Mates Rates...

Nervous Breakdowns ~ 0
Mini Breakdowns ~ 0
Tantrums Me ~ 1
Tantrums Mr Fab ~ ............................ (I cant stop laughing long enough to write the number)

This picture represents nothing ~ It's just cool

Those of you who know us or have been following us for some time ~well you know Mr Fab and I DON'T argue. Yeah yeah I know its odd and strange but we simply don't. I suppose its because I  generally just laugh at him....?
Well since we have begun these Renovations ~ we have had snipes and scratchy comments flying about like dust in a high wind but nothing major.
I am the first to make fun of Mr Fab so I have to be honest and say ~ I lost it last night. Not a crying grizzly tanty ~just a I Have Had Enough thing ~ quietly picking up the keys, quietly closing the door and quietly walking out of the house. I cant write the EXACT conversation as I used words that nice girls don't generally use...... albeit quietly......
It was all about Mates Rates ~ it was the final straw on the proverbial camels back. I absolutely unequivocally DO NOT want to use anyone who we know or is a friend or family and get the aforementioned Mates Rates. I will do without to ensure that everything we have done is done by ONE person who supervises the entire build in a professional manner.
To be fair ~ maybe I was not being literal enough until I was finally able to explain that if you use Mates Rates ~ part of the whole Mates Rates scenario is you have no choice but to have the work done when the Mate can do it.
I do not want our Builder saying he cannot complete the kitchen because the tiling is not finished and the tiling is not finished because we are waiting for the Mate to do it when he has finished his day job and cant get there till the weekend. ( Which I must say is Fair enough!) Then the Builder saying he has to go to his New Job which had to start as per his contract with another Customer and wont be back for a month.....and so the saga would go on.
We have started talking to Builders and have been using an AMAZING page called Home Improvements or HiPages

 http://www.homeimprovementpages.com.au/

(Make sure you mention us!) 

You go to this page and enter in the job your require ~In our case it was MASSIVE . We were then contacted by HiPages within about 30 minutes to acknowledge us both via email AND Text message. They then put your requirements out to all the Builders and Tradespeople they have registered and those people decide if they can help you. You are notified via email every time someone says they will quote on your job. I had contacted Builders myself and left messages along with sending emails but have not had much response. We are meeting with 4 next Wednesday & Thursday so they can go over the house and quote on the job.

Pre 1918 Mintons Vintage Tile from Archer & Archer

https://www.facebook.com/archerandarcher

Now for a weird but endearing Tracyism...... I discovered a page on Facebook awhile back called Archer & Archer. They have nutty, kooky, interesting and Amazing stuff  for sale every Tuesday and Thursday night. The other night I found this ~ seriously swoonworthy over 100 year old Mintons tile. It was not a necessity ~ no. It was not needed ~ no .......... but DAMN if it is not beautiful???? I have used this Tile as a kind of gauge? Is that the right word? I have said to the Builders ~"So I have a 100 year old Minton Tile I want to use as a feature behind the cooktop ~do you think that would be possible?". Just a throw away question and so far only one has said something along the lines of "Oh wow ~really? Yes indeed I will absolutely make sure we can put that in!". Yes I know its a weird thing but I figured it would give me an idea if said Builder was on at least a similar page as us....
We have also been told an absolute mind blowing amount of information on what we need and yes indeed ~ quite a large portion contradicts what others have said so you can imagine our confusion!
I will update you when I can tell you absolutely what the Real Deal is.
I have also been spending enough time with Mr Google that I am beginning to think of him as a real person and think I may have a bit of a crush.....

So the Games have begun ~

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage
xx

Let the Renovation Begin...PLEASE

The weekend was cold so it was the perfect time to don the favorite jammies and play around with some Jars. I am on the edge of my proverbial seat waiting for the Renovation to begin. I want to get cracking and get our home back to ... well being fabulous. I want to go down to Brisbane ~check it out ~ cry ~get that over and done with and move on to finding The Perfect Contractor. ( Feel free to contact us should you believe you are The One).
Anyway ~this is what I played with over one chilly Sunday in The Bah.....

Mason Jar with vintage music sheets & tealight

Nutty 50's style fabric on Mason with tealight

Mason with vintage music sheet & tealight

Mason Jar with Hessian Band & tealight

Pint & Half Mason Soy Candle

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage
xx

Recycled, Restyled & Fabulous.

Over the last few days we have been doing some pics of some ideas for using our Masons AFTER you have enjoyed your Fabulous Scents Vintage soy candle.

Lets have a look shall we?

Heritage Blue Limited Edition Mason Jar Candle

Square Mason as a Soap Dispenser / Soy Candle and Beverage Jar

The perfect Beverage Jar for a Fabulous Wedding?

Vintage Jars ~ recycled & restyled

Glitter Mason with tealight

Hand Made Pin Cushion Lid

Holding your cotton balls in the bathroom

Just a few ideas  to help you Recycle, Restyle and ...................

