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Splendid Giveaway

This will be the simplest giveaway ever I promise.
I have too many adorable vintage items sitting in storage
at my house that need to be loved. So I offer you a chance to win one gift certificate to my shop worth $35, as well as your pick of a handcrafted journal made from recycled album covers.




I planned to do a giveaway when I reached 100 readers, but I got so caught up with school and moving that I did not have enough time. I hope that this little giveaway shows my appreciation and respect to all of you bloggers out there. This blog has become quite a passion, and I really hope that you enjoy reading. I recently added an EMAIL ME button which is perfectly suitable for just a friendly "hello" email or some thoughts for new posts.

I giggle with joy from every blog comment I read, and I also love discovering about new readers. My boyfriend sometimes feels he has to share me with ETSY and BLOG... haha

alright, on with the giveaway
here is how it will work.

simply follow this blog and
leave a comment below with one of your favorite
blogs or inspirational sites.
(try to leave a site you think I would not have visited- i love new discoveries)

or tweet about this giveaway
please mention @carriefagan so I can see!
(please leave your email in the comment)

the winner will be picked at random and announced
next Tuesday August 2nd
I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday

Indian Inspiration

Happy Monday. Today I have been inspired to post a few vibrant Indian themed treasures and recipes.Indian food and style has always captured my attention, my little sister and I combined own a handful of super comfortable Indian wrap pants, as seen above. We also share a passion for Indian cuisine. Yesterday Gavin, Lily and I visited our favorite Indian restaurant in Birmingham, Taj India.

Taj India offers a buffet style lunch so you can sample a handful of different dishes each day. I would have shared a few pictures of my meal, but we were sitting in a very dimly lit room, therefor all you would see is darkness. So instead I included my favorite dishes and a really great site for some recipes, over at Sailu's Kitchen.

2. long gypsy skirt

1. tribal vintage 70s Pomegranate red ethnic hippie skirt
7. Red printed Rayon Harem Pants
5. wedding
3. my friends studio floor- tree of life
(the floor is made from cut out pieces of recycled magazine and wrapping paper.
Each leaf is individually cut and pasted to the floor.
A final coat of polyurethane seals the floor.)
6. vintage handmade embellished dress
4. Tandoori spice kit with Recipes- small
8. Stunning slip on Bollywood style Indian leather beaded shoes

I hope everyone has a splendid and productive week ahead.

In Season Fig Preserves

Its time for an in season recipe. Figs are at the peak of there season in the south. They have a very subtle sweet taste, perfect for jam and preserves. Earlier this week Gavin and I rode our bikes to a local fig tree we found about a year ago. We have been waiting all summer for the figs to get ripe.
Every time we rode our bikes by we would check
to see if they were ripe yet.

Here is the yummy recipe.
(Figs can be substituted with any fruit in season)

Ingredients:

3 pounds figs (no stems) (about 9 cups)
4 cups sugar
3 lemons, very thinly sliced, seeds removed
a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg

Preparation:

Wash, drain and stem figs. Place the figs and sliced lemons in the pot and pour over the sugar. Cook over medium-low heat until sugar is completely dissolved; reduce to low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add lemon slices. Cover and cook until figs are transparent and the syrup is thick, 2-3 hours. Then spread over anything!


my breakfast of champions


mr. frog with the figs.




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i hope you have a calm relaxed weeekend. I will be very busy getting a garage sale together.

DIY Inspire to Loom

I want to share with you my oh so anticipated craft adventure. I have recently discovered the flower loom. I remember doing something similar to the loom with my mom, making woven hot pads
out of old fabrics with the square loom.

So, I ventured to Hobby Lobby in hopes of finding a cheap medium sized flower loom. Of course, the only loom they had came in a back of 3 for $30.00 NO thank you. I came home and searched ETSY...no luck...then EBAY and whabam! I found three different size looms for only $9.00. The looms even come with two vintage flower project books
(I was very excited about that).

I also picked up a huge bag of multi-colored yarn from
the thrift store for only $2.00.



etsy photo

I am so excited for my looms to come in the mail!
I am planning to make some hair pieces and brooches,
and possibly attempt a blanket.
I even found an ETSY seller online who recycles plastic shopping bags into beautiful pieces of art.
What an inexpensive way to create something beautiful.
Reduce, reuse, recycle for a sustainable future.
I know I avoid plastic bags whenever possible, but this is a neat way to recycle those you already have.


Recycled Plastic Bag Flowers by Strewth

So have I got you hooked yet? If not here is a simple tutorial to show you how easy and fun it really is.

Home EC. Vintage Flower Loom Tutorial.

What are your recent craft endeavors? Have a super weekend. I will be busy preparing for a HUGE garage sale.

DIY Fig Preserves

Pretty Dress Update and thoughts

It has been a little tricky recently for me to be motivated about posting vintage to my shop.I have SO many dresses and oodles of funky purses and shoes... just little time to take Z photos
....and lack of a model. Yet here they are regardless.
APPLESEED VINTAGE

I really appreciate seeing photos of the clothing on a model when I purchase online, so you can really understand the style and fit. I try my hardest to post pictures of clothing being modeled. This happens to be my newest model Lily.

