Weekend Wardrobe: Dirndling Away

Dirndl Dress: Vintage/Similar; Pocket Knife Necklace: Snash Jewelry; Belt: Vintage/Similar; Shoes: J Crew.

Sorry about the title of this post, guys; I just can't resist a good pun! And that one wasn't even good! Good job, Becca. Sheesh.

Anyway! It was a lovely weekend. Friday I had an awesome night hanging out with Elle. We went and saw Monsters University, which was SO great! I'm a sucker for a good Pixar movie, and this one had us both laughing just about the whole time. After movie time we went out for dinner and a couple of drinks and had a grand old time!

Saturday I checked out a new cafe near my house with my friend, Sarah, and then we went and got some ice cream (PB&J!) and walked around looking at some cute shops. And then Sunday morning I went to breakfast with Michele, and then we popped into the farmers market afterward to do our weekly purchasing of gorgeous, gorgeous produce. I also spent a lot of time over the weekend doing some cooking, cleaning, and working on some projects, like sprucing up the ol' blog a little.

It was a great weekend that had a perfect combination of relaxing, socializing, and getting things done! My brain has been swimming in thoughts lately, so it was nice to have a calm weekend to get a lot done and get some of those thoughts out of my head. Sometimes that internal to-do list is intense!

In other news, can we please talk about this vintage dirndl I'm wearing? It was a pretty exciting find! I was out vintage shopping with my lovely cousin last weekend (check out her amazing calligraphy over at Imagine Joy!), and had remarked that I was excited that they had a few things that would potentially fit me. This is always exciting because I wear a modern size 12, and since ladies used to be substantially tinier it can be tough to find cute vintage pieces. Fortunately for me, one of the ladies working at the store overheard this and totally sympathized and related! She told me that they just got a few things in that were my size and she'd go grab them for me!

One of the things she brought over was this vintage dirndl. I'm so glad she overheard me talking and grabbed it for me because it fits like a glove and has amazing details, like the tiniest little pin-tucks I've ever laid eyes on. It makes an amazing summer dress, but since it's a sturdy cotton, I think I'll also get some good wear out of this in the winter with some tights and a good cardigan.

Did you guys do anything fun over the weekend? 

Til next time!

-Becca

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Sponsorship Opportunities on Ladyface Blog!

Hey guys!

Becca here! After a very busy spell this month, I'm thrilled to let you know that Ladyface Blog is now offering sponsorship opportunities! If you think you might be interested in promoting your blog or business through Ladyface Blog, please visit my Sponsor page for more information.

I'm so appreciative of all the support I've received from you guys in the time that I've been blogging, so I'd like to extend a 30% discount to you on ad spaces purchased during July and August. Just use the code, THANKYOU30, at check-out to receive the discount!

Again, thank you so much for your support! I'm really looking forward to helping you promote your blog or business!

Til next time!

-Becca

Apricot Preserves

If you follow me on Instagram, you may know that I declared Sunday, July 14th the best day of the year. Why? Because it was apricot preserves day! On Apricot Preserves day, I wake up early, drag myself to the farmers market to buy a 20 lb box of apricots, lug it home on the bus, and then spend all day sweating in the kitchen making preserves. 

I realize that description doesn't make it sound that fun, but trust me, it's great! The whole house smells amazing, I blast music, usually Neko Case, sing at the top of my lungs, and totally get into this awesome relaxed groove while I can and can and can. By then end of the day, I'm obviously exhausted, but I have about 30 jars of the most delicious preserves and know that me and my preserves-loving-friends will have something delicious and homemade in the cupboard to last us until next summer (ya know, if we pace ourselves)!

The recipe I use is from what's basically my canning bible, Canning for a New Generation by Liana Krissoff. Her recipes are amazing. I particularly love that they're low sugar recipes that generally rely on the pectin already present in the fruit you're using. This helps the preserves really hold the true flavor of the fruit you're working with!

Liana was sweet enough to give me permission to post a few of the recipes from Canning for a New Generation on my blog, but I highly recommend you go out and buy her book to see all the amazing recipes and tips she has to offer!

