Vintage Elements on the January Baker's Rack

Before the calendar changes over to February and we find ourselves indulging in all shades of pink and rosebuds and hearts and Valentines, I'm finally able to share some of the vintage goods that I've brought together here in the Kitchen Sitting Area.

...On to Christmas

I imagine there are a lot of us that woke up this morning with plans to get busy on Christmas decor. We had a great Thanksgiving Dinner with my sis and her husband, boys (and friends), our youngest daughter, and my mom. We always keep it pretty laid back with a big buffet in the kitchen and since my sis has my grandparents antique oak table, we can seat 10 at the table in the Dining Room without problem.

Little Black Cat

Happy Last Weekend of October, Friends! I've been meaning to do this for awhile and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to our newest member of the family. We've had her for a few months, but she had to have surgery (for a tumor on her leg) and then she was a little embarrassed about her looks because of it. So I'm just now getting around to introductions.

Dressing up a Metal Basket for Thanksgiving

When you are in the biz of having a space at a Vintage or Flea Market it's just inevitable that you will end up with a few pieces that are a big head scratcher. Why did I spend real money on this? (even if it's just a few dollars) Will anyone else see any potential for this item? Do I just chuck it, or hang on to it until inspiration grabs me by the collar and forces me to make a little effort?

ReStyled Fall Wreath and Black Botanicals

As much as I love Fall you'd think I would have a huge stash of wreaths to choose from here at the Midwest Headquarters of Hoarder's Anonymous, but no, I only had one decent wreath up till last year. I'm not sure why, other than I'm really picky when it comes to wreaths, or that I've tried NOT to overdo it with the "Faux Fall Foliage", which can at times be a little overwhelming around here.

Fall Shopping at the Vintage Markets

Fall is my favorite time of the year to hit the vintage shops and markets. My sister and I try to get together every couple of weeks and see what's out there. We need to have our "junk fix". We have a lot of vintage shopping spots in the area, but usually, the one we head to first is The Vintage Peddler. It's a big warehouse type space that has been open a year, and is now pretty much at vendor capacity. Some of the best dealers in the area have congregated there, so they are constantly changing things up and bringing in new merchandise. I always leave with an armload of goodies!

Styling My Buffet for Fall

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I've been trying to spread out my Fall decorating over the last few weeks. It's given me a chance to try out a few different ideas, and also taken the pressure off to get it all done in a couple of days. I used to make myself and my husband crazy by going into a marathon decor frenzy. Now I'm taking my time and looking for inspiration from Pinterest and Fall Magazines from my many year stash.

Let's Go Shopping...

My sister and I were long overdue for a shopping trip. We like to hit up our fave spots every couple of weeks, and so we headed over to The Vintage Peddler to take in the newest vintage goods and vendors. They keep things fresh there, because they have a great group of dealers, and obsessive good customers that keep them needing to bring in more vintage goodies. I've never gone in there without leaving with something wonderful. 

Patriotic ReView

Hi Everyone, I'm always surprised at how fast summer flies by. This weekend will start a wonderful extended weekend for many of us, lot's of family and casual fun inside and out, so here are a few photos of one of my favorite Holidays, Independence Day! 

Summer Majolica

(sharing a post from a few summers ago...)

Hi Everyone, I hope you were able to catch a few of the lovely Summer Home Tours that were a part of A Stroll Thru Life, Marty's, Home Tour Series. I shared a few pics from my Summer Sitting Area in the Kitchen, and here are a few more from the Baker's Rack showing a few pieces of my Majolica.

Summer Door Decor in the Sitting Room

I've been "Summer-fying" the kitchen sitting area this weekend, and you all know that means changing up the quilt, pillows, and the florals that decorate the old door and mirror behind the wicker settee. I had this post named "Summer Swag in the Sitting Room", but it dawned on me some of you all might not be familiar with that term... a swag... meaning a gathered bunch of flower stems.  It's not a wreath and it's not in a basket. I guess it gets it's name from being similar to a swag curtain. Fabric that drapes down and is gathered together and sometimes tied with a ribbon. OK, whatever we call it, I have one here on the old door.

Farmhouse Sunflower Tabletop

One of my favorite combinations for Summer is Sunflowers and Ticking... nothing fancy, just rustic and vintage. I thought I'd try something very "summery" this year on the Dining Room table, using one of my old wooden ice cream maker buckets. This old bucket had been a pretty vintage blue/green, but I painted it out in an antique white to make it more "decor friendly". Filled up with faux Sunflowers, sitting on an Indigo Ticking table runner, it says Summer Farmhouse to me.

Potting Bench and Patio

Seems like it takes me forever to get a task completed lately, I guess that's because it actually does. I've been wanting to finish up here on the patio for weeks now, but I still needed to find a fern and a few other plants for the urns. I have to wait for Hubbs to help me out, so that means the weekend. And at that point, if it's rainy, forget it... another weekend down the drain. 

Out and About and some Vintage Finds

My Mom, Sis and I got together this last week and had lunch, then did a little shopping around town. We all don't get out together often, so this was lots of fun. Then add in some vintage goodies to wander through... even better.

Easy Spring Wreath and April on the Settee...

This last week, after Easter, I slowly made some changes around the house to bring it more to a place of "Spring", and not so much "Easter". I had a bunch of bunnies hanging around, so this week they've been packed away...except for one or two that do "double duty". One of my favorite little guys is this felted wool fella that I use on my Springtime wreaths.

Vintage Easter Inspiration

Hi Friends, I know Easter Week is a busy time for all of you, and sometimes we might need a little "extra" last minute inspiration to bring it all together. Maybe you're thinking about the table or a small gift for those special friends and family.

Out and About... and some fabulous old grain sacks and fabric

Hi Everyone, I wanted to do a quick post and share a few snaps from a day out this last week. It was my Birthday and my sis and I headed out for lunch and then a stroll through The Vintage Peddler, here in Springfield. LOVE this place!!! (yes, I actually dragged myself out of my stupor to go have a chicken salad sandwich and peach tea, then do some shopping) These are phone pics, so sorry for the lack in quality. Hopefully all the great vintage goods will make up for bad photos.

Blogging Therapy

Hi Friends...

I've been away from blogging for a few days, and the truth is I've needed a little break to try to get back up to speed; not just in blogging but life in general. I know we all feel this way from time to time. Sometimes we push through to try to keep our routine going, but this time I've not been able to do that, better to be honest I think. That's just my own opinion. 

(new old footstool for the bedroom)

Valentine Entry

I have a few vintage favorite pieces I've used for Valentine's for years.

I mix and match and move them around each year, and this year

I'm using my vintage ceramic mold here as an accent on the Dining Room Table.

Share the Love...

I don't go "all out" for Valentine's Day. I don't think many of us do unless we have kiddos that have fun with it, and expect to see decorations for every holiday that comes along. I enjoy bringing some reds and pinks and vintage items into the decor, especially here in the Kitchen Sitting Area. That's the place where I can indulge my holiday decorating gene to the fullest.