The new Atomic Ranch is here!

We just took delivery of the latest issue of Atomic Ranch! The winter 2010 issue is packed with great stories on modern homes in Arkansas, Palm Springs and Wisconsin, as well as the regular features on Cool Stuff, Open House, and Ranch Dressing.
Drop by the store and pick up your copy before they're all gone.
See you at the store!

I'm dreaming of a pink Christmas...

This year's holiday window theme is "I'm dreaming of a Pink Christmas". White is just so done! We went with pink as we knew we were getting the throne chair in from Princess Perfect, and what a chair! It's perfect for the window, and we think Santa would approve.

You may remember this chair from a post back in May, about whether to upholster it or not. Well, we went the glamorous route and we think we made the right choice. This fabulous chair is priced at $2400 and would be perfect in a little girl's room, or as the centre piece in that fabulous swingin' sixties bachelorette pad!

We also have the traditional Ethel tree in the window.

This vintage aluminum tree features pink sputnik decorations this year. It's not for sale, because if we sold it, Ethel would have nowhere to put her presents on Christmas Eve!

We decided to get crafty this year and try out a pine cone project. With some leftover fuschia latex paint mixed with water and an empty peanut butter jar, we spent two hours dunking pinecones while watching America's Next Top Model (no judgements please, we know you're all fans too!) and yes, it was a bit messy. But when we were done, we had lots of pink pinecones to play with. Here's a wreath we put together to hang in the window.


We also put some of the pinecones around the store to add a little colour. Don't these three little ones look lovely with the Rosenthal vase?


Lest you all think that we've abandoned the traditional red and green of Christmas altogether, we have lots of red and green glass goblets and when they're grouped together it looks quite festive, especially with the addition of red and green Christmas balls (vintage, of course!)

So if you're in need of a little holiday inspiration, just Think Pink!
See you at the store!

Holiday Wanderlust - the day after!

Last night's 5th annual Holiday Wanderlust was a raging success! Lots of families out enjoying the festive atmosphere and, of course, starting their holiday shopping. As mentioned, we were serving hot cider and homebaked cookies.

I made the gumdrop cookies from a recipe in our vintage Better Homes and Gardens cookbook, and my mother in law made the sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies. All the cookies were gone by 9:30, along with the cider. The cider smell is still lingering in the store today. Yummy!

I admit, I ate a few cookies as I needed the energy to keep up with my customers! Here's a picture of me, hard at work writing up sales. Look how fast my hand is moving!


Before the night kicked off, I put the finishing touches on the Christmas windows. The theme in the big window is "I'm dreaming of a Pink Christmas", and features the big gorgeous "throne" chair all reupholstered by Princess Perfect and looking quite glamorous.

(apologies for the blurry picture, hubby took it and it was cold out so his hands were shaking!)

The small window is a bit more classic. Lots of red and green glassware and a classic Eames aluminum group lounger.


We hoped that Ethel herself might make an appearance, but we didn't see her all evening. Perhaps she was checking out the other great shops in Leslieville, possibly even buying us our Christmas present! She was with us in spirit though.

See you at the store!

Holiday Wanderlust!

Its that time of year again. When Leslieville kicks off the holiday season with the annual Holiday Wanderlust, an evening of light, warmth and adventure. This Thursday November 18th, businesses in Leslieville will stay open till 10pm with food, drink, music and Christmas cheer to get everyone in the holiday mood. Ethel has decided to keep things simple this year and offer hot cider for cold hands and homemade cookies for the sweet tooths.
Also, to kick off the holiday season, we have our famous collection of vintage ornaments and decorations out again.
Sure you can buy a bucket of balls at Canadian Tire for four bucks, but you only need a few of these beauties to make your tree spectacular!

We also have the Whigby collection of ornaments in again this year. These powdercoated steel tree ornaments are 100% Canadian made and designed. The collection consists of an elk, beaver, goalie, snowmobile and bushplane, and all are packaged in their own giftbox.
Priced at $16 each, these are a perfect hostess gift or for the true Canadian in your life.

