Girlfriends Getaway

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Bon dia, Bon dia!!  Hopi tempo sin wak bo, conbai cubo? LOL!!! Ok, ok let me stop… I just said Hello, hello, long time no see… how are you?  Yes, it’s me and I’m back from my glorious GG vacation.  This year we ladies vacayed to the paradise island of Aruba.  It’s been a couple years since we’ve taken our – what use to be- annual trip, so this trip was well deserved.   If you’ve been to Aruba, you know what I mean, if not.. please go.. it’s one of the most beautiful islands with the best beaches.

Sand in my feet, breeze blowing softly and music in my ears.. ahhhhhh .. Here’s the story of my travel therapy to One Happy Island.

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This year it just four of us who went: Me, Amina, Sharon (my sister-n-law), and Ethel (my aunt who I featured on the blog here)

Our days were filled with sun, sun, sun, and more sun… along with music and drinks!

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Our mornings started with a delightful breakfast we enjoyed at Aromi D’Italia..  We were pleased to find a restaurant that served turkey bacon (woo-hooo)!

Walking along the white sandy beach while gazing into the crystal blue waters really takes your stress away and allows your mind to be at peace.

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After our first day there, Amina realized she left her sunglasses, so we went out shopping that night to find her a pair.  The next day, she was all set.. here she is striking her “check out my new shades” pose heeeeheeee..

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On our breaks from the sun, I had the most delicious fish sandwich.  It was grilled grouper with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions and the most delectable aioli sauce..(I fell in love with it, so much so, I had the chef give me the recipe – now I’m on the hunt for aji mojido – which is what they used to mix with mayo)

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On another day, we had massages done at Etnika Spa, located on the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort

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I immediately fell in love with the decor.. it’s so Zen-like (I wish I could have brought this little guy & basket home with me)

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The earth tones were so calming and soothing…

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Here’s the outdoor sitting area located next to the spa

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For playful times,they had these giant outdoor board games for chess and checkers players.

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Or if you wanted, you could shoot a game of pool on the outdoor pool table..

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and of course beach volleyball was a given.  How could you not enjoy a good game with this backdrop

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At a restaurant where we dined, these two men serenaded us with the lovely tune “Hello” by Lionel Richie (awwwwww… how lovely)

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On another night after dinner, we stumbled upon an Outdoor Club “South Beach Lounge” and the DJ was pretty cool.. He enjoyed giving us Jersey Girls a shout-out!  We danced our meal off that night – chuckles..

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Another day out and about, here we are exploring the town.  We had so much laughter going on.. I loved, loved, loved my time with these ladies.

 

 

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We ventured into town for a day of shopping.  Pookie was quite happy with her purchases..heeheee..

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Even though she blamed us for the purchases….. Yea Right!! I told her to blame it on the boogie-  LOL

Meanwhile, I found a  cute kitchen accessory, that pretty much described my struggle.. So it had to come home with me..

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How many of you feel me with this– lol…

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of this stunning window design at Dolce & Gabanna

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While there, I learned a neighborhood friend was there as well, so we all got together on our last night and had a wonderful dinner.  The evening was filled with more laughter, joy and good times.

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This vacation was absolutely fantastic and I look forward to our next Girlfriends Getaway.  I treasure these moments, because having my sister and girlfriends in my life is definitely something I need to maintain a good balance and times like these are essential to my continued well-being.  It’s so funny, because as I sat there, thinking about life and filling my head with dreams, I opened my eyes and saw this cap sitting in the sand and said to myself “WOW”  that’s me.. I’m always a dream-chaser.

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I’d like to believe you enjoyed reading about my Girlfriends Getaway and hope it inspired you to gather up your besties and hit the road for a getaway.  Until next time, I’ll chat with you soon.. Smooches!!

Jamala

I have to give a big thank you to the Marriott Stellaris for such impeccable accommodations.  You can learn more about Aruba – One Happy Island by watching the video clip.

 

Joined at the Hip

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Throwing it back two years ago, this was one of my favorite posts.. I hope you enjoy reading or re-reading it and the House music tune “Special”

Thrifty Finds

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I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and had a gobblin’ good time!  As for me, I totally enjoyed my time.  I visited my family back home in New Jersey and after the big turkey day, while everyone was mall dashing,we spent our day thrifting.   My sister had been telling me about a new spot (new to her) she stumbled on located in Hillside, NJ, it’s called Kathleen’s Closet. She has made this her go-to spot to check out the goodies.  Well, if you’re ever in NJ, you may want to check out this spot.  Here are the goodies I found while there..   This mid- century coffee table wasn’t a bad deal at $25.00 (I could imagine seeing this piece with a fresh coat of paint and shiney gold paint for the leg’s brass fixtures.

