Christmas Recipes

Everyone has those cherished holiday memories that involve food. After all, stuffing oneself is a proud Christmas tradition. I thought it would be fun to include some cherished recipes as part of my Vintage Christmas Monday posts. A friend brought me this cute vintage recipe box for my shop. He said he almost threw the recipes out but then came to his senses. The recipes are the best part. Everyone's mother had one of these in her kitchen. A tiny metal box crammed full of handwritten recipes or those clipped from magazines. In my mother's case, torn from magazines rather than clipped because she could never find the scissors.

Can you imagine a cake that actually "makes it's own tunnel of fudge"? Anything less would be a dissapointment! This Tunnel of Fudge cake is quite the engineering marvel!

Now here's a handy and helpful recipe pamphlet provided by the nice folks at San Diego Gas & Electric. So very helpful of them to print up recipes for tasty holiday treats. They've even brought in an expert Home Economist, Mary Means, in case you were wondering who that weird lady lurking behind the backyard fence is. Just some friendly neighborhood "chit chat"!

As a bonus, they have provided some safety tips for a joyous Yuletide. Did you know that "bright, shiny metal pans are best to use for baking because they heat quickly and efficiently"?

But wait....turn the page of this helpful brochure and it's just a shameless plug from SDG & E, encouraging us to use MORE electricity! My, how times have changed.

Here we have a recipe card typed instead of written. I imagine Sherrie kept a very tidy home. She was one of those women with the plastic runners on her carpeting and heaven forbid that she would let the kids step foot in her all white livingroom.

And of course, no Christmas recipe list would be complete without fruitcake! Everyone always recieved a loaf of fruitcake for Christmas but I don't believe anyone ever actually ate it. The recipe appears harmless until you turn the card over and....GUMDROPS? Thanks, Mom.

There are variations on the fruitcake theme but all are equally horrible!

If you're looking for a little "glamour" in your yeast roll, then this is the dessert for you!

Some of the printed recipe cards even include a handwritten review which are quite helpful. But the best way to tell if a recipe really is good is if it has lots of food stains.

Ah, Christmas memories... Nothing beats snuggling up to an old fashioned electrical log while munching on a tasty slice of grandma's fruitcake. The folks at San Diego Gas & Electric would be proud.

If you'd like to participate in Vintage Christmas Monday, check out Joan's blog: Anything Goes Here

Love, Kelly

State of Panic

Remember when you were in college and you waited until Sunday night to work on that project that was due on Monday? Well, it's Sunday and I just realized that I don't have my Vintage Christmas Monday post ready! I spent yesterday trawling the thrift stores of SLC, searching for Christmas stuff.

Never fear, I work well under pressure. Think I'll stop by my mother-in-law's basement today to see what she has in the way of old Christmas stuff.

Last week's Vintage Christmas Monday was so much fun I can't wait to see what everybody come's up with tomorrow. I also can't wait to see what I come up with!

If you'd like to participate, check out Joan's blog: Anything Goes Here

See you Monday!

Love, Kelly

New Painting

Last night, after I closed the shop I decided to head over to Abode to check out their Black Friday sale. The friendly gals at Abode were offering half off any item in the store. Even though I was completely exhausted from our event at Second Hand Chic I just could not resist the lure of a half off sale. Well, I was not dissapointed. I found this sweet little vintage painting for a mere $15! I just adore amateur artwork. I like to picture the cute little 50's housewife working away on this piece. After a long day of caring for her family she puts the children to bed and sets up her paints. The love and devotion is apparent in every brush stroke. The innate need for self expression is a universal one. It is what makes us human.

Thank you, L. Thomas, whoever you are for putting paint to canvas and for giving the world a thing of beauty. And for making me smile at the end of the day.

Love, Kelly

A Visit From Julie Marie

Today we got a visit from sweet Julie Marie of Idyllhours. Julie discovered our shop through this blog. You meet the nicest people blogging, don't you?

Julie found lots of cute treasures while she was in. She also took some pictures of the shop to post on her blog. We had so much fun talking about collecting and blogging and husbands and lots of other things. What a nice lady!

Be sure to check out Julie Marie's blog.

Linda's Kitchen

I wanted to share with you Linda's kitchen. It is, without a doubt the cutest kitchen I have ever seen! Take a look and I think you'll agree.

The tall white cabinet she recently bought here at Second Hand Chic...using her employee discount, of course.

And remember that fun vintage tray she won? It's just perfect with her collections.

If you'd like to see more of Linda's vintage kitchen check out her flickr sight at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/88147336@N00/4134116505/

Thanks again for sharing, Linda.

