A New Year and New Treasures Coming to The French Laundry

Hello again Bloggie Friends,

Once again, the calendar is about to turn over to a new year and it is time for me to get serious about stocking my Etsy shop, The French Laundry.  I've spent the last part of 2015 buying some awesome things that speak to my soul, a few of which are shown above. Some new pretties are listed now and a New Year's listapalooza (translation: lots of stuff for your perusal) will go live at noon Eastern Standard Time on January 1st, 2016.  Come join me in between the Tournament of Roses Parade and your "Good Luck" black eyed peas for a little retail therapy.

Until next time,

On a Personal Note...My First Byline!

Hello Bloggie Friends,

I just had to check in to brag  mention that I am so excited to have a 3 page feature article in the beautiful publication, Journal of Antiques and Collectibles.  It is a publication available mostly on the east coast, featuring fun and informative articles on whatever topic is their focus for the month, Q & A's on collectibles, trending items  on eBay,  noteworthy auction house results, antique show schedules, etc.  I was thrilled when their editor reached out to me after seeing some of my ribbon work collections on my blog and asked me if I would be interested in writing a feature talking about my favorite collectible.  I couldn't say "yes" fast enough! Their editorial focus was "A Stitch in Time" and it was about sewing and related collectibles. Right up my alley...

Seeing your very first byline in print is pretty dang exciting.  I know lots of my blogging friends have had this experience many times, but it was a first for me (okay, back in the day, I did do a newsletter update for the officers' wives club at the Air Force base, but it wasn't nearly as exciting as this).

Just let me go on record to say that writing an article, even on something you are passionate about, is not all that easy.  Kudos to those whose words flow like a mountain stream...you are indeed talented.

I also got the joy of taking several photos of my collections for publication which was like choosing which of my children would be featured-SO HARD!  Oh well, I did manage to get a good handful of shots and then turned it over to the editor's capable hands for her to make the final selection.

Well, that's all for now.  I'm busy getting lots of beautiful things photographed and ready for listing  in my Etsy shop.  Stay tuned.

Until next time,

Pink, Gold, and Silver Tablescape

Happy First Day of Winter my bloggie friends!  Today I am sharing my dining room Christmas tablescape which is lots different than in years past. When I started pulling out my Christmas goodies this year, I remembered some pale pink vintage ornaments I had and decided to set up a pale pink, gold, and silver theme rather than my usual burgandy and gold.  I found some gold chargers at a yard sale this summer which made a nice underlayer to my mix and match Limoges dinner plates that have pink flowers on a white background with gold accents.

My little French cherub candleholders are regulars at my table and are perfect for this tablescape since they aren't terribly tall, avoiding having to peek around them to see your table mates.

The pretty vintage balls that were my inspiration ended up in a round Limoges casserole dish and then were set on a vintage Italian florentine tray.

I used pretty pink roses and mixed them with some Christmas greenery in what are usually mercury glass votive holders I got from Pottery Barn a few years ago.

I typically always do this embellishment to my chandelier.  I drape vintage mercury glass garlands and then hang vintage ornaments from them.  Sometimes I have ribbon bows to attach them, but this year, I went simple and just used ornament hangers.

My mom and dad had a few pieces of gold Pickard china which I inherited and incorporated...a cream and sugar, salt and pepper, and a little dish.  I also used my mom and dad's silverware, King Edward by Gorham in addition to some antique silver plate napkin rings. 

Moody lighting compliments of Mr. Cloud. LOL!



I love to tie tulle on the back of my chairs.  This time I used a pale pink tulle and alternated between sparkly silver tulle and sparkly gold tulle.  Lastly, I added a little ornament on each one that I got at Hobby Lobby when they were half price.

A fun little vignette on my dining room sideboard featuring a couple of my great aunt's hand painted plates flanking a pretty maiden plate that I got at an antique show a number of years ago. My little snow angel makes appearances here and there during the Christmas season.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.  I'll be working right up until Christmas Eve, but then I have a 3 day weekend with my family and friends.  Enjoy your time with your dear ones as well.  My 16 year old got his driver's license yesterday.  YIKES!  Time goes by so fast, so enjoy them while you can.

Sharing with Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday and Bev's Pink Saturday

Until next time,

Simple Christmas Mantle 2015

Hello Bloggie Friends and Warmest of Holiday Wishes!  I'll bet you thought I fell off the face of the Earth, didn't you?  It has been WAY too long since we visited.  Let's jump right in, shall we? Christmas is always one of my favorite times around this old house.  I love pulling out all of the stops and making my Victorian sparkle.  One of my favorite areas to decorate, like many of you, is my mantle. Some years it gets a fancier treatment than others.  This year, I decided I didn't want to move everything off and make such a production of it, so I just changed up the books that I use as lifts and added some greenery and a sweet little snow angel and I have to say, I'm quit pleased with the look.

The books are old red and green ones that I gathered up from various bookshelves around my house.  I like to use old books for color and as risers for a variety of things, from vases to lamps to underneath cloches.  If you keep your eyes peeled, you can often pick up some pretty ones for a few dollars at estate sales, antique shops, and even garage sales, especially if you aren't too picky about condition.

I live in Colorado where it is decidedly non-humid, so real greenery is not a great option in the house unless you are into crispy greens, which they usually become in a day or two.  My trick to get the feel is to use some nice faux greenery and plop it into my pottery vases.  I add a small glass of water in there too and cut some evergreens from the yard or sometimes pick up a greenery bundle from Trader Joe's and put them in in the water.  This keeps the greens fresh enough to last for a while and since there aren't too many of them, they can be easily changed out if they need to be without totally having to disrupt the decor.

I hope you are having fun this week with your own decorating and I look forward to getting around and visiting some of you as time allows.

Until next time,



Sharing with Come As You Are Christmas Open House