Spring Inspiration!

Chic Strands: D.I.Y. Vintage Brooch Ribbon Necklace

Treat your sisters and girlfriends (and yourself) to jewelry that shimmers with style. Start with a handful of inexpensive costume pieces - brooches and earrings with openwork designs - and give them a new-old coppery patina using spray paint. Then link them together and add pretty pink ribbon. No one will guess you didn't break the bank.

Step 1
Prepare Jewelry Snap off brooch or earring backs using wire cutters, and sand down any sharp bits so they won't catch on clothing. For extra protection, apply clear nail polish to the area; let dry.

Step 2
Add Copper Finish For an antique look, coat pieces with spray paint, then quickly rub off most of the paint with a paper towel. Let dry.

Step 3
Create Necklace Using jump rings (metal rings that open and close) and pliers, connect pieces in a pleasing order. Attach a ring at each end: Thread each ribbon (We used vintage seam binding that we washed and threw in the dryer to give our necklace a "tattered" appearance) halfway through the end rings; knot each ribbon at ring if desired. Tie behind neck to wear.

How Cute Are You Now??? Go In Style Miss Thing!!!

Salad Starters

This planter isn't just an attractive addition to the patio. The plants are ready to be picked and tossed into the salad bowl, making it the perfect gift. If the planter doesn't have drainage holes, place 1 1/2 to 2 inches of mini pine-bark chips in bottom; fill with soilless potting mix. Overplant with seedlings of seasonal crops; this one has kale, spinach, and a mesclun mix, as well as cilantro and chervil, which everyone likes in salads. It should be kept outdoors in a sunny spot, watered when dry, and fed with plant food according to minimum recommendations on package. Pick leaves gradually; in four to six weeks, the supply will be depleted, but the planter can be refilled. Instead of bringing garden vegetables indoors to clean, rinse them outdoors as soon as you pick them -- and give the remaining crop an extra drink, too. In late June, for instance, when it's time for the first harvest of crops sowed in early May, take along a colander and a garden hose. Some baby lettuces and radishes might be ripe for picking, but other lettuces and root vegetables won't be. With the benefit of the additional water, the veggies that need to stick it out through the summer have a smaller chance of wilting, bolting, getting bitter or hard, or cracking.

'Black Seeded Simpson' Loose-Leaf Lettuce

Every new gardener wants a thriving harvest. These easy-to-grow varieties, whose flavors range from hot to sweet, are a wise choice for a successful first-time garden. 'Black Seeded Simpson' loose-leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is an heirloom that matures early in the season with a tender texture and delicate flavor. A loose-leaf variety, it has ruffled, lime-green leaves. This heirloom lettuce, popular for its silky texture and very delicate taste, is best in spring but will provide good harvests into summer. Of the four basic lettuce types, loose-leaf is the quickest growing and best for cut-and-come-again harvesting.

Did You Know?
Lettuce was probably first cultivated around 4500 B.C. by the ancient Egyptians, who grew it not for its leaves but for the edible oil in its seeds; it was later introduced to Britain by the Romans. Lettuce now comes in four basic types: looseleaf; butterhead, or bibb; romaine, or cos; and crisphead.

General Maintenance:
Mulch to keep soil cool and moist and slow tendency to bolt. If plants become crowded, thin to promote air circulation. Cultivate soil to reduce weeds and provide aeration.

Pests/Diseases:
Slugs, snails, aphids, and cutworms may occur.

Controls:
Avoid watering in evening, which attracts slugs and snails. For slugs, spread diatomaceous earth around plants, or set out shallow dishes filled with beer. Hose off aphids and cutworms in the morning.

How To Sow/Plant:
In early spring, direct sow in soil amended with well-rotted manure or compost; sow 4 inches apart in 15- to 18-inch rows, covering seeds lightly. Or start seeds indoors 3?4 weeks before hardening off and transplanting. Water upon planting. To extend harvest, re-sow small rows every 10 days in soil cooler than 75°F; resume when temperature drops in late summer.

Water And Fertilize:
Keep soil evenly moist to encourage rapid growth. Feed every 3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Garden Hint:
The keys to producing the best-tasting lettuce are cool weather, an even supply of water, and a little shade in summer. Harvesting only the outside leaves will encourage greater, more regular growth than cutting the whole plant and waiting for it to regrow. Culinary/Edible combine with: anise chives dill nasturtium parsley and other culinary herbs. In hot weather, plant lettuce in the shade of other vegetables, such as tomatoes, to shield them from midday sun.