Love, Kelly

Gift with Purchase

Hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holiday. Most people spend a day off relaxing and lounging. Me, on the other hand, I spent the day making these French inspired gift tags. We will be offering them as a gift with any purchase at Second Hand Chic of $20.

Be sure to stop by Second Hand Chic tomorrow for our special Black and Pink Friday event. We will be serving refreshments, having a drawing and offering 20% off EVERYTHING in the shop. And of course, giving away these cute little gift tags. Hope to see you there!

Love, Kelly

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quick post to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. Family and friends who love us, homes to live in and a bounty of food to eat. These are the only things we really need in life. All the other stuff is just icing on the cake.

I wanted to share a website with you that I just found: http://www.shorpy.com/ It has hundreds of old photos. If you are a fan of vintage photography, you'll love it! As I was perusing the website, what stood out was the sad photos taken during the depression; especially those of migrant families during the dust bowl era. They truly are heartbreaking. It really made me realize how very lucky we are to have so much. Let's just always remember to apreciate it!

Love, Kelly

Black and Pink Friday

What fun Vintage Christmas Monday was! Thanks again, Joan of Anything Goes Here for inviting me! If you'd like to participate next Monday, go to Joan's link and join the party!


As you know, the Friday after Thanksgiving is known as "Black Friday". The reason being, because retailers traditionally don't turn a profit until the first day of the holiday shopping season. Well, here at Second Hand Chic we are changing the term "Black Friday" to "Pink and Black Friday".

Pink and Black Friday is for those of you who seek a pleasant shopping experience the day after Thanksgiving. We'll be offering a special discount on EVERYTHING in our store: 20%. We will be serving refreshments, giving away prizes and offerering gifts with purchase. Now doesn't that sound like more fun than standing in the cold darkness waiting for a big box retailer to open it's doors? Besides, this sort of behavior has been proven dangerous!

Shopping doesn't have to be unpleasant or even dangerous. Join us at Second Hand Chic on Pink and Black Friday for a truly enjoyable shopping experience.

Vintage Christmas Monday

From now until Christmas I will be participating in "Vintage Christmas Monday". The host is Joan of Anything Goes. http://thepottingshed-anythinggoeshere.blogspot.com/2009/11/vintage-christmas-monday-blog-party.html
Please excuse my rudimentary linking, Joan. I am still struggling with the blogging technology.



Here is a sampling of some vintage Christmas cards that we sell here at Second Hand Chic. I think they are quite charming and they sell for a mere $1 each! I have to admit one of my favorite Christmas traditions is the cards. Nothing beats receiving a hand written greeting in the mail from a friend or family member. In this modern era of e-mails and FaceBook I fear the tradition will become a thing of the past.

One of the benefits of buying vintage Christmas cards is that sometimes the work of writing a personalized greeting has already been done for you! Just white out the name and make it your own! TeeHee.

Seriously though. These olds cards really are quite charming. Don't you agree? My favorites are the sparkly ones!

The tradition of sending a lovely card has been replaced with the "family newsletter". I have to admit I enjoy reading these as long as they don't become too "braggy". You know what I mean: "Greetings from the Jones Family! blah blah blah...Just to let you know, my husband recieved the Nobel Peace Prize again, little Timmy just won a full scholarship to Harvaard and little Susie spends her free time splitting the atom! We are so proud."

Even the boxes the cards came in are adorable! If you'd like to participate in Vintage Christmas Mondays, go to Joan's blog and tell her I sent you. In the meantime, maybe I can figure out that fancy shmancy link up button!

Love, Kelly

Celebration!

Here at Second Hand Chic we are getting ready to celebrate. We have been in business for four years and we'd like to share the joy by offering some fabulous savings on EVERYTHNG in our shop. Beginning Friday, November 27, all of the merchandise at Second Hand Chic will be 20% off and that includes already reduced items.

Sale begins 10 am, Friday, November 27. Don't miss this one!

Love, Kelly

Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show

Are you thinking about getting a jump on your holiday gift shopping this weekend? Then be sure to check out the Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show. This year the show will be held Wednesday - Saturday November 18 - 21, 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM at the SoDa Row Shopping complex located in the Daybreak Development of South Jordan.

The show offers a wonderful assortment of Christmas decor. You'll also find jewelry, baby items, artwork, memo boards, scarves, footwear, aprons, handbags, hats, cosmetics, home decor, ties, tutus and even dog collars! You are certain to find something for everyone on your list.

For more information on the Oh Sweet Sadie Art & Gift Show check out this link:
http://www.ohsweetsadie.blogspot.com/

Second Hand Chic wants to remind you to shop responsibly this Christmas season: buy local, fairly traded, handmade or second hand items. And above all, Keep Calm and Carry On!

Love, Kelly