junqueologie

Manifesto for the Junqueologist

Dandelion Seed{links}:: Third of August

August marks the beginning of my favorite season in the Northwest. Summer doesn't even really begin until August and while it doesn't last long it slips beautifully into fall. There is so much to love about fall: crisp, cool, foggy mornings, yellow school buses, afternoon sunshine, the smell of fall farming {yep, it has its own scent}, dry showers of rust & golden colored leaves, pumpkins, & then Halloween…I could {run}on and on.

All of that goodness is sure to come but in this moment, August here at last! Hoorah!

This week at junqueologie…    

I am not being critical, really I'm not. Recently I shared with you how I am both impressed by and admire people who {successfully} live in tiny, minimalistic spaces but this week's feature on Remodelista titled, 'A Master Architect Builds a Tiny Cabin in the Pacific Northwest' – had me squinting my eyes and biting my lower lip a bit. The design is outright beautiful and again, I was wondering my usual questions; where is all their stuff? How do they cook that kitchen? I just flat admire people who need so little. Then I really, really looked closely at the pictures…

Is that toilet right next to the kitchen? Where is the bathroom door? I have to make my salad next to the Mister using the toilet, what???

And where is the shower?{Photography by Tim Bies for Olson Kundig.}

Oh, there it is…outside. Hmm…. I think we have officially crossed my personal line of need in the privacy department. I don't just want a door on the bathroom, I need that door. So the list is growing, I need: my Easter china, my farm table, my vintage glassware, my linen napkins and now I really need a door. My fantasy of being a closet minimalist waiting for a reason to break out is suffocating with need.  

In other news, did you know IKEA has released their new catalog? You can see it here.

My daughter and I are currently working on a project that looks a lot like this but my mind is already thinking about the pile of stumps in my backyard, as I have become obsessed with this. 

I have accepted the fact that I am not a fan of Twitter and probably never will be but Instagram… well that is another story altogether. This week Twitter broke up with Instagram and I read a couple of articles speaking to the viability of communicating on a visual platform that evokes emotion through photography vs. 140 characters. It was a light bulb moment for me and I instantly understood why I love my Instagram account and frankly, why I loathe the blue bird. It is the same reason why Pinterest and I get along so well… I am a visual person. If you are a visual person, have a smart phone and love vintage looking, creative photography – check out the Instagram app. If you do not have a smart phone and want a new obsession, check out Pinterest. If you don't already, you will love both of them.

Speaking of Instagram and August – that means one for-sure thing in my house, SMORES!

Cheers to the dog-days of summer, may you finish each day with something a little sweet just for you!

Junqueologist {Jenny from the Farm}

A couple of weeks ago I talked about what it means to be a junqueologist and invited friends, family & readers to share images of what it is that inspires them.

This week my sweet sister-in-law sent me several photos that capture the beauty surrounding her on her husband's family farm. Their farmstead is located in the beautiful Willamette valley and this time of year especially, is a mecca for anyone with a farmer’s heart. Like worker bee’s buzzing around the hive, so is this community of farmers. The fields of beautiful color, the machinery, farming, the people & their hard work and then the harvest– it brings out the wonder in me and so it is easy to see why Jen  loves her community so much. But more than all of that, Jen’s heart beats for her family and they inspire her more than anything else does. 

She invited me to use one or all of the pictures and I couldn't just choose one. Here are just a few things of Jennifer's favorite things: {...and mine too!}

"Slip-n-Slide, need I say more!?"

"Little girls in bikinis, with the sailor pose, MMMWWWAAAA!!!;-)"

"My garden farmer, love this guy!"

"Great DIY project. Half wine barrel (empty haha!), liner, small fountain pump, BAM!!"

"Kids in the country, with dirt magnet shirts, make great tub rings at the end of the day!"

"Sunsets"

If you would like to share something that you find inspirational and be featured as a junqueologist, email Amy at stylist{dot}amymccann{at}gmail{dot}com or share with us on junqueologies facebook page.

IKEA Hack:: GLANSA Pendant Lamp {second life as a curly willow chandelier}

I love outdoor twinkle lights. Love them.

I drive my husband crazy with garden plans that involve stringing twinkle lights and outdoor, intimate seating with hanging chandeliers. Apparently, electric plug-ins are hard to come-by in trees & gardens but I never see generators & extension cords in those pretty magazine pictures… details, they will get'cha every time.

This is the second Glansa lamp I have purchased, I used the first one on my front porch in Central Oregon, and it was the perfect lighting to welcome our dinner guests & create a little outdoor ambiance.