Ok, so she is my little sister but you would not believe how many photos I had to take just to get 5 decent ones. I swear she was twirling around in the dresses like a little girl playing dress up...and then she attempted to take some to wear that night. ha you gotta love her though.. full of energy.

I cannot wait until I move and get everything organized so I can post on a regular schedule.
I hope everyone is having a splendid Tuesday.
It is very hot here in Tuscaloosa, so I am staying inside writing letters and getting packages together for my new pin pals.

Me Amo Dulces

One more travel extraordinaire to share with you. This weekend I was in New Orleans with Gavin and his family, eating candy, chocolates and beignets. And all of a sudden we were thrown back into 1914. Check out this mule hauled Roman Candy cart we came across.

Gavin and I passed it driving, and of course I had to stop to buy some $1.00 candy sticks. There were three flavors strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. The vanilla was my favorite as it tasted like roasted marshmallows. The man has owned the truck since 1914. And boy, you should have seen the line for these sought after candies. Every time he stopped children and parents would
line up to get their favorite candy sticks.

This discovery inspired me to share a few candy favorites.

1. wedding candy display

2. Candy Shop Engagement Photos

3. most adorable message ever


4. vintage candy shop

5. candy girl with an oh so tiny waist



5. caramel candy recipe
1/2 stick butter
1 cup canned evaporated milk
2 cups sugar
16 large marshmallows
1/4 cup sugar, caramelized
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups broken pecan pieces


Melt butter around the sides and bottom of a heavy saucepan. Add milk and sugar. Stir with wooden spoon toward the center of the pan. Add marshmallows.

Place 1/4 cup sugar in small pan to caramelize (a cast iron pan works well but is not required). Turn pan frequently to prevent burning.

Transfer melted sugar into the larger pan, stirring constantly. Lower the heat, and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 238°F, stirring often; set aside to cool to 110°F.

Stir in vanilla and pecans, continuing to stir until the candy will hold its shape. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto buttered wax paper, parchment paper or silicone sheets.

5. candy house!

all images taken from weheartit

6. my favorite candies... sixlets and peach rings


what is your favorite candy?

Tuesday Tale of a Rainbow

I have been inspired by a colorful mystery. Well, it is no longer a mystery anymore, rather a scientific theory, but it use to be very mysterious to several different cultures. Probably the most common explanation from the Irish leprechaun's secret hiding place for his pot of gold is usually said to be at the end of the rainbow.

This past weekend driving home from Houston we saw two rainbows. It was completely sunny outside and it suddenly started to rain. Rainbows are so peaceful. I usually make a wish whenever I see one. In this case I got two wishes.

These rainbow inspired finds would be a little overwhelming all together but mix and match to make an irresistible outfit.


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Have a Happy Tuesday
What do you do when you see a rainbow?

Bigger in Texas

Texas was incredible! As they say everything is bigger in Texas, and let me assure you everyone including the visitors who leave Texas. I had never eaten out so much. We went out to eat
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Good thing I was visiting friends so we could always split meals. There are some super unique shops and restaurants in Houston. If your planning a trip anytime soon I insist you check out these favorites.

The Bead SHOP
2476 Times Rd., Houston, TX, 77005
in Rice Village

This place was amazing. Thousands of beads spread out all over the tables. And for pretty cheap, only a couple of cents for some really nice glass beads. The guy that worked there had a pretty extensive collection of Hindu sculptures. I bought a few evil eye glass beads... I'm still thinking what to make.

Ruggles Cafe Bakery

Im pretty sure these were meant for children, but we bought some regardless. If you buy a cookie for $1.00 they give you your very own icing to ice your treat. I went all out of course, plus they were delicious.

Ruggles GREEN
& The Path of Tea

Ruggles Green offers delicious menu items that incorporate organic, all-natural, hormone-free, preservative-free, products that are always delicious. I ordered the veggie burger with sweet potato fries. Then walk right across the street to the tea bar and order a frozen green tea. It is like heaven in a cup.

United Way Thrift & Flash Back Antiques

The United way thrift store had SO many vintage nurse dresses donated this past weekend. All of my friends tried on a nurse outfit just for fun. I wish nurses still wore these vintage white dress outfits...how much fun! Close but is Flask Back antiques. I could not afford anything in the store, but it is totally worth the trip.

OH and I have some SUPER exciting news to share... It's not set in stone yest so I don't want to spoil the surprise, but I will tell very soon.

Road Trip

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I have been waiting for a good road-trip. This weekend I will be headed to TEXAS with two friends. Houston, Texas to be exact. Texas is one of the few states I have not visited. Does anyone live in Houston, or know some good restaurants/ thrift stores to visit? Here is a simple list of things to keep you occupied while on a road-trip, If I may.

1. make a few really good mix tapes

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2. pack a snack of apple chips and Izze! (my favorites)
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3. Bring a doodle book...and plenty of markers

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4. a very comfy pillow

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5. And some really killer shades.
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What is your favorite road trip accessory?