Halloween 1-Day Sale!

Pssst!!

HALLOWEEN

1-DAY SALE 

OCTOBER 31ST

@ Dovetail Vintage

31% OFF throughout entire store.

Use coupon code: 31OFF at checkout.

1-DAY!! Don't miss out!

Old Chairs, New Life

This last Sunday I sat on the floor of my breakfast nook with the afternoon sun spilling through the open window and feeling as pleased as punch!  I was doing my first upholstery job, and it was surprisingly easy, super fun, and turning out just how I wanted!

My mom brought me these antique chairs after coming across them for free on the side of the road.  Knowing that I could use a couple chairs, if nothing else, at least for temporary, until I found others I wanted more, she trucked these 6 hours from western Washington.  They had worn maroon velvety fabric and light scratches on the wood, but I really liked the dark color and their shape.  I decided they would be great in my breakfast nook.

So, with a hammer, staple gun, and my selected fabric, I set to work, and I am so pleased with how they turned out.  Here they are!

This light floral fabric was under the maroon fabric.  I decided to leave it on and cover it, giving the seats a little extra thickness.

I found this beautiful upholstery fabric at JoAnn's Fabric on sale for 50% off.  I bought 24", enough to cover both chairs, and it cost me $10.

This colorful, bold fabric now acts as the focal point of my black and white breakfast nook.

This project is so easy.  I simply bought my desired fabric, pulled out the upholstery nails that held down the previous fabric, and wrapped the new fabric around the existing form, securing it with staples from a staple gun.

Do you have some old chairs that need a little fixing up?  Try updating them with some new fabric, like I did.  It's so easy, I know you can do it!  And the result is entirely gratifying.

Happy Thursday . . . tomorrow is Friday!

~Callie

Vintage Wonderful

Several weekends ago, my mom and sister came for a visit.  The three of us LOVE thrifting and antiquing and it just so happens that my town and the town right next to mine, is loaded with thrift and antique stores.  We had a wonderful day together, making many scores, and having to take more than one trip back to my apartment to unload before we could go on.

My best score of the day actually came very unexpectedly at our first stop, a small sidewalk flea market.  Having a small apartment means that my furniture has to be on the smaller side and this beauty was just the right size for my pint-sized living room and my rather small pocketbook!

This vintage/antique loveseat is upholstered in a dark caramel velvet-like material and in wonderful condition.  And at $70, it definitely was a score!

I just adore the character this loveseat brings, as well as it's warm color and soft texture.  You might also notice my non-slipcovered pillow and my cloudy white coffee table.  I am still in search of the perfect fabric for the pillow and my coffee table is a project that I will post about soon.

Up next:  My reupholstery project with two found chairs.  Stay tuned!

Have a great Sunday evening!
~Callie

NEW TODAY!

(lots of . . .)

Vintage Baby & Child Items

www.dovetailvintage.etsy.com

Hidden Treasure

I had something happen to me this week that, until now, I have only dreamed about.  I found treasure hidden in my apartment!

After coming home with a bunch of baking supplies the other night, I went to put some of the larger items in a high cabinet that I have yet to use since moving in.  Immediately, I ran into something stopping me from placing the flour bag on the shelf.  I couldn't see in the cupboard, so I felt around with my hand, and these are what I found!:

Two vintage Italian prints!  They're not originals, but they are prints of wonderful old Italian paintings mounted on wood and then given a painted gold and ivy green or cream framing.  One of them has a large sticker on the back explaining that any flaws or what looks to be blemishes are unique details from the Italian artisans that have put these together.

I was shocked and excitedly surprised to find such fun items just hanging out in my own home!

I asked my landlords if I could keep them, and they said yes!  So, these sweet little things will be headed to the shop later this week.

Have you ever found treasure in your midst?  If you have, I would love to hear your story!

Happy Saturday!
~Callie

Tonight's Dinner

I made this for dinner two nights ago:

Jealous?!  Good.  Now you can make it too.  It's easy, quick, and inexpensive. Really.

This dinner took me about 15 min. total, and it tasted like heaven, leaving me insanely satisfied.
Also, the entire meal cost about $3.

