Sunday, March 28, 2010

My Girl

Just got home last night from a fabulous girls retreat hosted by the lovely Tiffany.  I took lots of pictures and have some great stories. Some of which are best not to share here, but that will be for another post.

I thought I would share a couple more pictures of my girl.

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Here she is looking happy and a little sun burnt painting at a school.

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Here is an awesome photo of her rappelling down a waterfall. It’s hard to see in this picture, but she is totally smiling.  We have a very large version on our screen saver and I love that she is smiling here.  Today is her last day in Costa Rica.  She will be flying home on Monday and I can’t wait to see her, hug her and hear all the wonderful stories she will have to share.

I promise to be back soon with pictures from the workshop and some vintage finds too.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Costa Rica

As I have mentioned a few times recently, my daughter is now on her Spring Break trip to Costa Rica.  We have only heard from her once since she left late Saturday night, but fortunately the good people at Costa Rican Resources have set up a blog and have been giving us families updates on their activities.  So far they have visited a volcano, spent some time at an orphanage for abandoned girls, played basketball and soccer with the locals, visited a coffee plantation and lots more. Yesterday they spent several hours building a recycling bin at a school and teaching the kids there about recycling. Here are some pictures I stole off the blog they set up.

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My girl is in the back row, second from the left.

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That’s her in the middle working on the bin.  She had to take something she could get paint on so I sent her in my Ixtapa t-shirt from my honeymoon 19 years ago. 

For the last two days they have been staying with a family in Costa Rica, but will be moving to a hotel today.  They still have a rafting trip, and zip lining to look forward to as well as a lot of other activities I’m sure.  I can’t wait to hear all about her trip. 

As part of this trip each student got a topic to do a report about.  My daughter’s topic is on one of her favorite things: food.  She did a little Power Point presentation before the trip and will do a bigger, more complete report, when she returns. They are required to keep a journal during their trip so I am eager to read what she has to say.  Heck, at this point, I would settle for a phone call, but at least I know she is okay and she looks happy in the pictures.  The guides mentioned that the students were learning to salsa dance one evening.  Boy, I sure would have loved to see that. 

In addition to taking great care of our kids and posting about about their experiences, they are also putting together a video. 

My girl will be home late Monday night. I’m sure she will have so many stories to share with us and I can hardly stand to wait.  As her Mom, it’s hard for me to realize that she is no longer my little girl. She is growing up way too fast but I’m so excited for her and all the new and exciting things she is learning and doing.  The memories she is making are priceless. I totally remember being 16 and what a fun time that was for me. However, as I told my girl, the most exciting place I got to go when I was 16 was to Portland, Oregon.  (I grew up in a small town, and going to Portland and staying at the Hilton for an FBLA conferences was huge!)

I’m sure after this trip she will have the travel bug which is fine with me.  We are already talking about a trip to London when she graduates high school in a few years.

Next week in addition to a post about my fun crafty weekend, I’ll try to get my girl to do a little post about her trip.  Wish me luck!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

White Wednesday and Some Other Stuff

It’s Spring Break here in Oregon and today the weather couldn’t be any more beautiful.  I hear that rain is on the forecast for tomorrow, but I am going to think good thoughts and hope for a continuation of sunshine.

I haven’t done a White Wednesday post for a few weeks now so I thought I would share with you a few images that I don’t think you have seen before.

A few of my white/cream flower pots in a chippy house thingy I bought from my friend and fellow Monticello dealer, Braeda.  She always has the best stuff in her booth and excellent prices.

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Sweet dolly dress given to me by my good friend Mitzi, who unfortunately hasn’t posted on her blog in about 5 months.DSCF0702

A cute little card I purchased at Monticello.  I call this, “the original Farm Chick.” Love her big head, body and teeny, tiny feet.

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A linen and lace pillow I made and took to my Stars & Splendid Space paired with a cute vintage bra.

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Here’s an updated picture of my space. Lots of good stuff, I think, anyway.

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And finally, some of you have seen this picture in Flea Market Style and some of you haven’t.  In case you are wondering, that’s me with Dexter.  I have to tell you how much I laughed when I saw this picture for the first time.  Let me start off by saying that Heather is a most amazing photographer/stylist.  Her attention to detail is incredible. When she first asked me to be part of this photo shoot last summer, I immediately said yes as I knew anything she was involved in would be first class all the way.DSCF0714

So, that said, the reason I laughed  when I saw this picture was because when it was being taken, I thought she was taking a picture of me and Dexter in the field, not the gorgeous table set up with us in the background. There is a whole lot more to the story of this fun photo shoot, but I’ll just say that I had such a great time being able to be a small part of it and I love everyone that was involved that day. (You all know who you are!)

On another completely unrelated note, I want to send out a big thank you to Dawn of The Feathered Nest who so sweetly posted my 300th post giveaway on her blog.  I know that lots of people came over to enter just because of her post. So Dawn, thank you so much you are too kind!

Lots going on here including a little field trip with Isabel.  We are heading North on Friday to do a little thrifting, have lunch with our buddy, Timi and will be attending an art class at our sweet friend, Tiffany’s house on Saturday. Lots of our favorite bloggers will be there too, so a good time is guaranteed! We have been so looking forward to this weekend for a long time and now it’s finally here.  I’ll be back next week with hopefully some pictures and good stories from our trip. 

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Working my Projects

The weather has been so beautiful here lately so in between running around getting my girl ready for her trip, I decided to work on some projects.

