NumberNineteen

March of Dimes Walk

As promised, here are lots of pictures from the March of Dimes WalkAmerica.


It was a beautiful morning &  the town in which it was held, Fredericksburg, is gorgeous.  The route wound through the historic residential and shopping district as well as onto the University of Mary Washington campus.  I wish that I took more photos of the homes & the campus, but I did get a few pics around town of some fun 50s era businesses that are still going strong:

The servers at this place wear white uniforms & white paper hats, like old fashioned soda jerks.

There was a line outside of this place...always a good sign!

Its a really nice day here, sunny & not too hot.  Hope & I are going to go on a walk...I'll write more soon!

Inspiration Friday

This Inspiration Friday is all about pretty food settings.  I just love the flower & cupcake filled table above.

Isn't this lovely?  All of the table "linens" & plates are paper!  Have you ever seen such nice paper plates?

In the photo above, from InStyle magazine a few years ago, they suggest that all of the guests bring a bunch of pink flowers.  When the party is over, everyone takes one of each kind of flower, so that each guest goes home with a beautiful pink mixed bouquet.  Isn't that the greatest idea?

This last photo will look familiar to any Country Living readers, as its from a recent issue.  I'm in love with the idea of elegant outdoor eating & those buntings!!!

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I'm sorry for not posting earlier this week.  Things have been sort of crazy this week.   I'm looking forward to this weekend.  Tomorrow morning, I'm walking in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica.  I'll be pushing Hope in her stroller, wearing a t-shirt that says, "My baby was born at less than 3 pounds & look at her now!  Thanks March of Dimes!".  I'm so thrilled to be part of this event and am so grateful for the support that I've received from family & friends.  I set a goal to raise $250 & have raised double that!!!  I'm astounded & so excited.  I'll be sure to take pictures & post them.

I haven't had much of a chance to get to any estate sales or flea markets the past few weekends.  That sort of makes me nervous, because I'm always worried about having enough to fill my booth in the next antique show.  I'm going to survey the classifieds to see if there are any estate sales on Sunday that sound promising.  I'll be sure to show you anything that I find! :)

Just a Really Great Weekend

As you might have, or might not have, guessed, the working (outside of the home) mom thing is wearing on me.  I am constantly stressed about not getting to everything that I want/need to get to.  I need a break!  Luckily, I had a good, relaxing weekend and things look brighter on this side of it!

Saturday we attended a 2 year old's birthday party (circus!) and then headed to have dinner with a friend & his little girl.  They live about an hour & a half away from us in one of those great towns that still has a vibrant downtown.  So, we headed there early in order to do some browsing before meeting up with our friend.

One of the prime lures to me is that this town has many antique shops:

There weren't actually 100 antique shops, but 100 antique booths in a multi-dealer shop.  I wasn't complaining though!  :)

Walking down the street, we saw a great outdoor display at a furniture store:

And, a little farther down, a coffee shop with outdoor seating:

It was the first really nice weekend in a long time, so everyone was out, including the owner of this fab vintage Mustang:

We stopped for a beer at a local brewery & took a family portrait:

I'm holding the camera at arm's length & Hope isn't looking at it, but I still love it :)

Then, we met up with our friend & his little girl (his wife was away on business).  This is the same family that had the Red Eggs & Ginger Dinner in late December.  Look at how *gorgeous* their little girl is now--those eyes! that mouth!--

Gene, our friend, is just the sweetest, nicest guy & it was so nice to see him again.

Today, we've been hanging around the house & enjoying the weather.  While Hope & Glenn napped, I continued the wallpaper steaming project (going on its 3rd month...), and later, we took Hope to the park.  I meant to bring my camera & I really wish that I did, because she *loves* the swings.  We put her into the baby swings & she laughs & throws her head back. THE BEST!!! 

I am also working on a little craft project.  After buying a tiny little enclosure card for the 2 year old's birthday for $1.99 at Target, I thought, this is crazy...$2 for a little piece of paper that is going to be thrown away.  With all of the birthday parties that we've got coming up this year, I decided to make a batch of cards to have on hand....

I made one "prototype" & have pre-cut & stamped all of the pieces for the rest of them.  I'll put them together while we watch Foyle's War tonight.

Wow!  What a long post! See what happens when I have time & am relaxed? :)

Bloggy Inspiration

Today's inspiration Friday is completely different!  First of all, its super-late.  We had no internet access or email for the better part of today.  Fun!  But, I'm back online--yippee!

The other difference is that the inspiration today is not from pictures, but from other bloggers.  The dear Clarice of Storybook Woods nominated me for the "Thinking Blogger" award!  Isn't that the sweetest thing!  It makes me so very, very happy that people enjoy my blog & gain some bit of inspiration from it.  As I've said, blogging is one of the best things that I do & I get so much out of reading all of your blogs.

