I set out Sunday afternoon to hit an antique mall I hadn’t been to in a while.  I really need to start building up a stash for the Lucketts Antique Market in May.  Well, the antique mall I wanted to mill around in was closed.  Like, forever.  So, hmmm…I have a couple hours to myself.  Where can I go?  I pulled out my handy iPhone and looked up some antique stores in the area.  The first one I went to was a bust.  Mostly.  I did find this awesome camera… It was super cheap, but it was about the only thing in the place that was.  So, I headed to the next place on my phone.  It didn’t look promising.  It’s a tiny, little…almost a shed.  At first glance, I thought it was going to be stuff with reproduction primitives, based on the name and the outside.  I started walking

I am inspired by women who are pursuing their passion, pushing their creativity and making their mark.  Lisa Leonard is one of those women.  I have loved her work since I first noticed it on blogs a little over a year ago.  She makes amazing jewelry, which I love, but now she’s branched out into my world –  Home Decor…Lisa Leonard style. I was totally smitten with this customizable pennant banner.  You can pick any word you want.  This has been a dream season in my life, so that is the word I chose.  I love how Lisa took what she has done in jewelry and translated it into jewelry for your home.  She’s brilliant.  Wouldn’t this be perfect for a baby gift, at a wedding, or…say…anywhere.   She also carries custom cake forks, wall hangings, bowls, baby spoons, and more.  You must check it out! For full disclosure, Lisa is one of my sponsors,

Today was sort of a mixed bag for me.  We’ll start with some of the good.  I got more Chalk Paint colors to try and I received a fun box of goodies from one of my new sponsors, Cat from Baby Jewels. She made me a fondant stamp with my logo on it!  I’m planning to make mini cupcakes to bring to the Lucketts Antique Market in May to give out to my readers.  Such a great idea!  Wouldn’t this be awesome for a wedding, anniversary or shower? She also made me a self-inking stamp with my logo and web address.  I am going to use this so much for my weather-resistant tags and other marketing materials.  She also offers lots of cute designs that are customizable, like this book stamp.  We’ll be doing a giveaway in the future, so just keep an eye out for that.  Thanks so much for these awesome

Surprisingly, the more I am around antiques, the easier it is for me to resist the urge to buy everything that catches my eye.  This amazing wire caddy holding 12 mini clay pots was in Christine’s space at Wild Rose the day I moved out.  I kept looking at it.  It was a siren…calling to me.  My husband is outside tying the antique shoe rack to the top of our van and I’m eyeing things I want to buy instead of packing.  I went back to my packing and suddenly became paranoid that someone else would come into the shop, make a beeline for the caddy and buy it while I was loading my car.  When I start getting paranoid, I know I need to buy it or regret it later.  I informed Lynette, “Ok.  I’m getting this.” and plunked it clearly on the counter.  I’m so happy I did. 

One fun thing about blogging is getting to introduce others to products and companies I really like.  I was recently contacted by UK based Abodent about sponsoring my blog.  (Do you think it was because of the Union Jack dresser?)  Well, I loved their stuff so much, I asked for some of their products instead of a monetary sponsorship and I was not disappointed.    Goldfinch Dyad Cushion I knew immediately I wanted one of their beautiful pillow covers.  Not only is this one so pretty, but it’s extremely well made with exquisite detail on the back.  I love it!  They also carry unique hardware including hooks… Two Tusk Coat Hook …and cabinet knobs.  Brushed Oval Quartz Cupboard Knob You’ll see these quartz knobs very soon on one of my newest dressers.  Maypole Drawer Knob The Library Drawer Knob Dried Sycamore Seed Knob and Royal Rose Duo Cabinet Knob They also carry decorative pieces and tableware like

I have an aversion to fine, “mint condition” antiques.  If something looks that good after 100 years, it couldn’t have been used that much.  I don’t need something in my house that needs to be roped off.  I find beauty in a brush with missing bristles and book pages that are frayed and worn. I find beauty in a crooked-faced clock that no longer works.  I find beauty in a piece of ironstone that is stained, cracked and crazed.  I find beauty in a smoked mirror with a chipped plaster frame.   I find beauty in the broken. How about you? For those waiting for the next installment of the slipcover series, it is uploading right now and will be available to view tomorrow.  Sit tight!

I was the lucky recipient of Valentine’s Day flowers that were given to someone else, but left with me.  My mom was visiting and my dad, being the sweet guy he is, sent her flowers to my house.  A bouquet of flowers doesn’t travel well on an airplane, so she left them with me.  My husband and I agreed a long time ago (after he, very sweetly, paid about $40 for a bouquet of carnations), that we were not going to do the dinner/flowers/chocolate thing on February 14.  We’ll save those things for another day when the restaurants aren’t packed and the price of flowers isn’t jacked up two fold.  Nevertheless, the girl and the photographer in me really enjoyed the fresh flowers.  We had a nice little photo shoot together as I arranged them in an ironstone pitcher I bought last week.  And they looked great in my guest room.