Elsie of Violet Q Vintage

Jojeana of Secret Garden Cottage

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped me by clearing out some of this stuff!!!

I will contact the winners shortly via email.

Congrats ladies!

First, I found the chandelier you see there in the center of the room. Josh and I had left a junction box in the center of the room for a ceiling fan when we were in the construction phase, and it has literally been just that… a junction box smack in the middle of my bedroom for about a year. It was annoying me every time I saw it, and pissing me off every time I tried to edit it out of pictures; but I couldn’t seem to find a fan that wouldn’t ruin the aesthetic I was trying to create in the room.  (Even the expensive antique bronze ones I liked were too bulky and stuck out like a sore thumb in the room). So… I was out on my weekly shopping trip for the shop, and came across this beauty. It was perfect. I’ve never really cared for gold before, but I took it home, and tried it in the room, and instantly felt it was meant to be. I especially love it when I’m in the bathroom in the tub and can see the sparkle from it through the mirror. So girly.

Next, we added the armoire  that used to be in our family room. It neatly tucked away my television, and the distressed wood compliments my antique shoe rack that is still a favorite. I added large baskets to the bottom section for Josh’s clothes, since the dresser is all mine.

My little white sofa made it’s way into the room when I found those velvet pink love seats for the front room. It’s the perfect spot for putting on shoes in the morning, or for watching television when Josh and I can’t agree on a show in the family room.

Saint Francis watches over me at night, and fit in so perfectly with the botanical touches throughout the room. The gorgeous curtains are new as well, they came from my fabulous design client: Patina Green Market. There is a hand smocked set of sheers, and then another layer of hand smocked burlap. I created pull backs with some upholstery webbing to let a bit more light in, but they actually keep the room quite dark, which is great for sleeping in. (I’ve got to do as much of it as I can, before the baby comes to live with us).

The European wall sinks I added awhile back to either side of the bed. They are filled with moss. The three botanical prints over the bed I just threw up there, since I decided I was tired of the large empty frames I had there before. They are a bit under size, but are a nice break from the heavy dark wood I took down. Josh’s nightstand is a bit overcrowded with books, but he loves to read, and always has two dozen unread books at any given moment to choose from. The little black dresser on my side, is also new. It was another vintage find. The gal told me it was from the late 1800′s, and the top is original and heavily distressed, which makes me love it even more. It’s the perfect spot to hide all my purses, and other necessities.

And of course Hannah, had to sneak into at least one photo.

Well, there you have it. My room. Josh has let me overrun it with girliness, since he travels as often as he does. But I’m trying to keep a balance between the masculine and the feminine so he never feels unwelcome. ;o)

P.S. Don’t forget, I’m picking three winners tomorrow, to receive $25 credits toward my Etsy shop, so if you haven’t left a comment on the last post, please do so now!

• Comment on this post and get 1 entry.
• Make a purchase in my Etsy shop between now and next Friday and get an additional entry.
• Blog, Tweet, or Share this on Facebook and receive another entry.   (Just comment again with the link to the post).

In addition, our “Making Room for Baby” sale is still going on through the end of July in all three shops.

Good luck to all of you! (And no, there’s no baby yet, we’re just trying to make room for one!)

Well here’s where I’m going with this… I’m shocked, no, stunned really that I am finding myself drawn to lace, pretty pink pastels, and even vintage dolls! I mean take a look at my Etsy shop, the pink banner, the lace in almost every photo, the books tied up all pretty with seam binding. When did this happen to me? Do you suddenly enter into your thirties and start thinking “I think I want a pretty little dolly to sit on my shelf in the front room”? It’s a bit strange if you ask me, and yet here I am… with a pretty little dolly sitting on my fireplace mantle.

My shopping trips have been an ode to estrogen lately… vintage baby girl dresses, Victorian lace up boots, old dolls, and hand made lace. It’s no wonder that my “neutral nursery” has started to take a turn toward the feminine. (As if that weren’t an almost guarantee that we will now end up with a boy).

Just take a look at the items I’ve been pining over in Etsy:

And for the nursery:

Not so “neutral”, is it? Speaking of babies, here’s a little update for those of you following our adoption plans…. Josh and I had our joint interview with our social worker, I had my solo interview, and Josh’s solo interview is scheduled for this week. Once we complete those interviews, we start the next step which is some more classes, the actual “foster care” application, and then the home study process. If everything goes according to plan, we should be approved by October (which is my favorite month anyway, since my anniversary, birthday, and favorite holiday decorating all happen this month). Then, if we aren’t being to picky, and the fates are smiling upon us, I’m praying for a baby to find us by Christmas. (I say if we aren’t being to picky, because I still really have my heart set on a baby under 18 months, which makes the matching process a bit longer for us). So there you have it. :o)

Maybe if I’m really, really, really, lucky, I’ll get the little blond haired girl that I’ve imagined for the last nine or ten years. But then again, if Josh is really, really, really lucky… he’ll get the little boy he’s been wanting. I think either way, boy or girl, blond or otherwise, we will be blessed to finally have someone to call us “Mom” and “Dad”.

