Mad About Tartan Plaid

What is it about Tartan Plaid that makes me swoon? Is it my Irish, English, Scottish heritage, or that part of me that longs to be an English Lady with a wood paneled library accented in Chintz & Tartan.  Is it the schoolgirl in me who gets weak in the knees at the sight of Mel Gibson and Liam Neeson in a kilt?  I don't know, but I do know that I'm mad about tartan plaid :)

Today was the perfect day to take one of these Tartan Plaid blankets on a picnic. We  use them to wrap around ourselves when the wind blows cold, we use them for tablecloths when we find the perfect picnic table in the park, and of course we use them for a dry warm barrier from the cool grass on a romantic picnic.  http://www.pendleton-usa.com/category/Home-Blankets/Throws/1822/pc/1816.uts

Ralph Lauren has been doing Tartan Plaid beautifully for a long time. He seems to understand that is goes beautifully with  so many things.  I've been a fan of Ralph Lauren's since I saw his first home display.  Just looking at this room makes me feel like we're kindred spirits :)

I love this bentwood side chair by Pendleton, It also comes in an arm chair. This is the kind of chair that you could  sit in from appetizers to dessert and still be comfortable in :) http://www.pendleton-usa.com/product/Home-Blankets/Furniture/CHAIRS/BENTWOOD-SIDE-CHAIR/168927/sc/1985/c/1825/pc/1816.uts

I love this tartan tableware. To me it's for more than just the holiday's I think it would be beautiful any time of year, but what a beautiful way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day :)
http://www.pendleton-usa.com/ensemble/Home-Blankets/Home-Collections/Dinnerware-Collections/Tartan-Dinnerware/601/sc/1836/c/1835/pc/1816.uts 

http://www.pendleton-usa.com/ensemble/Home-Blankets/Home-Collections/Dinnerware-Collections/Tartan-Dinnerware/601/sc/1836/c/1835/pc/1816.uts

The perfect example of a tartan plaid blanket or throw making a beautiful tablecloth

Here is a large tartan plaid blanket draped on a table in a garden, isn't it BEAUTIFUL!

I love this tufted tartan plaid chair, I could see a pair of these in my living room. Photo by Elle Decor

Market Monday & Give-Away Sew Cool Retro Aprons

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-style-apron-Womens-full-size-retro-apron-Shabby-Cottage-chic-/190649854032?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c639de850#ht_530wt_944  $27.99

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big Ebay shopper. I LOVE Ebay!  So I'm happy to bring you a really fun Ebay shop  Sew Cool Retro Aprons. http://myworld.ebay.com/mayrascorner/?_trksid=p4340.l2559  I found this shop recently while looking for a vintage style apron

Close up of the Give-Away Apron Skirt

  The pretty green apron at the top is hands down, my favorite, its sweet, pretty, and so vintage :) These aprons are very well made and I love the little details that make the aprons  more like a boutique dress than an apron :) One of the best things  about this shop is FREE shipping, don't you love it?  So the price of the apron is the price you pay :)

Top of Give-Away Apron with Pink Rose Pin

About Sew Cool Retro Aprons

 I live in Phoenix with my wonderful husband , our pup Ginger and a flock of Urban hens. Grew up the tomboy of the family and it is an ongoing joke how I turned out to be the "crafty" one. I love to sew, cook and garden, no small feat in the desert. I'm yet to grow a decent tomato. I'm all about upcycling (tryng to rescue old junk as my best friend puts it) and my fabric collecting borders in obsession. My shop is a great outlet to share what I do (and keep the fabric hoarding under control) :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Retro-apron-vintage-style-Half-Hostess-apron-HANDMADE-Cupcakes-/190649949976?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c639f5f18#ht_530wt_944  $16.99

Don't you love this adorable cupcake apron with polka dot strings  and pocket. It's so retro, I can almost see it in an "I love Lucy" episode :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-style-retro-apron-Full-womens-apron-Sweetheart-apron-/200724052205?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebc15f8ed#ht_580wt_944  $26.99

Are you hosting Easter this year?  How cute would you look in this adorable apron? This will take that little black dress up several notches and make you look like the hostess with the mostest :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-style-apron-Womens-full-size-retro-apron-Paris-theme-Handmade-/200712141205?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebb603995#ht_526wt_944  $26.99

If you love Paris in the Springtime, then you'll love this Paris themed apron

Now for our Give-Away :)  One lucky reader will win this adorable Black and White Apron made with 2 damask fabrics and a playful polka dot.

