I'm here!

I'm here! I'm here!!

http://www.thechinagirl.etsy.com

 

 Where has the time gone!? It's already July 7th!  

http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com

 

 I've been keeping busy with my Etsy shops.  Of course, I've been doing a lot of shopping for my shops (one of my fav things to do!).  I haven't actually gone to any garage sales yet, those are so "hit or miss" that it's usually a waste of time for me.

http://www.mymilkglassshop.etsy.com

 

 I have some favorite places to shop, that I know will always have something that will be perfect in one of my three Etsy shops!

Summer vacation soon! I can't wait!  Enjoy your summer everyone!

Jen

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the fantastic Dad's out there, including my Dad and my husband, Bob!

I hope you have a fun and relaxing day!

Cheers!

Jen

Denny is Simply Charming!

I met my darling friend Denny at the Blue Barn, in North Ridgeville, Ohio.  She has the prettiest booth ever!  I want to replace all of my furniture, and just buy all of her gorgeous painted furniture!

Simply Charming 

Denny is actually expanding her booth, so be to go upstairs to see all of her pretties at the Blue Barn!

Oh so pretty!

Not only does Denny have beautiful painted furniture, but look at all the lovely vintage china, milk glass, and more!  Everything you need for a shabby sweet cottage!

The name "Simply Charming" is perfect!  Plus, Denny is a super nice person!  I hope you get to meet her!!

Happy shopping!

Jen

Tea party time!

My lovely friend and customer, Patrice, sent me this picture of her gorgeous tablescape with the pretty china she has purchased from me.  This truly inspires me, and yes, I will have my own tea party soon!

Thanks Patrice!

Jen

I'm here!

You missed me, right!?  I've been keeping busy with my Etsy shops, but I thought I'd stop in and show off a few of my latest listings.  It's all about tea and garden parties!

Vintage Milk Glass

Mis-matched English bone china teacups & saucers

Mid century Paden Seville floral plates

 

Adorable vintage poodle tea towels

There you go! Just add tea & crumpets!

Happy spring!

Jen

I Can't Stop Eating This Pasta Salad

My latest culinary creation, and I can't stop eating it!! That is why I've decided to name this "I Can't Stop Eating This Pasta Salad"!

I do not like using recipes; mainly because I am so bad at following directions!  I do love the prep work!  I love chopping veggies!

This is a pasta salad you can make your very own, add what you love, leave out the stuff you cannot stand!

I am a bit partial to using vintage bowls, like this cute Pyrex Spring Blossom mixing bowl!  If you need a vintage Pyrex bowl, head to http://www.jenscloset.etsy.com for a huge selection of retro bowls!  All of your salads will taste better!

Here's what I did:

Boil elbow noodles (make sure to salt the water!).

Chop up veggies into tiny pieces (so you don't get a big chunk of just one flavor).  I used cucumber, radishes, red onion, green onions (scallions), red and yellow pepper, celery, green and black olives, and I think that's it.  I also cut up tomatoes but did not add them directly to the salad, since they would get kind of "mushy", so just add that to the separate bowls of pasta salad.  I added olive oil, red wine vinegar, italian seasoning, dijon mustard, salt & pepper, garlic salad, lemon zest, dried dill weed, dried parsley flakes (only because I didn't have fresh).

I let my pasta cool a bit and then added olive oil, red wine vinegar, a tiny dash of sugar, salt & pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt.  After it's completely cooled you can add the veggie mix.

It's all about making it pretty! Beautiful color and textures, since we eat with our eyes (which would be really weird if we really ate with our eyes).

Make it your own!  It's a refreshing salad, and since we're having seafood for dinner tonight, I thought this would be the perfect accompaniment to the meal!

Have fun in the kitchen!!

Jen

Jenscloset

What's in Jenscloset!?

Milk Glass

 Well, this pretty milk glass vase is in my milk glass shop!

Vintage Dinner Plates

 and these awesome vintage dinner plates are from my china shop!

Awesome Pyrex!

Jenscloset on Etsy is full of a wonderful mix of vintage, perfect for your retro home!

Mad Men Style Glasses

 I love just about anything pink!

Vintage Sandwich Server

 

 And vintage teacups make the perfect gift!

Pink Pink Pink!

And yes, Jenscloset has more than pink!! Check it out!

Jen

Featured Etsy Shop

I love Etsy and the awesome talented artists there (not to mention fantastic vintage shops!!).  Today's featured Etsy shop is "VallonDesTresors".   So many gorgeous handmade items by Aisha!  I love lace and I love pearls, so this Beaded Lace Peter Pan Necklace with Faux Pearls is the perfect way to add a little something extra to your favorite black dress!  I also think it would be great with jeans and a t-shirt!

I love aprons, and have quite a large collection of my own!  This half apron with red cherries and the cute heart pocket, is just what you need to feel like a fancy chef!  I swear I cook better when I'm wearing an apron!

I would grow my hair long just to wear this lovely blue hairstick with an artisan bead!  Aisha has a great selection of this wonderful hairsticks!

Pretty pillow

And, for a special treat- a 10% discount for everyone using the code JENSBLOG2014, good until April 30th!  Be sure to check out
Vallon DesTresors on Etsy (link above) for more handmade items, perfect for gifts, or a little something for yourself!

Happy weekend!

Jen

Think spring!

Flowers to brighten your day!

Happy-almost-spring!!
Jen

Sweet Katherine

Sweet Katherine is my favorite youngest child!  My baby will turn 21 tomorrow.  There was a crazy snow storm the day we brought her home from the hospital.

fun bike rides together

 That should have been a sign that Katherine would always bring a bit of excitement to everything!

so silly!

 Katherine is silly, fun, intelligent, insightful, thought

provoking (it takes a lot to provoke my thoughts!), inspirational, fashionable, athletic, funny, and so much more!

My awesome kids! Katherine, Lindsey & Mark

I see a theme here with the legs!

 

I wonder where she got her silliness from!?

Yes, I do have a favorite child!  I have three, actually!  I have a favorite son, Mark, a favorite older daughter, Lindsey, and a favorite baby, Katherine!

I am a lucky girl!!  Happy 21st birthday Katherine! 

Love, Mom