Love Birds in our Terrarium

Love should not be seasonal...it should be displayed "year 'round!"

I love using our terrarium for year 'round displays and had fun with our very special "love birds".....just couldn't make up my mind which vignette I liked the best, so, I am posting a few options to stay within.

 

This one is with of the love birds in a hydrangea nest in a little, antique, splint basket and displayed on top of a white painted suitcase.

 

 

 And now atop a trio of vintage books.

 

And displayed on our $30 washstand...that buy sure was a happy day!

 

And one last choice is the little love birds are from our, very first, Christmas ornament that I have out year 'round.

Here they are sitting in a real, little nest upon a red transferware saucer. 

 

And so...which one would you choose?

Looking forward to hearing from you! 

 

Past terrarium posts

Our Terrarium of Love

Winter Wonderland in Our Terrarium

 

 

 

 Love, Hugs and Kisses,

JP

 

 

 

 

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"Glammed Up" White Wicker Mirror

I wasn't crazy over this wicker, heart mirror,bit I thought it had some potential to get

 "all dolled up" and this is how I purchased it...just plain boring.

This is what I was inspired to use.

Opted not to use the jute on it after all, but this is how it turned out.

Wall mirror or vanity tray...

Pretty darn sweet! 

Don't you think?

Gonna go tackle a makeover on our coffee table...it's been waiting for my help :)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Love, Hugs and Kisses,

JP

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Little White Ladder Shelf

This is not something that hasn't already be done. Ladder decor has been around in country homes for many, many years. I just wanted to post some pics of the one that I've had around for a while now. Of course I don't have a pic of it in it's natural color, but that isn't too hard to picture, now is it?

Here it is, now, after I gave it a white, dry brush, aging.

We have really high ceilings and a lot of wall space so, this spot is the perfect place to hang a shelf for some little displays.

This is how it looks in our living room.

Wish I had a panoramic setting...I like the way it flows.

And compliments our decor.

We used to have a beautiful, early 1800's, red stenciled, sled hanging in it's place...but, with our intentions to move south I decided to part with it, last year, just after Christmas. I didn't think we'd be here for another Holiday season..."waaah" I miss it, now! Oh, the photo ops it could have had!!!

Well, I'm content with the replacement and even happier that it was FREE :)

Here's a few more of my photo, practice shots from today's shoot....still can't wait for my new camera!

HATE the pic...HATE my camera...but, I do love my little "sampler." Every time I look at it I wonder how I ever did it. It's a teenie tiny, 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" in size!

A close up of my milk glass vase that I painted and distressed. I like it better, now.

The vintage bottle holds pearls from "Grandma's" broken necklaces.

Gonna go make a "Kissing Ball"....I'm in a festive mood!

Love, Hugs and Kisses,
JP

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A Tribute to My Mentor

This page is dedicated to the beautiful, sweet, soul who is centered in my header photo, my dear, sweet, Grandma Bea!

What an amazing inspiration she was to me and to all those who knew her. It was her passion for decorating that I grew up admiring of her many, beautiful homes and holiday tablescapes. She impressed me, so incredibly, beginning as early as a young child. 

I was always mesmerized with the beauty of her feminine touches throughout her very Victorian home. Visiting her was such a delight  for as young as I can remember. 

Her "boudoir" was, so incredibly, romantic with her vanity covered with beautiful collections of pin cushions, crystal fragrance bottles and gorgeous, crystal, candle holders with prisms that all sparkled in the sunlight. Those dangling prisms were always, so, tempting to play with, but I quickly learned to obey her rules of... 
"Janet... you can look, but just don't touch!"
Victorian decor and glass, of vintage amethyst, were among her many passions. "Reflective purples" filled her shelves and mahogany decor, with doilies made by her mother, and gifts from so many of her loved ones and dear friends. That same amythyst color, so often, draped her delicate frame and was, almost always, made by hand at her sweet, little, green sewing machine.
 Elegant dinnerware, beautiful, lace tablecloths, polished silver and  shining crystal were the main attractions, to the festive occasions, of dining at her home. Her table was always centered with a "runner" of mirrored glass to feature the reflections of flickering candles, floral bouquets, seasonal decorations and birthday cakes, all of which kept me still in my seat as I dined.
Her talent for decor was, also, expressed in the way that she was able to give at least one room a "masculine" touch, as well. Grandpa's study was given the perfect finish with his mahogany decor and bookcases filled with his hard covers and collections all arranged just so.... all, so manly, for his peaceful retreat... to study and prepare for his weekly sermons to "GOD!"

