JUNKERS DAUGHTERS

We are sisters passionate for all things vintage. We love scouting for unique items and using our creativity to repurpose what was old into something new for a usable, one-of-a-kind piece. Many of our items are used in our home and we love to share our decorating ideas with you, but as we run out of space in our houses some our items we have to sell and make room for more inspiration to come.

May 27, 2011

Making More Resin Jewelry

I am loving being able to make my own jewelry pieces! I am in the process of making more resin pieces for my jewelry. I have scoured many estate sales and found gorgeous pieces of jewelry and decided to make a mold of them so I could make more of my own original pieces.

Vintage jewelry is so detailed and unique it isn't something you can buy in the stores anymore. I do make jewelry from some of my vintage finds but some of them are used as a cast for molds for pouring new resin pieces. I know I will never be able to find these pieces again so i make my own and having one in every color is heavenly!

I am still learning but am able to make these in many different colors (as you can see from my earlier post where I was working on sanding and finishing them off). If you would like to put in your requests now for colors you would like to see me add to my collection just post a comment or send me an email and I will be glad to try to mix a new color. I will post pictures once they are finished so you can pick the colors you want for your summer outfits.

- Jennifer

May 24, 2011

Sunscreen

This is a page from Yahoo, that gives some tips on the safest sunscreens to use. I think we can all use the tips so we will have lots of fun in the sun this summer!!

Shopping for sunscreen? The Environmental Working Group's (EWG) newly released 2011 sunscreen guide can help you make smart decisions.
This research and advocacy group recommends a mere 20 percent of the 600-plus beach and sport sunscreens it evaluated. To score high marks in the rankings, a product must be effective -- adequately protect skin from both UVA (which causes premature aging, skin cancer, and other skin damage) and UVB (which causes sunburn) rays. It must also be safe, meaning free of potentially harmful chemicals.
The 2011 products to avoid list contains some popular brands.
EWG's Sunscreens to Avoid:

How did EWG come up with this list? Each of the products to avoid meets all of these criteria:

SPF values above 50-plus. Higher SPF products are not necessarily best. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration says these numbers can be misleading. There's a concern that high SPF products may give people a false sense of security and encourage people to stay out in the sun for too long without reapplying sunscreen. It's also important to note that the SPF is based solely on UVB protection.
Sunscreen sprays. They can fill the air withtiny particles that may not be safe to breathe in, according to EWG.
Contains oxybenzone and vitamin A. Oxybenzone is a concern because it penetrates the skin, is associated with allergic reactions, and is a potential hormone disruptor. Retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A that may not be safe when exposed to sunlight. EWG recommends choosing products with one of these ingredients instead: zinc, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, or Mexoryl SX.

Which products does EWG recommend? Here's a list of itsbest beach and sport sunscreens.
Unfortunately, some of the safest and most effective sunscreens on store shelves can be expensive so it's worthwhile to shop around for deals. Here are the most affordable products that performed well in EWG's ratings (calculated by Yahoo! based on price per ounce).
Safer, Affordable Sunscreens:

May 20, 2011

A Shout Out to: Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

There are many shows on Food Network I enjoy watching, like my constant endeavour to make every recipe Paula Dean has to offer. I also love the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. He isn't afraid to try anything and it all looks so juicy and ooey gooey I want to bite into every single burger, pancake of cheeseburger he does. So I checked out one of the restaurants on his list: Marietta Diner and it was awesome. The menu is like a book and has everything, mostly Italian and Greek related foods but Aaron can still get his stand-by Club sandwich. They serve a LARGE breakfast for around $6 that will stick to your ribs and fill you up so much it will last all day. My all time favorite is their Baklava. It is dripping with honey and a large piece is just the right size for me of course! If you are in the Marietta area make sure you try it, you will be hooked.

If anyone has eaten at Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker or would like to go with me to try it out let me know that is another dine on the list I want to try next, so stay tuned for my post about it.

Last year Laurel and I took the kids to Washington, DC and Baltimore and on the way we stopped at a few of the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on Guy Fieri's list. One of them on the list was the Blue Moon Cafe in Baltimore that serves Captain Crunch French Toast. It was incredible!!!

