Friday, November 8, 2013

Saturday Spotlight: Paula from Ivy and Elephants

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 our Spotlight is unique because Kris and I are featuring the same blog, Ivy and Elephants.  This  great blog is written by 2 sweet women,  Paula and Patti,  and Kris and I thought it would be fun to get to know both of them better.  Their blog is very interesting and informative, often highlighting their unusual collections, and they host a successful weekly linky party.
My guest today is Paula...please sit back, relax, and enjoy reading her 'story'!



Hello fellow bloggers, My name is Paula and I am one of the creative minds and souls of Ivy & Elephants. A few years back, my blog partner, Patti, had been following various blogs for quite some time. I had heard of blogging but simply was not interested in hearing about folks drama. I clearly was not educated on the diversity of blogs. Patti kept tell me about these "great blogs" she had discovered. She explained to me that there were people out in the world who loved antiques and vintage designs just as much, if not more so, as we did. This, of course, piqued my interest. So I sat down with her and she took me on a tour of blog after blog after blog. I could not close my mouth. I was simply amazed. She gave me a few blog URLs to take home to view. Over the next few weeks she would spoon feed me a few more blogs and I was absolutely hooked. I was introduced to world full of amazing people who unselfishly shared their passions and creativity. A new obsession was born.


After about six months of me being a blog voyeur we decided to partner up, design and develop a blog. It took six more months of researching, planning and designing. The first thing we did was create our mission and vision.

"We are Moms, dreamers, visionaries, and creators. Our love for all things vintage and Victorian is evident throughout our homes. We are passionate about our families, friends, food, and fabulous finds. We are Ivy & Elephants."


Memorial weekend of 2011, we launched Ivy and Elephants. Blogging came very natural and was very comfortable for me. I am a third generation educator, scientist, and have had the distinct pleasure of being a ranger for the National Park Service. So sharing my passion with people through story telling and history came very easy. 


The name of our blog actually came to me in a dream. Patti and I are sorority girls. Patti is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the beautiful ivy represents their organization.  I am a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. One of founders was fond of elephants and collected them. Needless to say, my home is filled with Indian and African Elephants.”


Victoria, B.C.

My husband is the love of my life. We met and fell in love in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He has been such an amazing supporter of our blog. He knows that on the days I have to post, he orders in dinner. I featured him in my Hooray for Bollywood post since he is my Bollywood prince. We discovered that we were unable to get pregnant, so my husband suggested that we adopt and so we did. I talk about my adoption journey on my Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice Too (A Mother's Day Story) post. 


My children are my whole world. Being a Mom is the best blessing I have ever received. The two of them love antiquing with us. The best part is antique dealers fall in love with them and give you discounts on items. It never fails. They both love antiquing and get a kick out of the history of items we chose. 



I have been around antiques my entire life. My great-grandmother was a Jewish socialite and collected amazing antiques as well as the latest fads of her day. She also loved  all the modern technology of the day. My mother and I have pretty much all of her and my grand-mother's furniture, jewelry, and tchotchkes. I featured her Philco television in my TV Land post.  

To me, antiques show the creativity and innovation of man (and woman of course). When I hold a piece in my hand, I think of the person who once owned it and feel that it is my responsibility to take care of it for the next generation to enjoy. 

So come on by Ivy & Elephants and share with us some things you like to collect and stories you like to tell.


xoxoxo
Paula

Thank you, Paula and Patti, for sharing with us!  Please stop over to their blog Ivy and Elephants, and also visit Kris's blog to read more about the other half of Ivy and Elephants, Patti.
Have a great day! :)



35 comments:

  1. Paula,
    So nice to meet you and learn more about you. I have talked many times with Patti and have gotten to know her better too. The two of you have a wonderful and creative blog thanks for sharing on our Spotlight feature.
    Kris

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  2. Paula,
    I was so happy to see you and Patti featured, and I liked learning more about you!! I'm glad you finally came around to blogging, because I adore your vintage glam style that you share. XOXO

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  3. It is always a delight visiting Ivy and Elephants, so it is good to see you here, and learn a little more about you. You have a gorgeous family, and I can well understand why the antique dealers fall in love with your children.

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  4. "I think of the person who once owned it and feel that it is my responsibility to take care of it for the next generation to enjoy." How beautifully worded is that!? Love Ivy and Elephants and the history and they share about their wonderful vintage pieces.

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  5. I so enjoy Ivy and Elephants and was interested to find out the meaning of the name. Such wonderful ladies--have always been so nice to me. Those kids are a couple of the most adorable kids ever. Enjoyed the post!

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  6. I am a follower of Ivy and Elephants and was interested to come over and read the story behind Paula and Patti. Nice idea

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  7. I am so thrilled and was so honored and touch that you and Kris would feature us on your Saturday Spotlight. Thank you so much! Stay blessed!

    Paula

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  8. I enjoyed reading both stories on Kris's blog and yours Susan! I too follow Paula and Patti! Thank you so much for sharing.Nice to see photos of there family :-)
    xx
    Anne

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  9. Paula and Patti are the loveliest women and they write such an interesting blog highlighting the most fantastic collections!
    Mary Alice

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  10. It was so much fun to read more about Paula from the Ivy & Elephants blog. I liked the story of how they came up with the name of their blog. I always wondered about it. Paula's children are beautiful! I think it's wonderful that she was able to have her family afterall.

