happy tablescape

A few weeks ago, I posted about treating myself to a set of Cath Kidston plates.

Last week I had a weekday to myself. When does that happen? What to do?

I remembered there being a blog called Between Naps on the Porch, which features weekly tablescapes and thought it would be fun to take my time, set a pretty table and take photos. So I did.

Welcome to my first Tablescape Thursday. Okay, it's Wednesday but because I know I have the time right now, I'm getting my post together early on Tablescape Eve. I will officially link up via Mr. Linky (new to me) tonight.


I played around with coordinating a lively color palette, patterns and textures


Much of this post could be called Target Tablescape because the tablecloth (repurposed curtain panel), S&P shakers, napkin rings and yellow polka-dotted plates are all from good ol' Target.




I am loving Ball canning jars for summer drinks


Cath napkins from "the good" HomeGoods


How about a luncheon of simple favorites like tuna sandwiches, potato salad, watermelon with blueberries, crackers with hummus and tabouleh, lemonade or home-brewed iced tea, and cookies?






Together we'll have a ball!



Thank you so much to Susan for hosting. Check out Susan's beautiful blog for this and many more inspired ideas and weekly parties.

xo

the tiny guest

So, I'm walking outside to gather the trash barrels on this damp and drizzly Monday



when I notice something flat and gray at my back door railing. Is it gum or a rock?



It's a toad sitting very still! He is tiny and kind of cute.


Now where did he leave his bicycle?

xo

succinct pink

In this post I will strive to be very succinct
In my weekly parade paying tribute to pink


I have gathered up goodies in the palest of hue
Even paper first seen at Life in My Studio



Faux flowers; pink ribbon
On a spool nice and round

To learn more about Pink Saturday
Visit How Sweet the Sound

xo

ps
Yes, I have been reading Dr. Seuss books this week!

pss
I just learned about an amazing giveaway over at Sa-Sea Boutique. Be sure to check it out!

remaking a memory (board)

This might not look pretty from behind . . .


But I like how it looks in the front!

This memory board has gone through a couple of makeovers. It was originally baby blue gingham purchased for our first baby boy's room. Just about 2 years ago I recovered it in a raspberry paisley for the Girlie Office. But slowly pale aqua is taking over!


My sweet friend Shellie is going to cover buttons in the same fabric to replace the white thumbtacks I am currently using. Hole-punched paper is affixed to the thumbtacks which hold the seam binding to the board.


I ordered the pretty fabric from Shabby Fabrics and just can't get enough of it! I prefer to use the reverse side because I like how it looks faded and soft.

Shellie and I are doing a little crafty trade: she's going to make a shabbyrific pillow using the same aqua fabric for me and I am going to shabbify some drawer pulls for her daughter's room.

{I still haven't made anything with my sewing machine from Christmas '07. Must conquer pattern-phobia! Any suggestions?}

"Make something with me already!!!"

xo

and the "lucky girl" is ...

For starters, I feel like a lucky girl because through my giveaway I have met so many new bloggerettes and discovered so many wonderful and inspiring blogs! Thank you so much for your lovely comments.

The winner of my giveaway, selected using Random.org, is the lucky girl herself, Cari of Lucky Girl Gifts! Cari's blog is always such a fun, happy and pretty place to visit. Cari also has 2 Etsy shops: Lucky Girl Gifts and Lucky Girl Goods. I am a repeat customer of talented Cari's and have blogged about receiving the most sparkle-y earrings ever from her in the cutest packaging (shown below).

Congratulations Cari, and again a warm thank you to everyone for stopping by to enter! As a "consolation prize" please feel free to accept my Treasured Blogger award. You need to copy the HTML (found toward the bottom of my left column) in order for the animation to work. (In the animated version found further below, puffs of smoke come out through the chimney)

xo

the lucky me~lucky you giveaway

Before getting down to giveaway details, I have some very cool pinks to share for this week's Pink Saturday. If you're not familiar with Pink Saturday, read all about it at Beverly's blog and join in on the frothy fun!

my winks of pink


Outside a book store in Wickford, Rhode Island


More Wickford shops


What a cool idea! The al fresco section of a restaurant in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

lucky me
Last week I won the Cottage Charm giveaway from Stefanie at Rose Petals and Rust!



I won this pretty plaque from Stefanie's shabbyrific shop Rose Petals and Rust (what a great name!). I am thinking it will look very nice in my living room (shown above) among all the shades of blue.

lucky you
It's always so much fun to be part of a giveaway that I thought I'd hold another one myself! It's also a thank you for all of the generosity I find constantly in blogging.


I have loaded all kinds of cottage treats into a little tea-for-one set.


Like my indoor plant markers which are nice additions to plants, bouquets, wreaths and gifts.


My cottage clips, ribbon, glitter, and more!



To enter simply leave a comment on this post. For a second entry, mention my giveaway with a link in a post and leave a comment letting me know. Entries may continue until I post a winner (planned for Wednesday).

FYI: Some of these items are also available at my Etsy shop, Tinkered Treasures.

Happy Pink Saturday (and good luck)!

xo

"the friendliest flower"

Kathleen Kelly: I love daisies.
Joe Fox: You told me.
Kathleen Kelly: They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

You've Got Mail My favorite go-to movie

~ • ~

I love daisies, too. So when I GASPed after spotting some at a garden shop, my sweet husband bought me a bunch. When I have a bouquet, I like to break it up and put flowers all over. Do you do that, too?


Some are here . . .


and here . . .


a few are here . . .

But the main inspiration for this entire post came from Amy whose Cottage Porch Party pics prompted me to rush out today to buy some mason jars and place some here . . .


The jar is tied below the grooves with florist wire and hangs from a small nail. Thank you, Amy!

{Still haven't painted the steps 'n rails yet but it's on the list!}

xo

it's a small and shabby world

Yesterday on a slightly belated anniversary date, my husband and I visited the southern part of Rhode Island and strolled, dined and shopped our way through Wickford, Jamestown and Exeter.



In Wickford we found a very cool shop. I am not even sure of its name but it definitely made me GASP! Fortunately, we had the camera with us.



Since becoming quite the shabby-gabber I got chatty with the owner/artist Jules Macher, while making my purchase (a pretty blue glass bottle filled with sea glass). Turns out Jules' hand painted paper mache bells are featured in the current issue of Romantic Country magazine and are also available online at Tutti Chic.



Little did pretty Jules know that a camera-toting blogger would be visiting her shop. I asked her to pose with her copy of Romantic Country. You can see the bells at the left.



Another beautiful issue!



Jules hand paints her shop's bags and then signs them. How cool is that? {If you're visiting Wickford you can find Jules' shop on the path to Wickford Gourmet.}



Thanks to my hubby for being such a patient guy during this girlie portion of our afternoon.

xo