DIY: Chalkboard Paint!
Years ago I came across an image (the first one below) where an accent wall was painted not with some unique, bright color, but with chalkboard paint. The options are limitless. You can draw decor on that wall if you want. You can write quotes. You can let your kid doodle on it. You can use it for notes and reminders. I mean, whatever the hell you want. Since then, I’ve seen people use chalkboard paint on everything. Mugs, wine glass bases, pots, refrigerators…you name it.
I found these pictures to be pretty inspirational:
gadget.com
dressinginspiration.tumblr.com
anorangewinter.tumblr.com
lacey13.tumblr.com
herfunkylittlefurnitureblog.tumblr.com
diyhowtogoodies.tumblr.com
cukri.tumblr.com
It seems that Hudson makes some pretty good chalkboard paint and they even offer color options besides the classic black and dark green. Spray chalkboard paint sounds like it works pretty well on smaller projects, especially where there are little crevasses (i.e. a skull). Sheesh, you can even make your own paint by using the ingredients below…
abeautifulmess.typepad.com
Pretty cool, right? I decided I’m going to purchase a large piece of wood to paint and to prop against an empty wall in my bedroom. What are you going to put chalkboard paint on, DIY’ers?
post by Amanda
What Do You Mean By A “Walking Shoe?”
El Naturalista ‘N151 Iggdrasil’ $130
El Naturalista ‘N541 Campos Ella’ $155
Somebody Make Me: Corn and Cheddar Pudding
You know when you go to some Mexican restaurants and they serve a little scoop of that sweet corn stuff? Well, I think that stuff is AWESOME and I believe that this receipt is that plus cheese on top which equals yum. Yum squared. Halle and I were browsing through recipes and decided that someone should really make this for us. We also decided that that someone should be Halle’s boyfriend. (Seriously, Shawn. We’re not joking.)
We found this receipt on the Budget Bytes blog.
This recipe is a little indulgent with the cream, cheese, and eggs… but every now and then I think you’re allowed. It’s all about moderation, right? Right.
Corn pudding is another one of those recipes that can go so many different ways. Originally, I wanted to use poblano peppers (my fav) but my local grocery was out. So, instead, I decided to go the honey and cayenne route. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, very rich, and definitely delicious. If you’re not all about the spicy stuff, leave out the cayenne and you’ll still have a nice contrast between the sweet honey and salty cheddar. You can also try dicing up some regular green and red bell peppers for extra color. There are many possibilities!
Total Recipe cost: $3.57
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Cost per serving: $0.45
Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 1 hr. Total: 1 hr. 10 min.
INGREDIENTS COST
3 cups frozen corn $0.89
1.5 cups milk $0.56
1/2 cup half & half $0.36
2 large eggs $0.32
1/4 cup cornmeal $0.06
2 Tbsp honey $0.30
1/2 tsp cayenne (optional) $0.03
1 tsp salt $0.05
4 oz. cheddar, shredded $1.00
TOTAL: $3.57
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Allow the corn to thaw (this is very important). Place the milk and half of the corn into a blender or food processor and puree.
STEP 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the corn/milk mixture, half & half, cornmeal, honey, cayenne, salt, and the rest of the corn kernels. Make sure to whisk really well so that the egg is fully incorporated or else you’ll end up with chunks of baked egg in your pudding. If your corn is still frozen, the honey will not dissolve so make sure the corn is no longer cold.
STEP 3: Shred 4 ounces of cheddar cheese. Stir half of it into the corn pudding mixture. Coat a 8x8 (or similar size) baking dish with non-stick spray and pour in the pudding. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
STEP 4: Bake in the preheated oven for about one hour or until the center of the pudding shakes like a bowl full of jelly. Check the pudding at about 50 minutes by shaking the dish slightly. If the center wiggles like a liquid, let it cook just a little bit longer.
STEP 5: Allow the pudding to rest for about five minutes after baking. Serve warm!
Step By Step Photos
Allow the corn to completely thaw. Puree half of the corn with the milk. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together all of the ingredients except the cheddar. It is probably easiest to whisk together the pureed mixture, eggs, cornmeal, honey, cayenne, and salt first, and then add the whole corn last. 
Make sure to whisk well so that the egg is well incorporated or else you’ll have pockets of baked egg in the final product.
Shred 4 ounces of cheese (half of a regular sized block). Stir half of that into the corn pudding mixture.
Pour the batter into a baking dish coated with nonstick spray and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
Bake in the preheated 350 degree oven for about an hour or until the center of the pudding barely wiggles when you shake the dish. If it wiggles and waves like a thick liquid, let it bake longer. I usually check the it at 50 minutes just to be sure. Every oven is different!
Let the pudding rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
OM NOM NOM NOM! (Shawn, we expect this by the end of next week.)
post by Amanda
content courtesy of Budget Bytes
Versatile Looks for a Highly Irritable One Stop Shopper
Shopping is always fun until it isn’t. Something inevitably will annoy me at the beginning of a shopping trip which will make me want to turn the trip into an in-and-out mission. Get in. Get what I need. Get the hell out. Easy peasy and I don’t have to use my AK.
