Blondie 'N' SC

Foofing the Loft~

The other day I purchased a sweet little birdcage from Sara to go in my loft, and you know the saying "one thing leads to another" (is that really a saying?)...well that prompted some re-decorating or foofing in the loft if you will!

My favorite way to decorate on a budget, besides thrift stores and estate sales is to use what I already have.

By moving things around from one room to another, from one table to another, from left to right...ok, I think you are getting the idea! 

 

I have a slew of old books, which are one of my favorite accessories...besides diamonds...

Just kidding, I don't have those...but I do have me some old books!

And, bathing beauties sitting on an old shoe shine brush...odd I know!

The birds, well they don't like to be in their cage, so I let them hang out here...

They are fully aware of the "no pooping" on the carpet rule we have around this nest or back in the cage they go...

This old white suitcase used to be in the guest room, but I moved it to help prop up my new birdcage...

And, I am growing to like it here.

This antique table holds a vintage vanity tray I found at an estate sale for $8.00.

And, more books I made covers for out of some fabric I had sitting in my crafting tote.

I ripped the covers off some more old books I had, thanks to Jen for the idea and placed them on the vanity tray as well.

This little turquoise postal scale was suppose to go into one of my shoppes...

But, when I got it...inspected it and placed it on top of..... can you guess???

I'll give you three chances...

I'm waiting....

Yup, that's it, say it louder...

 Old books....

 I fell in love and it nows rests happily in my loft!

 Last but not least I placed this old folding ruler in the vintage wire basket I use to hold vintage sheet music on our desk...

At some point I hope to use some of the music to line the shelves of the partial hutch that sits above the vintage desk I scored off Craigslist!

But, ya know the saying "all good things come with time" (is that a saying?)....that is where I am with the sheet music!

And, have I complained lately about finding another chair for my farm table...

No, hmmm....thought I had, well don't even get me started.

Tried 5 more stores.

Still.no.luck.

NONE...

NADA...

Zilch!

The search continues, I won't rest until the table is complete.

Now if you will excuse me, I think I need to go foof another room while the pool man is snoring logs on the couch down stairs!

Ta Ta...

 

P.S. Did y'all know Jen was featured in Country Living Magazine?

I know Crazy, huh?

She's a star!! 

 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

An old Farm Table~

A few weeks ago I started to search Craigslist for an old authentic farm table because truth be told I have always wanted a real farm table. As I searched and searched I finally found a listing with the most gorgeous farm table I had ever seen. I saved the listing in my favorites and kept searching but something brought me back to that ad every time.

 I decided to e-mail the owner and see if I could come and visit her table. To my surprise she e-mailed me right back. On the bottom of her e-mail was a link to a blog, this sparked my curiosity. After I told her I could swing by her house that afternoon around lunch time if she would be around,  I clicked on on her blog link .

As her blog pulled up...low and behold she had a few of my favorite blogs on her sidebar...I was intrigued. Who was this lady? Just as I was about to e-mail her back, an e-mail popped into my in- box, and it read, "Oh my goodness, I just looked at your e-mail address and I read your blog, I know who you are! Come over this afternoon if you don't mind a messy house and me in a hat!"

 I started laughing, and of course it all went down hill from there, as we are now vintage junkies bound by an old farm table. Christi, writer of the Carriage House Co blog, booth owner at Country Roads Antique Store, seller at my favorite flea market and now the former owner of an old Amazing Farm Table....which now sits in my kitchen!

This was a hard day for Christie as this table has been a part of her family for years, so when we made the deal for the table the fine print includes visiting rights, we like to call it an "open Adoption" if you will!

 I would like you to meet the newest addition to our family, our old authentic handmade farm table!

 

This beauty has some Legs on her...oh la la!

 

While at the flea market the other weekend, my BFF helped me load this gorgeous bench into the back of my SUV. Being that it is 6 foot it fits perfectly under the farm table and out of the way of on-coming traffic or in other words, wild drivers of tricycles through my kitchen!

I painted the bottom of the bench yellow, Sherwin Williams "White Raisin" to be exact and I stained the top of it to match the table and my other Craigslist find...

 My vintage cane back chair!

