Photos courtesy 1stdibs, Etsy, Liza Sherman Antiques, French Logic and Retro Repro Handmade
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Recent Posts
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Want It Wednesdays: Black and White and Red All Over
Photos courtesy 1stdibs, Etsy, Liza Sherman Antiques, French Logic and Retro Repro Handmade
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Friday, October 23, 2009
Happy Sweet Sixteen
On October 25, 1993, my life was changed forever. On this day at 11:27 a.m. I became a Mommy. Nine months earlier my husband and I had gone out to celebrate our 6-month anniversary as newlyweds. Turns out that what comes right after a plate of green chili enchiladas and one too many frozen margaritas, followed by a Mambo around the dance floor in a pink velvet sombrero is . . . . A baby!
When I was preggers with my first child, I totally took advantage of my condition and played the "eat everything that doesn't move out of your way card." The final trimester of my pregnancy I weighed the rough estimate of a Cadillac Escalade. I began each of my remaining weeks dropping by my OBGYN's office pleading for an inducement because I felt that the baby was getting too big and if I bumped into a sharp object I might burst into flames, Hindenburg style. This request was met with the accusation that I had just gained too much weight and the baby weighed 7 lbs. at the most. So, needless to say, when my doctor handed me our 10 lb 5 oz. baby girl type-person I got the pleasure of an "I told you so" moment and I recall throwing in a "Bite Me!" just for funzzies. This was a period of my life where I felt that peppering in phrases like "bite me!", empowered me somehow. Okay, so I was on the wrong side of that argument, but at the time and given the situation, I felt justified.
I shared that story, to tell you this one - My baby girl type-person, Olivia, is celebrating her sweet 16th birthday on Sunday. This year we are using words like driving and college around our house. Those words used in the same sentence with my daughter's name make my brains want to start pouring out of my ears. It seems like just last week I was telling her to take her binky out of her mouth so that I could understand what she was saying and playing "Beath-ed" - which is how 'beast' sounds when one has a pacifier in one's mouth. "Beath-ed" was what Olivia called her favorite-est "moobie" in the "word" - Beauty and the Beast. Usually her Daddy played the part of the Beast and I was cast as Mrs. Potts or Lumiere. (If given the choice. I usually chose to be the slender candlestick with a great French accent instead of the Ruben-esque tea pot - I'm vain like that.)
I adore every thing about you, my darlin girl, and on that you can count, for the rest of your days! I will never care if you know someone who knows someone, if you are an A-list, a B-list or a "Never-heard-of-you" list. What I will always love and care about are each and every word, thought. and idea that flutters from your extraordinary mind. Ever since the first day that I'd known about you, I couldn't wait to meet you, and with each additional year, your beauty, your talents, and your aspirations grow. I am overwhelmed by the love I have for you.
Happy Birthday you precious jewel, I love you to pieces! (you meeces!)
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Labels:
"first child",
"Happy Birthday",
"sweet sixteen",
daughters,
pregnant,
teenagers
·
20
comments
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Magical Girly Bits
When I'm trying to write a post for the blog or list some new things on my online shop, it just wouldn't seem normal around here unless my friendly tele-marketer didn't call repeatedly offering to sell me everything short of a new pancreas, or the Hubbs and the babes didn't need me to stop what I'm doing and activate my special "I-CAN-FIND-ANYTHING-BECAUSE-I-HAVE-A-UTERUS" powers to help locate their missing shoes, keys, or backpacks.
Unlike my years of working in publishing at an office, working at home in front of my own computer has had it's own set of distractions. Although I have learned a lot about the ins and outs of working from home, I confess that the whole "internet at my fingertips" thing continues to be a huge temptation. I see others handle the temptation with restraint while prioritizing work over reading the blogs or Google-ing how to lose a few "el-bees" without having to actually give up eating.
