Tipsy Ice Cream Treats and Cocktails

       I Hate Ice Cream!

                               Said no one.

                                                   Ever.

We all love ice cream; scoops, sundaes, sodas, shakes and splits. All forms and flavors with sprinkles, chocolate, hot fudge, caramel sauce and topped of course with whipped cream and a cherry!

 

 But what if you want to add a little adult fun to your ice cream? (and for those of you whose thoughts immediately went to certain ummm… recreational activities, that is not what this blog is about. Try to stay with me here.)

 What I am talking about here is liquors, liqueurs and even the humble beer. That’s right tipsy ice cream treats.

 

Some of the easiest are liqueur sundaes. Top a scoop of vanilla ice cream with Kahlua, some whipped cream and sprinkle with crushed coffee beans. Try a splash of Grand Marnier or Cointreau over chocolate ice cream garnished with chocolate sprinkles and a twist of orange. 

Heisey/Imperial Goblets

Or open an ice cream “bar” for your friends. Put out a selection of liqueurs; Amaretto, Bailey's Irish Crème, Frangelico, and the aforementioned Kahlua, Grand Marnier and Cointreau are some popular choices. 

Choose a complementary ice cream flavor (vanilla goes with everything but be adventurous!) and scoop it into pretty dishes kept in the freezer until time for the party.

Vintage glassware from Charmings Collectibles adds a touch of whimsy. Here we have some elegant stemmed goblets by Heisey/Imperial and Depression glass sherbets paired with pretty china saucers, silver plated spoons and pastel straws.

Wexford Glass

Add a selection of toppings and a bowl of whipped cream so that your guests can pick their liqueur and build their own sundaes.Featured here is a grouping of Wexford glass from Charmings Collectibles. Use a creamer for your hot fudge or caramel topping, add a sherbet full of nuts or candies and a gather a selection of sprinkles on a glass tray.



 
 There are some terrific sites on the net for ice cream cocktails and here are a few of my favorites

• Ice Cream Floats - http://www.brit.co/spike-your-sweets-5-classic-cocktail-ice-cream-floats/

• Cocktails - http://www.absolutdrinks.com/en/drinks/with/vanilla-ice-cream/ Tipsy Shakes - http://www.buzzfeed.com/arielknutson/26-boozy-milkshakes-that-know-how-to-party#862vvy 

• Beer and Ice cream? Yes! - http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/08/best-beer-float-ice-cream-combination-cicerone.html  

 And be sure to stop by Charmings Collectibles for vintage glass, china and accessories!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/charmings

https://www.zibbet.com/charmingsvintagecollectibles

Basic Glove Etiquette

Every fashionista simply must have a number of gloves in her wardrobe! But which ones? When and where should they be worn?  Here are a few basic rules.

• Gloves are always appropriate for outings, whether shopping, lunch with the girls or more formal events.  Just be sure you are wearing the correct glove style and length for the occasion. Day gloves are almost always short. Slightly longer gloves with a flared top are worn for sporting events and driving. The length of opera gloves depends on the length of the sleeve – the shorter the sleeve the longer the glove. 
  

• Gloves are worn when shaking hands unless you are shaking the hand of the President or a monarch in which case you should remove your gloves. They of course would leave their gloves on.

• Gloves should be put on over rings but bracelets (especially big sparkly cuffs!) may be worn over the glove. Think Marilyn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes...

• Gloves should be removed when you are seated at the dinner table and placed on your lap under the napkin. Gloves should never be worn when eating or smoking and usually not when drinking.

• There is conflicting information on whether or not gloves should be worn when dancing. It seems to depend on how intimate the relationship is - ie remove them for your fiancé but perhaps not for your sweaty palmed uncle.

 
For more information about evening gloves please visit   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evening_glove

Wondering what length glove to wear for your wedding? http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/225767/wearing-gloves-glove-lengths

This article has a great deal of information about glove styles. https://www.mafca.com/downloads/Fashions/Gloves.pdf

Please visit my sister shop Fancy Nancy Vintage for a selection of gloves, jewelry and accessories.

Vintage Planters Alternate Uses

Thinking outside the box – Planters

Hull Mid Century Pink Black Gold Squiggle Planter

During a recent antique show I noticed something that puzzled me. One planter in particular was picked up and admired a number of times but then put back down. Obviously people liked it but no one wanted to take it home. Why was that? I had a very fair price on it and it is a cool mid-century style which was popular with the crowd.

