Sunday, August 2, 2009

hydrangeas, glitter and more!


Harwich Port
August already? Summer is in full-swing around here and I have so much to share (and so little time to blog right now)! Please bear with me for another long post.


For those of you far away, Cape Cod is a seventy mile long penisula with fifteen townships stretching eastward from Bourne to the tip at Provincetown. My sisters and I stayed mostly around mid and lower Cape Cod but it's all really scenic and lovely. Lots of roses over wooden fences, beaches, chowder, gift shops ... Okay, back to pretty pictures!
Link

Here is the office of our motel. We didn't want to spend lots on a fancy inn or hotel and this charming place was right on a main road to everything. Love the starfish in the windows!


Harwich Port


Hydrangeas were in full-bloom EVERYWHERE!


This is the Chatham Chamber of Commerce. So cute! More starfish in windows.


Chatham Village Antiques
(I believe this shop sprung out of Ruffles and Roses, featured in last May's issue of Romantic Homes. A collaboration that include(d) Lizzie)
Any details, Lizzie? Just leave a comment.



I know a few bloggers who would GASP over these vintage hats.


I really like this idea from Colorful Creations, Hyannis


The side yard of a beautiful shop called The Rose Victorian, West Dennis


I bought this sweet Josef Original April Birthday Girl at The Rose Victorian even though my birthday is in October. I adore the blue.


Shop owner Kathy is such a gracious sweetie! Her shop is filled to the brim with beautiful teacups, figures, and framed yardlong prints of roses.

And as promised, I also want to share what was waiting for me when I returned. A box packed with pink tissue-wrapped packages from cool-cat M at Tales from an OC Cottage.

I am always in awe of M's wonderful and almost wreckless use of glitter. She doesn't have an online shop so I asked if she'd like to swap (is this becoming a problem of mine?) and was so happy when she said yes.


What I received was a greatest hits collection of M's blogpost creations!


GASP! Is this the coolest? It won't even ruin my "diet."


M says "chintzy is a compliment!" I like how the teacup set she included helps to organize collected business cards while hiding my big ethernet thing from Verizon!
(The doll is from Laurie Star's etsy shop, Trinkets)


I love this. M will spray paint anything and she sent me one of her pink painted spoons along with this DIY "kit."


Here is what I sent to the OC. The photos that she posted came out much better than mine.

Okay, well I'd better get back to catching up on some other things. Including packing up goodies for Debi my swap partner in the I thought of you Swap hosted by sweet Stephenie at Just a Little Bit Pink.

xo

50 comments:

Lori Holt said...

What a gorgeous post...I enjoyed all of the phots...thank you so much and by the way...I am one of those bloggers who love the vintage hats!
x lori

Cal said...

What a feast for the eyes! Thanks for the map and I loved the window displays in the motel.

Cal x

Annabelle said...

I'm so glad I discovered your blog...I just love it! Every one of these photos just makes me happy!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the Cape Cod education! I did not know this!

I saw M's post on her blog with your goodies! I love what she sent to you, too! You guys spoiled each other rotton! I think it's absolutely fabulous! Don't ya just love these fabulous swaps going on! :)

Connie said...

Oooooh, it's lovely, sweetpea. I absolutely love hydrangeas but don't have the success here in Idaho that we did in California.

I also have some little starfish I painted and glittered hanging on my new family room wall!

Thank you for all those scrumptious for us who will never get over to that place. Ooooh, I do have a sister-in-law who lives on the Cape though..........

xoxo,
Connie

blushing rose said...

I love Cape Cod. We go every year after my son runs the Boston Marathon. It is a very pretty coastal region, the cottages are wonderful ... very scenic. TY for sharing your pics. TTFN ~ Marydon

Lori said...

gasp Gasp GASP~~~those hats!!! i know you were thinking of me:) LOL...thanks for sharing your trip with us Elyse...it looks so quaint and charming there...i know you were in cottage heaven...i LOVE the little pin~cushion doll too in the one shop, she is so pretty...i just won the giveaway at "tales from an oc cottage", so i will be getting something chintzy too:) i love all of the goodies you got for your swap...and i know M loved what you sent to her!!!

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

The photos are grand.. I could easily live there and smile everyday!!! What a sweet post! xoxo~Kathy~ @ Sweet Up-North Mornings...

LiLi M. said...

Your photos of the wooden houses and the abundance of hydrangeas remind me of where I was! Except for the hats! :-( You must have had a lovely time. I'm packing the "I thought of you" swap too. Exciting!