We also are proud to announce that we're carrying the Jane Jenni line.

Featuring melamine plates, china mugs, lunch bags, fridge magnets, and lapel buttons, this collection is all about the rebus and there's one for everyone.

So please join us this Thursday evening, and maybe Ethel will make an appearance herself!
See you at the store!

Pillow Talk

We're really excited to announce that we are now carrying pillows from local artist and designer Amy Migicovsky. Her company is called Rock My Soul and she has a great 60's fun vibe to her work, which we think works great with the Danish Modern. Her pillows are made using organic cotton and kapok fill; an organic and hypo-allergenic material.
You can check out more of her work at her website, http://www.rockmysoul.ca/ or you can drop by the store to see it in person.
See you at the store!

Serve it in style

Hallowe'en is but a distant memory and that means one thing. Holiday entertaining is just around the corner. Why not make your Holiday party stand out and sparkle with a little help from Ethel!

Instead of serving salad in your soup bowls, how about this gorgeous vintage glass salad set?

Adorned with a gold and creme leaf pattern, this set is complete with the big salad bowl, 8 serving bowls and a matching set of gold fleck salad tongs. Priced at $65, this set will make even iceberg lettuce look glamorous!

If you have salad bowls already, but don't want to your guests to know you're using Kraft dressing, then how about this mint in box salad set?

Complete with oil & vinegar cruets, salt & pepper shakers, and matching salad tongs, this sweet 60's set is priced at $24, and will make even a storebought mixed salad look fantastic! It would also make a great hostess gift for the mod party planner in your life.

UPDATE: Salad set has sold!

If you like the look of lettuce but plan to serve finger foods, try this segmented server for size.

With four matching lettuce leaf dishes, matching salt & pepper shakers and center bowl for dip, this set is on a lazy susan spinner for your lazy guests! Even baby carrots and celery sticks look good when presented on a lazy susan! It's priced at $45.

If cheese and crackers are more your style, then you need this Georges Briard tile cheese board.
George Briard (born 1917, as Jascha Brojdo in the Ukraine - died July 30, 2005) was a noted, award winning designer in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. He is most well known for his signature dishware and glassware - everything from cups and plates to gold plated serving dishes. Most famous for dishware and glassware, his signature collection was stocked at noted department stores, such as Neiman Marcus and Bonwit Teller. We love the gold and blue birds on this tile, and we think it would make even Ritz Crackers and cheddar cheese look classy. It's priced at $24.

UPDATE: George Briard cheese board has sold

If you do plan to serve chips 'n dip, then at least take the Doritos out of the bag and put them in this swingin' 70's chip bowl.

With a black and white diamond pattern, featuring the signs of the Zodiac, this set is perfect conversation starter. Hey baby, what's your sign? It's priced at $35.

UPDATE: Zodiac chip & dip bowl has sold...and we want to go to that party!

Your party is more of a "come on over and watch the game" party? Then serve your tv snacks on this snack set.

Each tray has a spot for your beverage and the faux tortoiseshell look is very very in right now! The set of four is priced at $18.

UPDATE: Snack trays have sold

If you're serving sushi but want to stay away from the typical chinatown cheapo dishes, then how about mixing it up with this set of divided melmac trays?

Your guests will reminisce about these from their highschool or prison cafeteria days. Again, another conversation starter! Two available, priced at $15 each.

UPDATE: One tray has sold and there's one left.

Hosting a tea party for the little princesses in your life? Well, those princesses can sometimes get out of hand, so keep the Royal Doulton safe and serve the Earl Grey in pop colour melmac tea cups instead.

Plenty of colours and styles available. Cream and sugar anyone?

So if you're stuck trying to make your holiday party sparkle, then just keep this in mind. Your guests don't care what you serve, as long as you serve it in style!
See you at the store!