Apricot and Vanilla-Bean Preserves (Recipe from Canning for a New Generation)- Makes about 5 half-pint jars
(* = notes from Becca at Ladyface Blog!)

Ingredients:
- 3 lbs ripe apricots, halved and pitted (no need to peel)
- 1/2 cup rose or white wine, or 3 tbs fresh lemon juice 
(*I actually use 3 tbs of lemon juice plus enough wine to equal 1/2 cup!)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
-2 vanilla beans split lenghtwise 
(*buy vanilla beans in the bulk spice section of your grocery store! They'll be like, 75 cents each instead of $10 for a jar of two.)

Prepare for water-bath canning: Sterilize the jars and keep them hot in the canning pot, put a small plate in the freezer, and put the flat lids in a heat proof bowl. (See page 21 for details. (*If you're a seasoned canner, you'll be in good shape. If you're new to it, pick up the book so you can read more about the process, which is what's on page 21!))

Cut the apricots into 1/4-inch slices. Put the apricots, wine, (*lemon juice), sugar, and vanilla beans in a wide 6- to 8-quart preserving pan. Bring to a simmer stirring frequently, then continue to cook until the juices are just deep enough to cover the apricots, about 5 minutes. Pour into a colander set over a large bowl and stir the apricots gently to drain off the juice. Return the juice to the pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is reduced by about half, 5 to 10 minutes.

Return the apricots and vanilla beans and any accumulated juice to the pan and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring frequently, until a small dab of the jam spooned onto the chilled plate and returned to the freezer for a minute becomes somewhat firm (it will not gel), 10-15 minutes. (*This step usually takes 8 minutes for me!) Remove from the heat and stir gently for a few seconds to distribute the fruit in the liquid.

Ladle boiling water from the canning pot into the bowl with the lids. Using a jar lifter, remove the sterilized jars from the canning pot, carefully pouring the water from each one back into the pot, and place them upright on a folded towel. Drain the water off the lids.

Remove the vanilla-bean pods and ladle the hot jam into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace at the top. Slide a piece of vanilla-bean pod into each jar so that it's visible from the outside. Use a damp paper towel to wipe the rims of the jars, then put a flat lid and ring on each jar, adjusting the ring so that it's just finger-tight. Return the jars to the water in the canning pot, making sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes to process. Remove the jars to a folded towel and do not disturb for 12 hours. (*This assumes you do not have cats who will jump on the counter while you're asleep and knock them over. Sheesh.) After 1 hour, check that the lids have sealed by pressing down on the center of each; if it can be pushed down, it hasn't sealed, and the jar should be refrigerated immediately. Label the sealed jars and store.

Aren't they the prettiest preserves? They're amazing on toast, in your yogurt, or in your oatmeal, and also make a great cake filling, awesome homemade fruit leather, and are perfect for making this apricot and custard tart!

Do you have a favorite way to use preserves?

Til next time!

-Becca

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Weekly Wishlist- Pretty, Pretty Accessories

Hi guys! As promised yesterday, here's a round-up of all the gorgeous goods I wish I would have been able to take home with me from the vendors at Urban Craft Uprising. There are a lot of amazingly pretty and unique accessories on this list!

 1. Octavia Bag by xobruno

How gorgeous is this bag? The fabric, the leather, the shape, everything!

2. "Icosahedron" Enamel Necklace by Plastique x Magna

I've been really interested in geometric shapes lately, and love the way the colors of this lovely enamel necklace give it a lot of extra personality.

3. Peacock Feather Boot Keepers by Keeper Goods

These pretties are perfect to put in your favorite boots when you're not wearing them. Not only do they help them keep their shape, but they make a gorgeous display. Phyllis was also showing some amazing felt clutches in this peacock pattern at Urban Craft Uprising and I'm really hoping they will make an appearance on her website soon! 

 4. Peanut Gallery Necklace by Snash Jewelry

I already took home a gorgeous tiny pocket knife necklace from Snash Jewelry, but was so sad to leave this darling necklace behind. I love all the little people and am amazed at the detail on this fun little piece of jewelry.

