Etsy Treasury Bodaciously Purple

Amethyst Ring from my shop is included in this Treasury.

Created March 14 by thelongchateau

From left to right, top to bottom

countryworkshop – zuzusworld -  Ivyndell

vintagemarmalade – BlissStreetJewelry (me) – burntmill

vinestreetvintage – gloriousglassgarden – metalight

visionquest -  rosewebs - livlf13

A Boiler bursts and then…..

What happens when your parents’ boiler busts and destroys your mom’s china cabinet?

Well if you are my dad you try to fix it and move it to a new “safer” location. If you are my brother you use the new empty space for a bigger TV after debating it the right size with the rest of the family. If you are me you try to talk your mother into replacing it with a solid wood vintage piece that will last longer than anything that can be bought today.

And if you are my guy? Well you buy one and give it to her as a gift.

Look are what he bought today  

It’s solid wood handcrafted and the perfect size. It’s not that old but it is a quality piece.

So what do you think? Think she would like it? He’s going to surprise her on Friday.

Vintage advice (1938) - Tips for Dating (Modernized)

I was over at Sad and Useless and scans of this 1938 article on tips of the single ladies. People commented on the posting saying the article was antiquated and sexist. A little dated yes. Sexist? not really. So I posted the pics here with updated advice and the men version. Will this be for every date? no.

Both – when your date arrives don’t keep them waiting, Don’t dress in front of them and Smile.

Men don’t like women borrowing their hankerchiefs, brushes, or other grooming items when you first meet them. Handle grooming including make up and perfume in private.

Women don’t like it either. Men groom in private and please light on the cologne.

Women, sit in a relaxed position. with your legs closed or crossed . Don’t look bored. Don’t chew with your moth open no one needs to hear or see your gum or dinner.

Men- don’t spread your legs and take up one and half seats. Don’t slouch half way down the chair. Sit up in your chair.  Don’t look bored. Don’t chew with your mouth open no on needs to hear or see your gum or dinner.

Woman- when a man dances he sometimes just want to dance. If you talk leave it light on the dance floor and then only if it does not interfere with the dancing.

Men – If the music is load and the girl is enjoying the dance. Don’t talk. there is time for that at the table. It just shows that you are uncomfortable physically with a woman. Dance when you dance. talk when it’s time to sit and talk. (Does not apply to slow dances but keep conversation light or romantic)

Both – leave grinding to a minimum. While it is a form of dancing that is popular and has been  it also sends a “I want to have sex with you” message.   Your partner may get “I ONLY want to have sex” message instead.

Women- where a bra if you need one. Don’t wear clothes that are too low cut or too low riding. Wear clothes in your size not two sizes too small. Wear sexy and comfortable shoes. (yes there are such a thing)

Men -If you need a belt wear one. Do not show your ass crack, scratch your crotch or butt. Wear clothes in your size not two sizes too big.

Both- Fashion has it’s place. over sized pants, under size shirts are fine after the person gets to know you. until then you should be the focus not the clothes. What you were should accentuate not mask or over inflate who you are. In other words let them date you not your outfit.

Both – Don’t use the car mirror to fix your hair, contacts or adjust yourself. The driver need it to drive along with turning for blind spots. Use the mirror that’s attached to the passenger side sun visor. there is always one there. why the hell would you need to screw with the driver?

Both – Don’t be overly familiar with date. Touching them may not be appropriate. holding hands is fine. Light touches on the arms and shoulders is fine. adjusting their clothes? no. Cleaning something off of their face is only ok if they say so. It is never ok to use spit to clean someone else.

Women -  Don't be sentimental.....(above)....

Men – Don’t be pushy. Or give too much advice. If she doesn’t want to talk about her work, then drop it. Some women don’t want to work on their career when they are on a date. Most don’t want their date to fix them.  women don’t like their men crying in public places either.

Both – Don’t be overly familiar with the waiter or  waitress. Don’t talk about how much fun you had with someone else. Your date deserves your full attention.

Women – don’t talk about clothes, shoes or your “favorite” girly show. (you know which they are) Talk about things that he wants to talk about. If it happens to be the same thing Great!

Men – Don’t talk about the latest trade to your favorite sports team or the motor in your car or your favorite video game Talk about the things she wants to talk about. If it happens to be the same thing. Great! (she may love sports, cars or video games)

 

Both – Don’t drink too much.

Some women are clever but most get silly. Some men get fun, most get loud and sloppy.

Both – Don’t flirt with other people or have long drawn out conversations with others. It’s rude to your date.

This includes cell phones. Leave them off or tell the caller you will call them back at a later time

Women -  don’t pass out

Men -Don’t pass out. You are too damn heavy to carry home.

Both – You may be left.

Both- If you see the man all the way on the right. Avoid him. He is off of his meds.

New York gets ready for a Blizzard

New York schools were closed Wednesday . We were expecting 18in of snow. Will we get it? No. A week ago when DC got hit they said we would get 6-12in. how much did we get? zero. I should of taken this one more serious. The day before my postman said he wouldn’t pick up – snow day. But of course I didn’t.