I'm not going to tag others, but I'm going to mention a few blogs that constantly delight me & inspire me....

My Cosy Home

Allison's photos of her house & vintage finds will make you feel like you are right there, sitting at her counter, having a cup of tea with her.

Daisy Cottage

Kim's vingette's rival anything that you see in a magazine.  So charming, so comfortable. 

A Cottage Industry

I wish that I had the energy & creativity that Tracey has in her little finger. 

Brocante Home

This blog is one of the first that I read.  Alison's vintage housekeeper suggestions & puttery treats not only make you want to live a prettier life, but also make you want to jump up RIGHT NOW & do something about it.

PresentPast

Heather makes me want to up & move to California, the land of lush flowers & great flea markets.  And, have Heather as a guide to it all.

Those are just a few of the MANY blogs that I visit on a daily basis & love.  Have a fabulous weekend!

Flea Market Finds

As promised, just a quick post to show my flea market finds!

Here is the suitcase, along with the soooo pretty linens that I found.  The linens are all from one booth & it seemed like the guy just wanted to get rid of them.  The towels hanging over the edge are a bit heavy, so they seem like they might be french, though I'm certainly no expert.  Beside them is a set of 4 cutwork placemats that are gorgeous.  I wish that you could see them better.  They were yellowed when I got them, but I used Niki's method of cleaning vintage textiles.  Amazingly, they were pristine when I was done with them.  Lesson learned--don't pass up those old linens just because they look discolored. Also in the photo are some sweet embroidered hand & fingertip towels, as well as a darling little creamer that was only a $1.  Couldn't pass that up.  Here is a closer look at the creamer & the suitcase.:

Like I said, its just a short post.  I hope that everyone is having a great week!

Some for Them, Some for Me

I've been having so much fun writing about other stuff that I haven't shown you my recent flea market & yard sale finds.  What could I be thinking???  I found a bunch of goodies at a recent flea market & also, 2 bargains at a yard sale this weekend. 

The flea is a monthly thing, from April to Oct.  So, I'm hoping to have lots to show in the coming months!  This time, I found a bunch of linens that were beautiful & dirt cheap!!  I will have to post photos of those another day, because I forgot to take pictures of them.  I also got a vintage suitcase, some great old books, and the typewriter shown above.  Most of it is for my booth, but the typewriter is for ME!  I *love* it!  Its in perfect condition, weighs a ton & a half, and is fully functional.  Though, I seem to type too fast for the old fashioned keys, because the strikers get stuck every few words.  I'm going to put it in a little display with some of the old books that I got.  I'm not sure where yet, but ideas are brewing....

The other two items shown here, I got at a yard sale on Saturday for a grand total of $3!  The picture is a big print:

At one point, it was gorgeous, but now, its in seriously rough shape.  You can't tell here, but it has small holes all over the print, a sizable crack near the top & the frame is pretty banged up.  But, its so darned pretty & it was only a $1.  The other item that I got is that darling wicker doll bed.  Isn't that the sweetest thing?  I'm imagining it holding mail or vintage postcards or a few 1950s floral hats.....

That is it for vintage pretties for now...I'll post more pics in a few days....

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Please say a prayer for the students at Virginia Tech & their families.  My beautiful adopted state of the Old Dominion is grieving for their tragedy.

Inspiration Friday

This week's inspiration Friday is all about inspirational creative spaces/offices.  Wow, these just make me want to spend some time in my creative corner!  The photo above is from Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, some years ago.

This one is from the recent "women in business" section of Country Living.  I love this woman's inspiration board & shelves.  I'm not sure why she has a chair sitting on a table, but I'll ignore that....

This is the cover of a wonderful book that is full of inspiration, "Where Women Create".  The space shown on the cover is my favorite in the book, but there are a lot of other really great spaces inside.

For further inspiration online, Diva Deb's "playspace" is full of eye candy, as well as Andrea Singarella's.

*****

As I look forward to this weekend, I face the constant struggle between wanting to "get things done" & "being productive" and needing to relax & spend some good time with my hunnies (Glenn & Hope, of course!).   Wow, us working moms have to fit so much into 2 days! Well, working outside of the home...I know from experience that there is a whole other kind of stress that comes from being an at home mom!

On the spending time with my hunnies side, Glenn & I are going to have a date tonight!  Hope's daycare offers a "parents night out" once a month & we are taking advantage of it for the first time.  Just dinner at a local restaurant, but we get to have time to talk!  Imagine that. 

On the "being productive" side, I'm hoping to work more on steaming off the wallpaper in the kitchen (never-ending project) & maybe hit some yard sales.  The weather is supposed to be terrible, so I may be spending a lot of time on indoor projects.

I also will be doing the normal cleaning, as I still haven't found a house cleaner.  I spoke to one woman who seemed to be a great prospect, but her references didn't turn out to be what I'd hoped that they be.  So, another lady is coming over next week to give us a quote...lets hope that I have better luck this time!

