Decor, cooking, organization, all the pretty things
That's better. Kind of the same though, eh? I guess it's best to stick with what is soothing and familiar sometimes.
Sara gave me the print last year on my birthday. It's by an Etsy seller named fieryeyed and the shots are mostly done with vintage Polaroids and then printed on archival paper. They have a dreamy, ethereal quality to them.
Cute little Craigslist find. We needed a small table for the guestroom/office and Rick found this one on Craigslist for $30. We'll be giving it another coat of paint so it matches the headboard Rick is making for the room.
The vase came from Ikea – $8. I saw it and figured that I didn't really need it so I kept walking and then just before I got to the check out line I turned around and went against Ikea traffic and got it.
They have a smaller matching one that I saw someone using as a toothbrush holder on Flickr (love the colors in that picture – the pale aqua and pink).
I'm in a bit of a posting mood today, aren't I?
I've been playing with the mantel again. I'm really looking for a fresher, less cluttered look. I haven't quite hit upon it yet but I'm working on it.
I think these metal squares will go back into the eating area. I think the overall effect is too square and boxy looking.
Plus when I was trimming the wicks on my new IKEA candles I noticed they have metal in the wicks. Zinc and tin are reputedly not as harmful as lead wicks (which are no longer manufactured in the US but can be found in some imported candles) but I'm not sure what the metal is in these candles. So I'm going to relegate these to outdoors. Better safe than sorry.
Back to the drawing board.
What is going on these days?? Enough already!
http://rachelashwellshabbychic.blogspot.com/2009/02/endurance.html
You'll have to excuse the poor quality of the pictures today – I had to rely on my own shaky hands rather than my tri-pod when taking them.
Kelly (I'm thinking I should just rename this blog to The Kelly Chronicles or something like that) gave me four botanical prints. I think they are quite lovely. And as an added bonus there aren't any miserable butterflies flitting about in the pictures. I don't mind the occasional bee but we all know my thoughts on the other flying insects.
I was thinking of framing them without matting in red frames. I think that might look kind of bold. You can see the contrast between the white wall and the print. They have a creamy tone to them.
To get an idea of the size of the prints (taken at my Dad's house):
I do occasionally buy my own treasures and after reading of others' success at thrift shops I decided to try my hand it. I have to admit a huge aversion to them. I'm very definitely a 'can't see the forest for all the smelly crap' kind of person.
But I persevered and found two small silver-plated trays.
Before:
After:
They both have an inscription on the them that reads "Enchanted Hills Charity Mixed Doubles 1977." Not bad for $2.99 each.
I keep meaning to do a post on some of the non-linen, non-china pieces that Kelly has given me. She plucked these millinery flowers off an old hat. I'm thinking of trying to create a vintage Valentine box like one I saw on a blog and incorporate some them. It's driving me crazy but I can't find the blog I'm talking about – if anyone remembers (or is the blogger) seeing such a thing let me know.
This ribbon flower isn't vintage (unless you consider the 80's vintage) – it came off of one of the elastic clips we would wear on the back of our dresses in the 80's. To cinch in the waist. I love the rosy peach and green together. I'm not sure exactly what to do with it yet but it makes me want to want to buy a pretty linen dress and use it like it was intended. Maybe we can revive that trend?
Kelly also gave me a collection of vintage beaded purses. I'll show you close up of each.
The one above makes me drool it is so pretty. The beading design, the feel of it, I really love this one. I think it might be my favorite.
I wish I had taken a better or closer picture of this white one – the beads on it are exquisite. Hand made in France, which makes me swoon a bit.
This one is has more of a modern look to me. It's a very pretty shade of gold too. I can see wearing a simple black dress and strappy gold sandals and carrying this. I just need an event to go to that would require strappy gold sandals.
The next one I am going to show you I don't believe is all that vintage. The sequins on it are a bit iridescent, which I think is a fairly new development in the world of sequins. It, however, came stocked with a few things. Let's take a look, shall we..
I love the shape of the little mirror and the comb. What I can't figure out is that little square, satin envelope is for. Condom holder? I'm stumped and that is the only thing I can think of. The previous owner of the purse was prepared, I'll give her that.
The last bag isn't beaded but it has pretty detailing on the clasp. I can picture taking this on a leisurely weekend lunch at some outdoor restaurant. 
