Thoughts from Alice W.

baby w.

Just two days before Christmas this past December, Joshua and I received the best gift ever.

The one we had hoped and prayed for. 

The news of course being that we are expecting our first child.

I am currently 11 weeks along and only have one week to go before finishing up the grueling first trimester.

And it has been a bit grueling. But I am surviving it. Somehow.

My energy level has never been this low, so everything around here has slowed down along with me. But thankfully, I am blessed to have a career {if 3 Etsy shops constitute a career?} where I make the rules and can 'call in sick' when needed.

Little "Baby W." {as we have come to affectionately call our little one} and I have spent many a day resting and relaxing these past few weeks.

While I scour stacks of old magazines and decorating books, getting inspiration for our home...

and now...

a nursery.

We of course don't know what we are having yet {hopefully by the beginning of April}, but the nursery will be neutral shades either way...with lots of vintage touches that I have collected through the years...

 

Whenever I go to sales, thrift stores, flea markets, and even online shops, I can't help but add to my vintage baby collection...

I have wanted to be a mother for so long, that I even had a whole collection of baby items before I got married. {My mother and sister aided and abetted with that I will have you know}.

Including a very extensive Beatrix Potter collection.

I adore my little collection of characters...

And am especially fond of those from my favorite tale, The Tailor of Gloucester.

And this 1951 Hunca Munca is from my other favorite, The Tale of Two Bad Mice.

I have several other Beatrix Potter items including tins, photo albums, picture frames, cups, bowls, toys, stuffed animals, and all of the books of course {see I told you it was extensive}.

And even though I have grown quite a collection over the past 10 to 15 years, now that the time is actually here, I don't want the baby's room to be  too "themed", but instead, have nods here and there to the lovely Ms. Potter and her friends.

If the room were to have any theme at all...I am sure you could guess...it will be vintage.

So yet another exciting adventure awaits us as we welcome a new little life into our world...

I do hope you will join us along the journey.

Till next time...

 

under the weather...but on the mend

Well, I certainly hope these past couple of weeks have treated you better than me.

Last Wednesday, I came down with what I thought was just a slight cough. By Thursday, I realized I had the full on flu. My entire body ached, I had a fever and felt extremely sick. I quickly set up camp on our new sofa - of which you have a glimps above.

{Can't show you the rest yet, as it is completely covered in old sheets, blankets and pillows, since I have barely left that spot for the last several days.}

Well, the flu lasted long enough...and just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it did.

My symptoms changed, and I came down with the most unbearable cough {which has kept me up very late, even into the early morning hours, ever since}.

I finally got myself to the doctor where it was confirmed that I now had bronchitis. Thankfully, I received some meds, and have been on them for a few days now and am hoping to recover soon. Now my sides are aching something fierce, but my cough seems to be subsiding a little.

Josh recently brought me home a beautiful bouquet of hydrangeas, which brightened my day when he walked in with them.

With being sick and keeping up with Etsy, I haven't had much time for decorating, which has made me a little depressed.

I so love decorating for the holidays.

I did start placing some items around that make me happy when I look at them...some recent acquisitions like this transferware dish. I just love it...

And I was delighted when I unpacked my ironstone pottery...haven't seen these in about 10 months!

And Josh found this great little covered dish recently with faces on both sides and the lid...

So, I have all the works to decorate beautifully...now just need the time and strength to do it! Sigh...

Yesterday, after basically being able to accomplish nothing for 8 straight days, I got restless and started creating again. It felt good to get things made and not just sit and watch Hallmark Christmas movies all day {although I am still enjoying those as I create}.

Here are few of the new items I came up with during my time on the sofa...

Last year, my rag ball ornaments were my most popular seller so those are back in burlap, white linen and natural linen...

And they are now available in several new styles...including white burlap, red ticking and pink cotton...

I have also whipped up some vintage inspired holiday banners...with more coming soon...

And have some other holiday items up my sleeve that will be coming in the next few days. I do hope you will stop by my Etsy shop to check them all out! Just click below to view the full Holiday Collection...

 

Till next time...I'll just be on the mend ;)

  

Housewarming...

 

For some reason, I have longed to move into our first home in the beginning of autumn...

It just seemed like the perfect time.

Perhaps because it is my favorite season or because it is the season that, to me, represents making a home cozy and warm.

 

...preparing for winter, celebrating with family and friends, baking delicious desserts and comfort foods, decorating for the holidays and so on....

And here it is...the beginning of fall in my new home.

A longtime desire come true.

We were blessed this past weekend with lots of help from family and friends as we moved in...and some lovely gifts too...

