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shopping while hungry, snow & speculoos

You know the saying, “Never shop for groceries when you’re hungry.”  Well, I went “shopping while hungry” so to speak. My space at Lucketts was empty and I was pretty anxious about getting it stuffed to the gills for the holiday open house (November 4-6.)  Well, I shopped and sourced and scrounged and made bins and bins of ornaments and now the place is definitely stuffed.  Busting at the seams.  And I still have more at home.  I was planning on bringing in a live tree, but I think that will just take up too much space (I still have to fit a sofa somewhere in this space!)  So, I’m going to bring in the plastic slim tree from home.  Not exactly what I wanted, but it will fit a lot better.

Here’s what the room looks like now…

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in all, I’m really happy with the space.  It looks sparkly and full.  I got a little crunched for time at the end of the day and wasn’t able to get everything exactly where I wanted it, but that’s OK.  It’s all going to get moved around anyway!  I’ll be bringing more ornaments in on Thursday and I’ll be working at Lucketts all day Friday, if you want to come by.

As most of you may know from the news, we got some snow on Friday, which is very unusual this time of year in PA.  Notice the green leaves still on the tree and the orange ones all over the ground?  We haven’t even reached our fall peak color, yet.  (Between the snow and decorating for Christmas, I was totally messed up.)

 

 

Also on Friday, a very sweet woman, Andrea, sent her husband, Scott, who was in Northern Virginia on business, to Lucketts to give me a goodie box all the way from Germany.  It was packed with German treats and chocolates and something that was really interesting, Speculoos.  It’s interesting, because I had heard of it for the first time only two days earlier on Top Chef – Just Desserts.  Then, here it was in the box!  For those who don’t know, I grew up in Germany, so it was really special to get this box.  Thanks so much Andrea and Scott!

 

 

Lastly, I just made the switch over to WordPress, so you’re going to notice some differences in my blog.  We’re still getting all of the details ironed out, so be a little patient if something’s missing or a link isn’t working or something’s a little quirky.  I did adjust the settings, so you should receive the full post in your e-mails and readers, but let me know if you’re not or if something else isn’t functioning properly.  I’ll give an official tour tomorrow.

 

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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122 Responses

  2. Your space looks amazing. I spy so many things I love…too bad I don’t live closer ;o( and Toffifay (that’s how I see it spelled in the states) is my absolute favorite candy…love the hazelnut in it…although it’s not that easy to find.

    Stay warm…and have a great open house!
    Andrea

  3. Your shop is full of gorgeous goodies! Those German treats look wonderful and by the way I really like your new profile picture. Everything looks so welcoming!
    Connie

  6. Your store is so inspiring! Makes me want one too! Or a the very least, decorate with sparkly thing for Christmas.

    Congrats on the move! Your designer did a wonderful job keeping things nearly identical. Very nice! I’m a blog reader (I don’t subscribe) so all works well on my end. 🙂

    Something I may suggest to look into is, when someone types their info for the first time to sign into your blog, some blogs catch your first letter and auto fill in and others don’t. Yours doesn’t so I have NO idea if this is an additional tweak making it easy to log in.. I’ll be looking into it for my own blog one day.

    Donna

    1. I have no clue about that, but it is a nice feature. I assumed that was on the user’s end. I have my settings so forms auto-populate with stuff like that.

  7. LOVE your space. It looks great! I’m in love with the white horse. Sigh….. but I live in St. Louis. I’m trying to transition from wordpress.com to wordpress.org right now. Grrrrr…. as a non-techie person it’s been a bit challenging but I’m trying to stay positive and push forward! 🙂 I think by the time I get this done I’ll be BFF’s with the support team at GoDaddy.com!

    1. So funny! 🙂 I was just about to write and ask about the white horse and I live in St Louis too! Howdy neighbor.

      1. Finally! Someone close by! I posted on my Facebook wall a week or so ago trying to find some local gems for shopping. Do you know of any good MMS-esque places near us? Or any good craft/antique/vintage shows?

