Wake Up to a Little Sunshine!

When I wake up in the morning I am so happy, "the day is fresh, there's not mistakes in it" (yet) according to Lucy Maud Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables.

That was one of my favorite books growing up, and still is to this day. I even dressed up as Anne for Halloween when I was about 12 years old – I loved Anne & the books so much; I was so excited!

I still think that saying is true, that when you start the day, you have a clean slate, there are no mistakes … yet! And I love that, especially as I am known to make many, many mistakes.

So when I get ready in the morning, I open the shades and sit at my vanity (another flea market find – just needed a coat of paint!) and get myself ready for another day. I think the sunshine can definitely improve your mood and what a wonderful way to jump-start the day with a good attitude! 

And mum's don't hurt either …

So while I rev myself up for the day, I hope you can find a little sunshine and have a wonderful day!

“I’ll be your ROW-MEO”

My sister sent me the sweetest Valentine's Day card!

And I thought it was so cute I wanted to share!

I love vintage-inspired cards and this one is awesome! I love how it is somewhat 3-D (the puppies in the boat are raised) and has a little glitter! Isn't everything better with a little glitter?!

I just love getting mail and it's even better when it is something pretty from someone you love!

My sister always gives the best gifts – she always knows just what to get you. Her gifts are always thoughtful and are just my (or a friend's) style! 

I added some sea urchins I picked up from our little vacation last week!

The hubby and I just got back from a week in Key West (ahhh, the sun!) and we decided that the trip would be our Valentines Gift to each other … but of course I still got him a little something!

Later this week I'll have to share with you what I picked up for my little sister in our travels – I am so proud! Since she's this fabulous gift giver, I always want to give her something just as meaningful, and I think she's really going to love it!

We're still unpacking, so later this week I'll be blogging some sunny photos and funny stories from our trip! I feel like I must share as much of the sun and warmth as I can, since I'm always soaking up the sunshine from everyone else's blog who isn't shoveling themselves out of a few feet of snow!

Wishing you a Happy Valentines Day!

Love, 

White on White

I might have mentioned in another post that my decorating style is changing, and while I still love green, I am drawn to more whites – especially white on white. I've been following some lovely blogs including; A Beach Cottage, Dreamy Whites, Urban Farmgirl, Faded Plains, The Grower's Daughter, and some others  which feature homes entirely decorated in whites – and they are gorgeous! 

So in honor of those blogs and all the fluffy snow outside, I attempted my own white on white decor…

 
And of course I found some lovely white mums, rosemary and bay leaves that I just had to take home and use! 

Using my lensbaby (above) – it is my new favorite photography toy.  It gives such beautiful effects.

I just loved this dresser from the moment I saw it. And now I think I love it even more with the white flowers!

Staying warm and enjoying the wintery, snowy glow from outside!

I may have a slight Jadeite Obsession …

Unpacking my Jadeite that I personally moved to ensure its safety!

I have to admit I am not a collector of much, but I've been picking up both replica and antique jadeite (Fire King) pieces since I was a teenager.  My little obsession has really grown into quite a nice collection and I thought since you can't stop by my house (where you really can't miss my jadeite mania since its everywhere!) I'd share my little jade hoard with you.

I should also note that I started amassing this stockpile when I was 16, and didn't realize the value of some of the pieces since all I thought was … "Oh they are so pretty! And in my favorite color!"  

My mom took me and my sister flea marketing with her since we were in strollers, so we kind of grew up learning the art of haggling – which is especially important since I didn't have lots of money to spend.

Tips we learned while flea marketing:

• Change your money into small bills before you arrive at the yard sale or flea market
• Split your money into different – but secure – pockets
• Don't wear your Sunday Best (maybe even dress a little sad – it really helps your position in the negotiation)
• If a seller has priced an item too high – make an offer, but come back at closing and they will usually take it!  Of course you must be willing to potentially lose your treasure, since you can't account for Mr. or Mrs. Moneybags buying it before the day is out (I have learned this lesson the hard way).
• Its much harder to haggle with antique dealers masquerading as the common flea marketer. I think antique dealers were much more rare at flea markets 15 (give or take) years ago.  
• Have fun! My idea of of a good time is looking through other people's old treasures on a beautiful day!

Almost every piece of furniture I own, came from a flea market, yard sale, or antique store (yes, you can still get some good deals!) and yes – I have even kidnapped people's garbage! All most pieces need is a good wash, coat of white paint and a loving home.

