a shared "vintage vision"

I had been a strict Pottery Barn devotee for years. Long before becoming a magazine addict, Pottery Barn catalogs were my strict go-to guides for decorating. Even if pieces weren’t from Pottery Barn, they had the look and feel.



When we bought our house and were packing to move in, I nearly fainted over the above Pottery Barn layout featuring a small space dining area. It had to be. With the exception of the table (because we had a pedestal table already and my tall husband was growing tired of knocking-knees at meals) I bought it all.


"Before" with the Pottery Barn set

Once we settled into our new home I hung blue paint chips all over the walls to determine the right shade. And then it happened …


Country Decorating Ideas Presents #91 • Romantic Country

I bought this lovely magazine and it featured the most beautiful kitchen and dining area in an article entitled, Vintage Vision.





I couldn’t get the green Depression glass hardware out of my mind. I swooned over the same two pages for months over breakfast. I decided I would get the hardware in blue but when viewing it online, I didn’t have the same reaction as I had to the green. Green?



Green!



This changed everything.


I painted directly over the mossy cabinets and then sanded them for a distressed finish.


I ordered the hardware from the source listed in the magazine: House of Antique Hardware.


I painted the walls a pale green and everything else white ...


including the ceiling fan (to which I also added decals).




Plates were displayed


Floral fabrics were hung and crystals were added



And through the article showcasing Elizabeth Holguin's beautiful home, I was even lead to one of the first blogs I'd ever seen, The Shabby Romantic (although I think it has ceased).

Amazing how one magazine article lead me to so many things including shabby style and blogging (which then lead me to reawakened creativity, my Etsy shop, and many new treasured friendships). Warmest appreciation for the editorial inspiration of the Fabulous Fifi!

first sign of fall

My new Cath Kidston Autumn magazine/catalog just arrived!



click here to view it or click here to order it free!

I guess I'm too big for this. Maybe it could hold craft or office supplies? It is so sweet.

Okay, better go because we're planning to go here and there's lots to do ...



xo

a story for pink saturday

Once upon a summer, there were two bloggers. One liked to tinker while the other liked to sew. After many comments admiring each other's handiwork the bold tinkerer uttered the magical words ...

Would you like to swap some of your hearts for some of my clothespins?

The two friends happily agreed to send each other packages once the busy-ness of the season began to wane. And they did.



Here is what I received today from the very dear and multi-talented Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.



~ SWOON ~



Claudia packaged everything like a dream. Pinks and blues, prettiest papers, and sweet surprises!



~ SIGH ~



Receiving this was a real bright spot in a very worrisome day. My six year-old spent the day at the ER for breathing problems due to an upper respiratory infection. He is fine and home now. Thanks so much also to Sharon for being such a sweetie while I was online and nervous.



I truly adore it all!



I think I shall name the little figure Millie for Mockingbird Hill. What do you think?

And the friends blogged happily ever after ...

Claudia is planning a little swap post of her own. Please tell her Millie sends her love and wishes her a very happy Pink Saturday!

xo


• Please visit Beverly for more tales of Pink Saturday finds and friendship!
• There is still time to enter my 1st blogthday giveaway. Click here for details.

SWOON: pale and interesting

I have a Country Home magazine from February 2009, that I revisit almost weekly to pour over the article, fresh vanilla. The pages give a tour of the country home of Atlanta Bartlett and her family.

I enjoy looking at Atlanta's adorably ruddy-faced and coolly named boys, her simple style, her unexpected sparkling touches (a disco ball in the living room). Little did I originally know that Atlanta is the author of many home dècor books, all illustrating her easy and elegant style.



Atlanta has just launched the beautifully presented online shop Pale and Interesting. I am on a self-imposed spending freeze but a girl can look ... and SWOON. Here are some favorites:




Sigh ...





Hope you enjoyed the tour!



Also, THANK YOU so much for the sweetest comments ever on my blogthday giveaway post. Reading everyone's messages is like sitting with a stack of birthday cards. I'm overwhelmed! For anyone who hasn't entered, there is still time. Click here for details.

xo

1st blogthday giveaway

My Mother's Day cake

Greetings!

In a little less than 2 weeks, my blog will turn 1! It seems like just yesterday that the boys started school and I decided to create a blog. Who knew all of the positive elements, new ventures, and wonderful surprises having a blog would bring?

To celebrate, I am having a Blogthday Giveaway!

Included in my giveaway will be this glittered canvas {like the ones I sell at my Etsy shop}:



and a bag of surprise crafty treats and tinkered treasures!



To enter, please leave a comment on this post.

For a 2nd entry, simply add this little button to your blog along with the link to this post:

The winning entry will be selected (using random.org) on August 28th, the date of my first post.

xo

pretty as a pit

Much cuter than my plastic laundry basket. Source: Cath Kidston

It's gray and cloudy here in the Ocean State but that's okay. I thought I would catch up on some laundry ... but the boys are so engrossed in a TV show, I just have to sneak in a little post-writing fun!

Have you visited Erin at Fairie Moon? Erin has a wonderfully eclectic blog and a very cool Etsy shop. I am almost embarrassed to share this (because I have been so very "gifted" lately) but after commenting about her cute cherry pit dolls, Erin sent one to me!



So cute and wearing a sweet little dress! Plus beautiful packaging and a business card with a great tag line: Purveyors of fine hand-crafted woodens, sparkly baubles and whimsy



Of course I had to name my new, tiny doll: meet Pitunia! She is just 2 inches tall and has moveable arms and legs. What detail in miniature!

Thank you so much, Erin! {goodies for you are all set to go!}


Pitunia's baby picture

I have also been fitting-in some tinkering and adding new items to my Etsy shop.



Will that laundry ever get done?

Speaking of laundry, the new Cath Kidston magazine is available. Free at the online shop!

xo