Unknown said...

Happy Pink Saturday, Elyse! Love your great photos and pictures. The Cape Cod map is great! The hydrangeas are so lovely! Adore the vintage hats! Your motel is darling!

Thanks for sharing your great photos! Have a lovely week!

Tina

The Pink Rose Cottage said...

I've never been to Cape Cod, I'd love to come!!! Your pictures are amazing! The hydrangea are gorgeous. Mine barely bloomed again this year, so I'll enjoy yours!

Happy Sunday!
~Holly

Vintage Lizzie said...

Hey Elyse!!!...Excellent post!...That IS my friend The Vintage Girl Lorraine!...with all her GORGEOUS linens!...It's great to see her back in Chatham and Yup!...we were in Ruffles and Roses together!...We had SO much fun!...Such wonderful customers...Isn't Kathy at the Rose Victorian the sweetest!...She is so lovely and gracious!...Glad you had fun here on the Cape!...It's the best place in the world to live...just a little bit of heaven!...Talk soon!....Hugs!...Lizzie...P.S....a girl can NEVER have too much glitter in her life! (Especially if she is the momma of squiggly little boys!!!...Giggle!)

debi said...

Elyse, I Love the pics from your trip! I wish I lived somewhere as beautiful as that. And those shops! May I please borrow a GASP!?
Today, I've been wrapping your swap gifts...hoping to make it to the post office tomorrow. I've had so much fun with this. I am definitely getting hooked on swaps!
Hugs, Debi

p.s. Did you like the Marie Antoinette movie?

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love the Bonne Mammon (sp?) jar with the clippies in it! You need to make those for your shop! I'll be there!

I was trying to inspire my daughter the other day, by showing her your clever creations! I was hoping she'd make me some lovely pencil holders...hasn't happened yet.


Erin :)

Donna said...

Oh, I've always wanted to visit Cape Cod, and now I REALLY do.

D

Rebecca @ Belle Blog said...

I like seeing Cape Cod through your photos. What a fun swap. How do swaps work. I would love to try one some day. Pretty things always brighten any day!!

Robin said...

thanks so much for stopping by and saying Hi! I LOVE the photos of all the beautiful homes and shops! Those hydrangeas are BEAUTIFUL!
Robin

{oc cottage} said...

That place is just adorable!!! It's like a movie!

m ^..^

Drawn to The Sea said...

One of these days I must visit Cape Cod. And I must remember to take my mad money :-)

Its So Very Cheri said...

Hey--
You are one of my winners. You are loading up on the gifts. I need you to send me an e-mail with your address and how many kiddos you have and the spelling of their names.

Cheri
Its So Very Cheri

Rose Garden Romantic said...

What a beautiful post! I want to vacation in Cape Cod!! I would love to shop in the store you showed!!! Looks like you had a very fun swap. Love the glittered starfish!
Michelle

Anonymous said...

Oh Elyse, the place you and your sister visited is just beautiful. Oh the shops are so beautiful outside and inside. oohhhhhhh so beautiful!

Oh and if I were to choose too, I think I'd choose to sleep in this love motel with starfish on the windows! :-)

Li

Renee said...

What a beautiful blog.

Renee xoxo

Rue said...

Hi Elyse :)

Cape Cod looks so wonderful! I hope to visit myself some day.

The swap between you and M was incredible! Both of you did a beautiful job :)

Have a great week!
xo,
rue

Lisa said...

Looks like absolute heaven!

Natasha Burns said...

oh i love your swap goodies!!!
yes, i gasped when i saw those hats - and i enlarged the pic and gasped at the $95 price tag, lol!
Cape Cod looks amazing, maybe I will get there one day. i've always loved their style of architecture

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

oh goshhh Elyse.. so many beautiful things to look at... and am drooling.. seriously.. i can't pick one.. I love all!!! hydrangea, cottages, picket fences, all those pinkies and blooms.. are lovely..

have a great day!

Kara Ward said...

My eyes are dancing at all the treasures...the glittery starfish are my favorites. Oh, How I Wish I was There!!!!

rochambeau said...

Thank you for your visit Elyse and for taking me to the Cape with you!
Lovely photos and thoughts1
Constance

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

What a lovely trip to Cape Cod for you and your sisters. How fun! And I got to go too (sort of)!

Thanks for leaving such nice thoughts and comments on my blog! You truly brought a smile to my face this morning. I will definitely be back to visit again soon.