I'll have to share my much-loved, shabby-chic furniture soon as I have already gone off on a tangent and this post is getting long!

So, back to my Jadeite obsession …

I have found quite an assortment of mixing bowls, plate, measuring cups on my hunts!

When I found these original Fire King Dinnerware plates I was ecstatic! And you would not believe it, but the bowls were replicas from Target for $2 each on sale! I may have stormed 3 Targets that day. And my mugs were a very welcomed birthday present.

Here's a peek into my kitchen (which I have great plans of painting white in the future – when I find some free time) I think everything in this weird, corner cabinet is a replica, but gorgeous nonetheless!

A Thanksgiving turkey casserole dish (top shelf), cookie jar & small rabbit mold (2^nd shelf) and a totally amazing spherical water pitcher and another rabbit mold (bottom shelf). And hidden further back are some more jadeite jars. 

So I use this cabinet for function & display since it is glass and it is very hard to hide the same messes that are going on in my other cabinets, the ones you can't see through.

 Another window-cabinet in my island is used only for storing pretty things; including some jadeite glasses, various salt, pepper & sugar shakers and a creamer and sugar jar!

I also have a few casserole dishes and a platter that I use all the time. I'm a big believer in using your pretty china and silverware daily – otherwise you don't get to enjoy it as much. You must also realize I was the kind of kid that when I got a new outfit, I wore it the very next day, I did not save it for a special occasion. So that may explain some of my life philosophies.

More cabinetry, china and jadeite displayed for everyday use. You'll see some tea cups & saucers, small salad plates, candy dish, butter dish, vinaigrette, and some hiding jadiete!  Can you find it? … It's hard to spot – since they're white! Fire King made a white version (similar to milk glass) of the dinner plates.

I bought these at an annual flea market in NJ about 12 years ago. There was this crate-full of china which was a complete set including: dinner & salad plates, fruit & soup bowls, tea cups & saucers and … they wanted to sell the entire crate. I only wanted 10 plates. We negotiated to a dollar a plate! At the end of the night I came to pick up my treasures and they wanted to get rid of everything and tried to sell me the entire crate for $15. Obviously it hurts for me to tell you this, but … I turned it down … I only wanted the plates. I still cannot believe it! Oh well.

I also have a weakness for vases. And obviously there is some jadeite in the bunch.

I use them throughout my house: Living room, office, kitchen and yes, even my bathroom!

If you haven't noticed, I have a quite fondness for green and white. Most of my china and tchotchkes are green but almost all my furniture it white. I'll take you on a tour of my house soon. Here's a sneak peak!

And lastly, I like a few conversation pieces. Things like a small piggy bank.  

Or maybe the slightly inappropriate – we think this is a shot glass, but we're not sure. That's why we keep it in my office.

We wouldn't want to offend any visitors!

I also have a few jadeite liquid measuring cups I forgot to share earlier. 

Now you've seen just about my entire jadeite collection, and maybe a little of my jade compulsion. I hope you all enjoy your own china
and collections as much as I enjoy mine!

Let me know if you have seen a piece I don't have, or if you have a great flea marketing story please share!  I love to hear about other people's hunts, finds and tips!

Love, 

Old-Fashioned, Handmade Christmas Decorations!

I always enjoy decorating my home with old fashioned, handmade Christmas Decorations!  I have ceramic trees, santas and painted snowmen handed down from my grandmother, Holiday die-cuts hanging on my walls, beautiful glitter advent calendars (which now have almost half the little doors opened!), and homemade needle-craft tree decorations and stockings!

Our tree (read about about Christmas tree adventure here!) is adorned with many old glass ornaments.  Many of these I bought for a steal at flea markets! I especially love it when the seller has this huge black garbage bag of ornaments and has no idea of what is in it, then sells the whole thing for $5!  (Yes, I did in fact say 5 dollars!) Its like unwrapping a Christmas present in and of itself – it is so exciting to see when I will find when I open the bag!  Usually I am quite thrilled with my purchase, and there are always more than a few gems hidden among the rest!

I have more than one tree in our house (of course we have our real tree which we cut down) but also a small tinsel feather tree, which is where I display my smaller old ornaments (otherwise they get lost in the big tree).  Last year my sister gave me these great glass diorama Christmas balls she bought at an antique store!  Aren't they just amazing – I love old things!  I enjoy knowing that something I love was loved just as much by another person and family that they never threw it away.  Sometimes the stories that accompany these flea market finds make them that much more special!

