:: antlers, shells, & eggs

I chose this shot to share today because I liked the contrast between light & dark. 

This is also a shot of what's on the coffee table in my library/great room. 

I love apothecary jars and I change out the contents of this one seasonally. 

Right now I have all of my shells in it, in the fall....probably pinecones. 

The candle holder is on of my favorites, and I have it filled with quail eggs...

I love those precious little eggs.   

I'm going for a naturalist/antiquities vibe in this room, and I love nature. 

It's fun to find things from the outdoors to add to my room. 

The antlers are real, I can't remember if my they were my father's or my husbands, 

we do eat what we hunt {we are carnivores....sorry to any non carnivores out there}. 

The books are both thrift store finds, I love the illustrations in the gnome book....

and well....birds are always a favorite subject for me.

Just playing around with angles in this shot, but you get a little sneak peek at a little more of the room here. 

I just love glass and apothecary jars....did I mention that already?

Well, today is the last free day before school starts, and we have a few things on the agenda today. 

The big thing though is the installation of Direct TV. 

My hubs is so happy, he's geared up for all the football he can {and I} can handle. 

Good thing he has a man cave...or else I might go a little CrAzY. 

Bad news is that I may be without internet for a few days while we make the switch. 

Thursday & Friday will be a little crazy anyway with the first day of school, 

and a church consignment sale for me. 

I hope to see you again soon though....stay tuned.

Have an awesome week : )

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: our neck of the woods

Hello friends, I have been totally awol in the last week. I've tried and tried to get here to visit but it just hasn't seemed to work out. Even now I really should be doing something else. The summer is coming to a close here, and we have our first school open house tonight. I can't believe school starts in a couple of days. This time is always a little stressful for me because I feel a great need to get everything in order around my home in preparation for the first day of school. Does anyone else feel like me? I really don't want to start things out on a chaotic note....that just wouldn't be fair to the kids or me {right?.}. The truth of the matter is that it will be much easier to tackle all of my projects when it's just me in the house again, so I may just have to smooth things over until I can really get in and tackle my list of to do's. For heaven's sake, I still have mountains of laundry to do...some of it from our vacation...how bad is that?.

Well anyway, I thought I would snap a few pics of my home this week to share with you. If you are like me you love to see what other people do with their homes. For me personally I'm finally feeling comfortable enough with my home to really share it....the good...the bad....and the ugly. I'm trying to embrace my own style and realize that my home doesn't have to look perfect, or follow the current trends, my home is a place for me and my family and we are the ones who must love it. That said, my style and taste is always evolving, my house may stay the same in big ways, but I love make small changes whenever I can. It's the small inexpensive changes that keep me from getting completely bored. The photo above is what's on my coffee table in our library/family room right now. I'll share more glimpses throughout the week, so I hope you'll come back to visit our neck of the woods.

Hope you are having a wonderful week : )

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

:: no place like home

I don't know about you, but for this ol' bird there is no place like home.

I had a wonderful time on Oak Island with my family this past week.

I felt the sand between my toes, the salt on my skin & in my hair,

did I mention the sand between my toes....the sand in my bed,

the sand on the floors....the sand....the sand...the sand.

I don't think I make a very good surfer girl.

Now, my hubs and my kids....that's a different story.

Every year my kids are ready to pack up and move to the coast full time,

and for a little while I actually entertain the idea.

I think of waking up each morning to the lulling sound of waves crashing on the seashore,

beautiful sunrises, and long walks on the beach...then I remember the sand, and the salt air...

and for heavens sake my HAIR {ha, just kidding, that's what hats are for right.?!}.

I tease, I tease....I really do love the beach.

I love watching my kids frolicking in the waves...

I very much enjoy watching my handsome hubby emerge from the surf.

I love perching under my umbrella with a good book in hand 

soaking up the sun, fun and good times.

So thank you Lord for giving my family such a perfect week at the shore,

and for every glorious piece of sand between my toes & everywhere else.

Until next year....

It's good to be HOME.

* peace, love & hugs *

Carrie

:: guest post : vintage kitchens

Hi all! Iím Jennifer and I write for Arcadian Lighting. I've been writing about home decor since graduating from college and loved it ever since. I'm addicted to patterned fabrics, Jonathan Adler, chaise lounges, old doors, milk glass jars, antiques, and more.

One of the most important ingredients in creating a recipe for a stylish vintage kitchen are the light fixtures - whether it's a retro ceiling light or an old-fashioned wall sconce, a great lighting fixture can really complete the look of a themed space.†Here are some vintage kitchens to love.

A cup of classic country

Elle Decor (via)

What makes this kitchen retro-inspired are the metallic pendant lights, open range and round-back black wicker chairs, all very reminiscent of the 1950s.

