Friday, September 28, 2018

Tablescape for America's First Daughter

I love this tablescape.  It was so much fun to put together.  I also use it for July 4th celebration with our family. I also used it for last evening's Book Chick's book club meeting!  I even served vegetables in honor of Thomas Jefferson, with homemade corn bread, what else?

I purchased most of the items from Hobby Lobby and Michael's.  I had the buffalo red checked place mats from my Christmas stash. 


You will notice that I have the napkin holders on each plate but the napkins 
weren't completed for the this shot but you can see them further down.


I thought this wooden little girl made the table a hit since the book was about red headed 
Martha (Patsy) Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's first daughter.



Here you will see the striped napkins that I made just for this book club event.  I think the table turned out so cute.  Notice the flag straws!  I love to do fun tablescapes, don't you?

Goodwill Find - My New Lamp

I traveled to South Georgia last weekend for a girls weekend.  It was a lot of fun, and a lot of shopping!  Are you really surprised?  Well you shouldn't be! You know that part of being a woman is sometimes "Retail Therapy". 

My find at Goodwill surprised me as well!  I bought a lamp for $5.59.  It was a clay/pottery lamp and blue in color.  It had a stripe around the bottom showing the under part of the pottery.  Anyway, nothing was required but a lamp shade and a new finial.  So off to Hobby Lobby I went.

Here is the final look of the lamp.  I was very pleased and thought it was a super buy!




Here is where I placed the lamp on my desk!  I think it gives a great presentation!


Happy hunting ladies!

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Clean Den Decorating

Two weekends ago my husband and I painted our den Natural Tan one coat by Sherwin Williams. Even though I like the color and it did cover my sage green color on the walls, it gave a green tint after drying instead of a tan hue. So all to say we will have to paint again, however we went ahead and did a little more.

I made panels, not drapes for the one window in the room. They look pretty good. Since the window was near the bookcases there was not enough room for a full panel of drapes.

This is an older picture of the room before the decorating.  The mirror has been gone for a while, but you can see the paint color.  The paint color really needed to be updated.


First here is the fabric that I chose for the panels.  It is not the same particular pattern that is on the sofa but the identical color.  The pattern is a little different.  


The rings that I sewed onto the panels came from the Pottery Barn Outlet in Morrow, GA.  These were priced per box in the regular catalog at  66.00. They were marked down to $33.00 and then to $19.97.  I got them for 1/2 off of the $19.97 for $9.50 a box. There were 10 in a box so I used 5 on each panel.  What a steal.


In my sewing room you can see the pattern better. I loved it and you can't have too much!





 See the difference below in the pattern of my sofa and the pattern of the panels. So close that from the window to the sofa you won't be able to even tell, but it's OK if you do. 
You can also see the paint color of the den after it was finished.



Below is a pic of the french door in the back and I chose to put nothing on it.  
I think it lets in so much light and really like it.  


It's not a great picture of this window with the panels hung, but you can see how great they turned out.  The pole was one we had left over from my daughters decorating project and I had saved it.  We painted it black with the black finials.  I love how it reflects the other black items in the room.  


And below you can really see the panels and the room color.  I simply am so please with how it all turned out.  Soon and very soon the Mister of the house will be painting the backs of the bookcases, unless I find a great wallpaper to use in NAVY! That is to come. It really looks much bigger and I love the light it brings in.  


 Thanks for joining me in my endeavor.  It was a fun redo that needed to be done and so glad it is completed. Well almost!

Monday, June 11, 2018

Book Review: America's First Daughter


In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamole tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy
Taken from Goodreads

Authors :
Stephanie Dray is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women's fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year.  Before she became a novelist, she was a lawyer and a teacher. She lives near the nation's capital withher husband, cats and history books.
Taken from Goodreads

Laura Kamole is a New York Times, Wall Stree Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author.  Laura has always been facinated by the people, stories and physical presence of the past, which led her to a liftime of historical and archaeological study and training.  She holds a doctoral degree in early American history from the The College of William and Mary, has published two non-fiction books on early America and most recently held the position of Associate Professor of History at the U.S. Naval Academy before transitioning to a full-time career writing genre fiction.
Taken from Goodreads

My Review:

By far one of the best historical fiction books I have ever read.  The way that these two authors did their homework on Martha Jefferson Randolph (Patsy) and Thomas Jefferson was amazing.  They picked up on items such as a shaving kit that is there at Monticello and expounded on all details that it involved.  This was shown in many, many ways throughout the book.  It opened my eyes to ways of the colonial era and how fortuns of American Presidents were used to help the American people, by entertaining, supporting the cause of liberty and freedom, while also intertwined rightly  in setting slaves free. I loved this book!