Last week when I got the call that told me I sold the vanity, I panicked a little because I didn’t have anything ready to go. So, I did what I do when I need furniture in a hurry.  I turned to craigslist and found a cute dresser for a good price in my town.  Of course, what I thought would be a little sanding and a some different hardware, turned out to be a little bit more of a project.

I forgot to take a before picture, but here’s the gist. Picture black shiny paint on the top and drawer fronts. Khaki paint on the frame. Different hardware on each drawer.  Oh, and the best part, 80’s butterfly and ivy leaves that were not only stuck on the top and drawer fronts, they were varnished on.  Oops!

So after several hours with chemical paint stripper and my sander and a little tinted wax, here is the end result.

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Tell me what you think. The look I was going for was “rustic chic.”  First I thought I would paint the whole thing white, but I thought this is kinda cool. I know this look isn’t for everyone, but I like the bits and layers of paint showing.

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I will be taking it to my Stars & Splendid booth soon and maybe to Farm Chicks in June if is still hasn’t sold by then. 

I have a whole pile of furniture in the garage that I need to get busy working on and hopefully the weather will cooperate a while longer so I can do just that.  What projects will you be working on this weekend?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A Winner and White Wednesday

I am overwhelmed by the number of you who entered my 300th post giveaway. Thank you so much for all the blog love and sweet comments. My heart is over flowing. The winner of the lace tote and Flea Market Style Magazine is

Terri Boog

www.chocolates4breakfast.blogspot.com

Terri, please send me an email with your mailing address and I’ll get your goodies into the mail for you. Congratulations!

I wish I had something for everyone. I really do appreciate all the support and encouragement you have given me. Some of you have been reading my blog from the beginning and I was pleased to see many new readers as well.

As it is White Wednesday, I thought I would show you a little something I picked up this week. I got a call from Stars & Splendid last weekend telling me that I sold my lovely vanity. Remember this one?

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Well, the other day I found another very different vanity/desk while I was out thrifting.DSCF0689

It was already painted. I just gave it a light sanding. It’s kind of funky, but I really like it and I love the fact that it was pretty much good to go. Today I’ll be taking it to the mall and doing a little rearranging.

Thanks again to all that entered my little giveaway. I hope you have a fun remainder of the week. My girl leaves on Saturday and I still have lots to do before she goes. Happy Wednesday!

Monday, March 15, 2010

300!

No, not the movie.  This is my 300th post.  Amazing, really! To celebrate, I made a little something to giveaway.  I want to thank all of you who come here on a regular basis.  Those who leave comments and even those who don’t.  I’m the worst at leaving comments, so I totally get it.

I had an idea of what I wanted to give away, but wasn’t quite sure how it would turn out.  I’m pleased to say that I’m thrilled with the outcome.  So much in fact, that I almost want to keep it for myself, but I won’t.  So, with no more ado, here it is.

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I made for one lucky reader of my blog this adorable tote with vintage lace.  Eight different kinds of  vintage lace to be exact.  It’s fully lined and has a long strap for wearing over your shoulder as Sally Ann here is modeling it.

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But wait, “what’s that tucked inside?” you ask.

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Why it’s the the new and super awesome magazine, Flea Market Style.  I know a lot of people already have this, but many haven’t been able to find it yet.  No matter.  Here it is.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  I will pick a winner on Wednesday morning.

Again, thanks to you all for making my blogging experience these last 2 1/2 plus years so much fun.  I have met many incredible people through my blog, have made some lasting friendships and am inspired on a daily basis by all the wonderfulness in this fabulous blogging community.

Have a great week!  It’s going to be a busy one getting my formerly blue haired girl off to Costa Rica for Spring Break. (The blue hair went bye-bye for now, it’s now dark, dark brown, almost black. I told her I miss the blue as it was always easy to spot her when we go thrifting together.)

Monday, March 8, 2010

I’m here

I have been a very busy girl this past week.  Here are the highlights.

*Had a meeting at the HS for my daughter’s spring trip to Costa Rica.

*Helped Isabel set up at Expo and did a little shopping myself. (found some great stuff too!)

*Did a little thrifting while my daughter attended an Outdoor School Counselor meeting.

*Had an awesome sewing day with my sweet Mommy.

*Went to my favorite monthly flea market and scored some more great stuff.

*Worked on some painting projects.

Now for some pictures.

Here is a little dress I picked up at Target.  I thought it was cute as is, but decided to foof it up a bit.  

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Here is an after pic of me wearing it. 

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I really love how it turned out.  Makes me want to add lace and rick rack to my entire wardrobe.  Okay, maybe not all of it.

Here are a just a few of the many things I picked up this week.DSCF0673

Cute ticking and rose pillowcase.

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Extra large buttons and sweet baby spoon.

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Vintage birds, mini plant holder and silver pitcher.

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Awesome end table.

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One of the two adorable vintage prom dresses I found.

I also found three pretty crinolines, some cute baby dresses and slips, a dresser, some bling and lots of cool vintage buttons. I’m sure I’m forgetting some things, but you can get a pretty good idea of the things I was lucky enough to find.

My next post will be number 300!  Wow!  As I mentioned before, I want to celebrate this milestone with a fun giveaway.  Check back soon to see what it is and hopefully enter to win.  Have a happy Monday!  The sun is shining here in the PNW and I,  for one, couldn’t be happier!