december resolutions

This time of year, things are so crazy busy, I rarely have time to just sit and think.  I am running from the house, to the shop, to errands and to my daughter’s activities.  To most people, it is “the holiday season,” but to small business owners, it’s “the fourth quarter;” make it or break it time, especially for retailers.  So, I feel like I’ve got to constantly be doing something—something for the shop, decorating around the house or chasing to the grocery store . . . something.  Although—I am not sure why I am using the limiting language of “this time of year.” 

The “lack of time” has increasingly become a singular theme of my life.  This does not make me happy.  I need to do something about that—if only I could find the time . . . 

One thing I really miss doing is visiting my favorite blogs and writing my own.  I don’t have allow myself the time to visit blogs let alone write my blog.

I miss it—the great stories I read, the ideas I glean and the inspiration I find.  I miss sharing my own thoughts, ideas and plans.  Plus, in a strange way, blogging holds me accountable.  If I say I’m going to do something—write it in my blog—I feel like I have to follow through; even though no one is paying attention, I feel like I’ve made a promise and I need to keep it.

So, right now, a month earlier than most resolutions are announced, I promise to myself, if no one else, to write down my ideas, plans, et al.  Not only that, but I will follow through with my intentions.  I’ll do it here, as I once did, on my blog—my public journal.  If you’re a reader, I’d love to hear from you, but I definitely understand if I don’t. 

I’ll be doing it for me, but perhaps you are feeling the same as I and will find, in me, a kindred spirit.  Perhaps you will be encouraged by me the same way I am encouraged by my favorite bloggers; maybe my efforts to carve-out some time for the things I enjoy will inspire you to do the same.  Whatever your reason for checking-in here, please let me know if you have any ideas for my attempts to make these changes in my life.  I am always up for new ways of doing things.  I can learn to suck eggs a new way.

Here are a few of the blogs I plan to catch-up on . . .

 

 

                                              

(the above pic is a link to the blog:  Chateau Relaxo)

Thanks for your indulgence!

free FALL, part one

my question is . . . why do we even have to mess with summer? 
sure, it feels good . . . for about a week—I enjoy the flowers, the green grass and the pool.  after about a week, though, the flowers start to fade, the grass goes brown and the pool is no longer refreshing.
but, ahhhhhhh, autumn!
the temps have dipped—ever so slightly—I am in full-on free FALL! 
I’ve decided to adopt a new rule of social etiquette.  not only will I not wear white shoes after Labor Day (well, actually, ever), but I will wear my cowboy boots beginning the day after Labor Day.  here they are—they make me smile!

but, the reason you’ve tuned in, however, is the home décor, right?

below is a pic focused on our signature mixed-pattern silver plate flatware, a Farmhouse soy wax candle and a celery vase filled with acorns.



 my new favorite cookbook, The Romantic Prairie Cookbook, our iron rooster napkin rings, and a favorite cheese dome on on  a willow tray.


the beautiful new, ironstone pitchers with wheat and ivy patterns are difficult to distinguish from their vintage inspiration.


I have a particular penchant for brown transferware . . .


one of our uncomplicated, but favorite displays—the dried hydrangeas in our beautiful urn along with vintage books in our French wire baskets and our embellished globe.


ooh, that cheese dome!  and the owl pitcher (anything cuter?); in  the background a reproduction sugar mold.


here, the hint of the door I painted in homage to the Café de Flore in Paris.


apothecary jars, a mouse and moss.


we hope these subtle changes throughout the shop will help you make plans for transitioning your home into this wonderful season. (there are more to come . . . thus, the “part one”)
now to get to work transitioning my own home . . .
thanks for your indulgence!

OMG Heather Bullard "linked" me!!!

You cannot imagine my surprise at finding several comments on a two-year-old post in my inbox this morning. Come to find out, Heather Bullard has touched me with her golden blog wand and lifted me out of obscurity! Even if this is a one-hit-wonder and I go back to my one or two comment posts (I love you ALL and your comments), I am going to bask in this moment of sunshine.
I feel ridicuolously giddy!
Here's the link to her post about my link!!! You should visit, because, while I'm making it sound as though this is my spotlight, I am proudly sharing it with seven incredibly talented ladies.
Going to go lather my face with lotion, as I'm afraid it may crack due to my perma-grin!
Thanks for your indulgence!
Paige