Vintage Indie

Art & Photography: IronsideImpastos

I'm in love with these gorgeous Impasto Oil Paintings from IronsideImpastos. 

These could certainly cheer up any room. 

Vintage Indie Kids: HELLO MILKY

Yummy grey's from Hello Milky for your baby or toddler. 

hellomilky

Vintage Fashion Forward: Antique Fashion from Vera Vague

Some fashion from the bygone eras before us, need no introduction. 

Stunning vintage finds from VeraVague. 

Handmade Crush: Gifts & Stars

The sea calls my name. If I could pack up the family and live on the beach, I would do it in a heartbeat. Until I'm able to do that, I'll keep pulling from nature the things that I love about the beach. 

Towel or Jewelry Holder

Sea Urchin Candle Holder 

Driftwood Wall Hanging 

Moon Chart Jewelry Organizer 

Please visit GiftsandStars for more beautiful creations inspired by nature. 

Handmade Crush: MiaPiccina Knitted Baby

Aren't these adorable! 

I'm a sucker for anything strawberry related. They're cute and sweet just like my sweetie girl. Head over to MiaPiccina to see more of her hand knitted creations and of course more adorable strawberries. 

The Daily Swank: Thrifters

Yummy vintage & handmade goodies from around the globe. Today's Daily Swank comes to you from Lincoln, England, United Kingdom.

Thrifters

The Daily Swank: Sprout Vintage

Yummy vintage & handmade goodies from around the globe. Today's Daily Swank comes to you from Fredericksburg, TX. 

 

SproutVintage

The Daily Swank: AuroraMills

Yummy vintage & handmade goodies from around the globe. Today's Daily Swank comes to you from Aurora, OR. 

AuroraMills

The Daily Swank: Antique Coral Dresser

Yummy vintage & handmade goodies from around the globe. Today's Daily Swank comes to you from Schenectady, NY. 

VintageChicFurniture

Small Business Saturday: Wooden Wonders' Hobbit Holes

Upon some research I was doing with my son on small "kids cottages" we came across Wooden Wonders and just had to share their Hobbit Holes with you. 

                     

Watch the video to take a tour of some of these fabulous buildings. 

Visit Wooden Wonders to find out more about their Hobbit Holes for kids, chickens, garden sheds and more. We love you're creativity Wooden Wonders! 

Vintage Fashion Forward Spring Finds 2013: Greens

Sweetbeefinds

SilkySlimsVintage

NovaVintage

saltystarvintage

Vintage Fashion Forward Spring Finds 2013: Blues

TapestryBoutique

RedLightVintageShop

IngridIceland

DirtyBootsVintage

TrendyHipBuysVintage

Organic & Whole Living: You can't be afraid to get messy.

This is one of my most favorite pictures of our sweetie girl. She's covered in roasted beets and sweet potatoes.  She's been eating this way from the beginning of solid foods. She's only 9 months here. I did a lot of research early on, on baby-led-weaning. Although I'm not trying to wean, she started showing interest in our food at about 7 months. We started giving her little nibbles from our food then and now she's eating a bit of whole foods daily at her request. 

This is what a typical Sunday at my house looks like, baby food prep. Except, I'm not mashing, blending or pureeing anything. I simply roast everything on a pan, remove things that cook a little faster, remove the tough skins, dice them up into baby finger size and freeze for the week. I can't tell you how easy this is! It is also easy on the budget, but that's just a bonus. 

 This whole experience has been wonderful for baby, mommy, and daddy. We are loving feeding her whole foods, picked ripe for eating and without any processing or extra unnecessary added ingredients. We're not including grains, or corn for a long while as we feel this is best for developing her tummy to handle those sorts of things and we're avoiding GMO's like the plague. For now, whole fruits and vegetables are on her menu. Just recently we've started to scatter in some organic roasted chicken and egg yolks here and there. 

What Baby is Eating: 

Sweet Potatoes

Butternut Squash

Apples (baked)

Carrots

Roasted Beets, Golden and Purple (her favorite)

Asparagus Tops

Cauliflower

Peas

Green Beans

Egg Yolks

Organic Roasted Chicken

Pears

Banana

Avocados

and adding weekly.....