Spring Has Sprung ~ Daffodil Days Are Here!

At Vintage Home Collective we are all about GIVING! From tokens of gratitude to expressions of love, as your partner in GIVING, Vintage Home Collective offers a unique and wide-ranging collection of thoughtful gifts for every occasion and everyone on your list, all year round.

Our Vendors select quality vintage treasures — many of which are One-Of-A-Kind! — that are unusual, surprising and beautifully designed to ensure the gifts you GIVE create a special moment when they are opened — whether it's a knowing smile, heartfelt laughter, or a sentimental tear or two. Our mission remains to make gift giving for every occasion easy, hassle-free, and fun.

In celebration of the arrival of Spring, many of our Vendors have decided that it is that time of year again...when we say good-bye to old favorites & do some Spring cleaning. So this means lots of NEW MARKDOWNS & CLEARANCE SALES throughout our store! That special item you once thought was just a little to pricey, might just be reduced, affording you the opportunity to finally own it!

And for a very limited time, we are GIVING away FREE Daffodils with every purchase over $20.00. These happy little yellow miracles will brighten up your home & lighten up your heart! Yes, that annual Harbinger of Spring becomes our token of appreciation for coming in, spending some time visiting & shopping, and happily supporting our little shop here in Geyserville! "Spring" on over...We hope to see you all very soon!

The following is a list of verified VENDOR PROMOTIONS going on within Vintage Home Collective...these deals are good from Friday March 25 - Sunday March 27, 2011...HURRY!!!:

• Gin'gilli's :: 25% OFF anything YELLOW ~ Furniture, Bowls, Vases, & so much more...come in and see!
• SMITten :: 10% OFF ANYTHING in SMITten's space...this includes items already marked down ~ Jewelry, Housewares, Art, Fashion, & Novelties!
• And many more CLEARANCE items THROUGHOUT the entire store!!!

Valentine SweetHeart Cookies

These homemade Valentine's Day treats are the sweetest way to say "I Love You" to everyone special in your life. This recipe makes a lot of cookies, but it can be halved, or you can freeze a portion of the dough for up to three weeks. Makes several dozen, depending on cookie size.

Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
4 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup pale-pink or white sanding sugar (optional)
Petal dust in pink, orange, and violet tones (optional)
2/3 cup apricot or strawberry jam, slightly warmed (optional)

Directions:
1. In bowl of electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into large bowl. On low speed, gradually add flour mixture to mixer bowl, alternating with buttermilk, until combined. Wrap dough in plastic; chill until firm, 1 hour or overnight.

2. To color white sanding sugar, if using: Place a few tablespoons in a small bowl. Mix in petal dust with a toothpick, a bit at a time, until desired shade is reached. Colored sanding sugar will last indefinitely.

3. Heat oven with two racks centered to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. On lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut out hearts using any 1- to 3 1/2-inch heart cookie cutters. If desired, cut centers out of some hearts. Transfer with spatula to baking sheets. Chill for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if using. Bake until just golden but not too brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to rack. Continue with dough; reroll scraps.

4. To make sandwich hearts: Brush bottom heart lightly with jam; cover with a second heart with center cut out; jam will adhere hearts. Fill cut-out area with more jam. Cookies will keep, in an airtight container, at room temperature for 1 week.

True Love Reigns Supreme!

At Vintage Home Collective we are all hopeless romantics, so Valentine's Day is a big one for us! February 14th is fast approaching so come in today to pick up a unique "little something" - a "token of your affection" for that special someone on that most loveliest of days! Even though they are nice, you won't find any passé boxes of chocolates or flowers here - Let's try and be a little more original this year folks! Instead, we offer up a stunning collection of fancy jewelry...baubles, bangles, and blingy beads...some creations even handmade! A darling menagerie of dolls, stuffed animals, and bedtime books for that little sweetheart in your life. Handmade scented candles in vintage tins that you can illuminate over that romantic dinner you share together. We even have a pretty variety of valentine cards (for lovers & friends alike), gift bags, and gift wrap to present your purchase with style. Shop until your heart is content...you will fall in love with our quaint little store all over again!

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker."

After Holiday Clearance Extravaganza!

