This and That

Time to check in with you all... there's been several things going on "in life", just nothing much that's blog worthy as far as decorating goes. I've said it before, but this is my least favorite time of the year, and even in the best of personal circumstances I tend to be uninspired and in a rut this late part of the summer. 

Kitchen Renovation in an Historic St. Louis Home

Hey Everyone, I know I promised I'd share more on the little antique Kilim rug and where it is located, but we just got home from a trip to St. Louis (Dr. appt. for me that was a good one) and I wanted to share pics of the kid's newly renovated kitchen. I'm totally kicking myself because these are at night, no tripod, and no wide angle lens. Some are blurry and the colors are a little off, but their kitchen turned out so great I hope you'll just try to "imagine" that a professional" was taking these and not "the mom". so sorry...

A bag, a visit, and some ribbon for the tree...

I have to admit that I've been so busy and concentrating on getting moved into the new house, that the idea of Christmas just hadn't really sunk in. This last week we've been hustling to get the house in order and a place for the kids to sleep this week. So we've had a bit of a "deadline" with Thanksgiving and that has caused us to get in gear.

Over the weekend we ran out to get a few things like towels for guests and a doggy gate for the grandpuppy, and while we were out I dragged Hubbs into TJ Maxx for a quick run through. Of course there were tons of goodies to check out, but I just happened to find these adorable burlap tote bags for an extra large "gift wrap". When you have to spend several dollars on a gift bag for those extra large items, why not spend a few more and get a bag that's reusable and decorative. Dolly is being a helper with her big toes to hold the bag so you can see it!

Friday after my rehab appointment I headed over to The Vintage Suitcase to hopefully find some Christmas ribbon. Robin always has the most gorgeous decorative wire ribbon, and my little Christmas tree needed something new. So here are a few pics of the store. It's always overflowing with beautiful things, and lot's of inspiration.

I wanted some beige checked, and so here's a peek at my start of putting the tree together. It's going to be a pretty simple tree, but I wanted something to dress up the burlap that I've had on it for a few years.

I still have lot's left to do before Thanksgiving,

 but I have to say that I'm looking forward

 to Christmas now that a little of the stress of the move is off.

 I'll check back in before Thursday.

Have a great week,

xoxo,

Joining in at 

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

A Stroll Through Life

Coastal Charm

Savvy Southern Style

Around the house and a photo bomb...

This is turning out to be a busy weekend. The big kids are here for their 20th high school reunion ... yikes...just saying that makes me feel old. And Sunday is my last day at Relics Antique Mall, so I'll be clearing out whatever is left of the booth and call it done. I've loved the experience of having a space, but for the last several years I've had to do things on my own, and that part isn't fun. Time to move on to new things, and I'm looking forward to having that day each week to catch up on some other projects that need taking care of.

And speaking of flea market shopping, I found this great little "God Bless Our Home" cross stitch recently.

I have a little soft spot for "homestyle" cross stitch pieces; I created my share back in the 80's and 90's. I always admire the amount of time the stitcher put into the piece and when I see them for just a few dollars I always want to rescue them and give them a new home. I found this one a few months ago, but the dark frame didn't work for me, so when I painted my kitchen table it got the ASCP treatment.

The browns and golds and orange on the shutters made me think to put it out here on the sunporch with the other late summer colors. I tried several places but it ended up on the baker's rack.

And while I was digging through some cabinets yesterday, I found a good bunch of tan striped ticking that I bought last year for a table runner....totally had forgotten about it. So now maybe I can get that made since I'll have a little more time.

LOVE this wonderful wreath!

So, while I was out in the sunporch takings pics, 

who shows up for a little nibbling of the greens?

hmmm...which one looks tastier?

I guess we all need our fiber...

joining in on these parties:

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch
Knick of Time
Savvy Southern Style

Hope you're having a good weekend!!

xoxo,

A little weekend randomness...

You all know we've been spending a lot of time in St. Louis for hubby's doctor appointments (hopefully, they will be winding down soon), but when we're there we are so blessed to be able to stay with our daughter and her husband, oh, and can't forget Vinnie, the grandpuppy.

Pic of their 100+ year old home taken last Fall.

