Where on Earth Have I Been???

My oh my, my bloggie friends,

Where, you ask?  Well, right here, living life, just not blogging.  Are any of you still out there or am I deluding myself?  It's been SOOOOOOO long (nearly 2 years) since I fired up my Blogger account.  WHAT?  How does this happen?  I've missed blogging so much, but the whole full-time job thing and trying to juggle 2 kids and 2 Etsy shops (didn't do so great on that, more later on in the post), blah, blah, blah, you get it.  I have started doing Instagram a small bit, but nothing like the blog-more personal, no real theme, just a real mish-mash of whatever strikes my fancy on any given day.  It's great for short attention span lookey looing, but not like the blogs are. 

The reason I wanted to pop over to say hello was to show you what I spent all of last week doing...reviving my sad, neglected little Etsy shops.  I actually just let them whither on the vine for a while.  Also sad, but apparently, what I needed.  After a few months of nothing new being put on there, I finally decided enough was enough.  I asked for a week off from work and got busy.  I photographed and measured and cataloged.  I got several new pieces up in each shop and I am now postured to be able to add more pieces much easier since I did the hard work up front.  I thought I'd make little photo collages to give you an idea of what's new.  I call this one "Rhapsody in Blue and Gold"-okay, just kidding, I didn't name it that, but it does kind of work, don't you think?  LOL!

These lovelies can be or will be found soon along with many other beautiful treasures at The French Laundry. 

My other shop, Elegant Farmhouse, has also been revamped. If you aren't familiar with Elegant Farmhouse, the aesthetic is different than The French Laundry.  More simple items, cleaner lines, less fancy.  Funny, but this seems to coincide with my split personality when it comes to decorating.  Part of me LOVES all the fancy French antiques, the more gilt the better, while another part still digs the painted primitives that I came to love when I lived in New England.  Hence, 2 shops.  Or, if you are Marion of Miss Mustard Seed fame, you can blend both into a wonderfully cohesive decorating style.  She is so sweet and so very talented...but I digress.  Back to my photo collage.  We'll call this one "Study in White and Tan". I plan on adding more items every week to both shops, so pop by whenever you get the chance and have a look around. You just never know when something is going to strike your fancy. 

I'll try to circle back around and share more photos when I get the chance. 

Until next time,

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,

Happy Birthday to The French Laundry

Hello Blogger Friends,

I can't believe that a year has gone by since I first opened my Etsy shop, The French Laundry, but as of January 6, it will be a full year.  It was a great 2013 and I am looking forward to bringing you more beautiful treasures in 2014.  I'm still trying to find my way around balancing shopkeeping and working full time, but it is getting a bit easier.  I'm challenging myself to get more organized and stop hoarding (well, maybe just cut back on the hoarding :-) I am, after all, a collector myself ).  I also have a few small home projects/purchases to do this year, so the income from the shop becomes even more important.  With all of that in mind, I'd like to offer a little "Happy Birthday" gift to you in honor of my first year in business.  Just stop by The French Laundry from now until midnight tomorrow (1/6/14) and enter HAPPYBIRTHDAY20 at checkout to receive 20% off on all purchases over $20.  Now that Christmas is over, it is a good time for you to pick up that special something you've been wanting for yourself at a special price.

Until next time,

Some Pretty Just Because and a Special Sale You Won't Want to Miss

I was taking some pictures of a beautiful antique lace scarf on my antique dress form and after I redressed my dress form after her photo shoot, I couldn't help but fall in love with my pretty gal all over again.  She is all dressed in her finest frippery...

She's been dressed in this same beautiful outfit for some time but I just can't seem to find anything that looks as lovely as this, so she just keeps her same duds on.  Oh well...

On a non-related note, baby needs new shoes so I am running a sale in both of my Etsy shops like nothing ever seen before.  Visit The French Laundry or Elegant Farmhouse between now and the end of the month and use the code SUMMERSUN to receive 30% off of your purchase of $50 or more.  Sorry, does not apply to items "On Reserve" or on layaway.

Until next time,

Sew...How are You?

Hi Bloggie Friends,

Do you have a "thing" for sewing implements, especially pretty ones?  Well, I do-don't judge.  My mom sewed like nobody's business and so I think I have a soft spot for anything sewing related.  Lucky for me, I've managed to pick up some awesome things over the years like the spools of silk ribbon above and the amazing little lady tape measure shown below.  She's porcelain and I like to imagine she's Marie Antoinette.  She's missing the first couple of inches of her tape, but I don't care, I think she is still awesome.

Wouldn't you love to have this beauty in your studio?  Found it out in cyberspace-a girl can dream, right?

This tape measure has my favorite, little ribbon work garlands.  Also just a dream from cyberspace, but yummy...

A pretty oversized pin cushion, sewing bag, and stuffed sewing basket from my Etsy shop...

Pretties from Pinterest...

 A silk ribbon chatelaine used to hold sewing supplies like scissors, thimbles, awls, and strawberry emories...

 Amazing sterling thimbles...notice the one on the right is engraved "Doris".  How sweet, don't you think?

This one is my favorite.  I love anything with cherubs on it.