That’s right folks, it’s time for the Vintage Home Collective Annual Blowout Sale! Vendors have slashed their prices and provided deep discounts on some of your favorite things ~ if you didn't find it under your Christmas tree from Santa, now you can treat yourself. Come in today to see a great selection of fine furniture, home accents, jewelry, and holiday decor all drastically marked down to sell fast so we can bring in new and fresh inventory! Ask about our CLEARANCE TABLE where you will find most items at 50% OFF the regular price. We will be also featuring CLEARANCE FURNITURE just outside our front door (weather permitting!) for easy loading into your vehicle! Stop in TODAY for the best selection, and the best deals!!!

Green Your Home In 2011!

"Green" has become the new black. Although we might become confused with all of the green options out there, we do know that it's our responsibility to make the smartest choices for our families and the environment. An eco-friendly home doesn't happen overnight, and replacing every gadget would be extremely costly and cause a lot of waste. But there are simple ways you can make your home a more environmentally friendly one, as well as guidelines to keep in mind when buying new products and appliances. The following are our favorites:


Free And Easy:

Adjust Your Water Heater
Lower your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees, to restrict heat loss.

Fill The Dishwasher
Run full loads, air dry, and skip the pre-rinsing. Energy Star dishwashers can be more efficient than hand washing, so consider replacing an older, less-efficient model.

Green Your Garden
Avoid harmful herbicides and pesticides in your garden; create and use compost; and practice organic gardening techniques.

Moderate The Thermostat
Lower the thermostat by just two degrees this winter to conserve energy without sacrificing comfort. Turn it down 10 degrees at night and when you’re not home - or install a programmable thermostat for automatic adjustments.

Recycle
According to the EPA, an average family of four that recycles only plastic waste can save the equivalent of nearly 340 pounds of carbon emissions per year. To find out about your local regulations or learn how to start a recycling program in your building, neighborhood, or city, visit earth911.org.

Unplug Electronics
Many household appliances continue to suck electricity even when switched off; minimize leaks by unplugging idle electronics.

Wash Laundry In Cold Water
About 90 percent of the energy used for a load of laundry goes to heating the water. Some stains demand hot water, as do bed linens (to kill dust mites). Wash all other loads in cold.

Small Purchases That Make A Big Difference:

Change Lightbulbs
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs consume a quarter of the electricity required by comparable incandescent bulbs and last up to 12 times longer. Maximize savings by changing at least five frequently used bulbs.

Go Low-Flow In The Shower
To reduce hot-water consumption, replace older showerheads with ones that spray no more than 2.5 gallons a minute.

Limit Artificial Fragrances
Experts’ concerns about the proliferation of fragrances have to do with their potential effects on our health; essential oils and natural fragrances are safer alternatives.

Replace Chemical Cleaners
High-octane chemicals are known to be harmful to both your family’s health and the environment; select natural cleaning and laundry products at the store, or use homemade natural cleansers.

Use Eco-Friendly Linens
Typical linens are made with conventional cotton, which accounts for about 25 percent of the world’s insecticide use, and many manufacturers’ dyes are derived from petroleum (a nonrenewable resource) in a highly polluting process. Choose an eco-friendly alternative such as organic cotton or renewable fibers such as bamboo instead.

Smart Investments:

Consider Eco-Flooring
Conventional flooring choices can harm the environment and potentially you and your family’s health. Whether you’re remodeling or simply want to replace your carpet, choose healthy, sustainable flooring materials such as bamboo, cork, true linoleum, natural-fiber carpet, or FSC-certified wood.

Paint Safely
Many paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are linked to various health problems. When shopping for paint, choose low- or zero-VOC varieties, or paints made from natural materials, such as milk or clay paints.

Replace The Old Refrigerator
Refrigerators use more electricity than any other appliance. Older ones are worse, so give top priority to replacing a pre-1993 fridge.

Sleep On A Chemical-Free Mattress
Many mattresses are treated with toxic chemicals called PBDEs to reduce their flammability. To limit your exposure to these dangerous toxins, cover your mattress with an organic wool or latex pad, or when buying a new one, choose a PBDE-free mattress.

Upgrade Windows
Energy Star-qualified windows with insulating glazes, gas fills, and better framing materials reduce the demand on heating and cooling systems, saving energy and money.

Happy New Year!

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day. Happy 2011 from all of us at Vintage Home Collective!

Hometown Holiday!