Now before you rush down and comment on how ugly the seat of the chair is....I am probably re-upholstering it as you read this post with a yellow and white striped fabric to match the bench. (photos coming soon!)

 

However, here is where my story takes a sad, sad turn.

I have been looking for one more cane back chair to go with my table and I really didn't think it would be hard and well, I should know better then that because nothing is that easy.

I have been to 10 stores, seriously, 10.

Carried the baby through several thrift stores in our hunt.

(Did I mention he weighs 33 pounds & I look like Wonder Woman now?)

Drove 20 miles out of my way to check a random second hand store.

And nothing.

Nada.

Zilch.

How hard can finding just one more chair really be?

 

So I am still on the hunt for one more chair to complete my set..and being that I am compulsive and obsessive my search will continue until I find that ONE perfect Chair!

If anyone has one sitting in their garage, CALL ME, e-mail me, shoot a flair in the sky, send me an SOS or better yet ship it Grey Hound Express to my front door...

Anything... please HELP me so I can stop obsessing and finally get a good nights sleep!

The last final touch of course will be adding #'s on the bench and the back of my chairs, yes I used plural because I am staying positive in my search...

Now, if you will excuse me I need to feed the baby dinner before he eats a whole bag of goldfish!

Happy Tuesday and Thank you Christi, we love our table...love love love it!

A.K.A~ your slightly crazy & chair obsessed friend!

P.S. New Etsy shoppe you must check out! 

 

  
  

  
 

 

Accumulated Treasures~

Happy Saturday Girls!!

 Thank you for all your compassion last week for my mom. I am happy to say she is feeling better and went to see her GP on Friday. As long as she keeps getting better and her limbs don't start to loose feeling, looks like she on the road to recovery!

As my little punk sleeps, I decided to take a few snapshots of some of the goods I have accumulated in my travels for my Etsy Store. I try to be selective with what I keep, and some of the things you see here might make it into either of my shoppes, but as for now, they reside happily (i think) in my little cottage.

So away we go!

I am smitten with old wire baskets and this one resides on my desk. The lavender is from Trader Joe's. I dried it and tied some seam binding on the ends to keep it together.

 

I got the magnifying glass at an estate sale...my son thinks this treasure is his...we shall see about that!

 

I am smitten with old brushes.

This old horse hair shoe shine brush sits in this metal tray in my guest room...

 

 

With my White Suitcase I am in LOVE with!

 

The sweetest elderly lady sold me this silver case made in Germany at a recent estate sale. Now it holds my business cards I just made from Moo Cards. I love the idea of using your own photos on business cards, and below is one I used from the turquoise jars around my cottage! 

 

However, when the pool man and I get a free night, this will be used to carry my money and credit cards in my new clutch!

  

Actually I bought two one from Jeanne, which I haven't received yet and this one from Rebekah.  

 

Love the ticking striped Posies and the vintage lace..perfect combination!

 

And then...well...uhm, here starts the beginning of my collection. I haven't decided if all of these are going to stay yet...but I couldn't resist picking them all up!

I think I said at one time, I am not a collector, huh?

Looks like things are'a changing!

 

I have a "thing" for gravy boats and this little Q~T is ironstone and REALLY old...she is staying in the family....I think!

 

I couldn't resist this little guy, he has a wee little chip on his nose, but I find that attractive...

 

This fella also has a wee little chip on his nose too...

I Guess it is better then having a "chip on your shoulder" right?

 

 

 

And then, then there is this:

 

From Sweet Sweet Megan of White Flower Farmhouse.

Did you know she makes these sailboats herself and you can only find them at White Flower Farmhouse?

Just as cute as can be!

 

I LOVE it Megan, thank you!

There are probably more accumulated Treasures, but I don't want you think I am a pack rat...so I will leave you with this...

May your home be filled with everything and everyone you love!

'Til we meet again...

XOXO

 

P.S. Today officially starts my 10 whole days of vacation! Yipee!!

Now, I am off to walk the dopey dog in 90 degree weather...yes I have completely lost my mind!

Muwahhhhh!

 

 

 

Turquoise?

As I chatted with the paint man Saturday afternoon with my Martha Stewart ribbon in hand as a color match, I asked him, "What color do you think this is?"

