From the monthly archives:

February 2010

Picardie glass tumblers, $79 for a set of 24 (assorted sizes) at Williams Sonoma

About nine month ago we stocked up on Ikea glasses for everyday use.  We like them, but between our clumsy butterfingers and the dishwasher’ tendency to eat them for breakfast, it’s beginning to feel like an Agatha Christie novel in our cupboard . . . and then there were five.

I settled on the above Picardie Tumblers.  Their French bistro curves put me in mind of lazy afternoons whiled away at a cafe.  Reviewers say they withstand a bounce on the floor, which is a job requirement in our house.  In the long run, they’ll go nicely with the Laguiole flatware we’re eying.

The runner up was the sturdy and respectable, not to mention affordable, Working Glass from Crate & Barrel.  These come with a plastic lid, so they can double as food storage containers.  The lines are more akin to a jam jar.

Handsome, no?

These two glasses strike me as masculine and feminine versions on a theme.

Working Glass, $.50-1.50 at Crate & Barrel

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French Bull Salad Servers

February 24, 2010 Uncategorized

Cheeriest Picnic Accessory Ever. Spotted via happy lady eats.

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Spring Shoes: Wedges, Loafers, and Oxfords

February 23, 2010 Fashion

Ipswich Kiltie Wedge by Rachel Comey, $345 at shopbop There are so many lovely femme fashions this spring, and I’m just not digging ballet flats with them.  To temper the florals and ruffles, I’m gravitating towards shoes that have a dash of menswear, leavened with a wedge or perhaps metallics.  The Rachel Comey pair above [...]

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Discovery: Pip & Estella

February 22, 2010 Feathering the Nest

I’m loving the online boutique Pip & Estella, discovered via My Favorite and My Best. The shop’s smallish selection of vintage bohemian accessories and textiles can be purchased individually, or as sets designed to work together. The globe print above would cheer up a kid’s room or library.  I’d get a kick out of spooning [...]

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Decorating With Vintage Lobster Buoys

February 19, 2010 Feathering the Nest

My mom stumbled on these vintage wooden lobster buoys while I was out of town.  Put ‘em on the ever-growing list of Things For Which I Owe Mom, right after Life Itself and Style Persnickety-ness. Check out the patina.  Wowzas. I haven’t a clue what to do with them, which might mean they’re already in [...]

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Easy No-Bake Ice Box Cake

February 18, 2010 Food

When I asked my husband what he wanted for his birthday, he ticked off a long list of food: “Lasagna, Brussel sprouts, ice box cake, brownies . . .” And so, tonight we’re having lasagna, Brussel sprouts and ice box cake.   (Brownies later in the weekend, unless I get ambitious, which is unlikely, because lasagna [...]

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Tweet That

February 18, 2010 Uncategorized

All you tweetie birds can now keep up with new 5thjoy posts via Twitter.  Sign up to follow 5thjoy here.

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Preview: H&M Garden Collection

February 17, 2010 Fashion

The internet is awash with Fall Fashion Week images, what with their beige and brown and black and fur.  There’s snow on the ground.  I should be gearing up for a weekend of wintry grub and movies.  But gosh darn it, I’m in the mood for wallet-friendly, warm weather frippery. H&M’s Garden Collection might do [...]

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Discovery: Shop Goodwill Online!

February 16, 2010 Feathering the Nest

Did you know Goodwill has an online auction site?  I’ve just discovered it, and I’m smitten.  My family, that inveterate group of thrift pickers, begged me not to blog it.  But really, wouldn’t that be against the spirit of 5thjoy? The inventory isn’t overwhelming, and once you’ve trolled the categories of interest the ‘new today’ [...]

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Top 10 Coffee Table Books: Photography

February 12, 2010 Feathering the Nest

We have a new coffee table arriving this week, so I’m particularly jazzed about the books that might grace it. As many of us gravitate towards e-readers, my sense is that the physical books we’ll buy will be the drop-dead gorgeous ones.  Take a peek at my ten favorite photography tomes, and stay tuned for [...]

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