We're staying away from cruciferous (except cauliflower) vegetables on the moment as those seem to be harder on the digestive system.

There are all sorts of books, blogs and websites devoted to baby-led weaning. I'm not an expert on the subject, but if you're intrigued to do your own research I've included some of my favorite links below.

Wholesome Baby Food 

Nourished Kitchen on Baby-Led Weaning

Real Food for Mother and Baby by Nina Planck

Simple Bites - Embracing Baby-Led Weaning

Art Stories: Interviewing Landscape, Still Life and Palette Knife artist Carol Schiff

 

Vintage Indie would like to welcome Carol Schiff as our featured artist. 

Carol in her studio. 

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED MEDIUM? When I first started painting I ventured into watercolor and pastel,and experimented with acrylics, but when I found oils, I fell in love and have stayed pretty faithful to that media. I love the feel of the oils, their texture, the way they blend. I prefer to show brushwork and texture in my paintings and oils are perfect for this.

 

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? I have always had a desire to paint or draw, but from childhood I told myself I had no talent. In the 70's I opened a needlework shop which eventually led me to designing my own line of hand painted needlepoint. My lack of drawing skills was an obvious problem, so I started taking drawing lessons. Eventually I gathered the courage to study pastel painting, which I did for eight years. Finally I found oils!

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU? Well just about everything! The light on an object or scene, the shadows, the colors, anything that catches my eye. Lately I have been experimenting with abstract works, which I find really difficult because the inspiration comes from my mind. Before starting an abstract, I have to think of a composition, determine what colors I want to use and what media. There is no way to know where it will go and I have a high failure rate.

There are so many wonderful artists that inspire. The internet has made it so easy to find incredibly talented people around the world. I spend many hours every week, viewing others' art.
At the moment Andre Kohn is one of my favorites. He is fabulous and I love his lost edges, lose brushwork, everything he does. Another favorite is Lynn Boggess. He has influenced my work with palette knives. He is one of those brave souls who takes giant canvases up the side of a mountain and paints with a trowel. His work is unbelievable and must be seen in person to really be appreciated. He has a totally unique look to his work. I get excited just thinking about it!

 

WHAT ADVISE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO GET INTO THIS MEDIUM? Almost every town has an artist willing to give lessons in the basics. Do it because you enjoy it, don't become discouraged, and try to paint several times a week. Use the internet to find artists who's work you admire and study their work. Practice, practice, PRACTICE!

Carol's Studio 

DOES VINTAGE PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR ART OR LIFE? Yes, I love vintage and find it impossible to pass up an antique store. We have a small second home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and I furnished the entire house in vintage. I had so much fun refinishing tables and collecting items I remembered from my childhood. I feel such a connection with vintage items and find it impossible to dispose of them, so I have to be very careful about what I bring home.

I am in the process of refinishing an old dresser into a bathroom vanity at the moment and last month I purchased the metal stand from a Singer Sewing Machine. My clever husband made a beautiful cherry top for it and now it is my favorite little table.

When we are in North Carolina, I spend a lot of time photographing old barns and homes, as well as still life items with that vintage feel. When we are in Florida I paint from these images.

 

WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK? I would like them to know that each and every painting is special to me. I sometimes agonize for hours over a very small painting, getting it just the way I want it. I like texture in my work and want you to touch it. I like drama in it and try for lots of contrast. I want it to evoke a feeling in you, maybe a special memory of a place or item or even a flower.

 

The exciting thing about being an artist is that you never stop learning, your work evolves from week to week. Recently I have moved into palette knife works. I enjoy the texture, I want the viewer to reach out and touch....a big no no in galleries! I work hard to improve the quality of my work every day. I have developed a few painting techniques which helps to make my art unique, and I have been fortunate enough to license my work with three companies.

I love knowing that my art is in homes from Australia to Alaska, that you no longer have to be an art expert or invest a fortune to own original art. The internet has made this possible.

I feel like I am in competition with myself each time I step up to the easel. I try to make each work the best one I have ever created.

 

Thanks so much Carol for the interview! It has been a pleasure getting to know you. 