I decided like any good NYer to do all my errands before the snow got deep.

Everything was closed except food places. That was the first time since 1996 that NY partly shut down because of snow. It was the first time I can remember it shutting BEFORE a blizzard.

Snow just getting started

These were taken early in the day. It snowed all day and all night. NY was open for business and back to school the next morning.

Coolest thing? the photos you see above were taken with my phone and cropped down to less than half their original size.

Uncool – my guy says I don’t need a camera with a phone like that. So much for my valentine day gift.

Rum Buttered Scallops over Lemon Pepper Pasta

You can make rum buttered scallops over any pasta but lemon pepper makes a great contrast to the sweet buttery taste.

What you need to buy -

Lemon pepper pasta. :

I like Trader Joes. Pappardelle you can’t miss the lemon or pepper it makes a wonderful surface of the butter. or Ronzoni makes a lemon pepper angel hair which gives a more subtle flavor. Either is fine

.

Butter:

of course real butter, good butter is best, while you can use margarine it will make your pasta and scallops oily instead of the buttery goodness we are looking for. as much as you would like.

Scallops:

Make sure they are as fresh as possible (of course). Scallops can be eaten when cooked to medium, some even eat them raw (I wouldn't) but to not get sick the the rawer the scallops the fresher they need to be. 1 1/2 pounds to 2 pounds.

Rum:

When cooking with liquor always choose a quality that you can drink. It makes the food taste better. Cooking a bad quality liquor will not make it taste any better. Choose what ever rum you would like. I like bacardi but that’s just me. 151 is just because that's what I had in the house but any unflavored rum will do. Later you can experiment with other flavors.

Optional – Bacon:

~

I don’t use measurements. I will include approx amounts for 4 , adjust to your own tastes

Ok start preparing the pasta as the package indicates. I use 1 package of the TJ pasta or 1/2 of the ronzini box. Al Dente preferred or Med please.

opt – If you have chosen to add bacon this is a good time to cook it. Take a large frying pan and brown 4-5 slices of bacon. cut into 1 in pieces. If your bacon is frozen don’t worry just cook it first then cut. Remove bacon from pan. let drain. You can now cook the scallops in the bacon grease or clean the pan and add butter. don’t add butter to the bacon grease. While it will be tasty it is just too much grease. It will also make it more likely that the butter will burn.

After the pasta is done- drain the water. I know that many people like to rinse their pasta but this makes no sense unless you are making salad. Now that your pot is empty put 2 pats of butter in the pot (burner should be off). The heat of the already hot pot should melt the butter. add pasta back to the pot and mix until the pasta is coated in the butter. This will keep the pasta separated and warm while you cook the scallops.Its also the reason to make it al dente or med. because pasta will continue to cook with it’s internal heat.

If you haven’t chosen bacon then heat up a large frying pan. add 2 pats of butter or enough to coat the bottom of the pan. The butter should be very hot. sizzling and add scallops. Once you put the scallops in. Scallops take no time at all

to cook. if they are over cooked then they will get rubbery. Their thickness determines how long they should cook.

note: if you have never cooked scallops. leave lots of space in between the scallops and DO NOT stir or mix. Just place them in the pan and let them sit. you can lift one to check the bottoms after 1 min (for large) and keep checking periodically. If you stir them or they are too close together then instead of searing they will steam. Increasing chances of over cooking.

The scallops should look just change color before turning them to the other side. (DO NOT turn golden brown) cook the other side the same then remove scallops from the pan. It is easy to over cook scallops that’s why you have to remove the scallops before reducing the rum.

keep the pan hot and add 2 shot glasses of rum or just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. you want the rum to start reducing

Plate buttered pasta.

Rum should be sizzling and steaming. once the rum is reduced add the partly cooked scallops to the hot pan. (bacon too) let the scallops sear on each side in the rum now you are looking for that golden brown color. scallops should be springy if they are firm they are over cooked. Once you get that nice golden brown color you can put scallops (and bacon) on top of pasta. you can also add the buttery rum liquid. Serve immediately.

This recipe should take about 45 min in total. that includes waiting for the water to boil.

I tweeted about making it for dinner the other night . @libertyimages from etsy ask more about it so I decided to include the recipe on the blog.

New Sizes for the Venus Ring.

The Venus Erotic ring is one of my clients favorites.

In the past is was available only in 6 1/2 after receiving request for different sizes it is now it is available in 6 1/2, 7 1/2, 7 3/4 and 9

Sold at Bliss St the full website - or- Sacred Urban @ etsy -or- SacredUrban @ 1000markets

Vintage Metallic Couture

Glittery gold and silver screams “where is the party?!” Apparently the party is over at Tiddleywink’s Etsy shop where vintage is queen and shop’s selection of metallic vintage is oh-so alluring.

Retro metallic shoes and purses are being routinely being featured in top international magazines. The fashion revivals in this shop are designer re-dos of vintage fashion.

If only I could find vintage pair of shoes that fit.