Brooklyn, Brooklyn, Where've you been?

Lately my Facebook page and Instagram is getting a lot more attention than what started all this madness, my blog.  Blog, you are not a middle child, like myself.  Well, maybe you are, but I will give you the content that your audience craves.  

It's Flea Market Season, Y'all!

Brooklyn Flea came to Philly, and they BROUGHT it!  

Ooooo... I love a pretty bird cage.  I'd throw a terrarium up in that!  The chair was $10.  TEN DOLLARS!!!  A seat cushion is the easiest thing in the world to reupholster and a quick and cheap face-lift.  I would use it as a desk chair.  Should of bought it.  Darn.

Here is some more flea market eye candy... 

 

If I had money falling out of my armpits (did I just say that... I'm going with it), this is what I would buy... 

 

My faves...

 

 

I know your eyes must be glued to that pink and black dress... think again... that's a jumpsuit!  LOVE it, but I am not that brave.  Well, not $130 brave.  Maybe if it was $30 I wouldn't feel so bad purchasing it, knowing that what it would take to convince myself to throw it on before work.  Yes, I'm the crazy girl that would actually wear this to work!  My non-profit agency would not know how to handle all this awesomeness.  Ok, I think you get that I love it.  I won't shut-up about it!

 

Don't skimp on the textiles... 

 

Most vendors at flea markets have prices reduced to wholesale value.  These woven textiles would easily sale for $100 at Pottery Barn.  I can't remember the exact price, but I do remember thinking, "What a steal!"  I couldn't justify buying it for myself, but I think it would be a great house warming gift!

 

Best Advice...

 

Shop with friends!  There's nothing like having a gal pal to keep you laughing as you rummage through vintage goods and imagine how your Great Aunt Sal used to make do with a rotary phone!!  What is that, anyways!?!

Friends can be inspiring also, especially when they kinda do this or are on there way of being artisans / designers for a living!  Having insight other than your own is a wonderful thing!  I love to listen to other peoples ideas on how they would dress-up an item. 

 And don't be intimidated by bringing a babe along.  They're fun and super cute!!

The Brooklyn Flea Market is going to be in Philly every Sunday in Northern Liberties at the Piazza at Schmidt's.  10AM - 5PM.  Rain or shine.

 If you just can't get enough of The Tiny Abode outings and need your daily fix, be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram.  Our favorite design styles are also collected on Pinterest.  I'll admit it, my Pinterest boards ROCK!

Old Man Weather... Go Away!

Uhhh.... hello Spring?  Are you there?  I have been eager to become one with the earth.  I know I  sound like a hippy, but that's what a concrete jungle will do to you after five years!  Here in Philly it's a bit too soon to start filling my window boxes with jubilant perennials, so I have been tending to my succulents and other indoor plants instead.

Photo: The Tiny Abode

These neat Chinoiserie teacups were left behind by one of my previous neighbors.  I'm worried that they may have been part of  his mother's collection.  Yikes!  I couldn't bare to see them get  chunked by the clean-out crew.  Therefore, they have found a happy place in my home as plant containers, and I am quite proud of how they turned out!  If anyone can tell me any information about them you will be my new BFF for the day!  I have searched the internet and have found nothing!

Photo: The Tiny Abode

Like any normal city-slicker in Philadelphia, I head outside the city to Terrain for some much needed inspiration.  I am loving the look of these anemones... so much that I have already purchase a bundle of bulbs from Lowe's.  I'm wondering if I should start them indoors, or wait until April to plant them like the instructions direct. Where do you go when you need inspiration? 

Photo: The Tiny Abode

I foresee a beautiful window box in my future. 

SPRING MEANS BIRTHDAYS!

Despite the frigid weather, spring is a reminder of new life and celebrations.  All of my sisters (I am one of three) have spring birthdays.  My younger sister just recently gave birth to yet another spring baby.  Well technically it's autumn in New Zealand.

Designed by: The Tiny Abode

 We are so excited to have a new baby in our family!  Thank you Brittany and Scott for  giving our parents a grandchild... we owe you big time!  Like any crazed aunt, I am pinning, tweeting, and yes blogging about any amazing deal or cute baby item that I lay eyes on.  One of my favorite places to shop online for great deals is Zulily.  These are all items that I have personally purchased for family and friends.  I am not getting paid to say this.  If you are interested in other online stores, check out the listings on the left of this page.

Designed by:  The Tiny Abode

If you are one of the lucky ones who received one of these gifts, you can vouch for me. Are there any online shops which you love to shop?  I'd love to hear your secrets too. In the meantime, I'm going to continue to birthday shop.  I have lots of nieces and a nephew too.  I'll leave you with this display from the Macy's Flower Show from a recent trip that the hubs and I took to NYC.

Photo: The Tiny Abode

Stealing Orchids is Legit!

One great thing about the dead of winter, is the sales you can find on indoor plants.  Yesterday, while visiting Lowe's (again feeding my fixation), I brought home three orchids for only a dollar each.  THREE!! I couldn't pass it up!  That's a whooping $3.00 or you could just think of it as a very cheap center piece.  It doesn't get any better than that, unless you find some for a quarter each (doubtful).

