Friday, November 29, 2013

Saturday Spotlight: Polly from Georgie Emerson Vintage

Hi, everyone!  Myself and Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been
 done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Kris's and my blog. 

Today is a special treat as I'm introducing a friend, Polly from Georgie Emerson Vintage.  I first met Polly in person a couple of years ago 'by accident' at her booth in an antique mall.  I had read her blog and admired her, and I felt an immediate connection with her.  She is such a genuine, sweet person and we share a similar decor style.  I hadn't yet started blogging, and she encouraged me to go for it!
Polly is incredibly talented, and has since moved on to bigger and better things...opening her own shop! Because she is located a couple of hours away from me I don't get to visit as often as I'd like, but I try to stop by her shop a couple of times a year.  And when I do, it's pure inspiration!
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Polly better!


Hello sweet friends of must love junk! It is so nice to be here on Susan's most amazing blog today sharing a little bit about myself on Susan and Kris's Saturday Spotlight. Thank you, Susan, for inviting me to be a part of your blog for the day!

My little corner of the world is called Georgie Emerson Vintage.............my dear old Dad's name was George and my Granddad's middle name was Emerson. Family is my most cherished thing, so I thought it was fitting to name my business after some very special people.  After a 15 year stint in corporate America in Human Resources, I started selling some of my extras at an Antique Mall as a stress reliever. Decorating is a true passion of mine, so stuff was always coming and going and the Antique Mall was a perfect outlet to sell things when I was ready for something new.  When my parents became ill, I left my job to help them and spent my spare time hunting treasures and fluffing my booth. I quickly realized that I loved it so much more than sitting in a cubicle every day. My hobby has evolved since then and just last year, I took the plunge into shopkeeping and opened my own little vintage shop in our quaint, historic town of Canal Winchester, Ohio.



My love of vintage started very young in life...........I was the little girl sitting with her parents at the auction house every Friday night. My first Cabbage Patch Doll was won at auction and I remember that moment vividly.  I guess I learned early on that you could get just about anything second hand if you were patient and persistent!  Going to yard sales, flea markets and antique shows was one of our favorite pasttimes and my Mom was known for rescuing the castoff that no one else wanted and turning it into a family treasure for us.  Mom was an excellent seamstress, crafter, cook, and DIY'er so we always had projects going on everywhere in the house. And that holds true for me now.  They both truly shaped me into the vintage lovin', auction goin', girl that I am today!



I am blessed with an amazing and supportive husband who works hard at his day job and then helps me at the shop when I need him. His long arms and big muscles come in very handy! He also loves antiques and is a collector himself, so he doesn't mind going pickin' either! We're a good match with enough in common to keep us connected and enough not in common to keep us grounded. We do not have babies but we do have a little dog to love on.



Through the seasons of our lives, we've experienced losses too great to properly articulate and we've experienced highs of great proportion too. Together we have created a sweet little life.  Not sure where life will take us from here, but we're in a really good place right now and enjoying the ride.  


 Thank you, Susan, for the opportunity to be featured here today.  I'm so glad we met a few years back!  You are truly an inspiration to me in so many ways!

Polly, you are too kind!  Thank you so much for opening up and sharing with us!  Please visit Polly at Georgie Emerson Vintage then hop over to Kris's blog to read about Stacey from Cottage Industry.

Kris and I will be taking a break in December from the Saturday Spotlight Feature, which will give all of us more time to enjoy with our families throughout the holidays. Thanks to all of you for supporting our venture!  Please join us again in January as we'll be featuring more fun bloggers! :)

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Natural Christmas Mantel 2013



(Thank you to Cozy Little House, Common Ground, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olsen and Dwellings for featuring this post!)
Hi, everyone!  I know that it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I admit that I've started decorating for Christmas.  I must say that decorating at my shop (which you can see here and here) got me in the mood to begin at home!

I started with the easiest place and a focal point, my mantel.

As always, my goal was to keep it simple, but visually pleasing.

I left the chippy door as a 'backdrop' but turned it back around to its' whiter side. (To see my fall mantel go here.)

This year I decided to add more color (gasp) into my holiday decor while still using a lot of neutral, natural elements.

