Posted by Cobi on Monday September 28, 2009 at 07:00 AM
cobi's house •
collecting •
organizing •
Comments (5)
Can you guess what these dishes were originally used for?
If you can, you might be dating yourself 
One of my favourite things to collect these days is old airline dishes. Yes kids, airplane meals used to be served on china! And even to regular humans sitting in coach!
There’s something romantic about the thought of flying through the air and eating (even airplane food) on Royal Doulton dishes. It’s just so much more special than plastic.
The first time I found these dishes I was at an antique show (the kind that goes to malls, etc.) a few years ago and I just loved using them and giving them as gifts. Since then, I’ve found them at flea markets, junk stores and even Value Village. Of course they’re on ebay too, just plug in ‘airline dishes’ and you’ll get a few pages of results although I have to say the prices are higher on ebay than I’ve had to pay in person (I think my cheapest was $2.00 and highest I’ve paid is $12.00).
I use them for all kinds of things…
• a place to put jewellery or a watch by the kitchen/bathroom sink or bedside table
• keys and change on the hall console
• soap in the powder room
• olives or pistachios when entertaining
• same goes for chocolates with coffee
• hair pins and elastics
• business cards, postit notes, paper clips on my desk
They would be great stacked with little Christmas cookies, candies or fudge and wrapped in cello for teachers gifts at Xmas …hmmm….maybe I should start hitting Value Village more often…
There’s something about the square/rectangular shape that looks neater than a round dish and they’re so strong, they can take the bangin’ around that happens in a busy household. And of course, who can go wrong with white.
So keep an eye out on your travels…it’s even fun to see who’s stamped on the back, so far I have dishes from Air Canada (by Royal Doulton), Canadian Airlines (by Noritake). USAir, American Airlines and United Airlines (by Pfaltzgraff). I’d love to hear if you collect them too!
Posted by Cobi on Monday September 21, 2009 at 07:00 AM
cobi's house •
colour •
entertaining •
garden •
summer •
Comments (3)
Last weekend we threw a little engagement party in our backyard for my nephew Michael and his lovely fiance Wing.
I wanted to give the party a fun and happy feeling since they are such a fun and happy young couple.
The solution was so easy and affordable, I had to share it with you…
Paper lanterns from Chinatown are one of my favourite things ~ you can probably tell from my website!
Just brilliant balls of colour.
I put little ones down the table and scattered others with groups of votive candles….
We placed the large ones randomly around the yard and if they looked like they might blow into the pool and we just weighted them inside with a rock. They would also look great hanging from the trees with fishing line.
Besides the instant colour impact, the best thing about them is they fold flat for storage and so we can keep them on a shelf in the basement for the next birthday party, shower, New Years eve or any other celebration that calls for colourful balls of fun. The other good thing is that the dogs can’t burst them.
This is my mom’s dog Lucy.
If you don’t live close to a Chinatown, I found them easily online. Try www.asianideas.com or www.paperlanternstore.com.
No matter how much life weighs you down, don’t let it stop you from celebrating the good things when they come around…and they always do come around. You’ll feel lighter and brighter for it.
Posted by Cobi on Monday September 14, 2009 at 07:00 AM
cobi's house •
collecting •
organizing •
Comments (3)
If you read decorating magazines, you’ve probably seen this idea before. With September organizing in mind, I just can’t help showing it again…
It’s a great way for anyone who has left a job (like moi) and finds themselves working from home and having to manage all of the paper and supplies that go with it.
You can pick up these old picnic baskets for next to nothing almost anywhere - garage sales are the best, I don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $`10.00 for one. I guess they just don’t get used now that coolers have taken over the world?
Anyway, what I love about them is their squareness (or rectangleness?) and the flat lid. That means you can put lots of paper work inside and stack. They can even make a great side table solution with storage.
As I said, I use them for work info. but also for travel info. that collects. Am I the only one that ends up with a plastic bag full of maps, brochures, notes, etc. after each trip? What do other people do with that stuff? Let me know if you have any ideas! I know magazine holders work well. I usually edit the info. down, keep it in a nice shopping bag or file folder and then keep it in these baskets or like ones. And I have to admit, unlike other papers I keep, I do tend to go back to travel information later - either for us or for others - and so it’s worth keeping. My ‘Paris bag o’ info.’ has made it’s way to at least 4 friend’s homes in that last year. Sadly, I haven’t had a need to look at it again :(
Anyway, if I haven’t made it clear, I love old picnic baskets. Cheap, useful and cute. It doesn’t get better than that.
Posted by Cobi on Monday September 07, 2009 at 07:00 AM
cottage •
family •
summer •
Comments (6)
And just like that, it’s over.
Would we all agree? The shortest summer on record.
The only upside to the end of summer is the calming feeling of ‘taking back the house’.
What I mean by that is little things like not only emptying the weekend bags but also giving them a shake to get rid of the bits of sand and actually putting them away. Of putting the coolers away too and filling the fridge at home with food that will be eaten and not just left to sour or transported back up to the cottage. Of moving the tennis rackets that sat at the front door all summer and the fan that sat in the upstairs bedroom. Of giving the kids the last freezies and getting the ice box back to just ice. Sad symbols of summer’s end, yes, but also comforting in a way that only ‘order’ can bring.
Speaking of kids, lets all enjoy a moment of silence in respect for the parents out there who are breathing a sigh of relief this week. You know who you are - you made this summer the “best ever” for the little ones you love, regardless of the expense or exhaustion that making those memories may have brought.
Yup, another summer down, but the quiet of September is always lovely in a melancholy kind of way. Low-in-the-sky afternoon sunshine that glows through the trees and the lonely sound of cicada’s while the kids are back to the first days of school. A welcome respite from the chaos - at least for a few days.
