Gum bottle plus Puffs equals happy baby

I confess, I'm a container horder. Most of the time this just results in a stockpile that eventually goes into the trash. However, sometimes, it really does pay to hold on to some things. A prime example of this is empty gum bottles.

I was at the kitchen table today, trying desperately to have my lunch while my daughter squirmed and protested in her highchair. she had already "enjoyed" her lunch and her toys were oh so yesterday. The bottle of Puffs was still on the table and my husband's empty gum bottle was on the counter, when suddenly I got the idea to drop a handful of Puffs into the gum container. GENIUS! My little girl was entertained for at least 45 minutes (hey, you take what you can). I left the single serve flag on the bottle open, so whenever she tipped the container a certain way a Puff would fall out. She loved it, and I got to enjoy my lunch and my baby's happy smile.

Hosting a holiday wine exchange party

This year you won’t have to break the bank in order to have a successful holiday party, because there’s a new exchange in town! Move over cookies, it’s time to swap wines! The wine exchange is an exciting new party theme that  is perfect for a gathering of non-baking friends, when you want more than just a ladies’ night in, or when there simply isn’t time to bake 6 dozen dulce de leche shortbread cookies. Best of all, a wine exchange is affordable to host, because it’s essentially BYOB. It allows you to concentrate your time, effort and budget on providing elegant, wine-friendly bites. 

With a new baby in the house you can be sure that my entertaining budget is practically minuscule this year, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to take a pass on holiday entertaining. That's why I am sooo in love with the idea of a wine exchange. It's elegant, entertaining and definitely brings a hot, new twist to the old white elephant gift exchange.

There are essentially two parts to a wine exchange party: sampling and swapping 

When inviting guests, ask them to bring two bottles of one favorite wine (be sure that they understand that it has to be two bottles of the same wine) within a specified price range. One bottle is for guests to taste and the other is for swapping white elephant style. Easy as pie, right? All you have to do as a host is provide the food and atmosphere. 

Of course I've already started pinning some ideas for decor and tasty nibbles to serve with the wines. You can find my board here http://pinterest.com/digwriter/holiday-wine-exchange-party/.  I've also created a wine exchange party printable set for my Etsy shop -Simply Soirees by Domestinista. My Winter WinederLand and NEW Sleek and Chic Wine exchange sets includes an invitation, wine signs, party circles, tent cards, a wine label, along with a few other printables, including a detailed how-to sheet.

I can hardly wait to get this party started!

Cookie exchange invitations on the cheap

I won't lie, this will not be my best and brightest year as far as holiday soirees go. While there may be supermoms out there who can plan a fab fete while balancing a 7 month old on one hip, I'm simply not that talented. So we'll be pairing back this year and just going with a cookie exchange, not that it has to be just any cookie exchange.

If there's one thing I love it's making fun paper crafts for my parties, and cookie exchanges are no different. What is different is the fact that I've decided to share this year's theme in my brand new Etsy shop! I know, I know, shameless plug. But as readers of my blog know, the other thing I love is a bargain. so you can be sure that I have my fellow cheapskates in mind. Check it out in my brand new printables store, Simple Soirees!

Vintage Pyrex -Domestinista's dream-come-true!

Now, you all know how much I love milk glass. It's understated and versatile and definitely has a place in pretty much any room in the house. However, it has definitely got some competition in the colorful world of vintage Pyrex!

Hello cute Autumnal vignette (in progress)! I found this lovely Cinderella bowl in the
butterfly Gold pattern at my favorite Antique shop in St. Jacobs over the long weekend. It is in perfect condition. No scrapes or cracks. Positively mint.  Best of all, it's fits my requirements for any collectible piece -it can't just look pretty, it has to be useful as well.

This is my first piece of vintage Pyrex, but definitely not my last. I think something in the Snowflake pattern will be just perfect for Christmas. Looks like I might be making my way back to St. J for some late fall antiquing.

BTW - if anyone has any thoughts on what I should add to that gap between the pitcher and Pyrex bowl, I'm definitely open to suggestions.

Where to find milk glass in Ontario

While I definitely have a favorite shop when it comes to finding milk glass in Ontario, I'm always on the look out for new places to expand my hunt. So I thought I'd start a post here to be updated whenever I make new milk glass discoveries.

A note about party or wedding milk glass

Before I get into the more serious haunts, for those who are searching for milk glass in Ontario as part of  wedding, shower or other party decor your best bet for the vases and planters that seem to be the most sought after party or wedding milk glass pieces is definitely a consignment store like Value Village, Goodwill or the Salvation Army, or on Kijiji. The great think about consignment store milk glass is that it's dirt cheap. You can find a stars and bars patterned vase, like the one seen below at $.99 for a short up to $2.99 for a tall.

The not to great thing about sourcing the consignment shops for your milk glass in Ontario is a) the vases are often quite dirty inside(not that you won't be washing them anyway) and b) it can turn into a scavenger hunt, since you rarely find more than 3 or 4 vases at a shop at one time.

As for Kijiji, this is probably your best bet for wedding decor milk glass, since you can always find a few people selling lots of milk glass vases, most likely after gathering them via consignment store for their own wedding/party. You can get the vases you need, usually in one easy purchase, and without the added expense of USA to Canada shipping that goes with purchases made on Etsy or eBay.

Collectible and decor Milk glass

Market Road Antiques

 Patriot Antiques

Orono Antique Market

I love all three of these antique stores. they all have a great selection of glass and make for a fun weekend of antiquing.

Let them eat ruffle cake!

Ruffle cakes -they're vintage cute, they photograph beautifully and they are absolutely everywhere. Thankfully, they're also very easy to make. I created this strawberries and cream ruffle cake for Lady J's baby dedication reception a few months ago using this ruffle cake tutorial from Duncan Hines.

Domestinista relaunch

Domestinista is on its way back, thanks to a good deal of mat leave and a ferociously renewed interest in all things domestic. It's amazing how inspiring a baby can be.
Stay tuned!