I have to admit something to all of you.

I am not a girly-girl.

Maybe I am...I don't know. But yesterday, I was not.

I was climing through piles of old junk...getting dirty and loving every minute of it.

It was one of the most fabulous, fun days I have had in a long time! I am happy down to my toes today...and it is all thanks to a whole lotta JUNK and a drafty old 6-story warehouse!

I love how the men in the place are in awe of a girl that loves junk. A girl with french-tip nails, and a super-cute bag on her shoulder, that is. At first they always think I am going to require their "help"...I just thank them and continue on with my digging.

As most of us do, I have an adgenda every day of my life. A long list of "to-dos". I work too much...usually 6-7 days a week...sometimes 8 depending on how many orders I have go get done that week. Did I ever tell you I have my own little business painting furniture?...I really need to do a post about it sometime. Oh, and we build furniture, too. Out of salvaged materials...and I love, love, love it! I don't sell those pieces at my shows...usually I sell those to stores...but this year I think I may bring some and see how it goes.

Yesterday, I needed a break from my paintbrush. We were just spending too much time together lately. So I headed out for a little inspiration at my favorite architectural salvage warehouse.

Did you know you can find beauties like this at a salvage yard??

 The building iteself was incredible. It is a beautiful old thing from the 1800s. Exposed brick walls...old creaky wood floors...floor to ceiling windows. In its prime it was a factory for millwork. They had photos on the walls. Some of the most incredible fireplace mantles, doors and mouldings came out of that place. As I looked around at all the reclaimed goods I couldn't help but wonder if some had found their way "home" again. 

 I saw chippy, layered paint...thick beveled glass...and some of the most stunning doorknobs I have ever laid eyes on! As I am typing this...I can't help but wonder if I am the only person that has ever used 'stunning' and 'doorknobs' in the same sentence.


There were old wavy-glass windows as far as the eye could see. And old ornate ceiling tin...it was everywhere! Stacks and stacks of it! There was one room dedicated to sinks, toilets and bathtubs. Seriously, even the toilets and sinks were beautiful back in the day!

If you have a place like this in your area YOU MUST VISIT!

You never know what you might find! I brought home old keys, antique hardware for my furniture, a fabulous mirror. a couple chandeliers and loads of doors and windows! Oh, and 2 English Ironstone pitchers now have a permenant home in my kitchen, too! When the weather gets a bit warmer I am going to build a few armoires with those old doors, so I will be sure to keep you posted!

I'm off for another day with the paintbrush...

Happy Friday!

I seem to be on a roll this week in the shopping department!

Yesterday I started my day with a trip to Target...one of my favorite places on this plantet by the way...and came out with $39 worth of groceries for $14.06! Did you know you can go onto Targets website...print their grocery coupons and then combine them with manufacturer's coupons?? If you didn't, I am hear to tell you...yes you can! I only bought what I had coupons for, but they were items I usually buy each week anyway. But that is truly another post. I could write a book on the whole coupon thing. I love the game of saving a buck.

Speaking of saving a buck...I love decorating my house...and don't mind admitting I am totally cheap about it, too! After Target I paid a visit to a couple of the thrift stores I missed the other day. Tuesday is half-off day at a couple of my favorites...so of course I was there when the doors opened! Here is what I found...I hate it that I can't make my pictures larger, so click on them if you want to get up-close-and-personal.

You may remember me talking about the wire baskets in Monday's post. The one where the owner thinks I am some poor stupid girl that can only afford or want the cheap junk the store doesn't see as 'valuable'. Fine by me...and I am not about to tell him there are a whole bunch of us that actually love it! After I made my purchase, I had to ask him about these wire baskets I saw sitting in a curtained-off area. (A tip from me to you...ALWAYS peek in the area behind a curtain. That is where they keep the new stuff!) He said they were not worth making a tag for...and that I could have them! Thank you Mr. Rather Condescending...I will take you up on that!

This one is going in my new studio work space. I think it will be perfect for rolls of vintage wallpaper!

I was sad to hear Kasey is bidding her online store, Lola B's Boutique adieux.

Kasey and I met a couple of years ago at the show where I sell in the summer months. She has a good soul. And there is nothing better than a girl that has a sharp eye for all things vintage!

So pay her a little visit, leave her a kind word or two...and you may even be one of 3 lucky people to win some of her gorgeous boutique goodies!

As a business owner, I know how hard it can be to keep up with...well...everything! To constantly stay fresh, and on top of what is new and exciting. That is a full time job itself. So I cannot help but applaud her. This door is closing, at least for a little while, but I know many more are going to open up for her.

She is amazingly talented...so I know wonderful things are just around the corner for her!

Wish her well...and good luck...if you win...let me know what loveliness was in the box!

I need to find a therapy group. One that deals with OED...Obsessive Etsy Disorder. I can't get enough.

My mailman and I are on a first name basis. I leave cookies for him in my mailbox. He is on my Christmas card list. All because he is at my door all too often bringing me cute little Priority Mail boxes. This can't be normal.

Here is the source of today's love affair...thought I would spread that love.

I am a simple girl. You won't catch me wearing a lot of accessories...but I would looooooove to find one of these in my stocking this year.

It is gray. It is a tote. 2 of my favorite things on this planet. Enough said.

I want one.

I should not be showing these to you...because I want to buy them for myself. And once you see them,  you are all going to want them, too. They are just so darn cute! And in my book,  you can never had enough vintage white pitchers. I have to say that...because I have collected about 96 of them. See. I do need therapy.

Just doing my part to support small business. A very big part. Hope you are doing the same this season!

I have a love-hate relationship with Ikea. I love their vignettes as you walk through the store. I love how their furnishings look in a photo. I love their prices. But the quality...not so much. But today I have a little restored love for Ikea...I this found on the Ikea Sweden's website...

Everyday people can post photos of how they decorate for the season. Some info may have been lost in translation, but I believe the idea was to showcase how Ikea plays a part in your Holiday decor. These are some of my favorites...and now I think I am heading to my closest Ikea to see what I can find to make my home look this fabulous!

Enjoy...

I am soooo making a mirror like this for my hallway. Love it.

Dear Rachel,

You have made me a very happy girl today.

Sincerely, Mary