Friday, June 1, 2018

Book Review: The Age of Desire

For fans of The Paris Wife, a sparkling glimpse into the life of Edith Wharton and the scandalous love affair that threatened her closest friendship. They say that behind every great man is a great woman. Behind Edith Wharton, there was Anna Bahlmann—her governess turned literary secretary and confidante. At the age of forty-five, despite her growing fame, Edith remains unfulfilled in a lonely, sexless marriage. Against all the rules of Gilded Age society, she falls in love with Morton Fullerton, a dashing young journalist. But their scandalous affair threatens everything in Edith’s life—especially her abiding ties to Anna.  At a moment of regained popularity for Wharton, Jennie Fields brilliantly interweaves Wharton’s real letters and diary entries with her fascinating, untold love story. Told through the points of view of both Edith and Anna, The Age of Desire transports readers to the golden days of Wharton’s turn-of-the century world and—like the recent bestseller The Chaperone—effortlessly re-creates the life of an unforgettable woman.
Taken from Goodreads

Author:
Jennie Fields
Jennie Fields received an MFA in creative writing from the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop and is the author of three other novels, Lily Beach, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry and The Middle Ages.  An Illinois native, she spent many years as an advertising creative director in New York and currently lives with her husband in Nashville, Tennessee.
Taken from jenniefields.com

My Review:
I enjoyed this book. This was a real glimpse as Goodreads suggested of her life and the love affair during a time when it would have been very scandalous for a woman to be involved in an affair if married.  The relationship with Anna Bahlmann her secretary was a strange one as Anna's moral values were surely obvious as she disapproved of Edith's affair.  Edith was really not too concerned about how Anna felt and later I believed maybe realized the facts.  You will enjoy the book if you enjoy reading about the wealthy and how they lived their lives in the 1930 era.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Book Review: Portrait of a Woman in White


France 1940. Nazi forces march towards Paris. Lilli Rosenswig’s wealthy and eccentric family is ensconced in their country chateau with their sumptuous collection of arts and antiques. The beloved Matisse PORTRAIT OF Lilli’s mother has been brought from their Paris salon for safety. It is the day before young lovers, Lilli and Paul are to be married that they are forced to flee and their fortunes change irrevocably. Lilli and her family escape but Paul must stay behind to defend their country. In their struggle to adapt to changing circumstances in an unpredictable world, all are pushed to reinvent themselves. When top Nazi, Herman Goring loots their Matisse portrait, their story is intertwined with the fate of the painting Portrait of a Woman in White. This is a moving family saga, an obsessive search for lost love and lost art and how far we will go to survive.

Author:
Susan Winkler
Susan is the author and has also written four editions of The Paris Shopping Companion. A former print journalist for Fairchild Publication in New York, she studied French literature at Bennington College (BA), Stanford University (MA),  L’Academine in Paris, and the University of Geneva, and has a lifelong interest in art. She lives in Portland Oregon with her family. You can also find Susan on Facebook and Goodreads.

My Review:
I loved this book. Even though this is historical fiction, it is a great look at how things must have occurred during WWII. I highly recommend this book to individuals or a book club. My book club, Book Chicks loved it. There was no one in our group that didn’t enjoy this book. Great questions for the group in the back of the book.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Foyer Light Fixture


Today I’m blogging about a new light fixture that we purchased last week from the Pottery Barn Outlet in Morrow, GA.  We have a new store outlet there and it seems to have a lot of furniture, but recently they bought in a lot of other items, such as lighting, rugs, lamps, and huge, huge boxes of other things such as bed linens, throws, down comforters, throw rugs, Christmas stockings, plates, dishes, etc.  

