Sunday, September 30, 2007

We were blessed to have this year's Country Living Fair within driving distance to us! So that's what we did yesterday! As we approched the grounds where the event was to be held, this is what we saw (below)...... If we didn't already live in the country, I think I would have been tempted to move there!
Right before we turned down the long drive, these autumn-colored banners left no doubt we had come to the right place!

In true Country Living fashion, even the gates at the entry had been adorned with simple buckets of flowers.
This is the GORGEOUS house on the grounds. It wasn't actually part of the fair itself, but it certainly added to the country feel!
But oh, we weren't really THERE yet! We still had to wait in this loooooooooong line to get in!
Was it worth it? Read the next post down to see!

Ah, we have arrived at the fair...... look at the neat old vehicle we drove...... -- okay, this was really part of the decor near the gate, but isn't it cool? As soon as we entered, we were greeted by this pyramid of autumn fruits and flowers -- the yellow one, front and center, had been surface-carved with "Country Living Fair".
This is the first booth we stopped at, which happened to be one of shabby chicness.....

Oh, I wanted that GORGEOUS peachy-pink barkcoth fabric that you see hung up on the right, but it was just part of their pretty display!

The booth pictured below was another favorite. Outside of it was this great old birdcage that they had adorned with old fair ribbons in yummy faded colors. Inside the booth were lots of glittery handmade treasures, and some items from FRENCH GENERAL!
A pretty old pink quilt, but they were pricey! Hard for this avid yard-saler to pay $200 for something like this, so I didn't! :)
This old doll was cute, but she looked kind of lonely there by herself. I wonder if the rest of her doll sisters had been sold already?
Of course, the Farm Chicks were there!! That's them on the left. They were busy talking, so I didn't get a better photo of them, but it was still fun to see them!

This is a photo from a cooking demonstration. We only stayed long enough to snap the pictures; I'd rather shop than cook! ;)
Most of the booths were more country prim/rustic than how most of my home is decorated. My family room and downstairs bath are really the only country prim rooms I have...... Lots of neat fall things though, that really go well with that color scheme.

Believe it or not, I did not buy one thing! Had I known at the beginning that the few shabby chic booths I saw were the only ones, I might have bought something, but I was pacing myself! I especially wish I would have bought something at the one that had French General items. But alas, it was too far too walk all the way back at the end of the day.

Nonetheless, It was a fun experience, and I am glad we went! Hope you enjoyed *coming along* with us through these photos!




Friday, September 28, 2007

AMY

Just want to give a special hello today to my friend Amy of Four Sisters in a Cottage. I think most of you are probably familiar with dear Amy, but if not, please read her story on her blog. Amy is one of the most special people I *know*. I first got to know Amy when I made a purchase from her lovely shoppe. I could tell right away what a sweet and kind person she is.

Recently, I won a gift certificate to Amy's Shoppe. With all she's going through with beating this cancer, she is still thinking of giving to others. Amy knows I like to craft/create, so she offered to make up a special "goodie box" for me to use my certificate. Well, it arrived the other day, and it was CHOCK-FULL of wonderful treasures!! That's just the kind of generous and thoughtful person Amy is. Here are some of the goodies:


Vintage pages from a children's book, and she made sure the page is the bluebird one. It says "A bluebird is a pretty bird." Isn't that the sweetest thing?



She also included a vintage Valentine that features bluebirds!

And these cute little Christmas girls in pink and cream....... which will definitely be featured in my home this Christmas! Also some beautiful old rose prints!
Here is the bride doll that was one of my first purchases from Amy........ And this beautiful vintage cloth on the library table (under the photos) I discovered in Amy's shoppe as well.
It's a blessing to have blogging friends like Amy, to share common interests with -- her shoppe is among my favorites, and it's always a fun day when she announces she's added new goodies there (which I hear will be soon -- I can hardly wait)!

She's fun, talented, courageous, honest, inspiring...... It's truly a joy to know you, Amy! :)

Thursday, September 27, 2007

My Greatest Blessings.....


I was taking a trip down memory lane yesterday; this is my favorite photo of the boys from our wedding day. Thought I'd share with you what they look like now........ please pardon the fact that Andrew's picture is cropped -- the picture was taken with a girl that is NOT now his current girlfriend, so of course we couldn't leave her in the photo!! ;)


Thank you for the anniversary wishes! Some of you have asked to see more pictures of our wedding -- Those of you who are newer to my blog have probably not seen the photos I shared on our anniversary last year...... Just click on September 2006 archives; I shared a week's worth of wedding photos, beginning on Sept. 19!
We had an outdoor garden wedding -- and there are closeups of my PINK dress!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Nine years ago today, I wed my very own Prince Charming!! He's at work tonight, but we have a day together planned for Saturday in celebration. (yes, that's a pink wedding dress I'm wearing! :)

P.S. Thanks soooooooooooo much for all the wonderful comments on our living room. I truly enjoyed sharing it with you all, and what fun it was looking at everyone else's homes too! As one of you said, it was like a free magazine! :)
A big thanks to Karla for hosting this event!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

One of my favorite areas of our home is our living room....... I actually refer to this style as Romantic Chic........

A bird in a chippy cage shares his home with a cherub and roses......
A vintage bowl holds some equally vintage gold Christmas beads.....

Cherubs and candles, among my favorite romantic touches....
A library table, refinished years ago by my sweet dad, holds silver and gold-framed treasured photos of loved ones..... .......including an anniversary photo of my Dad and Mom and a favorite picture of Brad, while a gilded birdcage is an unexpected touch atop a candleholder........ Open drawers on a remade dresser are perfect nesting places for birds, flowers, vintage rose plates, and lace.......
Old ornate golden and white frames adorn the walls, while miniature mannequins show off their lacy finery......
Pink and sage green are featured colors in this room, along with golden tones and creamy white......
A vintage postcard that I've framed peeks out from along the shelves, with lace pinned back with a cameo from days gone by.....

A vintage purse that I used as a "vase" for roses lace and pearls........ displayed beside other favorite treasures......

I love the soft romantic feel of this room; the peacefulness....... Thank you for visiting with me in our Romantic Chic living room!


Monday, September 24, 2007

As promised, more autumn decor...... this is in the dining room, which is a little more "shabby" and pastel toned than the living room with its gilded fruit and muted tones...... It still flows from room to room quite nicely though!


Be sure to stop by tomorrow, as I will be participating in Karla's "Show Us a Romantic Spot in Your Home", in honor of her home being in the latest Romantic Country!



Friday, September 21, 2007

A Little Tussy Mussy Fun!






I made these from the vintage wallpapers I bought from Karla.
I had so much fun creating these! I think I'm going to put these on my pink feather tree this year.