It's San Francisco Time!!!

Good morning friends-eez! Hope all of you are having a wonderful start to your weekend! I am getting ready to leave for San Francisco- a little graduation gift to my step-daughter. I think I will head over to Housemartin first- for great stores to make sure and visit! Here are my two very special girls... and their gifts all wrapped up!

Might not be talking at ya till Tuesday- but I'll be thinking of you all!

XO
SHS

WedETSYday- Hooray! Hooray!

Another WedETSYday has arrived, and I think you will really enjoy my picks! As I type I am trying to keep my dachshund Oliver from drinking my coffee. Oliver is like his mommy- he needs a cup o' jo to start his day off right- otherwise he is grouchy!

~~~~~Introducing the three lovely etsy designers of the week~~~~~

Lovin' Green Streets reusable sandwich and snack bags!

Lovin' Callooh Callay vintage button pins!

And... I'm lovin' Avecdieu Couture's handmade curtains! Here are just a few of her fabric choices!

To link to these etsy designers just click on their store banners!

XO
SHS

Newly Discovered Blog Love!

~~~~~~~~~~Blog Envy!~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't really remember how I found this blog, but that doesn't even matter. The point is that I FOUND it! It is totally fun and inspiring and it is.... drum roll please...... Barnhouse Vintage Home and Garden!!! You're gonna love it if you don't already know about it!

Here are a few picky pics for you to drool over! Plus, you gotta read the blog. The Boys at Barnhouse are hilarious and now I want to be their friendsee! I have lots and lots of dream friends!

And this is my second Blog crush of the week. It is ....(drum roll again) Queen of Tarte.
Queen of Tarte and The Boys at Barnhouse are friends-eez and host barn sales together. What a fabulous job to have- I just love creative and talented people!

Here are some pics of Tarte

I WILL make it to one of these barn sales- I SWEAR it!

XO
SHS

Make It Monday! ~~~~Herbal Steam~~~~

So I still have a few more days of work to do on my outdoor dining area / patio... My husband and I worked our patooties off this weekend, but everything seemed to go wrong. Our measurements were off on our curtain rods, the pergola cover was too short, the rain got to the chairs I just re-covered, but despite all of it I am still happy with the results and looking forward to posting pics.

In addition to the patio, I worked a little on my small but very special herb garden I am attempting to grow. Searching for ways to use all the herbs I hope to grow, I ran across this DIY Herbal Facial Steam recipe courtesy Miss Martha!

Herbal Steam Tools:

1/3 cup dried lavender blossoms1/3 cup dried calendula blossoms 4 to 5 drops geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens)

Herbal Steam How-To:

1. Add dried lavender and calendula (plus any additional herbs of your choice) to a large French press or teapot. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the herbs and steep for about 10 minutes.
2. When the herbs are finished steeping, fill a clean bathroom sink halfway with very hot water. Pull up a chair that will allow you to hang your head over the basin, about 6 to 8 inches from the water. Press or strain the herbs, then add the herbal infusion to the water. Add geranium essential oil.
3. Drape a large bath towel over your head and shoulders to create a "tent" over the sink and steam your face and neck for 3 to 5 minutes. If the water cools, add hot water as needed to produce more steam.
4. After steaming, splash your face and neck with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean, fluffy towel.
5. All skin types, especially mature skin, will benefit from a post-steam facial massage to keep skin moist and soft. Simply apply a few drops of a light oil (such as avocado or apricot kernel) to your fingers, then gently massage your forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck using small, inward circles.

XO
SHS

PS Photos Courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Food Friday! Tomato Tarts

A couple of weeks ago I planted several tomato plants which seem to be doing quite well. I have them positioned behind my BBQ to block the crazy wind, but they still get lots and lots of sunshine! I know at some point I am going to have an abundance of tomatoes, so I am already planning lots of baking to make use of every single one. I happen to love tomato tarts so I thought I'd shares-eez these recipes in case any of you are craving one too!

Tomato Tart from Martha Stewart

Filo Tomato Tart from Sunset

Parmesan Tomato Tart by Baking Bites

Oven Dried Tomato Tart w/ Goat Cheese and Black Olives from Epicurious

If you decide to make one of these yummy treats make sure to read the reviews as there are always great suggestions on subsitutions and adding more or less ingredients here and there!

Have a lovely weekend friends! I will be putting the final touches on my outdoor patio / dining area and plan to share some photos on Monday!

XO
SHS

Feed Sacks!

I've had this old coffee sack sitting around my house for a while now. I picked it up at an antique store with my mom, and have yet to decide how to use it. Originally I was thinking it would make great pillows. Maybe just two big ones that I could keep stacked on the floor for lounging. However, my mom thought it would look really cool to re-cover either an old bench or foot stool and I must say after seeing these photos I just might agree! What do ya think ma? The below images are of feed sacks, but the last one is of a coffee bean sack like the one I have.

Photo courtesy of The World According to Isa

and this one too...

Chair from JaysonHomeandGarden

Photo courtesy of Housemartin

I have to say this is my favorite idea... now I just need to find that bench and pillows!

XO
SHS!

WedETSYday!

Hello Friends-eez!

It's another WedETSYday and I've decided to focus on handmade edibles!

D'Lischka's Petite German Pastries

SweetiePiesDelights Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

their Marshmallow Sample Pack

and their Chocolate Caramel Nut Patties

LemonBird's Strawberry with Cinnamon Jam

and their Blood Orange Jam

Doesn't everything look yummy- plus they are all from Etsy which makes it that much better! Remember to buy handmade!

XO
SHS