The Lake

This summer was so amazing! We spent so much quality family time at the lake! I love the small town feel and the wonderful people. One of my most favorite places in the world where I have made amazing memories with my kids and husband that I will have forever!



This is the coolest place. A really old hotel where the tradition of sitting in the rockers, having a cocktail and just enjoying the beauty of the lake has been going strong for decades.

Bonnie...my girl and supplier! Bonnie has the best selection of treasures in town and she is one of the sweetest ladies ever!

Happy Birthday Anna Banana!!!

My Anna Sophia...caught playing in mama's jewelry...

a little too much lipstick darlin'...

I love you so much sweetie!

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

Antique Shop!

So we just got back from our annual trip to the Jersey Shore! I love the Jersey Shore, so much tradition, great beaches, shopping and family fun. On one of our jaunts out and about we discovered this awesome stretch on Rte 9 that has antique shops peppered up and down it! They were all amazing! Below are some pics from one of my favorites. It was like a mini compound of treasures. A few cottages, a house and several trailers spread out on gorgeous grounds. See for yourself below!

This fabulous shop is Ancient of Days Antiques on Rt 9 in Swainton, NJ. Owner Dottie Page has an insane selection of artwork as well as many wonderful and unique pieces. If you are in the area it is most definitely worth checking out!

What She Said!

I saw this print on one of my favorite blogs, Down and Out Chic. It is done by Etsy designer Ashley G. She has a fabulous assortment of prints, but I especially love this one. And with it being Friday, this reminded me of exactly what I will be doing this weekend! Have a great weekend all!

Copy Cat!

So I saw something similar to the garden markers above on Etsy and I figured I would try to do them myself. I had a set of old spoons I picked up at a house sale that were the perfect size, so I went for it. While they are no where near as remarkable as the one's I saw on Etsy, they are still pretty darn cute, and they were affordable!

Happy Birthday Bella!

That's right sistah...It's your birthday...it's your birthday! I love you my beautiful Princess Isabella Mia! Happy 4th Birthday!

Genius!!!

I love when I come across unique ideas or cool displays. I found a few below on My Sweet Savannah, a super fun blog!


I am chandelier obsessed! I would have one in every room if my husband would go for losing a ceiling fan or two, (we do not have central air). This is so perfect -if you have a pot rack, think about hanging a fabulous vintage chandelier from it just for the shear beauty of it!
Mason jar soap dispenser...LOVE IT!!!!

Hello perfectly wonderful shoe storage idea! So simple and clever...as most great ideas are!

Drive-By Gardens!

The end of July makes me a bit sad. Even though we have 5 more weeks before the kids are back in school, I start to get a sense of Fall lurking. Not that I don't absolutely love Fall, but I no longer wish to rush things. It drives me insane that big box stores are replacing garden items with back to school supplies. "Dudes, I am just getting in the swing of things with my garden by now...I still need time for more pots, perennials and the essentials!" So in honor of the 5 weeks left of summer, I present to you some garden drive by's!

Dream Shopping!

You know how most women fantasize about a shopping spree in NYC at say Bloomingdale's, Saks or Neiman Marcus, or to shop through the streets of Paris at fabulous French boutiques. Well as much as I would love that myself, the thought of a shopping spree at a Paris flea market is even more exciting. These shots are from Paris Apartment's wonderful blog. This was one of her "buying trips." I plan to join her on one in the near future...

Can you even imagine finding a bed this perfect and fabulous in the middle of a street flea market? Only in Paris my friend!

This display of merchandise is a treasure hunter's dream. I am dying for that white headboard to the right.
Hello gorgeous blue chair! I just want to have a seat there with a cup of coffee and enjoy the treasures!

DEANNTIQUES!

I found these super cool vintage crates at a house sale! I just love the cool pictures, especially the peacock, which is one of my favorite animals/birds. These can be great with pots of herbs, which I am thinking of using them for on my sun porch. There are so many uses for these, a few are below.

I so love how the elegant flowers contrast with the crate making for a fantastic flower box!

How cool and inventive is this storage idea. I especially love the shoe concept, because it is always difficult to store shoes in a manner where you can actually easily see them. Storage in general is a really difficult challenge for old houses like mine.
I love the way the crates are stacked to make a cool outdoor bar. The possibilities are endless!

Picture 2: My Sweet Savannah
Picture 3: Little French Nest
Picture 4: Swedish Antiques

Antiques in Gardens!

I love using antiques and pieces of architectural salvage in gardens. There is something so similar in the feeling a garden provides and that of an antique. They are reminders of simpler times and simple pleasures and that is why they work so well together. I love this bike my mother-in-law, Mary, uses in her front garden.
My dad, my antiquing partner in crime, gave me this awesome old chimney. Some years I will even put a potted plant on it. Either way it makes a statement.
The black salvage piece is from an old house in New Orleans. Funny story about this piece, I bought it because it was perfectly old and rusty. My husband hired some older gentlemen to paint our front porch, and they thought they were being nice by spraying the "rusty old garden ornament" to make it look nice and new. Oh no!!! It is finally starting to get its rusty charm back.

This garden fountain was another find of my dad's! I am so happy my sister does not share my love of antiques!

Why I Love Summer!

I caught this little fella in my garden hanging out! Ironically this month's Cottages and Bungalows magazine has a fitting quote, "Just living is not enough", said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." Hans Christian Anderson

Beautiful!!!

Wish List!

Below are two items on my current wish list. I am so looking for urns like this for either side of my front porch. I love their massiveness, and when filled with flowers they are insanely beautiful!

This table below is genius! I so need something like this for my little ones. I love how the chairs are attached, and easy for vacuuming under! Plus it looks super cool.

Practical + stylish = genius!

Photo 1: Paris Breakfasts

Photo 2: Beach Bungalow 8

Grandma's China

I love just about anything vintage and feminine! When my grandmother moved from her home to an apartment she asked me if I wanted her china. Are you kidding me... of course I did. It was given to her for her wedding by her aunt from Italy. Now I have no idea if it is worth anything, nor do I care, because I love it! I love it because it was my grandmother's, who I adore, and because it is really beautiful! I use it all the time, which I know she appreciates.


I found this super cool wooden tray at a flea market! I thought it would be perfect to house the plates and such when entertaining buffet style, which we do quite often due to our ginormous family!

I love the contrast of the delicate china and flowers with the strong almost masculine tray!