The Coral Fish Vintage Jewelry

For those of you who have a love for vintage jewelry and are looking for some great pieces, I have a few listed for sale on my etsy sight.  These are a few of my favorite brands and styles.  I am always looking for large vintage brooches to clip on purses, jackets, and tote bags.  They just add a personal touch in a world of mass produced everything!  I hope you will find something special just for you. Enjoy!
And I'm glad to finally be back to blogging!

I am so excited to finally be back! It has been way too long and a couple of moves but I am finally settled into a routine and getting things back and running again.  I have been busy setting up a shop, thecoralfish@etsy.com, showcasing some of my favorite vintage jewelry pieces. So please check it out.  I've also been fixing up an old house so I will have lots of new decorating ideas to share with you. So thanks for sticking around and lets see what we can do!

Moving

Moving and hope to be back in another week or so. Please be patient! :) I'm sure I'll have lots of ideas for storage as we are temporarily heading to a much smaller space. Maybe even a few good cool weather recipes too.

What to do with....

Window boxes.  So wonderful to see a cozy cottage home trimmed in overflowing window boxes.  But what if you only have one really neat window box and no window to hang it on?  Try it inside.  Hang above a peg board and fill with towels in your bathroom or in an entryway and fill with scarves and gloves, or incoming and outgoing mail.  They even work well on the tank of the toilet filled with ferns, magazines, tissue, lotions, etc.  I've also found them great in a child's room filled with stuffed animals or buckets of crayons, markers, and chalk.  I'll post more pictures as I take them.

                                                                                    





Honeycrisp and PB Sandwich

This is my favorite autumn sandwich and this year it seems that I had to wait extra long to eat it. The Honeycrisp apples came a little later this year. No problem though as today was the perfect day to eat this sandwich, a little cool and rainy. So here it is...
Think grilled cheese, now replace the cheese with peanut butter, a slight drizzle of honey and thinly sliced Honeycrisp apples. I like mine on my homemade honey wheat bread, but maybe even sourdough or a regular wheat bread will do. Put the peanut butter on the inside of both pieces of bread to give the apple slices something to hang on to, then butter the outsides of the sandwich and put it in a frying pan on medium heat. Yum!!

What To Do With...

I am thinking of starting a new series called What To Do With...
I'll try to come up with some creative ways to use our favorite items in new ways. One such item is clip on earrings. If you've ever had a grandmother with a love for jewelry then chances are you have a drawer or box full of some fun and funky clip on earrings. These make great additions to necklaces, shoes, purses, bows on gifts, set out in a bowl, gift tag holders, clipped to a ponytail rubberband, even on shirt and coat collars. I've got a couple photos of some of the earrings I have and how I've put them to use. How about you?

Also, do you have any items you love but don't know what to do with it?  Post a comment and let's get creative!

Decorating for Home Selling

Don't think you need to decorate when selling your home?  Wrong!  When selling or preparing to sell your home, decorating is essential.  It can give a great first impression to realtors and potential buyers if done well or leave a really bad one and turn realtors away which also loses those buyers for you.  It is easy and doesn't have to cost much if anything at all.

One main rule is to make sure you declutter your home.  This is probably the most important one and can really set the tone for whether or not your buyer will really give your home a chance or not.  When decluttering this also goes for closets.  The less crammed full a closet is the bigger and more spacious it appears.  And who doesn't want large spacious closets?  Take out some of those out of season clothes and pack them away under your bed or in the attic.  Lose some shoes too, like the worn old dirty ones!  Go through all your closets, even the one in the front wall.  Organize, lose anything unnecessary, and clean it up.  Paint a light color to open it up or install lights if there aren't any and the lighting is low.  This really does make a big impact on potential buyers.

Another easy way to improve your homes sellability is curb appeal.  Clean out the flower beds of weeds and debris.  Trim bushes and keep the lawn mowed and water.  When the outside looks well taken care of then the buyers will be more apt to come in.  And that's where you want them - inside.  No one buys a house they haven't been in or don't want to go in.  It's worth the couple of hours a week it takes to clean  up around the house.  Also keep those walkways swept.  It's the simple things that make the most impact!

