Hello ALL! June Bug is now accepting your VINTAGE children and baby clothes on consignment. We started at our original location with a few vintage pieces and we were re-inspired by a blog posting in November on "The Littlest." Give us a call at 805.693.4433 or email info@myjunebugbaby.com to set up an appointment!

Home-made Fire Starter

My mother has always been a resourceful person. She keeps almost everything and finds a darn good use for the rest. A few months ago she called me while she was on a walk collecting pinecones to make some thrifty fire starters out of them for me.

It's kind of country-geek but I was really excited about them! In our home we burn at least a cord of wood each winter. We love a roaring fire. But, after a long day at work, getting a fire started with damp wood and an active child can be, at the very least, a pain in the neck. In the past we've used Duraflame Firestart logs to get things going in a pinch. My husband still prefers doing it the old-fashioned way: blowing embers 'til they catch, wait, and repeat.) I have zero patience for this, which is probably why most of my fires end in half-burned logs.

I LOVE this quick and dirty pinecone method and hope you will too!

Based on my mom's loose instructions, I attempted to make one last week when our propane tank was empty, our wood was wet (of course,) and we were freezing. With the help of a few pieces of crumpled up junk mail, our fire was started in less than 15 minutes and we were much, much warmer. Thanks, Mom!

1. Take one of the pinecones you have collected

2. Stuff the open spaces with dryer lint (my mother also collected some for me - big thanks here, Mom)

3. Take candle drippings or whatever is left over in the bottom of your tea lights, heat the wax in a double boiler and dip the pinecone. One side will do the trick. (I did not do this step, but I recommend that you do.)

4. Let it dry on a piece of wax paper and you're ready to go.

Pour yourself a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy your roaring fire!

New Home

The window in our kitchen has become a favorite spot for all of us. June has claimed it for meal times, Colby for writing, and I get it for times like now, when everyone has gone to bed. Maybe it was fate, but the landlord forgot to install a screen on this second-story window that opens to the street. There's something comforting about the cool breeze blowing through unhindered, and the leaves of a great big maple so close that I can almost touch them. It's also fun to watch the people coming and going in this neighborhood that is filled with houses and trees that have been here for over a hundred years. I like that nothing is separating me from the outside world. We've been spending a lot of time outside here in Utah. That could be the result of living in a one-bedroom apartment in which, after three weeks of getting rid of stuff, we still haven't found a place for everything we own. We're getting there. We've managed to whittle our way down to one skillet, one closet (for all of us,) and one car. It feels good. June and I have been riding the city bus to school (our schools are on the same campus) and it seems to have forced us to slow down a little. Even if I'd like to hurry home and get something done, we're at the mercy of the bus schedule. So, might as well sit back and enjoy the down time. I think June likes her school, at least right when I pick her up - not so much the morning of. I'm pretty impressed with the other moms that I see dropping off their kids - what seems to be the average Utah mom. She is young, with around three kids who are often dressed in home-made clothing and accessories, and also pulls off being stylish and well-groomed herself. How do they do that? I've been enjoying dancing and thinking about dance again. It's a lot more fun than it was ten years ago - when I did a lot more stressing than enjoying. What was I worried about? Colby has been finding work here and there - helping out at an outdoor concert venue and freelance writing for the Salt Lake Tribune's prep sports. Although a full time job would probably feel a little more secure, it's been wonderful to be able to have one of us with June all the time - and to be able to hang out all together more often! The weather has been wonderful - hot days and nights broken up by the occasional lightening storm and downpour, followed by huge fluffy clouds with blue sky and rays of sun peeking through. I feel like I'll never get tired of having weather. Of course, I imagine I'll be saying something different when March rolls around and it's STILL snowing. For now, it's fun. We miss all of you Valley folks and our yummy local produce! We get some fairly local stuff here, but being in the city - the farms are usually a couple of hours away, and the variety doesn't seem to be as great. Take care, everyone! Best wishes to all of you.

Local Find #3: Vintage & Used Clothes

Last fall I found this dress, which has turned into one of my favorites for all seasons. And this summer, I had been searching for the perfect bathing suit and was so excited to find this one from the 1950's. They are both, along with some of my other favorite clothing items, from the Rusty Rose! This tiny shop is conveniently located right next door to June Bug, and it is full of great vintage and used pieces. The owner, Diane, is awesome and Michellene and I think she has great taste. Go check it out, and say hi to us while you're in the neighborhood!

The Wall

Another view of our shop: the Wall that Michellene made from old barn wood, fabric and non-toxic paint, and the Desk that my brother made from old pallets, found (stolen?) pegboard and extra beams that we took down from the store when we first moved in.

June Bug is Back!

We've moved into our new location, at Frederik's Court in Solvang. We're really enjoying it - we have a lot of new products and ideas! It's been good to see some familiar faces, and for those of you who aren't able to see it in person we've posted some pictures for you. We'll be keeping in touch!

Crafty Mama: Magazine Christmas Tree

While trying to find a crafty, eco-friendly way to decorate the shop for the holidays, I came upon instructions to make these great recycled trees. A lot of people have been asking about them, so if you'd like to make them yourself, just click here for the instructions. I learned that the thicker the magazine, the fuller and more impressive the tree turns out and the longer it takes. I found it to be rather meditative, but I don't recommend it while the little ones are awake. Enjoy!