Please visit Carol's Etsy Shop Carol Schiff Studio

Her Blog Carol Schiff Daily Painting Studio

Follow her on Facebook: Carol Schiff Studio 

 

 

The Daily Swank: Vintage White Enamelware

 

JaffaFindings

Organic & Whole Living: Special Guest Jennifer of Homemaker Gone Natural Organic Fruit Popsicles

Jennifer is in sunny Arizona, but most of us on the east coast are gearing up for spring and summer weather. When the fruit is ripe and the warm sun is heating things up, this delicious recipe will have your kids begging for a healthy treat like Jennifer's Organic Fruit Popsicles. Please help me give Jennifer a warm welcome to Vintage Indie and while your'e at it stop by her new blog Homemaker Gone Natural full of fabulous recipes, natural cleaning tips and more.  

 

Do your children love popsicles in the summer?  Mine do, so I came up with a healthier version that we make right here at home, and the great thing about them is they are organic and healthy!

 

Organic Fruit Popsicles

• 1 kiwi sliced up
• 1 lg strawberry sliced up
• 12 blueberries
• 1 blackberry sliced up 
• 4 green grapes halved
• 4 red grapes halved
• 1 T honey (I use local, raw honey)
• Orange Juice to top off (About 1/2 cup ish)

All ingredients I use are organic. 

Mix together honey and orange juice. Divide fruit up evenly into 4 popsicle molds top off with orange juice mixture. Freeze over night. Serve.

 

Jennifer Hoover began HomemakerGoneNatural.com after discovering the benefits of a natural, organic lifestyle.   She was diagnosed with several chronic health issues that prevented her from continuing in her then current field.  Thus she began her endeavor as homemaker and discovered that with some extra effort in the kitchen, she could control her health and live life without being constantly medicated.  She is sharing with you her journey of learning to take control of eating and living a natural and chemical free life at www.homemakergonenatural.com

 

Just Breathe

It has been such a heavy hearted week. There are so many hurting all over the world and when it hits close to home it tends to effect us all in one way or another. Our prayers are with the famlies in Boston and in Texas today. They're also with those unseen and unheard of who need them. Take a moment this weekend or even the whole weekend if you can and just breathe. 

 

Image Copyright © Carrie Goodman

 

Image Copyright © Jillian Hall

Image Copyright © Sandra arduini

John 10:10(NIV)

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

Family Friendly Destination Hocking Hills State Park: Cabins by the Caves

 

Cabins by the Caves  - the Lincoln Cabin 

Traveling to Hocking Hills is one of my favorite drives from Northern Kentucky. We usually take the scenic route and travel through Washington Court House and Circleville, OH.

During our trip late in the evening, it was refreshing to hear my phone ring and hear from the owner of Cabins by the Caves. She gave us a call to make sure we were OK and to let us know that she had left the porch light on for us. How often does tour hotel call to check on you to make sure you're O.K.? That's the kind of hospitality that I look forward to when traveling.

 

If you're like our family, traveling with small children can feel like you've packed a weeks worth  of work into one day of preparation. No matter how much you've planned, you almost feel like there is never enough time. When you truly want to get away, Cabins by the Caves' Lincoln Cabin gives weekend of  true peace and quiet. Check in was at 3:00, but we didn't make it in until late Friday evening. All of our photos are from Sunday around 11:00 during check out time. Some of the beds aren't made up, as we stripped them for cleaning.  

This was the kitchen. Big enough for our family of five to sit at the table and enjoy a family dinner. My favorite part, the dishwasher! Who wants to wash dishes on vacation with your children. It is the little things in life, isn't it? Most importantly, above everything else in the kitchen, is that it was clean. The oven, sinks, refrigerator, and toaster oven were all very clean. That is important to us when we're traveling. 

The rooms were very spacious and fit all of us very well. This cabin is 3 bedrooms and two baths, sleeps 8 with 3 queen sized beds and two twins. My boys wanted to "camp out" in the same room so they chose this one with the queen and two twins. 

Same room, different view. 

Another spacious 2nd floor bedroom. Single queen bed. 

(We didn't use this room)

1st floor bedroom, queen bed. Sorry for the dark photo. All of our luggage and everything was in this room.  The beds were firm and comfortable. I truly enjoyed that there were plenty of  blankets. I get so cold while everyone is hot. 

