Some Final January Organizing

The glass front cabinets in my kitchen had gotten a little mismatched.  They weren’t crowded, just not as cohesive as I like.

I decided to put all my white ironstone together in the butler’s pantry HERE and leave the silver pieces in the kitchen cabinets.

It helps me to find the things that I need when I have like things grouped together.

I moved my Provençal pottery back over to the range mantle.

Speaking of French pottery, I can’t wait to look for more treasures on the Fall Brocanting Tour in France, September 26-October 3, 2014.

Let me know if you are interested in going.  It's almost sold out with only 1 spot left.

Blessings,

Kim

The Best Melt-In-Your Mouth Biscuit Recipe

Another cold snowy day made for a perfect opportunity to make one of my favorite quick bread recipes.

I usually make these around the holidays for a party appetizer, but they are delicious any time of year.

They are absolutely the best melt-in-your mouth bread morsel you will ever eat!

The great part is that there are only 3 (yes, THREE) ingredients and they are super easy and fast to make.

Let me warn you now:  They are not low calorie and are high in fat, but hey, they are so small we’re just talking about eating a couple, right?

TINY CREAM CHEESE BISCUITS

Prep: 8 minutes

Bake: 15 minutes

(1) 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup self-rising flour

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed of an electric mixer 2 minutes or until creamy.  Gradually add flour, beating at low speed just until blended.

Spoon dough into ungreased miniature muffin pan, filling full.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.   Yield 1 dozen.

They are delicious  right out of the oven hot or warmed up in the microwave the next day. Here’s what they look like as dough in the pan before I pop them into the oven.  Nothing fancy about spooning them into the pan.

And here they are fresh out of the oven.

Orange marmalade goes especially well these mini biscuits, too.  The little spoon in the photo is my baby spoon!  Go head…give them a try!  (you’ll have to find your own baby spoon)

Blessings,

Kim

P.S. I just announced the dates for the 2014 Brocanting Tour in France: Paris & Normandy in my last post HERE.  You won’t want to miss it!  Spaces are filling up…only 2 spots left.  Email me if you want to join us.

2014 French Shopping Tour Announcement!

Are YOU ready to go?

To FRANCE, that is!

 

 

I’m so excited to be working with Cat from Sunday Brocantes again this year on an exclusive Brocanting Tour in Paris & Normandy.

 

 

I’ll be leading a group of lucky ladies to France to join our tour providers, Cat and her husband Alain for some of the best French vintage/antique shopping around.

 

Do we look like we’re having fun?  You betcha!

 

How about taking a stroll on the beach in Deauville?

Or finding great treasures in the famous Paris flea market?

 

What about having lunch in the beautiful port town of Honfleur after a morning of vintage shopping?

 

Or having a relaxing dinner at the elegant Manior…your  home away from home.

Come join me on this wonderful adventure!

Included in your 7 day/7 night package:

· Transportation to and from Paris and all local transportation throughout the tour.

· 6 dinners, 8 lunches at bistros, brasseries and fine restaurants.

· 7 nights accommodations in a classic 18^th century seaside Normandie manoir with full service spa facilities, beautifully decorated bedrooms, large private bathrooms, WIFI, and all of the amenities, breakfast each morning and sea-view outdoor spaces to relax as well as walking distance to the beaches and shops.

· Stops at approximately 30 shops, markets, brocantes, warehouses, and vintage sources.

· Expert assistance with purchasing, packing and transporting your items home.

· Expert French speaking native to translate, negotiate, assist and share local cultural information during your stay.

· An exclusive visit to Rabbit Hill and a 5 course hosted lunch.

…. And more!

Price:  $3995 per person/double occupancy

 

Space is limited so please contact me to reserve a spot.  You don’t want to miss this!

Hope to see you in France,

Kim

4 Easy Organizing Ideas For Your Craft Room (I’m Letting You Look In My Drawers!)

Ready to organize your craft room?  Here are 4 ideas that I utilize in my craft room to help keep me organized.

ONE:

Is your rubber stamp collection out of hand?  Here’s a trick to help corral all those pieces.

I use inexpensive plastic frames turned upside down for rubber stamp storage.  If you don’t want to purchase these frames, use shoebox lids…they’re free!

You don’t have to worry about ink getting on things and they fit nicely in drawers.  They are also easy to transport when you need to use them.  Just grab the picture-frame-turned-tray and go!

TWO:

Use vintage cups and saucers to organize small items in your drawers.
 

I found this charming set of French Limoges custard cups and saucers and they give me something pretty to look at when I’m searching for small pieces.

Hint:  These are also great for holding jewelry in your boudoir drawers.

THREE:

Use vintage metal tole pieces and muffin tins to hold all sorts of crafting materials.

A vintage tole napkin holder now holds my Valentine gift bags that I’ll be using next month.

I keep all kinds of tags in this tole container.

I have several muffin tins that I use in and out of drawers.  I also have some that I have spray painted white.

FOUR:

A vintage train rack and wooden hangers help keep pretty ribbons tidy.

I wrap ribbon around manilla or white card tags and use jute to tie them to vintage wooden painted hangers.

I hope this helps jumpstart your craft room organization for the new year. I love using vintage pieces for organization.  Everything looks soooo much prettier.

I’m joining 6 other lovely bloggers who are sharing tips and ideas for organizing in 2014.  Please give them a visit for some great inspiration.

Blessings,

Kim

 CREATIVE CAIN CABIN
ECLECTICALLY VINTAGE
HOUSEPITALITY DESIGNS
ON SUTTON PLACE
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE
SOPHIA'S DECOR

A Parisian Dream (What Is Your Dream For 2014?)

How would you like to have discovered this?

A Paris apartment sealed since 1942.  You can read about it HERE.

It may not be Paris, but you can find lots of French goodies here at home.  On one of my antique excursions right before Christmas, I turned up several items that would make you think you’ve been whisked away to France!

This magnificent armoire from Normandie would regally grace any space.

 

How about a zinc bottle carrier or leather bound books to jump start your New Year?

 

Look close.  It may appear unassuming, but it’s actually an iron rack that was used in a French butcher shop to hang cuts of meat!  Industrial chic for sure!

 

A great laundry basket and just look at all those ironstone butter pats!

 

Close-ups of another armoire hidden in a back room of an antique mall.  Who would hide such beauty?  I adore details like these.

 

 

An industrial French clock that tells it’s TIME to be thinking about all the wonderful things 2014 has to offer and to be thinking about my upcoming Fall tour with Sunday Brocantes…Brocanting From Paris to Normandy.

 

Vintage Louis Vuitton for the  trip?  Yes, sir!

 

My dreams for 2014 involve continuing my passion for all things French and sharing my adventure along the way with you dear friends.

I am currently working with Cat from Sunday Brocantes on ironing out the final details of our 2014 Paris to Normandy Brocanting Tour.  I’ll be announcing the information by the end of next week.

Where will 2014 take you?  To France, I hope!

Kim