Her, self written, daily prayer

 

 I dedicated my blog to her as a "thank you" for being such an inspiration to me.... I do believe that she was the one who gave me my desire for making things "look pretty" just as she always had.
I hope that I am, now, making her proud....I know she is watching over me in heaven!

 

My "Shabby Glam" Mirror, Vintage Cottage Frame and a "Sneak Peek"

So, I know that you have been waiting, patiently, for the results of my last post, my mirror and vintage, cottage frame and I apologize for the delay. My plans for the mirror is what's holding me up! 

It's just that the ideas that I had, have now grown into a fully detailed design. It's in the works but, since there will be tons of hand adorned details and finishing tasks it's gonna take me much longer than I had planned. There's sanding, spray painting, hand painting, hand applying many, many crystals, gems,  rhinestones and ribbon.

So, for now, here are some pics of the finished cottage frame and then a few "sneak peeks" of the mirror.... which, unfortunately, you'll have to come back at another time to see!

Here is the cottage frame turned "Shabby Glam," jewelry memo board

,

You like?

Here is "Miss Emma"

She is such a sweet match!

Here is the frame before

And a few "peeks"!

The works in progress

And so now,  start imagining a "Shabby Glam," Beach Cottage, finished product and I'm planning another spectacular, mirrored addition that will be making it's debut, too!

Here are some of the things that I am thinking of using.

Hope you're getting  excited and if you are, let me know :)

So, once again, 'til next time.....Have another great day!

JP

A "Tuscan" Inspired Dinner

~A Tuscan Evening~

Last night's dinner inspired my post for today.....it started with my afternoon fixation with "The Chew," an eggplant lasagna, hunger pains, and what to cook for dinner. So, it was  off to the market I ran!

Since, I didn't pay much attention to the details of the recipe I created one of my own... a little of this and a bit of that and voila...

 w/ Tuscan Eggplant Lasagna

 I received five stars and a lot of appreciation from my 100%  Italian, better half....a real pat on the back to know that my lessons learned from my own "Italian raised" (not born) background

were worth the effort.

The recipe is pretty easy, with a sauce that doesn't take hours to simmer and is absolutely "Delish!"

  Good ingredients are key to my recipe which "I PROMISE" to share....just be patient, follow this post and it will soon appear!!! :)

The recipe is here! 

The Table Decor

I had a "quake," aka "a brain jolt," to set a dinner themed table and my rooster plate was the start to igniting my theme. So, while the eggplant was cooking, I decided and to snap some good pics for this "Tuscan Themed Post."

 Then out came my dishes to add to the setting with some accents of flowers that just make me smile! 

The Centerpiece

  Quick!!!....I had to make a centerpiece! So, I grabbed my new little, "Goodwill" find, the aged, verdigris milk can ( $2.99 I must boast!) my burgandy floral, serving plate, another woven placemat, some candles  and  luckily, some flowers ( a gift from my "Tanya" (TYVM...I love you!) to complete my design.

My "Honey's" Surprise!

 So, home came my man and  he walked in the door, his face filled with pleasure, then he questioned..."What for?" and "What did I forget, now?"...............

"Nothing, Honey....,just a nice little dish, just a little somethin' special for my hardworking and very hungry guy!!!"

xoxoxo mwah!

Best Wishes for a Wonderful Day!

JP

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