I thought this berry wreath was fun and gave a nice pop of color against the white, so I started by hanging it on the door...




Next I gathered 3 little tarnished sugar bowls from my collection and added a pinecone to each one...




Then I hung a small 'banner'...




It's just a little paper one stamped with 'NOEL' on a humble string, but I love its simplicity...





I finished everything off with an urn on either side of the door.  My mom found these for me a couple years ago at a garage sale, and I love them!




They're filled with greenery, pinecones, berries and sticks......nature's finest!




So after marrying together some of my favorite elements and textures-chippy wood, tarnished silver, and gifts from nature-here's the final result...




I kept it very simple but (hopefully) interesting.





Hope you enjoyed seeing my mantel 'dressed up' for Christmas!




I always appreciate you stopping by!  Have a Happy, Blessed Thanksgiving  :)

I'm sharing at these wonderful blogs:  i should be mopping the floor
                                                        Dwellings (Amaze Me Monday)
                                                        Coastal Charm (Nifty Thrifty Tuesday)
                                                        A Stroll Thru Life (Inspire Me Tuesday)
                                                        Cozy Little House (Tweak It Tuesday)
                                                        Knick of Time (Vintage Inspiration Party)
                                                        White Lace Cottage (The Scoop)
                                                        Savvy Southern Style (Wow Us Wednesdays)
                                                        Ivy and Elephants (What's It Wednesday)
                                                        Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olsen (Share Your Cup Thursday)
                                                        Common Ground (Be Inspired)
                                                        Shabby Art Boutique (Shabbilicious Friday)
                                                        From My Front Porch To Yours (Christmas Mantel Party)

Friday, November 22, 2013

Saturday Spotlight: Kate from Salvage Dior

Hi, everyone!  Myself and Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been
 done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Kris's and my blog. 


Today it is an honor for me to welcome one of my 'blog idols' Kate from Salvage Dior!  Kate was one of the first bloggers that I 'stalked' then followed when I discovered the world of decor blogs.  Her honesty about her struggles is inspiring, and her style is impeccable!  She has a real talent for taking curb picks and cast-offs and turning them into works of art!  Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Kate better!


Chances are at one time or another we will face a challenge in our life that blooms beauty through adversity. My beautiful journey with Salvage Dior began in 2009 it was the brainchild {blog name included} of my dear friend Jo Lee Vaughn . She encouraged me to share my passion of " look for less " projects that evolved from my curbside finds. When I began blogging I could have never imagined this journey of my soul and how this road would inspire my heart to connect with another. Here I was married to the man of my dreams, three beautiful children and a successful twenty year career of wedding and event planning. I hit the ground running with my blog until that moment, the one that happens right upon impact, that defining moment that changed the life I had always known. In 2010 I heard the words Systemic Lupus in the dr's office as my body went numb. As I walked out with wobbly legs and a pounding heart the dr's words "that my mind would be my sharpest weapon against this disease" would soon resonant the best advice above all. As I stood on the solid ground of my faith I prayed for grace over my emotions. Journaling had always been a part of me and now through blogging this illness would lose its stronghold over my life. As the weeks and months transpired I became transparent. I shared not only my love for bringing beauty into your home but my hills and valleys as well. Everything Lupus stole from me as a woman my blog was restoring allowing me the willingness to change and grow in this new season of my life. I wanted readers to know the woman behind writing a post each week. As I shared coastal and rustic vignettes in our home I journaled my thoughts to connect and reach out to the heart of every reader. Salvage Dior became a part of me like a baby that I nurtured and cared for. Each week I would answer emails of others who were living trial under fire searching for hope and encouragement. I found myself crying, praying and cheering for each one as they inspired me through their story. Salvage Dior began to render unto me an unexpected change that would blossom in the deepest part of my heart. When the illness began to place physical limitations upon me I enlisted the help of my husband Robert whom I lovingly refer to as Mr. Dior to help me bring my home decor projects to the blog. As a team we brought forth the woman I thought I had lost among the ashes of this illness. My readers have embraced Mr. Dior as well and this has become our perfect fit.









