Ahhh.....

the simple pleasures of small town life! I was blessed with a morning this summer to go explore the Vintage Boutique in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio. I love how even the downspout pipe is painted a lively aqua at the bottom! This store shimmers and shines with a plethora of French-inspired vintage products. Francophiles, if you get a chance, swing by this shop and prepare to come away heart brim-full with happiness.

This photo made me smile when I ran across it today. It was a snapshot from this past summer full of cake-testing with my hubby-to-be and dreaming dreams of our future together. We stopped in here and bought a special plaque for our future home. It simply read: All because two people fell in love. Are we a couple of saps or what? 

I needed to be reminded of this special day after putting in an 11 hour day at work. Please forgive my long absence this past week. In the real world, I am a teacher ~ a career I love, but that requires a lot of extra hours which often keep me away from the computer. The first week's rush is now behind me and a calmer rhythm is slowly returning to

 my life. 

Au revoir for now, Dear Friends. I promise to be back before the end of this week ;-)

BEFORE

 

AFTER

I bought a natural colored drop cloth, draped the back with a fabric remnant, and stuffed a pillow form into a zippered pillow cover I picked up for 2 bucks at JCPenney Outlet. My drop cloth tucking technique needs some improvement, but I am pleased with this start. Much better than the old, that is for sure!

The living room is slowly but surely coming together. 

My eagerly anticipated dress arrived
this week from Shabby Apple! It is every bit as lovely as it was online. Although, there is a wild purple zipper in the back which I hadn't expected but seems to add a nice, unexpected touch that is growing on me. Shabby Apple ships quickly. I received my dress within two business days. 

And the best part is that each dress goes to a worthy cause!

Read the tag in the picture above. 

It made me extra glad that I had bought this dress.

Isn't it lovely?

Splurged on...

Orange Ruffled Scoop Neck Dress

 in celebration of finishing my last masters' project EVER!

Black and White Houndstooth Dress - Madison Ave

Now I have my eye on this beauty

Shabby Apple is my new favorite online dress boutique!

I love this!

The Chain Reaction Afghan Project: Circles Squared - Crochet Me

I just discovered a new crochet site (probably an old standby for many all ready, though) called www.crochetme.com. While visiting there this morning with my cuppa chocolate caramel coffee and a warm vanilla candle burning vibrantly against the calming backdrop of Enya's melodic songs, I stumbled upon this pattern and knew I had to share it here. Can't wait to try this one out!

Tea time? 

I saw this fun idea in an issue of Country Home magazine from years ago. Keeps my broaches and sweater clips visible and within easy reach so I actually remember to use them!

Going through drawers and boxes of old ephemera....

I realized that I had gathered quite a collection of beautiful papers and postcards most of which carried very dear memories or precious sentiments with them. I didn't want these gems of my past to remain hidden away out of sight, out of mind, and relegated to just another pile of clutter shuffling back and forth in a random drawer.


I have a large bookcase my father designed with me and later custom made by hand for me. Many of my idea notebooks and old magazines reside behind the doors of its lower cabinet, hence I am constantly rummaging in its inner most depths.  So I thought one day, "Why not make the inside of the doors as pretty as the outside?" 


I ended up making some bold decisions tossing all but the most exceptionally meaningful pieces of pretty papers. Upon that task's accomplishment (and without thinking twice... which is how the best creative ideas get born, in my opinion), I grabbed the Mason jar of left over antique pink paint off of its tired closet shelf and generously doused both doors' inner boards in the blissful hue. Once dry, I took all of my favorite ephemera, rolled simple pieces of scotch tape on back, and affixed each paper memory across the doors in a happy mismatch of vintage splendor. 


Every time I open this cabinet (which is at least once a day) my heart is tickled with the joy of a personal job well done.