Wednesday, May 18, 2011

one hundred white wishes...

A little over a year ago it was Kathleen's weekly White Wednesday gathering that gave me the final push to start my own blog.
I then started my musings on White Wednesday #34. 
Today Kathleen is celebrating 100 White Wednesday Posts!
Congratulations Kathleen and thank you for the inspiration to start my blog!
This Cottage Muse dreams in vintage whites.

When I started thinking about what to contribute today I thought it should not only be wonderfully white but reflect how this get together at Faded Charm each week lets me share how I interpret the inspiration that white is to me.
It all started when I picked up Rachel Ashwell's first book many years ago and images similar to these took my breath away...

While I fell in love with this look, and embraced the art of imperfection I soon realized that I needed to learn how to take all this inspiration and fit it into my every day life and learn how to edit...
  Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic

As I was finding my own way with this inspiration, Rachel's next adventure made me feel that I took the right path...
thenewprairie

I realized that surrounding myself with what I like is what is important...
decayed

SeaburyLiliputLodge

Thank you Rachel.

Then of course I became enchanted with Fifi's new book...
And my heart and soul soared...
And I am finding true bliss in my surroundings...


Thank you Fifi.

This blogging adventure has opened many windows for me.
Especially on Wednesday when I get to peek into those windows over at Faded Charm where so many talented people share their interpretation of how white inspires them.
So, thank you to all the past participants at White Wednesday for sharing!
I have truly enjoyed visiting!

The biggest thank you is to Kathleen...and I send you one hundred white wishes to make all your dreams come true!
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30 comments:

  1. VictoriaMay 18, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    That was a lovely post Sandi and a nice tribute to Kathleen and all her hard work running the party every week!

    Happy 100th WW:)

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  2. Melissa/Piney RoseMay 18, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    I just love this look...I've lightened my place up a bit too. I love white decor - and I have got to check out this book on Romantic Prairie Style. Lovely post!

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  3. trash talkMay 18, 2011 at 7:46 AM

    Kathleen has made it fun (and perfectly acceptable) to be a peeping Tomette! What a wonderful way to begin blogging.
    Debbie

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  4. JenniferMay 18, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    pretty pretty post - I love your header! jennifer thanks for jumping in my puddle post!

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  5. d e l i g h tMay 18, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Thoughtful and beautiful post. I can relate to so many of your same thoughts. Rachel Ashwell books completely changed my decorating style and I just love it.

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  6. UnknownMay 18, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    a lovely and heartfelt post! you have a way with words that express how we all feel about this wonderful kinship we all share and the kind of inspiration we find again and again especially on White Wednesday's! Happy 100th to you as well mon amie! :) here's to many, many more!

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  7. DebbieMay 18, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    What a nice post...White Wednesday has been an inspiration for me too.
    LOVE all of your whites!!
    Debbie

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  8. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageMay 18, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    It's fun to be celebrating WW together! Not surprising, we have some of the same inspirations. Here's to many more beloved White Wednesdays!

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  9. Auntie JoyMay 18, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Hi Sandi,
    Thanks for stopping by, I haven't participated in White Wednesday, but Kathleen has been a friend of mine for many years so I am especially proud of her success. Hope you get that new camera, seems like the more you know the more you want to know... and with photography its no exception. All we need is another lens and more hours in the day!!
    JOY!

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  10. AnonymousMay 18, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Hi Sandi,
    You picked the perfect photos for today! They are all so lovely!
    Isn't Fifi's book fabulous?!! It is so inspiring!
    Hope you have a beautiful day.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  11. Comeca JonesMay 18, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Perfectly inspiring.

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  12. Heaven's WalkMay 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    It's amazing how Kathleen's WW has changed the way we decorate and style, Sandi! WW has certainly had a huge influence on the way my home looks now - and where would we be without all the beautiful ideas we see and the new friends we make? :)

    xoxo laurie

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  13. oldgreymareMay 18, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    I think we all find this connection to each other because we all have realized that having pleasant, nurturing surroundings affects our emotions and sense of well being. Not everyone gets that.

    We have realized that just as fashion changes and as we mature, our homes and our surroundings need to follow suit.

    Coming home to an unwelcoming house must be awful. No matter how humble or modest or grand, a pleasant, clean home is a joy and a refuge to me.

    Happy White Wednesday!

    xx
    z

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  14. TammyMay 18, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Great Post Sandi! White Wednesday was a great inspiration to me too when I started my blog about a year ago! Don't know where I would be without it now! We are kindred spirits I'm sure...my love for all things white, shabby, tattered and peeling started with Rachel Ashwells first book and I could not wait to get my copy of FiFi's book! Wish you were closer to me!!
    What fun we would have!
    Good luck in the Junk Wild giveaway!!
    Tammy
    Junk Wild

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  15. Mammabellarte Rita ReadeMay 18, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    I LOVE FiFi's new book. I do admire Rachel very much for all she has accomplished.....
    Fifi's book brought back memories and definitely it is my style! I still sit in the morning and read and look at every single page. Happy WW to you Ciao Rita mammabellarte

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  16. TrishaMay 18, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    I love looking at the pictures you take of your home-everything is so pretty!!!

    ~Trisha

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  17. Serendipity Chic DesignMay 18, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Such a sweet and well written post. Congrats to Kathleen too. Her white Wednesday's have inspired and motivated so many....

    Take care,
    Lisa

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  18. Patti @ Pandoras BoxMay 18, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Love that photo of the jug of flowers on the chair!! my trip was great - a whirlwind! I got to "drive by" my old home in Avon, had pizza at Linwood(my Fav Pizza), and saw my niece's new apt in Brockton - - then spent a few days on the Cape..ate great food, drank too much and had plenty of laughs with my college roommate...shopped in Chatham and Falmouth and Sandwich had their special shopping days on Saturday...It felt good to get away from reality and play for a few days - sorry we couldn't get to meet and I hope to next time. I miss MA so much, especially miss the ocean...so If I win the lottery, I will buy a little cottage on the Cape!!!

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  19. Susan EvelynAndRoseMay 18, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Fabulous post Sandi! I love to see your inspirational journey, led by favorites such as Rachel Ashwell and Fifi O'Neill. Your blog posts, home and booth have been sources of inspiration to us as well. Thank you especially for all your WW posts on this commemorative day!
    - Susan

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  20. Miss Gracie's HouseMay 18, 2011 at 11:32 PM

    And we are so glad you jumped in! Isn't it fun? Happy WW!
    Rene

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  21. RebeccaMay 19, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Great post, I don't remember when I started, not as early as you. happy ww!

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  22. CindyMay 19, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Hi Sandi,
    I love white and I would love to use it more, sometimes though, it just does not seem to fit my little house. I wish I had a second opinion on so many things.
    All of your images are just so breath taking, I love them!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  23. Sunny Simple LifeMay 19, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    The crock on your chair is perfection. I can see why it was chosen.

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  24. michelleMay 19, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    What a beautiful post Sandi and I love seeing how your home transform with the things that you love, everything is always so pretty and inspiring. :)
    XO

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  25. Simple HomeMay 19, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    I love seeing all the White Wednesday posts. Your tribute to this wonderful linky party and Kathleen is so sweet.
    Thank you so much for your continued prayers for Jordan.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  26. blossoms vintage chicMay 20, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Hi Sandi, I love your 100 White Wishes post...how completely wonderful! I agree we all seem to be connected through our love of white. It took me a while to jump in...but I'm so happy I did!!
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
    xo
    Debbie

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  27. Tammy@T's Daily TreasuresMay 20, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    What a lovely post Sandi. I think your "editing" skills are wonderful. Keep soaring! :) Best wishes, Tammy

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  28. hilary@oldhousetrueloveMay 20, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    love this post! and you are so right... there is so much unbelievable talent out there that we wouldn't normally get to see... you being one of them! : )

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  29. EnchantedBellaMay 22, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    I know exactly what your talking about. The beauty of imperfection, all the wonderful whites and editing to your most favorite treasures. I was overwhelmed with inspiration at first and had too much stuff. It just looked like clutter. I am working on keeping the best and the things I love the most. I do still have alot of stuff. My name is Rebecca and I am a shopaholic. Bloging has helped me to see that sometimes less is better and inspired my romantic side of decorating. So many amazing blogs to visit and your is one of my favs.
    Rebecca

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  30. Ricki TreleavenMay 23, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    Hello! I am catching-up on your blog. What a sweet post! I am sure Kathleen appreciates your thoughts. I hate so much that I missed the 100th White Wednesday post, but I was so busy with graduation, out of town guests, etc....

    I find your blog very inspiring, Sandi. I still have not picked-up my copy of Romantic Prairie Style, but I plan on getting a copy soon.

    xoxoxo,
    Ricki Jill

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