secret supper

for over 30 years my family has carried the tradition of a Halloween secret supper! What, you might ask, is a secret supper?

All come to dinner at my mom's house, some in costume, bearing food, drink or dessert. the secret is that no one can know what others are bringing . . .all is left to chance.

One year we had all desserts (OK, it sounds good but, not really), other years no dessert. Last year, newly married, I whipped up a truly horrifying and extremely HOT Indian meat dish - ick. Even the hot foodies in my family couldn't tolerate it. This year will be better but of course, I'm not telling what I'm bringing.

After dinner we present something halloweenie, a story, a song or a shy little wail (for those who don't want to be coerced into performing).

This is HALLOWEEN!

I dedicate this post to our dear friend Diane Nielson - she was one of the original secret supperers and now she watches us from on high - love and miss you Diane

Tea Time

kettle on? check.
chamomile tea bag ready? check.
honey bear out? check.
darling vintage tea cup and saucer?
time to head over to abode!!!

in british tea culture a lovely cup and saucer is a must!
(and i do agree that i feel like the queen
while sipping from one...pinky up of course)

not much of a tea fan?

don't worry,
you can still put these dainty treasures
to good use,
check out this simple diy project
courtesy of design sponge:

teacup candles!!

wouldn't these make a great gift?

i love projects that find new
uses for vintage goodies.

(click here for full instructions)


come see our selection
and be sure to bring your
english accents...
tea and crumpets anyone?

STrIKe a PoSE & SAve 30%

It's fashion week at abode!

All clothing and accessories 30% off

We're talking VinTage here

Dress to impress - Audrey Hepburn, anyone?

abode style Unforgettable

Multi-talented hardly does justice to Sande. She is a designer, a memory maker, a cultivator an inspiration and a dear friend. Her blog is as delicious as her sense of style! Her home inspires memories and secrets of the past.

Her fusion of family and function makes her style Unforgettable!

What's your style?

geT yOuR gHoST On

guess what we're up to here at abode? to signal in the bewitching hour we're holding a pumpkin carving contest!! entries must be submitted by October 30th and the winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to your favorite fun, funky functional shop - abode!!

Construction chic

Dress for excess! Wear the hottest color! Match I80 decor!

Thanks to the bail out road construction will become the 2000 Olympics of 2009-2011 - be the first to sport road cone orange to your next event. C'mon, you know you want to!

and the goblins'll getcha if you don't watch out!

once there was a little boy who wouldn't say his prayers

and when he went to bed at night a waaay upstairs, his mammy heard him holler and his pappy heard him bawl and when they turnt the kivvers down, he wasn't there at all and the goblins'll getcha if you don't watch out!!

in honor of Halloween and the dark and scary nights all things black - 30% off this week!

tuPpErwARe

Just one quick whiff and you'll be transported back to the days of leftovers and potlucks! Tupperware is one of the most useful creations on the planet. And you can date the containers by their colors. Tupperware gave us the excuse to "burp" without getting in trouble!

abode style Linda's Kitchen Collectibles!

Linda de Azevedo Is a lovely, lively friend with a zest for life and a love for all things interesting! She shared her style with us:

"What I call my collection is "Linda's Kitchen Collectibles". I definitely love kitchens and items used in them and representing the decades of the 30s, 40s, and 50s. . I began buying things at yard sales and estate sales that reminded me of my childhood times spent in the kitchens of my Grandma Edith, my Gram Nell, and my mother, Joyce. I like the Hazel Atlas, Fire King, Primary Colors Pyrex-ware, Glasbake, Deco-ware canister sets, Bakelite utensils, Lu-Ray pastel kitchen dishes. I have a rather large collection of little girls' housekeeping toys from Wolverine Toy Co. This includes tin lithographed kitchen pieces, stoves, sinks, Hoosiers, hutches, and refrigerators. I have several sets in different scale sizes, plus the toy utensils to go with them. I love Homer Laughlin Fiestaware, and Bauer and Harlequin vintage platters and bowls, green and red-handle vintage kitchen utensils---eggbeaters are a favorite. Can't pass up "Bak-in" Pantry Ware by Crooksville, Hostess Ware by Pottery Guild, Universal Cambridge pitchers, and bowls. Vintage dish sets are amusing to use on a daily basis mixed in with your regular dishes. The vast variety of shapes, colors, materials, and uses create in me a feeling of whimsy and wonder, as well as a fond respect for the women who cooked and baked for their families in the kitchens of yesterday."

Very inspirational.

What's your style?