Getting Ready for the Fourth

Can't believe it is almost July fourth.

 

I'm a wee bit behind in my shop listings.

 

This past week I was able to go

to our local flea market which is

only open on Tuesdays.

 

This time I took Bebe with me.

She did great!

 

 

Which means I did great too!

I love clock faces and I was able to

snag a couple of them.

 

I actually can't remember where I

picked up this old US History book

but what is not to love?

It even has colorful maps.

 

Very old.

I'll be listing it in my

Bella Rosa Shop soon.

 

Perfect for the fourth!

 

Speaking of....

I usually have my 

mantel decorated by now.

 

Here is what I've done before:

 

I'm a "matchy-matchy" kind of person.

I get out all of my reds, whites, and blues...

And piece them together 

 

Can you believe I have no idea where I put that little "tall ship?"

It does look cute there, perched on top of the books.

 

The blue book is "Wheat from the Field of Boaz"

which is a spiritual book.

 

I like to be reminded we are a nation

based on Christian principles

You know, IN GOD WE TRUST.

Sometimes I think we tend to forget that.

Miss Liberty and some spectacles...

The glasses remind me of Ben Franklin,

so they are symbolic too.

I started collecting the little metal souvenirs

and they are such fun to find!

You have to be picky though.

Some of them are on the junky side.

 

My mantel does not look like this right now.

I have just plopped stuff up there temporarily.

 

Bebe and I are busy bees!

Summer offers so much to do outdoors.

Who could blame me?

 

But, I'm hoping to get to it soon.

I did list a couple of things today and some

vintage fabric in my second Etsy shop.

 

 How do you decorate your home for the 4th...

and are you behind like me?

 

Enjoy your week!

Shining Up Silver

Now I'll bet when you saw that blog post
title you thought this was going to
be a tutorial on how to shine your silver, right?

 

Well, I'm actually sharing a makeover today!

 

It was just one of those things...

you know... you get tired of 

looking at the same

thing over and over again.

 

Tired of my looking at my master bathroom.
(My husband is worried that he is next!)

 

I had never really put any thought
into the décor in there... 

 

Things just went in there
that sort of went together.

Last week, for some reason,
I said, that's it!
And I made a change.
 

As usual, I forgot to take the before photo.

 

Meh!

 

Anyway, here are some highlights:

 

It all started with this shower curtain that I found

in the clearance isle of Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

 

I really liked the silvery design, yet with a hint

of beige...which is what the walls were already painted.

 

Since I was not in the mood to paint the walls,

this worked out great!

 

 

Then from there I went with towels and wall art.

The towels match the shower curtain but

they were not on clearance.

 

I hardly ever buy towels so I splurged a little.

 

I am probably the only person who still has

a towel or two from her college days.

No joke!

 

The Eiffel Tower print

is an homage to our

honeymoon in Paris.

 

 

Then I got a bit crazy and spray painted

this wall cabinet.

 

It used to be an eighties mauve stripe

flanked with hand painted flowers.

 

It was also a bit crackled

which I did not notice

until the silver dried.

 

I'm okay with the crackle...

it was the "Tin Man" effect

I wasn't so crazy about.

 

But it is growing on me.

 

 

Then, while the spray paint was

still wet, I grabbed this three

tiered stand and gave

 it a coat or two, too!

 

I found this at a local furniture

store... when we first moved in

....and have used it only

in my bathroom. It works great

for things that I need in an

easy to reach spot.

 

It doesn't look as "Tin Man" ish

so I was happy with how

it turned out!

 

 

And the last touches

were simple things from K-Mart

believe it or not!

Silver hooks with a bit of bling,

silver mercury style glass

dispenser, toothbrush holder, etc.

 

I'm so happy in there now!

 

Enjoy your weekend...

joining with these

linky parties:

 

Pink Saturday

at How Sweet the Sound 

Beachcombers And Candy Makers

Life is always better at the beach.

Bebe and I took a long weekend to make the

trip to visit her Gramma.

 

Lovingly known as "Gramma at the Beach."

Bebe just loves to look for shells.

 

I asked her if she wanted to go

to a shell store on the boardwalk

because shells on this beach

are hard to find in one piece.

 

She insisted we look along the

water because the shells there are free!

 

This made me laugh.

 

 

Later that evening we stopped

by my favorite antique

candy store. So neat!



















(The photo above was taken by me of a photo displayed inside the store.)

Here is an excerpt from the Shriver's
website about the history behind the candy:

Shriver's is the oldest business on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey.
In 1898 William Shriver founded Shriver's as a restaurant, ice cream, and candy store. In 1959, Shriver's was purchased by four brothers who owned Dairy Maid Confectionery Company; a retail candy and ice cream shop chain throughout Philadelphia.

Today, it is owned and operated, three generations later, by the same family. The legacy of Shriver’s famous Salt Water Taffy, Fudge, and other fine confections still remains, over 100 years later. No one else on the Ocean City Boardwalk can boast the rare combination of a factory and retail store where you can come and see our delicious Salt Water Taffy and other confections being made.
 