 

Upstairs bathroom. Clean, clean, clean! I love it when you stay somewhere and the shower is inviting, and the toilets and sink are clean. 

1st Floor Bathroom. It was also clean, clean, clean! 

 

Although there was a lovely fire pit outside, with the baby and the chilly evening we decided after a long day of hiking that we would build a fire inside. The boys didn't miss out on roasting hot dogs or marshmallows for s'mores. Wood is provided dry and in bundles for you for $6.00 if you forget to bring your own. 

Finished Basement with a Foosball table was a big hit. The kids absolutely loved having their own space. We brought a couple of parent approved movies for them and they spent most of their time, when we weren't outdoors, in the basement playing with the foosball table. We even had a few kid/parent challenges. The noise from the basement was rather quiet. My husband and I were quite surprised on how quiet it seemed when the kids were playing.

 

When baby decided to take a nap and the boys were happily playing, hubby and I caught a few minutes in the hot tub. There is nothing like warm bubbles and a cool spring breeze to sooth your spirit. I only wish we had more time!

Last but not least; the cozy living room in the Lincoln cabin. Perfect for cuddling by the fire.

 

 

Our minivan made it up the secluded driveway just fine, but if it were to rain or snow we may have struggled a bit. We suggest 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive if it is a winter season.

 

It seems that Cabins by the Caves has thought of everything in the Lincoln cabin. We didn't find ourselves needing much of anything. We thought the utensils could use updating, but there were plenty of appliances, blender, coffee maker, toaster oven, and pots and pans. We prefer cast iron in our house, so I usually travel with our own skillet.  Overall we loved our stay at the Lincoln cabin and hope to make it up there again.

 

 

 

Truth in Review: The owner of this cabin, provided us with our stay in exchange for our review.  We were not paid for any contents of our review or required any certain text within the review. We speak truly from our hearts and hope that you and your family will gain trust from Vintage Indie Family Travels Column so that you may enjoy your vacations, and find the right place for you and your family to stay.  All reviews posted by me are truthful in content and not bought. Gabreial Wyatt, Editor in chief. 

Visit our Disclaimer/Disclosure Page for more info

 

 

 

Teach Me Math: Math-U-See Beta & Epsilon Reviews

We're thrilled to be working with Math U See to bring you this review of their Beta & Epsilon. 

Beta covers addition & subtraction for multiple-digit numbers and other topics. Our youngest son is working through Beta. Epsilon covers fractions and other topics. Our oldest is working though Epsilon. 

Math U See is the type of math curriculum my husband says he would have written if he was in the business of curriculum.  In his brain (and now mine) the concept of math shouldn't be overwhelming. The instructions should be clear and math should be progressive.  A mastery approach of each ensures that you're student is learning math and offers a way for students to build upon their  knowledge. 

What we thoroughly enjoy about Math U See is that this curriculm fits multiple learning styles. With our youngest and oldest child, they both thrive on visuals, but for certain problems, multiplication and fractions, they both love hands on manupulatives. 

Our oldest using Epsilon, stated these resons why he loves Math U See:

 - The video instructions. They're clear, and Steve makes you feel like you're right there watching in his classroom.

 - Steve doesn't overwhelm you with too much work for each lesson. It is just the right amount of math to help you learn and practice the new concepts properly.

 - The fraction overlays were helpful in the first beginning lessons as well as the blocks. I've found that I haven't needed them in the later lessons.  

 - I like Math U See enough to continue using it through the rest of my middle school years and high school. 

Our youngest using Beta, stated these resons on why he loves Math U See:

 - It is very good curriculum. 

 - It doesn't have too many problems, just enough for each daily lesson. 

 - Steve teaches you tricks and different ways to do math, that I haven't seen in any other curriculum. 

 - The videos are fun because of Steve's personality. I think it makes him a good teacher and makes learning math fun. 

 - I would like to continue with Math U See next year. It looks like you're about to do a lot of math on paper for each lesson, but once you get started with the videos and manipulatives, it makes it go by fast.  

Manipulatives 

 

Our resons for using and loving Math U See in our homeschool: 

 - Instructions are concise and simple.

