Where Have I Been!?

Whew!  Where did May go!?  Summer so far has proven itself to be ruthless!  No time, no blogging, no nonsence.  :(  That said, I've been having a blast!  Here is a little picture show of what's been happening in the life of moi!

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

Philadelphia locals swarm to Rittenhouse Square for the fashion and food, but mostly the food.  If you haven't participated in this city event you are truly missing out.  Trying five star restaurant food for pennies may very well be my new hobby.

Oak Island, NC... My Birfday!

For those of you who have never heard of Oak Island, NC, get wit it!  In actuality, none of us had ever heard of this family friendly shore destination either.  This just so happens to be the halfway point to the shore for Philadelphia, PA and Birmingham,AL.  Thus equaling a multi-family vacation (and new tradition) all for little 'ol me.  Here are some snapshots.

My dad and sister...

My mom and sister...

My husband...

And my favorite!

Jason's parents also made the long 10 hour journey, but unfortunately I don't have those shots on my camera.  :(  But we all had a blast!

Rittenhouse Fine Art Show

Have I mentioned my husband's an artist?  Oh yes, I have about umpteen times.  Being married to an artist can be a tremendous amount of work believe it or not!  The very next weekend after returning from vaca was the Rittenhouse Fine Art Show.  I think we are just now recovering from all of the madness.  Professional artist travel from across the country to participate in this event.  The show formally known as the "Clotheline Show" actually got it's start by students displaying their artwork on clothesline throughout the park, hoping to make a dime. 

 Photo: Philadelphia News

Keeping with the 80 year old tradition, students continue to participate in the center of the park.  And I may be biased, but I do believe that Studio Incamminati students had the finest work!

Jason Espey and Sakiko Shinkai

Peter Kelsey

Josh Breslin

Irish Pub

We did allow for some time to throw back a few brewskies in between the art show extravaganza.  I'll be the first to admit that I am no beer connoisseur, but if you like the "where everybody knows your name" feel, then 20th & Walnut is where it's at!  Yes, I may have only ventured to this place at noon, but the atmosphere had that classic feel.  Cheers, anyone?

 

Studio Incamminati Exhibition at the Markiem Arts Center

This weekend I managed to make it to the Markiem despite New Jersey's confusing highways.  Can I get an Amen?  Towns like Haddonfield are well worth the u-turns.  Friday night was the opening night of a 7 day exhibition at the Markiem Arts Center.  We were fortunate enough to hear the talented young pianst of the Steinway Society's Young Pianst Competition!  Unbelievable! 

Jason did a painting demonstration that night which is up for bid, and he also has his painting Missed Opportunity? on display.  Special thanks to Katya for the pictures!!

06.14.08

 If that wasn't enough for you, Jason and I are coming up on our three year anniversary.  What is it this year? Paper? Cotton?  No, it's leather.  Jason and I will be sporting leather jackets and pants and celebrating at a motorcycle bar.  Not really.  Does anyone actually follow the tradional gift giving anymore?  We'll actually be dining out in the city.  We're having a hard time narrowing down our choices, so if you know of an excellent restaurant to celebrate our loooove... please let me know!

Photo: All Posters

Introducing...Texas Caviar

With Memorial Day fast approaching, I thought I'd share with you one of my favorite summer time recipes.  It's a Southern one... what did you expect?  Texas Caviar is the perfect addition to your backyard barbecue.  Plus it's super easy to make. 

This is straight from my mama's kitchen, Y'ALL!   

Photo: The Red Headed Hostess

So put on your big girl shoes, head over to your local grocery store, and let's all pretend we've been playing hostess for years.

Photo: Barbecue Addicts

Ingredients:

1 can of Black Beans

1 can of Purple Hull Peas or Black Eye Peas

1 can of Whole Kernel Corn

1 can of Shoe Peg or White Corn

1/2 Bell Pepper (chopped)

1/2 can of Diced Green Chilies

1/2 Tomato (diced)

Chopped Onion Chives

3/4 tsp of chopped Garlic

Zesty Italian Dressing 

Okay, gathering the ingredients was the "hard" part.  Push up your leaves, and let's get down to business.

Directions:

Rinse and drain all cans of beans, peas, and corn.  

Place in a bowl.  

Mix all remaining ingredients.  

Serve with tortillas, pitas, or as a side salad. 

(it's.that.easy)

Picture: Top Shelf

This recipe is definitely a crowd pleaser.  Trust me, your guest will be begging you for more.  You can always double the recipe for bigger parties.  I served this at Jason's birthday bash, and it was a huge success.  I promise, you are going to LOVE it and you'll even thank me later. Vegetarians will love you for it too!

Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival

On my way to the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival... one of Philly's first signs of summer! Free wine, cocktail and beer tastings.  Bravo's Candidate for Top Chef, Jennifer Carroll will be there too.  Can't wait!  Click the picture below to find out more information.

~XoXO!!

Tiny Apartment Party Planning

It's Friday!  Do the Friday Dance!  The blogging hiatus is over my friends.  

Let me tell you, birthday planning... it ain't easy.  But daaang, Gina!  I pulled it off. 

In actuality, I owe it all to this girl, Aisha.  This woman is a goddess!  I cannot thank her enough!  The star of the show and not to be mistaken by the curly head brunette on the left... that would be my husband.  

CONFESSION: I was more concerned with the decor of my apartment than the birthday party. 

Note: white shelf, portrait paintings, large coral frame, small yellow frame, white bamboo frame, and hanging basket.  One hour prior to the party there stood one boring blank wall and a tiny black shelf.  

Yes, I am crazy, but the wall had to have some attention (for the sake of the party of course).  And now, without further adieu, my highly sought after tiny apartment party planning secrets.  

Party Planning Secrets: 

1.) Seating: Bring in the extra chairs.  That beach chair stuffed in the closet deserves some company and storage bench serves a second purpose.

2.) Stations: Setting up stations and letting guest serve themselves will ease your duty as host.  Set-up a drink station with ice, cups, lemons, limes, and a variety of beverages.  Food is not meant just for the kitchen.  Hors d'oeuvres should be available wherever guest tend to mingle.

3.) Become a Wholesale Club Member: Trust me on this one!  BJ's, Sam's Club, Costco.  It doesn't matter.  Often these types of clubs offer trial memberships.  Take advantage of it!  My free 60 day trial membership was well worth hauling the restaurant size quantities up the stairs.  Not to mention the discounts!!  BJ's offers a one day pass.

4.) Humor: What's a party without a little quirkiness?  For Jason's party we used our chalkboard wall to write special, funny, and even a bit unusual birthday messages.  The guest loved it, and it allowed me to meet and greet while guest got their draw on.

Enough, about Jason... it's now my birthday month!

Happy Party Planning!!!

Uhuru, I'm Mad at U!!

As you know, I'm seeking out dining chairs for my farmhouse table.  Yesterday was my lucky day, or so I thought.  Ever heard of Duncan Phyfe?  All you antique gurus know what I'm talking about.  Uhuru Furniture had a set of six Duncan Phyfe chairs for $75!!!  Not for just one, but the entire set!  

Now, I wasn't completely in love, but these appraise for $1000 - $2000, and they could have been mine.  Why so upset you may be wondering??  I'll tell you why!  Yesterday I spoke to the lady at 5:15 letting her know I was on my way.  Store closes at 6:30... shew, I made it!  Walked inside, kindly shook her hand.  She knew me by name.... good business...so far.  Some dudes are taking down the chairs from the loft.  Great, the dudes are already on it.  Awesome.  

Not awesome... the lady said, "Oh.... sorry this guy just bought them."  Could you have let me known that someone else was looking at them?  I may have just left a little bit early to assure that the chairs would have been mine.  And she knew that we were both on our way!  Bad, bad business!  

Uhuru, I'm through!! 

Chairs like these...

My dining room table is screaming for attention!  I need chairs, pronto!  The Tell City chairs were an awesome score, try free, BUT they do not in any way compliment my farmhouse table.  So I'm in desperate need.

Here are a few inspiration pictures: 

Mixing the old with the new...

 Photo: Design Public

Adding contrast:

 Photo: This Old House

Maybe my favorite look...

 Photo: Decor Pad

If money were no object...

Photo: Southern Living

What's your favorite look?  I may be making a quick stop to IMPACT today, my new favorite thrift shop, where I scored this chair for only $10 and my farmhouse table for only $30!

Wish me luck!!

Opening Night at Freeman's Auction with Studio Incamminati

Friday night Freeman's Auctioneers and Appraisers , the oldest auction house in the country, hosted Studio Incamminati's week long Celebration of Art leading up to a Royal Wedding Tribute with "nationally syndicated radio host Michael Smerconish" interviewing Princess Diana's Chief of Staff Patrick Jephson. Jason and I were fortunate enough to both attend the opening reception. Here we are with Nelson Shanks' portraits of Princess Diana (Source: Studio Incamminati).  