My sister-in-law, Rebekeh, gave us a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from the farmer's market...

 

It has taken turns adding charm to our kitchen and dining room table.

This bouquet makes me smile each time I look at it.

Joshua brought us home our first white pumpkin of the season, which has been residing on our front porch, but I brought it in to show off our new gray floors to you.

Joshua finished the floors a few days before we moved in, and I am in love with them.

They really brighten the upstairs, and I can already feel it becoming our own...

 

{For those of you curious...the floors have painted in 'Filtered Shade', in a satin base for porches & floors, by Valspar}

My Uncle Larry and Aunt Be {pronounced with a short a sound - not "bee"} came to visit the day we moved in. They only live about 4 miles away and are thrilled to have family move so close. They have an enormous garden and brought us some lucious pears.

 

As well as fresh garlic, onions and shallots...

 

My sister-in-law, Erin, brought us a basket full of goodies...including these adorable 'Farm Fresh' items that will fit in perfect in my farmhouse kitchen...

 

She also gave us some fall cookie cutters in a box that read 'Bless this Home'...

 

I can't wait to use them!

My sister Angela also gave us some wonderful gifts including paintable ceiling tile wallpaper, that I now intend to use on the ceilings in both the kitchen and dining room {thanks for the inspiration Angela!}.

She also gave us a beautiful white porch light that I will share pics of as soon as we install it. The current one is very sad and plain looking, so it will be a huge improvement.

Since moving in, I am starting to realize the massive amounts of 'stuff' and collections that I have.

I have been scratching my head wondering where to find room for it all...

I have hoards of gold frames and mirrors...

 

and lots of old windows and doors...

Chairs that have been waiting for years to be painted, fixed and/or recovered...

 

This past summer, I found an amazing gray bed at a sale that was only $30. The woman selling it even dropped it off at our house for us...what a steal...

Not sure where it will end up, and I need a mattress for it...but I can't wait to find a home for it inside.

Much of our large furniture has been residing under our roofed back porch until I get it cleaned up and find space for it in here...in the meantime some has still gotten good use...

Renoir found himself the perfect spot to sit and watch the world {err...backyard} go by...

There is much to do ahead for him...I have managed to get the kitchen mostly organized and put away, as well as most of our clothing.

There are however, tons of boxes still to go through. The last time we moved was to a tiny ranch, and we kept most of our decorative items in storage the whole time, so this will be the first time I have seen them in about 9 months.

I am so excited to see what I will find that I have forgotten I even had...

I am striving now to live by the motto of only keeping in my home what I find beautiful or useful, however, so many of the items will likely find their way to my Etsy shop and website at some point...otherwise...you might just see our new home on an upcoming episode of Hoarders. ;)

Till next time...

 

a little more press and a show...

I hope you will forgive me if I indulge in a little more bragging...

If you are an avid reader of Romantic Homes, you may have already seen it, but if not...

I am so excited to share that my blog has been featured in the September issue!

This is such an honor for me {and thank you Allison for alerting me that the issue was out. Lately, I seem to be the last one to find out about my features!}.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been preparing for a local show that I was invited to participate in.

Joshua and my mother decided to join in with me to combine our efforts, creations and offerings...

If you recall my last experience with a show, I typically have not had great success with these ventures, and unfortunately, this one was no different. All three of us barely broke even with what we had invested, but we did enjoy spending the day together, meeting some nice people, and getting lots of compliments on our 'vintage inspired' booth.

I took several photos and thought you might enjoy seeing them even though the show was less than a success for us...{makes me all the more appreciate the great online market!}

My mother and I combined our items in the majority of the booth...

We had lots of vintage items, antiques, and vintage inspired home decor...

{I have started receiving requests for the Toy Land Nesting Canisters featured above. I still have about 4-5 sets left, so for those interested, they are $12 for the set of 3. Just send me an email with your location and I can give you a quote on shipping and send you the link where you can pay through Paypal. And if you see anything else in this post that you are interested in just let me know. Thank you!}

I also included my photography and some handmade pieces...

as well as Halloween creations...

 

My mother also had her charming handmade wreaths...

This adorable retro Christmas wreath was my favorite...

We had a vast selection of jewelry {which is where the sales eventually came for Joshua and me}...

Joshua's jewelry received so many compliments and the most interest.

Most of the visitors had never seen anything like it....

I think from now on I will think a bit longer and harder before committing to do a show - they are exhausting! I am sure they can be worth it, if you make a good profit, but I just haven't yet had very good luck with that. Perhaps it was the location, the economy or any number of factors, but I think I will stick with what I know and appreciate that all the more ;)

Till next time...

