Today I was totally tortured in a circuit breaker class at the gym.  I told the instructor she was like Jillian without all of the yelling.  She assured me she could yell if necessary.  I feel great, but it was tough.  So, after this quiet torture, I spent the afternoon with my boys, sneaking in some photo shoots and writing when they were content.  Tonight I’m tired and my creative juices seem exhausted.  So, I’m just going to share a few things.  First, I have to show off this amazing bag from one of my sponsors, Bliss Farm Antiques.  Jackie has a great eye for new things of quality and old things that have stood the test of time.  She’s taking a trip to France soon to do some shopping.  Can you tell I’m a slight shade of green?  Oh well.  I couldn’t imagine trying to shop French flea markets with two preschool boys, anyway. 

If you’ve been following my blog for a few months, you may remember when I was getting ready for the Lucketts Antique Market.  It was a crazy time and I really needed help finding pieces to paint.  In stepped Kelly of Stylish Patina, AKA Kelly the “picker.”  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term, a picker is someone who finds something stuff to sell (mainly to dealers.)  She’s found some great things for me.  Like this chair… ..this cabinet… …this settee… …and this small chest of drawers. She’s now expanded her business to include selling pieces in retail spaces at The Foundry in DC and Stifel + Capra in Falls Church, VA and online in her Etsy shop.  She has also become a “mini stockist” for Annie Sloan’s Chalk Paint!  Busy girl. To celebrate all of Kelly’s new business endeavors, Stylish Patina is offering up an awesome giveaway.  What will the winner

The wait is over!  The long anticipated Haven Conference 2012 registration opens today. All of us on the team are so excited and can’t wait to see who’s going to join us! Tickets are on sale NOW!  You can purchase tickets and get additional information at www.havenconference.com.  There are only 250 tickets available, so don’t wait too long! Hope to see you there!!

When I take my sons with me to yard sales, my four year old will often look at the offerings spread out on a front lawn and proclaim, “Aw, this is all just junk.”  He’s learning well.  What he hasn’t yet learned is that there is just junk and then there’s junk.  The good stuff.  The stuff that most people think is junk, but that people like Ki and Donna know can be fabulous if you look past the junkiness of it.    If you love junk, there’s a place for you.  A time and place for you.  It’s Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN.  It’s September 15, 16  and 17, 2011.  It’s Junk Bonanza. The annual Junk Bonanza brings together more than 130 juried vendors of select vintage treasures, junk and antiques! (Oh, look at that bank of lockers in the back of this picture.  Sigh.) In honor of the upcoming event,

You girls are so amazing.  I have been laughing so hard at some of the suggested names for my cow.  You’ve also shared some wonderful stories and beautiful names of special women in your lives.  It’s been so fun for me to read.  Thanks to all who have participated.  The contest is open until midnight PST tonight, so keep them coming!  (Just scroll down…) While I was enjoying the pool and playtime with my kids in Orlando a few weeks ago, I received an e-mail from a reader. She wanted to know if I was concerned about the oil based paint I just used on my kitchen cabinets yellowing. Well, I am now! Thanks a lot! I had just slaved over 52 cabinets and 16 drawers and the thought of leaving bright white cabinets and coming home two weeks later to cabinets the color of butter gave me a pit

Today started out with a kickboxing class.  I’m fierce when it comes to a jab-cross-hook-uppercut combo and it feels great to be in the gym again.  If you follow me on Twitter, you’d know that I am making an effort to get back in shape.  Two years of focusing on my business have…well, not been so kind to my waistline.  So, I’m working on it and I’m really committed and motivated.  Once the workout was done, the other “musts” on the to-do list were cleaning the basement, finishing my column for the October issue of Cottages and Bungalows and make this dresser Lucketts-ready.  I really liked the paint color, but the top needed some help.  It was a slightly different shade and it had a strange texture on it…like something was set on it and left for years in the heat.  So, I decided to leave the base as is

It’s pretty rare for me to host two giveaways in one week (I try to stick at around two a month), but a spontaneous decision earlier this week has brought us here.  I don’t think I’m going to hear any complaints, though!  Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Quote the Walls, a family run company that offers pre-designed and custom vinyl quotes to use in your home (or anywhere.)  It always interests and inspires me to learn how and why people start the business they’re in.  I asked Rebecca and this was her answer. “Quote the Walls was started because we had purchased a new home and I was exploring decorating ideas.  I came across vinyl wall lettering in model homes and thought it added such a personal touch to the home.  Favorite quotes, phrases and scripture can really bring out the personality of a room.  Our