Hope you enjoyed this brief little tour of pretty sewing items.  Do you collect vintage sewing stuff?  Some day I'll have to share some more of my collectibles with you, but for now, let me leave you with an image of a sweet little antique bisque dolly I dressed this weekend.  She will eventually be put in my Etsy shop, but for now, she is making me smile.

And one more pretty picture...my old roses were faded but still worthy of admiration.

Oh, and one more thing: I am so grateful to share a beautiful online magazine from my blog friend Kerryanne from Woodberry Designs.  It is called Simply Shabbilicious and sweet Kerryanne has featured my little closet of dreams.  Go check it out.  You will LOVE it and word on the streets is, it will become a published magazine in addition to an online one with the next issue.  Thank you Kerryanne for including me in your wonderful publication!



Until next time,

Laid Back Sunday

Hello Friends,

Just a quick check in to say I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.  I bought a pretty white Stock bouquet yesterday at the store just because.  We are not fortunate enough to have a Trader Joe's around here (although I keep hearing rumors that we will get one), so fresh flowers are more of a "treat" than a regular occurrence around my house.  The stock is a flower that I've never had any luck growing in the garden despite repeated attempts, but I love it.  Not only is it a pretty little stalk, but it smells WON-DER-FUL!  Might be too sweet for some folks, but not me.  Anyway, I put it in one of my favorite old transferware pitchers on the center of my dining room table which is transitioning from the Valentine table to a more springy look.  No major decor just yet, but get ready for my big pink clown Easter bunny coming soon.  I'm really excited since I "lost" him in the ruckus that is my house a couple of years ago and only found him this summer, so it has been a while since he's hopped into spring.

Not that I'm dreaming of spring JUST yet when we have some more winter weather in us, but a little touch doesn't hurt.  The photo below shows you how pretty our town looks with some nice winter snow frosting everything.  I should mention that the view is not from my home, but from the Garden of the Gods Club a few miles away.  A good friend belongs to the club and I get to tag along with her to happy hours now and then again.  I never tire of that view, no matter what season it is.

On a different note, I've put a few new things in both Etsy shops, so stop by and take a peek.

This pretty Wedgwood compote is such a mellow creamy color.  I love the embossed edge.  It is here at Elegant Farmhouse. 

This adorable shelf will hopefully be listed on Elegant Farmhouse this week although seeing how cute it looks all styled up, I might have a hard time getting that little listing done!

Check out this amazing 4 inch wide 1920's lace that is here at The French Laundry.

This beauty emerged from the pile of goods destined for The French Laundry.  Swoon...

Well, laid back Sunday or not, I do have to tend to a few things before we jump back into the work week, so have a great week and hopefully, I'll get to stop by and see what you all are up to. 
Until next time,

Valentine Shop Hop, Part 2

My apologies for not getting back to you for part 2 of my shopping spree through some of my favorite Etsy shops, but life kind of got in the way.  Whew!  Busy weekend and I'm going to need some retail therapy to unwind...

First stop is my blogging buddy Debra's fun shop The Petite Boutique.  I'm sure many of you know Debra from her blog, Common Ground.  She hosts a great Friday party and always has some great decor posts, but in her spare time, she loves to play with old keys and fun findings and she makes these cool necklaces.  She has some new ones posted for Valentine's Day, so pop on over and check them out.

I discovered Julie at GoGoSnap purely by accident, but I was so enchanted with her beautiful designs for business cards that I had her make some up for me.  My design that I picked out was the wonderful lady in the center.  She does invitation packages for weddings, notecards, thank you notes, and save the date cards.  Her designs are all done on a real Heidelberg Offset press, so not digital or laser, and she has high quality thick paper.  I mean really high quality.  She is not cheap, but trust me, you will be thrilled with the result and Julie is great to work with. 

Another face that may be familiar to you is Rhonda from A Little Bit French.  She is a blogger as well and she makes the most wonderful things out of fabric, lace, jewelry, and paper.  I love everything she creates and whenever you buy something, she spoils you with little extras.  Go check out her shop if you haven't yet because you will love her French style.  

Susan at Evelyn and Rose is a blogger and DIY decorator who has been featured in the Somerset Life magazine a couple of times and she makes some awesome things for her shop, namely pillows.  One of these days, I'm going to get one of these beauties for some place special in my home.  She's super nice too and that's always a plus, don't you think?

If you love pretty paper tags, journals, and other paper whimseys, you will have a great time poking around Dorothy Jane.  She is a an old soul and loves anything Jane Austen.  Her work is beautiful and a real treat for the eyes.  I bought the Souvenir de Paris tags on the right and they are quite fun.  I can't wait to do something awesome with them.  Give her a look, you'll be glad you did.

And, while I was trying to behave and not engage in shameless self promotion, it is my blog after all, so I guess I will attempt to prod you to check out my new listings at both of my Etsy shops, The French Laundry...

And Elegant Farmhouse.

So, that's it for our pre-Valentine's Day shopping spree on Etsy.  I hope you enjoyed yourself.  I know I did.  For now, it is time for this little chickie to go to bed.

Until next time,