According to a survey I made up just for this post, Americans spend 30-40 hours a week online. Apparently my magical girly bits have the ability to find hidden goodies online, too, and being the altruistic soul that I am, I've decided to help you expand your online time and point you toward some simply intoxicating, inspiring, and (basically all the "in" descriptives that you can imagine) inventive sites I have come across over the last few days.
MAN SHOPS GLOBE
The first discovery I have to share is the Sundance Channel's original series, MAN SHOPS GLOBE. Keith Johnson openly admits the he has the greatest job in the world, and now we get to watch him work every Wednesday night while he digs around in out-of-the-way antique shops, private dealerships, and craft stalls looking for one-of-a-kind home furnishings and accessories for his employer Anthropologie. In each episode of MAN SHOPS GLOBE, Johnson travels to a new country in search of fantastic and unusual decorative objects, furniture, and textiles. He also seeks out the world's best artists and crafts people. The series follows Johnson, who travels six months of the year, from flea markets in Paris to remote villages in India, and obscure art studios in Turkey. Needless to say, I'm addicted! As if I needed another obsession?!
BELGIAN PEARLS
Greet Lefevre is a Belgian interior designer and runs a marvelous company called Lefevre Interiors. She's also a blogger friend and all around wonderful woman. If you don't know her, her blog, or her business, you should! Together with her brother, Greet runs their cabinetmakers business, continuing the fourth generation in the family business. Greet's house is in Flanders and is simply magnificent, you must see the images of her home and adjoining office/studio she has up on her blog Belgian Pearls.
ROOM 17
It is through Greet's blog that I stumbled upon Room 17. Marvelous moody greys, earthy charcoals and linen whites effervesce off the computer screen! Their blog is a treat, as well!
AURELIE ALVAREZ
The charming, whimsical, over-sized paintings of French artist, Aurelie Alvarez catches Anthropolgie's, Keith Johnson's, imagination in this online clip which is part of MAN SHOPS GLOBE series. Johnson suggests that if one were to look up "romantic French artists house" in the dictionary, Auralie's home would be pictured - and quite rightly, the romantic bohemian mood in her studio is palpable!
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Unlike my years of working in publishing at an office, working at home in front of my own computer has had it's own set of distractions. Although I have learned a lot about the ins and outs of working from home, I confess that the whole "internet at my fingertips" thing continues to be a huge temptation. I see others handle the temptation with restraint while prioritizing work over reading the blogs or Google-ing how to lose a few "el-bees" without having to actually give up eating.
According to a survey I made up just for this post, Americans spend 30-40 hours a week online. Apparently my magical girly bits have the ability to find hidden goodies online, too, and being the altruistic soul that I am, I've decided to help you expand your online time and point you toward some simply intoxicating, inspiring, and (basically all the "in" descriptives that you can imagine) inventive sites I have come across over the last few days.
MAN SHOPS GLOBE
The first discovery I have to share is the Sundance Channel's original series, MAN SHOPS GLOBE. Keith Johnson openly admits the he has the greatest job in the world, and now we get to watch him work every Wednesday night while he digs around in out-of-the-way antique shops, private dealerships, and craft stalls looking for one-of-a-kind home furnishings and accessories for his employer Anthropologie. In each episode of MAN SHOPS GLOBE, Johnson travels to a new country in search of fantastic and unusual decorative objects, furniture, and textiles. He also seeks out the world's best artists and crafts people. The series follows Johnson, who travels six months of the year, from flea markets in Paris to remote villages in India, and obscure art studios in Turkey. Needless to say, I'm addicted! As if I needed another obsession?!
BELGIAN PEARLS
Greet Lefevre is a Belgian interior designer and runs a marvelous company called Lefevre Interiors. She's also a blogger friend and all around wonderful woman. If you don't know her, her blog, or her business, you should! Together with her brother, Greet runs their cabinetmakers business, continuing the fourth generation in the family business. Greet's house is in Flanders and is simply magnificent, you must see the images of her home and adjoining office/studio she has up on her blog Belgian Pearls.