They've been making candies since 1898,
along the shore!

I found it interesting the awning
shows Whitman's candy as well.

(Is that an East Coast thing, Whitman's
chocolates during the holidays?)

 

  

Just love the apothecary jar displays...

 

 

 

Which are all over this store!
so colorful!
 

 

 

They are best known for fudge and taffy.

 

 

You can even see them making it in the back.

 

I had all of my favorite things....

 

The beach

An old candy shop

Vintage photos and history

 

and my Sweet Pea!

 

Hope you had an enjoyable

weekend as well!

Linking with Coastal Charm

 

Sew Much Summer Fun

 

We are in the thick of summer vacation.

 

What to do, what to do?

 

I've set up a new crafty area due to

the lack of space in my office.

 

We are having so much fun

in the new space!

 

 

I found a "learn to sew" kit

for Bebe to try out.

 

At first there was a lot of

frustration.... but soon I

heard from her "this is easy!"

 

And she wanted to try another

project involving sewing.

 

This is what I love about

summer. All kinds of neat

things to learn that you

just don't try any other

time of year.  And our new

crafty area is really giving

us the space for it.

 

Will show more of the "nook"

where we are creating in a few

weeks. For now, we're just

two girls crafting!

 

I'll also be back with my

latest vintage goodies...

(Think vintage holiday!)

 

Mellow Yellow

Nothing says summer like the color yellow.

 

It is bright.

 

And cheery.

 

How can it be called mellow?

 

 

This McCoy "heart" shaped planter

could make you feel happy

when you look at it ... which could

put you in a mellow mood...

except now that I am looking

at it closer... I am wondering

if it a reproduction.

 

Anyone know a McCoy repro

when you see it?

It has a McCoy mark

but the McCoy book

I have states these

heart vases are NOT

marked.

 

This could be a good

learning lesson for me.

 

Will do some more research! 

 

I am definitely feeling mellow now.

 

 But memories of HON-E-NUT

candies could put me back in high spirits!

 

I think these were general store

signs for the boxes of candy to be

displayed on the counter.
They were made in Schuylkill Haven, PA.

Would you believe I just dug them
out of a box while moving
things around during the office re-do?
I loved the look and thought they
would be fun to put in one of the shops.
Probably Etsy. 

 

Now this "yellow" Vaseline glass

salad set definitely lifts

my spirits! These are hard to find.

 

How about you?

What kind of vintage puts you

in a good mood?

 

Linking with Ivy and Elephants

"What's It Wednesday."

 

Taking a Closer Look #2: An Interactive Story Post

The last time I posted an interactive story telling post based on some old photos, I discovered how much fun it was reading your comments and stories. So, voila! We have round two.

Here are the photos:

 

 

I'll of course, start it off... your stories need not be the most hilarious, the most profound, or the most clever.... just a little creative and that's all we need to get the "party" started.

I'm using photo number three:

Millie wished she had not waited until the last minute to get ready for dinner that night. Her cloche hat was nowhere to be found, probably in her Sister's armoire, which is most likely the reason why she couldn't find it. Darn that girl! She is going to give her a piece of her mind when she gets home. That and why only three of them were allowed to drink beer that night. Millie was, after all, a very modern gal. So modern in fact, she refused to wear a dress with sleeves. Now all she could hope for is that the camera was not getting a view of her elephant ankle stockings.

Okay, there you have it! Not the best, but it is fun to come up with a "mini" back story. (Are they really seated outside or is that a fake background????)

ENJOY and I hope you will play along. . . this could be the start of a new link up party!

For now I am joining Pink Saturday and hope some of the other "pinkies" will play along with me.

As we celebrate Father's Day this weekend, I want to thank my Sweet Hubs for being such a great Daddy to our little Bebe (who is getting bigger everyday!)

Also, a Happy Father's Day to my own Dad!

 

Here we are, both in our HS graduation photos.

We went to the same high school, about 29

years apart.

 

Big hugs and love go out to him this weekend!

Have a great one! After a soggy week of rain, rain, rain, I am looking forward to sunny skies this weekend.

~Jillian

Random Vintage

Today I selected a few of my latest

finds to list online.

 

In one of my Etsy shops.

 

 

This pretty pansy bread box is going to

make someone who loves a vintage

kitchen very, very, happy!

 

I love vintage in the kitchen

but it just won't go

with my LuRay pastels.

 

I was lucky enough to come across

several pieces of vintage fabric.

 

This one is amazing in gray, pink,

and green ferns.

 

I brought these home, purely for

 nostalgia purposes. My Grandmom

and I used to eat ice cream out of

Fire King bowls similar to these.

Ours were just plain jadeite but

these three are adorable!

 

Is this great or what?

A vintage popcorn container

that turns into a megaphone

when you are done with it!

 

I love the red,w hite, and blue

patriotic colors for summer holiday

decorating.

