Through the looking glass

Sometimes it's not so much the collection that inspires. More times than not I am more inspired by the way the collection is displayed. I used this display at my latest dinner party. It was a big hit!

Shambala cottage makeover

The Shambala project is coming along. It has come a long way but still has miles to go before it's completion. The ceilings were covered in plywood. I feel like Nicole Curtis when I shout "why would anyone cover that up?"  The beautiful wood has been revealed after countless hours of pulling nails and removing insulation.

    The vintage chandelier found on Craigslist looks perfect in this space. Yep you heard it I shop on Craigslist.  It's amazing what you can find to fit a tight budget if you know where to look. I love antique stores and tag sales but some items are hard to find and antique stores can interfere with a tight budget.

Timely collection

Where has the summer gone? School is in and hints of fall color are everywhere.  When the season's change I get the itch to redecorate. It's easy to change the look of a room with a collection of like things. I love, love these little vintage alarm clocks.

Shabby chic makeover

How many of you have a tired old jewelry box from the 80 ' s shoved away in your closet? While wandering the many sales along the 127yardsale I came across a lovely large jewelry box or miniature armoire that looked tired and dated.
   After a few coats of homemade chalk paint in the perfect shade of green-turquoise this vintage chest was better than new. I distressed it sightly with aging wax and sand paper. The interior mirror is covered with complimenting wallpaper. I love how it turned out.

The true north project

I walked through a narrow pathway of nic nacs and boxes of items never used. I was part of a few hundred people who showed up for a tag sale. The house was packed to the ceiling in merchandise with price tags and still in their original boxes. The house was part of a hoarder's Estate. This woman's life was consumed with shoppping.
      I felt sad as I fought my way thru fellow  junkers looking for a good deal. Nothing in this house had a soul or a story. The place felt abandoned and cold.
Just as I was convinced that I would find nothing that spoke to me I saw a little compass. It was nothing special but somehow I needed to take it with me. I felt compelled to make it come to life with purpose. 
    This little compass has become part of my true north project. This project is about finding passionate living and leaving your mark or legacy. More on that later.  I encrusted the compass with old chippy paint, birch bark and the words true north. There is a map inside and secret message. This compass joins my antique urn that holds special thoughts and wishes.  A jar of good spells just waiting to become reality.

 What does true north mean to you?

The thrill of the hunt for vintage treasure

I find the perfect shoes, a comfy pair of jeans and a bitching bag. It's time to focus on my list of must haves. I'm so easily distracted with the the Shiney babble in the corner or that table with the perfect patina. A sucussful hunt is an art.
        My last junking trip across three states was a success because I finally found my mermaid. I've searched for Mercy for years. I had the perfect name just waiting for the perfect find.  Although I swooped in and grabbed her before she became somebody else's score, I managed to play it cool with the vendor and haggled the price down $50.
Tomorrow's adventure is a little shorter commute to an estate sale 140 miles away. Roadtrip!

The circus came to town

This dreamy view makes me want to run away with the circus , not because I'm running from anything just because travel is nectar for my soul.