The Things People Leave Behind!

In no particular order, here are some wonderful things I discovered at our current Gotta Have It/Gotta Blog It link up party.

What do you think of this chalcedony necklace from contempojewels? I'm in love.  

via contempojewels

I think the blue is absolutely stunning. You're sure to make a statement with it  around your neck.

I am a huge fan of wood, and letting the natural grain be the star. The smell of sawdust actually makes me happy.  I guess it stems from my Dad's workshop in the basement.  Well, fellow Granite Stater Ron, from RJM Woodworks really knows how to bring the beauty of a piece of wood to life as shown by this cherry scarf pin.

via RJM Woodworks

Ron also makes wooden spoons that would be absolutely perfect for making the best risotto!

Your cuppa coffee would look so sweet 'wearing' one of these coffee cozies from another Granite Stater, SelkieMum.

via selkiemum

The bonus? You'll actually be able to hold that hot cup!

Personally, I love hearing a kid laugh. When they get the giggles? Even better. Debbi over on Yankee Burrow Creations (formerly our home to yours) gave me my laugh of the day with this video. A boy and his Grampa. You just gotta love it.

Traci of All Things Luci Rae, thought this project was taking a turn for the worse and that it would become an epic failure. In the end, she rocked this redo.  Just love the wine rack on the side!

via allthingslucirae

In addition to wood, I have a thing for gold lame.  Is there anything more glamorous? 

My mom had a purse very similar to this one from StoryTellersVintage. Had being the keyword. It's now mine.

What did you find at the party? Did you discover a new shop, a new blog or something that speaks to you?

Share away.

It's Monday and the sun is shining. We'll take it. Make it a great one.



Idea File Growing

via decor8

The File Is Starting to Overflow

All I need is more time in the day, so I can actually try some of these 'crafty' ideas that have caught my eye lately, like those I shared on Saturday.  I keep finding more to add to the list, like everything in this post over on decor8.

I especially love this dreamcatcher idea.  You could really make this your own with different embellishments. Have to say though, I really, really like this one.

via decor8

Then of course, there is Sania Pell, who I've mentioned before. Thank you Cari for getting me addicted to this woman's work. She's not only a great interior designer, stylist, and photographer, she's also quite a crafty girl.

This tealight from vintage tart tin, looks like it wouldn't be too difficult to try.



Love the end result. The glow that the three wicks give off is so pretty. 

Sania doesn't just 'make crafts' though, she also wrote a book about it.

via amazon.com

May have to get my hands on that one. I bet she's got some fantastic ideas in it, and I love that the subtitle is '50 thrifty and chic handmade projects'. How can you go wrong?

The resurgence in crafting continues to grow and shows no signs of stopping. It feels like the right time for it as people look to spend less, yet still want pretty things in their lives that make them happy. 

Crafting also holds so many memories for a lot of us. I remember doing lots of crafts from a kids craft book my Mom had on the shelf (aside: Mom, do you know the one I'm talking about? Is it still around?). If I was bored, there were all sorts of fun projects. Another side bonus of crafting is that you can often do it with a group of people and it can be quite social which makes it even more fun.

I was lucky enough to feature some wonderful crafters/artists this past fall. If you haven't read these post already, you'll find some great tutorials from Kristen, Stacey, and Daena. If you're interested in sharing a craft/art in the next installment of  'Be Our Guest' on Mercantile Muse, just let me know by commenting below and I'll be in touch.

Am I the only one that has crafts on her mind? Have you been crafting anything lately? Or are you just filling up your idea file like me and waiting for the perfect time to dive in?

What's Happening Behind Me

No, this isn't a comment about my backside growing larger because I'm sitting on it all day in front of the computer screen. 

Just sharing today's take on 'it's a dog's life', as portrayed by Lucan.

Oh yeah, it's a tough life but somebody's got to do it.

Have a fantastic start to your week wherever you are and I'll do the same in my little office/studio.

Ciao for now,



Inspired: Design

via rhettdidn'tgiveadamn

Etsy Style

I can't say enough about all the wonderful shops on etsy. If you have not checked out etsy yet, you really are missing something special.  Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade and vintage, as well as supplies to make things.  The talent and taste oozes from this site.  As owner of Bates Mercantile Co. on etsy, I can honestly say, I never cease being amazed at the things I can find.

Everyone can find something they like on etsy, and support independent shop owners at the same time.  I think that's pretty cool. A gazillion little shop owners with a multitude of products, all in one place. Even cooler.

Without further ado, check out these fabulous things from my fellow etsy shop owners.

See what I mean? There is literally something for everyone.

*chandelier photograph via elle mosse photography (visit blog)

*'do not fret' sign via lafamilleathome (visit blog)

*the prettiest persian rug via oldnewhouse

*antique reproduction aged mirror by leftbankselection

*colorful pill/snuff box via patchhappypauper

*vintage Amsterdam postcards via rhettdidntgiveadamn (visit blog)

*vintage cut glass lights via antique2chic

*damask coasters via burlapandblue (visit blog)

*mini dress with style via daniellecicero

Of course, this little collection barely scratches the surface. Did you notice I made some of my own washi tape strips?  Will work on that and offer them as a freebies when the set is done.

On a side note, Lisa Sieczka (ellemoss's shop owner and photographer extraordinaire) will be part of the Oscars this year. The much coveted Oscar gift bags will feature her photo-pendants. Congrats to Lisa.

Sunrise Meadows

It was warm here yesterday. It's January and the temp hit 54 degrees F. It was a little weird, but very welcome.  This morning was much cooler, but the sunrise made up for it as it painted pink stripes across the sky.

On top of the pretty sunrise, a beautiful red tailed hawk glided to the barn as I stood in the field (yes, in my pajamas).

I tried to get closer............

.......but the hawk only perched for a moment before taking off to the other side of the barn.

Very cool, none the less.

Is it Wednesday already? How'd that happen. Lots on the plate the rest of the day, including......you guessed it, more organizing. It's the never-ending-project. What are you up to today?

Thanks for stopping by,