        1. Not really. I am constantly searching though. I actually live out of the city but one would think there would be at least a few around. 🙂

  8. Shopping while hungry is a very bad thing I do when hitting the auctions. When I know my inventory is low, it’s crazy sometimes the things and amount of things that I’ll accumulate. However, those things have always been a win in one way or another, so a bit of an appetite has been a good thing for me.

    LOVE your space. I’m so jealous of the gorgeous room that you have for a backdrop for you incredible creations! I so wish we could paint at the antique mall where I have my booths.

    1. I know. I am really blessed to be in that space. I often feel bad for vendors who have awesome style and there stuff is wedged in a 10×10 space with peg board walls, bad lighting, ugly floors, etc. I wish antique malls would let vendors do more with their spaces.

  9. It all looks so gorgeous ~ wishing we had had some more of the snow….(shhhh ~ don’t tell my husband)….only a dusting though and cold enough to give him quite the shock when he returned from Phoenix.
    p.s. Love your box of goodies! I miss the days when my Aunt would send home packages filled to the brim with German treats at Christmas time 🙂

  10. It looks gorgeous – so sorry I leave too far away to see it and shop in person. Is there anyway we can buy some of the things you have via the internet?

    1. Yes. I am going to put some ornaments up for sale online and I’ll definitely announce it when I do.

  11. Love the new picture and the new look of your blog! Can’t seem to find chip board letters anywhere!! Do you have any suggestions? I’ve tried all the stores in the Phoenix area and online. Is there a secret source out there somewhere?

    1. Argh! I know! I’m having a terrible time finding them. Hobby Lobby still carries some, but it’s not my favorite font. I did find the Colorbok ones I really like on Amazon, but I bought them out. I’m going to post about this soon and hopefully I’ll find some new sources.

      1. Oh good, I was wondering if I was the only one not finding them!! So appreciate the comment.

  12. Your space is looking great, Marion! Truly wonderful! BTW-I like the new picture on your sidebar…it is a nice shot of you. What fun to get a package like that delivered to you in person. I have never heard of the Speculoos. xo Diana

  13. Your space looks lovely…perfect for the winter Holidays! I couldn’t believe you got snow in Pa. Being a Pa. native I have never seen snow there in Oct!
    I didn’t know you grew up in Germany….what area? We lived there for about 4-5 years in Schweinfurt and are hoping to move back there again in the near future. Wonderful place to live!

    Rachel 🙂

    1. I lived in Garmisch-Pertenkirchen and Stuttgart in the 1980’s. We moved back to the US in 1989. I really loved it and look forward to the day I can go back and visit.

  14. Whoooooa, Marian – your space looks amazing! Hey, I lived in Germany, too! My dad was Army and we were stationed at Pirmasens for a few years in the early 90s. Agreed Rachel, I can’t wait to get back there someday:)

  16. ok are the antlers for sale??? and if so how much??? and would you ship them???
    I am borrowing some from a friend but would so like to have some that are all my own!!

    1. Yes, they are $12, but they’ll probably sell at Lucketts before I can get them. I’m in the middle of hunting country, so I find them pretty often.

  17. I love the look of your store spot. You are always such an inspiration to me! And I love the new picture of you. So pretty!

  18. The room looks beautiful! I’m sure it will be cleared out after the open house!
    And what a lovely package! My mother is from Germany so we get packages from my grandmother and she always includes various Kinder-Schokolade for my kids…right now we are working through a bag of Schoko-Bons too! 🙂 I wish we could get the Lindt ornament chocolates here, but my Omi is usually good about sending us a variety to hang on our tree.

  19. TOUT EST JOLI ! J adore ton blog mais je ne comprends pas l anglais DOMMAGE QU IL N Y AI PAS DE TRADUCTION. GOOGLE NE PEUT PAS TRADUIRE, MAIS PEUT ETRE QUE TOI TU PEUX METTRE UNE OBTION TRADUCTION POUR NOUS LES FRANCAISES!