A dash of diner blue

The Lennoxx (via)

A soft shade of turquoise gives this spacious eatery a decidedly vintage feel - the light fixture has an outdoor lantern look, while the lattice chairs add great dimension to the room.

A pinch of mint green

Mostaza Seed (via)

Give a clean white vintage kitchen a pop of color like creamy mint green. Ceiling lights hung over a white table with retro metal chairs pull double-duty as a work and eating space.

Mix in some detailing

Decorating Ideas Guide (via)

A room such as this one, with architectural detailing as far as the eye can see, creates a wonderfully balanced look. The hardware, wicker baskets and wood†countertops†add to the dated style.

Stir in some signage

Chic Deco (via)

Want to give a kitchen vintage flair? Hang a sign like this beautiful embossed antique. A single pendant light acts as a spotlight when hung overhead.

A small cup of style

Naturally Me (via)

A cozier kitchen doesn't have to be any less stunning than a larger one - this quaint vignette has pale blue cabinetry as well as colourful dinnerware and cookware that act as retro accessories.

A pint of pastels

Cellar Door (via)

The fun part of vintage kitchens is that there are no rules when it comes to colour, so why stop at one when several can be used? What's not to love about this kitchenette with pinks, greens, blues, and purples?

An ounce of openness

Decorating Ideas Guide (via)

A fabulous kitchen outfitted with open shelving and ample workspaces is a chef's dream - we love the old-fashioned stove and oversized farm sink.

Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!

Thank you so much Jennifer for putting together such a lovely post on vintage kitchens and awesome lighting options.

I know I've seen several fixtures I could love in my kitchen...How about you?

Well friends I must say goodbye for now as I'm off to enjoy some much needed vacation time with my family. I was planning to take my computer to post away while I was gone...but my children begged me not to, and well you know the kids win. I'll fill you in on all the fun when I return. Have a fantastic week.

*peace, love & hugs*

Carrie

:: love your wood

Do you have wooden utensils like these?

Are they healthy & glowing?

Well, below is a photo of mine before they had a nice little oil massage yesterday.

Don't they look dry and unhappy?

Well the solution to the problem was quite inexpensive.

I simply purchased some inexpensive mineral oil from the pharmacy section of my local Target.

I compared the cost for the wood oil in the kitchen section, which is exactly the same thing by the way...

nothing but 100% mineral oil at $6.00 a small bottle compared to my $1.60 something for much more.

I gathered up all of my wooden kitchen goodies like this vintage rolling pin,

and got to work giving them a good coating with a clean dry cloth.

I let them sit a few minutes to absorb the oil, then I just buffed them a bit with another dry cloth.

Here they are all happy and moisturized, don't they look so much better?

They must feel quite happy that they are no longer neglected & sad looking.

All it took was a little time & elbow grease and they look & feel good as new.

I also had a happy accident { knocking over the bottle }

which resulted in my kitchen table getting a makeover as well.

Here it is before, also sad, dry and splotchy...see how dull the finish is.

Now look how refreshed and smooth she looks.

I simply waxed on & waxed off a'la Karate Kid.

What do you think? Improved?

Have you loved your wood lately?

*peace, love & hugs*

Carrie

:: thrifty treasures

I don't know about you,

but I haven't been able to go thrifting much these days.

Luckily....well....not really....but kinda,

I had to take my van in to be repaired the other day.

Here's where the lucky part comes in, instead of waiting in an

uncomfortable dealership waiting area, 

I was able to cross the street to my favorite thrift store.

Unfortunately this is it's new home across town...

it's a little out of the way for me now,

buuuuttt...it is my favorite so it'll be worth the extra effort.

Here are a few of the goodies I picked up while I spent about 1 1/2 hours there

while waiting for my van. I thought after a while they might even put me to work,

or at least charge me for taking up all of the space behind the counter with my goodies.

Here goes...

I'm in love with this find, a very nice dried lavender arrangement in a great metal container.

Cost for me $20.00, original cost according to the tag $269.00

Can you say major SCORE.

YEEE.

How about this adorable vintage glass lamp....isn't the combination of aqua & clear glass lovely.

How about this gorgeous vintage brooch in aquas and greens.

I love this vintage Sarah Coventry necklace, isn't that design so cool & different.

These old glass insulators are the coolest, one is from Lynchburg, 

and the other Hemingray....wherever that is.

Love that aqua glass...how pretty were power lines back then.

Then I found these pretty depression era custard dishes 

made by Glasbake "pat." May 27, 1911.

A lovely hand painted vintage compact, isn't this sweet.

I also found this lovely vintage pattern.  I really love the style of this dress,

and though I don't sew I think I'll have to commission someone to make one for me.

Anyone out there?

Now, that's all of the vintage goodies I found,

but I'm not always just looking for vintage.