 

I started to think that the problem wasn’t with the item but due to the fact that the customers didn’t see the potential this little planter possessed! Many people shy away from planters due to unfortunate experiences with dead plants in the past and the guilt involved in their untimely deaths. So... don't think of this piece as a PLANTer but as a CONTAINer.

I imagine some of you are thinking – container for what?
Here's one option. Fill it with essentials for overnight guests and place it in your guest bedroom or bath.  So easy and many of the items are probably already in your linen closet.

I started with a washcloth and shower puff in complementary colors plus a fresh bar of soap. Then I added some of those small bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and other products that I never use at the hotel but have to take with me. I paid for them and I always think I might need them sometime. And see, finally a use for them!  A quick search though my gift wrap box and voila a small organza bag that a candle or something came in to group the little bottles. 

Put it all together and how pretty is that?  Your overnight guest will feel cherished and you don't have to tell them how easy it was to make.

Flowers - What do they say?

Valentine's Day Flowers with Meaning

 
Valentine's Day is the perfect time to express your feelings with flowers but do you know what you're saying?
 
A bouquet of red roses says "I love you". 

However a posy of Petunias means something entirely different.

Glamor Girl Head Vase

 Fill this demure head vase with orange or coral roses which indicate desire.

A mixed message?

 Maybe, but one your Valentine will love!

Royal Ruby Vase

Say you are there forever with a mix of red and white roses symbolizing unity.

For that extra special touch present them in this Royal Ruby Vase.

Fostoria Frisco Vase

 To tell your love how much Joy they have brought into your life fill this lovely yellow vase with yellow roses. 

Forest Green Ring Vase

Compliment your valentine's beauty with a bouquet of daisies. 

Give them in this lovely green vase and she will remember your thoughtfulness all year.

Jefferson Lined Heart Vase

Tell your Valentine "you're heavenly" with white roses and create a spectacular presentation use the blue opalescent vase appropriately called Lined Heart. 

Don't give white rose buds as you will be sending an entirely different message.

Rainflower Royal Ruby Vase

Red chrysanthemums, tulips, and carnations all say I love you.

But make sure they are all red. 

Striped carnations mean the end of a relationship!













I hope you have enjoyed learning about the meanings of flowers and that you will present you flowers in a lovely vintage vase. Happy Valentine's Day!


 To learn more about floral lexicons visit http://hendry.ifas.ufl.edu/HCHortNews_FloralLexicon.htm

Valentines Day Ideas

A Very Vintage Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to celebrate romance. Start planning now to create a truly memorable day.

Candy is a traditional gift and although much appreciated it can be a little, well unimaginative.

Heisey Lariat Candy Jar

Go beyond the expected heart shaped box and put your sweet offerings in a beautiful candy jar!

The chocolates may disappear quickly but your thoughtfulness will be remembered all year.
 
Filling this beautiful Heisey Candy Jar with Hershey's kisses might get you lots of kisses in return ♥

Star of David Candy Dish

A lovely covered candy dish filled with conversation
 hearts is a sweet (and inexpensive) way to tell her you love her ♥

Fostoria Berry Candy Bowl

Tell your Valentine she's delicious by putting some gourmet's chocolates in this beautiful container. Milk glass and chocolate, what could be better? 

 
Coming up next - How to up your game with another traditional Valentines Day gift.

For more beautiful candy containers and other Valentine's Day gifts stop by
Charmings on Etsy or our website Charmings Collectibles.

Swanky Swigs

How many of us have fond memories of that special glass – you know, the one with the pretty blue tulips or comical characters? Most likely you are thinking of Swanky Swigs!

Blue Cornflower Swanky Swig Juice Glass

The original Swanky Swigs were produced in the 1930’s through the early 1940’s and are thought to have been made by Hazel Atlas. These charming glasses were sold filled with Kraft Cheese products. Eat the cheese and you had a free glass! Talk about being green – nothing going in the landfill from that packaging. In fact these little glasses have become quite the collectible.

The most popular glasses were the flowers; tulips, daisies, cornflowers to name a few. But there were a lot of other designs. Bustling Betsy was another favorite with different scenes in bright yellow, red, blue, green and orange.

Orange Bustling Betsy Swanky Swig Juice Glass

Did you know that Swanky Swigs also came in opaque colors?  These glasses have a sprayed on finish and sometimes a colorful decal as well.

Opaque Green Swanky Swig Juice Glass

So the next time you are visiting your Grandmother take a peek in her kitchen cabinets – you just might find a cherished childhood memory!