Sharing My Heart

Hi, everyone!  I'm veering away from my normal posts today to share something on my heart.

Last week and this past weekend it seemed that everything went wrong.  A series of 'mishaps'-a minor car incident/accident, our basement flooding, a serious fire at my parents' rental property, being sick, and some relationship 'drama'- left me feeling hurt and bitter, bringing me face to face with some of my attitudes and feelings that I'm not proud of.

It's so easy in this blog world of picture-perfect homes and families to forget that everyone has their own struggles.  That we never really know what hurtful or painful situations another person is going through.

So as I struggled with these issues I had to remind myself that I am human, not perfect, and I am not alone.

I prayed and decided that if God can forgive, so can I.  I can forgive others and especially myself.

I decided that we all need to be a little kinder to each other, and again, to ourselves.

And I decided to be thankful!

Because beyond these short-sighted circumstances, I am incredibly blessed!

I hope this encourages you if you're dealing with some less-than-desirable situation right now.

Or even if you're not, then maybe you can reach out and encourage someone else!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope that you have a wonderful day :)

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! :)

Goodbye Pumpkins, Hello Birdcage

Hi, everyone!  I was ready to say 'goodbye' to my cute pumpkins that I've had out for awhile in my living room, but not quite ready to start on my Christmas decor.  This is the fall vignette that I had under my barn wood shelf (which you can read about here)...

So I rummaged around in my basement, and decided to bring this rusty metal birdcage out of storage.

I shopped around my house again, and put together a little display.  I knew that I wanted to use my sweet tiny Madonna, so I started there...

 I laid down a piece of grassy moss, added a boxwood topiary...

...a shabby wicker bottle, and a few zinc pots laid on their sides...

...to form this simple vignette.

Here's the entire shelf and birdcage...

I pretty much kept the shelf displayed as it was, filled with small treasures...

And here's a view looking toward the hallway and my stack of suitcases...

It's kinda of leaning toward a spring look, but I figured that it's classic enough to get away with until I'm ready to haul out the Christmas goodies!

How 'bout you?  Ready to start decorating for Christmas yet?

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! :)

I'm sharing at these great blogs:   A Stroll Thru Life
                                                  Cozy Little House
                                                  Savvy Southern Style
                                                  Lavender Garden Cottage
                                                  Timewashed
                                                  Knick of Time
                                                  Ivy and Elephants
                                                  No Minimalist Here
                                                  Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olsen

There's a New Man (Cat) in Town

Hi, everyone!  Hope you're having a good weekend!
I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to our family!

Most of you know that about 2 months ago we lost our sweet cat Cole.  I wasn't even thinking of getting another cat when Keith texted me a pic of this little guy!

Unbeknownst to me, he had gone to Petsmart on his lunch hour and they had a pet rescue organization there with kitties.  He was immediately smitten with one 10 month old kitten and texted me pics with 'what do you think?'  Well, how could I say no to that little face?    So a couple of days later, we brought him home!
(I think the term for that is 'softies'-ha!)

Look at this next picture and see if you notice anything unusual...

He doesn't have a tail!
Apparently his breed is American Bobtail, and they don't have tails...which looks kinda weird!  What's also funny is that he looks a lot like our other cat,  Bob, before her ears 'fell'.   Now we have 2 little 'misfits'!  This is Bob...
(who many of you may remember from this post!)

On the way to pick him up we kept going over names and still hadn't decided on one.  (Get this:  the name on his cage was 'Lil Bob'!!  We certainly couldn't have 2 'Bobs'!)
We drove there in the rain, and right when we got there the sun came out and we saw this...

"Let's call him Rainbow" I said jokingly and Keith said "Well, how about just Bo?"  And we both liked it and thought it fit him, so that's his name! It was like a sign :)

As you can see he's VERY well fed now, and has made himself quite at home.

I'll admit that it's been a bit of an adjustment...we're used to older, calmer cats, and Bo is ALL kitten!  He has so much energy, and sometimes he's a handful, but overall he's a little sweetie.
(Although I don't think Bob is a big fan, yet.  Bo is infatuated with her and follows her around like a little shadow!)

Of course I still miss Cole, and I always will, but now there's a new little guy around to make us smile.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

Saturday Spotlight: Daniela from Frugal Ain't Cheap

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 I'm happy to introduce you to Daniela  from Frugal Ain't Cheap.  I may be a wee bit envious of Dani and all her 'skills'!   She does it all...she sews, she cooks, she makes things and posts her DIY projects...you get the idea!  (I tease her that she's the Italian Martha Stewart! :)  You'll always learn something new and interesting on her blog.  I'm just hoping to someday to be treated to one of her fabulous Italian meals-lol!

Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Daniela better!

Thank you Susan for having me.

I am Daniela from Frugal Ain't Cheap.

I love projects that are made from either free, recycled or used stuff, keeping my budget to a minimum, not necessarily because I need to, but because I want to. 

It challenges my creativity and it's just a great way to make the most of what I already own.

I was born and raised in Northern Italy, by 100% Italian parents, 

and moved to US in my late teens to go to College. 

I put myself through (Private) College by working anywhere between 40 to 60 hours a week, while being a full time student and keeping up with my grades. 

My undergraduate degree was in Interior Design/Art, followed by a Master of Science in Education.

I have always considered myself a well rounded person. 