Calling all Vintage Home Collective Fans, Customers, Family & Friends. The City of Geyserville will be having their annual treelighting festivities from 6pm~8pm this coming Saturday, November 27th. Our store will be open from 10am until 9pm with special discounts in the evening and also a special gift with purchase and treats for our valued customers all day long! And all you locals will be happy to see that we will be selling FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES right in our very own parking lot...you won't have to drive into Healdsburg of Cloverdale this year ~ HOW COOL IS THAT!!! We are light and bright and beautifully decorated for the joyous holiday season, so please mark your calendars for this wonderful event. There are always new surprises at Vintage Home Collective. Come experience the old town country feel for yourselves. You'll be delighted!

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Inspiration!

As the big day approaches and the weather starts to cool, entertaining makes its move indoors. Elevate your upcoming Thanksgiving meal with a centerpiece inspired by the harvest season.

A quick trip to the market yielded these fall centerpieces. Use whatever flowers, fruits and vegetables you find, such as baby pumpkins, carrots, persimmons, and, of course, oranges. Here are just a few examples to get your creative juices flowing! Your guests will surely Ohhh & Ahhh!

Thanksgiving Greetings!

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. Happy Thanksgiving from All of Us at Vintage Home Collective!

The Best Fig Tart, Ever!

I could also call it the easiest fig tart, ever. Really. It has an astonishingly small list of ingredients: a pie crust, some luscious figs, with a hidden layer of frangipane, which, despite the fancy-sounding French name, is simply a concoction of toasted almonds, sugar, butter, and egg that you can make easily in a food processor.

The key to the magic here is the frangipane. It's one of those things that sound far more difficult and fancy than they really are. It's basically equal quantity (by weight) of almond meal, butter, and sugar, with one egg to bind it all together. That's a truly fantastic recipe, and one so versatile I find a use for it in practically all my fruit tarts, from the summery stone fruits to the fall harvest of pears and apples. Right about now, with melting soft and tantalizingly sweet figs making an appearance all over the place, you can create a fig tart with a base of this frangipane and it will turn even the most ardent fig hater into a lover.

The slight problem I found with the original recipe I dug up is the almond flour. If you bake all the time and have access to great almond flour from a professional pastry source, then it'll work just fine. But the rest of us, with access mainly to what's available at the supermarket, finding good (and fresh) enough almond flour to use in this recipe will be challenging. So, I adapted the recipe to use whole almonds which are readily available and generally far fresher than any almond flour you can buy.

Frangipane

75g whole almonds (about 1/2 cup)

75g sugar, you can use half granulated sugar and half confectioner's sugar, or just all granulated sugar (about 1/8 cup granulated plus 1/4 cup confectioner's, or just 1/3 cup granulated)

75g butter at room temperature

1 large egg

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Spread the almonds evenly on a baking sheet and place them in the oven. Roast them for about 10 minutes, or until slightly toasted and fragrant. Transfer to a plate and let cool to room temperature.

Put the cooled almonds and the sugar into a food processor and process until fine. Add the butter and the egg and pulse until well-combined. If you don't want to use it right away, divide the frangipane into four equal parts, wrap each tightly in plastic. They will keep in the fridge for a couple of days, and up to a month in the freezer.

To make a 9" fig tart

1 9" pastry dough

about 10 large figs or about 15 small ones

1/4 the recipe of frangipane above

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Roll out your pastry dough to about 10-inch diameter - more or less won't harm anything. Spread about 1/4 of the quantity of frangipane on the dough, leaving about 1 inch parameter around the outer edge of the dough. Quarter the figs (only halve if small) and arrange them -pointy end up will be prettier- in concentric circles to cover the frangipane. Fold the edges in, pinching a little to make sure they stick. If you want, you can brush the dough with eggwash and give it a good shower of sugar. Bake for about 45-50 minutes, or until the pastry edges are golden brown. If you really want to be indulgent, serve your slice with a scoop of Butter Pecan Ice Cream...go ahead...we won't tell!

Some New Photos From The Shop!

Decorating With Fall Colors

The shades of autumn such as orange, yellow, dark green, rust and brown make lovely accents for the home. Discover how you can bring the warm and wonderful hues of fall into your rooms.

