By the Sea....

I took a few early morning moments (when the sunlight is best for capturing pictures) to take a few snap shots of some of my favorite "beach" items and vignettes throughout our home. The shutter in the above photo (which I fell in love with because of its color) has since been moved to my living room - why oh why didn't I buy them both when I had the chance?

I bought this adorable table at a charming little shop called Counting Sheep while we were out one day for a Sunday afternoon drive. See what I mean about the shutter.... looks great here as well.....if only I had its twin...

I know.... the white board needs something written on it - but.... I misplaced the dry marker and I refuse to write on it with anything permanent.

I bought the "Beach House" sign a while back from Cheryl's shop. Take the time to check out her blog (My Whimsical Victorian Chic Cottage ) .... you'll be glad you did!

This was once a simple straw wreath that I transformed by wrapping it in lace and gluing on buttons and sea shells.

This sailboat print is a new addition - it was the bead board background look that sold me.

This is one of my favorite candles, and again....when will I ever learn to buy more than one of something I love!?!?

Brimfield Antique Show

Because we went on the last day of the show, we didn't come home with much - most of the items I wanted had the dreaded red sold tag taunting me in the face!! :)

We did of course, have a great time browsing and snapping pictures....

This potting bench was made by the same gentleman that made the bench I bought at Brimfield's May show (see my post of May 15 )

Love, love, love this seat that actually folds down when not in use. I'm on a quest to find one for my bench. Any leads would be SO appreciated!!

Turning a frown upside down....

I was vacationing on Cape Cod this weekend and on Sunday morning took a drive to a local gift shop only to find they didn't open for another two hours!! Full of disappointment, I put on my pouty face and headed back to my car.....

It was then I realized I had my camera with me so I took the opportunity to meander around the front porch of The Potted Geranium - snapping pictures and reclaiming my smile! :)

A Floor Lamp Before and After....

Before.....floral shade and cream colored base

I first cut off the floral material - leaving the white lining intact

Next I tore some white muslin material into approximately 1" x 6" strips and tied three each onto each spine

To the bottom edge I hot glued some vintage trim that I purchased a few months ago. I was short by about a 1/2" but with the shade adjusted just so....the "bald spot" is hidden in the back!

I stamped a strip of muslin with some French script and hot glued it to the top of the shade

Lastly....I sprayed the lamp base a flat white and "voila"! my floor lamp is back in my good graces! :)

Happy Father's Day to My Awesome Dad!

~ His name is George and he'll be 85 in September ~

~ Father of 5 daughters, 3 grand daughters and 1 great-grand daughter ~

~ Husband of Anna for 55 years ~

~ 20 year Navy Veteran: served in WWII, The Korean War and Vietnam ~

- Is proud to be an American

- Tony Bennett and Patsy Cline make him swoon

- Loves vacationing on Cape Cod

- Makes any dance partner look like Ginger Rodgers

- Has a soft spot for Boston Terriers

- Prefers his beer in a warm glass

- Tells a joke with perfect comedic timing

- Sings "God Bless America" louder than Kate Smith

- His fried smelts and homemade cocktail sauce are to-die-for

- Never missed a day of work in his life

- Has the proud distinction of having laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier

- When I show him this post he'll shed tears of pride and joy! :)

Thanks to My Dear Aunt Freida....

for sending me a box full of wonderful linens, lace, doilies, placemats and napkins. Because of her thoughtfulness and generosity, I was able to finally make some use of an old shabby tea kettle I had purchased some time ago.

Thanks also to Sandi at A Cottage Muse where I bought this oh so pretty Paris tag and old key

Such a sad little tea kettle before its makeover

and just look at all the beautiful materials I have left to work with.... my mind is spinning with ideas!

White Wednesday

Simply because it's too much fun to be left out......I snapped a picture of this dainty little hook and tea towel that I bought over the weekend just so I'd at least have something to share on White Wednesday !!!

There's plenty of life left in these...

I think the charm in these candlesticks is knowing that they were well used. When I picked them up at the Wrentham Country Store they were covered in green wax drippings and as you can tell by the charred tops, they saw a lot of burn time. To clean the drippings off, I put the candlesticks in the freezer for a half hour, took them out and with just my fingernail popped off all the hardened wax.

I shined up the mirrors, added fluted crystal bobeches with crystal prisms and a couple of white tapers.

I'd like to think that the hint of green you see in the picture above is patina but I'm more inclined to believe it's dye from the green candle wax. Pretty just the same...

White Wednesday

For my fourth joining of Kathleen's White Wednesday I thought I'd share a picture of my dream dining room. I love that this room is so big that it allows for not one but two chandeliers, huge mirrors and a table that comfortably seats eight!! The fact that it's white plays a small part as well.... :)

I wish I could remember where I got this image from because I'd certainly love to give credit where credit is due.

White Wednesday

I'm here for my 3rd joining of White Wednesday.... which pales in comparison to the 50th! for the creator (Kathleen of Faded Charm) of this fun post idea that's caught on like wild fire!!

I purchased this dresser mirror (the beveled glass sold me) in its original oak finish a number of years ago when I was "into" natural woods. For a long while it sat in my basement collecting dust. Then.....when the tides turned and white became my passion, it was promptly painted.....along with anything else I could get my hands on!

Hanging it right side up just didn't look right so as you can see....I hung it upside down. Because the room it's hanging in has an ocean-like theme...I added a ribbon strung with sand dollars and star fish to complete the look.