Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Top Links from Be Inspired Friday

Hi Everyone, today was a good one here. Our favorite plumber from Lowe's was here changing out some outdated bathroom vanity faucets. Amazing how such a small thing makes a huge difference in updating the look of a bathroom. Four vanities down, two to go. Yay! Hope you all are having a great week. Time to check out the most visited party links from last week's Be Inspired Friday. Thank you, each one, who comes over here to party each week. I love having you!

has been cleaning her stash of galvanized buckets and tubs.
They look so wonderful in her farmhouse kitchen.




Michele from Sew Sweet Vintage shares an inspirational appearance by Doris Roberts from SmartTalk 2013 where Doris poses the question: How old would you be if you didn't know how old you actually were?



Kathleen from Faded Charm was on her way to the Junk Salvation Show
and took sneak peek photos of her pieces she had for sale.
Always gorgeous chippy perfection!




 And Renata from Crafto Mania shared the contents on a box she unexpectedly received, full of wonderful vintage goodies.


Hope to see you tomorrow for 
Be Inspired
now open to all inspiring posts!


xoxo,

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.




(just click on the  photo for a bigger image, then click again for details)



And another little random bit of romance is this little cardboard crown that I found in St. Louis several years ago and haven't yet shared with you.













Who wouldn't want to be "Queen for a Day" in this?

xoxo,

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The Marketplace: Fun Gifts for Valentines

Are you like me and enjoy finding sweet presents for the special girlies in your life? Well, be sure and shop here first. I find so many wonderful one of a kind items on Etsy and from Online Boutiques. Things that you just can't find anywhere else; handmade and unique. Here are some great Valentine gift ideas from last week's party.



From Sew a Fine Seam
(I know Jill has several of these adorable scarves available to choose from)



Vintage Inspired Souvenir Charm Earrings
from The Old White House




Handmade Mini Crown
from Villa Barnes



Simply Romantic Paper Rose Pen
from Sweet Magnolias Farm



 from Junxtaposition


Fishtail Cottage


Today's Sponsor Spotlight is on Jessica from
where you can find some great bundles of vintage goodies
for all your crafting ideas.




Valentine's Bundle


Tickle Me Pink Rick Rack






OK, time to link up all your great Etsy and Online Boutique items. (Up to three items with a direct link if possible). You don't have to have a blog to participate, more links equals more shopping fun. Please be a follower of Common Ground on GFC and it would be so nice for you to grab the party image on the sidebar for someplace on your blog. (This linky is for items that are FOR SALE only)


This linky will be open all week 
so be sure and check back throughout the week for new items being listed.

Thanks so much for coming by to shop!


Sunday, February 3, 2013

French Inspired Romance

It's been quite awhile since I took the time to sit down and actually "create" something. My stash of old crosses, keys, and hearts have been calling to me to come spend an afternoon with them. Since Valentine's Day is just a little over a week away, I wanted to share a few of the new pendant necklaces that I put together yesterday.




Each one is different, and unique in it's own vintage way.


tarnished and well loved elements


with a past life...



mixed metals for some vintage romance


I've been trying to organize my cabinets in the studio, and I came across this wonderful old book that I'd forgotten about. A Wanderer in Paris  which was first published in 1909 by British travel writer and essayist, E.V.Lucas.


This copy was a reprint from the early twenties. It's in pretty good condition, with just a few signs of wear. One of the best things about this travel anthology are the wonderful illustrations and images of French masterpieces.



City map of Paris



Lucas covers all the landmarks and attractions of Paris of the day, but I thought it peculiar that he didn't have any illustrations or images of our favorite, the Eiffel Tower, except this one small faint reference. You can see it to the left of the illustration below; misty and almost unrecognizable.




Here is what he writes about the modern day quintessential Paris icon:

"The merit of the Eiffel Tower is that it shows you not only Paris to the ultimate edges in every direction...but it shows you (almost) France too. How long the Eiffel Tower is to stand, I cannot say, but I for one shall feel sorry and bereft when it ceases to domineer over Paris. For though it is vulgar it is great, and it has come to be a symbol....The Tower and I came to Paris at the same time, in 1889."


My dress form, Irma, is modeling for you.
Necklaces available in my Etsy Shop,





Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, 
with a little French Romance mixed in...

joining in at
Coastal Charm
Savvy Southern Style
The Charm of Home

xoxo,