    A bientot

    Pascale

    1. I wish I spoke French! Does anyone know what this says? Oh…maybe she’s asking for Google translator…

      1. Hello Dear Miss Mustard Seed,

        I’ve adored your blog FOREVER and take inspiration and courage from your handy-work rather often! Your kind French reader is simply complementing you on your beautiful site and suggests the possibility of it including some sort of translating function–as she does not understand/speak/write in English!

        Much love,
        CRC

          1. “Everything is nice! I love your blog but i do not understand the English damage that there is not have a translation. Google may not translate, but may be that thou can put an OBTION translation for us the French! Has soon pascale”

            (I googled “french to english translation’ and got a nifty little thing to enter the text. And this is what it said.

            Donna)

  20. Your space looks awesome. I love the wingback chair. I have a space for that in my house. Too bad I live in KY. Good Luck at the open house.

  23. Thank you for adjusting the settings. I think I would have gone a little crazy without my MMS fix. 😀 Sam, my youngest, came home from the middle school the other day and asked me if I’d ever had German chocolate. Apparently, one of the teachers brought some to school and the boy fell. in. love! I think I’ll have to find some to put in his stocking this year.

    Love the store. It looks great. I hope you have a great season.

    1. You’re welcome! Although I just got my e-mail through feedburner and it had about 10 articles in it! I’m sure that’s just a one-time thing because of the change over.

  24. It looks beautiful! Doesn’t it just make you giddy to see all that you have accomplished displayed so lovely?!??! Your incredibly talented, I stop by your blog often.. you are so very inspiring.

  25. The red cross chest looks so fantastic in your both…everything else is fantastic too…just what I LOVE ! Good luck with the open house..I’ll bet they will clean you out!…by the way the snow looks gorgeous coming from this Texas gal!

  29. Your space looks wonderful and greatly appealing!! I was thinking that it would be cool to take a photo of your board so full of sparkly letters – just clearing a little space around a message like “Merry Christmas” – you could make it into a print or notecards to sell too!

  30. I am new to your blog and I just love it. You have so many wonderful ideas. I actually used some of your photography tips to help me out since I am new to blogging. I absolutely love the stenciled wood rug in your space. So different. Did you do that yourself? Keep up the great work. I look forward to following you! Oh and Happy Halloween!!

    1. You can purchase a bamboo mat like that online from The French Freak. Just run a search and it will come up.

  33. Wowsers! Love love!! Is the chair at Lucketts for sale right now, or not until the open house?? How much??

    1. Yes, the chair is there right now. It’s a very high quality antique wing chair that was just reupholstered by Ruthie. She used this great fabric that looks like burlap, but it’s much more comfy (and less stinky) and will wear very well. It has an exposed wood frame with French style legs. I have it priced at $499.

  36. I just screamed a little! I can’t believe you blogged about that box of goodies! How exciting! I will definitely send you the Crunchy Speculoos and the Speculoos syrup! Better yet, you should just come here on business (shopping of course) and we can load you up. Your filled space looks fabulous! You are quite amazing lady!

  38. Your space looks wonderful!! Maybe it is a “good thing” I live on the west coast!!! I would love to visit some day!

  39. The RSS-feed is working great, THANK YOU!

    And your store is sooo lovely. Hope to see more close-ups of the ornaments.

  41. Love your site! I thought I read a little while ago that you’d put up a tutorial on making the music sheet wreaths. I looked in your hgtv articles, but don’t see it. Can you tell me where to find it if you’ve already posted and, if not, if you’re still planning to? Thanks!

    1. It’s $499 and there are some more details about it in a comment I left above. I have a few pictures of the soaf (with the grass removed and the frame fixed up), but I haven’t seen any peaks of it with fabric on, yet. It might not have fabric on it yet!

      Work it, Ruthie!

  47. Oh Marian! I wish so badly that I could go to the open house! your space looks lovely! We have not had snow yet here in Utah (thank goodness). Usually we get it before Halloween and our leaves have not all changed and dropped so we get lots of broken branches and dangerous situations, but so far so good. Your box of goodies from Germany looks heavenly. Toffifee is one of my favorite treats although I think it is Toffifay here isn’t it? anyway, did not know it came from Germany – just know I LOVE IT! When I was pregnant with my first child, my mom would buy me one every day – just the little package of 4 mind you – and it was such a treat for me. Good luck on your open house sweetie!