The rattan shelving units were $20.00 (I would remove the bottom doors because of the hole and replace with baskets).  All in all, not bad a bad price!!!

This rattan table base was only $10.00 and was still sturdy.  Although finding a glass top would be difficult, but in the meantime, I would use it as a plant stand, by placing several different pots and create one big display (and of course paint it)

Not my taste, but this plaid chair wasn’t a bad price either for $15.00- no holes, tears or stains.

Leather top side table $10.00 (can you believe this??)  In great condition

        

Spotted this wooden bar cart –  Oh the possibilities with this  and do you see the price – yes – $10.00

Other than missing the door handle, (easy fix) there was nothing wrong with it.  This baby came home with Amina, and I can’t wait to see what she does with it.

Spotted this brass and smoked glass lamp for a mere $5.99 – and YES! it came home with me.  Just needs a new shade and I have a beautiful new lamp.

This mid-century china cabinet was a cheesey $45  (smh) can you believe that.. and it lights up!  Solid wood from Drexel Heritage Furniture.

Last but not least.. this double mirror Thomasville dresser – swallow hard-  $40.00 –I’m ready to pass out!!

I can’t F-N believe this!   All the hardware, all the drawers, nothing and I mean NOTHING was wrong with this piece.. the only thing that was really wrong —- IT DIDN’T COME HOME WITH ME!!!!!

Boy did I wish I had a U-Haul

Now here’s the clinker… You see how low the prices were, but if you were there on Black Friday, you got an additional 50% off your first 5 items.. So can you imagine… all these good pieces would have been even lower.  They had several other nice pieces but these were the ones I wanted to share with you.   Although we didn’t partake in the Black Friday frenzy, we did support the ShopSmall Saturday, which was equally appreciated.   I know I’m a bit behind with this post, but I’ve experiencing some hand issues again.. and have been resting my hands from the computer.  This week, I’m headed to the sunny island of Aruba for one of our Girlfriends Getaways – Yaaaaayyy… so I’ll be sunning and funning .  When I get back I’ve got another goodie makeover to share with you.. in the meantime,  have great week!  Smooches!

 

Old Chair New Life

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What do you do with a chair no one wants?  Well ask me that question and my answer is keep it!  That’s exactly what I did with my new addition.  Like an unwanted puppy, I decided to be her new owner.  Give her love and affection and breathe new life in her just like I did Clarissa (and still working on Don).

I decided to do some research on this chair and found it’s a Louis XV style Fauteuil armchair.  These chairs were beginning to be made in the 1600’s and were considered French by Royal Design and was designed with a woman’s figure in mind, by having delicate curves.  The backs were round for the softness of the woman’s shoulders and the carvings were considered the ornaments (like a woman wears jewelry).   This particular chair was made during the turn of the 19th century (between 1880 – 1900).  The chair had it’s original needlepoint fabric, however, as you see, it pretty much took a beating.  But, one thing for sure, she’s a real McCoy, a Louis XV french chair.  So, I’m thrilled that I couldn’t sell it for the mere $25.00 I was asking for it at the yard sale.    The average price for these chairs is $500.00, so yes, she is definitely worth investing in.  I’m going to name her Kittra.  Luckily, the frame was strong, but the wood stain was a bit drab.  I decided to paint the frame using Martha Stewart antique gold (please don’t squeal 🙂 )

The gold paint gives it a new look, without taking away from the beauty and not making it gawdy.

For the fabric, I chose a soft chenile pile white fabric and wanted to incorporate cheetah print with it.  I also wanted the authenticity of the chair to remain intact, so I had the upholsterer keep the straw stuffing but add enough cushion for a better seat.  Keep in mind that if you ever get a chair or sofa and discover it’s an antique, it’s always best to preserve some of its history.

Here’s Kittra’s new look

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Time to bring her home and find a space for her.

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I’m in the process of making a few changes in the living room, nothing big, but changing up the wall color and adding a few reupholstered items.  But for now, she’ll rest here.  I was just so excited with her new look I wanted to share it with you.

