The big 2-7 with the best friends one could ever ask for!

Hello bunnies!

Today is my 27th birthday!

I thought I'd share a few photos from yesterday's festivities while I wait for more to unfold this evening!

Nick had to work, but was sure to leave me little love notes around...

Kaycie and I started the day off with a fancy little brunch with a Victorian Tea Party theme. 

We had pastries, fresh berries, bacon, eggs, and most importantly....mimosas! 

Later that evening, my very best friends in the world, Kaycie, Dylan, Sue, and my wonderful boyfriend Nick, had a little soiree planed for me! They took me out for a lovely dinner, followed by drinks and board games chez Sue & Justine.

I did fingerwaves and pincurls in my hair and pinned it up in a faux 20s style bob. I absolutely love this length on me, and am highly considering chopping my hair off.

 Sue and Justine have a little hobby farm with lots of chickens, ducks and turkeys, all free-range. This lil guy came trotting up to the deck to say hello and posed for some photos.

Off to the Green House restaurant. Unfortunately the service was terrible (2 hours for our food, rude servers, undercooked food...and I have a touch of food poisoning) but we made the most of it!

Back to Sue & Justine's for card games and birthday presents. Dylan gave me this wonderful vintage Jesus statue, which will go perfectly with my creepy religious-iconography wall in my living room. Yep, I collect creepy Jesus things!

Silly crowns for everyone, and Dylan in a dress. We played Cards Against Humanity- my all time favorite! The dirty version of Apples to Apples!

All in all, it was a very magical night, and I am so grateful to have such wonderful people in my life!!!


Today, on my actual birthday, I'm giving thanks to my parents for what they did 27 years go, and for all the hard work that ensued.

Also, many thanks to my friends past, present, and future..even those bad few I've lost along the way- you've all helped me become the person I am today.

Thanks to my haters, who've pushed me to DO more. Thanks to my lovers, who encouraged me to LOVE and LEARN more.

So so SO many thanks to my true love, Nick, for being my rock, my inspiration, my support, my joy.

So yes, happy birthday to me- but the real celebration is not only existing, but enjoying it with all the beautiful people in this world.

XOXOXOX

DIY Shop sign- before and after!

Hello bunnies!

So lately I have been setting up little Le Noire Vintage pop up shops at events (burlesque shows , rockabilly shows, etc) and I've been very much in need of a SIGN.

I especially needed a sign since next month, I will be vending at the 1st Maritime Rockabilly Shakedown Festival!

I'm really excited to be the only vintage clothing seller, as well as the only antiques vendor!

So, what to do about a sign?! I had a VERY tight budget, so I was worried it would be a challenge.  Luckily, I acquired  a 1920s school house chalkboard that was in need of some TLC -- FOR FREE!

With a lil elbow grease, a few layers of chalk board paint, some wood glue in the joints and hinges, new nails, teacup print ribbon, old keys, old photos....

and VOILA!

Total cost: $25! 

 I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. The perfect mix of antique, kitsch, and DIY !

Also, holy crap I LOVE liquid chalk markers!! No dust! 

That's all for today folks! 

XOXO

Lenora

Must be the season of the.....mint

Hello my bunnies!

Is everyone enjoying this beautiful summer we are experiencing? My garden is absolutely loving all the sunshine, particularly, as previously mentioned- my mint plants.

What is  one to do when your mint is beyond plentiful?

Stuff it in everything you possibly can!

I finally revived my long-neglected cooking blog to share a recipe for gluten-free chocolate mint muffins.

They are TO DIE FOR.

Click on over to FAT GLAM KITCHEN to see the recipe

Of course, the real reason I sat down to write today, was to share today's project:

Home grown mint TEA!

After grinding up my test batch of 3 types of dried mint,  I used a metal tea steeper plus about a spoonful of dried mint- and voila! Delicious, flavorful, soothing tea! Much better and tastier then store bought!

It was time to cute a generous amount of all 5 varieties of my mint (Mojito, spearmint, chocolate mint, berries and cream, and english mint) to be strung up and dried, to make a powerhouse 5-mint tea blend!

I am very pleased with how many uses I've found for all the beauties growing in my garden lately.
Our mint was grown for the sole purpose of enjoying a refreshing mojito every now and then, and has evolved into playing a major role in our kitchen. Spinach gets tucked into almost every dish- from smoothies, to omelettes, to stir fry.  Green beans are snacked upon, free off the vine, or tossed into salads, stews, or steamed for a delicious side.

What is your favorite thing growing in your garden this year?

xox
Lenora