Aged in the Hills

Like many of you, I love to spend the warmer seasons out and about at flea markets, antique stores, garage sales and the like.

For some time now my mom and I have talked about visiting her friend Cheryl Squirrell's antique shop in Bristol, NY. Last weekend we finally decided to head down for a visit and had such a lovely time.

Since Cheryl is such a sweetheart, I didn't have any qualms about bringing my camera and taking lots of photographs to share with you of her beautiful store...

Her shop is in a very old cobblestone house and both the front and back doors are painted in a bright and cheery aqua...

"The best Antiques are old friends"...

Upon entering, I was instantly in heaven, surrounded by all the lovely antique and vintage treasures...and then she offered us coffee and carmel brownies...real heaven!

How cute is this old green table?

Lots of farmhouse style items can be found in the back room...

as well as a treasure trove of jewelry...I was enamored with this gray desk...

Cheryl has a real knack for arranging and creating themes in each area of the house...like the 'nautical' hallway...

She also has great eye for finding exquisite antiques and collectibles...

 

I swooned over these gold frames...

Upstairs we found lots more treasures...and my favorite themed room...the baby room...{I am starting to get the itch I think...}

Such a sweet crib...and I love the giant gray plank floors...

 

If I knew I was going to have a daughter one day, I would love to have this sweet gray stroller for her...

as well as this adorable old doll to display in her nursery.

Sigh...maybe I should go back and get them...just in case?

she has a beautiful little dress, doesn't she...

and how cute is this little piano?

Upstairs we also found the vintage vanity/clothing room...

I fell hard for this yellow chair and almost brought it home with me. If it's still there next time I go by I am definitely going to snatch it up...

I love it! Definitely regretting not taking it now...

And my mom loved this unique find...dog dishes in an old suitcase! She thought Renoir should have something like this...

Well, I hope you enjoyed the little 'tour' of Aged in the Hills, and if you are ever out in Bristol, I highly recommend stopping by. Or if you can't make it out this way, but saw something you liked in these photos, you can contact Cheryl at aith@rochester.rr.com for more information. 

Till next time...

 

Stopping to Smell the Lilacs...

Life has been hectic lately...but in a good way...

I have been busy stocking up {and shipping out} vintage finds in my Etsy shop...

Setting up new website designs for some lovely ladies...{check out my most recent over at Antica Treasures}...

and keeping a lookout for our first home to buy.

My house is in total chaos as cleaning has fallen to the back burner, and I have been filling it to the brim with my buying trip finds. I am beginning to feel like I belong on an episode of Hoarders...

But despite all of the chaos and busyness...I have tried to take time to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Like all of the beautiful lilac trees that grow in our backyard...their scent is purely intoxicating...

I have also manged to get myself a few new acquisitions that I am in love with...like this amazing side table...

and how pretty is this vintage print? Only $3 at a local antique store!

It currently resides above our bed...

And when I saw this vintage ring on Etsy for only $10 I just had to have it...

I have also gotten many other pretty things for my own Etsy shop that I thought I would share...

This romantic pair sold yesterday...it will certainly be hard to let them go!

I was instantly smitten with this feather fan...

and this sweet baby blanket...

More vintage farmhouse baskets are available...  

As are many vintage vanity items...

And many vintage books...like this great find...1949 edition of Father of the Bride...

I have been listing new items daily, so I do hope that you stop by and take a peek around!

Till next time...I'll be among the lilacs...

 
  

New Treasures...

My giveaway winnings from Mira arrived over the weekend and left me speechless and overjoyed. Just look at the delightful wrapping...{I always swoon over creatively beautiful gift wrappings}...

She even included the little winning slip with my name on it which made me smile, along with several extra little trinkets that I wasn't expecting...

Everything she sent was impeccably beautiful...her photograph note cards are gorgeous and her bookmarks are of the highest quality - I even started using them. But I have to say...this handmade Farine heart is my most favorite...

I quickly found a home for it in the dining room hutch...

...near a set of vintage canisters and some white pom flowers that I bought for myself over the weekend {I thoroughly enjoyed photographing these as you will see in the rest of this post}

Thank you again Mira for offering such a beautiful giveaway!

Mira's gifts are not the only new treasures I have gotten as of late. We decided to stop by the flea market on Sunday and came away with some of the best treasures we have gotten there yet...so I had an impromptu photo shoot with them today {and the pom flowers} and thought I would share them with you here...

Our first find was spotted by Joshua as soon as we arrived...and marked at only $2.00 we couldn't resist...

The chair is a pale shade of mint green and folds up nicely...a perfect patio chair.

