"My" Gardenhouse Inspirations

I'm loving this book! My friend Laura gave it to me and it has such wonderful and simple inspirations...I love the chippy/rusty stool! I have the dish rack pictured below. I need use in my kitchen to display some of my transfer ware.

I love old bistro chairs. I have 4 on my patio. I'm still in search of the perfect narrow farm table for my patio.

looking through this book has me inspired to look through some of my treasures and give my patio a little fluffing!

We're headed for some R&R down at the beach. We're renting a beach house with some of our besties - it should be a wonderfully relaxing time ~ with 8 teenagers! lot's of magazines, books, food and of course a little rum and pineapple! I'll be posting my 2-year anniversary give-away when I return - 2 years of blogging that is. Take care!

Cheap Tricks Decorating

Last night The Alley hosted a class by Interior Decorator Claudine Barnett. Hosts Karee and Rene have a wonderful new store in Mission Viejo - the name is changing soon but they were mum as to what the new name would be. They used to have a wonderful store in Ladera Ranch "The Loft" that they sold. Prior to that their shop "Vintage Charm" was just a few blocks from where they are now.

Claudine shared with the group tips and tricks to create wonderful tablescapes and how to make your bookshelves pop with style. They plan to hold classes regularly so please check their blogs for future dates. Their merchandise at The Alley is ever-changing and ranges from eclectic to Tuscan-style - lot's of wonderful accessories! There is a wonderful lamp there that I have my eye on!

Buttons & Inspiration

Here is the bracelet that I created last week at a class. The vintage glass buttons are simple but elegant. The beading work that we did was really fun and I learned some wonderful techniques from Heather.

I'm really inspired to create more with the buttons and baubles that I have collected. But for now I'm off to bake a chocolate cake! Our baby turns 15 tomorrow and his request was chocolate and more chocolate!!

Fun at the Market

What an awesome day it was at the Peddlers Market Saturday! I was hanging out with some of my besties and selling, selling, selling! I loved it. Oh yes and I did have a slice of apple pie after I set up my space Friday afternoon :) I snapped a few photos and honestly most of the things shown were wrapped up and placed in bags to go home with happy customers.

Not sure if you can see the vintage shakers below but they went home with the lovely Janice from The Faded Cottage. She and her mom Kathy are delightful and it was nice to see both of them again! Janice is going to fill the shakers with glitter! I just love that idea ~ I need to look for more shakers!!

I went to a great estate sale Friday morning and picked up 3 great vintage suitcases. Only one came home with me and I think I will decoupage it with vintage sheet music. Lot's of friends came by to visit and shop, it was such a wonderful day!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Summertime Pleasures

They include shopping don't they? Join us this Saturday at Piecemakers in Costa Mesa for the Peddlers Market August 1st. Over 100 dealers selling antiques, collectibles and much more. I'll be there along with friends Debra, Pam and Laura! The beach can wait a bit - we'll be there bright and early! Oh, did I mention that they have the best apple pie ever!

Objets Trouvés

...Found Items. These are some of the treasures that I found yesterday morning, bright and early I might add. I was home by 9am. A neighborhood in Lake Forest held their annual sale and let me tell you this is like going to a flea market! House after house after house is selling everything from treasures from the attic to egg rolls. Yes, I did have egg rolls for breakfast yesterday and they were delicious! The lady that makes them was featured in the OC Register and she has a line down her drive way - how can you go wrong 2 for $1. Hey, they kept me going as I walked the neighborhood with my cart overflowing with these goodies! I met Linda from La Maison Rustique. I'm going to take a little road trip to visit her next Barn Sale. She was hanging out with some friends here locally and I was fortunate enough to pick up some wonderful treasures from them ~ the watering can, and pink bucket.

this super-cute vintage tablecloth - I love the colors!

these three guys will be perfect for keeping one of the doors from blowing shut

At another house I picked up these wonderful hankies

I love this one! "How to Speak French" - this one might have to be framed.

this rose hanky and great little wooden caddy. The nesting benches in the first photo were found while I was nibbling away on my egg rolls. Of course they did not fit in my little cart so I loaded up my treasures and braved the wall to wall traffic to pick these up. They'll get a little makeover and can be found at Piecemakers August 1st

Now for the pièce de la résistance! This little number was delivered to me by my friend Linda. She's a trashing buddy but we went separate ways on Sat. She picked this up for $30. Yes you read that correctly. She though I could either keep it or take it to Piecemakers. Well, for now it's staying with me...I'm slowly moving pieces into it...
lot's of my cream pottery...I just love the details on the glass door.
Not sure if I will paint it yet....what do you think?
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and stop over to a Bushel and a Peck for a wonderful give-away!

Treasures

I spent yesterday morning at the beach - my favorite little town. It was so peaceful...I stopped off at a few yard sales; I found this great red (fav color) Coach bag - practically brand new and a brand new Coach wallet. I spent $20 on the bag and $15 on the wallet. I also picked up a pair of these cute valences - vintage fabric reproduction. They will make cute pillows or ?? I also bought this great vintage scale in a minty green and this wonderful vintage tablecloth. The scale will come to Piecemakers and the tablecloth stays with me! I also bought this chippy white folding chair.This afternoon we headed to the beach again and sat ourselves down in the sand for a few hours. Then we stopped at our favorite consignment store and I scored this enormous glass cloche! It's diameter is almost as large as the chair seat...I think it may be coming with me to Piecemakers in 2 weeks!

It was a wonderful weekend...I hope yours was too!