 

 

And this? Well, I wouldn't consider

it very vintage but it is so unique and

full of beauty. A glass hand blown

pendant. I'm going to add

coordinating ribbons, one to

this one and there are two more.

 

Having fun going through

our freshly picked vintage!

 

How about you... what did you find

recently that you just love?

 

 

 

 

  

Vintage Cottage Finds

We were out hunting down vintage again this weekend.

The treasures were not as exciting as they were up in the mountains but we did end up with a few really nice pieces.

I just shined this butter dome and dish...what a difference polish makes!
Lots of elbow grease. This one I earned!

Baubles and beads were also appearing at several sales. Some I buy for my vintage bead kit. I like to make jewelry with Bebe as well as making icicle ornaments. You can see my first attempt here. Some I buy to put in my shop.

People ask me what types of things I sell. Time and time again I go for the same things. On occasion there will be something unique and different but vintage jewelry, old books, and porcelain catch my eye.

Our weekend was also productive because my desk was painted! Yay!

The office makeover is another step closer to completion.

What about you? Did you find anything exciting over the weekend or get any projects finished?

I'm off to leave comments on other blogger's posts from the weekend. My computer was just put back in place and I need to catch up with those who stopped by to pay me a visit. I always appreciate your comments.

Linking with Etsy Cottage Style today!

The Office Makeover: Getting Close!

It has been almost a year of

working on my office makeover.

 

And it was also going

to be my craft studio.

 

But as I am getting

closer to completion,

I realize the two just

can't live in the same space.

But, I have found another area to

be crafty! And I've included Bebe.

She was also very excited.

 

Then, this past week I was

inspired by a quick trip into Target.

Yep, Target.

 

See the white cabinet in the

first photo? It was on clearance.
They put it on hold for me
for 24 hours and I definitely
went back to get it the next day.

 

It is perfect in front of my desk.
 I  love the glass doors.
 

I place my favorite

pieces from my latest

 inventory in there.

 

Somehow, this all inspired an organization

frenzy! Now I am on a roll... finding

things to help organize everything from

drawers to closets to cabinets, etc.

 

And it feels great! Like a good

spring cleaning.

 

While the office is not completely done,

I am showing some snippets.

The desk is being painted this weekend

because the weather is supposed

to be great! Today is gorgeous too!

 

 

The plan is to reveal the

whole thing in July

which I think is when the

"Where Bloggers Create"

link-up takes place.

 

For now, I am joining up with

Pink Saturday, at How Sweet the Sound.

 

Enjoy your weekend!

 

 

Summertime Treasures are Here! Boardwalk Souvenirs, Picnic Baskets, Glass Goblets and More!

Summer is my most favorite time of year!

Can you tell?

 

I've collected all kinds of unique treasures

for lots of summertime fun!

 

They are all newly listed in my shop,

here.

 

 

Goodies like large vintage trays for serving lemonade on the porch, vintage horseshoes, seashell guide book, farmhouse scale, oyster plate, picnic basket and vintage Atlantic City boardwalk souvenirs! But that's not all...

Joining up with BLOG SHOP today, over at Beverly's page: How Sweet the Sound.

Enjoy the day!

The Fiesta Onion Soup Bowl - Who Knew?

My husband and I have been hunting down vintage goodies and antique treasures for many years now. He loves the hunt and I enjoy the selling end.
If you combined our talents we'd have about 28 - 30 years of experience under our belts.

But yet we still have so much to learn. Life is always a journey and the business of antiques never fails to intrigue us.

Take this Fiesta onion soup bowl for example.

We just found it (and another one just like it) at an estate sale in upstate New York.

I walked by it several times. At first glance I thought it was Fiesta, of which I do not collect by the way, for fear of feeling like I am "cheating" on my beloved LuRay dinnerware. (I kid, sort of!) Anyway, I thought it was Fiesta but looked underneath and found no markings, then put it down.

As we were about to pay for our goods, I decided that they would be fun to have anyway, since there was a pair of them, and the color was so nice.

After a few days I had a chance to look them over. I was guessing they were from the same era as Fiesta, but just in a different, not as popular dinnerware line.

Then I decided to get out my book on Fiesta ware.

Lo and behold, I discover this IS Fiesta after all!

And not only is it Fiesta, but it is the elusive onion Soup bowl with a lid! They are rare! Didn't know that.

They were not marked in the book either.

So, while I am very happy to have found a nice treasure in these little green onion soup bowls, I am amazed by how much we learn every time we go antique hunting. I really enjoy learning the history behind things, too.

You can find this little gem on my website here.... or on Etsy here.

I gave it the going price as found on other major listing sites, but the book price is crazy high! Most of the time we find that the book price is not what you can get for the item. The going rate is simply, "what someone will pay."

What have you found recently that ended up being "the find of the day?"

I'd love to hear about it!

I'll be back with all of my new listings.... hopefully by this evening before the stroke of midnight. (This is usually when I am finishing up!)

Enjoy the day!

~Jillian

PS. So the moral of the story is, go with your first instinct...