Thank you, Kate for being my guest today!  Please go visit her blog Salvage Dior, then hop over to Kris's blog to read more about Janet from Shabbyfufu!
Have a great day :)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

"Home Sweet Home" Holiday 2013 Part 2



Good morning, everyone!  In my last post I shared with you some holiday pictures from my (and my mom's) shop Home Sweet Home.

Here is the second batch of pictures from the shop-the elves have been at work again!  Enjoy!





































That concludes the tour of our little shop...now if I can just get those elves to start working at my house!!  ;)

Have a wonderful day!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

'Home Sweet Home' Holiday 2013



Hi, everyone!  I hope you're having a great weekend!

Most of you know that my mom and I own a small 'recycled home goods' shop called Home Sweet Home.

Santa's elves were busy at the shop this past week, so I thought I'd show you some of their work!

There's so many photos that I'll just share half today and the other half later this week.  Enjoy!

















































I hope that you enjoyed this little tour of our shop...thanks so much for stopping by!  :)


Friday, November 15, 2013

Saturday Spotlight: Becky from Timewashed

Hi, everyone!  Myself and Kris (Junk Chic Cottage) wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been
 done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Kris's and my blog. 

This week I'm happy to welcome Becky from Timewashed!  Kris and I are big fans of Becky's style and her talent!  She not only has a beautiful blog, but she also has an Etsy shop that showcases her fabulous handmade creations!  She also has a weekly linky party, Blissful Whites Wednesday, where you can find inspirational photos and blogs featuring the 'shabby white style' of decor.
Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Becky better!


I was tickled to accept the invitation to be featured in the Saturday Spotlight!  Thanks so much, Susan and Kris!!

How fun is this?  Susan said I should tell you some things about myself...here goes!!!

First and foremost, I am a follower of Jesus.  He fashions my days, and puts joy in my heart!  He is my strength when I am weak, He is my place of refuge when I'm afraid or weary, and I'm quite certain my picture is on His refrigerator!!  After all,  He is my biggest fan!!  Just doesn't get any cooler than that!





I am a wife of 34 years, married to my absolute perfect match!  I call him "the cream in my coffee".  {"My Hunk" is his pet name} He truly completes me!  We are blessed with 4 fabulous daughters {and yes they really are fabulous!} ranging in age from 15 to 32.  Three of them are married, and are mommies to our four grand daughters!  Just haven't managed to get a boy in the mix yet...except for 3 awesome sons in law, and a dog!  That first grandson will be so totally spoiled by all of us girls!! 





I love to create...it's like breathing for me!  I got some wonderful genes from my Mom.  In addition to being the best Mom anyone could ask for, she was soooo talented and giving.  She went to be with Jesus in 2004, and I miss her so very much.  She didn't get to see me open my shop, but I know she would be so thrilled for me.  She cheered me on constantly, always telling me how wonderful everything I did was.  I wish everyone could have a Mom like her.  If I could only be half the Mom she was, I'd still be an incredible Mom!!





love the beach, being outdoors, riding my bike, that first cup of coffee in the morning, candlelight, smooth jazz, and I don't feel right if I am not creating.  It is just in my blood.  At 55, I still have rather high aspirations for things I'd like to accomplish before I leave earth!  You know, kind of a creative bucket list.  I want to draw, learn to paint with watercolors, develop lettering techniques, finish the quilt that is in my bottom drawer!!  {shhh...it's been there for...hmmm 23 years!!}  I WILL finish it one day...just need some instruction!  






My biggest goal is to have my own brick and mortar shoppe...a special place with a lovely space in the back for women to sit and share and chat, have coffee or a soda, and dream together.  A special place, filled with wonderful, well loved and used furniture pieces that are full of character, and warm your heart as you see each one.  There will be old and new made using old things...my favorite things like wonderful vintage linen, vintage buttons, all manner of this and that.   To envision the vibe I want, think of You've Got Mail, and The Shop Around the Corner.  See...you have warm fuzzies now, right???





One day...it will happen!  Can't wait!!  What are some of your goals and dreams? 

Thank you Susan and Kris!  This was great!!

Thank you, Becky, for sharing more with us!  (I have no doubt that someday you will own that shop of your dreams!)
Please visit Becky at Timewashed, then head over to Kris's blog to read about Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique! 
Thanks for stopping by :)