I look for supplies, and sometimes I look for clothing as well.

I am a thrifty girl after all, I find no shame in re-using & recycling clothing.

In fact, some of my favorite pieces are thrift store finds.

Nothing makes me happier than finding a great piece for a steal.

It was my lucky day, because all clothing was half price...

and I had nothing but time to kill.

First I found some supplies, a couple of old knobs for 10 cents a piece, 

then a whole glad container full of these curtain hooks for $1.00.

I have plans for both of these items in the future.

 

Oh, and did I mention how much I love books & reading?

I couldn't leave without this one...I'm really looking forward to reading 

it while sitting on the beach all next week { weather permitting }.

I think I'll find lots of good inspiration and wisdom in this book...

Love the title.

Okay, so back to clothing...

I'm just going to show you some of the details that made me choose each piece.

  

The pink top is Anne Taylor, and I love the lace & velvet detail, it's super soft and long sleeved.

The brown top is Liz Claiborne, and I love the little ruffles on the sleeves & collar also super soft.

The cute floral skirt is Gap, and look at that sweet trim, I love the soft yellow color too. 

Aside from the wrinkles in this skirt, I'm loving the pretty floral on white background,

the skirt is mostly white so not too much of this pattern. Skirt is IZOD.

No closet is complete without one go with anything denim skirt, 

and this one from Ralph Lauren is going to come in handy this fall.

I might even pair it with this lovely pink & green button down 

when I'm feeling extra preppy { also Ralph Lauren }

 I think I even have some cute grass green flats to finish it out.

Oh, and one more vintage find...

this great vintage slip,

I'm dying over the cute pleating and lace details,

the hemline is ruffle-y and gorgeous.

Oooh, I almost forgot the one thing every woman loves...

because it's the one thing that always fits...

Shoes.

Blue Suede Shoes to be exact.

Pretty, sexy, peep toe blue suede shoes...

Okay, are you still with me?

I know that was a lot of stuff huh.

Like I said it is my favorite Thrift Store...

Now you know why.

*peace, love & hugs*

Carrie

:: sedums & blackberry jam

I'm loving my Autumn Joy Sedums right now.

They are hitting their full growth cycle, 

and mine are even starting to bloom.

I see them everywhere, and I'm so attracted to them.

It's so funny how my taste in plants changes over time,

I used to not really like them that much, but now I think they are perfect.

I love their structure, and the color of the foliage, 

and those bloom heads... simply gorgeous don't you think.

So as you can see I spent the morning in my gardens,

I've been up since 5:30am, and it was lovely to be in the gardens at sunrise.

First I took Miss Libby Lu for a long walk, then I took little Mister Hamilton,

then it was back inside to grab my camera and catch the beauty of my gardens.

When I was done with all of the weeding & watering,

I came inside to enjoy my morning coffee from my new coffee bar : ).

I also spoiled myself with an indulgent treat for breakfast this morning.

Homemade Blackberry Jam

MMMMmmmmmmmm

Delish

Look at that gorgeous color,

notice anything else?

Yep, it's pretty near empty....

Oh but it was so delicious.

Good to the very last bite,

but now I'm sad that it's all gone.

See what a little piggy I am.

Hope you are having a beautiful morning too.

Remember to take time to smell the flowers.

*peace, love & hugs*

Carrie

:: home coffee bar

I'm so excited to share my new coffee bar with you.

I found this really great shelf at Hobby Lobby 

and I knew instantly it would be perfect here.

I also knew exactly what I wanted to do with it.

So, here it is in all it's glory....my new coffee bar....I love it.

I love the height it adds to this side of my kitchen,

and I love the retro industrial look of the shelf.

I simply pulled out my white coffee mugs & saucers

to fill the awesome wire baskets and hang from the hooks.

I had a small collection of vintage coffee pots looking for a home

so I added them along with my letter E...glad to finally have some display space.

When the kids go back to school this fall I will be painting the red walls,

I think it's going to look even better against the new light walls.

I think I may also paint the chest a nice gray color

and add some really cute vintage knobs.

What do you think?

I'm also trying to decide on one of these new coffee makers.

I'll save my old one for parties & get togethers.

I'm really leaning to the one on the left

it had the best reviews and its 14 cups.

I would love to see a fancy schmancy

stainless steel espresso machine on my bar,

but the reality is that I would be too lazy to use it,

if it came with a barista that would be a different story.

So what do you think of my coffee bar?

If you have one of these coffee makers and love it

or hate it I would love to know.

Sorry for the not so great photos,

I can't find my tripod thingy for my camera.

Well, now you know what I'll be doing the rest of the day...

searching....scouring....scrounging....

for that thingy.

Happy Monday 

{ peace, love & hugs }

Carrie