Not necessarily one with the smartest IQ, 

I really am an average person, 

but I believe that hard work and great work ethic is a wonderful way of life.
A few "fun" facts about myself:

I just recently (8 months ago) got addicted to running 

(don't ask me how, I used to think runners were crazy...now I joined the team).
Planning on running my first full marathon in April...26.2miles all in one time.

I play both violin and piano.

I speak (and understand) a handful of languages, but I will say I am fluent in only 2: Italian and English.

I have lived in Europe (Italy) and spent few months in West Africa, where I volunteered in an Orphanage and women's Shelter. 

I have been in the US of A for 15 years now...all spent in the South. 

What can I say, I love biscuits and gravy.
(Although pizza has a special place in my heart).

If you are one of my followers, you already know that I love to cook and I love to use power tools, not at the same time. That would be interesting and make me VERY unique.

I enjoy doing pretty much anything with my hands and I am a visual learner 100%. 
I am married to this cutie,

 and I have been a stay at home mom since our first child was born. I recently started homeschool with our oldest. 

Somehow, I still manage to find time to let my creativity roll. 

Which is very important for my sanity.

I started Frugal Ain't Cheap blog to keep track of my projects and recipes...both on a small budget.

Thanks for reading, and thank you Susan for having me today on your LOVELY blog!!

Stay Frugal,
Daniela

Daniela, thank you so much for sharing more of your story with us!  Please visit her at Frugal Ain't Cheap, then head over to Kris's blog to read more about Sherry from Thrift My House.
Have a great day! :)

Fall in the Hall

(Thank you to A Stroll Thru Life for featuring this post!)

Hello, everyone!  Hope you're enjoying a great weekend!

I've got another fall vignette to show you.  I always keep my seasonal decor pretty simple, so I just added some small fall touches to the hallway. (To see this area before, go here.)

I found these little twig pumpkins at an antique show last weekend, and the burlap one came from TJ Maxx.
I gathered them in an old market basket, and added the .75 price tag.

About a week ago Keith took me to a charming little town about an hour from us.  This fall arrangement in one of the shops immediately captured my heart...metal bucket? great rusty patina? wheat bundle?  Sold!

I grouped them together on the rustic shelving unit that's in the hall.

I just found this adorable sign at the shop next door to our shop.  I love it's rustic simplicity.  I hung it inside the chippy frame.

The giant clippers and no. 4 tin were already hanging on the wall-I just left them as is.

The bottom 2 shelves hold my banana crate and my 'Hams and Bacon' bin-2 of my favorite finds!

So there you have it...

A super simple fall vignette...

...added to the hallway.

Thanks for stopping by...have a wonderful day!

I'm sharing at these great blogs:  i should be mopping the floor
                                                Creative Home Expressions
                                                Dwellings (Amaze Me Monday)
                                                Cozy Little House
                                                A Stroll Thru Life
                                                Coastal Charm
                                                Knick of Time
                                                Ivy and Elephants
                                                We Call It Junkin
                                                Timewashed
                                                Have a Daily Cup of Mrs.Olsen
                                                From My Front Porch To Yours
                                                Common Ground

Saturday Spotlight: Sherry from No Minimalist Here

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. 

It's an honor to have Sherry from No Minimalist Here as my guest today!  Sherry's blog was one of the first that I started following when I discovered decor blogs.  I mean, her blog name alone had me hooked! :)
She has stunningly gorgeous style (her home pics are magazine-worthy!), a very successful blog, and hosts a weekly linky party.  Please sit back, relax, and enjoy getting to know Sherry better!

Hi everyone!

I am Sherry and I write the blog  No Minimalist Here.

  I am honored and excited to be included in Saturday Spotlight and a big thanks to Susan for inviting me.  

My husband and I recently sold our home in Virginia and moved to Florida to help take care of my 87 year old dad.  We are in the process of looking for a new home that works for the three of us.  Being a caregiver for an elderly parent has been challenging but I wouldn't trade this time for anything! 

My husband is the kindest and sweetest man that ever walked this earth and he has been my rock so many times in the last thirty three years.  His love and support during this difficult period has been amazing and I am so thankful to have this extraordinary man as my husband.

Below are pictures of our previous home.  I hope to be showing you photos of a new home very soon.

   

If a Designer walked into our house they would probably freak out.   You won't find any one style, but a mix of different styles that are a little "all over the  place".   Charles  Faudree is my favorite designer and I love the French  Country style, but I equally love coastal design.  Italian pottery is also a passion of mine and I adore transferware.

 Steve and I love to travel and we have been to some amazing places.   Our travels have greatly influenced my decorating style.  Instead of t-shirts or other souvenirs I always bring back a small painting or nice decorative piece for our home.

  

Decorating has been a passion for me as long as I can remember.  As a child I would constantly rearrange the furniture in our home, and the homes of my friends and family.
By age seven I was drawing floor plans, designing furniture and fabrics.  I would take my mother's fabric remnants and paint designs on them and she would make pillows for my room. 

This antique Olive Pot was one of my favorite finds.  It was an auction find and cost me $25.00!  A few days later I saw a similar pot at an antique shop for $325.

My favorite room in our previous house was the Morning Room.  This room is off the kitchen and I loved all the windows and light.

 My blog,  No Minimalist Here  is all about decorating on a budget and I strongly believe you can have a beautiful home without breaking the bank.

I hope you will drop by for a visit and follow along as I decorate our (soon to be) new home.

Susan,  thanks so much for the feature! 

Sherry, thank you so much for sharing with us!  Please visit her blog No Minimalist Here, then hop over to Kris's blog to read about Marty from A Stroll Thru Life.