ROOM 17
It is through Greet's blog that I stumbled upon Room 17. Marvelous moody greys, earthy charcoals and linen whites effervesce off the computer screen! Their blog is a treat, as well!
AURELIE ALVAREZ
The charming, whimsical, over-sized paintings of French artist, Aurelie Alvarez catches Anthropolgie's, Keith Johnson's, imagination in this online clip which is part of MAN SHOPS GLOBE series. Johnson suggests that if one were to look up "romantic French artists house" in the dictionary, Auralie's home would be pictured - and quite rightly, the romantic bohemian mood in her studio is palpable!
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Want It Wednesdays: Moody Blues
Photos courtesy 1stdibs, Elise Abrams Antiques, Designers Guild and Paris Hotel Boutique
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Round Top Coma
Wednesday of last week was my first official day back from Antiques Week in Round Top, Texas. My return home marked a period of recuperation that I like to call "if-you-value-your-life-let-me-be-in-a-coma-for-at-least-a-week!" Today I awoke from my "Round Top-induced" state, and I've been replaying all the fun times that I had with my newest family member, Stan Williams, and I've been pouring over the gazillion vintage goodies that he and I found. He has a really fun video from one of our days at the show on his blog, The Elegant Thrifter, that can be seen here. I'm also reveling in the fact that I have not had any food containing the words "fingers", "leg" or "on a stick" in their title for an entire week!
A few of the many things that I most enjoy about this show is all the great stories I get hear and the many new friends I get to make. Tuning out the fact that our economy is still sluggish and my booth proved to be a little "squish-ish," my time at the show was just marvelous! (Round Top Texas received something like 6 inches of rain in a matter of a few hours over the last several days of the show, making shopping and selling quite challenging to say the very least!) However, I have decided that the next time I decide to brave the elements and show my vintage linens in a tent out in a cow pasture when there is even the slightest chance for rain, I might want to re-think it and just stab myself in the eye with a sharp stick or repeatedly slam my thumb in the car door, instead!!
The happy, fun times most certainly out-weighed the soggy and the challenging, however, and I'm anxious to share my photos, vintage finds, and as always a little sarcasm with you. I think it is best to just make a list and check it off as I go.
1. I got to hang out with my buddy and newest family member, Stan Williams, also known as The Elegant Thrifter. Stan is truly adored by our family! Please come back to Texas Stan, you are missed terribly!!
2. I had the privilege of meeting an angel posing as a little girl. Her name is Indie Gus and she was hangin out with her Mommy, Aime Sikes, of the Junk Gypsies.
3. My talented son serenaded the crowds at the Texas Rose Show and he even made some tips!!
4. These vintage beauties belong on the silver screen (doncha' think?), but I'm slightly biased. One is my beautiful daughter and the other is my dear friend Casey. My daughter's prowess and confidence as a photographer grew exponentially; she gave her new camera a real work out during this show!
5. It was such great fun meeting Amy of Gypsy Chix and her Mom,Terri, is such great lady, too!
6. My beautiful niece Morgan had her first taste of becoming an entrepreneur. Her goodies at Vintage Gal Rings on Etsy are a must see!
7. Another pair of blog buddies, The Other Theresa of Cottage Gardens and Gina of Peacock Park Designs, were having fun at the blog party. It was so great to meet you both in person!
8. Amy of Whisper Wood Cottage and Junkologie, and Deb of Trash Talking and I are muggin' for the camera here. It was so great to meet you both, finally!
9. Joseph, you are indeed missed! I hope they have gi-normous grapefruit in heaven!
10. It was great to see Becky of Gypsy Rose - I'm lovin' that rose on your shoulder!
11. Sherry Parks of Sea Stars Cottage and Retreat is missing her sweet home in Alabama - I'm sure. It was great seeing you!
12. Annie of The Bunny Bungalow and Corey mug for the cameras at the blog party. Say cheeez . . . pleeeze! So great meeting both of you - I had a blast visiting with you and your tall husband, Annie!