 As he shuffled through his color deck he looked at me and laughed...both laughing we said together, "Turquoise" with a bit of hesitation... But he seemed to like the color enough to add it to his personal file! Thank you Martha Stewart for giving me the inspiration to add some color to my Guest room!

But.... you knew there was going to be a but, huh...?

I think she needs some light sanding in spots to shabby her up...!

I also made it to the flea market Sunday in Irvine. Arriving at 7:00 am and leaving at 9:15 am, this flea market was the perfect size...and this momma got some time by herself to be in her own element without the thought of sippy cups, or dirty diapers!

IT FELT GREAT!

I came home with this White Train case:

$15.00

 

 

And this sweet little butterfly that now adorns some vintage books:

Butterfly:

$2.00

 

 

And this 1902 Vintage camera:

$9.00

 

3 small treasures, $26.00 spent alone = 1 happy GIRL!

Oh and one more thing, if anyone is interested in this Samsonite Vintage suitcase send me a line...in other words e-mail me here:

blondiensc{at}hotmail{dot}com!

She needs a new home!

{{update: Suitcase has found a new home! thank you}}

 

Sweet blessings girls!

 

P.S. Swing by Tuesday for a bit 'o sunshine!

 

 

 

 

 

A bit 'O Whimsy~

Rise and Shine sleepy heads!

 It's Monday yet again...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend...

My glutes, abs, and triceps are cursing me from behind my back from the 70 minute work out (does that make you want to vomit thinking about it? I know, me too!) I did yesterday and some major gardening! Why o why does gardening kick my butt? I just don't understand....

Anyway, back to my Bit 'o whimsy!

Whilst shopping at the Farm Chicks last June, I wandered through the Queen of Tarte's booth and my heart pitter pattered. There were so many amazing whimsical pieces I could have stayed and lingered all day.

I ended up not buying one thing, but left with some great ideals. When I got home I immediately e-mailed Cindy, Queen of Tarte & asked if she would want to make me one of your Butterfly mobiles as I just couldn't stop thinking about it. A few weeks later it ended up on my door step and I think this about completes my whimsical element....at least for now!

 

 

 

I absolutely love it!! And, if a little girl were ever to miraculously come into our family...without  a doubt this will be hanging above her bed...hoping to send her into some sweet dreams!

I also decided to change out the lamp with one I had in my secret treasure filled closet:

 

As I was gathering some items for our Etsy Store, I came across this set of books and the color inspired me to add a new color pallet to our guest room as well. I ran to Michael's and bought some new Turquoise ribbon from the Martha Stewart isle:

 

 

Whistle adding little bits and pieces of Turquoise to brighten the room.

I don't think I have ever shared the ruffly butt (as my sister in law calls them) curtains that dress our guest room windows: 

 

The ruffles flow into the Jack 'n Jill Bathroom with the Anthropologie Ruffle Shower curtain my parents splurged on for my 30th birthday present!

 

I always say I am done with a room and then I decided to change something here and there, so guess what? Yup, I have some ideas for this room to keep the flow of Turquoise and the secret lies in the cover of my 2007 Better Homes and Garden magazine...and that is all I am going to say!

{slight snicker and a head shake from the pool man added here}

 

So now I am wondering what color are you crushing on lately?

My house is an amazing array of colors, I would like to think it all flows, but I am beginning to think I really have no direction...however, I never had any direction in college either and that worked to my benefit, so I am rolling with the Turquoise!

cha cha cha...

Til tomorrow, may your decorating reflect who you are and what you love!

XOXO~

 

 

 

 

Linen & Ruffles~

Hi Girls!

So glad you are here, I have been so excited all weekend to show you my little purchase that happened to arrive last Friday!

But 1st, how was your weekend?

Did you have a wonderful 4th of July?

How were those fireworks, rockin' or what?

To be honest, we had a very quiet 4th, just the 3 of us, playing, eating and sunning!

It was wonderful, so wonderful I happen to also be off of work on Monday!

I have no idea how that happened...nope, no idea!

Yippeee!!

Now on to the meat & Potatoes of this blog post.