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I’ve never used white before on furniture, and now that we’re empty nesters and no little ones around, I thought I’d give it a whirl (for at least one piece) and the cheetah print has always been my fettish.  I plan to add a bit more of that around.  I hope you like Kittra’s new look as much as I do.  Have you done a makeover lately?  I’d love to hear all about it.  Until next time, Happy hunting and enjoy thrifting your house into a home!  Smooches

Jamala

 

 

Right Time Right Moment

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Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining my hubby on his yearly golfing trip. Well before we left, I did a quick search for thrift stores and shopping centers that were in the Daytona area, and saw they had a few, so, at least I could have something to keep me busy. Luckily I had the wheel during the wee hours of the morning.  The roads were empty and my eyes could wander a bit.  Well I spotted a few thrift stores and a Goodwill along the way to the hotel.  Naturally I couldn’t wait to get there the next day.  Well my friends… let me tell you… That was THEEE Best Goodwill I have EVER, EVER,(pause-roll the head) EVAH been to.  OH MY GOSH!  This was a true “being at the right place at the right time” moment for me.  Ok.. talk about luck – I had to pinch myself..  Me and my aunt walked in the store and I notice how neat and clean it was (and got even more excited) walking past the registers I look up at the top of the racks and spot some crystal wine decanters, and walked towards them, but then low and behold I spotted some bee-u-tiful barware.  I made a mad dash to them.  I couldn’t believe it.. They were the exact ones I’ve been watching and wanting.  I told my aunt stand right there and guard them while I run to get a cart.  She started laughing at me – because she couldn’t believe my excitement.  She said – “Girl, you’re acting like you found gold” I told her I did!!   Look what I found!!!!

A complete set of Culver “Valencia” barware.  What makes this glass set special is it’s embellished in 22kt gold and it’s their most popular design that ever sold.   Culver glass company was founded in 1939 by Irving Rothenberg in Brooklyn, NY.  The company later relocated to my nearby hometown Rahway, NJ in 1980 and remained there under the realm of Mark “Mickey” Rothenberg, who took over the company in 1987  after his father, Irving, passed away.  Mark ran the company until he sold it in 1996 to Moderne Glass Company, Inc. He then headed another glass company until his death on 9/11 – he was one of the passengers on the hijacked Newark-to-San-Francisco flight that crashed in Pennsylvania.  Known for lavish designs, many embellished with 22-karat gold, the company gained notoriety and its products became highly collectible.  For the most part, Culver did not begin producing gold embellished glass until the late 50’s and much of their pieces made prior to this time, are unsigned, unlabeled and often difficult to identify.

In the early 60s, Culver perfected the (still secret process) of high heat firing, 22k Gold onto their fine glassware, allowing for thick, textured, gold & rhinestone displays, that better handled the test of time. Wealth was abundant in the US, and opulence was equally embraced, with the sleek, Mid Century Modern / Futurist Atomic Age styles, more commonly associated with the time, and business soared.

With the release of the Valencia pattern, popularity exploded & soon Culver was considered the wedding gift of the “Up and coming”, becoming available in the finest department stores. The process of high heat firing 22k Gold onto the glass for permanence, was kept close to the vest by the family & employees.

So you see, I did find gold!  I couldn’t wait to get them to their new home displayed on my bar cart

They added the perfect touch to the cart

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The cute pineapple hand towel was a gifted item I’ve had for years.

The brass pineapple was an estate sale find for a mere $8.00 (woohoo) and my girlfriend spotted the cheetah print napkins and she said they had my name all over them 🙂  (Thanks Kimmy!)

The vintage emerald green decanter- another yard sale find for $5.00 enhances the jewel tone of the glassware and the silver bar accessories were caught at the same estate sale for $4.00.

Now the story starts with me watching this barware on Chairish.  I was holding off buying them until after some upcoming travel plans.  I’m so glad I did, because I was able to snag this 13-piece set for $32.00.  I would have kicked myself if I’d bought them before.  My stylish bar cart look is complete and all done with thrift store, yard sale and estate sale finds.  Now let’s get our “Drink On!!”

I had to give my hubby one big kiss (one for winning the tournament and one for bringing me 🙂 )

If you liked these glasses check out more of them on my Pinterest Board “Fancy Glass” and follow along. Happy hunting and remember – you, too, can thrift your house into a home!  Cheers

Jamala

 

*ps.. the Culver glass history was retrieved from Collectors Weekly and you can read more about it here: