Special Piece from a Special Friend

It's interesting isn't it? How we meet our friends. My newest friendship began with scanning Craigslist. Posted was a terrific vintage tole lamp. I of course had to have it (will post pics of my lamps another time) as well as another tole lamp table. In the pics was a gorgeous header. I purchased the lamps, but stepping out of my box, asked if she'd be interested in selling the header. She laughed and told me everyone asked her that. We found that we had much in common and have been shopping and planning sales together. And, a few weeks later, she did ask if I was still interested because she was changing a few things. I was so excited. While it did not end up where I had originally planned, it is now in the perfect spot above my bed. Even my husband likes it. Just had to share....hope you will think it looks as great as I do!

Simple things.....

It has been so long since I last posted. A year and so many changes. We have moved back to Phoenix. My kids and grandkids are here and that is great...I really enjoy spending time with them. But, I also miss my mother and siblings and of course Texas. Round Top, Urban Market, Judy Hill.....so many great places to shop with incredible vendors. Then there was my little ranch house. I loved it so and all the quirks that come with a house that is almost 50 years old. Now we have a brand new home.....which I truly do understand how blessed I am to have a house. It's just that it hasn't felt like a home yet. But it's getting closer with my latest purchase. Did you notice my grainsack table runner? I purchased it from Maria at Dreamy Whites, and I just love it! It warmed up my dining area right away. I'm sure most of you have read Maria's delightful blog and visited her on-line store. She is just the sweetest person. Hopefully you had the opportunity to see her on the Nate Berkus. Anyway just had to share....because it truly is the little things that help us turn a house into a home. I hope you've had a wonderful Tuesday!

My Mantle

I'm struggling with whether I like how I have my mantle decorated right now. Maybe it's the brown paint on the walls. I so want to change it. The mantle is one I found at one of my favorite stores in Phoenix...very inexpensive. The little roses in the vase are actually made from masking tape. Those I found at Judy Hill's. Some people are just so creative. The fireplace screen I found on ebay. It really is a special piece. Right now this is in my entry way. With a narrow entry way, this seems to work well. As you can probably tell, I love mirrors. They just bring in so much light. I can't wait for Round Top....I know I'll find another mirror that I just can't live without. If anyone has any suggestions on paint color, they would be most appreciated. Thanks for letting me share.

My New Farmhouse Table

Can I just say that I love my new Farmhouse Table? It all started when I was browsing Craig's List and found an authentic Shabby Chic table and 4 slipcovered chairs. It was one of those things where my heart just started pounding and I ran to my husband explaining never again would I have the opportunity to have something like this....of course he already had that defeated look when he thought he'd point out to me that we already have a table and it holds up our plates. To be honest it really was a lovely table with 8 chairs. But, my husband took off on the two hour drive the next morning to purchase the set for me. When the phone rang, I thought it was him calling to say he was on his way home....but no...it was him, but calling to say "didn't you tell me this table was 52" round?". I had, as that was what was in the ad and the owner thought it was 52". However, it was 60" and no matter how hard I tried, I knew 60" wouldn't work. I'd have to lose half my body size and no one could sit in the chair that leads into the kitchen. 52" was actually pushing it. So, I shed a few tears, took my dining room set off Craig's list and started cleaning (that's what I do when I'm upset). A few hours later my husband was home telling me about the house and how beautiful it was. He casually mentioned that she had four other chairs with little slipcovered skirts that she was selling...he thought they looked like something I would like, and said too bad I didn't have a place to use them. Well, I had the person send pics and then thought about them for about a week. I kept thinking that they'd look great with a farmhouse table and give me the room that I really needed. So, I bought the chairs and the little white hutch too and began redecorating my dining room. Of course I put my set on Craig's list before I found a table....and it sold right away....to my mother. :) She loves it and it fits in her larger breakfast room. My next obsession was finding that table. I rarely find anything here in San Antonio, but I did find what looked to be the perfect table in Houston...so the next Friday, I took the day off work and went and picked up my new table. Well worth the 6 1/2 hour round trip. I love it...especially with the white roses that I received for my anniversary and birthday. It is just simple and sweet. Love it Love it!

Truly Vintage Bliss!

Don't you just love Saturdays! That the day I try really hard to find "me Time". My work schedule is pretty demanding so just love when I can let go and enjoy a non-stressful day. I'm fortunate enough to live near Boerne, home to Vintage Bliss. So I hopped in my car listening to my favorite Bryan Ferry cd and headed for one of the loveliest stores you could hope to find. Theresa Cano of Garden Antiques Vintage, asked if I'd mind taking a few pictures. Kelly, the owner was nice enough to let me do just that. The picture above is from Kelly's shop. Next time you are anywhere near San Antonio or Boerne, you really should stop by. Vintage Bliss is a truly feel good kind of store. The colors are so restful, and what an eye they have for display. Not only did I get some great ideas...I found some wonderful gifts too. Ok, so most of the "gifts" were for me. I purchased the cutest little soap dish and holder, a Paris chic pillow, a journal, and a small roll of vintage wallpaper with roses of course. One of my purchases was actually a gift...a very nice foot cream for my Aunt Margie who just turned 88 years young. I think she will like it...our feet tend to get really dry as we age.

The next stop was the Antique Mall on Nacogdoches Rd. I'd been eyeing a small display cabinet...it's a nice old one with the original soft pretty green paint...beautifully aged. Well, I decided it was really needed for my "Someday" store. So, it is in the backseat of my car, as I wait for my husband to go to bed. One of those things he wouldn't quite understand. He just doesn't realize that those special pieces are really getting hard to come by.

My final bit of shopping was at Homestead Crafts. While I didn't buy anything, I met Kristy from A Checkered Past and had a really nice time sharing junking stories. She gave me some good suggestions for future Saturday destinations. Only 7 more days. :) We were leaving just as the store was closing and Kristy was caring in a beautiful white framed mirror to put in her booth. As I said, it was closing time....but I just may have to be there at noon when they open.

My very first post.....WOW!

I can't tell you how excited I am to be joining the blogging world. There are so many wonderful people whose blogs I have followed. Reading those blogs, truly is the best time of my day....I always feel like I'm meeting up with friends. So, I will start by sharing that I moved to Texas almost 4 years ago, after 26 years in Arizona. I grew up in Texas, and for those of you not from here....if Texas is where your roots are....it is always Home. After living with cactus and road runners, I'm pretty happy to be living in an area with tons of live oak trees and deer running around. Of course best of all....I get to go to Round Top! I love antiques, especially those with a cottage or shabby chic feel. It's been great fun to work on my old 50's ranch home, softening the look (the original owners loved tuscan) and bringing in the cottage charm so many of us appreciate. Many of my greatest finds have been from my excursions to Round Top and on Craig's List. My husband always teases me about Craig's list, but he has been impressed with what I've found and likes that I've made so many friends this way. He is absolutely wonderful....never complaining no matter how heavy my latest find turns out to be. He does laugh a bit that I do consider my web and blog contacts to be friends....but really they are! This weekend I spent going to Carolyn Westbrook's annual sale. It was awesome! I found a wonderful little cupboard that I will pick up later in Round Top (Linda from Willow's Nest was kind enough to save it until I had the truck). Other treasures included wonderful wreaths, a little hymnal, and of course a cherub. I'll have to wait until Round Top to purchase more pillows from Carolyn. As you can tell by now, I ramble a bit, so I guess I'll sign off for now. I'm including a picture of my garden....I hope anyway. I'm not sure I have this "blog" thing figured out yet. Later this week, I will share more pics of my home...I know that I have truly enjoyed visiting so many of your homes this way and getting some really good ideas.