If you have been reading this silly ole blog for time now, then for one you know that I ramble  A LOT probably more then I should, and two that I am completely smitten with ruffles and linen. **sigh**

A week or so ago I told you that I bought something that I was feeling a little guilty about, probably spent way more then I should have but for some reason I just couldn't resist!

You might also remember my dining room chairs look something like this:

Vintage set of 4~

#'s on the back~

Linen bows from Lola' B's Boutique

& 

 Pillows from White Twig  

You would think that would be enough, huh?

Well, my ruffle craving, linen obsessed self had to take them one step further and now girls, now I can say I am completely, and utterly in love with my vintage dining room table.

I am so giddy...Are you ready???

Ok, deep breath....

Ta Da!

 

 

 

Ahhh, love, love, love them. Hand made, delicately sewn, ruffles and bows galore, what more could a girl ask for???

I know I am totally silly for getting white linen but I really really wanted it, so I went for it, and I have threatened both the pool man and my little punk with the idea that they both can be sold at a very fair price if ANYTHING Happens to my chair covers!

I would sell the pool man 1st of course...

Ahh just kidding...

kinda of...

Well maybe. :)

Being the loving daughter I am, I also persuaded my parents to purchase some pillows from the same lady that fulfilled my ruffle craving for their beach cottage:

 

 

And i think they will fit perfectly in their new house!

So, now that I have depleted my savings account for linen and ruffles, if you will excuse me I need to go and look for a part time job!

Just kidding...

Well kinda...

maybe! Te hee...

The things I won't do for a little bit of girly in my nest filled with boys!

Hey do you think my ruffled seat covers fit in with my new whimsy obsession?

Just checkin'!

Off to make the pool man another 5 minute chocolate cake in a cup!

Ta Ta, see you Tuesday!

XOXO~

 

P.S. I got the beach cottage pillows and the ruffly linen seat covers here!

 

 

 

 

Whimsical~

When it comes to my Nest, she has always been an ever evolving, ever changing, eclectic "mess" per say. She is a bit vintage, a bit Traditional, a bit girly and a bit messy, let's just say she has always been confused.

However, I have always been the type of person that decorates with what I love. Adding an old door here, adhering old windows and  shutters to the wall here and there, flying by the seat of my pants on a kitchen re-do hoping the outcome is something I can live with and always adding treasures I love. I am the kind of buyer that whole heartedly follows the "if you love it, buy it" mantra, and if it is on sale why not by 2! 

Lately I have decided to let go of some of my old treasures, actually they sit in a closet, 'cause I am not at the dumping off at the Goodwill stage yet...so beware if you do pop in for a visit the upstairs closet is well, PACKED with old treasures!  

Where am I going with this post, sorry...let's get back on track, lately I have decided to add a new element to the "mess" I have going on at home. I started to add "A Dash of Whimsy" which I think would be a really cute name for a store, but I am sure someone has taken this idea and ran away with it already.

See there I go again, what I am trying to get at is this:

 

Adding a Burlap Welcome Banner to your entry way, allows my guests to feel right at home.

Meanwhile hoping the old window suffices for fine art! 

 My collection, whoops did I just say collection?

NOOO...

My obsession with old windows flows through my Nest and I decided over the weekend my guest room needed a small change as well:

 

 

Adding an old window I bought many years ago for $5.00 to the wall would do...

And why not for "A Dash of Whimsy" add some Vintage Sheet Music to the bottom? 

 

My sweet friend, Kasey sent this little beautiful ballerina to me, "just because"...which could be another cute name for a store, don't ya think?

Thank you Kasey, as you know I love her and I think she fits in perfect with my new element... 

Because my love of fine art continues, I also felt the space above the bed needed a new feel, I bought some old Shutters from Clara & Marcela, and added some vintage keys to the hinge for a little more Whimsy!

 

 

Speaking of buying things I love, I recently added 3 more little treasure to my nest.

If you aren't familiar with Vintage flower frogs not to be confused with Vintage Flower BLOGS, no no no, vintage flower FROGS, girls.... let me be the 1st to introduce you to them:

Perfect for holding olde Bingo Cards or special notes!