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage
xx

The Mason Tests & Toilets

Recently we have been testing a couple of new jars to see how they go. So let me introduce to you  ~The Pint and a Half  & The Monster Redneck Drinking Jar!
 There was a need for something a little bit bigger than a traditional Pint & a little smaller than a Quart..

Monster Redneck Drinking Jar

Say hello to The Redneck Monster Drinking Jar.
(Gotta mention ~ every time I pour or use these jars ~I laugh.)
Anyway ~ in between looking for The Perfect Contractor and trying to sort out paperwork we have managed to get these beauties poured and tested. We are on round three and it is looking gooood. They are burning beautifully and I probably should not admit ~I lost count after 80 hours ~I know I know ~pretty not very professional but I was sidetracked by toilets....
 Yep ~Toilets.
I said to Mr Fab:
Me: I really want one of those toilets like on The Block ~set back in the wall
Mr Fab: All toilets are in the wall
Me: No those ones that have no gap behind them
Mr Fab: *blink*
As soon as I saw the adorable *blink* I knew it was a date with Mr Google for me.

New Monster Redneck Drinking Jar

Finally found some pictures to show our Hero and he was happy. We have ~in a fashion ~decided on The Toilets. So that's Toilets / Paint & kinda sorta ~The Kitchen!!!

I know I know ~its AMAZING! *sigh*
After he was happy I was able to move back to The Fabulous Test Process.
Those of you who have followed us for awhile know we really REALLY try to be Eco friendly , environmental, care about what we are doing and recycle everything. I spose its lucky I love to forage and restyle? We are striving to make sure the Reno is as Eco as we can make it and we are searching for ways to make sure we do use recycled materials and do what we can to be aware of our environment. In saying that? We encourage our customers to be aware as well. Not in a preachy way but in a helpful way. An example ~we supply recycled glass refill bottles of our Reed Room Diffuser Oil and always ask our customers ~ Do you have a gorgeous bottle in a cupboard at home? They usually do and while we lose out on the sale of one of our beautiful bottles......we feel better.

New Pint & a Half Mason Jar

We also purchased some of the fabulous Mason Drinking SippyLids so our customers can recycle and reuse their jars for whatever Fabulous beverage they choose!

Pint & a Half with Mason Drinking Sippylid

Environmental Baby steps baby but still making steps....... Ohhhh yeahhhhhhhhh

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage
xx

How to Make Glitter Mason Jars ~Part 2 ~continued

So after a couple of days ~the end result.

 

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage

xx

Lets get this Renovation Party started

Ok so the paperwork is all done and lodged and ready to go. I am pretty sure I was at my Eco Worst today as I printed out all that was needed. I have also been googling for information on the relevant laws regarding Renovations / Fence building / pest control and so on. The files are BULGING with information! We are also trying to keep being Fabulous and going for the Eco / Recycled / Re-purposed way on everything we will be doing. We even have old furniture down there which I will paint and use as the fixtures for The Fabulous Scents Vintage Shop downstairs. Nothing will go to waste.
So in the next week or so we will be cashed up and ready to start the Renovation Process. Now the hard part ~finding the perfect Contractor. Not asking for much ~basically someone who is a super pedantic, fussy, perfectionist who will listen to what we are saying.
The first hurdle will be having the aforementioned Perfect Contractor ~turning up on time for the quote appointment!!! We will have a very small window of time to be down there and it is a 12 hour drive both ways ~ tiring to say the least but also ~ kinda exciting. Not the drive of course ~the finding the right Contractor bit. I am hoping we simply "know" straight away. I also want someone who will keep us informed of whats going on. A txt? Phone call? Email? Just to say ~"Well today we did ....."
We have decided we will buy a couple of sleeping bags and a couple of blow up mattresses to throw down on the floor for when we go down to inspect the work and whats happening. I am thinking of it as Camping without The Bugs?
 The kitchen is completely sorted in my head ~along with the bathroom and the paint color. I have even decided where the shelves for our vintage jars are going and in what order they will be displayed...thinking Age / size / color? 

#vintage mason Pint Jar

Its the little things I cant seem to think about................
Where do I put the power points? 
Do I need extra in the study? (I think ~yes) 
You get the drift....... 
Which Front Door do we pick?
How big does the Deck need to be?
Our Big Book Of Renovation is filling up with notes, pictures, ideas & thoughts. The funny thing is ~I have the entire build sorted in my head ~ just need to bring it out and into reality.
The other thing will be the cleaning up and sorting of the house. I have already said to Mr Fab ~ nothing stopping us from getting in and ripping out cupboards and making sure everything is packed up in one room. We could also start to remove all the doors and cupboard doors as they will be going as well.
There will be plenty of pictures ~Before during and the best ones....AFTER! I cannot begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to sitting on my Zen Balcony ( a little one at the front of the house) with a glass of Bolle and a platter of assorted delicious cheeses. Just Zennin & Chillin and doing nothing......

Hope you join me!

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage
xx

fabulous scents vintage: How To Make Glitter Mason Jar ~ Part 2

fabulous scents vintage: How To Make Glitter Mason Jar ~ Part 2: But wait ~there is MORE! I decided to try another way..... While googling I came across LilyShop. I am not sure how to tag but let me try an...