Ingredients:
   *wild caught salmon - 1 filet
   *olive oil - 1 Tbl.
   *romaine lettuce- 1/4 of a head
   *carrots - 1/2 of one
   *celery - 1/2 of one stalk
   *tomato - 1/3 of one large
   *radishes - 2-3
   *red onion - 1 Tbl. diced
   *Bernstein's Garlic Parmesan Cheese Dressing - 1 Tbl.
   *brocolli - a fist size floret
   *sea salt and fresh pepper to taste

Let me let you in on a little Wal-Mart secret that you may not know.  Wal-Mart sells packages of wild caught salmon for only $5!  Regardless of how you feel about Wal-Mart, (I have my issues) this is one of the best buys there and it's totally worth stocking up on.  Each package contains 4-5 individually shrink wrapped fillets, and this salmon is SO good.  Just don't buy the farmed stuff - its not good for you and thers no taste like wild caught seafood.  If you're going to have salmon (or just about any seafood for that matter) always make sure the package says "Wild Caught".

Okay, so, here's how to make this delicious dinner:

1. Fill a small bowl of water with warm water and set it in the sink with a wrapped salmon fillet to thaw while you get the salad going.   
2. Start chopping vegetables (except for the broccoli) into small pieces and place in a medium sized bowl.  (The trick to experiencing all of the great flavors in a well stocked salad is to cut the ingredients into small pieces so you get a good sampling with each forkful.)
3. Fill a medium sized pot with about 3/4" of water and the broccoli and place on the stove on high with the lid on, slightly caulked to the side to allow steam to escape.
4. Place the olive oil in a small frying pan on the stove on medium.
5. Finish chopping vegetables while pan is heating olive oil.
6. Once pan is hot, add salmon fillet.
7. While it sears the underside, immediately evenly sprinkle fresh sea salt and a dash of pepper.
8. Turn salmon over and add salt and pepper to that side.
9. Turn burner down to low and put a lid on the salmon.
10. Drizzle salad dressing and sprinkle some sea salt on salad.  Toss with a large spoon until dressing has evenly coated all vegetables and vegetables are mixed well.
11. Check broccoli and turn off burner and drain when the broccoli is a bright green, tender, but not too soft.
12. Scoop salad onto a plate, add broccoli and salmon, and wa-la!  Dinner is served!

Tips & Notes:  

Seriously, the salmon should only cook for 5-7 minutes.  Don't buy into thinking you have to cook it longer.  Searing it on medium at the beginning cooks the outside and then cooking it on low with the lid on, seals in the juices and keeps the fillet moist.  Cooking it too long will dry it out.

For the salad, add just enough salad dressing that the vegetables remain crisp and flavorful, but not so much that they become overwhelmed or soggy.  The dressing and salt should enhance the wonderful combination of these vegetables and tie all of the flavors together so that you can still make out each individual flavor at the same time.

And let's talk sea salt.  Sea salt is salt that has been gleaned straight from the sea and is unrefined.  It tastes way better than regular salt and is stronger, thus, a little bit goes a long way.  Use it sparingly while you get used to using it, but I think you will love it, if you have never tried it before.

And finally the broccoli.  Some prefer theirs cooked until it's an odd green and very soft.  If you are one of those people, just try it this way once.  Cooking green vegetables just until their color is bright and no longer, ensures that you get the most vitamins out of that vegetable and retains their wonderful flavor.  

Okay, well, have a great dinner and tell me what you think afterwards!

Happy Wednesday!

~Callie

I'm Coming, I'm Coming!

Oh my word!  Not even funny!  I have been sick for 3 weeks with everything from a bad cold, sore throat, a nasty cough, throwing up, and now a blasted acute ear infection that is taking it's very sweet time to get out of town.  I have been itching to be blogging but have just been too down to do it.

However, I am quickly checking in to let you know that in the few strong moments that I have had during this time of sickness, I have been doing a few house projects that I will share very soon (hopefully).  Also, while my mom and sister were in town last weekend, I made a major score at a sidewalk vintage sale.  Oooeeee, am I excited to show you!

Stay tuned - I'm making a comeback!  Happy Sunday!

Here are a few fun new items I just listed in the shop.  Stop on over and take a look!

 Love this adorable little vintage mouse receipt spike!

 A wonderful medium-sized glass bell cloche.

 Rusty metal basket.

And japanese paper fans.  Sold separately.

All available for purchase at:

www.dovetailvintage.etsy.com

~Callie