common ground : Valentines Day

Showing posts with label Valentines Day. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Love Tokens

I've posted about this wonderful gold locket that was my paternal grandmother's before, but when I was looking back through some February magazine issues I really enjoyed this article in Martha Stewart Living about Love Tokens, and wanted to share it once again.

Lockets of all shapes and sizes were very popular gifts to loved ones in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Often they contained photos, an inscription, and a lock of hair from the beloved. Given when soldiers went to war, engagements, or the birth of a child, lockets and charms were highly valued tokens of personal affection, and worn daily.

(click on the image below to enlarge then click again to read)

I love coming across antique pieces of jewelry, charms, and lockets, and I have several personal pieces that I wear frequently.

This large gold locket was an engagement gift to my grandmother with my grandfather's photo and a lock of his thick gorgeous hair. Her initials are inscribed on the cover, Irma Gertrude Russell.

They were married around 1910, and my daddy was the last of 6 children born to them. I had an uncle born in 1912 (the first) and then she had 4 stillborn babies before my dad was born in 1929. They hadn't expected my daddy to live and so he had very few pieces of clothing as she didn't want to get her hopes up, but there he was; tiny, but healthy; a little miracle.

Just a little sentimental Valentine to share.

Linking to:

The Dedicated House
Knick of Time
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Savvy Southern Style
Stone Gable
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home
Shabby Art Boutique
Rooted In Thyme

Have a wonderful Sunday,

Saturday, February 9, 2013

What's on the Sideboard for Valentine's

Hi Everyone,

coming to you live today from the dark and dreary hallway...

yes, the one with no natural light...

the one I have to hang from the chandy like a monkey

just to get a decent pic.

But it's Valentine's Week, so I had to share the update.

I changed things up a bit, bringing in a new galvanized drawer that has been painted with chalkboard paint. It's so super cute and I found it at The Feathered Nest by my talented and sweet friend, Ruthanne from the fun blog Sugar Pie Farmhouse. Sugar Pie Farmhouse was one of those blogs I read before I started blogging myself. Ruthanne lives only a short drive from Branson and Ozark, Missouri. If you don't know, her run by and check out all the homespun goodness.

Vintage look Valentine's Banner hanging from the old window

I always laugh and say that someone must have either been out in the rain,

or shedding many tears when they received this humongous box of chocolates!

But I imagine it was just the leaky roof from the old attic I found it in.

And I saved this wonderful wine bottle from a few years ago,

cause I just love the label.

Since this adorable drawer is galvanized, it's also magnetic.

Ruthanne also included this blinged up cake server;

just perfect for some tasty romance of the chocolate variety.

Vintage Valentine I found last year

Do you all have big plans for the weekend,

maybe a little get away with your Sweetie?

Linking up with these parties:

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

No Minimalist Here

Have a great one!

(I'm trying to convince myself I don't want any chocolates this year...)

xoxo,

Friday, February 8, 2013

Be Inspired #126 A little romance...

Hey there all you talented and inspiring peeps!

This last week was one of those weeks that I could literally have featured dozens of you. Your projects, decor, and culinary delights are just over the top. I was hoping that when Vintage Inspiration changed over to Be Inspired that it would open the door for more of you to feel comfortable joining in. You haven't disappointed in all the creativity, beauty, humor, and imagination. You all definitely know how to share the inspiration! Thanks for coming over here each week and making this party a success. I hope you take a minute to look around, then come back by later in the week. Some of the best links are the ones that arrive fashionably late to the party...te he!

Rosemary from Ozma of Odds was on hiatus for awhile during her move,
but now she's back with some incredible projects and her signature fairy dusting
with this Starlit Linen Chair

the back is equally as beautiful,

with this corseted look.

If you don't know Rosemary you'll want to meet her

and be swept away to the Land of Odds.

For more loveliness you'll want to follow her Pinterest page!

Judy from French Laundry shared some Valentine Love
with some beautiful items from a few of her favorite Etsy shops.

Becky from Generation to Generation
created this wonderful dresser redo,
by painting a scene from an old postcard.
Such a beautiful way to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake!

Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul
took us to a luncheon where the hostess had created these
simple but elegant Cameo Valentine Gift Tags.

Nita from Mod Vintage Life gave us the scoop
on this year's Easter Inspiration from Pier 1.
I'm really "diggin'" those striped carrots!

Lisa from Lewisville Love

gave us tips on creating an Upcycled Pantry.

Now if she could just come to my house and tackle my pantry!

Needing a chocolate fix?

Take a peek at this Dark Chocolate Bark

from Mary at Home On the Bay

Just look at those chunks of yumminess!

This week's Be Inspired is brought to you by the talented

If you're looking for some one-of-a-kind Valentine gifts,

please take a peek at Leslie's wonderful romantic creations!

Time to party!

This party is now open to all inspiring posts, vintage or new. Please just have a link back to Common Ground within your post to be featured.

and please check out my other Friday party pals.

I'm so glad you're here,

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Romancing the Mantel

I wanted to bring in a little bit of a Valentine feel to my mantel. Last year I used some of my frenchy "couple" figurines, but this year I just opted for feminine and some pastels. I don't have a lot of pastels for decorating, so I turned to my kitchen china cabinet for some inspiration. How about some vintage English teapots? that sounds pretty romantic to me.

Last summer I was gifted with this precious monogrammed heart by my sweet friend Julia, from the blog Vintage with Laces. I had tried a few different things for the center of the mantel, but hanging this lovely linen heart from a scrolly mirror seemed to be the answer; a subtle nod to Valentine's Day, with just the right amount of romance.

I brought back my two white urns with faux and dried hydrangeas and roses in place of the white Wolff Pottery. This mantel is always hard for me to style as it is over 7 feet long...eeck.

My layered vintage mirrors are always my backdrop.

I would say that vintage teapots is my oldest collection,

as I started it before I was married.

Even though this didn't end up staying, I wanted to share this wonderful German wedding certificate that I found last year. I need to find a frame for it, but wanted to let you see it today as the graphics are so pretty, and definitely full of romance.