Because I have nothing but R-E-S-P-E-C-T for my fellow fast shoppers, I decided to throw together some shoe/accessory combos with outfit ideas. You’re welcome!
These treats would look fantastic with:
-Dark blue skinny jeans
-A flowy blouse with some sort of print in warmer hues
-Cognac colored belt
This gear would look fantastic with:
-A high-waisted black pencil skirt
-Bright blue top
-Thick waist belt with gold hardware
These goodies would look fun with:
-A pair of dark wash boot cut jeans
-Dark brown tank top
-A rusty orange sweater
-Dark brown belt
Pictured above: Wonders H-9206 sandal, Espe Cheers handbag (in blue), A.J. Morgan shades, dconstruct earrings and cuff (in tempo ice), and a Jedzebel HS826 fedora
This will definitely look good with:
-Khaki skinny crop pants (ankle length and make sure the hue of the khaki pairs with the tan color of the sandal)
-A white, tucked in blouse
-Thin black belt with silver hardware
That wasn’t so hard, was it?
post by Amanda
photos by Halle
STAY ON THE CYDWOQ
Thought I’d pull some info from Cydwoq’s website about their company for y’all to read:
Cydwoq founder, Rafi Balouzian comes from a long line of master shoe-makers. In the early 1900’s, his great grandfather earned the reputation as a true artisan, crafting custom-made shoes to discriminating customers in Armenia. As a child, Balouzian grew up around his father’s shoe factory, drawing the shoe making process into his blood. It was also on trips with his father to Italy and France that the young Balouzian was exposed to those nations’ great handcrafted leather artists, learning the materials and techniques, molding them with crafts, which made his family’s products the ultimate shoes of the region. Rafi has continued the family tradition by obtaining a degree in architecture, which influences his designs.
His son, Ari, the seventh generation of the family artistry, designs for the line and is also the company’s Creative Director. Ari initiates styles, which place CYDWOQ shoes in a place of fashion leadership for the young, powerful and famous in that special place of glamour.
After a hundred and twenty years of expertise in the art of handcrafted shoes, the tradition began again. The CYDWOQ factory opened its doors in Burbank, California in 1996. The company’s mission was then, and still remains, to create hand-crafted shoes using the best leathers that provide the ultimate walking comfort in unique and timeless designs. Rafi, having been taught by his father from an early age to appreciate the artistry and quality of vegetable-tanned leathers, makes sure that to this day, rolls and rolls of the best Italian hand-painted leathers line the walls of the CYDWOQ factory. Natural choices dominate the CYDWOQ product. In shoe construction, the uppers are hand-lasted to the leather insoles using water-based biodegradable glues. Once inspected, the shoes are packed in distinctive cotton bags and recycled cardboard boxes. It is one of the world’s most ecologically responsible shoe firms, setting the bar for a greener shoe world.
The design in CYDWOQ is based on an architectural approach of modifying and creating new constructions while using a handmade process to create shoes that are timeless as well as unique. Influences in the designs come from nature (in terms of shapes used and natural finishes), architecture, automobile design (in creating lines that complement the shape of the foot) as well as old films (in terms of materials used as well as modifying classic shapes).
CYDWOQ’s construction alone sets them apart. Their shoes are the only all leather shoes that have the insole (footbed) and the outsole contoured with the shape of the foot to facilitate the walking process. CYDWOQ is also distinguished from other shoe companies by the fact that its shoe components are manufactured at the CYDWOQ factory. Where other shoe companies only make the uppers and purchase the components from third parties, CYDWOQ manufactures the complete shoe with 90% of the components (heels, insoles, outsoles, wooden soles) constructed in-house. How is it done? On one side of the factory, the shoe-makers hand-cut the leather bottoms and shape the insoles and soles to the shape of the foot while other craftsmen hand-cut and sand the custom wooden heels. On the other side, shoe-makers sew the uppers and attach them to the lasts using water-based glues. Once completed, the soles and uppers meet in the center of the factory for final assembly, hand-painting, cleaning and quality control.
For more information about Cydwoq, read about the company history.
They’re going quickly, so stop by and try on a pair!
post by Amanda
content provided by CYDWOQ
photos by CYDWOQ and Village Shoes
These are a Few of Our Favorite Teas
I always considered myself more of a coffee gal, but lately I find myself wanting tea instead. It seems everyone is always on the lookout for a new flavor, so I decided to make a list of the favorite teas of the Village Shoes girls.
.
Stacey:
- Numi Chocolate Pu∙erh
- Homemade lemon ginger cayenne tea
Halle:
- Yogi Tea Green Tea & Goji Berry
- Choice Darjeeling
Amanda:
- Stash White Chai
- Stash Green Tea
Molly:
- Stash Super Irish Breakfast
- Peet’s Pure Peppermint
Jen:
- Stash Holiday Chai
- Genmaicha
I tried Stacey’s favorite, the Chocolate Pu∙erh tea, and I loved it. With cream and sugar it tastes a lot like hot chocolate minus the heaviness, and at $8.99 (via their website) for a box of 16, it’s a lot cheaper than buying hot chocolate at a cafe. I think I need to set up a tea exchange at work so we can all try each others’ favorites.