This last year we had a room with zero overhead lighting, I wanted to use this space for my farm table but because it was a rental, I didn't want to invest in labor & cost to install lighting. I remembered the Glansa pendant lamp and even though it seemed too stark and did not fit my décor, it was an affordable solution for my temporary problem. Once I made the purchase, I remembered the days of making curly willow wreaths and wondered why I couldn't use the heavy wire structure of the lamp and weave curly willow throughout to soften the look. You can and I did.

The light has a new home now and is once again outside, this time on the back porch. The addition of the willow changes the lamp from minamilistic/modern to rustic with a little funky charm. Perfect addition for an outdoor space.

You will need:

• About (3) bundles of curly willow $21 at your local grocery market but much cheaper if you hit a floral wholesale market.
• 1 Glansa lamp $29.99
• 1 hour of time

Here is the end result.

The lamp comes in both dark wire and white - I chose white when I needed the light to be indoors which will work for my outdoor space but dark wire would be preferable. 

It is a great little project and affordable to boot! Let me know if you try it - if you send a picture, I will share it in a future post. 

Inspiration Smack

I like to live in a space for a while before I start to decorate. Every space seems to have its own design inclination and it isn't always immediately apparent. I have paint colors taped to walls and rooms I should be focusing on {under breath…baby's room} but sometimes inspiration happens just like that, Smack!

Out of all the rooms I could and should work on, I cannot wait to start on my daughter's space and it is all because of this photo.

Photographer /Blog Unknown – Pinterest {If you know the owner of this image, please let me know so that I can credit them properly.}

In the mid-90's I joined that crazy fad of color washed walls, ragged paint, & sponge painting- Oy! At the end of that phase, I swore I would never, {ever} decorate walls with a painting technique again. Do you think stripes count?

Barn House Market 2012:: What an Experience!

Wow!

Saturday morning came and went without much fanfare in our home. We relaxed, spent time together as a family, drank coffee and waited… for the crazy crowds to die down.

In the late 80's my Mom & I would wake up early in hopes to get a low numbered ticket for estate sales and the Meier & Frank warehouse sale {downtown Portland} – I know what it takes to be 'first in line' and even though I was excited to go to my first Barn House Market, I didn't need anything that badly.

We waited until after noon and the moment we drove on to the property, I wished we had arrived earlier!

The market was b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l! I cannot believe how many great finds were still left and that made me wonder what really fantastic scores I missed by avoiding the crowds!

The venue is a gorgeous little hillside, rich with charm. The parking was a breeze (full when we arrived but no waiting). The vendors and hosts were as beautiful & varied as their staged tents. The merchandise was unique & fresh. {You know how some markets feel more flea-like rather than cultivated finds? Markets that when you leave – you wish someone would jury the merchandise sold …this isn't that market - consistent quality through and through.}

Overall beautiful doesn't quite capture the experience. The Mister & the Little's had as great a time as I did; don't hesitate to bring the family. I left longing for more and wishing there was a barn dance celebration that followed the sale because that is the energy of this experience, a celebration.

I couldn't have asked for a better afternoon!

{Love}

{Vintage cow tags}

{antique transit level via House of Harvest}

{Junk Girls - I loved so much in this space!}

{myself}

{The map, the sign, ah! perfection!}

{Seabold, another favorite!}

{Last Call...until next year} 

Dandelion Seed{links}:: Twenty-Seventh of July

  Thank God it's Friday, a sentiment I have never felt more emphatically {ever.}

We've been in the new space for almost two weeks and my life is starting to resemble itself once again. There are fewer boxes and a home for nearly everything, even my beloved succulents & orchid. {Frankly, I think they have the best seat in the house!}

This coming weekend has been marked on my calendar - well, since last year. The Mister and I are going to two local vintage markets, one that I stumbled upon by accident last year, A Vintage Gathering and the other… well none other than the Barn House Market.

I cannot remember when I discovered the Boys at the Barn House but I am sure it was instant crush material. Actually, it was love. Joe & Jermonne are insanely talented. I am so excited to attend my first Barn House Market, listed in the top 20 Flea Markets by Food & Wine Magazine. The Boys promise a magical, extraordinary, pure love kind of experience & I believe them.

The second event, A Vintage Gathering is a charmer! Last Fall I drove by unexpectedly and was able to return a little later with my husband. The market is located on a cute little homestead farm. The organizers do a great job, there are many great vendors, and even though I did not buy anything last year, I remember the prices were spot-on & affordable. We are looking forward to returning this weekend.

If you are in the greater Portland area and love flea markets, this is a great weekend to drive 30 minutes north to Battle Ground, Washington.

Here is to finding the perfect treasure!

