Shop Talk

I get a regular stream of emails asking questions about running a small business, Etsy and other shop questions so I thought it was time to have a post every once in awhile about….The Shop. One of the things that has always been important to me as a shop owner...

Eyes Wide Open

Because I have been so busy getting the new line out I have not had a chance to share with you about Brave Girl Camp. If you have been following my blog for awhile you know that I went to BGC a year ago and what an amazing impact it had on me. You can read about last...

The New Collection

I am so happy to finally show you what we have been working on for months. This new collection already has already gotten a wonderful response!!! To celebrate the new collection, The French Brocante, I would like to have a little giveaway. I will be giving away a...

Sneak Peek

Tomorrow at 8 am MST my new collection, The French Brocante, will be available. I can't wait to show you!!  

Not What You Are Expecting

  I know you are probably waiting for my post on Brave Girl Camp. Sorry…I haven't even uploaded the photos.  Serious. You are probably waiting to see a little sneak peek of my new line coming on MONDAY:-) Sorry…that would require me being...

Right Now

listening: the music from my blog eating: nothing drinking: hours old latte from Starbucks wearing: pajama pants, tank and a sweatshirt…hot! feeling: content weather: cool fall evening wanting: all my Brave Girl sisters around me needing: to finish my winter...

My Love Story {Part One}

My love story began like so many….in a bar:-) OK…it was a restaurant too…which my mom always likes to remind people. I was sitting at the bar with some girlfriends. The most handsome of boys walked in with a group of people. I leaned over to my...

Na-Da Barn Sale

  If you live in the Chicago area I encourage you to take a drive this weekend and enjoy the prettiest of barn sales. My friend Anne Marie will be having her annual barn sale with talented vendors from around the area. Everything Anne Marie does is so full of...

The Little Things

These are the little things that are making me smile today…   Quick project in the kitchen.  I took the door off and sewed this little linen curtain to go in its place.  I loved the idea so much when I saw it in this beautiful lady's...

Under The Stars

One of our favorite things to do at the end of summer is to have an outdoor movie night. Last year our rainy and cold September didn't allow us to have one.   This year Benjamin wanted an outdoor movie night for his birthday party. (Benjamin getting his glow...

Le Papier Studio Giveaway

When I knew that my friend Vana Chupp's new book was out I was so excited for her! Her taste is exquisite!! The first thing I ever ordered from her was a set of cards with the silhouette of all three of my children on it. Everyone that ever received one of these...

Seconds Please

  I was reading my friend’s blog and came across this recipe and knew I had to try it. With all my allergies if I find something that is “clean” for me to eat and it looks this good 🙂 I am anxious to make it my own. My children are good sports...

A Little Midwest Stroll

  There are few things that I miss from growing up in the Midwest as much as the trees! Trees that provided us endless hiding places and shade throughout the hot summers.   Trees that painted the hills with the most gorgeous colors in the fall.  ...

Paris {the flea market}

  When I was making plans to go to the south of France I couldn't imagine coming all that way and not spending a little time in Paris. I really wanted to make sure my time in Paris overlapped with the flea markets. When I dreamed of coming to France I truly...

Fresh Off The Farm {The Depot}

While Kelly, Benjamin and I would sleep in every morning…..Jack and Madolyn would wake up early and go with Grandpa to get coffee and donuts at "The Depot." The Depot is just the local gas station in town (VERY SMALL TOWN) that has a cafe and grocery...

Fresh Off The Farm {coming home}

  Every year we travel back to Illinois to spend a few weeks at my parent's farm. This is a place of pure joy for my children! I didn't grow up here.   When my parents told me four years ago that they were going to sell the house I grew up in...

Out To Dry

  I grew up in a small town in rural Illinois. I walked to school, to my dad's office in town and everyone knew us (that can be good and bad). Every home was different. There were no subdivisions or track homes. Most yards had a clothesline. All summer we...

Paris { the first evening}

It was hard saying goodbye to the Chateau and all of the amazing people we had met. Jackie, Rachel, Anne, Alexis, Chantal and I headed to the train station for our (long) trip to Paris. Alexis and Chantal would be catching a flight the next morning. Anne was staying...

End of Summer Clearance

Everything that is left in my shop from the summer collection is currently on CLEARANCE.   Help me clean out my shop and make room for all the wonderful new items coming in my winter collection….The French Brocante! The closer and closer I get to unveiling...

