Holiday Decor

It's that time of year. The Hanukkah bush, normally just a weeping Norwegian spruce, has been decorated with blue star ornaments.

Like many households, there is also the Christmas tree, with a mix of vintage and modern ornaments. Yes, that is an (empty) Absolut silver Disco bottle topper. Because a friend came over a few years ago, drank the entire bottle and passed out, face down, at (and on) my dining room table. Hopefully, he isn't reading my blog.

Hard to see in this photo, but a red sequined pair of heels is peeking out from under the tree. Just because.

Proving that crafts and booze don't always mix... And that a glue gun can be a dangerous thing.

By now, I'm sure you've figured out that I am newly obsessed with Instagram. While similar to Hipstamatic is some ways, I like the ease and speed of edits. I use and recommend both.

Take lots of photos and Happy Hanukkah!

Bake these!

Late last week, I came across a recipe that only required four items, all of which were already in my possession. A recipe even my pathetically hungover self could complete on Saturday morning while waiting for coffee to brew. Yup, the multi- tasking never stops.

I call them Nutella mini lava cupcakes.

These are still gooey a few days later. Gooey and delicious!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Nutella spread
1 large egg
5 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (I'd consider these optional, so only 3 ingredients!)

Directions:

1. Pre- heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup mini muffin pan with paper or foil liners.

2. Put the Nutella and egg in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth and well blended. Add the flour and whisk until blended.

3. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins (about 3/4 full) and sprinkle with the chopped hazelnuts.

4. Bake until a pick comes out with wet, gooey crumbs, 11 to 12 minutes. Set on a rack to cool completely. Serve immediately or cover and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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Handy ideas for the types (like me) who can't leave well enough alone:

I'd either toast or omit the hazelnuts next time. Never been a huge fan of nuts in baked goods but it is important to follow a recipe the first time. Most of the time.

Next time, no hazelnuts, but I'll swirl in a bit of cream cheese to the tops (with a toothpick) prior to baking.

I doubled the recipe as my mini cupcake/ muffin tin is a 24 count, the recipe still worked perfectly. If you double the recipe (and you should, because these seem to grow legs as soon as they cool), you'll use almost the entire 13 oz. Nutella jar. So, buy the bigger jar. It's time- saving. And economical.

I left these in the oven for about 14 minutes as life interfered. They were unset at 11 minutes but should have come out at about 12 minutes 30 seconds. Guess I'll have to make another batch.

~S~S~S~S~S~S~S~S~S~S~S~S~S

One of my favorite bloggers, amateurian, has solved the age - old question for fellow lovers of snark.



Introducing... The Snark Mark.

Subtly perfect and ready to rock your world. Enjoy!

HO! HO! Sale?

The Vintage Market Team is hosting a HUGE holiday promotion, running through New Years.

All three of my shops are participating! Current prices reflect discounts taken.

retrotrend is offering rotating discounts on all categories of clothing and accessories.

RetroHommeVintage is offering 25% off of most items.

ObjectRetro is offering 20% off of most items.

Intrigued? Here is the teaser video, put together by the very talented AntiquesGaloreGal.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Need more? Search VMTEAMHOHO for all your vintage holiday needs. Here's to a wonderful holiday season!

A Vintage Rescue + Winner Annouced!

When it comes to vintage clothing and accessories, I am a purist.

For example, maxis should never become minis unless damaged beyond repair. If it is stained or has large holes, a mini is better than no dress at all. 

Simple alterations to make an item fit you? Of course!

On occasion, I come across damaged vintage that can not be otherwise used.

 Like this large size 1960s black lizard bag that tugged at my heart strings. The body looks fantastic, the strap was barely attached on one side.

 Cracking, splitting, tears to the lizard and the inner leather layer- a complete loss.

I removed what was left of the original strap.

 I have a pile of damaged belts and vintage hardware for just this reason- sometimes an item can be saved if rethought. A heavy gold tone metal chain link belt (from about the same era), split into two sections (shoulder and hand length), then attached to the original brackets at the top.

 The clasp is a brighter, brushed gold tone but the overall look is luxe and timeless. Not original, but a very good fit and now an enjoyable piece of history.

I'll almost always use as a shoulder bag but do like the hand carry option. Both straps look equally great swagging against the glossy lizard skin body.

Contest update:

There were two entries I really liked but in the end, "Mrs. Robinson" won out.

"Suzi Quatro" was an inspired suggestion and will be used for a variation of the classic Mrs. Robinson. Or a reinterpretation of an Aviation. 

Thanks to all who entered! 

 While Emily's e-mailed suggestion noted that she didn't want a prize, she did score this dress last week, after I force- fed her copious amounts of wine. And cookies were hand- delivered last weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It's Contest Time! Name that Cocktail, Please.

Fan appreciation? Giveaways? Who knows?

I like my contests interactive and my themes a bit kooky (go figure).

And, I need your help.

Cocktail? Yes, please!

This is my special "I've made it through another day" treatail, usually occurring on a nightly basis.

The recipe:

-about 1/2 oz. lemon juice

-a few drops of Campari

-2 oz. - 4 oz. of Plymouth gin (one of the only brands worth drinking, in my humble opinion)

-a splash of (diet for me, please) tonic

Mix (or shake, if you are feeling frisky!) the lemon juice, Campari and gin over some ice cubes. Add tonic to taste.

Optional garnishes:

-a few loose berries shaken with the alcohol and lemon juice

-a toothpick full of Haribo Gummi Bears balanced on the rim, arranged in some sort of visually pleasing colorway

-stellar MCM Roly- Poly glasses with gold doohickey designs or any (preferably) old (and shiny) low ball glass. I am a fan of these examples.

Why should you care?

RetroTrend enjoys cocktails, this is nothing new. This doe's favorite cocktail does not have a name.

That's where you come in.

The terms:

This is a blog only contest.

Comment with your chosen name for my chosen cocktail.

It is a bit bitter, girlie, and likes to kick it old school, just like me. Bonus points for anatomy, indie music, Mad Men or fashion references, of course!

Start shopping! You'll need to include which item/s you'd chose from one of my shops if you had $50.00 to spend.

retrotrend

RetroHommeVintage

ObjectRetro

If your drink name is chosen, you'll win a one time use, $50.00 credit to one of my three Etsy shops.

This contest ends Friday, November 5th, at 12 noon EST. The winner will be announced here.

Good luck!