 

 Don't skimp on indoor plants.  They can really bring any ol' drab room to life!  One of my favorite design bloggers, Emily Henderson (yeah you remember her... she's only the most awesome Design Star winner, EVER), gives tips on styling here.  I plan on taking Emily's advise and re-potting these into something a little bit more interesting, but for now they are definitely helping out my otherwise naked kitchen table.

Here are some interesting ways to decorate with orchids.... 

Eclectic Living Room design by Los Angeles Media And Blogs Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

 Photo: Daily Dream Decor

I'm considering adding my collection of orchids to the mantle.  Pretty predictable, I know, but it is a no brainer. 

Photo: J.K. Place via Villanueva design

 Now that my terrariums have made their way to the window seal, the fireplace needs some jazzing up. I'll let you know how it turns out, but first I need to find an interesting pot!

Oh Mighty Succulent...

 
January may seem like an odd time to consider gardening, but ever since the hubs and I cleared out a vacant lot beside our home, I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities!

 I am no expert, but I know that this is no time to consider planting outdoors in the dead of winter.  To satisfy my fixation, I have been focusing on the possibilities indoors!  I started with my potted succulents which were in dire need of being rescued.  These little creatures were once living in my office, but too many hands kept touching it.  I am not sure, but I have a theory that the oils on fingertips is not good for succulents.  Does anyone know for sure!?  Anyway, I brought them home about a month ago and started my own little growing / rescue project.  

I started by rounding up all the clear containers I could find.  Nothing is new here besides the potting soil (which it is actually cactus soil... you could make your own if you prefer).

Next, I gently pulled apart the plants until I had individual units.  I wanted to keep some of the original soil in effort to not shock the roots during the transfer.  I even saved some of the broken pieces, and let them sit on just on top of soil.  After a couple of weeks, roots began to form. 
 

I decided to separate my plants out into mostly individual containers.  I was to give each of them room to grow and to really establish their roots. At some point, I may combine several of them into one container to make an interesting collaboration. Here are the outcomes...

During the holidays, I decided to decorate my mantel with the terrariums in lieu of having a Christmas tree.  It was quite serene in my opinion.

Right now, I have placed mine in the window seal for extra sunlight.  There are so many ways to use succulents in your home!  Really the possibilities are endless.  Plus they are great conversation starters.  People love them!!

So far, I am pleased with my results (i.e. nothing is dead yet!).

Jump Start the Holidays... Pop-UP @ Fete Noel!

So we're a day late.  Technically two since today will be over in approximately 3.5 hours.  However, we figured you were all busy at work today (being the professionals that you are), sooo technically we're right on time!  Right?  

Just go with it. 

Chestnut Hill, one of our faaavorite neighborhoods in Philly, will be hosting a "pop-up shop," Fete Noel!  Right in the old Margarity Car Dealership lot at 8200 Germantown Ave., you'll be able to find a gift for everyone on your holiday list.  Women and children's clothing, jewelry, stationary, terrariums, gifts for the home, etc., etc. ETC!!!  Even our friends from Vintage Now will be celebrating this holiday season early!  

For a full vendor list please visit Fete Noel.

Hope you pop-up!!

I wanna make a terrarium...

Jojo at The Slug and the Squirrell does just the thing.  He was even recently featured on The New York Times Style Magazine blog.  Not only was I truly impressed with these "earthly delights", but I was totally stoked to see that Jojo is a local!!  That's right, you can find these little (and large) terrarium delights right here in Philly!

I've been totally smitten on terrariums ever since running into this beauty, seen here, at this year's Philadelphia International Flower Show.  These babies are extremely low maintenance which makes them absolutely perfect for tiny abode city dwellers such as ourselves and almost fool proof, but I'll let you know how that turns out later.  Let's just say I haven't had the best history with plant survival.  Yikes!  Anywhoo... check out these other terrariums that just may tickle your fancy.

A bright idea...

Photo via Incredible Things

A magical surprise...

Photo via Katy Elliott

A dandy delight...

Product and Photo: West Elm

A boost for your roost...

Terrarium Roost via Velocity (No longer available).

If you're ever in the Philadelphia area, be sure to check out Jojo's creations.  His terrariums will soon be available in Philadelphia's very own Anthropologie located at 18th and Walnut.  See below for a full store listing or check out his website The Slug and the Squirrell.

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Without further adieu... The Flower Show Part 2

Springtime in Paris has officially come to an end.  As promised, here are some final shots taken from the Philadelphia International Flower Show.

Schaffer Designs

Any movie fanatics??  Bill Schaffer's design's are based on the classic film "An American in Paris," appropriately addressing this year's flower show theme.

Waldor Orchids

You cannot have a bad display when orchids are your subject matter.  Orchids by the dozens, or quite possibly by the hundreds, leaves the crowd with dropped jaws.

Michael Bruce’s Urban Graffiti Shadow Art

(823 Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108)

Michael's designs add new meaning to the popular idiom, one man's trash is another man's treasure.  Constructed out of metal soup cans, plastic bags, and other pieces of "junk", these individual shadow art displays stop the crowd in their tracks as they try to make sense of what's dancing before them. 

There is so much more to see and share, but I'll leave you with what inspired me the most.  It's not an extravagant exhibit, a purse made of plants, or carousel flowered animals.  

It's a terrarium.

I'd really like to take my chances at cultivating one of these babies!  I'm so sad to say that I don't know the source, but isn't it lovely?