You can see in this photo another fabulous new treasure as well...an urn that my dad found for me. He certainly knows my taste. He also found us a great old bookshelf that I will share at a later date...

I adore these flowers...this bouquet was only $5.99 at our local Wegmans grocery market...

The second find of the day was this beautiful covered dish for only $1.00 {at these prices all of my "let's stop buying stuff that we don't have room for" philosophy goes right out the window}...

Isn't it beautiful...

Another 'Joshua' find was this great old pitcher and bowl lamp that we purchased from the sweetest old man...

It had a rather unattractive sheer fabric glued to the top of the lamp shade...but that was easily removed...someone else had already painted the rest white. I love the idea of this type of "empty" shade and have been wanting one for some time. I think I will find {or attempt to make} a beaded light bulb cover for the bulb and it will be perfect...

Feeding my personal vintage jewelry habit {I have so much, my jewelry boxes don't even close anymore}...I found this great necklace...and for only fifty cents...

and these earrings for only $2.00...hints of black have been finding their way into my wardrobe more and more these days...

This grouping came together in a bag and the pieces will most likely make their way into creations at some point...

Josh and I spotted this vintage Holy Family tapestry rug at the same time and asked how much...only $3.00. It was attached to a frame and came ready to hang...

Most people would probably find it gaudy or unattractive I suppose...but for us...we fell in love with it ;)

This Madonna statue was undoubtedly my favorite find of the day...

 

She was a little "pricey" for me at $8.50...and the lowest I could get the guy to go down was $7.00...but I felt she was worth it...

I am definitely enjoying photographing her...{you'll probably see a lot of her around in the future}

Sticking with the vintage religious finds...several weeks back I found this old Confirmation certificate and forgot to share it here...

The details are so beautiful. It was rolled up and when I pulled it open I couldn't believe what a great find it was...and for only $1.00...

It's dated May 1928...

And these sweet nuns were given to me by my sister {they belonged to her fiance's mother who recently passed away so they are very dear pieces}...

Back to our flea market excursion...when I spotted this glass lamp I was smitten. The tag read $45.00 and stated that it was depression glass from the forties with the original shade {it was the shade that really got me}...

When I picked it up to admire it, I had no hopes of getting it at that price {I...err Josh...was quickly running out of cash}...but the woman selling it said she would give it to me for $15.00. Sold.

Then...with only $3.00 dollars left with us...we were finishing up...I looked over a table and didn't see much but a white frame sticking out under some books. I walked away...

But got that "feeling" that I should just go back and check what was in the frame...

If you ever get that feeling...I strongly encourage you to go back...look what I would have missed had I not...

This beautiful botanical print is dated May 1, 1796...and is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. And guess how much? $3.00...{well...really $4.00 but I asked the lovely woman selling her if she would take $3.00 and she said yes}

I was so delighted with my new treasures...and really hope you have enjoyed my "photo shoot" with them...I'll leave you with some more pics of my flowers {bought these for myself because I had to go to a jury summons and was really  nervous - my first time ever - and wanted a little something to brighten my day}

{the beautiful rhinestone cross pendant came from Milli and I attached it to one of my favorite vintage beaded necklaces}

Till next time...

Recent Acquisitions...

I am delighted that so many of you have been enjoying the tour of my "atelier" in my past couple of posts. I truly wish I could have all of you here to show it off in person {although...it could get a bit crowded I suppose}, but I am grateful that I can share it here and receive your beautiful thoughts on it all. I do have more detail photos and several full room shots to share soon...and am glad you want to see them!

But...I thought I would stray a bit today and share some of our recent flea market, thrift shop, internet, and blogging friend gift acquisitions.

Since we are hoping to buy a house sometime next year, I am trying to be careful of how much I am spending this year...and not add too much clutter to the mix...but..that is so hard with my serious addiction...

So I have been working on adding only a few small pieces here and there and finding things to create with...

Such as these pretty rhinestone buttons and hat clip that Josh found for me on Etsy from a shop called SweetKate Vintage {lots of vintage goodies there!}...

 

 

And this Infant of Prague rosary found at the flea market...I also found many saint and Madonna charms that I have been using already in new jewelry pieces coming to the shop in the fall...

 

A gold charm bracelet...

 

And of course, I could not resist this white creamer for only a dollar...

 

This lamp base with finial was also only a dollar...and looks perfect to me...as is...no lamp needed...;)

 

Josh found these old Bibles {both a dollar each as well...we love that dollar booth at the flea market!}...

 

A bit tattered and worn...but nonetheless beautiful...

 

Josh also found these beautiful door knob/keyhole plates for me...aren't they stunning?

 

 

At a craft thrift store nearby, we found a ton of old cabinet cards. We took almost all of them, they were such a deal. I love the boarder detail on this one...

 

Another flea market find...this old lamb print from the early 1900's...

 

Lately it seems I have been meeting more and more kindred spirits out there who make my days brighter with their encouraging words and acts of kindness. Recently, I met the very lovely Julie of Idyllhours who was so gracious to purchase some items from my shop {and Josh's}. She is the sweetest woman with a charming home...and generous heart and spirit. She recently sent me this wonderful vintage box filled with old bottle caps...

 

Can't wait to start using them! {Thank you so much Julie for the kindness you have shown me, Josh and Renoir - yes she loves him too!}

Well, I hope you enjoyed viewing my latest finds...I will be back soon to share more of my studio when I get a free minute from working on my new line of products for the upcoming season {that I hope you will love!}...

Till next time...

Summer Favorites...

When summer comes, there are so many things that I look forward to. First and foremost...the beautiful weather that we don't get for too long around here. I try to soak up every minute...

And right up with that...shopping! Flea markets, garage sales, and anything of the like keep me very busy during the summer months.

Josh and I have been rising early on Saturdays to get to the Public Market for fresh fruits and vegetables, and this past Saturday, we wandered down to a local flea market.

It was a big warehouse filled with clutter and mostly junk...but I do enjoy the hunt...

When I spotted this beauty hanging from the ceiling, I got so excited. I have wanted an old paper parasol for so long now and wasn't sure where I would ever find one. I was worried it wouldn't be for sale since it was hanging above an empty space, but when I asked the man who appeared to be running things, he said it was only 5.00.

He got an old ladder and knife...and a few minutes later I was carrying it home...

And now it has a perfect home right above our armoire. This space has been empty since I rearranged the living room last month, and I hadn't yet found anything that seemed to fit quite right...

In the photos you can see another summer favorite of mine...fresh roses...and my pink bush has been blooming beautifully in the last two weeks...

I have been enjoying them around our home...they smell so good...

Near my favorite candlesticks above...and my favorite Marie bottle from dear Tracie below...

And there is nothing so lovely as a fresh bouquet at the dining table...

I thought I would share a few other snippets around the recently redone living room with you {more to follow when I get it all clean and tidy!}...

A little "side table" created with an old trunk and stacked suitcases...

A hanging basket, found at a church sale for about 50 cents, that hangs on an old door...

And near the entryway a pair of old shutter doors sit with clothes-pinned cabinet cards...

The room is light and airy for the season, and I love looking out our big picture windows to watch my roses bloom away...

What are your summer favorites? Looking forward to your thoughts...

Till next time...

Meet Mae...

Have you ever wanted something for so long you began to think it would never come?

Well that is how I have felt for several years about our newest addition...

And then the other day...there she was...waiting for me.

She seemed so out of place at a roadside sale, stuffed behind Mickey Mouse chairs, a child-size picnic table, and a plastic mannequin sporting a large Hawaiian shirt.

She certainly did not fit in.

Her good looks may have gone unnoticed by many of the passersby that day...but not by me. She stood out like a queen...like a Hollywood starlet...just waiting to be given the adoration that she deserves.

I walked as fast as I could {without trying to seem too eager}, and asked the man selling her, how much?

Sixty-five dollars was the answer, and she was sold before I heard the words.

Err...actually...before I had time to look to Joshua for the money that I certainly didn't have on hand...and before I realized he was in the mood to haggle. And this sale was smack dab in the middle of the Lilac Festival, with crowds of people and no way to pull up and put her in the car. She would need to be carried...like a lady...several yards away.

I never think when I spot something I have longed for.

Thankfully Joshua is always a good sport. Went to an atm and wasn't even upset he didn't get to ask for a lower price. It's a good deal, he assured me. He didn't complain as he had to carry her {and she is a bit on the heavy side} all the way to the car...past all of the gawkers.

I am a lucky girl. Well...Mae and I are both lucky girls...because now she will be loved and adored.

Prized in our home...

I dressed her up a a little bit for her first photo shoot. I am sure she will see many different looks throughout her life here.

I hope you enjoyed this first "meeting"...I am sure there will be many more to come...

On a side note...Joshua and I are going to Buffalo/Niagara Falls with my family for the weekend to celebrate my sister's graduation from college, so I won't be around to read all of your lovely comments and emails until I return. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and before I go, I wanted to share with you the lovely flowers "Renoir" gave me for Mother's Day...he likes color ;)

I hope they brighten your day as they did mine...

Till next time...