relaxing weekend...

I enjoyed a relaxing holiday weekend at my campground...

4:00 cocktail hour right here each day with my girls...

We let the guys hang out too...

I just love the new cushions and pillows I purchased at Target for my wicker set this year ~ perfect for my favorite room in the summer!

I also planted my flowers...

Jim dug out a new garden area for me...

Thanks Jim!

How was your weekend?

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a great week!!

special treasure...

Did I ever show you this sweet gift from my talented friend Patti of Pandora's Box...

She made it from an old wooden cigar box...

She shabbied the outside...

as well as the inside...

She knows just what I like!!

I use it in my studio to hold some letter packets that my friend Sandi inspired me to make...

I love having special treasures like this in my studio ~ it is a daily reminder of the best part about blogging ~ making new friends!

Thanks again Patti!!

I am joining Kathleen at Faded Charm as she begins her next 100 White Wednesday posts!

Oh the inspiration that awaits!!

lilacs for tuesdays treasures...

I am joining Kristin over at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia today for her Tuesday's Treasures party for the first time!

Did you know she just opened up a beautiful Etsy shop called Uncommon Linens?!

Also, Kristin and her husband Ray were recently featured in Better Homes and Gardens Kitchen and Bath issue showcasing their beautiful kitchen makeover!

Congratulations!!

I picked up some lilacs the other day for my kitchen table...

Aren't they pretty...

I actually had enough to make two arrangements...

And put one by my Mom's portrait...

Thanks for stopping in today which marks my 200th post!

I never got around to celebrating having 400 followers so I guess I will have to put my thinking cap on and put together a double celebration giveaway!

Stay tuned...

one proud mama...

It's official...

I am one proud Mama...

My beautiful daughter graduated yesterday...

Jaclyn and her Grandpa

We are so proud of you Jaclyn...congratulations!!!

brimfield finds...

On Monday I showed you a few photos I took at Brimfield.

Today I want to share what I brought home...

This wonderful old table in turquoise...

Love the detail on the knob...

I put it in my booth on Tuesday and it sold that afternoon!

Next up is this sweet old stool in turquoise too...

I brought it to the shop as well and added it to our porch and garden display along with this wonderful old white step ladder...

I think I am having seller's regret...I just might have to bring it back home!

I also found this great old medicine cabinet...

Wondering if I should leave it in all it's chippy glory or give it a coat of the new Martha Stewart gray paint I just bought...

I found a wonderful vintage wedding photo...

Just look at her bouquet...

I also picked up this great old mantel mirror...

It was my deal of the day!  Just look at the detail...

I will be giving this a coat of white and am thinking of switching it out with one I already have in my den.  We shall see.

This next treasure is a definite keeper...

I have always wanted to start a collection of vintage seltzer bottles...

Now I have!

I am joining Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Thank you for hosting Debra!

It is a big weekend here for my family.

My daughter Jaclyn is graduating from UMass/Dartmouth on Sunday!!

We are so proud of her!

We have had a week of rain...but I think the sun might just shine down on us on by Sunday!

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your weekend!

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...

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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...

  

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

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

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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!