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  11. So nice to read this interview and about the past that inspired Paula. Now I'll go visit Patti and their blog.
    Thank you!

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  12. Loved hearing all about the creative women behind Ivy & Elephants. I'm always amazed at their knowledge of their beautiful collections. Thanks Paula and Patti.

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  13. I loved reading this post about you, Paula. I knew most of it, but I had to laugh at using your cutie pie children for discounts. That is so funny. It's always interesting to see what you two ladies show us.

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  14. It's been so nice to follow Ivy @ Elephants. These ladies live in my neck of the woods and that's how I we met, over a mutual friend home. My fav post is the one she mentions here about the adoption story, what a blessing. So nice that you featured them.
    xxx
    Marlene

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  15. My eyes were glued to Paula and Pattis story about themselves! What adventurous and interesting women!! There blog is beautiful and I learn so much about antiques!! Paula and Patty are special to me in the blogging world....love their blog and they are first class beautiful ladies!

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  16. I enjoy their blog, and I had no idea it was written by two lovely women!

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  17. Thanks for featuring Ivy and Elephants! I'm a long-time follower of Patti and Paula's blog, and it's fun to read about Paula and get to know her better. What a great idea for a feature!

    Paula, you and your family are *gorgeous*

    xo,
    Ricki Jill

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  18. The first thing that attracted me to Paula and Patti's blog were the gorgeous vintage photos on strong, beautiful women (I assume from their family). I have followed ever since and enjoyed both features, getting to know these two dynamic, talented women! Great posts this week! Hugs, Leena

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  19. Paula! I had no idea that YOU were a teacher like Patti! Like I told her, I worked in a high school guidance office for 21 years and my husband was an industrial arts instructor there for 31 years. We adored working for a school system and miss it alot. :) I had fun learning more about you and seeing your pretty face, my friend! Thank you for sharing your family with us, too! ♥

    xoxo laurie

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  20. Paula...we have been friends for quite awhile and I loved hearing your story!! Now. I want to borrow your kids to go antiquing with, okay???

    Many hugs to both of you!

    XO,
    Jane

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  21. I never knew any of that, so this really was a get to know the blogger for me. I enjoyed it all and I say Patti and Paula need to give those two cute kids a monthly gig on Ivy & Elephants!

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  22. Double treat to get to know more about you both at the same time! You already know I'm a fan. My dad was a teacher, four of my grandkids are adopted and I've had a lifelong passion for antiques and preserving the past so you know I respect your values as well as loving your beautiful blog. Every single time I open a new post from you two, I go ahhhh.

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  23. so great to meet paula's family--such adorable children!! love your gorgeous blog, paula!

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  24. It's so nice to see Patti and learn more about her. What a beautiful gal and a lovely family! I truly enjoy Ivy & Elephants and all their gorgeous things! They are wonderful hostesses every week on their blog party too. Thank you for showcasing such fabulous women!

    Blessings, Edie Marie

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  25. I'm so glad that I discovered your lovely blog and truly enjoyed reading about its creation and your lives. My sister is an AKA (for almost fifty years) and I can't wait to send her your link to see. Your blog is awesome!

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  26. This is so great to learn more about Patti and Paula, they have created a beautiful blog and have equisite collections!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Feature: "House Proud"

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  27. What a wonderful story of how Patti and Paula's blogging came to be! Their blog is terrific!

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  28. I am so glad that you and Kris featured Patti and Paula. I follow Ivy and Elephants and through your great feature, I have learned so much more about them.

    Thanks - now I am off to their blog.

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  29. Great ladies with a great blog - thanks for sharing their stories to you & Kris both. Paula's family is adorable, including her!

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  30. It was fabulous reading about Paula. Ivy and Elephants is a favorite of mine. The ladies are amazing. I remember reading the post about the adoptions. The children are beautiful and look like they are absolutely blossoming. I was surprised to learn how the blog got its name. Thanks for featuring Paula.

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  31. I can't read about Paula stories - her own and the stories she creates for her "junk" - without feeling a flood of love and magic sweeping me away.
    So glad she brought me here. To know your amazing blog. What an Interesting World full of Lovely People we live in! Paula is one of the best :love: and all blessings she makes it sound so easy peasy were hard won battles that enrich and inspire many.
    Thank you for featuring her... them and Ivy and Elephants which is in fact the long-lost Aladin Cave :secret:

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  32. I was great to read the story behind Paula from Ivy & Elephants, and the blessings in her life.

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  33. Oh I love this post..I loved reading about Paula and her beautiful family…She has exquisite taste and such a great collection of antiques…and she must have learned so much from her "socialite grandmother"…and what a gorgeous place to fall in love, Victoria, BC…great feature today Susan!

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  34. Oh, fascinating, Paula! Ivy and Elephants I found early on in my own blogging career and I've watched these two wonderful ladies build a delightful and successful place with their blog.

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  35. What a wonderful feature on these two special ladies. I've been friends with them for a long time and look forward to the collections they share with us all. I've learned so much from them and had fun joining their party every week! Thanks for doing this so that we can know them even better! Hugs!

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