Pay It Forward Winners

by | Nov 14, 2010 | All

I have to admit to you that I was a little nervous thinking about choosing five winners out of all the amazing women who entered.   I remember how I felt when I was just starting out and someone featured my blog. I was so thankful…I felt so blessed. I...

The Last Glimpse of Fall

by | Nov 11, 2010 | All

All the leaves are gone now. The beautiful colors of fall have now led to our first snow. I was recently asked to take some family photos of our neighbors.   We were lucky enough to catch some of the last colors of fall in this shoot. (He posed himself…how...

The Found and Made Collection

by | Nov 8, 2010 | All

One of the best parts about my creative life is watching other creative women soar! I count one of my blessings is having such inspiring and encouraging friends. It is always my pleasure when I can encourage them right back. Jennifer Rizzo is one of THE most creative...

Think Outside The {Fashion} Box

by | Nov 4, 2010 | All

It is easy to walk into a store like Anthropologie and want to buy everything in site….even when your wallet is empty. The music, scent, art, lighting, vintage statement pieces…and that is even before you see the clothes, shoes, tea towels and bedding....

Young Love

by | Nov 2, 2010 | All

I grew up in a really small, rural town. When I was young we would head to the Ben Franklin and buy the gum cigarettes. Neither of my parents smoked so I don't even know why we thought it was cool. So, here I was around 10 walking around town blowing candy dust...

Pay It Forward

by | Oct 31, 2010 | All

When I was just starting out I was so blessed by many women that had gone before me and they gave me their knowledge so willingly and openly. When I would come across someone that didn't want to share information ( I am not talking about a trade secret ..just...

Scouting It Out {With My Sidekick}

by | Oct 29, 2010 | All

  Last week Benjamin and I took a little walk to scout out a location for a family photo shoot I was doing.   Sometimes I don't realize how little time Kelly and I get alone with each of them. When we have that time alone with one of the children I...

Best Caramel Corn…EVER

by | Oct 26, 2010 | All

OK…before you see the weirdest photo of me I would like to explain. I don't know if it will do any good but I want to try! Last year when I went to Brave Girl Camp they made the most awesome caramel corn. SERIOUSLY AMAZING!!! I made it a few times around...

A Shout Out and a Winner

by | Oct 25, 2010 | All

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly amazing women. One of the many benefits of this creative world I have the privilege of being a part of is watching everyone's creative journey. Every once in awhile I want to introduce you to my creative friends...

Shop Talk

by | Oct 22, 2010 | All

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

by | Oct 20, 2010 | All, Travel

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...

Sneak Peek

by | Oct 17, 2010 | All

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

by | Oct 14, 2010 | All, Travel

  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...

Seconds Please

by | Sep 28, 2010 | All

  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

by | Sep 26, 2010 | All, Travel

  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}

by | Sep 24, 2010 | All, Travel

  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}

by | Sep 21, 2010 | All, Travel

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}

by | Sep 19, 2010 | All, Travel

  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

by | Sep 17, 2010 | All

  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}

by | Sep 15, 2010 | All, Travel

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

by | Sep 13, 2010 | All

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...

We Are Family…..

by | Sep 9, 2010 | All

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

by | Sep 7, 2010 | All

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

by | Sep 5, 2010 | All, Travel

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

by | Sep 4, 2010 | All, Travel

  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

by | Sep 1, 2010 | All, Travel

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

by | Aug 27, 2010 | All

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

by | Aug 25, 2010 | All

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

by | Aug 23, 2010 | All

    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

by | Aug 20, 2010 | All, Travel

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}

by | Aug 19, 2010 | All, Travel

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

by | Aug 18, 2010 | All

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

by | Aug 11, 2010 | All, Travel

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}

by | Aug 8, 2010 | All, Travel

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

by | Aug 6, 2010 | All

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}

by | Aug 5, 2010 | All, Travel

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}

by | Aug 4, 2010 | All, Travel

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}

by | Aug 3, 2010 | All, Travel

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...