 

The Whiteflower Farmhouse has SO many amazing treasures, I could have spent a fortune, but I held back....which is so unlike me! Te hee!  Megan and Lori are soo sweet, the customer service is impeccable! Megan got my frogs & washcloths to me within a couple days and being a person that loves instant gratification & Mail, she seriously made my week so much more fulfilling!

To add some texture to my guest bathroom I added some Organic Washing cloths, as you can see these are just for looks! The pool man doesn't understand the "just for looks" notion...and I can't understand the whole notion of needing 12 mountain bikes! Neither of us complain, we are just quirky that way!

As I mentioned before I am waiting for a really Serious piece of Whimsy to be made just for me. Don't worry I will share once I receive my treasure!

For now why not hop on over here, here & here.

Maybe, just Maybe you could use " A Dash of Whimsy" too!

XOXO~

 

P.S. Let's not mention how many times I used the word Whimsy...!

O.K.?

Cool, thanks girls!

P.S.S. Today is my best friend and her baby's 2nd birthday!!

Happy Birthday Sheri and Luke, I love you! Muwahhh!

 

 

Treasures~

I am a little reluctant to show you what I purchased as I don't want to disappoint you.

So, I will start with this, I was really OVERWHELMED at the show and when I get that way I tend to look and wander.

Aimlessly.

I went to the fair with no idea of what I REALLY wanted except for some little things.

And the funny thing is I walked out with little things.

HA, so I guess I did better then I thought.

However, I didn't buy any large pieces of furniture.

No chandeliers.

No Burlap pillows.

Or

Any of those amazing topiaries from the Barn House boys.

I did walk away with this little ticking black beauty:

 

And some of these letters:

I have a thing for 5's!

 

And some vintage Vocab cards from Beth Quinn :

In a cute little sac no less~

If you have never been to her site I suggest you hop, skip and jump right over!

 

And, then I found some books to add to my collection,

'cause I need these as much as I need a hole in my head!

 

And, 3 of these ruffly tea towels of course to add to my once empty wire basket.

I certainly have never met a ruffle I couldn't pass up!

 

Nor one that I didn't like!

 

One last thing I really wanted to purchase lies here:

 

I actually bought 2 of them, but one is a gift! **wink wink**

And, then there is my favorite treasure from The Barn House Boys:

My sweet little bee's nest.

How cute is this?

 

She now rests on my coffee table with my books tied sweetly with some new ribbon~

 

 Then Sara and I decided we loved the tags that came on the treasures from the Barn House Boys, so we plucked a few from their surplus bowl and I added one here:

I also ordered an Apron/dress from The Queen of Tarte, so I will be sure to post that when it arrives!

That is all folks.

How sad am I?

I so hope I didn't let you down because here is the kicker to my whole weekend.

When I came home, I walked to my car to leave from Sara's and there was a piece of metal sticking out of my tire!

You should have heard the conversation going around in my head, I will spare you the details.

This small side note did allow me to go into work later and be able to get my baby out of bed, which has to be one of my most favorite things to do.

I absolutely love seeing his cute little face pop up from the side of the crib and him yell,

"MOMMY".

That has to be the best morning greeting EVER!

After a trip to the tire store and $117.00 later, I had a new tire.

So add that to my bill from the weekend and I was tapped out.

PLUK!

I do however, hope, to the point my toes are crossed that one small treasure will soon be mine....

**sigh**

So with that, I will end this post with saying the best "Treasure" I brought home with me had to be  all of the new "friendships" and bundles of memories we shared...hands down the best part of my trip!

XOXO~

 

P.S. I am almost done with my trip I just have one more post tomorrow and I promise you will be inspired!

 

 

Complete~

Sometimes, for me at least, feeling complete for the day doesn't include finishing everything on my "to- do List' or having a sparkling clean home and cookies baking in the oven for the pool man when he swings open the door from a hard's days work.

{although I am certain his sweet tooth would disagree!}

Feeling complete for the day can come from finding something you once thought was lost .

 

And, placing your treasure in the perfect spot!

 

Feeling complete can be finally getting around to hanging that old 5 panel door that has been lounging about in my bedroom for SEVERAL months... 

 

With it's chippy paint and vin~tage crystal door knob.

