Nostalgia Organics: Joyful Living Blog

Thinking of Mum: Charming Edible Flowers

Spring is in full swing and Mother's day is around the corner! To add a dash of whimsy to your brunch table, how about giving edible flowers a try? Lilacs, Jasmine, Honeysuckle - there are tons of options your mum mom might enjoy. I'm inspired by these delights, but there's a slew of edible petals to sink your teeth into. Melissa's edible flowers is a wonderful source if you can't find edibles locally. Now go on and grab a Pansy and chew baby chew. lol. But, before you do - take note of these cautions, too.

Photo sources: 1. obre cake (peonies for decor only. not edible) 2. floral ice cubes (recipe martha stewart) 3. rivera's tortillas florales 4. sugared flowers recipe

Free DIY Stickers! Sea of Love

Somethings a little fishy around here! We celebrated this "lovely" week with sharks, fish and other sea creatures. It started when my 4-year-old requested a shark Valentine's box for his class card exchange. Oh chomp! That was a tall order. Need-less-to-say, he beamed as we glued every last tooth on Chompers (the shark's name, apparently). That made it all worth it!

So in the spirit of Chompers, I created some coordinating stickers to seal our treat and lunch bags and post little notes here and there. Best part, they can be used all year round. 

To make your own "Sea of Love" stickers, download the pdf sheet of stickers here and print onto adhesive paper (from any office supply store). Then punch each out with a 1 1/2" circle punch.

Now go on and float somebody's boat! We'll sea you soon! (oh so corny, I know! smirk) xo

I want to kiss you right on the nose! Happy Valentine's Day! xoxo

Inspiration to grow!

Last summer I picked up my paint brush and started painting again! My seventy-something year-old neighbor, Alison, is inspiring me in ways she'll never know. She is a wonderful artist and her home is decorated with her beautiful paintings. This is a painting Alison made me for Christmas. Roses! Pink and yellow. It makes my heart sing and reminds me to nurture that little creative spirit in my heart no matter how big I get.

More of the things you like ... pretty please!

Hello, friends! I need your input? If you could so kindly take a few moments and participate in my first poll, ever? I'm doing some fine tuning and business organizing to kick the year off right! Your input is so valued and will help navigate my efforts on my blog/website. Other than for purchases, please let me know the number one reason you visit? If none of the answers apply to you, please consider sending me a note to service [at] nostalgiaorganics.com and tell me more. Thank you in advance for your help! xo Elea

2012 with a cherry on top!

How is the start of your year? Well - I hope!

I've gathered up these little bits of encouragement from pinterest. Quotes are especially comforting at the start of a new year or new chapter in life. I hope they offer a little spark to you, too! I've been knee-deep in a lot of possibilities for 2012 so these quotes speak straight to my heart. Planning, dreaming, creating. How about you?

This year marks the 4th anniversary of Nostalgia. I can't believe it! And as we march full throttle into our 4th year, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank every single customer, fan, blog reader, retailer, follower and friend. Thank you for your encouragement and support.

2012 is your year! May it be all that and more!

Be the first to have it! Giveaway with Green Your Decor! Last chance to enter.

Nostalgia has a brand new collection launching called, Lemon Flour. Yay! Overflowing with sweet lemon and floral notes, this collection will have you skipping through the day (we hope)! We're hosting an entire Lemon Flour party just after the new year. So look for our official launch of this collection in the coming weeks. But, in the spirit of gift giving this holiday, we thought it would be fun to offer a few items from this new collection in a giveaway! Last giveaway of the year!

We teamed up with the super fabulous Green Your Decor to offer Lemon Flour and two other favorite items from the new Henrietta line. Can we send these to you? Head over to Green Your Decor and enter to win. Hurry now ... chance to enter ends at midnight tonight! 

xo Here's to a little sunshine your way!

Nostalgia Giveway! Where Women Create - 9th Day!

We are so thrilled to be offering a huge giveaway today at Where Women Create. Nostalgia is featured alongside some truly amazing creative women. I hope you've been keeping up with the giveaways each day. If not, hurry on over, you can still participate! Four super prizes are being offered each day for 12 days. You can enter all 12 days, too, through December 13th. Psst. Don't miss a chance at three of our new fabrics!! Wishing you the most joyous season! 

Giveaway! New fabric bundle and the sweetest little pins for your pincushion!

Let's celebrate the launch of the henrietta fabric collection with a giveaway! I have a bundle of coordinating fabrics and a sweet little trio of woodland pin toppers that need a good home? If you'd like this care package shipped to your home, become a fan of Nostalgia's new facebook page and leave a comment here telling me what you're up to these days? Let's get together and cackle like a bunch of lil hens, can we?

A random name will be chosen on Monday, Dec 12th. International friends, you can play, too! Wishing you a lovely weekend! P.S. The pins are made by the loveliest gal over at Gigi Minor.

Update! We have a winner. Pam #15 will receive the giveaway! Thank you all so much for playing and for the kind and supportive comments. Truly means so much. Happy holidays! xo Elea

New! Meet Henrietta {The Story of Little Red Riding Hen}

I spent my summer dreaming up the world of Henrietta. A new twist on the beloved childhood story, little red riding hood. Meet Henrietta. The little red riding hen. She's sweet. She's pink. And, she carries with her a basket of eggs! Oh, and always with her little red cloak, of course, on her way to grandmother's (hen) house ...

The inspiration for Henrietta is also based on a true story (ok ... sort of. ha!). My mother-in-law lives in Idaho near a quaint little area that overflows with tall pines and all sort of wild and wooly things. It's a real treat to visit! And, on her property roam these odd little creatures called guinea hens. Have you seen them?

The story goes ... While the guinea hens peck around their hen house, a big bad wolf can sometimes be spotted nearby. And, every now and then, a guinea hen goes missing! Eek!

I like to think that the hens are off tromping around the forest somewhere (and just haven't been found yet. fingers crossed!). So the idea of Henrietta unfolded ...

Henrietta meanders her way through the apple trees on the way to grandma's house. A slew of red-capped mushrooms and woodland friends meet Henrietta along the way.


The Henrietta toiletries line, which includes hand creme, soap and bath wash, offers a fresh and uplifting aroma of sweet spearmint and soft florals. I find the aroma familiar and comforting and perfectly suited for this playful collection.

Plus! Some really big news! This sweet little print (along with all of Nostalgia's prints) is also available on 100% cotton quilting fabric!
Coordinating fabrics are also available with Henrietta. Petite Flowers and Chicken Wire are shown here. Everybody knows a pink hen needs pink chicken wire for a perfectly pink hen house, right? Ha!

Now! Even better news? If you fall in love with Henrietta like I have, there is an amazing deal going on right now that I'm excited to tell you about. We've teamed up with TheDoGooder.com and are offering a daily deal TODAY at 50% off! The deal includes four of Nostalgia's most beloved soaps (one of which is the brand new Henrietta!!) for only $16 (Retail $32). This is a sweet deal (something we've never ever done before)! There are a limited number of vouchers available. So hurry on over to TheDoGooder.com to get the details and purchase a voucher before they're gone! The best part: You'll be sharing some good with the world, too! 10% of the proceeds will go to the school or nonprofit of your choice. Sweet!