I hope that all of you have a great weekend!

Inspiration Friday

This week's inspiration Friday is all about inspirational creative spaces/offices.  Wow, these just make me want to spend some time in my creative corner!  The photo above is from Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, some years ago.

This one is from the recent "women in business" section of Country Living.  I love this woman's inspiration board & shelves.  I'm not sure why she has a chair sitting on a table, but I'll ignore that....

This is the cover of a wonderful book that is full of inspiration, "Where Women Create".  The space shown on the cover is my favorite in the book, but there are a lot of other really great spaces inside.

For further inspiration online, Diva Deb's "playspace" is full of eye candy, as well as Andrea Singarella's.

*****

As I look forward to this weekend, I face the constant struggle between wanting to "get things done" & "being productive" and needing to relax & spend some good time with my hunnies (Glenn & Hope, of course!).   Wow, us working moms have to fit so much into 2 days! Well, working outside of the home...I know from experience that there is a whole other kind of stress that comes from being an at home mom!

On the spending time with my hunnies side, Glenn & I are going to have a date tonight!  Hope's daycare offers a "parents night out" once a month & we are taking advantage of it for the first time.  Just dinner at a local restaurant, but we get to have time to talk!  Imagine that. 

On the "being productive" side, I'm hoping to work more on steaming off the wallpaper in the kitchen (never-ending project) & maybe hit some yard sales.  The weather is supposed to be terrible, so I may be spending a lot of time on indoor projects.

I also will be doing the normal cleaning, as I still haven't found a house cleaner.  I spoke to one woman who seemed to be a great prospect, but her references didn't turn out to be what I'd hoped that they be.  So, another lady is coming over next week to give us a quote...lets hope that I have better luck this time!

I hope that all of you have a great weekend!

A Special Pillow

As you may have gathered from the Aunt Mildred & Hope's Room posts, many of the items around my house have a story associated with them.  That could describe most of the situations in my life, but lets stick to decorating :)  The pillow in the photo above is no exception & in fact, has one of the best stories.

Let me start by saying that I am a long-time, avid fan of Alexandra Stoddard's work.  I suspect that many of you know who she is, but for those who don't, she is a lifestyle writer & interior designer who advocates "living a beautiful life" every day & in all aspects of your daily living.  I first discovered her writing in high school & she has been a huge influence on me & my personal philosophy. To meet her was a dream of mine (fulfilled, actually, but that is a post for another day).

About 11 years ago, a good friend of mine got a job on a local newspaper & mentioned that he worked with a woman named A.B. Stoddard.  I knew that Alexandra Stoddard's daughter was a journalist & was also named Alexandra, so I made the connection!  Not long after that, the younger Ms. Stoddard came into the store that I managed & I gushed to her over what a big fan I was of her mother's work.  I'm sure that I made a complete fool out of myself.  About a year later, I was at my friend's place & admired some new drinking glasses.  He told me that he had got them at his friend AB's yard sale, which was going on that weekend.  You know that I sped right on over to that yard sale, post-haste!!! :)

I chose a few things, one of which was the pillow shown above, which went (& still goes) perfectly with the sofa that was in my living room.  When I went to AB to pay for it, she said "You got the big bargain of the yard sale!  My mother bought that pillow for $400 when she was in Greece & gave it to me.  She is so mad that I'm selling it."  I went home, ab-so-lute-ly THRILLED that I had a pillow that used to be THE Alexandra Stoddards!!!! 

I still love that pillow & it goes really well in my living room.  However, it has occurred to me that it is quite possible that the younger Ms. Stoddard was pulling my leg.  She may very well have remembered me from my gushing & decided to give me a little thrill with that story.  Or, it may be true. Its a good story, though, isn't it? :)
 

*****

Edited to Add: I realised that the younger Ms. Stoddard goes by "A.B. Stoddard", not A.J. Stoddard.

New Goodies

Just a quick post to show some fun goodies that I found at TJ Maxx at lunch today.  I've been either working through my lunch break or working out for the past few weeks.  But, today, I very specifically felt like going to TJ Maxx.  You've got to obey that feeling when it comes :)  I found the iron picture frame & the cloche that are in the photo (please excuse the horrible background wall--I'm still in the long process of taking down the kitchen wallpaper).  I had seen the frame before & liked it because it also sort of looks like an easel.  Today, it was on clearance--couldn't pass that up!  I would love to use it in the kitchen with a menu in it or something like that.  And, I've seen so many people using cloches to highlight small wonderful things, so I thought that I'd get one & see what I can do with it.  This one has a bit of an etched design on it.

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I want to say hi to some new readers that have found their way here--my Aunt Kay & Aunt Vicki!  My mom told them about my blog & now they are finding out all of my secrets, haha.  Seriously, isn't this blogging thing a wonderful way to keep in touch?