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...

{Day One}

by | Aug 1, 2010 | All, Travel

(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...

Up With The Sun

by | Jul 30, 2010 | All, Travel

I put my head on my pillow at 12:30 am and fell asleep instantly.  To my surprise I was WIDE awake at 3:15 am. I tried and tried to get back to sleep but truth be told I was too excited.I was anxious for the sun to rise so I could step outside and begin...

Pure Exhaustion

by | Jul 29, 2010 | All

(The amazing view that first night as the sun was beginning to set)Here I am back at home and slowly getting used to the time change.As I am unpacking my suitcases, unwrapping all my vintage treasures, kissing my children, doing laundry and catching up with friends...

Adieu Mes Amis

by | Jul 14, 2010 | All, Travel

  (image found HERE)Well, it is finally here!I leave for France on Friday.There were so many things I was going to do and learn before the trip.Do you do that?I swore I was going to truly learn French….that did not happen.I know a few things but where did...

To Health With You

by | Jul 13, 2010 | All

"Today I begin a journey. I awake, put one foot in front of the other. Uncertain of what lies beyond the doorway, I take a step of faith and I walk out my life… step by step, day by day, until I build a collection of days that add up to a life well lived....

A Good Way To Get A Tan

by | Jul 11, 2010 | All

Saturday morning was flea market day.If you remember last month you will know that I woke up to pouring rain.The sound of birds chirping at 5 am was a pleasant change this time.My husband and I packed up the truck.He thought I would need to make two trips but I...

Facelift Friday

by | Jul 9, 2010 | All

Good morning girls! I seriously feel like I am in overdrive. There are so many things going on. I have the flea market tomorrow and I need to pack the truck up EARLY! After the flea market I will only have SIX MORE DAYS UNTIL I LEAVE FOR FRANCE. I still have things to...

Packed Weekend

by | Jul 6, 2010 | All

It has been crazy busy around here lately.On Friday I drove with the kids to Ft. Collins to meet up with my friend Courtney.Courtney was on a house hunting trip with her mom and her beautiful daughter.I have known Courtney since I was little.  We both grew up in...

Facelift Friday

by | Jul 2, 2010 | All

I’m baacccckkkkkk! I have to say…this little Friday thing has me working on things I have been meaning to do for awhile now. This project was super simple and EASY. I have been wanting to take my cabinet (that I keep my china and some of my ironstone) and...

Strong

by | Jun 30, 2010 | All

When you spend so many years not feeling well you can forget how amazing it is to feel good!The past two months I have not experienced almost any of the health issues I have struggled with for the past eight years.I feel healthy. I feel energized I feel focused.I feel...

Secret Mission

by | Jun 29, 2010 | All

My husband travels a lot.We are very used to his schedule at this point.When he first started traveling more he once mentioned that he would often look for us at the top of the escalators hoping we would be waiting with all the other people.I have traveled more this...

Easy Like Sunday Morning

by | Jun 28, 2010 | All

When I was little I was constantly making up plays, "sewing" purses with the stapler and rounding up the children in the neighborhood to play school.I also learned to be very resourceful. My mom would never buy the plastic high heel dress up shoes….so...

Facelift Friday

by | Jun 25, 2010 | All

For the rest of the summer I will be having Facelift Friday. Every Friday I will share an easy project that will cost next to nothing. I have so many projects that I want to accomplish and so many of them are just like things here and there waiting for my attention....

Get Yourself Some

by | Jun 23, 2010 | All

Through the weekend everything in my shop has been marked down if it is IN STOCK and ready to ship. Custom orders are not on sale.Come on over and get yourself some linen messenger bags, mixed media art, custom journal or even a pretty linen dress. Through this...