    1. I think I ate a bag (one of the big bags) of Raisinets a day when I was pregnant, so you’re way ahead of me. That’s only a mild exaggeration, too.

  48. Your space looks great.So many things I would buy if you were closer to me.Your blog looks great too.I also like your new photo.You look much happier 🙂 Please don’t throw a snow ball at me but….glad it was you all that got that snow.We had a total of 50 or 60 inches of snow last winter.I am NOT looking forward to this season.

  50. Can I find out how much the wing chair is? Your room looks amazing!!! The picture makes me want to run out tomorrow to get some goodies before they’re all gone 🙂

    1. It’s $499 and I posted some more details about it in a comment above. It’s a very well-made chair.

  51. Hi, just a thought about your tree. In Europe, one tradition is to hang the tree by the trunk from the ceiling. I want to say it is a Scandivanian country, but not sure. It looks really cool. You deacorate as usual. Just safer around fire and kids and takes so much less room. It looks great in a corner. Hope your open house is a success. Love your stuff. Karen

  52. Hello Marion, hoping you have a great turn out at Luckett’s this weekend. Hubby and I were just there last weekend and I even did a post about it. http://old-fashionedfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2011/10/old-lucketts-store-and-leesburg.html Your room sure is full now, would love to get back down there this weekend, just not sure if I will get to make it. Actually I spent time playing around with your glittery letters trying to spell out my last name but I needed another letter to finish it the way I wanted it. So many pretty things in your room now, I would never be able to decide on what I’d get. 🙂

  53. It looks GREAT! The room, the website, everything!!! I love that you can reply right on the comment feed. I can’t wait to set that up. And I had no idea you grew up in Germany! Makes me wonder if my name actually looks familiar to you??? Most people butcher it. lol

  54. Would it be too awful to say that I don’t like the new style of your blog? really, really sorry, not quite sure what it is I dislike, but several blogs I read regularly have changed to this style and for some reason I feel very uncomfortable with it. Maybe it is because I have to click on a post to read all of it, not really sure> I am probably in the minority here, but thought perhaps I should still say it just in case others feel like I do.

    I love what you post and enjoy reading your blog, judt feeling rther disappointed. sorry 🙁 .

  55. Marian, Bless you. You are working so hard – and now to think of moving a sofa up three flights of narrow stairs. Whew. Visited your shop a week ago Sunday – we are from NH – and from the photos above I can tell you and Mini have been really busy. Hope you have wonderful holiday season.

  56. You are an inspiration. I am considering doing a booth — would hope that mine would look as good as yours. It’s something I’ve consered a number of times and just never took the plunge. Thank you for sharing so many details of what you do. If you weren’t clear across the country, I’d love to come to Lucketts to see the booth in person and, hopefully, on a day you would be there!

  58. Love your booth – especially that wing chair. By the way – Speculoos are a Dutch treat ( my Grandmother used to give them to me when I was little)

  60. The WordPress transition seems to have gone off without a hitch. Looks great!
    I’m wondering what the big changes/advantages of one platform over another might be, though.
    Either way, looks lovely!

    Anne

  61. Well done Marian! You’re all ready for Santa’s helpers to come scamper on by for all their gift giving. It’s also nice to see your picture smiling!
    Best to you,
    Barbara

  62. Hope you’ll take this in the helpful spirit it’s meant : It seems the room is lovely, but would look a little less stark with some type of material/curtains at the top of the windows. Just a thought for your consideration.

    1. Yep, I agree. I just haven’t gotten to it, yet. I have six windows in my house that need curtains first!

  63. Okay. Your room looks AMAZING! I love those huge (finial? style) ornaments especially. It’s a good thing I don’t live close to Lucketts. You have so many awesome finds in there (i.e. that white horse!) and that dresser is the perfect touch….what a lovely vision you had when painting it for your room. Love. Love. Love. So much better than Pottery Barn in there! Everything will be snapped right up for Open House…including the nails that are hanging some of that stuff up. hehe! The new WP site looks great too!

    xo,
    Jami

  64. The space looks great! I wish I lived closer. Can you tell me how you hung all of the chipboard letters up on the wall? Thanks!