And we have a third small artificial tree. This is where I put all those special ornaments that I have made over the past 10 years or so. Once I picked up this book that had paper ornaments that get cut-out, folded and glued into replicas of old fashioned 3-dimensional ornaments.  Of course I loved this and added my own special touch … a little glitter, a small deer or a bit of fake holly (you get the idea)! They tree lights really make these shine!

About 3 years ago, I started this needle-work project that I just finished!  They are made of felt, embroidery floss and sequins!  My mom had made one of these kits when I was a little girl and I just couldn't keep my paws off them!  The kit I bought was the 12 Days of Christmas!  And I just finished them up this year!  Whew!  They did take quite a few hours to complete!  I'll share the entire collection as we get closer to the holiday!

I even made needlepoint Christmas stockings for my husband and myself!

There's lots more, check back soon for more holiday cheer! 

Later this week I'll be sharing some tips on growing and maintaining your Poinsettias this Christmas Season!

Peony, Paeonia…. a true classic!

Who doesn't love Peonies?  Really?!  They are just too beautiful – its a very well known fact. 

I went to Whole Food the other day and fell in love with these Gorgeous Girls. And while I only went in for some vitamins… I came home with THREE bunches of flowers!  I just couldn't wait to get those babies home & photograph them!  I planted 8 peony rootstocks in front of my house two weeks ago, but they're just starting to sprout, so there isn't much going on with them.

I was going to do some shots in front of my back window, but the wonderful weather beckoned (yes – it literally beckoned) me outside.  And then I realized I needed a table, so I carted one out.  Then I realized it looked kinda silly just a vase on the table … so I took more stuff out.  

After about 5 trips I had a lovely pile of pretty things I swiped from all over my house and battled the pesky wind (which kept knocking everything over – my poor girls were quite weather-beaten by the end) to get some shots.  Here's a few that I will be making into prints.

I simply love peonies.  Doesn't everyone?!

Wind Gone Awry

Have you ever had a fully planned day, but then something unforeseen happens – and NOTHING gets done or goes according to plan?  Well, that was my day today. 

I had all these plans to get some work done on the computer, clean-up some beds on the sides of my house, make a healthy meal (okay not so healthy, but oh-so-tasty!) and follow up with a bunch of phone calls for work.  Well…none of that happened.  

It was mid-morning here and I was just gearing myself up (have I mentioned that I am NOT a morning person) for my day doing some work when my lights, computer and anything electrical flickers …. and goes OUT!  At first I think everything will come back… I was so disappointed when I realized that this was not what was going to happen.  After sitting around for about an hour and a half (un-showered as yet mind you!) I call the power company and talked to a recording, which informed me very politely that they knew about the outage & that power would come back "soon".  Apparently we had very strong winds all day which took out some power lines in over 5 towns.  So I have this beautiful day but I can't do any work outside since  the wind is blowing so hard (the debris would go everywhere!); I could take some photos but can't upload my files to the computer, can't do my phone calls since I have cordless phones (again the electricity thing), my cell is dying & most of my calls were to be to businesses in the same towns; AND I have an electric stove, so no delicious dinner.  

After speaking with my mom (who so kindly pointed out to me that I could turn on the portable generator if I knew how to operate it … this was not the time for that discussion) I packed some things and went to her house to borrow her shower.  

And once I was clean again (which greatly improved my attitude!) we decided to go out and buy some more seeds (a girl can never have enough!).  So I bought some corriander, dill, garlic chives, more oregano & thyme and some extra basil seeds (I know I'll plant it all before the summer finishes).  I love to grow my own herbs & vegetables and also buy fresh ones at local farm markets throughout the spring, summer and fall!

I particularly love going to Johnny's Selected Seeds in Winslow, Maine – you can even tour their research farm! Even kids love it!

So even though the day didn't turn out as I had hoped, it wound up okay (even good – hey, anytime I get to shop for more seeds is a good day) in the end.  

As for this weekend I'll have to add the side bed clean-up to my already too-long list.  Hopefully we will get our soil delivered for the kitchen garden so we can put up the fence and created some raised beds, plant some more seeds.  Then we will be planting more hostas (a variety) along the front path to our door, some clematis (Jackmanii), Sarah Burnhart peony crowns (oh this is one of my FAVORITE plants!) and some groundcovers, which we are still undecided about which to go with (ivy or pachysandra). 

Do you have any ideas about DURABLE groundcovers that will get partial sun/shade?