~ A Cinderella Story ~

“Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it” 
~ Confucius

My apologies to Confucius, I don't think this is what he had in mind with this lovely quote!

Anyway for those of you who follow me on Facebook, remember this ugly duckling I found abandoned at a flea market?

She has been transformed!

Here's a peak at the journey my little chair and I took together:
We meet at a Flea Market in Battle Lake, MN. It was a lovely, warm September day and my sweet, albeit homely little friend was abandoned at the side of the road. I took her home, gave her a room (in the basement) and pondered what to do with her.

Lily had a few ideas!

I took off her worn, tattered, out of date fabric, gave her a fresh coat of white milk paint, waxed her and added new stuffing. Then I replaced the very old, very polyester fabric with this wonderful new embroidered linen fabric.

She now holds a prominent place in my office/photo studio.

Isn't she pretty? 

I'm joining "The Six Days Of Spring Link Party"

A week of "Painting Projects"

I have been in the mood for some "Spring Clean-up" and in need of change around my home/office/Nostalgic Summer World Headquarters, so I devoted last week to a few sprucing up projects.

Sunday started with a trip to our small, local, independent hardware store (doing my "shop small business" duty) where we picked out wall paint samples. After narrowing down to four shades of grey (not 50....hehehe!) we decided on Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter for the family room and also my office.

Here's how it looks in the office,

And here's a peak at how it looks in our family room. I LOVE this color, and as you can see is a warm compliment to my pewter, and silver items, of which I have quite a few.

Monday was spent in a mad painting frenzy! I finished the family room and decided as long as the brushes and rollers were wet.......why not repaint my office.

I woke up Tuesday with a stiff and very sore back.....but was determined to carry on with my "week of painting."  After a few yoga/pilates type exercises I did what everyone with a sore aching back would do, I carried heavy furniture to the basement to paint!

Tuesday and Wednesday were dedicated to refinishing the buffet (shown above) and the cute little TV cabinet my husband made for his new television.

Isn't it sweet? I think it has a mid century modern look. Both pieces were painted using Annie Sloans Chalk Paint in Provence. Provence is a turquoise blue and it is a wonderful compliment to our pewter grey walls.

I spent Thursday and Friday waxing both pieces, and in between all these projects I worked on a piece that I will talk about later....but here's a little tease:

And if you follow my blog, it's something you have seen before! :-) But I'll save it for another post.

Anyway, Saturday (or day seven) I spent shopping! After ALL that work I needed to reward myself.
I found the loveliest new bath towels at Marshall's.....now I have to repaint the bathroom to match. :-)

We rearranged everything in the family room, moved a few pieces out and I finally made room for a "Trunk Tower." I've been collecting trunks and document boxes for quite some time and have always wanted to display them in a tower. What do you think? They show so well against the pewter grey walls don't you think?

Have a great week everyone...and "Think Spring!"

~ A Valentine For You ~

"A hundred hearts would be too few
To carry all my love for you."
~Author Unknown

"You will forever hold a key to my heart, and in my heart will always be a place for you." ~Author Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"For you see, each day I love you more
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow."
~Rosemonde Gerard

“A single rose can be my garden...a single friend, my world.”

~ Leo F. Buscaglia

"Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one."

 ~ John Keats

 

 

Happy Valentines Day!

Introducing.... Été Nostalgique De Luxe!

Été Nostalgique De Luxe is our newest Etsy Shop.

Été Nostalgique De Luxe is the grown up sister to Nostalgic Summer. She's a bit more sophisticated and anxious to explore and experiment with fashion. She has an elegant sense of style, romantic yet unconventional, timeless yet contemporary.

I am so excited to open this new shop and offer pieces that are a bit more elegant, something for a special occasion, special gift, or as a lasting piece to your collection.

Here's a bit of what you will see at Été Nostalgique De Luxe:

 Victorian Brass Clip Necklace .....Now available.

 

 Lovely in Red Pendant.....Now available    

To My Love Pendant......Now available

 

Lovely Swallow Necklace.....Now available

I am so excited about this new shop...I hope you will visit and come back to let me know what you think. Été Nostalgique De Luxe on Etsy!