Thought for the Week-end

Cuties

Aren't these the cutest things in the world- from Target!

A Week-end of Joy

My sister Lulu's 50th birthday, here admiring my present for her- sets of demitasse.

The three sisters still fancying around Christmas ornaments from the after-X'mas sale.

A wonderful visit to my older brother, Mario, who came down with stroke last year. His smile is unforgettable.

My younger sister Jean's visit from Northern California. Always silly, always fun.

Family Blessings

I have been postponing my creative projects to attend to the more urgent and worldly concerns of bills, paperwork, and hunting for a new job-that-pays-the-bills. So far, my morning prayers have been my fortress and my blog, a constant companion and refuge. But thanks to our God for the wonderful blessing of family whose constant presence bring us joy and love.

Good-bye to Country Home

Today I received my last subscription copy of Country Home with a letter of farewell. Although I know there are hundreds of other home magazines out there, there is none that keeps my style grounded to country as this magazine. My first love is country decorating- it's synonymous to comfort, casual, home. Through the years, I have learned to incorporate the vintage, the cottage, and the shabby-chic but my heart always comes home to country. Here's sharing with you some pages of the last copy.

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Elements That Color My Home

Green....

Red...

White...

The Rusty Creek Boutique

Through the torrid rain, my Mister lovingly drove me to the Rusty Creek Boutique in Fallbrook. He can feel my heartbeat so despite slippery roads and some 30 minute drive, this is the place to go on his day-off. What a place of vintage and shabby chic treasures with very wonderful prices. The outside is a sprawl of garden furniture and accessories (the rain did stop just when we arrived at the store-hooray!) and inside is a huge collection of vintage furniture and unique home decor. I had my eye on several bookshelves I would be needing for my creative space. They may be gone by then but I know this place will always have something for me. For now, I took home an eyelet plate, a small dish, and a beautiful iron hook with green knobs.

Less than Crafty

Although I've had my share of skills developed as a dealer in an antique mall, crafting isn't one of them. I've learned to strip off old paint and repaint furniture, nail together shelves, and decoupage here and there. I've always envied people who sew, cook, and design. Vision is my source of creativity- an eye for beauty. But my younger sister, Lulu, is celebrating her 50th birthday and from "out there" came an idea to try my idea of crafty on my gift box since I wanted it to look vintage. It was going to hold 3 sets of demitasse to add to her growing collection. So here's what I did:

I photocopied the back of my old French postcards and stained them with coffee. Then I tore them to sizes that shows the French writings.

Then, I decoupaged them on the wrapped box, adding a photocopy of a lady from an old French postcard.

Finally tying a ribbon to finish the look. Not that bad, I guess!

On Valentine's Day

I wish you shelter from the storm...I wish you Love....

Next Stop

My next stop is close to home-the Rusty Creek Boutique in Fallbrook (CA). My daughter shared this with me after discovering it on the web. I can already see treasures on the photos. Such settings are close to my heart because of my ultimate dream to have my very own shop. I have been in the trade before but renting small spaces doesn't quite spell out " a shop of my own". In His time, I know I will get there. Do visit the site at www.rustycreekboutique.blogspot.com.

Photos courtesy of Rusty Creek Boutique

Love To Flea

There are two places that make my heart beat faster, my pulse race, and my mouth water- the flea market and the vintage shop. My heart led me to these places when my style evolved from modern to traditional to vintage. The atmosphere is just exhilarating and sweatingly inspirational. Treasure finds are endless. And then, there's the art of bargaining- so self-gratifying when a favorite piece matches my price. So here's sharing with you some of these lovely places I've been to.

The Long Beach Flea Market is a favorite of mine. Huge collections of everything with dealers willing to bargain sweetly. Best-priced for me!


...And then there's the Country Road Antiques and Gardens in Orange (CA) Old Town. A beautiful place with loads of vintage stuff in the heart of Old Town surrounded by other vintage shops and restaurants, my favorite being the Cuban restaurant. This place is adorable!

A Few of my Favorite Things

Home Sweet Home

Here's sharing with you how I've decorated my home. A mix of the old and new- it changes every so often as I find new treasures- but I always try to keep the feel of cozy vintage. Nothing too expensive to hold. Thanks to Home Goods, flea markets, old town country shops, and resourceful friends like Jeanette.