Another area that gets overlooked are the bathrooms.  Take out all those bottles and jars of lotions and creams and soaps.  Clear those counters, fold those towels, clean the shower shelves off and clean around the base of the toilet!  Again clean, tidy and spacious are the goals.

Kitchen counters should get a good decluttering too.  Pack away any unused or barely used appliances, decorative knick knacks and what nots.  Show off your best qualities and hide those unsightly ones! Clean the cabinet doors, refrigerator -inside and out- and stove tops.  Scrub tile grout and shake out the rugs.  See if it is something you would want to purchase yourself. 

The final area to keep an eye on is your tabletops.  No one needs to see 25 pictures of you and your family and friends or all the collections you have or even how many candles you can group together.  Seems a silly thing to worry about when what you are trying to sell is your home but honestly most people can't see past your decorations so how your house looks and FEELS makes a big impact on their decision as to whether or not they want to buy.  Just pack away your perfume bottles and your child's collection of hairbows and jewelry.  store the pictures, except for 2 or 3 and let your house scream out "look at me! I'm tidy.  I'm clean. I'm spacious and very well taken care of." 

Don't forget your realtor.  They've probably got lots of ideas to help you prepare your home for their buyers.  Ask and Listen!  It could mean the difference between "asking price" and "reduced to sell".

Oatmeal Monster Cookies

These are by far the favorite cookies in this house and they are so versatile that I am sure they will soon become the favorite in yours too.  It does make a large batch and the dough is hard to mix towards the end so if you have a Kitchenaid mixer then you may want to pull it out.  Save your muscles for eating these delicious cookies.  :)

2 cups flour
1.5 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 sticks butter
1 1/3 cups light brown sugar
1 1/3 cups sugar
2 eggs
1.5 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups quick cook oats
2/3 cups chopped pecans
2/3 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup M&M
2/3 cup raisens

combine 1st 3 ingredients in a bowl and set aside
in large mixing bowl cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, add eggs and vanilla and beat until well blended.  Next add flour mixture to creamed mixture in 4 additions, beat on speed 2 until well mixed.  Add in oats in 4 additions.  add rest of the ingredients, 1 at a time on low until blended. 
drop by rounded tablespoons onto greased cookie sheet. 
Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes. remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack.
ENJOY!

Vintage Jewelry

Vintage Jewelry.

It's all the rage.

But where to start and what to get are a mystery to those who've never collected it before. One place to start is with a style you love. 50's, 60's, 70's or even Victorian. There are so many options. Also gold, silver, brass, rhinestone, gemstone, filigree, etc. Which ever you choose you do need to make sure it is good quality and a good investment, which is pretty easy with the internet right at your fingertips. You can also feel the difference, a good quality piece will be heavier and feel more solid by touch, the cheap stuff feels - well cheap!. Also if it has a stamp of 925 on it that means it is silver (even if it has a gold overlay), good to know when looking at costume jewelry from around the 50's because it puts it at a higher value than similar pieces done in pot metal or brass. Those older costume pieces are just far superior than costume pieces of today. And they have maintained or gone up in value over the years. This is by no means all there is to know about vintage pieces, just a few little hints to help you get started. Just know that once you get into it, you'll find that all this new jewelry just "loses it's luster". haha. bad joke, I know. Well here are a few of my favorites along with some of the ways I use them. And some of these pieces will soon be available at thecoralfish.etsy.com

Enjoy!

Vintage Brooches, not just for sweater sets!

You can find such a wide variety of brooches in so many places now and they make a great and inexpensive way to liven up just about anything! You can use them on purses, bags, clutches, jackets, blazers, pillows, in your hair -with a rubber band or clip to hold in place, or even apllied to a picture frame. The possibilites are endless.

When shopping for these wonderful pieces keep in mind what you will be using it for so as to make sure you get a quality to match it's use. For example, on a purse you will want one that is sturdy and has a strong clasp. For a frame you can get by with inexpensive one.