Anyway, my price was originally $249.00 and it was marked down to $149.97.  They had a sale and I got it 50% off of the lowest price for $59.00.  I was so excited because it's lead crystal. I called my hubby to come by and look at it with me.  I’ve learned a long time ago when it comes to electrical its best to have a set of eyes on it that know what they are looking at. 





This was the one he took down.  Look at the 1990 mess.





Here is the dining room light and I think the crystal matches the new hall way light very well.





The one below is in the living room and my foyer sits between the two rooms so I think the new one is a great blend of what I already have up.  Not that they always have to match, but I do like the cohesiveness of the three.


Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!  Go check out the Pottery Barn Outlet in Morrow!!! It's worth the trip.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Dressmaker's Ham - My Estate Sale Find

Last weekend I went to an estate sales in my neighborhood and found the most adorable little ironing board.  I know if must have been used by a dressmaker and needed to press cuffs and collars in her finishing process.  I was so excited since it truly looks homemade and very old. It will be great in my sewing room!


The sticker price on it was $8.00  and I got it half price on the last day of the sale.  Not a bad price for $4.00, all in the eyes of the beholder.


In 1858 the first real ironing board was patented which was an iron table.  Later they also included a removable press board used for sleeves and cuffs.  After further looking these miniature ironing boards were called "Tailor's Hams".  A dressmakers ham was a tightly stuffed pillow in the shape of a ham used as a mold  when pressing curves such as sleeves or collars. 

Here are a few pics of what I discovered.



 Notice that the one I purchased has four little legs attached to the base.  In my searching I didn't find one like mine, so can only assume it may be homemade.  The wood looks pretty worn, so who knows how old it is. 

Someone must have recovered it at some point and time.  I thought about taking the cover off but then to use it would have to pad it again.  Think I'll just leave it alone.

I also have an old ironing board like the one below that was given to me by my husband's mother.  It was her first ironing board I believe when she started housekeeping.  I know some of you have seen this one.



Fun to find something amusing in estate sales isn't it?  Happy hunting!


Thursday, February 8, 2018

Kim, Kathy & The Edgy Rug


Several weeks back, I believe it was actually Martin Luther King Day, I went shopping with 2 of my good friends, Kathy and Kim.  We had such a great day and seemed like we so enjoyed each other's company as we always do. We went to Woodstock Market Place.  We had such a great time that we left there at 12:30 and went to lunch and came back to finish, finally leaving around 5:00. 

But the reason for my post was Kim bought a rug at a great price.  It was really cute and looked like a Ballard Design print.  She has put it in her den and we all are crazy about it.  Seems that Kim has had some company for a couple of weeks and just now got around to putting it down.  Received the pics today and I think it's fabulous!  Kathy said it was "edgy".  Great word for a great rug.  See what you think.


 It's not quite as large as the rug that she previously had in the room but she has such pretty hardwood floors it would be a shame to not show some of them.  I love the size and actually prefer this size to the previous rug. 


While I've camped out here in this room, take a moment to notice the two poofs that she has near the fireplace.  I love those especially against the leather ottoman.  Such texture!


She and I found the column against the wall several years ago at Scott's Antique Market, another favorite place we like to wander. 

I just love going to Kim's house, it's not cluttered but very well decorated and put together so nicely in all these beautiful neutral colors. 

Thanks Kim for letting me share your space with blog land!

Please leave a comment on how you love this space, we would both like to hear from you out there. 

Thursday, February 1, 2018

My Stash Decorating Closet

For the last week I've been working on a closet that is in my husband's art room where he paints, draws, etc.  (I would use the closet in my sewing room, however, it has my sewing machines in it.)  His closet is a walk in closet and he only hangs his sports coats and suits in there.  So this is where I put my decorating stash.  Yes, I said it "my stash".  Its actually been there for years, but every time you went in you would stumble over my stuff.  So its all organized.  Here is a picture of the finished closet.



I know it must still look cluttered but my look on this end is really organized.  I purchased from Walmart a black 4 shelf rack for 39.99 and pushed it in the outside wall along the back.  I put all my candle holders on the bottom.  Each shelf hold 250 lbs. so it works nicely.  I have a basket for plates and glassware. 


Don't look too closely as I should have painted the closet first.  But on the left wall I have always hung Ziploc bags on nails to contain things like: plate hangers: small easels: lamp parts, I also hang wreaths there that I use with other decorations.  My Christmas decorations have a closet all their own so I don't have to store any of that in here.


