wedding whites...

While browsing through your favorite antique shop did you ever come across a display that you felt had a wonderful old story just waiting to be imagined... It draws you in to take a closer look... At the creative way it is displayed... Your heart skips a beat or two when you see all the lovely details... Then your mind starts to wander and you are caught up in your own thoughts...You start putting pieces of the story together in your mind. You might wonder which dress she chose...Did she have to wear this underneath...Perhaps this beautiful old trunk held her trousseau... Will they live happily ever after...

Mary Ellen and I had lots of fun putting this display together in her booth ~ thanks for letting me help Mary Ellen! The Wrentham Country Store is having a sale this weekend ~ if you live near by I hope you get a chance to stop in and let your mind wander too. Now go wander over to Faded Charm where Kathleen is hosting another wonderful White Wednesday! Thank you for visiting!!

weekend thrifting and help needed...

What a weekend! We celebrated the big two one on Friday with the princess and her court, spent Saturday afternoon at the soccer field and Saturday night by a warm cozy fire at the campground and caught up with Jim's family on Sunday to wish his Dad a safe trip back to Florida for the winter. Saturday morning I did a bit of thrifting and I think you will agree with me when I say that I did pretty good... I got all these cute shutters for $1.00! I am imagining them white (of course) with some burlap or muslin inserts with some french script stamping or maybe even numbers. At the same yard sale I got this for a quarter... Now that Hoops and YoYo are gone I need to work on a fall centerpiece for my kitchen table. I then hit another estate sale (yes another one!) and found a white demi-lune table which I forgot to take a picture of before I brought it in the shop yesterday. I needed to add a few things since I sold a pale aqua library table on Sunday and I also sold that pretty vanity I showed you last week! At the sale there was a box of old 45s and I had to have this one... I thought the cover was so pretty and look ~ the records are red... There was a whole shelf of old cameras. I immediately picked this one up, just liking the color and texture of the case... When I finally figured out how to open it I could not believe what I had actually found... While I love the patina of the time worn case I love the excellent condition of the inside...

It has patent dates from 1885 to 1897 listed on the inside of the box... It is a No. 2 Bulls-Eye Kodak Model C manufactured by the Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester NY, the successor to the Boston Camera Manufacturing Co. I promise, no quiz at the end of this post! I knew I had the perfect nesting place for this beauty... How perfect is that ~ I just love it!! Now I could not believe this last treasure. It was actually the first piece I scooped up. I honestly did not think I was going to be able to afford it and when she told me the price I tried to use my best poker face...A rose oil painting has been on my list for~ev~er! The frame has quite a bit of damage but I still think it is gorgeous! Look at the lovely roses...

Sorry for the dark pictures, the weather here has been gray and rainy. I have it leaning against my fireplace wondering if it is going to the shop or if I should keep it for a bit and put it over the mantle for the fall and winter... I need help...is it too dark for my room? I would love to hear what you think. Speaking of help, I found this fabulous pair of glasses at one of my favorite spots the other day... Sweet vintage pair of cat eye glasses, marked Made in France. They have lots of bling... So here is my question...do you know what these are made of? I wondered if they were Bakelite or mother of pearl? I know I can count on my blog friends to help me out!! Well my weekend thrifting was very successful. All the treasures I picked up at the estate sale, including the table I already brought to the shop as well as the pair of glasses set me back under $50!! I am sharing these thrifty finds over at Coastal Charm for Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday. Thanks for visiting today...how was your weekend?

love of vintage...

For as long as I can remember I have always loved "old things" (as I called it in my youth), "vintage treasures" (as I refer to them now) or, as my Dad used to joke, just "stuff". My love of vintage came from my parents. A little part came from my Dad, who could appreciate the "stuff" my Mom brought home ~ he just loved to see her happy. I am lucky to have a guy like that now. However it was my Mom who has always been the biggest inspiration in my life. She was passionate about hunting, collecting and preserving certain pieces from the past that spoke to her. I am thankful every day for falling in love with this way of life. The wonderful vintage treasures that my Mom cherished as I grew up are now being cherished in my home. They each hold special memories ~ whether it was of my Mom telling me not to touch it or using it as a "house" for my dolls ~ each memory is precious. I have taken these treasures along with the once or twice loved pieces I find and, can happily say, have made this house a home. Let's take a peek... One of my weaknesses is vintage mirrors. I imagine romantic tales and secrets hidden away in past reflections, and look forward to what changes are in their future... I usually use mirrors or empty frames as art for my walls. I feel they are smart purchases as they would work in any room. That is not to say I do not appreciate paintings, especially when they add a touch of vintage romance and are in my favorite colors...

This beauty hangs over the desk in my craft room for inspiration. See the gorgeous one in the corner here... I remember staring at that print when I was a little girl thinking the two beautiful ladies were sisters and they reminded me of my Mom and her sister. They now keep watch over Vivienne, my vintage pin cushion doll. Now this simple little chair comes with a story ~ you see my Mom insisted it was hers and I insisted it was mine. The mix up being a result of treasure hunting together. So it was shared through the years and has worn many different colors... I used to use this old crock as an elevator for my dolls...This antique oil lamp was one of those "don't touch" items ~ I just admired it from a distance... My Mom taught me how to repurpose when in a decorating dilemma, like hanging an old cupboard door on a wall... I also adore sweet vintage books and started my collection with this one from my Mom. She bought it because it is beautiful and her maiden name was Perkins...I recently used this book in my fall ledge makeover.

Now, in my bedroom, or Paris Hotel Suite, is where you will find some of my favorite vignettes like this one on my bureau... I added this little shoe to my Mom's engagement photo, her old perfume bottle and match book that was on her dresser. I also added the pearl collar for a classic touch. The next vignette holds my mother of pearl opera glasses that my husband bought for me at a flea market before we were married... I put one of my little dress forms with it as well as a little clock assemblage I picked up at the shop. I love to create these little ladies for my booth space too...My Mom and I would have had so much fun treasure hunting together for my space! I know she is with me at every yard sale, flea market or thrift store in spirit. They both are. Thanks Mom and Dad for making me an old soul, a kindred spirit ~ one who prefers antique malls to the mega malls. They taught me to hold tight to my dreams and never give up. So, that is what brings me here today. To the blog launch party for the new magazine Creating Vintage Charm. I remember there always being stacks of my Mom's favorite magazines around the house and you will pretty much find the same around mine. Keeping those special issues where an article or photo hit home and spoke to me. I would love to be able to share with their readers a peek into my home where I show my love of vintage.

happy 21st birthday jaclyn...

At midnight last night my little princess turned 21... It is still hard to believe and while it is such a big day I can not help but feel a little sad. Sometimes I miss these days... As I mentioned before, this birthday countdown was crazier than when she was little waiting for her first birthday party... Or her fourth which had a western theme... She is ready to celebrate... I picked up the bouquet of roses at the supermarket. I had a white bunch in my hand but my Jaclyn loves color... She also loves Hoops and Yo Yo... I wanted to get a picture before she went out but, of course she was rushing at the last minute and I did not. Here is a picture of her and one of her college roommates, Danielle shortly after they moved in this year... I have been enjoying making Etsy treasuries lately and I made one all about Jac for her birthday. I picked this item from SoulsBliss (thank you for the photo) because it reminded me of her when she was little walking around in her Grammy's red high heels... It was so much fun browsing for items that described just a little bit of her personality. You can see the whole treasury here. Well, Happy Birthday Jaclyn, you are a beautiful young woman both inside and out. I love you and wish you every happiness life holds. The champagne is chilling!