I finally read through all of the comments from the announcement post about my upcoming book. Wow…thanks so much. Getting started is a little overwhelming and all of that encouragement gave me a huge boost. I had my first photo shoot for the book yesterday and it was also encouraging to me. As I started staging and snapping photos, I knew it would all come together and ideas and inspiration have been popping up everywhere from casual conversations to a stroll around Lucketts. I’m obviously going to keep the photos for the book under wraps, so everything is fresh and new when the book is released, but here is a picture of one of the bouquets I put together. I added the dried lavender to the fresh arrangement after some feedback from my editor and I love how it looks. I’m going to trying tucking dried lavender in all fresh arrangements and maybe even use some for Christmas.
I also picked up some small golden European cypress and rosemary bushes to add some greenery around my house. I do not have a green thumb, but I only need to keep them alive and looking good for a few months, so hopefully I’m up to that task!
It’s going to be such a fun process and I look forward to getting deeper into it.
Now to share a few of my favorite finds from the last few weeks… Lately, I’ve been keeping a lot of what I buy. I not only have the book as an excuse, but a few other big photo shoots coming up, so I’ve wanted to focus more on my house. (Usually I’m pulling stuff out of it to sell, so it’s sort of a nice change of pace for me.) Here are some of my recent acquisitions…
An antique deli scale (from Dana, one of my “pickers”) and a license plate from the flea market…
…a peanut scale…
…and a bird cage (both also from Dana.)
…And this really cool vintage “ladies” sign from the Raleigh flea market. I’m hoping to find a “men” or “gentlemen” sign as well.
One of my fellow bloggers and shoppers, Kristen, had picked it up and was considering it. I remembered my manners and restrained myself from snapping it out of her hands as she thought about it. I think I blurted out, “If you don’t get it, I’m going to.” She decided not to and I bought it immediately. I think that makes up for the typewriter she scored.
I did warn them that when I go shopping, it’s no joke.
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Your photos are amazing and so are your finds!
Debbie
So happy for you;) can’t wait to see what’s up for you next! Great job girl!!
I love your photos so of course a book sounds wonderful! Congratulations!
Love the dried lavender in the flower arrangement – Stunning
Mama Mustard Seed
That deli scale is amazing!
Jeanine
I love the arrangement with the lavender. What a great idea. BUT if you decide to sell the license plate would you consider selling it to me? My initials are LL. I have 5 kids and there are 7 in our family. I collect all things 5 and 7. Keep me in mind if you tire of it!!!!!!!! Thanks. And thanks for the constant inspiration! Lori L
hah, that is funny about the shopping. Hey congratulations on the book, I missed the announcement but hearing it now makes it still great news, proud of you!
I am so excited about your book!! Your style just nails it!
I love the scale and your photos are always AMAZING..
I am from Raleigh and love to visit the flea market when I am in town. I bought my first piece of furniture there after college, keep adding to my collection of fenton and colored mason jars with every visit, and bought a gorgeous gold estate sale mirror there a few months ago. It is a great place to go! -Katie
Oh, your book is going to be amaaaazing!!! LOVE the lavender idea added to flower arrangements…never would have thought of using dried!!! I dried a bunch from my garden and just put it into a neat old metal container I picked up and LOVE it, just by itself, but it’s the bushy kind of lavender. Lavender is just perfection!
LOL Marian!! Yes you did tell Kristen that about the Ladies sign, I’m a witness
I so enjoyed being with you and the others at the Raleigh flea market last weekend. THANK YOU so very much for sharing your time and extending the invitation to tag along! I hate I had to leave early, but I will look forward to next time.
A BIG CONGRATS on your exciting news. It will be awesome, just like you! Kim
Oh boy I’m looking forward to your book. Your photos are stunning and it will be a feast for the eyes!
dreamy… as usual. : )
The floral arrangement is fabulous! And what great finds!! Wow! Love that scale!
Hugging you
SueAnn
I am SO excited for you in regarding to your book! If anyone that deserves this great success, it’s YOU!
Love love love your picks, especially that sign: ladies. So cool! Good luck, I KNOW you will do well! xo
I love the “ladies” sign in your house! I’m glad you got it. As much as I loved it, it wouldn’t have worked where I wanted it. I’m just dying over your deli scale though! That would go perfect in my kitchen:)
I LOVE those lemon cypress trees and always buy them at Lowe’s this time of year. I have a hard time keeping things watered too and these are a bit more difficult. I just had to give up on one yesterday and dump it out… It seems like they need tons of light and if they get dried out even once, they’re toast. They are so darn pretty that I keep buying them though!
I can’t wait to see the book! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics.
Kristen
I LOVE EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!!! You are a daily inspiration to me as I go about building my own business! Thanks for your generosity as you share all your lovelies with us. I am SO looking forward to your book!!! God bless you and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Donna
Marian, your blog is one of my favourites. Always inspiring. I am so tempted to rent a booth in an antique mall, I have accumulated so many things that would fit in it. I don’t know how you maintain your pace with little kids and all. I hope you remember to stop and smell the roses (or the lavender, lol) and take care of YOU.
Have a great Sunday.
I love how you used the deli scale! I also cannot wait for the book…
Girl, your book is going to be a “must have” for me!
Yay for you!!!
Hugs,
Anne
Love all your decorating ideas and know that I will LOVE your book! How long will it be before the book is out?
Congratulations! You’re one of my favorite bloggers and I’ve often thought I’d love to have your wonderful photos, ideas, etc. “on paper” to add to my book collection. When can we look for it? Will you be doing book tours? Please come to Birmingham, Alabama!
Thank you, Lynn. The book will be out in the fall of 2012, so the wait won’t be too long. I think the book tours will depend on how well the book is selling and how much the publisher wants to put me “out there.” I hope I’ll get to meet a bunch of my readers, though!
LOVE all the finds that were found for you and the ones you found yourself! I think each of us has had the moment that if our friend didn’t get it, WE were! LOL! Your editor has a good eye because the lavender looks so pretty in the bouquet. I think I’m wanting to attempt to keep a rosemary bush alive this year myself. We’ll see.
It sounds like all of you gals had way too much fun at that Flea Market. Wished I’d been along. Did anybody find any nice linens, like lace placemats? We used to go to a country auction of estates at the County Fair grounds here in Howard County, Md. every Saturday and that was one of the things I always looks for or nice dresser scarves, crochet doilies and of course, nice glassware(depression glass mostly)
I would have snatched that up too! Really loving the deli scale too.
Oh my goodness… SO jealous of your finds. I want a scale so bad but haven’t found one reasonably priced yet. The other items are amazing too!! Lucky duck.
I’m so far behind in reading blogs and just saw this post. This is exciting news! You go, girl! It’s gonna be awesome! Love the floral arrangement. You’re going to make Carolyne Roehm jealous with arrangements like that!