Fun Fact: 
Where the first portrait (left) was completed live, as seen here, 

Photo: JSS Gallery

...the second painting was completed after Diana's unfortunate death.  I had a personal "hand" interview with Nelson myself.  I was this close to being a princess!  Every girls dream!  So what if it was only her hands.  While Nelson was scrutinizing my hands, I remember him saying, "That'll do."  I held my head up high at his approval of my princess-like hands.  In actuality my hands are rather large for a female, but of princess-like quality of course. Unfortunately my schedule did not work with Nelson's schedule.  Damn you nine to five.

 In more positive news, Jason's I Heart Gourds still life was one of two pieces that sold on Friday night!  I'm such a proud trophy wife!  Here we are with the painting above us.

And here we are again...

If you are in the Philadelphia area, be sure to stop by at Freeman's on 1808 Chestnut Street up until April 21st for free viewings of The Artists of Studio Incamminati Exhibition and Sale.  For a full listing of scheduled events click here.
 
Ok, ok enough about us.  Check out below for project updates happening around The Tiny Abode!

My blogging hiatus continues, but I swear there are projects in the works.  I'll be sharing soon!  In the meantime, here are some glimpses of projects in the making.

This mirror and curb find is getting a face lift.  The circus green color has to go!

This IMPACT wrought iron chair will be getting a make-over.

And these freshly spray painted pots will be cultivating herbs soon.

These are just a few of the projects we got going on at The Tiny Abode.
The list is getting shorter by the day! 

Did I mention this is my spring break!?
Keep on the look out for future revealings!

Farmhouse Table = Future Project

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus, but in my defense, I have projects out the whazoo!  Mostly simple ones like figuring out how to hang heavy mirrors without ripping out the walls.  Must purchase toggle bolts! 

THIS is my distraction: 

A beautiful Restoration Hardware farmhouse table that will cost you 4 digits! 

Photo: House Beautiful

On a shopping trip this past weekend, with my sweet friend Shell, we happened upon this baby at Impact!  I was shocked when the salesman said, "I'll give it to you for $35", and the look on Shellie's face confirmed my attachment to the table.  This 6ft sucker was going in the car one way or another.  Seats down, hatch up, buckle up.  Unfortunately for me, Jason was out of town, and I had to sweet talk a couple of twenty year olds to carry this 200 lb baby up to my second floor apartment.  

Sure it needs some work (not to mention table accessories --- ignore that, we'll ya?), but I'm stoked! You don't know how long it has been since I've actually had a place to sit and eat rather than resorting to the couch and a t.v. tray. I can actually entertain!!! More to come on that later (wink)! 

Also, check out the faux bamboo wrought iron chair I scored for $10!!  Yet another project.  I plan on recovering the seat cushion.  The tacky green mirror was a curb find and will be getting a spray tan soon.  And last but not least, the storage bench, also a curb steal (Call me crazy, it's not the first time), will be serving as additional seating until we can afford a set like these.

 
I spotted two of these at TJ Maxx for $120 each, but I was already spent.  Chairs are on my wishlist, and we'll be getting a rug soon!!  Slowly but surely, our apartment is coming together.

Flea Market Finds

This weekend I went to the Philadelphia Flea Market.  I'm sooo glad I did!  Here are the items I managed to squeeze into my car.  Steals of deals, really. 

Faux Bamboo Frame - $3

Chippendale Faux Bamboo Tables by Omega - $40 for the set

Owl Plant Hangers - $7

Gilt Frame (Holds 16 x 20 Canvas) - $10

Today we will be highlighting the Hollywood Regency Chippendale tables. The set came from this sweet lady, Loretta.  AKA, my favorite flea market dealer.  We got along great!  It may have to do with the fact that she spent the first ten years of her life in Alabama, where the tea is sweet.

 Photo: Phila Flea Market

New furnishings equal new apartment layout equals freaked out husband.  However, our apartment feels so much more functional.  And that makes me happy! Here are some of my previous Hollywood Regency obsessions.  Those who've done your research know $40/set  for faux bamboo is quite the steal!  I may spray paint them a fun color, but what color?

 Originally, I was going to use the largest of the tables as a coffee table.  That didn't work.  The scale was all wrong, so it moved to the bedroom.  The nesting tables however make a perfect media center.  Before, our entertainment pieces were dispersed across the room, not making a whole lotta sense.  Now, our monitor, keyboard and DVDs (stored in the suitcase, genius I know) are all in one happy corner called togetherness.  Ahhh.

We ditched our coffee table, but no worries. Our new piece is multi-functional.  We like!  The couch also moved, now facing the windows.  Here's what our space looked like before, and before you judge know that we are working with a very difficult room.  Long, narrow, awkward stairs, refrigerator in the living room and all.  As far as the coffee table, Craigslist anyone?

Be sure to 'Like' The Tiny Abode on Facebook to keep up with all our new projects in the making.