I wanted to share this guest room that doubles as Erin's dressing room. She has a relaxed eclectic style; mixing traditional, vintage, and modern pieces. She's not a "fusser and floofer" like me, she loves antiques, but isn't into shopping flea markets. She would like her vintage goods and antiques to magically appear for her decor pleasure. (sometimes I'm her "picker") She's not into clutter, piles of junk, or white chippy furniture. What?...I know.

I've told her that if this white set of vintage monogrammed luggage goes missing, 

that it probably came home with me by "accident".

When the Ritz Carlton in Clayton was renovated a few years ago they bought several sets of Birds Eye Maple furniture with king size beds for their guest rooms for a song. 

Aside from the great mix of pattern, color, and comfort, I just love how she's used this tiny children's suitcase  (or doll clothes case?) to corral some of her jewelry on the nightstand.

They are bulldog lovers and over the years they've found some fun bulldog collectibles, that are scattered throughout the house. If you look closely you can see a set of glass dogs that were popular in the '50's. Keith is an "all things tobacco" aficionado, so she also has this wonderful little Dunhill ladies lighter from the 40's here too.

I neglected to take a photo of her shoes on display.

She's a heels kinda girl, and let me just say that

she has quite the hoarding and shopping gene when it comes to fabulous shoes.

photo by Kortni Wu 

(for more great photos click above)

And for a little inspiration we stopped by The White Rabbit (click here for their blog and shopping) LOVE this store! I could hang there all day, but we were on our way out of town so I kept my visit short, but just had to grab this photo of a wall of moss in the garden area. so wonderful.

And one of our fave spots for a relaxed dinner is Pi. "On the Loop". President Obama had pizza there a year or so ago, and he gave it a rousing thumbs up. yummy. This license plate art is hanging on the wall. It's a good sized piece, and since it's reflective, everything else showed up black on this phone pic. pretty cool.

This will be a working weekend, hopefully we can get the pool opened and the patio furniture out and cleaned up. Our other son-in-law is our right hand man when it comes to jobs around here.

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend.

I'll be here for The Marketplace on Monday as usual.

Come by for a visit in between cookouts and family fun!

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

xoxo,

My grandkid is a real dog...

sounds pretty pathetic, huh?

But hey, it's the truth...

You met Vinnie last Christmas, and this little man can steal your heart.

He's a riot, and a little better behaved than last Christmas.

He's in his buffalo check rain gear, but hates it.

He can hardly move, he thinks he's in a straight jacket!

(sorry the photos are fuzzy, this was before I realized

my new lens was set on auto while my camera was on manual)

Last Christmas my shin and his head had a little encounter, 

and my shin came out the loser.

He has a hard head and in one of his chasing games he plowed into me.

I won't go into details but I'm really glad his obedience school was a success.

This is Vinnie's mom and dad.

Our daughter Erin and her husband. 

and just so you'll be sure and know that the Living Room

actually does get lived in, these are a couple of photos

 of the kids unwrapping presents.

This is our younger daughter, Alyson and her husband.

do you feel sorry for me?

My grandkids are dogs and cats. 

(sorry no photos of the old ornery black cat

 that will slap the stuff out of you as you walk by

and the rotten, but oh so cute Himalayan )

OK, just wanted to share some real life with you.

Hope you all are having a great weekend. 

I had to do a booth check and supply at Relics today,

and put away some of the outdoor Christmas decor

Yikes, I still have Christmas stuff to box and put away.

someone, please tell me that you still have putz houses out!!

xoxo,

Hurray for the Red, White, and Blue

I've been trying to get the house ready for the St. Louis kids to be here this week. They have a super long, free weekend ahead. I'm so excited, they haven't been here since Christmas, and we always have such a great visit.

I wanted to put together a table centerpiece that was fresh.

Yea, I can be the queen of faux flowers,

but today I cut a few of my fresh stems from my potted plants.

So, these little sweeties are real.

Red, white, and blue...well, sort of blue.

This vintage metal milk bottle carrier

and a few bottles, fit the bill.

It really brightens the kitchen

and also adds a patriotic feel.

Just love this old Summerdale Meadows milk bottle.

Hope your week is a good one.

I'll see you back here on Thursday and Friday

with Vintage Inspiration Friday for the

 Patriotic Party

I'm also joining in on these great parties:

love to you all,