A Summer Baker's Rack

Do you ever get this urge for something

 and you just don't give up until you find it?

of course you do...

I'm going to believe that's a good trait to have

and not some kind of borderline personality disorder... te he

Well, I had a bee in my bonnet for a bee skep...

I just had to have one for my summer Baker's Rack in the sitting room.

Actually, I wanted one to use in my French Garden Frame,

but the more I thought about it the more I wanted one 

just to display for the Summer Version on my baker's rack.

I haven't changed much up lately,

but having a bee skep always reminds me of a French Country Garden.

This little skep isn't very big, 

but I can just imagine it in a lavender filled garden...

maybe soon.

I always enjoy my little French Garden Girl lamp here,

I light her up every evening for a sweet warm glow.

I'm really missing my sunflower displays this year.

but I have my "sheeps" that always hang out here...

Also want to share this little bit of history...

I had to brush up on my historical knowledge of Shakespeare on this little celluloid print. It's a rendering of Anne Hathaway's cottage (Shakespeare's wife) in Stratford-Upon-Avon. It looks like it might have been a souvenir of a trip in the 20's or 30's.

We're finishing up the house business...

and will be closing on it soon.

Everything's out and clean.

Now I just want to start looking for a new home,

but we've decided to take our time and not be rushed.

oooh, that's so hard,

I'm itching to get settled!

Hope you're having a wonderful week,

joining in at these parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

xoxo,

Go-to Summer Looks

Every once in a while I like to dip my toes into the fashion blogging pond. I haven't done that in a long time, but this last Spring I had to do a major purge of my closet(s) because of the move, and that has made me think a lot about my clothing choices.

I've realized that I have "go-to" items and looks. I don't "dress up" often, my dressiest time in ages would be when we head out to our favorite Italian place for dinner on a Saturday evening, or when we're in St. Louis with our kids for a night out. Even the churches here have a "dress down" code, so as not to make people feel awkward or self conscious about their clothing. We live in a very casual little city. We dress up our blue jeans for all occasions. I mean come on, we're the home town of Bass Pro and Branson is just down the road.

I totally love this little lacy tee!

I tend to stick with neutrals in most of my clothing choices, white and gray being my two best colors for warmer weather. In the Fall and Winter it would be gray and black. I like to have basic pieces that I can mix and match and change around for a different look; "Garanimals" for the over 50 crowd. The older I've gotten, the more I've leaned toward keeping things simple and "quiet", both in my surroundings, and in my clothing.

LOVE this lacy cardigan.

Don't have it, but would love to find it.

Love these next two totally classic looks...

And...I don't like heels...on me. I'm short and I look really goofy teetering around on them, but I DO like a little "platform" and something fun and stylish. I don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money on a pair of shoes, but I tried on my first pair of Jimmy Choo's last year and instantly fell in love; didn't buy them but so so comfortable. And belts...all they do is cut me in half and being short, they just don't work for me.

such a great sense of style...

love her shoes...

and bag

but I just can't get into ripped jeans...

Love my skinny jeans (I'm NOT skinny) and stretchy leggings with a long t-shirt or linen shirt and a jacket, khaki or wheat "boyfriend" chino's with a denim chambray shirt, and if it's not a 110 outside I'll have a scarf...or a chunky necklace. I'm the age when I want to cover up as much of my neck as possible...and I'm a total sucker for anything Leopard Print. Summer or Winter it's my favorite "pattern".

 I don't have a source for this Polyvore collection, but it's just my style.

I don't have a count for all my leopard print items, but let's just say they have their own section of my closet. My fave is a leopard print sweater zip up hoodie from last Fall, kind of like this.

I really love having a few pieces of fun jewelry to spice up a look. A casual outfit can be elevated to something fun and funky with a piece or two of eye catching baubles. And speaking of statement jewelry, I bought this wonderful turquoise piece from my sweet friend Rebecca, HERE. Goes perfect with a white shirt or tee and jean jacket.

 love me some accessories...

I've realized that if I haven't worn something for a few years, then it's time to let someone else enjoy it. I'm trying not to give into "impulse" buying, but keeping a plan in my head. I've been guilty of buying something on a whim and then never wearing it because it just didn't work for me, or I wasn't comfortable in it. That's another subject...if it's not easy to wear and comfortable then it's pushed to the back of my closet. I don't like fussy or restricting or "too tight". When we were packing to move, I took all my clothing pieces that I wore over and over out and then scrutinized everything else. I DID keep a variety of black pants from dressy to casual. A black pant or skirt can take you a million places.

I think I gave away about 3/4's of my closet. My mom attends a small church in an older part of town with many people needing financial help, so I send my things to them. So far I haven't missed anything I've given away, fingers crossed for this winter. I tend to live in jeans, sweaters, and boots in cold weather, so I'll probably be OK. 

Where do I shop? I'm a petite, so I have to shop where they are available. J. Jill, Chico's, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Coldwater Creek...they had the best fitting jeans and pants for me. Hope they reorganize soon, I used them for "the basics". I buy accessories anywhere. My trips to STL have resulted in some great shopping, both my daughter's have great fashion sense so they help me put outfits together.

I think it's fun to see fashion pics and choices of individuals. It helps to "get to know them better", and gives us an opportunity to make some buying and giving away strategies for ourselves. Obviously none of these photos are me. And if you'd like to see more fashion fun, then check out my Pinterest boards Here and Here.

now go clean out that closet,

(but have fun doing it)

joining in at The Scoop

xoxo,

Just what I need....