This is the top shelf on the back wall and holds a lot of glass ware that I can reach easily.


This is the right  side of the closet as you enter.  It houses his jackets/suite and on the top shelf holds the larger items that are safe on the top shelf.  The closed is angled on this right side so I had to be careful what to put on that shelf that would fit nicely in the eaves of the house roof.


I hope the new year has gotten you excited also about organizing your areas of your home.  It sure does feel a lot better to walk in the closet and create a table setting easier than finding what I was looking for in a box under a box, under a box, you know what I mean.

Happy Organizing!!!


Monday, January 29, 2018

Visit to Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors

My husband and his best friend went to Bainbridge, GA on Friday for the
Rattlesnake Roundup.  Doesn't that sound like fun?  NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!

So that was a big incentive to have a "Girls Weekend".  Several of us spent the night with my best friend and played cards to the wee hours.  We got up Saturday morning and went to Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors in Alpharetta and Buford.  Yes, two antique stores in one day!  Plus visited my daughter's new home in Cumming.  Followed by dinner at Cheeky's Mexican in Avalon.
 
It was a great day with a lot of shopping.  We dreamed of the chocolate brownies at the house, so cards and brownies were in our thoughts as we headed home.  We had such a grand time together. 
We'll have to make it a bigger party next time and invite more friends!

I thought I would share a few of my purchases of the day especially since I got such good buys.

This was a steal at $28.00 from Pottery Barn. I used it last evening for an appetizer
and put cheeses, pears, and grapes on it.  Beautiful! You can't really tell how long it is but I would say 16 inches approximately


This deal was a new little garden tray that was finished so nicely I had to have it for my
spring table in the kitchen.  I'll have fun filling it up.



These are both beautiful and useful.  I collect the creamy white dishes and these will go great with what I already have.  They were not marked as a cream and sugar, but I purchased them to us as a pitcher and just put spoons in them.  I loved them and they had to come home with me.



 These German plates are Royal Copenhagen and my friend paid $100.00 each for her set of 5 back in the 70s.  These were in a half price booth for $19.00 each, so my $8.00 each was a STEAL.


Here is one of our friends who traveled with us.  She is from Texas and we thought this old burlap bag from Texas was kind of funny!  Marty was a great sport.


Below is the card showing the stores and their locations. I know they would appreciate a visit to check them out.  It was a great time and all the ladies that traveled with us agreed.  We have the Marietta store in mind for our next trip.  Stay tuned to our travels to come!


Friday, January 12, 2018

Annual Cookie Swap 2017

It's a little late to post Christmas, however we had so much fun at the Annual Cookie Swap at our friend, Kathy's home that I wanted to post all these pics for everyone to see.  It was so precious of Kathy to open her home as she has done for the last 4 or so years.  I started the swap years ago and we have moved it around to a lot of our friends hosting, but Kathy has seemed to really
enjoy having it and her house is so suited for all those ladies to come. 
Thank you Kathy for always being available to us!

Just a few pics of the ladies who attended. 


These ladies are also the ladies that attend the Fox Theater with us. 
We call ourselves "The Fox Ladies". 

Look at these beautiful cookies.  I believe Laura above baked these!


Below is a picture of all our cookies displayed for our cookie round that we play.
Usually we all line up and go around 3-4 times until all the cookies are gone.  Then we take them home in a beautiful cardboard box that our hostess provides. When I return home, I usually put each different kind of cookie in a Ziploc back as the cookies stored together all start to taste alike.  That way you have a great selection when you serve or eat.



 Kathy's beautiful white lit trees were certainly a pretty site for all those delicious cookies!


 The camera caught some of us by surprise!


 Look at that beautiful table she prepared for us.


 Look at this beautiful table in the dining room!  All those friends gathered to celebrate!



Most of these beautiful ladies below were the ones that attended the cookie swap, however this is our garden club picture that was at our Christmas Party in the home of
Dawn Davis earlier in the month of December.  She also is a wonderful hostess.



I know each of you had a wonderful Christmas and pray your new year 2018 will be a great one!

Next year consider a Cookie Swap with all your peeps!  It is always loads of fun.