And don't be afraid to haggle over the price. Make an offer! Often they won't turn you down. And newer doesn't usually mean better quality. I have found that costume jewelry from around the 50's is made of silver (stamped 925) and has a gold overlay. The stones are sometimes real gemstones. So have fun, get informed, and know what you're looking for. It's easy with the help of the internet. Learn to read the stamps and you'll be amazed at what you might find!

the holiday table

there's a chill in the air and the leaves are on the ground. company usually follows. this year set your table using your favorite things. I was always finding chips in my plates from years of hand washing and from training little ones to clean up after themselves. So instead of tracking down miscellaneous pieces to try and recomplete my set, I turned to antiques and consignment stores to find pieces that I loved and could work into my everyday table setting as well as coordinate with my special occasions china. I chose to go with all white dishes which makes my table great for year round entertaining and allows me to go wild with table cloths, napkins, etc. and seasonal decorations. My sister is now doing the same using transferware in her favorite colors. It also makes for a fun collection and is easy and fun for friends and family to add to your collection. Here are some photos of my table along with some pieces available for purchase at thecoralfish.etsy.com

What are some of your favorite table decorating ideas?

Valentine Sugar Cookies

These are the best sugar cookies and so easy to make.

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

3 cups flour

1/8 tsp salt
add food coloring to dough as desired

Beat butter until creamy, gradually add sugar. Add egg and vanilla, beat well. Add flour and salt, beat well. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Roll 1/4 inch thick, cut into shapes and bake at 350* for 6-8 minutes. Cool on pans 1 minute then move to wire racks. Decorate!

Toys in the Living Room

My children are still young and of course want to be in the same room as me, and with ALL of their toys. My compromise is this...

Find for them toys that you don't mind having in your living room (all others can stay in their rooms). This dollhouse is one that I had made for my daughter by my brother (cost me $3o) and I painted it. The inside is a mix of nice dollhouse furniture (from the one I had as a child) and plastic dolls. When not in use it sits in the corner of our living room and adds some character to our home. It cost quite a bit less than the large plastic fancy houses and this is one that my daughter will have for years to come and will one day be able to pass down to her children. The house is very simply made with 2 floors inside and no windows or doors, they're just painted on. So next time you are in search of that perfect toy for both you and your child - look to your friends and family for a little help, or search out what is hidden in your attic from your childhood - clean it up and make it their own. Children love any and all toys and it doesn't have to cost a fortune or mess up the look of your home.

For my daughter's next birthday she is receiving the old baby doll highchair from her aunt with a fresh coat of paint and the doll cradle my aunt made for me as a child - all cleaned up and with new "linens" I made from fabric she picked out at a local fabric store.

As for boys: I am still working on that one as I step over the pile of 30+ Hot Wheels in the middle of the floor. :)

Simple Remedies

These are some simple, natural remedies that I use and work wonders for me and my family.

Indigestion/heartburn: Peppermint tea with a little honey

indigestion/upset stomach/food poisoning: Acidopholus - I use a chewable form that tastes great, followed with a glass of water

burns (1st, 2nd or small 3rd degree): Soak the burned area in 3 parts cold water with 1 part apple cider vinegar. The pain goes away almost imediately and it heals much quicker. Keep it soaked until it doesn't hurt when you take it out - length of time depends on severity of burn so possibly 30 min. to a couple hours. You may need to add an ice cube occasionally to keep the water cold. If you can't soak it then saturate a towel and place on the burn, just keep resoaking the towel. I've had a really bad 2-3 degree burn on my thumb (took skin off almost to bone) and within 3 days you couldn't tell where I had burned it.

nerve damage/inflamation: Drink aloe vera gel. Does wonders and I don't know why. Stumbled upon this one quite by accident. I had some nerve damage in my back from my first pregnancy and the doctors I saw said there wasn't anything I could really do for it so I lived with it for several months. I had some intestinal problems as well and they flared up so I started up drinking aloe vera daily and not only did my stomach issues clear up but my back pain did too. Whenever it flairs up I reach for the aloe and it works! It is also antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal so it has many uses!

nail fungus: Soak in apple cider vinegar mixed 1/2 with water for 15 min. twice a day for up to 1 week. Works great. My 2 yr old son had horrible nails (later we discovered they were due to a milk allergy) and we tried this and they cleared right up. Bad cracked and thick parts had to grow out but the yellow was gone very soon

Diaper Rash: Use straight zinc oxide. No need for anything fancy which alot of the times the perfumes and dyes make it worse.