Time To Date Again

 An average day is from the moment I wake up I am already thinking of all that NEEDS to be done. Clothes are waiting to go into the washer and waiting to be folded from the dryer. The children are waiting for breakfast. Dishes are waiting to be emptied from the...

We Are Family…..

I got all my sisters with me We are family Get up everybody and sing I hope this song now is stuck in your head for the rest of the day! Every year Maddy and I have a back to school shopping trip/sleep over to celebrate the start of school. Our big shopping trip with...

Going, Going, Gone

I interrupt Franceapalooza for a life update. I had to show this cute boy.   He won't be four for a few more weeks and he just learned how to ride his bike without training wheels. That's right….we build them really cool around here! This same...

Quiet Excitment

As our time in Montauban was nearing an end we all rested in the courtyard enjoying a cafe au lait and sharing our treasures we had found that day. This was always one of my favorite times of the day when I could see all the amazing vintage finds that each woman had...

Au revoir

  As my time in the south of France was coming to a close I tried to breath in the details that I was afraid of forgetting. Would I remember…really remember…what it was like? Would I remember the people, architecture, foods?  Would I be able to...

French Countryside

Most of us live such a busy life. I feel like our schedule is slower and easier because we homeschool but I wish I could slow it down even more. I admire many of my friends that also have the joy and privilege of owning land, animals and growing so much of what their...

Coming Soon To a Target Near You

I have to stay away from Target.I go in for hand wash and leave poor.I don't know how this happens.Seriously!I plead the fifth.I don't even know why I go through the clothes because that dang Converse line gets me every time.How can you turn this down for...

I Would Like You To Meet

I love the magazine section at Barnes and Noble. I love bringing home a big pile of new mags and curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and drooling over the pages.Unfortunately, so many of the magazines I used to adore have closed their doors this past year.Like so...

Full Wallet

    I love this title because believe me….after France my wallet is ANYTHING but full!Now..I can't let a little thing like money keep me from fall fashion:-)OK..I can.If you are anything like me you don't go and buy a whole new fall...

Sunflowers

Day Five was a bit overcast and rainy for most of the morning.I loved the cooler air and even though the rain changed our plans I loved seeing France through the rain.The afternoon sun came out and gave me the opportunity to head back out and take some photos of the...

{Day Five}

It had rained all night.At times hard and at other times a soft, consistent rain that is so soothing.The day was supposed to start with a 90 minute walk into the next town through sunflower fields and the French countryside.The rain changed our plans.   ...

It Is Almost Time

I have been a little MIA this past week or so because we have had family in town.I will share photos soon…so much fun and wonderful to catch up with everyone.It is almost time for my Winter Collection and before I reveal it at the end of September I wanted to...

In The Details

I love the details.It is the details in life that I love and it is in the details that I believe you find the true beauty.Not perfection…details.The dimples on my son's cheeks.The sound of my husband's breathing next to me at night.How Benjamin's...

{Day 4…..Part II}

After our morning woading vintage and new linens we were greeted with a beautiful tea. Luckily my new friend Alexis and I were the first to notice the table and all the gorgeous china and we were quickly taking photos before anyone else arrived. Even as I look at all...

Facelift Friday

I had to show you a few of the goodies I brought home from France and how I have incorporated them into our home. Don’t you love pretty things from a trip that add to your home and you get to look at them everyday…..and remember your amazing...

{Day Four….Part I}

Day four was full of fun at the chateau.Our previous days were packed full of gorgeous villages and brocantes.It was nice to stay put the whole day on this magical property.I may never get to say again that I stayed in a chateau…might as well talk about it a lot...

{Day Three}

Day three began with an omelet with hollandaise sauce and fresh herbs.(I may be missing the food more than anything else)After breakfast we headed to Cordes-sur-Ciel. It is a medieval village built on a hill. It was incredible to walk these cobblestone streets and...

{Day 2}

Day two began with creating in the art barn. This is in a beautiful building only 30 yards away from the chateau.  The barn has been completely renovated and I love that they kept the original beams.We were able to make bracelets and necklaces with...

{Day One}

(My friend Alexis with her dreamy hat from Paris.  I was hoping the whole trip to find one just like it)You have already seen the beautiful chateau and morning I was excited to capture that first morning in Auty.  After an amazing breakfast served in the...