winter love...

"Winter Love"...

This morning I entered Jeanne d'Arc Living's photo contest to win a copy of their brand new Easter book "Fairytale Easter"...

photo from Jeanne d'Arc Living website

The contest is on Facebook and by voting (hopefully for me) you get a chance to win a copy too!

You can vote/enter here, only one vote per FB account.

Thank you!!

Joining today over at

Be Inspired

Feathered Nest Friday

wish I entered this one instead!

Have a great weekend!

a visit with Mary Ellen...

Happy Friday!

A few weeks ago, Jim and I were invited to join Mary Ellen and her husband Ray for a night in at their home.

I was looking forward to spending time with them but I was looking forward even more to seeing her living room and office, which were recently given a makeover.

She hired Kathy and Erin of Inspirational Home Design, who to me, were given a dream job as they had access to Mary Ellen's stash of treasures.

I wish I took more photos and I wish they came out a bit better.

(I also should have taken them before I started drinking some Skinny Girl!)

Come on in and take a peek...

Love the two different pieces she uses as end tables to the couch...

Oh and see the pretty lamp...those are the ones from the estate sale I told you about.  She just changed out the shades.

I love this little desk that is in the corner to your left when you walk  through the french door into the room...

Mary Ellen bought this wonderful old tin piece from me...I think it looks much better in her house.  They attached it to some old shutters and it hangs over their television...

And look at this comfy love seat to watch TV from...

I joked when I first arrived that I was glad I brought a big pocketbook in case I saw some beautiful treasures I had to have.

Unfortunately, it was not big enough to sneak this treasure out...

Beautiful old wings from a broken garden statue...sigh!

The living room opens up to their home office...

Her wonderful old dress form greets you as you enter...

There are so many fabulous details...

Lots of storage...

I love how they slip covered a run of the mill office chair...

Every room needs a little unexpected touch...

Jim and I had a wonderful time and I left feeling very inspired.

Almost all the pieces in these rooms were pieces that Mary Ellen already had in the room or around the house or in her shed.

She really has a great eye as you can see here and at the shop!

Speaking of the shop, the Wrentham Country Store was named a reader favorite AGAIN in Flea Market Style's Wedding issue!!

Congrats to Mary Ellen and all my fellow Shop Girls, and a big thank you at all our customers!!

The issue is amazing and full of wonderful ideas.

As I browsed through the magazine a lot of the items they used can be found right at the shop!!

I am sharing today with Debra for Be Inspired Friday!

Thank you for stopping by ~ have a wonderful weekend!!

just stuff...

I hope your Christmas day was Merry...

We found out Christmas morning that our best friend's home caught fire on Christmas Eve.  Everyone is safe and nobody was hurt.

Even their sweet cat Lovey was saved.

Thank you God.

Coming together with our other great friends a few days later to help them salvage what they could, was a day I won't soon forget.

Unfortunately, they lost pretty much everything.

Seeing their strength as they sifted through the mess was amazing.

Through the tears, a few smiles and the sound of laughter began to appear.

As well as the positives.

They still have each other.

And the rest of it is just stuff.

My wish is that their good memories will keep them strong and help them through.

The rebuilding will begin and that time will help them heal...

Hoping they are all nested in their new home way before next Christmas.

I reminded her of just how much fun all us girls will have this summer spending time together vintage treasure hunting again to help her feather her new nest!

Thank you all so much for stopping by.

I would love it if you would keep our friends in your thoughts and prayers.

I'm joining Debra for her Christmas Vintage Inspiration party at Common Ground.

I would like to thank her for featuring my post from last week!

Have a great weekend!

chalkboard art...

Hello!

I'm so behind on visiting with you all (sorry).

Don't tell Santa though, I think I am on his nice list this year!

Do you remember the chalkboard I scored on my NH road trip?

I thought I would show you today the holiday vignette I built around it...

I kept it simple.

I hung the cute stocking I also found on the road trip on the chalkboard...

Don't you just love these Santas (they were my Mom's)...

I put my little tree in an old chamber pot...

No decorations on the tree, just one of my favorite photos of my kids...

I have had a few different greetings on the chalkboard as we inch closer to Christmas.

Today I did a new one (with a little help from Pinterest)...

Does not look like we will be having a white Christmas though.

Tomorrow is going to be stormy, but just rain.

Thank goodness!

How is it looking in your neck of the woods?

Sharing with Debra at Common Ground.

Thanks for visiting!

holiday mantel 2012...

I kept my mantel simple this year...

Mixing some of my old favorites...

With a few new purchases like these cute mini white pine cones from Michael's...

Breaking out my faux mercury glass pieces and tucking my faux greens in...

Adding classic colors of the season with some vintage books...

Just look at this sweet one I found treasure hunting in New Hampshire...

I hung my Pottery Barn sparkly wreath over my vintage mirror...

Then I added one of my favorite ornaments I picked up at HomeGoods quite a few years ago...

All blending together for a simple holiday mantel.

Thanks for stopping by!

Joining

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

and

Vintage Inspiration at Common Ground