What are your favorite teas?
post by Amanda
Pinch or Be Pinched
St. Patrick’s Day…so many painful memories. I remember being a kid…fighting off pinches from friends because my ‘green’ wasn’t obvious enough.
“STOP! STOP! I have a green ribbon in my hair. I HAVE A GREEN RIBBON IN MY HAIR! GET THE F*@K AWAY FROM ME!”
“Oh, sorry.”
Yeah, well, that’s not happening this year. This year I will be wearing the best kind of green: green shoes.
Village Shoes is actually stocked in stuff that will ward off unwanted nipping:
For the ladies:
For the gents:
If green shoes aren’t your bag, we have plenty of socks for both men and women that’ll do too. In addition, we have many accessories for the ladies that will save you from torment such as handbags, jewelry, and sunglasses.
G’luck on March 17th, and get your drink on responsibly!
post by Amanda
Our Current Frye Inventory
Since many of you are asking what sizes we have in stock, I figure I’d offer a list of our current Frye inventory. Although the sizes below reflect what we currently have, I’d like you to keep in mind that many of the boots run large and it’s very normal to wear a size or two down in Frye from what you normally wear.
Women’s Frye Inventory:
Melissa Button (BROWN): 6, 6.5, 8.5, 9.5
Melissa Button (BLACK): 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10
Harness 15R: 7.5, 8, 10
Harness 12R: 5.5, 11
Carmen Harness Short: 6, 7, 7.5
Jane Strappy: 9.5, 10
Carson Harness: 6, 8.5, 10
Carson Shortie: 10, 11
Carson Lace Up: 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9.5, 10
Julia Campus: 8
Carson Pull On: 6.5
Jane Stitch: 6
Kira High Top: 8.5, 9, 10
Kira Low Top: 6, 6.5, 10
Maya Woven Peep: 6.5, 10
Laurel Flower T Strap: 6, 8, 9.5, 10, 11
Men’s Frye Inventory:
Harness 12R: 10, 10.5
Oliver Chukka: 9, 10, 10.5, 11.5
Stop by to try your favorite pair on or shop online before they’re gone! If you don’t see what you’re looking for, check back in soon.
post by Amanda
Love the color of this Worishofer!
DOWNTOWN ASHLAND SPOTLIGHT: Jeny Lee’s ATOMICA!
A couple of years ago on July 4th, I became friends with Jeny Lee. We met at a friend’s cabin at Lake of the Woods and I have been extremely jealous of her sense of style ever since. This girl would be able to make a burlap sack look stylish, which makes it appropriate for her to have a clothing store located on Lithia Way (next to Cafe 116), that sells a little bit of everything, but primarily clothing. For sale, there’s Jeny’s art hanging on the walls, there’re clothes hanging from racks, there’s furniture, jewelry designed by herself and other local artists, novelty gifts…I mean, seriously, a little bit of everything. The walls are painted electric hot pink and the space is modest in size, but you can spend a good hour or so looking around to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Also, Jeny’s loyal companion, the beautiful Princess Keira B, is worth stopping by for if you aren’t interested in shopping. Her dog is seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen. (Jeny, I am going to steal your dog. Sry.)
Jeny taught herself how to sew when she was a kid using her grandmother’s old sewing machine and became expert enough to begin making a lot of her own clothes in high school. In 2008 she had the opportunity to buy Atomica from the previous owner and not only continued to do retail, but opened her doors to customers looking to have clothes altered or up-cycled. Recently I have been in there multiple times to purchase some of Jeny’s up-cycled clothing designs. She takes old skirts, pants, and shirts, and cuts and sews them into something completely different than what they started off as. I recently bought a high-waisted floral print skirt that she altered to have a tail hem, or as Jeny and I like to call it, “party in the front, business in the back.”
Obviously I knew that clothes can be altered, however it never dawned on me that you can just completely change an article of clothing into something different. Last week I dropped off some old black velveteen pants and another pair of brown corduroy pants that she turned into shorts with fringe. SHORTS WITH FRINGE. They either would have sat in my closet for additional years or I would have eventually donated them, but for $25 I have a completely new article of clothing that is wwwaaay more interesting than what it started off as. Yes, you heard correctly. $25. Most of her alterations are in that range, but will vary depending on the type of material and time spent on the piece. No matter what I have had her fix up, the price has always been very reasonable and the quality of work is fantastic.
Stop by Atomica and get inspired!
If you’re interested in having her give new life to old clothes, feel free to call Atomica at 541 488 0386 or email her at Fashion.McGyver@gmail.com and she’d be more than happy to discuss options and pricing.
photos by Jeny Lee
post by Amanda
