My 3 Fave Thrifting Hot Spots

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Serendipity

635 3rd Ave
Longmont, CO 80501
303-776-8511

I love Serendipity with the funky retro vibe and vintage clothes and accessories it is one of my favorite places for inspirations and items to add to my place.  They are open Monday thru Saturday with a seemingly constantly revolving inventory of great items.  If I am looking for an old door or window these place has stacks toward the back.  Most areas are rented by local dealers but the pricing is very reasonable. 

Vintage Accessories

Vintage Folding Chairs

Bird Houses

Front Range Mercantile
1201 South Sunset Street
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: 303-776-6605 

Front Range Mercantile is in the old skating rink in Longmont.  The Mercantile is a mix of new furniture and thrift items from different dealers.  The vibe is a bit more old school with lots of county/rustic items. 

  

  

  

 

 Tables to Teacups 

1420 Nelson Road    

Longmont Co 80501

Tables to Teacups is by far the largest thrift store on my list. That being said you must be in the mood for a treasure hunt to tackle this one.  It is a mix of consignment pieces and vendors.   Always something to be found and treasured.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

Spring GreensYellow and BluesWicker Counter Stool

Yellow and Blues

Wicker Counter Stool

These are three of my absolute favorite thrift store.  I have found some of the greatest accessories and furniture pieces for my home and for clients.  Go check them, be inspired and let me know what you think. 

Seasonal Decorating Part II

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Other ways to spruce up the home for the season:

Switch throw pillows on sofa and bedding to a rich color and texture.

Add a faux fur or pebbly textures throw blanket to the sofa or arm chair.

Add grouping of 3 to 5 unscented candles on end tables, dining tables, etc.  Just use caution when burning them.  A little candle light can dramatically change a room from standard to cozy and inviting.  Scented candles should be selected with care and restraint.  Pick ONE scent at a time.  I would invest in a luxurious candle that you can burn with your unscented or on its own.  For the fall/winter I like heavier tobacco or pine based scents.

Add more table lamps and switch at least one of the bulbs to a 40 watt warm light.  Again adding glow and warmth.  The right lighting can coax you out of bed and into other parts of the home.

Rearrange your furniture to create a more intimate space.  If possible use a fireplace or large case piece as a focal point.  Try and avoid the TV as your focal point even if it is.  The room will feel more welcoming to read a book or visit with guests.

Try a few of these tips to give your place a new look for the colder seasons.  Just remember TEXTURE, Texture, and adding elements from nature.

Seasonal Decorating Part I

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We have just survived Halloween and have two more major holidays in the next 60 days….Then its HAPPY NEW YEAR.  That’s quite a bit to decorate for and each holiday has its own theme.  Today I want to share a few tips on seasonal decor that should take you into the New Year with a bang.

The ideas is to create a decor platform that will easily transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving, Christmas and into New Years.  You may already have most of  the items in your home or your yard.  And feel free to be creative and add your own twist to these ideas.  I would love to see pics!!!

  • Gather a bag of pine cones and use them as center pieces on the dining table, coffee table or for a festive touch in the kitchen. Smaller pine cones can be mixed with acorns to fill a large clear vase or a platter with candles, just place candles and dump pine cones and acorns around them.  Large pine cones are great in a shallow bowl or platter, dump them out and let the pine cones lay where that land.  It can create a really cool sculptural affect and the tend to look better the less they are “arranged”.  After Thanksgiving add some small decorative ornaments to the mix.
  • After the trees have been trimmed grab some branches.  Really unique branches can adorn the fireplace mantle or entry table.  Other branches can be trimmed down so they can be placed in a vase either solo or with an existing floral arrangement.  They add a touch of fall.  If you want to add some color and sparkle to these, spray paint them with your seasonal color of choice and add clear beads to the branches so it looks like little ice crystals.  (If the branches get top heavy and want to knock the vase over, anchor the branches in place with a few rocks)
  • Pumpkins and gourds are a Halloween and Thanksgiving staple, we have to do something fun with these.  Use them as center pieces, mix them with pine cones and group 3-5 of them above mantel or on entry table.  Other super cute things would be to hallow out the mini pumpkins and use them to hold a tea light or votive on the dinner table, guest restroom, at the bar, etc. 
  • Collect leaves before the dry out and flatten them between two books.  After they dry flat, paint them in reds, golds and browns.  These can decorate the table or be used as name settings.

Keep in mind most of the nature items can be purchased at a hobby or craft store. 

Come back Wednesday for Seasonal Decorating Part II.  Tips for the the furniture and lighting to cozy up the house for the holidays.

Wild Peach Preserves

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Hand Picked Peaches

Fall is on it’s way!!!  Inspired by the newly discovered fruit trees in my yard, I am going to share my recipe and experience of peach preserves. 

Very rarely do I follow a recipe exactly…unless I am baking.  So I scoured several peach preserve and peach jam recipes to make my own.  Super easy!

 For every 2 cups of peach you use 1 cup of sugar.

 Cut out any bad or bruised spots on peaches.  Score the bottom of each (make an “x”),  in batches of about 6-8 pieces, drop peaches into already boiling water for approx 1 minute.  Then remove with a spotted spoon into a bowl of icy water. 

 This process is called blanching.  It is used to remove the skin from many “delicate” fruits and vegetables.  It is also used to preserve the texture, color and flavor of fruits and vegs. 

The skin should be very easy to pull off the fruit, pop out the seed and transfer to a bowl or colander to drain any remaining water.  Continue until all peaches have been blanched.

From there slice or chop peaches into a large stock pot with a heavy bottom (thick bottom) an add the correct amount of sugar.  DO NOT ADD WATER.  It will look like it needs moisture but just stir it up and you will be surprised at how much liquid the sugar pulls out of the fruit.  

On very low heat simmer the sugar and peaches until the peaches are opaque.  This need to be stirred regularly to prevent the sugars from burning and sticking to the bottom and can

Peach on right side is opaque.

take anywhere from   2-3 hours. 

 

When the fruit is opaque turn up the heat, stirring frequently, until the fruit and sugar syrup are one.  To test this drop a spoon full onto a clean plate.  If the fruit plops and the liquid follow it need more time.  If they move together it’s ready to can.

Canning is not hard or scary.  You can do it!  Canning jars are available at your local superstore or grocery store.  I like the 8oz size for jams/preserves but use what you like.    Open jars and pop the lids off. There should be three pieces, the jar the seal and the metal ring.  It is very important to sterilize them.  Follow directions on box.  I have not dishwasher so I scrub my sink and boil lots of water and let them sit in it. 

 It is helpful to set up a little assembly line to fill these.  I bring everything to the stove and adjoining counter.  Dry out  the jars, VERY CAREFULLY ladle the preserves into the jar filling it about 1/2 inch from the top, wipe the top of the jar off with a clean rag to wipe off drips that could prevent sealing, put the seal on and then tighten the ring.  Now here is the personal preference part…I have never given any of my cans a “water bath”…. I discover late one night that if the jars are warm the lids and seal are hot and the contents are hot, the jars seal themselves.  I have yet to have anything go sour but that is my experience.  Do what is comfortable for you.  

Wild Peach Preserves

 

I hope you will give it a shot.  It was so much fun and delish especially on hot biscuits…YUMMY!    Let me know what you think.