 

 

 

Summer’s Most Perfect Cocktail – The Gimlet

I cannot believe {or I refuse to} that August is a week away! With mild temperatures in the Pacific Northwest it hardly feels like summer has even started and I hate to say it but there is even a slight hint of fall in the air.

I know I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, while many people are suffering through a terrible, record breaking heat wave- I have had the perfect weather for both pregnancy & moving! Still there was the teensiest part of me when Saveur posted a celery gimlet recipe last week that relished in memories of time spent with my girlfriends on dry, hot, summer days, enjoying my favorite summer cocktail, the cucumber mint gimlet.

The gimlet is a classic & timeless cocktail that is seeing a revival, thanks in part to the popularity of the show, Mad Men. I discovered Martha Stewart's cucumber mint gimlet about three years ago and while it takes a little forethought – the results are delicious! This cocktail is the quintessential refreshing summertime {alcoholic} beverage.

I would have loved to have made & photographed a batch for this post but I have to rely on Martha Stewart for the image and I have to rely on you to remind me how great this summertime treat really is! The baby & I will stick to the cranberry seltzers but we want to toast to the dog days of summer & friendship- Cheers!

Cucumber Mint Gimlet

Yield

Makes 2 quarts (or by the drink)

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups Cucumber Gin (or 2 oz.), how-to follows

2 1/4 cups fresh lime juice (or 1 oz.)

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Mint Simple Syrup (or 1/2 oz.), how-to follows

Cucumber peels, for garnish

Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Cucumber Gin

Steep 2 1/2 cups diced, peeled cucumber in 4 1/2 cups gin, covered and chilled, 8 hours to 4 days (or 1/2 cup cucumber in 1-cup gin). Strain; store indefinitely in the refrigerator.

Mint Simple Syrup

Heat 1-cup sugar and 1-cup water over medium-high heat, stirring until dissolved. Add 1-cup mint leaves; remove from heat. Cover; steep 30 minutes to 1 hour. Strain; discard mint. Refrigerate up to 2 months.

Directions

In a 2-quart pitcher, stir gin, lime juice, and syrup. Refrigerate. To serve, pour into a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and divide among ice-filled 10-ounce glasses. (For a single drink, mix in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake.) Garnish each with cucumber peel and mint.

 

Forced Hiatus

Yesterday it dawned on me that I historically have done crazy things while pregnant: cleaning refrigerator coils, scrubbing the flooring & walls behind every appliance, deep cleaning woodwork, but the idea of moving… takes the cake! I do not know what I was thinking! {Actually, not true at all, I do know and am quite happy but my feet & my back are angry about it.}

Since Friday, I have been living like a country mouse in a mountain of boxes. These images are not exactly truthful; they look too simple to represent my move. Later today, I will post what it really looks like on Instagram.

I have decided that my furniture is mostly just wrong; it doesn't match the architectural style of the new space. If I could only somehow re-vision my large-scale sofa to have cleaner lines & lighter colors that would be great! A great lesson that when you buy furniture; either LOVE it or buy it for good bones & clean lines, so that when you move your furniture can transition easily.

I am surrounded by the seedlings for many of my future blog posts but for this week, it looks like junqueologie will be breathing a bit {like a bottle of wine}.

I hope this third week of July finds you busy & enjoying life. Please don't forget that I am looking for Junqueologist!

XO

 

Dandelion Seed{links} :: Friday the Thirteenth

• A Scandinavian Cottage—in Portlandia

I am incredibly envious of people who figure out a way to live a minimalistic lifestyle. I understand that the minimalistic way affords you opportunities of spontaneity and freedom from traps of commercialism ….but I need my stuff.

{I need my French farm table and hutch filled with beautiful vintage glassware, I need the china I break out for Easter & special events, and I need 12 chairs & 24 wine glasses because I entertain a lot. I need all that stuff, right?}

So this week when I stumbled across Jessica Helgerson's 540 square foot Scandinavian cottage on 5 acres, I was very impressed. When I discovered she is living in that space with her husband & two children, I was shocked. Where is all their stuff? Basically, Jessica Helgerson's home is my dream vacation cottage but I have the utmost admiration and awe for Jessica, her wicked design sense and her little family. Lincoln Barbour photographed Jessica's home, more amazing images are found on his site.

• Pinterest 

My favorite Pinterest find this week are the boards created by Gretchen Schauffler of Devine Color. She has done an great job of showcasing the colors from her paint line with images and inspirations.

• File it under Random

While searching for the rightful owner of this image, { Photographer Unknown} I found this very cool tumbler page, Take Off the Colours. I think the collection of images on this page are beautiful.

Hey! It's Friday and it's the thirteenth! There isn't anything that feels unlucky about today. Hope you have a great weekend filled with sun & laughter.

XO