How To Make Glitter Mason Jar ~ Part 2

But wait ~there is MORE! I decided to try another way..... While googling I came across LilyShop. I am not sure how to tag but let me try and add a link ~https://www.lilyshop.com/lilyshop-blog/item/how-make-glitter-mason-jars.

Lets get this glitter party started!

So with this one I simply filled the Quilted Mason with about 1 inch of Mod Podge & added a stack of Gold and Green Glitter.

 Swished it around and then left it turned upside down for about 2 hours.

 

Wiped down the rim and turned the right way up..... These have been drying in the Fabulous Scents Vintage Shop of Sorts for about 4 hours. I am going to leave them for a few days and see what happens. Do you see around the top they have started to dry?

So far it looks like it is working ~stay tuned for updates!

Stay fabulous

fs vintage
xx

How to Make Glitter Mason Jar

It popped into my head this morning that I had a motza of Mod Podge left over from "The Tinted Mason Jar Fiasco " (*see earlier post). Those of you who have been following us for the last couple of years know we have been dealing with vintage and new mason jars for a very very long time but cannot seem to crack the arty farty things. Candles? Oh yeah ~we rock at Soy Candles and quite a few of the Mason Jar Crafts but we cannot seem to get the whole painting thing! (*AGAIN ~Refer The Tinted Mason Jar Painting Fiasco) This morning my brainwave was ~ GLITTER. I do so love a bit of glittery blingy fabness so I have set to and had a go..... Guess what?

It Worked!!!!!!! Here is a Step by Step Tutorial with much Fab love!

 Materials:
1 x Jar (We used a new Pint Mason)
1 x Mod Podge
1 x Food Dye (Optional)
Glitter
Step 1:
Mix Mod Podge in container with enough water to make it a nice consistent paste that flows freely. Add a drop or two of Food Color if you would like to. Add Glitter... We added a Pink and a Purple Mix.

Step 2: Add mixture to jar and swirl till completely coated. Turn upside down on to some paper towel and let sit for about 5 minutes. Clean any excess from out side of jar.

Step 3: Pop into a pre heated oven to about 200 degrees (We used a Fan Forced Oven.)

 

 We set our Timer for 5 minutes Blocks and checked what was happening. We used 10 minutes as our set time. (* This is our vintage timer which we use all the time. A gift from a wonderful & interesting old lady)

 Step 4: Remove from Oven and let cool for about 15 minutes ~ IT IS INSANE HOT ~BE CAREFUL!!! Add the rim of a Mason Jar for that added extra zing ~don't forget we have heaps available here at Fabulous Scents Vintage   https://www.facebook.com/FabulousScentsVintage  so make sure you ask for one next time you are here. Happy to give you one if you need it!

Step 5: Sit back and admire your creative handiwork! We are using ours to hold our Wick trimmer and bid bods on the bench. A little bit stylish ~a little bit Fabulous. 

 

Hope you enjoyed our very first Fabulous Tutorial! Let me know how you went with your Fabulous Glitter Mason Jar!

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage

xx

Let the Renovation Games Begin.......

I am not sure if we call this Day one? For the sake of this Blog we shall ~so lets begin with Day one and see where we are.
We have been approved on our Renovation Loan so we can at least make a start. We have started a book filled with ideas ~probably limited by money of course but dreams is dreams....
I cant even put up a picture as we are yet to make the journey down to clean out the house and pack whats left away till its all done.
Mr Fab told me I would cry ~I am NOT a crying person so it must be pretty bad....HOWEVER *stiff upper lip* ~ we shall do what needs to be done and get the job finished and ready for us to go home.
My friends suggested I Blog about the Reno process as a kind of soothing balm if you will ~ when things get tough and my mind is mulling over Effective Ways To Dispose Of  A Body and looking directly at aforementioned and normally much loved ~Mr Fab..........Perhaps this will help me return my usual Place of Zenness?
We made a huge and massive mistake when we didnt pack everything up and put it into storage ~so lets begin with Lesson Number One:

1: Pack everything up and put it in Storage.

There are one or two things which I really hope are still there and in tact ~nothing valuable to anyone but me of course but extremely sentimental. I have been cranky and grumpy about a couple of things like my RayBan sunglasses which I purchased in the Eighties after saving for literally a year ~ gone and their case filled with a delightful pair of Fiorelli sunglasses...Ummmm no people ~ it is not the same. Fiorelli are quite cute of course but they are NOT original RayBan.
I had collected 50 cent pieces for about 20 odd years including quite a few round ones.....yep...gone.

Someone once said to me: " If someone steals from you ~ they must need it more than you."

I have decided to go with that bit of wisdom and move on.

 

In the midst of all this schmozzle we will still be doing what we do ~ Fabulous Scents Vintage Mason Jar candles. The new shop will be incorporated into the reno which is a tad exciting with a studio for my creating behind the store...Ohhhh yeah ~Fabulous.
So tune in for the Ups and probably a few Downs in the Fabulous Scents Vintage Renovations!

Stay Fabulous

fs vintage
xx