13. Theresa of Garden Antiques threw one wonderful Blog Party - you are the consummate hostess - Thanks for everything!
14. Stan found me a Dr. Pepper - the lovely woman standing between Stan and me is a physician . . . and her last name is Pepper . . . . get it . . . . . . Dr. Pepper . . . . nothin' . . . . It's just me, huh?!
And then there were friends that I didn't get a chance to photograph, but got to hug their necks and visit for a while.
15. I got the chance to hug up on Charlene Abbott of Second Hand Charm and empathize with her broken foot - I hope it's all better!
16. One of my newest friends was made right under my own tent at The Texas Rose show. Melissa Moze of Melissa Moze Designs makes the cutest belts using vintage enameled pins for the buckles - you've got to check her Etsy store out!
17. My old friend Debbie Carroll of Debbie Carroll Designs and I had a few occasions to catch up each on what is going on with the other's husbands, kids and such, but mostly we just oohed and aahed over each other's stuff, as usual! Her Etsy shop is to die for, as well.
18. I met another marvelous woman named Lisa Robison, she is the Executive Director of an amazing non-profit called Dwell With Dignity.
19. My darlin' friend Cheryl Schulke of Stash Couture and Stash Studios stopped by the booth a couple of times to say Hi and visit. Her newly launched design house, Stash Couture, is just fantastic and of course, her blog Stash Studios remains a daily read. Thanks for the Jalepaneo Margaritas - they were delici-ous-ooo!!
20. It was great seeing Linda and Ludmil of Willow Nest Farm, too! I hope you have great fun at Silver Bella in November!
21. Natalie of Two Be Wed stopped by with her Mom and her babe to say Hi and catch me up on her business. You are one busy "chick-a-dee!"
22. And as usual, I was mesmerized by my buddy, Maggie, of The Veranda at Canton. The woman is like McGyver with ephemera!
23. I made a new friend, again right under my nose, at The Texas Rose Show. Debbie Freeman of Duchess d has simply impeccable taste! I was coveting all of her vintage furniture and paintings. I can't wait for her website to up and running!
24. Susie Skinner and Hector Vasquez of Fundustrial had their usual amazing finds! Thanks for the great price on the industrial stools, they are going to perfect at my bar! See you at City Wide on the 24th and 25th.
25. Angelique of Six in One Hand . . . Madness in the Other, it was a blast to visit with you - so glad I had the opportunity to meet you in person!
26. It was such fun meeting Adrienne of The Flying Bee and her husband - they showed me the cutest photos of the B & B they stayed in while in Texas.
27. And last, but never least, The Hubbs - my biggest fan and supporter came through again - you're the best-est and I love your face off!!!
Follow my blog with bloglovin
A few of the many things that I most enjoy about this show is all the great stories I get hear and the many new friends I get to make. Tuning out the fact that our economy is still sluggish and my booth proved to be a little "squish-ish," my time at the show was just marvelous! (Round Top Texas received something like 6 inches of rain in a matter of a few hours over the last several days of the show, making shopping and selling quite challenging to say the very least!) However, I have decided that the next time I decide to brave the elements and show my vintage linens in a tent out in a cow pasture when there is even the slightest chance for rain, I might want to re-think it and just stab myself in the eye with a sharp stick or repeatedly slam my thumb in the car door, instead!!
The happy, fun times most certainly out-weighed the soggy and the challenging, however, and I'm anxious to share my photos, vintage finds, and as always a little sarcasm with you. I think it is best to just make a list and check it off as I go.
1. I got to hang out with my buddy and newest family member, Stan Williams, also known as The Elegant Thrifter. Stan is truly adored by our family! Please come back to Texas Stan, you are missed terribly!!
2. I had the privilege of meeting an angel posing as a little girl. Her name is Indie Gus and she was hangin out with her Mommy, Aime Sikes, of the Junk Gypsies.