To enter this Give-Away you need to

1) Like Shannon Shanonigins on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shannons-Shanonigins/135210736536443?ref=ts  Leave a comment letting me know you liked my page

2) Visit The Sew Cool Retro Apron shop and come back and tell us which apron you like best http://www.ebay.com/sch/mayrascorner/m.html?hash=item2ebb603995&item=200712141205&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_trksid=p4340.l2562

For extra entries
3) Post this give-away on your Facebook page
4) Tweet about this give-away

I will be drawing for this apron on St. Patrick's Day so I hope the Luck of the Irish is with you :)
The Winner of this Give-Away is Tracey Alvernaz, Congratulations Tracey
Enjoy wearing your Apron :)

Top of The Morning from My House

I thought it would be fun to show you little glimpses of St. Patrick's Day decorations from around my home. I adore this sweet little Irish Lass from Bethany Lowe, but then again I love almost everything she does.

Here's the handsome little Lad that goes with her.  They are made of heavy card-stock and have little stands  in the back. They are dotted with glitter and are so vintage in style.  I found them both for less than $20 on Ebay.

Here's a shot of my St. Patrick's Day Garland, it looks like miniature vintage postcards and I just love it. I have it hanging on my pine hutch.

Here's a close up of one of the tiny postcards, the top says "Let Erin Remember". You guessed it, this is a Bethany Lowe piece :)

This little postcard says" St. Patrick's Day With Memories of Ireland". All the cards are covered with clear glitter :)

I wish I could tell you what this little guy says, but it would take eyes better than mine. He's still cute carrying his little satchel and umbrella, with his green hat on )

This card always makes me giggle, it looks so much like a pickle instead of a blimp :) The blimp say's "The Shamrock" on it, and the card says "The Top of the morning to you".

You had to know I'd have  one of these around ;)  I bought this several years ago at the House of Windsor boutique.

 I found this little cutie on Ebay last year.  I just love the cupie face on this little ornament.
So Happy St. Patrick's Day from this Irish Lass and I wish you lot's  of Irish luck this year :)

Marketplace Monday Linen Whites

Today I'm going to start participating in a new blogging program called Market Place Monday. I will feature a shop on ETSY or Ebay that sells lovely items for your home and for entertaining.  My first store is an ETSY store called Linen Whites. They specialize in monogrammed linens, one of my favorite things :)  The table runner you see in the photo above (I'm so buying this) is $48.00.  It's sure to become a family heirloom and would make the perfect wedding or anniversary gift  http://www.etsy.com/listing/60042410/monogrammed-linen-runner

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58954139/ivory-color-irish-linen-lace

About Linen Whites

Having long admired heirloom embroidered monograms, it was a natural leap for me to create a lifestyle company specializing in offering an exquisite monogram service. Over the past decade we have acquired an extensive collection of gorgeous monogram fonts & borders. Each order is custom created especially for your occasion. It is our great pleasure to create your linen heirlooms especially for you.

I love this.  This is a gown label to put inside a wedding, christening, or first communion gown, or any gown that you may want to pass down or remember the special date. What a unique and beautiful gift for a bride.  For $18.00 this is a priceless gift  http://www.etsy.com/listing/47464753/personalized-wedding-gown-label

You know I loved this :)   Although this is listed as a handkerchief, I think these would make beautiful napkins.  How elegant would this be at your next dinner?  $17.95  http://www.etsy.com/listing/79318052/ribbon-lace-handkerchief-with-floral

http://www.etsy.com/listing/73463748/wedding-handkerchief-with-3-initial

I love this beautiful handkerchief, it would be perfect for a bride, or for the Mother of the Bride (since she'll be the one crying).  This just says "beautiful heirloom" to me.  I hope you've enjoyed this little tour through Linen Whites.  If your looking for something special, something romantic, or a special heirloom, check out Linen Whites    http://www.etsy.com/people/linenwhites?ref=ls_profile