XOXO,

Sara

Good luck! Lovely collage of images of items from our shops courtesy of Rebecca’s blog.

This was just a last minute, run and grab my vintage camera to hide my no-makeup and undone hair, but catch the gorgeous sunlight before the sun goes down in my own backyard kind of shoot. I tried several of my vintage cameras in the shot, but this one hid the most, so it was my favorite. Man, nothing like a few unflattering images of yourself to make you want to go on a diet, and get your hair done! Uh oh… if I write it on the blog, does that mean I’ve committed to doing it? (Backpedaling already… how typical of me).

I have absolutely no discipline when it comes to food or exercise. I’m hoping lifting a baby up and down will get me back in to shape. (Or at least, I’m dreaming it will!) I’ve decided I’m not allowed to buy anymore expensive outfits from Anthro until I’ve lost a few pounds. Getting old is so not fun.

Josh and I have spoken with our social worker, but our first interview was rescheduled for next week, so we still have a LONG way to go, before we get a call for a baby. (Once the interviews are over, we still have to take the class to become licensed, and pass a home inspection).

I’ve been as proactive as possible, baby proofing the house, buying gender neutral nursery basics, and getting our paperwork in order. But we have been told over and over that it can take six months to a year for the process to be complete. So I’m trying to be as patient as possible.

So far I’ve been able to channel some of my excitement into the treasure hunt for the perfect nursery decor. On many of my shopping trips for the vintage shop, I’ve been hoarding away baby clothes, vintage toys, and old children’s books.

My first find was an olive green vintage dresser that has the perfect amount of distressing. It’s low enough to fit right under the one window in the nursery, and is the right height for a changing pad on top. (Did I mention Babies R Us and I are on a first name basis now?) …lol…

I added a floral wooden tray next to the changing pad to hold all my baby buttocks related trinkets. The sweet little basket on top was actually something Josh’s grandmother sent to use one Christmas with two jars of preserves inside. The wooden cut out handle is in the shape of a duck, perfect for our namesake. (Although I’m worried the “duck” thing will be a curse and I’ll end up with an all yellow pile of presents from family and friends…lol…).

The little green wagon was an Etsy find and it sits on the built in bookcase in the baby’s room. I have a ton of old wooden blocks that I’ve picked up on shopping trips.

And the gray crib is from Pottery Barn. It was a splurge for sure, but my mom helped me buy it and it was on clearance, so somehow I justified the purchase. Who am I kidding, the second it was set up in the room I was freaking out with excitement on how pretty it was. It was TOTALLY worth it! It’s a bit undressed at the moment, since my in-laws are helping my make my own custom bedding. Can’t wait to share that with you all! I hope it turns out as pretty as I imagine it! :o)

The knick knacks on the crown molding ledges are just temporary, as I’ve already changed things out since I took this photo, but I love that I can change things as I learn more about the baby we will be blessed with.

Along the bottom images: A stack of vintage children’s books, including two on adoption, that were a gift from my friend Christilynn, who took the time to come coach me on prepping my home for the home study.

The printers drawer hangs by the crib and is filled with tiny trinkets (which I learned will all have to be removed so the baby doesn’t choke on any of them!) Oh well, it looks pretty for my pictures, anyway.

The teddy bear is from my mom’s childhood. It’s something I always wanted from her, and she agreed to let me have it when she saw I was decorating.

I’m still tweaking things here and there, but overall I’m really happy with it. Let hope the new baby likes it too! (And let’s hope my social worker doesn’t think I totally jumped the gun on the nursery…lol…).

Photo credits: *Left Image: Kimberly Taylor Images *Right Image: Kasey Buick

I really am happy for them. I am. And if you haven’t seen the amazing documentary of images on both Kim and Kasey’s blogs, you should head over there and take a peek. Maybe if you are jealous too, I won’t feel so bad. :o)

Speaking of amazing images, have you taken a peak at my friend Jeanne’s photo blog? These two images are so crazy inspiring to me. They make me want to up and move to Colorado! Both so I can hang with Jeanne, and so I can have amazing scenery like this to inspire me!

Photo Credit: * Jeanne Oliver

Photo credit: *Jeanne Oliver

I am missing my girls. Big time. I think it’s time for another girls weekend away. Pick the place, plan the date, and you have my word, I will even FLY there. But I prefer to travel this way:

Photo Credit: *Kasey Buick

That’s why when Linda McDonald emailed me, and asked me to be a guest contributor to his new magazine, Holiday with Matthew Mead, I jumped at the opportunity!  I can’t reveal any details just yet, but I can tell you, that the magazine is available for pre-order now! Just head on over to Matthew’s site and place your order. If you do so on Thursday or Friday, you will be entered to win a gorgeous spring inspired gift, courtesy of Matthew himself!  Good luck!

I had a wonderful time getting to know them, and traipsing all around the beach for these memorable shots. It was a dream to work with such a gorgeous couple who are as friendly and fun as they could be.

I hope you both love them, and best wishes on your upcoming marriage!