3. My talented son serenaded the crowds at the Texas Rose Show and he even made some tips!!
4. These vintage beauties belong on the silver screen (doncha' think?), but I'm slightly biased. One is my beautiful daughter and the other is my dear friend Casey. My daughter's prowess and confidence as a photographer grew exponentially; she gave her new camera a real work out during this show!
5. It was such great fun meeting Amy of Gypsy Chix and her Mom,Terri, is such great lady, too!
6. My beautiful niece Morgan had her first taste of becoming an entrepreneur. Her goodies at Vintage Gal Rings on Etsy are a must see!
7. Another pair of blog buddies, The Other Theresa of Cottage Gardens and Gina of Peacock Park Designs, were having fun at the blog party. It was so great to meet you both in person!
8. Amy of Whisper Wood Cottage and Junkologie, and Deb of Trash Talking and I are muggin' for the camera here. It was so great to meet you both, finally!
9. Joseph, you are indeed missed! I hope they have gi-normous grapefruit in heaven!
10. It was great to see Becky of Gypsy Rose - I'm lovin' that rose on your shoulder!
11. Sherry Parks of Sea Stars Cottage and Retreat is missing her sweet home in Alabama - I'm sure. It was great seeing you!
12. Annie of The Bunny Bungalow and Corey mug for the cameras at the blog party. Say cheeez . . . pleeeze! So great meeting both of you - I had a blast visiting with you and your tall husband, Annie!
13. Theresa of Garden Antiques threw one wonderful Blog Party - you are the consummate hostess - Thanks for everything!
14. Stan found me a Dr. Pepper - the lovely woman standing between Stan and me is a physician . . . and her last name is Pepper . . . . get it . . . . . . Dr. Pepper . . . . nothin' . . . . It's just me, huh?!
And then there were friends that I didn't get a chance to photograph, but got to hug their necks and visit for a while.
15. I got the chance to hug up on Charlene Abbott of Second Hand Charm and empathize with her broken foot - I hope it's all better!
16. One of my newest friends was made right under my own tent at The Texas Rose show. Melissa Moze of Melissa Moze Designs makes the cutest belts using vintage enameled pins for the buckles - you've got to check her Etsy store out!
17. My old friend Debbie Carroll of Debbie Carroll Designs and I had a few occasions to catch up each on what is going on with the other's husbands, kids and such, but mostly we just oohed and aahed over each other's stuff, as usual! Her Etsy shop is to die for, as well.
18. I met another marvelous woman named Lisa Robison, she is the Executive Director of an amazing non-profit called Dwell With Dignity.
19. My darlin' friend Cheryl Schulke of Stash Couture and Stash Studios stopped by the booth a couple of times to say Hi and visit. Her newly launched design house, Stash Couture, is just fantastic and of course, her blog Stash Studios remains a daily read. Thanks for the Jalepaneo Margaritas - they were delici-ous-ooo!!
20. It was great seeing Linda and Ludmil of Willow Nest Farm, too! I hope you have great fun at Silver Bella in November!
21. Natalie of Two Be Wed stopped by with her Mom and her babe to say Hi and catch me up on her business. You are one busy "chick-a-dee!"
22. And as usual, I was mesmerized by my buddy, Maggie, of The Veranda at Canton. The woman is like McGyver with ephemera!
23. I made a new friend, again right under my nose, at The Texas Rose Show. Debbie Freeman of Duchess d has simply impeccable taste! I was coveting all of her vintage furniture and paintings. I can't wait for her website to up and running!
24. Susie Skinner and Hector Vasquez of Fundustrial had their usual amazing finds! Thanks for the great price on the industrial stools, they are going to perfect at my bar! See you at City Wide on the 24th and 25th.
25. Angelique of Six in One Hand . . . Madness in the Other, it was a blast to visit with you - so glad I had the opportunity to meet you in person!
26. It was such fun meeting Adrienne of The Flying Bee and her husband - they showed me the cutest photos of the B & B they stayed in while in Texas.
27. And last, but never least, The Hubbs - my biggest fan and supporter came through again - you're the best-est and I love your face off!!!
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Posts