**sigh**

 

I almost had the pool man take off the hinges...**gasp**, can you believe I almost did that?

I must have been multi-tasking when he asked and got confused...must have!

I love, love, love the hinges!

Kinda like how the pool man would love fresh baked cookies as he swung through the door at night...

yup, just like that!

 

Feeling complete can come from spending the weekend with my family.

 In our grubbie clothes.

Playing baseball in the house.

Rolling in the sand at the park.

Splashing water in the tub.

Laughing 'til our tummies hurt.

And eating 'til our bellies are full.

 

Feeling complete that in the end when the day is done and I close my eyes, knowing tomorrow will be filled with challenges, tough decisions and a long days work.

 But, I have spent this day to it's fullest.

No regrets.

No should have's.

No I promise tomorrow sweetie's.

Not perfect by any means.

Just. being. us.

Complete!

XOXO~

 

P.S. If you are feeling up to it, the story of my pointe shoes starts here, those little beauties hold a haunting past for me, but one I have learned from and lean on. These little beauties remind me to take advantage of each day, to smile at the small things, to feel complete each day and hold tight to what I know is TRUE. 

 

Snippets~

In Honor of Earth Day, I thought I would show you snippets of my garden and how I use vin~ tage and recycled treasures in new ways!

Welcome to my Garden, have a seat....anywhere you like~

Can I get you a Lemonade?

Or an Ice Tea?

This little wicker chair used to be in my bedroom.

Now, she resides outside on my patio and I think she is quite happy here.

Considering she came from my neighbors dumpster...shhh...don't tell~

 

As you can see I used old painted sap buckets to hold my flowers.

You can use a drill to make holes in the bottom for drainage, although I never have!

 

Vintage baskets, tool boxes and old desk drawers make good treasures for planting flowers in.

 

 

Don't mind the dog, he's HOT today and he doesn't move much in the heat~

 

Salvaged ladders from Craigslist and old lanterns make great garden art!

 

This Lavender you are smelling is planted in an old sap bucket as well, however she has taken over and you can no longer see the bucket!

But, she smells wonderful wouldn't you agree?

 And, of course you can use sprigs of lavender inside your house for a fresh clean fragrance!

 

This here sweet girl would be just one of the lilies that my dog can't stay out of...

but you already knew that, huh? **wink wink

Another old sap bucket which over the years has rusted to perfection~

You can find these buckets at salvage yards, antique stores and on Ebay~

 

 

This vintage pump came from my parents old garden, the pool man wants to make it into a water fountain...I will let you know how that goes!

 

Hang on one second, Greg here in his all black attire is having a sun bath and

I think he needs an ice tea and pillow~

Be right back!

Refill on your drink while I am inside?

 

I have a collection of salvaged old windows in my house (mostly because I can't afford nice art...que the violins now) and this slender one got the primo spot...

Surrounded by Nature and Sunshine!

Oh and of course my teak patio table and chairs got new life.

And I have to say I am glad we didn't go out and by new...

She suits this shabby back yard just fine!

 

And just a tip, I figured out how to keep burlap bows perky when used outdoors...

Heavy Starch!!

You read that right...give it a try!

I pinky swear it works~

 

So, next time you are out and about antique shopping, hunting through the bins at the Salvage yard, walking the neighborhood yard sale or perhaps scoping out your neighbors dumpster, think of new ways to recycle items for your garden!

And, if you feel so inclined to stop on by, these two lovely ladies sell vintage goods in their Etsy Stores and Well I just think they fit perfectly with today's theme, don't you?

Pelican Pieces~

~Melanie owner of this fun Etsy Store gets to work in an Architectural salvage yard part time and I think this is so cool~ I would love to do this, just think of all the possibilities surrounding you day in and day out~Sighhh~

 Little Byrd Vintage

~ Rebekah always has the cutest stuff in her vintage shoppe and right now she has a set of Vintage Sugar and creamer vessels that would look gorgeous with sprigs of fresh cute Rosemary in them!

Feel free to stay a while and wander the garden, just watch out for spiders, they are all over the grass and that just gives me the heebie jeebie~ EKKK~

Happy Eath Day!

XOXO~