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Anonymous said...

I just love the pics. My Hubby and I have often talked about visiting the New England States one day.

Willow

Cindy@Cutepinkstuff said...

Awwww....love Cape Cod. Or at least the thought of it. Never been. It's on my list of places to be. Thanks for the photos which are exactly the ones I would have wanted to take! And your swap was great. Pretty post, Elyse!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I'd love to go there someday! And blog friends are the most generous souls. I should know. I'm sitting here with your clothespins right in front of me!
Brenda

Unknown said...

Oh Elyse!!! You are so lucky!! What a fabulous place, it is just beautiful! I love all the cottages!! And the shops are to die for! I love the hats!!! And the figurine you bought is beautiful, I have always loved those! I am going to have to tell Chad I want to visit on our next vacation! Just a perfect place!

What wonderful gifts from M too!! What a perfect swap! Love everything you sent her too!!

Big hugs,
Amy

cottage farm villa said...

Elyse, I have been to the Cape once ... my ex boss owns a home there and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! You lucky girl!

Anonymous said...

I love all of the pictures you posted!!! I especially love the color of the picket fence, how charming...

I just put up a NEW POST on my Blog! If you have a chance, come by and say hi!

Have a great week,
Aimee

shabby*vintage*dreams said...

Hi there, thanks for stoppin by my blog!! I love your pictures they are stunning!! just like your blog!!
mandii

Stephenie said...

What a pretty post..Your pictures look amazing...I want to go to Cape Cod soon..My husband was just talking about going there...I'll have to show him your pretty pictures... That antique store looked amazing...Just looove all the pretty hydrangeas..Mine still haven't bloomed...
I'm shipping my package off to Jenn this morning...Can't wait to see everyones pretty treasures...
Stephenie

KatCollects said...

Take me Take me Take me next time!!! : ) What a beautiful place to vacation. I also love your swap items given and received. You make the cutest things.
Hugs,
Kathy

Susie's country cottage said...

I just wanted to say what a gorgeous blog you have. I discovered it today. I love the photos of Cape Cod. It is a place that is on a very long list of places I want to see in the world!

LaurieStar said...

The Cape is so beautiful and quaint. Loved your pictures. Love all your cool shabby loot and all the neat shops! Envious again! :)

Anonymous said...

Cape Cod is one of my favourite spots in the world!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you for sharing those wonderful pictures of your time at the cape with us! I would love to have boxed up a huge bouquet of those hydrangeas!

Wonderful little swap and what a great idea if I would just get around to making something that someone else would like to swap me for !

blessings
mary

Joyfulsister said...

Hi Elyse!!
Wow I really enjoyed all the photos!! beautiful!! I would like to visit Cape Cod one day, for now I can just dream (smiles) I am so blessed to have found you and your blog. Thanks for sharing this with us today!

Hugz Lorie

Anonymous said...

OmGosh..wow the Cape has gone shabby ..last time I was there it was masculine lobster nautical theme everywhere! I love the pastel map..I would love 1 of Hull to get thru winter! Maybe Hull will go shabby but I doubt it this is a poor town except rich folk during winter.So many inspiring pretties! Lorraine has her things in a booth..wonder if it is Lizzies shop? I have tried to contact Joanne of Vintage Rose for several years to get together for coffee or tea ..she is down the road in Marshfield! I found another shabby shop in blogland in Pembroke..her stuff is cheap..I will have to take a cab someday!

Tutti Chic said...

What very pretty post & what great info on cape cod! I actually was in chatham two weeks ago & went to ruffles & roses only to find out they had closed! :( wish I knew about the other store. Email me & let me know where you are in relationship to me! :) tuttichic@yahoo.com

Amy C said...

oh what a fun a pretty summer, I must go to Cape Cod one day it looks perfectly lovely.
The little starfish in the window are so adorable.

Claudia said...

Oooh, what wonderful things from the OC Cottage! I love your photos of all the wonderful places you visited on Cape Cod. It looks like you had a fabulous time. The Josef Original is so, so sweet. Thanks for your lovely comment on the blogging post - I treasure you and Cottage - maybe a swap soon? I'm settling down now and maybe I can rustle something up!

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

When I read, "wreckless use of glitter", my heart skipped a beat! Love it!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

YUMMY....I LOVED all your little exchange pressies....Oh yes, we gals LOVE us some great packaging, don't we?

Blessings,
Spencer