French Lavender

What is it about the fragrance of Lavender? 

To me it just smells like Summer rain..

My long awaited dried lavender bunches arrived from Antique Farmhouse and I couldn't be happier. It's so hard to find lavender here in the Midwest, and online prices generally run high for just a small bunch. I tried growing my own last year, but bees took over our back yard and built hives in the birdhouses and pool equipment... that was the end of my lavender growing.

If you don't know Antique Farmhouse then you should. They have beautiful items with new "events" daily. Things sell out fast so you have to be quick. I don't think it's available at this moment but keep checking back they may have more in. Anyway, I bought two orders of 3 bundles each, and I could smell that magical fragrance before the box was opened.

...so I had to do a little styling in an old Frenchy basket. Anyone know technically what this basket was used for? Harvesting flowers maybe? I've also used it for wine bottles, and French Baguettes. 

I collect these little gift books from the early 1900's 

and this one has precious illustrations.

We're in the Living Room on one of my Bergere Chairs that I slipped a few years ago. And I wanted to show you my new grainsack that I talked about here. It's heavier than my others and has two yummy caramel stripes down the center. 

 The bundles came banded with rubber bands, 

so I just covered them with some burlap ribbon.

I just used three of the bundles in the basket, so the rest came into the Dining Room and found a spot on the breakfront in a wine crate.

Styling Assistant at the ready...

she didn't want to eat it, just roll in it...

It's been raining for days,

and I'm ready for Fall...

joining in with these party gals:

Knick of Time Tuesday

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Blitzed on Pinterest at Debbiedoos

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspiration Gallery at Ella Claire

It's a Party at DIY by Design

Blissful Whites at Timewashed

What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants 

TTT at Stone Gable

From My Front Porch to Yours

Craftberry Bush

French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

Shabby Art Boutique

Jennifer Rizzo

Hope you're having a good week,

xoxo,

The Marketplace: Etsy and Online Boutique Showcase

Hi Everyone, it's Monday and time for 
The Marketplace

This is the place to come link up your Etsy Shop and Online Boutique items. If you're new here, so glad you found us. You don't have to have a blog to join in, just link up to three of your individual items. If you have a blog post about your shop or items that's great too, just be sure that what you link is for sale. Here are some great items from last week.

Vintage Jewelry Embellished Wall Mirror

from Glass Bead Treasures

Set of 6 Victorian Open Salts

from The Lazy Peacock

Set of 25 Lavender filled Wedding Favors

from Prince Snow Farm

Vintage Amber Pitcher and Glasses

from  The Zoe Bird

Forever and Always Sign

from Homeroad

Today Sweet Magnolias Farm is in the Sponsor Spotlight, hope you'll run by and check out Sara and Abby's wonderful Fresh Farmhouse Goods. Also check their blog to keep up on the latest shows and news.

Flour Sack Kitchen Towels

Set of 4 Napkins

Burlap Table Runner Farmhouse Blessings

thanks gals!

Time to link up, and if you're here to shop, then wonderful, we're so happy to have you. This link is open all week, so be sure to stop back by throughout the week for new items being listed. Thanks so much everyone!

Summer Dreams

I was fortunate to win a wonderful Give Away recently from my sweet friend Julie from Idyllhours. I had been eyeing this book, each time I went to Barnes and Noble and had leafed through it several times...just never purchased it. What a perfect surprise when she told me her hubby had picked my name to receive it.

Kathryn Ireland is one of my favorite designers because she has such a relaxed and layered comfortable style. A little English Country, a little bohemian, a little European...but all so very "personal".

Part decorating book, part travel guide, part cook book, part journal..Kathryn takes you through "Summer" at her lovely rural retreat in Southwest France.

with horses, children, shopping the markets,

 lazy afternoons, and candlelit evenings...

relaxing spaces for family and friends,

Her fabric designs and fresh style are found in every aspect of her home.

an al fresco dining room filled with casual elegance

I'm thoroughly enjoying reading this book.

 It's not just a decorating "Look book", but a glimpse into her world.

I guess we all have dreams of how we'd love to spend our "Summer".

No, it's not the French Countryside, but I'm happy to be where I am.

Just enjoying a few of Summer's lovely reminders.

Thank you Julie.

joining in on these great parties:

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

And speaking of Give Aways,

 I have one coming up mid month to celebrate 4 years of knowing all of you.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Be Inspired #151: Kitchen Remodel with Vintage in Mind.

Hi Everyone, wow, can you believe it's August?

This Summer is flying by, I hope you've been enjoying it and finding some time to get some projects done. I finished one last week that I've been putting off for ages. Thanks to all you who featured my kitchen tabletop makeover this last week. If you haven't seen that post, then just click here. It's now my "most visited post"!

Sometimes I see an amazing photo on a blog and I just assume that it must be a magazine image; but not this time. This wonderful kitchen below belongs to Silvina from Tasas & Cuentos.  She has finished a complete kitchen renovation, and the result is a vintage lovers' dream come true. She wanted old cabinetry for this amazing open space, so when she found this huge Grocery Store Counter and it's cupboard companion, it became the showstopping centerpiece for her new and efficient work space.

She left the paint finishes as is, and just added in extra shelving for dish storage. Not many of us would have the space for this kind of fabulous counter, but her quest for a vintage look paid off. If you haven't seen this post in person, then please visit her blog and also check out the previous posts on this kitchen renovation.

Kathleen from Faded Charm 

takes us on a morning walk in her lovely garden. 

Her Hydrangeas are heavenly.

Learn How to Chalk Paint Kitchen Cabinets

with Katie at Decorate My Life

Erin from Just Grand shared her friend's wonderful Gardens,
complete with potting shed and fishpond.

Carlene from Organized Clutter

 gave a recap of her Garden Junk Vignettes.

 And Mary from Home is Where the Boat Is
 has been loving lavender and shares her Lavender Margaritas
...Need I say more?

yes, please...

Today's Sponsor Spotlight is on Lucy from 

Bel Monili

hope you'll run by her shop and check out all the fun Summer Jewelry

in her upcycled, recycled, repurposed vintage shop.

thanks Lucy!

Hope you'll join in today for the party. Be Inspired is open to all "inspiring" posts, not just vintage. I'd love for you to be a follower of Common Ground, and remember to please have a link to this blog within your blog post to be featured.

and check out these other great Friday Parties

Alrighty then,

Time to get this party started!