Monday, October 1, 2012

~Rustic Romance~



~Autumn is here..The kids are back in school..I have been flea marketing and on-line shopping..I wanted to share some of my romantic finds with you..This lovely placemat above was purchased on Etsy..I adore the hand done stencil..So charming..I am going to piece it into a pillow or frame it in an old chippy frame..

 This lovely apron was found in a gift shop..I fell in love with the mix of floral fabrics..And I adore ruffles..I have a lovely old hook I will be placing it on..This one is way too pretty to spill anything on..I have others..; )..

The gorgeous bench was found at the flea market..It was painted this antique white..It has a touch of pink on it..A true steal at $25.00..Yes..You read this correctly..I could not believe my eyes when I looked at the tag..I am going to have a cushion made for it..Burlap and barkcloth I think..I love the idea of pairing this on one side of a farm table with chairs around the rest of the table..I enjoy mixing rustic pieces into my decor..It adds a sense of history to your home..As the months go on I will be sharing my vintage finds and bargains with you..I hope you are inspired and will let me know what treasures mean something to you..Until next time..Make it romantic & beautiful..xo..
Karen~

~Autumn Romantica~


I adore Autumn..The chill in the air,wearing sweaters and my signature crochet ponchos
& shawls, spending more time baking..I am not into the traditional fall colors..Oranges & yellows are not favorite's..I still prefer my whites, creams, light browns, & muted pinks..I bought some fairytale pumpkins and white gourds the other day. I covered some of them with my vintage lace crochet doilies.I love to make even items from nature look more romantic..

 Until next time..Enjoy the lovely fall weather..Make your time beautiful & romantic..xo..Karen~

Monday, July 2, 2012

~Pretty Finds for Summertime~

~I spend my Saturday mornings browsing thrift shops, church shops, and yard sales..I look for vintage treasures that tell a story and speak to my romantic soul..I found this beautiful prayer plate this past weekend..The pink carnations and the faded patina immediately caught my eye..The pink summery fabric will be dressing up my kitchen window..I love the open crochet detail..I will capture my beautiful finds in their new setting and share them with you soon..I am looking to make things fresh, light and even more romantic..



Summer for me is about enjoying nature, flowers, picnics on a pretty day, and decorating with pretty vintage finds that grace my home with  romance and whimsy ..I hope you are enjoying the start of your summer..Make it beautiful & romantic in all the ways that make you feel inspired and happy..xo..
Karen~

Monday, May 21, 2012

~Feeling Blue~



~I am a pink girl at heart..My mom was always the blue person..I found a set of vintage blue Ball jars at an estate sale a few weeks back..I adore the color..Paired with pink roses..it's delicious..I love the Shabby Chic style..so this color combo is not new to me..I enjoy mixing pinks, greens and blues..They make me happy..The colors of nature..Perfect to me..I wanted to share my find with all of you..Until next time..Have a beautiful & romantic week..xoxo..~
Karen~

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

~Enchanted White~

~I adore shades of white..They are serene & romantic..The mosaic above was created with captures of some of my lovely vintage finds..Creamy white hydrangeas were placed within the vignettes to add a touch of nature..Now that spring has arrived.. I feel inspired by the fresh air..I love nothing more than my antique white lace flowing at the windows..Placing fresh flowers in french canning jars & vintage ball jars ..For me white is refined & elegant..Pairing white linen & lace with vintage silver, antique iron work, and flowers is a throw away chic approach to a time worn but timeless style..One that for me..creates a lovely , graceful , & beautiful mood through out my home..Until next time..Have a beautiful & romantic rest of the week..xo..
Karen~ 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

~Romantic Reflections..~

~When I was a young girl I could often be found puttering about in my mothers garden..I loved nature..flowers..butterflies..the rain ..Spring time was my favorite..We had these beautuful pink Magnolia trees by our home..I would climb the blooming branches ,surrounded by pink blossoms, their sweet perfume lingering heavy in the air surrounding me.. I would daydream ..I loved wearing  pretty dresses, my mother would always have my hair up or in braids..We would hang freshly washed laundry on the clothesline..I loved seeing my mother's lacey slips flowing in the breeze..She ONLY wore dresses..She would make us tea and would read poetry..Some days she would let me stay home from school...We would have tea parties and watch old movies..Audrey & Grace seemed like elegant girlfriends to me..I have many fond memories of baking with mom in our kitchen.. Her white Sunbeam mixer resting upon an old white enamel  topped hoosier cabinet with clear glass knobs..We would bake delicious cookies and breads..gather flowers from the garden ,sip tea and play records.. I grew up in the seventies..Chenille bedspreads graced every bed,vinyl records played on the record player..I had a pen pal from another country, I read Judy Blume, sung in the church choir,  loved shopping at the 5 & Dime, bagging up penny candy at the drugstore,,browsing through Tiger Beat and Seventeen magazines, & drinking fountain soda's at the counter..I am an old fashioned kind of girl..Only 45..But I adore tradition and the memories of my childhood that I hold within me..My mom and I often reflect back upon those lovely romantic days..I thank her for those beautiful times..She taught me so many lessons.. She gave me my appreciation for  nature's beauty..For gardening,baking,music, poetry,home making & decorating, my passion..I often tell mom she was Shabby Chic before Shabby Chic was founded..We didn't have a lot of money.. but you cannot buy life lessons taught by a mother to her daughter..Lessons I am now teaching my own two daughters Devin & Lauren..My memories as a girl are priceless ..and have helped to shape me into the woman I am today..A precious heirloom given as a gift to me by my mother..Because of her gift,I am always looking for the beauty that each day holds..From the gentle petals of a flower..to the radio playing a favorite old tune..A table set with vintage china...the smell of fresh baked cookies & bread..Memories that transport me back to a more simple time..Where a girl I used to know would dream about her life through the branches of a pink Magnolia tree..That girl is me..And always will be..Thank you momma...Until next time..Have a beautiful & romantic day...xo..Karen~