I'll add more as I think of them. If you know of any that work for you, please add your comments

My Own Soup Recipe

This is a wonderful soup for the cold and flu season. Hearty, healthy and filling yet very diet friendly!

1 cup lentils
1 cup diced carrots
1/3 cup diced celery
2-3 red potatoes diced (depending on size)
1 zuchinni diced
1 yellow squash diced
1 can petite diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 can navy beans drained and rinsed
8 cups chicken broth (this amount makes it more like a stew)
2-3 tsps dried onion (or use 1 fresh diced and cook before adding)
Sea salt to taste
Optional - a must for me - 1 Hillshire Farm Smoked Turkey Sausage diced and browned

Simmer lentils and carrots in broth for 1o minutes then add potatoes and celery. Continue to simmer for 5 minutes. Then add zuchinni, squash and remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 - 10 more minutes. Make sure lentils are soft before serving.

I hope you enjoy this soup as much as my family does!

Gone Too Long

It's just been too long.
My camera broke, relatives came, holidays happened and next thing I know I've forgotten all about here! Fortunately I received a new camera for Christmas and things are finally getting back to normal so look for new posts to come!

Simple Chili

This is a very easy and wonderful chili for the cool days ahead.

1 lb. ground beef
2 cans stewed tomatoes (run through a blender)
2 cans Bush's chili beans (preferably hot or medium)

Brown the meat then add the rest - no draining - and let simmer for 20 minutes or throw in the crock pot on low for a couple hours.
That's it!
If you like a little more heat, add some chili powder and your favorite hot sauce. So easy and one that everybody will love.

Fabric Brooches

The new trend this season seems to be headed towards brooches and vintage jewelry. Vintage jewelry is great and fun to collect, but not always easy to find the good quality pieces. One way to follow this trend is with fabric brooches. They are a fun and inexpensive way to accessorize. No need to match either, the trend is to layer and not necessarily to coordinate which means you can wear whatever you like with whatever you like!

These fabric pins are also a great way to individualize that scarf you love, that somehow half your friends seem to have too. Or to accentuate your one-of-a-kind purse that you just saw someone else toting. I love to pin them on my jean jacket, trench coat, purses, my daughter's backpack, and to keep my scarf twisted and in place. They're also great added to gifts as an extra special treat and an easy way to make your package look extra special.

This is one trend that is easy to follow in these tough economic times. And what a fun way to add color to your day! The ones pictured can be found at thecoralfish.etsy.com.

Hearty Vegetable Soup

This is one of my favorite soups. I make it all through the Fall and Winter months, it is a staple in our home. It is also very easy to customize to your own tastes.

1 lb. lean ground turkey OR 1-2 cans kidney beans
1 1/3 cups sliced carrots
1 cup diced onion
1 Tbsp garlic
6 cups broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable)
2-3 zucchini, diced
2-3 squash, diced
1 1/3 cups green beans cut up or 1 can
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp dried Basil
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp dried Oregano
1/2 tsp salt

Brown turkey in sauce pan in a little Olive oil. Saute carrots, onion, garlic, zucchini and squash on low heat in large pot. Add turkey, broth, beans and remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for about 15 mins. Serve and enjoy.

Cake Stand

I found this beautiful cake stand at my favorite antique store and didn't really know what to do with it at first...

I hated the thought of hiding it in my cabinet, so instead of keeping it safely tucked away (a decision I may later regret with 2 small children running around the house) I decided to use it to display my favorite seashells. This is a wonderful way to display some of your prize collections instead of just having your cake stand out the few times a year you use it for cakes. It would be wonderful to stock full of mini pumpkins or gourds for the fall, a few of your favorite Christmas ornaments or a mini Christmas scene for the winter, pile high with Easter Eggs, or whatever neat things you may have tucked away around your home. Change it with the seasons, holidays, etc. Enjoy the pieces you have in your home and think of new ways to use them, which always makes them more wonderful and special as the years go by.