 - The progression of method is helpful.

- The videos are good for the visual learner.

- The tactile learner benefits from the hands on manipulative and the fraction overlays for the Epsilon.

 - The Teacher's manuals are helpful for teaching additional practice problems to do with your students, but we have not needed to use them very often.

 -  The children find Steve's examples and explanation humorous at times which makes him an engaging teacher.

Math has not been a stressful subject in our homeschool with an overwhelming amount of math each day with the spiral method. We prefer the progressive method that Math U See uses. We feel the  mastery approach has given our children confidence that by the time it is time for a test they're well prepared.

We plan to use Math U See with all three if our children through high school. We've only supplemented with fun math games, and math drills to ensure mastery in multiplication facts.

 

 

 

A special thank you to Math U See for providing us with the Beta and Epsilon products needed to conduct our full review. We were not paid for any aspect of this review or for any particular wording in our review.  - Gabreial Wyatt, Editor. Visit our Disclaimer/Disclosure Page for more info.

 

 

An Anniversary Letter to Him.

 

thewordwithin

 

And so it was, TEN years ago today. I came up those stairs, daughter in arm of father, and for the life of me I could not breath.  The undergarment was just too much. It wasn't you. It wasn't about that day. It was squeezing me tightly and I couldn't take it. This was my day, our day, THE day. So I slipped it off before turning the corner.

Though the look on my face was that of a scared "deer in the headlights" kind of look, I knew my breath of fresh air was there. He was waiting for me at the end of the aisle. All I had to do was take a moment, breath him in and he was mine forever. We became one. One body, one soul, life mates. Somehow in the crazy mess-of-a-world we were both living in, God, fate, the inter-webs, they brought us together. 

It is our love story, and one I'm proud to recall this day with you. 

 

xoxo me. 

10 Year Anniversary Week: Love Quotes

GraphicAnthology

iloveitall

oflifeandlemons

Ziglets

thimblepress

trmDesign

10 Year Anniversary Week: Love Birds

This week, I'm so excited to be celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary. It feels like only yesterday we were two love birds, ready to take the plunge and make a life long commitment to marriage.

Truthfully, to me it only feels like yesterday and to him, well he said the same. For some reason 10 just feels like such an accomplishment. That goes without saying it has been hard work and a lot of growing on our parts. We're also grateful we both have parents who have stayed together for over 25 and even 30 years. So this week  I'm celebrating, along with the love of my life and our three children, the best 10 years of my life and to many more in the future.  

 

Love Birds Cake Topper from sweetshelbys 

 

Love Birds Jewlery from DelicacyJ

 

Love Birds from Susabellas

Vintage Indie Kids: Wee Stitchery

Oh boy! I can't wait until my little sweetie can pull out the dresses. 

I think these will do. Handmade from Wee Stitchery, they are simply adorable! Some are even created with vintage fabrics! 

Visit Wee Stitchery to purchase any one of these adorable outfits! 

The Daily Swank: Vintage German Pull Down School Charts

 

Yummy vintage & handmade goodies from around the globe. Today's Daily Swank comes to you from The Netherlands. 

You can purchase any of these awesome posters at Vintouchables. 

MagnetStreet Featured Sponsor Giveaway! 100 FREE Personalized Thank You Cards

Vintage Indie is excited to bring you our latest giveaway from our Featured Sponsor MagnetStreet.

 

They've provided  100 FREE Personalized Thank You Cards – any design can be easily personalized with colors, photos, fonts & wording (a value of $169 and includes UPS Ground Shipping to the 48 continental states). 

Yay for spring! These would be great for your wedding, bridal shower, or customize them to fit your need. How about teaching your children how to write thank yous after each birthday, or holiday? There are many possibilities with these fabulous thank yous from MagnetStreet. 

 

 MagnetStreet also just launched FREE Personalized Color Palettes!  A bride can easily choose her colors or even create custom colors and they will print and mail her a Color Palette Swatch kit so she can easily share her exact colors with her bridal party and wedding vendors. Isn't that exciting! Earn extra entries for the giveaway, by creating and ordering your own FREE Personalized Color Palette! 

All you need to do to enter is use the Rafflecopter form below. Simple! 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway