Treasure Hunting Report + Etsy Shop Re-Opening!

I have really slowed down my vintage buying in recent years.  Actually, I've been trying to buy fewer things overall. 

I'm in the process of an epic de-cluttering here in the lakehouse, but I will always love beautiful things.  I love finding the perfect piece for my home, or helping someone else find the perfect piece for their home.  Sharing vintage finds with people through my Etsy shop has been such an interesting way to connect with people.  Happy customers have written to me and explained why they bought a certain item, and so often it's because something reminded them of a loved one or cherished memory.  I've sold Pyrex bowls to complete sets handed down by a grandmother, replaced a family heirloom that was broken, and helped complete collections started by loved ones.  Many times I've sent a purchase directly to someone's friend or family member as a gift - I've even wrapped gifts and written accompanying cards with the touching words relayed by the sender.

Even though right now I'm struggling to find that balance between the stuff I love and too much stuff, I will always relate to how things can connect us to people and memories - and make us smile!

After a loooooong hiatus, my Etsy shop is open once again and I'm so excited for the stories I'll hear this time around.

The shops is smaller than usual, but I'll be adding many more listings in the coming weeks.  There are some major changes to the shop: I'm no longer running the shop with my Mom and Mummu.  I decided to go it alone because it was just way too complicated to figure out who I owed what to, and it was difficult for them to help me with photographing, listing, packaging, and mailing items because I live so far away.  We might join forces again in the future, but for now the Etsy shop is all mine.  Another update: I accept many more forms of payment now - pretty much anything, in addition to PayPal, which used to be the only method of payment I accepted.

I have only just started listing items, so be sure to follow the shop for updates.  I'll be trying to list 5-10 new pieces a week.  I'll be sharing sneak peeks occasionally here, but mostly on Instagram (I love Instagram Stories for that).  

As always, there's never any pressure to buy anything and I'll keep the shop updates to a minimum, but if something does catch your eye, remember that readers always get 15% off - just use the coupon code "DANSLELAKEHOUSE2018".

Some of the items in today's Treasure Hunting Report were purchased for the shop, but I did nab a few things for me!  If you follow me on Instagram, you already saw this mid-century modern lamp update: I finally found the perfect Lotte fiberglass shade for my yellow Lotte lamp!  When I purchased the lamp, it didn't have a shade so I added a simple white drum shade.

When my Mom and I traded the two blue Lotte lamps in my living room for my three yellow ones, Mom didn't love my shade selection and ended up packing the yellow lamp away.  Determined to help her love it, I found the exact shade we needed on Kijiji - but in Waterloo, ON!  Luckily my sweet Aunt and Uncle were kind enough to drive an hour to pick up the shade and then mail it to us.

The lamp is now reunited with its proper shade and looks amazing. 

I also found a vintage Melitta coffee pot for myself!  (Amalie Auguste Melitta Bentz invented the coffee filter in 1908).  I had always loved my Mom's vintage Melitta porcelain pour-over coffee brewer because the coffee pot has a clever slit in the spout which prevents dripping.  I even spent $60 on Amazon buying a new version (of course it's a lot less expensive now, harumph), only to discover it no longer had that unique spout design!  So imagine my glee when I found this beauty for $2 at the Sally Ann.  I have never, in all of my thrifting, come across one and this is in mint condition.  I've been stockpiling the cones for years in case mine breaks, so I have a spare for this coffee pot.  I hate when my hoarding is rewarded.

I also scooped up a turquoise Fiesta tray - I think it goes under the cream and sugar?  I had been on the hunt for a turquoise plate to photograph food and treats for the blog and this will be perfect.

It's also my one and only piece of Fiestaware.

For the shop, I found the prettiest Melitta cream and sugar set, made in Germany, with a stunning indigo blue design, plus a Rosti Denmark kitchen utensil set in cheery yellow - these melamine utensils are no longer made in Denmark so this was a rare find, especially because they appear unused.

Just a few cute finds last week, but I have been secretly stockpiling shop goodies so this is just a taste.  You can see the rest of my current listings by clicking here, but stay tuned for more!  I'll be listing a lot more vintage finds, including some pieces from my own collections...

Here's that coupon code again, just in case: DANSLELAKEHOUSE2018.

My Top Tips for Staying Cozy this Winter

This post is sponsored by Save on Energy, Ontario's go-to source for energy efficiency information and rebates for your home.  All thoughts and opinions presented below are my own.  

The staggering popularity of "Hygge" (pronounced "hoo-gah") speaks volumes about our collective desire to feel cozy and content.  But the Danish aren't the only people who crave cozy - many languages have similar concepts and words that try to capture that elusive feeling.

Swedes offer up "Mys," which touches on coziness and comfort with an emphasis on slowing down and relaxing, while in Norway people strive for a "Koselig" days, which has a complex meaning, but conjures feelings of warmth, comfort, and relaxation.  Those in Holland long for "Gezelig" - the mood of feeling cocooned, like being in a warm coffee shop on a cold winter day.  Having married a fella with Scottish ancestry, I personally enjoy the Gaelic "Còsagach" (which means snug), simply because it sounds the heartiest. 

 

However you choose to describe it, it's unsurprising that so many of us crave coziness and contentment - especially in the winter.  I've spent my entire life living in Ontario, Canada.  That is the equivalent of 33 winters spent trying to stay warm.  In the very first apartment I shared with Hubby, I was warm - for the first winter in my entire life.  We didn't have to pay for heat, so I kept the thermostat at an irresponsibility tropical temperature.  Our hibiscus thrived - a clear sign that it was way too hot in there.  Since then, adulthood, utility bills and environmental consciousness have superseded tropical indoor temperatures, so I have had to get creative.  What hygge, koselig, and còsagach have all taught me is that staying cozy is a crafty combination of practical changes and mental shifts to fully capture that feeling of coziness and warmth. 

Here are my favorite lakehouse-tested tips for staying cozy - even when the weather network issues an Extreme Cold Weather warning and there's a blizzard roaring outside.

Let the Window Coverings do the Work

As soon as the sun rises, I open the curtains and blinds to capitalize on the heat from the sun, but once the sun sets, I close the curtains again to keep in as much heat.  Insulated curtains would be amazing, but the substantial tweed drapes in the bedroom and office do the trick.

Check Weather Stripping and Window Seals

Having a woolly dog is a great way to see where you're losing heat - just check out their favorite spots!  Can you guess where the cold spots are in the lakehouse?

 
By ensuring that weather stripping and window seals are in great shape, you can prevent as much heat from leaking out as possible.  No pup to help?  Hold a candle, as still as possible, near any doorways or windows - if it flickers, you might have some drafty spots to seal up.

Indulge in Hot Apple Cider - No Holiday Required

This fall was the first time I had ever made hot apple cider - seriously!  We had friends over for one last bonfire and because it was already getting pretty chilly, I just couldn't envision wanting a cold beer so I made hot apple cider in the slow cooker.  I made it without alcohol (because alcohol actually drops core body temperature), but kept some handy so guests could spike their own.  It was a magical night - we even saw the northern lights! - and it made me realize that I don't need a special occasion to make cider, which always felt so much like a "holiday" drink to me.  You can make hot apple cider from scratch, but you can also buy apple cider in jugs and then spice to taste.

Easy Slow Cooker Hot Apple Cider

• 1 gallon apple cider or fresh pressed apple juice
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole allspice
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 2 sliced oranges (wash first)
• A few 1" pieces of ginger, peeled and quartered

Add ingredients to a slow cooker and simmer on low for four hours.  You can also bundle the spices in cheesecloth or a tea bag designed for loose leaf tea, but I find the flavor is richer when the spices are loose - just strain as you serve and add rum to taste, if desired.

Invest in a Humidifier

Humidifiers are a fabulous addition to a home, for so many reasons: they can help plants thrive, ease sinus congestion, and re-hydrate the air - which means you can say goodbye to static and cracked skin.  But adding humidity to the air can also help a home feel warmer.  Not convinced?  After your next bath let the water sit, with the bathroom door open, and see if that little amount of moisture helps you feel warmer... 

Throw a Party

You can turn down the heat when you have friends and family over because body heat does wonders to increase the overall temperature in a room.  So, if you have the winter blues and just can't warm up, throw a potluck party or have friends over for some board games - bonus points for something that gets everyone excited and moving, like charades or twister!

Turn on That Ceiling Fan

It still feels counter-intuitive to me to turn on a ceiling fan in the winter, but heat rises so a ceiling fan - especially with our tall living room ceiling - helps push that warm air back down, where we can enjoy it.  The important thing to remember is that when ceiling fans spin counter-clockwise, the angled blades push cool air down, so in the winter set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise instead, which will draw the cool air up to the ceiling and force the warm air back down.  Some ceiling fans even have a "winter" setting.

Layer up Your Decor

I've never been a huge fan of seasonal decor because I'd rather spend money on permanent pieces, but I have to admit that this time of year I can totally understand layering in cozier textiles, like faux fur blankets, or maybe rolling out a cozy wool rug underfoot.  If a few decor touches help a home feel cozier, it's worth it!  Just make sure that no new additions (especially rugs) cover up any vents.

Hopefully these tricks help you feel cozier this winter - without reaching for that thermostat!  Nothing makes winter drearier than getting slammed with a massive heating bill.

If you're looking for more ideas to help make your home feel cozier, while also saving money on your monthly bills and supporting your community, visit www.saveonenergy.ca.  You'll discover new technologies, incentives, and tips for increasing your home's energy efficiency, as well as learning about how these changes can make a positive impact on your home's comfort and resale value.  I am always grateful for any information that helps save me money and feel more at home in my house, so I hope you'll find some great ideas!

Save on Energy is social!  Find them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

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The Felted Wool Ball Rug We All Love

In September I shared some of my tips for keeping my house clean, even with two messy puppers.  In that post I wrote about the routine we've created, which helps contain the dirt and sticks and leaves and mud.

I will admit today that when the weather is really, really, really cold I cheat and sometimes let the dogs out through the patio doors instead of bundling everyone (namely, me) up for a trek outside through the carport.  They don't drag in any mud or muck this time of year, which is why I'm okay with being lazy about this, but they do bring in some snow so I always keep a mat by the back door to prevent them from tracking in water.

And I've been through a few mats, for various, annoying reasons.

Somebody chewed the fringe on the rag rug I had there, so that was out.  Some mats were super slippery, others looked too outdoorsy - some of them the dogs refused to let touch their bodies, so they'd leap over them and onto the hardwood.  I even tried a chic bath mat, thinking it would be absorbent.  I know, I play fast and loose with decorating rules but, in my defense, it looked less bathroomy online.  In person, everyone asked about the bath mat in the dining room. 

It's been a revolving door of door mats.

When Sukhi, a company that sells quality, handmade rugs, reached out to me, I immediately fell for this felt ball rug and decided that this rug might just be the rug to solve our problems.

Unsurprisingly, the humans love it.  It's teal and made of felted wool balls (!!!) - you know how much I love felted wool balls - so it solves the problem of being stylish.  The size was perfect and didn't cover the vent (that's a win for hubby) and it's really absorbent which helps protect the hardwood floors from snowballs.

It's no surprise I liked it, but what surprised me was how much the puppers love it.  As soon as I unwrapped it, they dove for it but I wanted to wash the floors - and their stinky bodies - before putting it out, so I hid it under the bed.  Szuka couldn't reach it, but Hynda army crawled her way under there to snuggle it in secret.

When I finally slid it out from under the bed for photos, I barely maneuvered it a few feet when Hynda hopped on.  It's been awhile and nobody has tried to chew it.  I think they love it too much to hurt it; they each just snuggle it and chew their toys on it because the felted wool helps them grip stuff nicely.  When they come in from outside, they're content to chill here for a bit while I dry their feet off a little.  And now I only get compliments - no more questioning stares - about the back door mat.

Success!   

If I had the money, I'd buy a massive one for the living room which is a huge compliment from me, because I don't love area rugs.  But this feels so plush underfoot, I can only imagine how cozy it would make the living room feel this winter.  The craftsmanship is gorgeous and each rug comes with a tag that says who made it, which is a nice personal touch.

Sukhi has an amazing selection of handmade rugs from Nepal, India, Morocco, and Turkey.  The quality is amazing, plus you can customize so many of the designs - you'll find everything from flat weave to woolen loops.  You can even customize a felt wool ball rug like this one, in different patterns and sizes.  The selection is eye-popping.  According to the company, the artisans have great pay and working conditions, and that's always something I look for when I'm shopping.

I know how labor intensive making felt balls can be...

Thanks to Sukhi for sending me this gorgeous felt wool ball rug.  Szuka, Hynda, Hubby and I love it!  None of us were otherwise compensated and all thoughts, opinions, and puppy bums are our own.

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My Struggle With Dry Winter Skin + What Helped

We have had some seriously cold weather here recently.  There hasn't been much snow, but I've lost track of how many times the weather network issued us an Extreme Cold Weather warning.  Thanks, we know it's freaking cold, no need to rub it in...

With each passing year, my skin gets increasingly fed up with where I live and this year the dryness was the worst ever.  My skin peeled so much in mid-December that I couldn't even apply makeup because it just flaked off (gross).  Plus my skin felt really tight and uncomfortable.  Until Hubby and I move to Costa Rica, I knew that I had to make some changes in my routine to combat my dry, winter skin.  I hadn't really planned to share this as a blog post, but now I wish I had taken some before/after photos (below is not me) because in only a month, these simple changes made a huge difference - I no longer have scaly skin!

Here's what I did:

No More Scalding Hot Showers

I stopped drying my skin out with scalding hot water.  When it's cold, I like to linger in a hot, hot shower and although it helps my chilled bones, it was wreaking havoc on my skin so I turned down the heat a little and started washing my face with lukewarm water (below is also not me - although that's what my skin felt like).

No More Over Washing

I stopped associating dry skin with clean skin.  Years spent battling combination/oily skin with acne trained me to think that my skin is clean only when it's stripped of any oil.  I toned down on the scrubbing and also transitioned to a gentler cleanser.  I still use my favorite makeup dissolving cleanser after I remove my makeup, but for any other time I started using Beautycounter Nourishing Cream Cleanser.  My friend, Faith, is a consultant and she sent me a care package of Beautycounter goodies over the holidays and got me hooked.

More Moisturizing at Night

I started moisturizing at night!  I was moisturizing every morning but I didn't like to moisturize at night because I've always had this weird idea that my skin needs to breath.  Now I use the Beautycounter Countermatch Recovery Sleeping Cream when my skin is really tight, but I prefer the Countermatch Intensive Moisture Serum because it sinks in quickly and feels like there's nothing on my skin.  I just needed to find the right product for overnight moisturizing, because now I feel like my skin can still breathe, but I wake up to more hydrated skin.

More Time Between Moisturizing and Makeup

I started applying my moisturizer earlier in the morning.  My morning routine used to consist of washing my face, taking the dogs out, washing my hair, eating breakfast, drying and straightening my hair, then moisturizing before checking the time, realizing I'm running late, hurriedly slapping on some makeup and running out the door.

 One night I fell down the rabbit hole of YouTube videos and stumbled across someone who does makeup tutorials for dry skin and picked up this gem: you should really let moisturizer sink in for at least five minutes before applying makeup.  I was giving my moisturizing 5 seconds to absorb so I switched up my routine a little and started moisturizing before I bare my face to the frigid cold when I go out with the dogs.  That helped me SO much.  Plus I started using the Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion during the day, which adjusts hydration levels throughout the day - keeping my skin balanced.  It keeps the flakiness at bay, while still feeling light under my makeup. 

More Moisture During the Day

I started moisturizing when I get home from work.  When I get home from work, I remove my makeup and wash my face with the cream cleanser and then I apply a fresh layer of moisturizer - usually the serum (love it!) because it feels weightless.  I used to just scrub my face until it felt squeaky clean, but now I care for it a bit more and it seems to appreciate that.

More Water!

I've been drinking more water.  In the summer, I definitely drink 10+ glasses a day (go me) but in the winter, I turn to tea and my morning coffee and that caffeine really dehydrates me.  Someone introduced me to warm water with fresh ginger and lemon and I love that so much more than plain lemon water.

In reality, none of these tips are earth shattering, but they really help me a lot.  The key has been finding products I like and want to use - especially something that's light enough for me to wear overnight. 

I have skipped around to different moisturizers over the years and my bathroom drawer has quite a few that I abandoned for whatever reason (led to breakouts, stung on super dry skin, didn't absorb quickly, made my skin even drier, etc).  The Beautycounter packaging drew me in and made me want to try everything, but now I keep using it because of how it makes my skin feel.  Plus, Beautycounter prohibits 1500 chemicals thought to be harmful or questionable.  I've never been one to panic over "chemicals" (because life is chemicals), but I don't like the idea of coating my skin with anything that is thought to be harmful - even if it's a possibility.  I just don't want to play around.  I'll risk it for a doughnut, but not skin cream - especially when the skincare market now has great brands that are better for you, but perform just as well.

This post wasn't sponsored - I'm just super grateful that Faith introduced me to Beautycounter so I wanted to share my experience and some of my other (free) tips, since it seems like so many of us are battling super cold temps recently. If you're curious about the products, or overwhelmed by what's available, drop Faith a line.  I've peppered her with questions about what certain products are like in person (like a certain makeup palette I really want) and she's very knowledgeable.  Plus she shares makeup-free photos of her skin on social media, so you can see the products work their magic.  Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for more info.

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This Waterfront View Could be Yours! Enter for Your Chance to Win the HGTV® Dream Home 2018

This post is sponsored by HGTV® Dream Home 2018, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.  

If you follow me on Pinterest you might have noticed me filling up my boards with photos from the HGTV® Dream Home 2018.  This year's HGTV Dream Home Giveaway® 2018 is unbelievable: you can enter for a chance to win a beautifully furnished home located in Gig Harbor, Washington (overlooking the Puget Sound), plus an all new Honda Accord and $250,000 from national mortgage lender Quicken Loans®. 

I hope you all enter for a chance to win but even though only one person can win this stunning waterfront home, we can all pick up a few design ideas.  I'm aching with envy but I'm also so inspired by the modern architecture and the subtly coastal vibe.  The airy design boasts a lot of white, but it's kept interesting with layered textures, pretty pastels, and a collection of quirky accessories and art.  I'm sharing a few of my favorite photos (taken by Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography) below, but you can catch the whole tour here.

The kitchen might be my favorite room because it has really classic and timeless, all white cabinetry that's accessorized with pretty turquoise pieces.  I continually waffle between walnut cabinets and classic white cabinets in my own kitchen renovation planning, and this kitchen has me seriously leaning toward an all white design again.

Although the white on white design combined with stainless steel appliances and turquoises accessories (yes!) is a very cool palette, the touches of wood add a lot of warmth.  People sometimes encourage me to break up my turquoise, blue, and white decor with contrasting colors like orange or red, but I am just too committed to blues and greens.  I have a little orange and pink, here and there, but I consider warm wood tones to be enough of a contrast with cool colors.

These photos are my proof; I rest my case.

Just look at that stunning view!  

In the living room, the decor is very soft, which lets the incredible view steal the show.  I am so envious of that stunning wall of windows!  The placement of the fireplace is really unusual but it solves the classic waterfront dilemma when a fireplace is placed anywhere else: do I face the windows and enjoy the view, or face the fire and enjoy the warmth?  The fire or the view?  The view or the fire?  Problem solved!

I like how the decor incorporates subtle coastal touches.  There's nary a red + navy, nautical print to be found in the open concept kitchen/living/dining but many of the textures lend a beachy vibe to the space, like the beautiful rug in the living room and the baskets hung on the wall for clever storage.  The driftwood end table and soft blue hues play up the coastal location a little more, but the overall look is still soft and modern.

In the dining room, those pink chairs complement the blues and white so nicely.  I love the massive scale of the artwork and the unique way it incorporates a classic nautical motif: fish!

You can get a better sense of the open floor plan from these photos.

I'm 100% behind the trend forecast of modern pastels!  I am (already) done with winter, done with seeing moody hues, done with anything that feels dark and heavy.  I am so ready for uplifting, spring-inspired colors and lighter decor that feels more minimal and spacious.  Seeing these photos makes me realize that it might be time for me to de-clutter my lakehouse a little and infuse some more pastels and whites so my own decor feels airier and beachier...

I won't lie: this decor makes me want to tear down and start from scratch and this is just a small sampling of photos, there are so many other gorgeous spaces to tour - be sure to take a look.  I just want to share one more area:  the exterior, along with the stunning view (that could be yours!):

What's your favorite space or design idea from the HGTV® Dream Home 2018?

Good luck everyone!  If one of you wins, I'm going to have to insist that you let me visit.  I promise I won't steal that turquoise stand mixer from you...

No purchase necessary.  Open to legal residents of the U.S., age 21 or older.  Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts at 9 a.m. ET on 12/27/17 and ends at 5 p.m. ET on 2/16/18.  Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.  For full official rules, visit HGTV.com/HGTVDreamHome or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: “HGTV Dream Home Giveaway” RR, P.O. Box 53013, Knoxville, TN 37950.  Main Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC d/b/a Home & Garden Television.

HGTV, HGTV Dream Home, HGTV Dream Home Giveaway and their associated logos are trademarks of Scripps Networks, LLC. Used with permission; all rights reserved.

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