Five Albuquerque Finds

Jess and I spent a day thrifting around Albuquerque and I found this pretty oil cloth at a shop in Knob Hill. I've recently come to the sad conclusion that Eric and I are just too darn grubby for grown up linen tablecloths. As soon as I get them all pressed and on the table they are sloshed with wine, olive oil or soy sauce. So I'm thinking this will be a fun alternative. I put a scalloped edge along the bottom by tracing a coffee lid outline and trimming away the extra. I think it looks pretty darn cute installed in our apartment.



This little lovely was at a flea market and I had to pass because I just didn't have any room in my suitcases (I had to buy an extra one as it was!) All the little birds were done in tin and then delicately nailed on. I would love to see this in a little girl's bedroom, wouldn't you? It also caught my eye with all the yellow I've been seeing designers putting out for spring.



These dishes were a little pricey and since there wasn't a full set I had to pass, but I loved the orange and forest green color combination, there were little touches of aqua too, so unexpectedly pretty. Each piece showed a different type of cactus. So wonderfully southwest, right?



I found an entire box of glass beakers and laboratory equipment which I did buy and mail back to the storage unit in MN (aka my poor mother's house). I'm thinking it these will make great bud vases (as seen here). Maybe I can find a way to fit 'em in my suitcase on our trip in June...




I couldn't resist this little umbrella either. It wasn't quite working when I bought it but I knew Eric could spiffy it up. Four bucks! Rest assured this will get lots of use during the sweltering Shenzhen summer. I've already got one pagoda umbrella, and it looks like I may be beginning a collection.