5. Mustard Market Weave Tote by Slide Sideways

Ya know how sometimes you see a tote bag and think "I could totally make that myself"? This is NOT one of those times! This print is gorgeously intricate and the addition of the leather straps makes this tote a lot fancier- perfect to use as a handbag!

 6. Art Deco Half Circle Necklace by Bird of Virtue

Oh, Bird of Virtue, your jewelry just gets me all a-flutter. This necklace is just amazing. I love the combination of the woods, and the gold metallic sunburst action is over-the-top pretty! I can't get enough!

7. Cedar+Lemongrass Reusable Dryer Sheet Liquid by Pepperjack Home

I know it's a little bit of a stretch as an accessory, but a nice scent kinda counts as an accessory, right? I love the amazing aroma of this dryer sheet liquid. I've never used dryer sheets before since I have such bad fragrance allergies, but since these are made only with essential oils my clothes can smell like a dream without the nasty side effects!

I hope you enjoyed checking out all these amazing accessories!

What are you wishing for this week?

Til next time!

-Becca

P.S. I strayed a bit from my usual wishlist format on this post. What do you guys think? Are you fans of this format or do you like to see everything clustered together? I kind feel like there might be a time and a place for both?

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Pretty Little Things- Urban Craft Uprising

1. "Ruby" Print by Anna Todaro; 2. Lavender+Sage Natural Deodorant from Schmidt's Natural Deodorant; 3. Grapefruit+Bergamot Soap from Pepperjack Home; 4. Tiny Pocket Knife Necklace from Snash Jewelry; 5. Garden Bon Bon from Moulton; 6. Coral Reef Fishes Book Journal from Ex Libris Anonymous; 7. Tiny sewing kit, not sure where from!; 8. Gallivant Print- On Wood by Adrienne Vita

Ok, so by now you may know the I attended and volunteered at Urban Craft Uprising over the weekend. It was a lot of fun getting to meet some new crafty people and check out all of the gorgeous items the vendors came with. I, of course, brought a few things home, so I thought I would share what I got!

Now, one of the perks of volunteering is that you get to bring home a swag bag! Mine included some great stuff like this gorgoues "Ruby" Hummingbird print by Anna Todaro, an amazing smelling natural deodorant from Schmidt's Natural Deodorant, a garden bon bon that will grow cilantro and caraway (yum!) from Moulton, an awesome journal made from a recycled copy of Coral Reef Fishes of the Caribbean from Ex Libris Anonymous, and a cute little sewing kit that will be perfect to keep in my purse for emergency clothing situations! There was also an awesome brownie from D:Floured, but ya'll know that got eaten before I could get a picture of it!

In addition to all the awesome goodies I brought home from volunteering, I also purchased a few things, naturally. Since I could easily go overboard at a show full of so many amazing creations, I decided to give myself $60 cash for spending money. And, of course, I ended up spending every last penny.

I'm completely in love with this fox print on wood that I picked up from Adrienne Vita. Isn't he pretty? I'm not quite sure where I'll hang him yet, but I'm sure I'll find the perfect spot! The rest of her prints are just as gorgeous, so I think I might have to build a collection of them.

This grapefruit and bergamot soap from Pepperjack Home smells so so so amazing. I often shy away from scented products since I have some pretty gnarly allergies to most fragrances, but these products are made with only essential oils so I'm able to breathe in all the fantastic aromas without any signs of asthma or a stuffy nose. In addition to soap, they also make laundry products, sugar scrubs, room sprays, and a whole line of men's products. Everything. Smells. So. Good.

Last but not least, I brought home this pocket knife necklace from Snash Jewelry. Oh man, there were so many pretty things, but this little tiny pocket knife made my heart go pitter patter, so it came home with me. I think I've worn it every day since I got it, so you'll probably be seeing it in an upcoming outfit post or twenty!

There was a lot of amazing stuff at Urban Craft Uprising, so tomorrow I'll be sure to share some of my favorite items that didn't make it home with me on my Weekly Wishlist.

Til next time!

-Becca

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