So here's my latest addition to the sitting area. A pitchfork...only to be used if the hubby starts getting smarty pants. Seriously, don't we all need a pitchfork in our kitchen? And don't you love that big crack that runs down the length of the side on the armoire? It will be on my "to paint"and repair list as soon as we find a house.

I've had a slight obsession with French Country Garden Goods, and I've been on the lookout for old gardening tools. With all the "stuff" hubbs and I have been dealing with since the end of last year, really... garden tools are the last thing I need.

Just ask him...

he'll let you know.

But I have this mental fantasy that I'll have a garden room again 

and that I can decorate it with all kinds of frenchy garden things.

I've realized it's important to keep some "dreaming" alive

even if it seems impossible at the moment.

Here's the French Inspired Garden Frame from my last post.

I have other old tools hanging out in our garage.

One that I found was an old bulb planter that I'll share later,

I plan on using it...

eventually.

Right now I need to just not be tripping over them,

or have them in a place where hubbs actually has to see or deal with them.

Why can't guys realize that sometimes we just have to go with our gut?

In hubby's defense, 

he was the one that had to pack box after box of my old garden junk.

when I was out of commission.

He's reached his limit, I'm pretty sure.

I found these breadboards at Antique Farmhouse.

And I've had some of you ask about my basket full of linens...

do my kitties nap there?

They are a lazy couple of cats,

but I've never seen them in there.

shhhh...don't tell them...

Here is a collage of pics from my French Garden Fantasy over at Pinterest.

Hope you're having a wonderful week. We're having a cool-down like a lot of you. Perfect for me, I'm not a fan of the heat. The older I get, the less I like to sweat.

Joining in on these great parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
It's a Party at DIY by Design

xoxo,

French Garden Inspired Frame

I've mentioned before that vintage garden goods have always been my favorite kind of "vintage". I love it all, but I have a real soft spot for old garden tools, wagons, ephemera,...anything "seed" related, etc. I've had to pack up most of my garden goodies for now, during our move, but I've kept a few little things to play with and decorate my baker's rack in the sitting room.

When we cleaned out my in-laws garden shed a few years ago I confiscated several old garden tools, and I've had my radar up for a few different ones recently. (more on that next week) These little ones below are of the "mini" variety that I use with my tabletop wheelbarrow. I've been collecting garden inspiration on Pinterest using the old tools, and thought I might try a little summery wall vignette with an old empty chippy frame from my stash.

Inspiration for a French Garden Frame from the Graphics Fairy

I have this hanging in the sitting area in the kitchen.

I'll share the rest of the summer garden baker's rack next week.

I included a mini bee skep among the flowers in the old watering can. I recently bought a little bigger one, (that I haven't shown you yet). I've had this little one for ages, complete with "bees".

My Black Eye'd Susans are really blooming crazy this year,

 so I thought I'd do a little nod to them on this.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

We have a contract on the house, YAY!!!

joining in at these parties:

Sundays at Home with Thoughts From Alice 

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Show and Share at Coastal Charm

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

xoxo,

This is me...

oh yeah, someone's a little lazy this weekend.
that would be me...
I have good news and bad news.
The good news is that I don't have to have surgery...
The bad news is that I won't be having surgery...at least not now.

The main thing I'd been praying for was an accurate confirmed diagnosis from my new doctors, and that we would have communication about what needed to be done. I had the heart cath and angiogram on Wednesday, and learned even more about my health situation. That the aneurysm was still small, that the part of my heart that is dead (non functioning) isn't causing any major risks right now, that I have two main arteries that are not functioning optimally, and another artery has been completely blocked from blood flow because of a previous stent placement. Now I have a picture and a reason for all my chest pain. Poor blood flow to major areas of my chest. One doctor labeled my heart mess as "complicated", the other as "tricky"...

great...

Short and sweet...just not bad enough to risk an open heart surgery, again. Only problem is that I'm still left with the daily pain of angina. I have to admit, when the cardiovascular surgeon realized my problems were not posing any immediate threats, (thank you, Lord) and he felt like the benefit at this time would not justify the risk, I was disappointed. I had hoped that surgery would solve my problems, but the doctor doing the heart cath explained that basically our bodies can only handle two of those major surgeries, and that right now would not be the time.

So I'm back to square one...

How to minimize the pain, and get some strength and stamina back. First thing is trying to find some meds that will accomplish this. There are lot's of heart medications out there, so the new cardiologist is trying to put together a plan that will better open up those vessels and give me the ability back to be more active and productive. Hard to have a life when you're in constant pain. It seems that I have small arteries and that added to the poor condition of them, make for problems.

I'm on a new to me drug that seems to be helping and I'm hoping that it will prove to be a way to take care of some of this without all the trauma of open heart surgery. And trying to be optimistic, I'm going to start cardiac rehab that will work on trying to get some strength back, which also helps regrow smaller arteries and veins for circulation.

So now you know more than you ever wanted to know about me and my wacky heart problems...

And I'm relieved that I don't have to spend the summer recuperating from major surgery. Now, to get the house sold so we're out from under that element of stress.

I feel like I've lost a year of my life because my previous cardiologist didn't have the time or desire to sit down long enough and listen to what I was saying. When doctors don't listen, neglect to tell you what's going on or what they have done, or be willing to look at options, we as patients can find ourselves in a boatload of confusion and poor health. Things could have been radically different if he had just taken the time to "think outside the box" and prescribe some different meds. I'm thankful that I've found a woman cardiologist who puts her patient's well being and future before a beeper and a busy schedule.

'nuff said.

I'm hoping that this is the last of the "woe is me" updates.

Here's to getting my life back...

love you guys, thanks so much for all your prayers and love.