ROUNDUP: Vintage Canisters

I am becoming borderline obsessed with hypothetical home decorating, and as a product of that obsession I have amassed quite a collection of vintage canisters on my (also hypothetical) wish list. I have a chrome set currently (featured below) but if I had things my way, I'd have the space for one million more sets! Check out some of the cute vintage canisters I've been coveting:

WOOD CANISTERS

Something about wooden accents in a midcentury shape gets me all excited!

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CHROME CANISTERS

Classic and goes with everything!

I have the same kind of set!

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PRINTED CANISTERS

Fun vintage prints add a touch of kitsch to any kitch!

This one is printed in Russian!

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APPLE CANISTERS

These come in a bunch of shades and seriously could not be any cuter!

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PASTEL CANISTERS

These spring-colored canisters are so sweet.

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ATOMIC TURQUOISE CANISTERS

Bright hues like this one would be an awesome pop of color in any kitchen.

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STACKABLE CANISTERS

These save space by going vertical and look totally mod.

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WEDGE CANISTERS

Wedge-shaped canisters come together as a circle on a lazy susan base - clever!

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FLORAL CANISTERS

Mod 60s or boho 70s, these are pretty, retro and functional!

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CLEAR CANISTERS

See what's inside with glass jars or front side cutouts.

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I doubt that I have enough belongings to fill all of these amazing containers, but I love to imagine the kinds of kitchens they would live in. I find these sets to be a major design inspiration!

xoxo,
Michelle

DIY: 12 Awesome Heart Crafts

Partly because it's V-Day, but mostly because I love all things heart related, I've compiled a list of fun and do-able heart themed DIY projects for your perusing pleasure. Click through for full instructions.

SEQUIN HEART SWEATER

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HEART PRINT JEANS

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WOODBURNED HEART RING

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HEART ELBOW PATCH

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PAPER HEART WALL ART

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HEART BLANKET

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SEQUIN HEART T-SHIRT

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HEART MASON JAR

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HEART RING

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POM POM HEART PILLOW

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FELT HEART HEADBAND

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EMBELLISHED HEART TIGHTS

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Happy Valentine's Day!

xoxo,
Michelle

ROUNDUP: Eat Your Heart Out

Doing mushy stuff for Valentine's Day is all well and good, but the real fun of this holiday is  seeing/coveting all of the fabulous heart-print goodies available this time of year. Second only to Halloween for me in terms of holiday themed shopping (simply can't resist witchy goodness and wigs during October), this is the best time o' year to scoop up pink and red lovelies. Here's some hearty stuff that I've been eyeing lately:

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xoxo,
Michelle

BEAUTY: Wet n Wild Fergie Collection

I don't generally consider myself a Fergie fan (does anyone?) but I can't deny that the lady has a pretty decent makeup collection from Wet n Wild. I also found myself checking out some of her shoes at DSW by accident recently and am currently having a bit of an identity crisis. I was just drawn to them! What is this saying about me and my taste? To avoid this question, let's check out some of her new makeup line:

Eyeshadow Palette in Desert Festival

The packaging is pretty nice all around, no?

You can really see the shades here because my inner arm skin is actually lighter in color than a sheet of paper. The pigmentation is nice! Can't wait to use this one in summer when I have a "tan." (pictured: center color followed by the top left shade and then the rest, counter-clockwise)  

Creme Lipstick in D-Vinely Chilled ($3 - ish)

Nice silver case..fancy, huh?!

SPARKLES + GARLAND = FANCY

I feel like this stuff is glowing! This lipstick has some silvery, shimmery undertones which add a little sumpin' sumpin' more than your average merlot-esque shade. You can see the shimmery-ness here:

I'm still NOT calling myself a Fergie fan, but I will gladly shell out a few bucks to pick up more of this line next time I'm in Walgreens. I continue to be seriously impressed with the quality of (most) Wet n Wild stuff time and time again! Has anyone else tried this stuff? Any other recommendations from this line?

xoxo,
Michelle

COOKING: Homemade Corn Chowder

Even though it is currently over 50 degrees in January, and even though I have my windows open as we speak, just last week it was blistery winter in good ol' New England, and my cravings were of the warm and soupy variety. I'm a bit of a recent soup/chowder convert because I had a long standing aversion to hot liquids as meals. This logic still makes sense to me, but now that I know the wonders of creamy tomato and hearty corn chowder I think I can look past the weirdness. 

I've made corn chowder a number of ways and have come to hone this mouth-pleasin' and quick 'n' easy method. This makes a ton (extra servings can be frozen) and it is vegetarian. Chow(der) down!

What You Need

2 Onions, Minced

2 Cloves Garlic, Minced

8 Small Red Potatoes, Diced

4 C Corn Kernels

1 Can of Creamed Corn

8 C Veggie Broth or Water

2 TBS Butter

Generous Splash of Half & Half

Chopped Scallion to Garnish

Salt & Pepper

How To Make It

1. Melt butter in a large pot and add onion, garlic, salt and pepper. 

Cook until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Add potatoes and broth/water to pot and bring to a boil. 

Reduce heat to low and cover and simmer until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.

3. Add corn and creamed corn and cook for 5-10 more minutes.

4. Stir in half & half and gently heat for another minute. 

There should be enough half & half to turn the chowder white in color.

5. Serve topped with scallion and more freshly cracked black pepper. Enjoy!

xoxo,
Michelle