I decided to check out a few of his cookbooks from the library and one of the first recipes I tried was the Captain Crunch French Toast and it was an instant hit with the family! The kids now beg me to make it. Try it yourself it is an indulgence you shouldn't miss!

Captain Crunch French Toast

6 large eggs

5 tablespoons sugar

2 cups heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 cup butter

1 (16 ounce) box Cap'n Crunch cereal (don't use the cheaper brands)

1 loaf Texas toast thick bread

1 Pour Cap'n Crunch into a gallon-size Ziploc bag and crush to a course meal -- make sure there are a few good size pieces in the mix. Pour into a 9x13 pan in order to dredge properly.
2 Combine eggs, sugar, cream, vanilla, and spices in a large bowl. It will have the consistency of custard.
3 Soak each slice of Texas Toast in wet ingredients, 30 seconds each side. Be sure the edges are moist, too.
4 Dredge in Cap'n Crunch, lightly press onto each side, and around the crust. Place on parchment paper until all slices are coated.
5 Heat 2 tbs. butter in large skillet, then gently place slices in pan; two at a time.
6 Cook three minutes per side. Place on parchment covered baking pan in a warm oven.

May 19, 2011

"To Do" Magnet Board

Spruce up your office area with a new magnet board. In shades of blue, it has a ribbon to hang it on the wall. There are vintage magnets that come with it. One is an old pin and the other is a "sight word" card for all the "good" stuff you have to add to your "to do" list. $10

May 18, 2011

The Newest Look in Cuff Bracelets

These are our amazing new cuff bracelets. Wrapped in fabric and a little "bling" added make this a simple touch for any outfit!!

Many colors and styles, get yours today! $20-$25

May 16, 2011

Etsy Favorites!

Whimsyful Pretties makes this gorgeous handmade bouquet of flowers out of paper!

One Little Red Fox This is a French artist that makes the most adorable animals out of all types of fabric. There are pouches, softies and wall hangings

Full Blown Glass This is a glass artist that makes amazing blown pieces and one of the things I loved were these stunning drinking straws!

May 15, 2011

Best EVER Mac-n-Cheese

Or should I say Cheese-n-Mac! This is the best, most cheesiest macaroni I have ever had. It is a recipe from scratch that is actually pretty easy to do and worth all the effort. This is a huge dish and Aaron almost single handedly ate the entire dish himself!! (I couldn't let that happen of course :)

We grilled veggies and chicken and steak kabobs to go with it. It was definitely a comfort food kind of dinner for us and everyone was happy, I had no complaints for dinner for one night of the week, at least.

Mac-n-Cheesier

8 Tb butter

6 slices white bread, cubed
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. each nutmeg, pepper, cayenne
4 1/2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese
2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 lb. elbow macaroni, cooked

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 3 qt. casserole dish and set aside. Melt 2 Tb butter and pour over cubed bread in separate bowl and set aside. In medium saucepan heat milk. In a large pot heat remaining 6 Tb butter, when butter bubbles add flour stirring for 1 minute. While whisking slowly pour in hot milk. Continue to whisk until it begins to bubble and start to thicken. Remove from heat and seasonings, 3 cups cheddar cheese and 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese. Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce, stirring to coat well. Pour macaroni in prepared dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese then top with bread cubes. Bake until golden brown on top, about 30 min. ENJOY!!

Laurel Pracht Mantero

I finally got a chance to put the new things at Grace Aberdean today. You have to go check out the frames, they are totally adorable. I'm going to try and post the ones I kept on the site. Yes, I know that it surprises you that I kept something. Actually, I wanted them all but didn't want to be greedy and you guys have to see them. Did I say TOTALLY adorable already!
So, we are all still here and it's past 6:00pm. Sorry, I had to make fun of that. Wonder what his news will be tomorrow.
And a few words about the Marietta Cafe, the cakes are huge!! One piece is like half a cake and since many of you know that Jennifer doesn't eat cake I had to eat it all by myself! I should post some of those pictures too.
Check out Grace Aberdean everyone.