    1. Tracey,
      They are magnets and the board they are stuck to is made of metal. Tricky!

  65. What an amazing store space!
    Can you share something about the dark wall hanging with all of the letters? I love the way it looks hanging over that dresser with the lamp! Did you make this or buy it? Thanks!

    1. Erin, I wrote my answer to your question just before you asked it. It was actually a vintage metal sign that didn’t sell, so I decided to paint the back side of it in chalkboard paint and use it in my space for my chipboard manetic letters. You could make something like this with any piece of metal and chalkboard paint.

  67. So funny – I was just scrolling through all the comments to see if anyone asked about the sign with all the letters…and of course, it was the last comment! I love it. And I appreciate you and your site. So inspirational and lovely. Thank you.

  71. Your room looks so lovely. I can’t wait to see it completely decked out for Christmas!

    Speculoos Spread is known as Biscoff Spread here in the U.S. I recently found it at Winco and just made some yummy cookies with it today. But my favorite way to eat it is with a spoon. 🙂

  72. Your room looks absolutely lovely! I’ve been putting off working on Christmas ornaments for my space…this should inspire me to stop procrastinating!

    I studied German for six years and lived in Vienna, Austria. I’m always on the lookout for German treats–those are especially good!

  77. I just have to say that I love your new blog format. It’s so easy to navigate and find things. (Many other blogs have been updating recently and that isn’t always the case.) I know you use a web designer, but would you consider doing a post explaining a little more about some of your choices for blog set up, domain, wordpress and format?

    Your Lucketts space looks great. I wish it was close enough for me to visit. (That little white horse would be coming home with me.) Best of luck for this weekend!

  80. Hi Marion!

    I just love your space at Luckett’s. One of these days I am taking the trip. One of these days. (Keep
    repeating that to myself).

    Anyway if the kitchen scales and the silver bowl on top of the scale are still looking for a good home after the Open House please let me know. I am very interested in purchasing them and some of your glitter letters for the Holidays..

    Let me know and much success this weekend to you!

    KC

  81. First of all, I love your blog. Miss Mustard Seed, you are an inspiration to me. I have one teeny-weeny issue that is bothering me. With your new blog location, when I click on a link to one of your advertisers or favorite bloggers, it opens in the same window. If I click too much, I lose the Miss Mustard Seed page I was on. It would be so much nicer if my “clicks” opened in another window. Thanks for you lovely work.

  82. Your space looks lovely. I see so many pretty things I would love. Maybe if I click my heels three times and wish I could be there, I will be magically transported to your heavenly place. Oh! how I wish!!
    A couple of weeks ago the temps here were in the 80’s and fall was no where in sight and Saturday we had snow. Strange weather.

    Loving your blog!!
    Ruth

  83. Your space at Luckett’s looks fabulous. You are so creative and such an inspiration. It gives a new blogger something to aspire to. Looking forward to hearing about the upcoming open house. I’m sure you will sell out quickly.

  84. Once again, I sooo wish I could somehow come by your store! Toronto is just too far away 🙂

    Today I posted about ornaments I made. I love seeing your creations, and mine pale in comparison, but if you had a sec, come on by and if you’re there, leave a comment to let me know what you think. No sweat if you’re a little busy (duh, of course you are) and don’t have the time. Anyway, I mentioned you (with a link) in the post as one idea seems subtly inspired by some of yours.

    The store looks AWESOME!

    http://simcoestreet.blogspot.com/2011/11/easy-diy-very-sentimental-ornaments.html

    1. Good to know! Yes, the bulk of the treats were German, but she bought that in France.

  87. This is very fascinating, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to in search of more of your fantastic post. Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks!

  90. I love the background. to me its more interesting than the girl chillin there. she picked a great backdrop, lots of character in there.

  92. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Naturally I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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