Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Sunflowers...

I've always enjoyed changing out my decor accessories with the seasons. I like to keep things fresh and current, and seasonal change ups help curb my getting bored with my surroundings. A woman with too much time on her hands? well maybe... but I've always been this way, even with much more going on than I have now. The "color" of the seasons invigorates me, and keeps me motivated, and just plain puts a smile on my face.




This time of year I really love moving toward the darker colors. The rich browns, golds, greens, and just a hint that Autumn might be coming. Sunflowers have always been a summer favorite, with their vibrant golds and browns. They let me know that soon the mums will be blooming, a leaf will be turning orange, and that the long hot days of summer will surely come to an end.


No secret here that Fall is my favorite time of year. I gravitate toward the warmer color palette. I think we often choose clothing and decorate our surroundings in colors that harmonize with our "physical" color palette.  
Back twenty or thirty years ago when finding your "Season" was all the rage, I confused each person that tried to categorize me. I accentuate the red in my hair. Have green eyes, but my skin is darker and I turn brown in the summer. I land in the "Jeweled Autumn" category. Rich warm colors with a just a hint of pink. 




So bringing my Sunflowers into decorating is what I've been doing this last week. In changing out the window box on the Dining Room table (one of my favorite flea finds of all time) I also wanted a darker, more organic table runner. I found this wonderful piece of linen with black grain sack stripes and had them cut me 3 yards. I just folded it in half width-wise and left the raw ends as they are. 




I happened to find the perfect needlepoint pillow last week in Ozark at The Feathered Nest. It's a wonderful store that has vendor booth space and also new items. It has an earthy organic Country French vibe. I don't think the pillow was "new", I think it was in a vendor space. Anyway I grabbed it up and now it's setting on my old church pew in the Dining Room with some black ticking pillows and a scalloped matelasse coverlet .



Keeping my background in neutrals
 makes it so much easier to decorate for the seasons.


Using vintage and more organic accessories helps bring down the "ornate" factor in here. Deep down I'm not a frilly fou fou person. I like the mix of elegant and casual; French "court", and French "countryside". 





Here's one of my black tole trays that I purchased  last month when I was on a roll,  and a white ironstone "swirl" pitcher that my mom gave me when she downsized.


Nubby, yummy grain sack goodness.



Now, to just keep the cats off of this...





And speaking of sunflowers, I wanted to share again this wonderful dried sunflower head that I found last year. I wasn't able to keep it, because mold set in, I guess from being under the glass. So if any of you are growing and drying these large sunflower heads please let me know, I'd love to buy a few from you once they are harvested. 



Last Fall in my Living Room






So, what are some of the ways you love
 to decorate with the seasonal changes?


If you haven't entered the French Bleu Giveaway 
then please click here


I'll be linking up with these great parties:



Praying for rain...

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Let's Shop! Monday Marketplace #22

Is it Monday again?
Where do the weekends go?

Time for Monday Marketplace and getting to shop so many great online stores. Thanks to all of you, this link party just keeps growing and growing. Each week there are new vendors and items, and the inspiration just keeps coming. Thanks everyone that comes to share their Etsy Shops and Online Boutiques, and thanks to all of you who come to shop!!

Here's some great items from last week, still available:



"Vintage Goods" Beadboard Sign
from Korrie at RedHenHome



A wonderful yellow enameled Vintage French Coffee Pot
from Liz at LaCroixRosion





Yummy and delicious Harmony Farm Lavender Soy Candle





from Allie Et Cie



Cottage goodness Watering Can Garden Sign at



And in the Sponsor Spotlight this week is another new shop
Sweet Magnolias Farm.




It's a funny thing about blogging; a few years ago I "met" Sara from her blog, Sweet Magnolias Farm and as we got to know one another I found that Sara had lived in my area at one time and that we knew many of the same people and places. She now lives in California where she sells at so many of the amazing Southern California shows and events. Hope you'll check out Sara and her mom's creative and original Etsy Shop and browse all her wonderful farmhouse items.  Here are just a few.



Bless This Nest Gingham Check Tea Towel



Shabby Floral Tray



And you just have to see this beautiful

what a wonderful idea to be able to choose your own design



Time to link (up to three) individual items from your Etsy Shop or Online Boutiques. Please link to the individual item if possible. And if you'd like, please add your blog name under your item so we'll know who you are If you have a blog please grab the button if you're selling here, to display somewhere on your sidebar. If you don't have a blog, come link up anyway, let's share the shopping fun. 



And don't forget to enter the French Bleu Vintage
 Give Away here




(I just listed some new vintage pendant necklaces in my Etsy Shop)



have a great week!







Sunday, July 22, 2012

They only look innocent...

Uh, huh...
don't let the peaceful little gray face fool you...


I've been giving the Dining Room a little freshening for late summer.
Humor me OK...?
Let me think it's late summer
please!


Of course I have lot's of help from the girls.
We know...
"THIS BAG IS NOT A TOY!"




not to mention that it would be 150 degrees in there...


she's goofy and in no danger, 
she just loves bags...
and fake faux flowers

(trust me, I'm not a negligent pet owner or cat mom)


So as you can see,
 I had help redo-ing the window box arrangement on the DR table.
not to mention trying to eat the new linen/burlap table runner.
(more on the changes this week)

I've had this cartoon for ages on my message board, 
it's one of my faves and sort of is the story of my life.
Most cats have some issues with hair balls,
mine seem to have their share and more.
Hairball Control food helps,
 we use that, but I guess it's just sort of their "thing".
May and June were peak "Hairball Season" months,
I was hoping I was done for the year.




But NOOOOOOOO!
My office/studio was clean and pretty from 
Where Blogger's Create

so where do I find a massive display of said "Hair Ball" relief?
oh yes,
all over the carpet...
so guess what I'm doing today?



and while that big machine is out I might as well do the rest of the carpet.
good grief. 
(good machine, really)

Gotta love'em.
cats and carpet cleaners

Hope you're having a great day,
now to finish the fun!

If you haven't entered the Give Away from
French Bleu Vintage 
just scroll down to the last post.
Dee has a $50 Gift Certificate with someone's lucky name on it!


Joining in on these great parties:
Met Monday at Between Naps On the Porch
Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

xoxo,

Saturday, July 21, 2012

French Bleu Vintage Give Away

Are you in need of a Summer pick-me-up?
You've come to the right place!

Dee is having a great Give Away
 at her wonderful Online Shop,
and it's a goodie.




She has a gift certificate worth $50 to be used in her store.
And a 20% Off Discount Code for my readers
ComGr20

 sounds really good to me.

I've picked out just a few of the possibilities
 of how I'd be spending that $50 gift certificate.


















And, you can never have too many 
of these great wrapped demi johns.


French Bleu Vintage is full of so many one-of-a-kind vintage items.
Just what you may be looking for to perk up your Summer decor.



Now how to enter you might be asking...?
Please leave a separate comment for each entry
  1. Head on over to Dee's Store French Bleu Vintage take a little look around and come back to tell me how YOU would spend that $50 gift certificate.
  2. Visit French Bleu Vintage Facebook page and Subscribe
  3. Share this Give Away on your Blog or Facebook Page 
  4. Please be a follower of this blog, Common Ground, (thanks a bunch!)

Give Away ends Sunday evening July 29

Have fun shopping!

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