Red Brown
Red browns have a warm, rosy glow. Salvaged doors inspired this Vermeer-like setting: Fabrics were selected for reddish tones that complement the wood. Texture and luster are important here, too: Daylight brings out the sheen of the velvet comforter and satin pillow, lending life to the room.

Dark Yellow
On this daybed, opulent fabrics and a rich palette of burnt red, deep gold, and pale cream and gold create a sense of depth.

Dark Red
An assortment of lacquered plates and trays creates a bold display in a living room. To color it red, lacquer is tinted with cinnabar or vermilion. Lacquer can also be dyed black, green, yellow, gold, or brown by adding various pigments, as in the lacquered eighteenth-century Chinese side table.

Brown Gray
In this dining room, the homeowner chose a dark stain for the table to set off painted chairs, as an antique sideboard stands out against the gray walls. The chandelier adds a hint of color.

Red Damask
An ornate, vividly colored fabric, such as this Turkey red damask tablecloth, instantly adds warmth and a sense of refinement.

Orange-Red
A coppery-red arrangement of astilbe and celosia warms a cool-gray hallway. Above the flowers, a Directoire-style girandole holds a white porcelain model of a mandarin figure. A Chinese ceramic garden seat in a deep sang de boeuf red stands under the table.

Bold Brown
In a luminous white setting, dark brown has the impact of black, without the harshness. This sofa is upholstered with velvet the color of bittersweet chocolate; white piping makes the fabric look even darker. A varied collection of smoky-glass bottles and vases lightens the mood.

Orange Walls
This traditional English-style foyer, painted pumpkin-orange, offers a warm welcome to all who enter. Paired with plenty of whites -- the wainscoting, ceiling, risers, trim, and balusters -- the walls feel crisp, particularly when outlined with brown grosgrain ribbon (which is adhered with craft glue). The warm browns of the wood harmonize well with orange, animating and restraining it.

Yellow Lamp
If you are not ready to commit to a large swath of color, consider an autumnal-hued accent, like this golden lamp with bold black shade.

Red Foliage
One temporary way to bring autumn indoors is to create a natural display such as a blazing tree branch and greenish gourds.

We're Firing Up The Barbeque ~ Come Help Us Celebrate!

The grill is HOT & the drinks are COOL! Please join us at Vintage Home Collective for our Grand Opening Barbeque Celebration on Friday, October 1st, 2010. We will be PARTYING all day from 12pm ~ 5pm! Dave (our fabulous landlord) will be firing up the coals, serving up some end of SUMMER grub, the girls will be pouring REFRESHING libations to quench your thirst, and we will be giving personal TOURS of the shop all day long. Best of all, we will also be giving away FREE hourly DOOR PRIZES provided by some of our most talented VENDORS! So mark your calendar, hop in the family car, bring your POCKETBOOK, and join us for a day filled with FUN, FOOD, SHOPPING, & HAPPINESS ~ We can't wait to see you!!!

Looking For A Few Good Vendors!

If you think you have the talent, creativity, and enthusiasm to become your own entrepreneur, you may find a place umongst our family of merchants here at Vintage Home Collective. We are currently interviewing candidates to lease precious real estate within our shop. Have you ever dreamt of selling your wares to the public, but never knew where to start or felt there was just too much risk involved? Selling in our store may just be the perfect "stepping stone" to something much bigger and better - let's chat about the possibilities. Please contact Elisa Burroughs at: gingillis.elisa@gmail.com or call 707.857.3509 for more details on this exciting opportunity.

We Are Now Open For Bu$ine$$!

Vintage Home Collective is an ever changing landscape of home, garden, and gift ideas meant to inspire, and delight you, your family, and friends.

We offer an eclectic variety of kitschy vintage, elegant farmhouse fresh, and trendy 'n hip styles. A casual and comfortable approach to living abounds. You will revel in our fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories with their "perfect imperfections", unique handmade and crafty functional pieces, repurposed architectural salvage, hard to find garden and patio wares, and even custom-made kayaks.

We also present a plethora of unique and stylish gifts ranging from dazzling and unique jewelry, designer clothing, fragrant soaps and sundries, aloha shirts, greeting cards, handbags, coffee table books, kitchen gadgets, wine country souvenirs, embroidered linens, retro decor, original artwork, and beautiful collectible ceramics...if you can dream it, we probably have it!

Take a step inside to witness the bounty that hides around every corner of our quaint little red barn, come discover your very own treasure... Why? Because you are WORTH IT!