MAIN STREET

This week I went to a conference in Grapevine, Texas, which is approximately 30 minutes outside of Dallas. I loved it! Our hotel was conveniently located 2 minutes away from a new but old Main Street. On either side, my eyes beheld boutiques, resale shops, vintage/antique markets, and local eateries.

Leave it to me to go on a trip to a metropolitan region and come back with vintage finds. The original plan was to simply park and walk to Farina's Winery & Cafe (= awesome! Half price pizza during happy hour!!!); however, we were distracted by the dazzling glitter of trinkets and treasures from the corner store. Of course, we had to be "flexible" as our conference suggested and stop in. I meandered around the store filled with western wear, resale fashions, and antique trinkets....when all of the sudden I stumble onto a shining beacon of whites, creams, and pastels. BEHOLD the shabby chic booth!!!

My eyes don't know where to look and I immediately know I will not leave the store without at least one item. Turns out, I left with two. :)

Number 1: old iron hand in all its cream & rusty glory wrapped with lace ribbon
My vision: ring holder for my dresser and companion for my vintage child's shoe

Number 2: a pleasantly rusted three tiered basket tower
My vision: a caddy for all my towels, perfumes, lotions, and bathroom odds and ends

As ever, signing off as a satisfied customer!

Indiana says "Howdy!"

Last summer, one of my closest friends said, "I do," to a Texas boy named Craig. Her story is quite unique. She moved from Indiana to Texas for graduate school and met him on her very first visit to Beaumont, Texas. The rest is history. I was truly blessed and very excited to help her in both planning and enjoying her wedding day. 

It all started with a very long trip to the fabric store (a place where I could get lost)! We were on a mission to get an eclectic mix of colorful and patterned fabric to make pennants and other accessories. They probably hated us!! We left piles of fabric in our wake, but in the end we decided on patterns that included yellow, charcoal gray, navy blue, and splashes of coral. It was the start to a country chic wedding that we would transport to Indiana. With the help of several craft websites (i think you know which ones I'm talking about) and a little auction in Crosby, Texas her day was beautiful. Her florist was also amazing as she filled mason jars and old bottles with blue and yellow wildflower arrangements.

My personal projects included flower girl wands, flower girl headbands, bridesmaids hair pins and a guarder. I used left over scraps of fabric and burlap to assemble the country chic embellishments. 

These were the flower girl accessories. The yellow flower in the center was made from silk satin circles that were burned at the edges, causing them to curl inward. They were then layered (6-8 layers). The back layers were circles of blue gingham cotton folded into triangles and the wand was wrapped with gray ribbon. 

The guarder design was a little bit more challenging to come up with as I have never made on before. I decided to keep the basic elements, fabric and folded triangles, but changed up the center flower. Instead of petals, I twisted and wrapped the silk satin into a rosette, placing a single pearl in the middle. Although it looks like a success, I learned a valuable lesson!!! Word to the wise: cut the elastic shorter than you think!!! 

During the first dance, the guarder unceremoniously slid down Cass' leg!! Yikes!! She however, gracefully stepped out of it and continued her first country two-step with her husband! HAHA! (She was beet red, haha) Craig and Cass' boots were no the only ones scootin' either. They managed not only to bring Texas Country to Indiana through music, but also through the boot beer steins at the bar. Needless to say, it was one of the best weddings I have been a part of!! 

Weight-a-Minute...That's cool!

My most recent antiquing adventure found me face to face with two treasures I resisted once, but could not the second time around as they were staring me down. I'm a sucker for white and red/aqua mixed, so these beauties were calling my name. They were in great condition and reduced price! These scales add the perfect touch to both my living room and my kitchen. Below, I have featured the white one with my basic glass and metal canisters and hand-me-down salt/pepper shakers. If you are ever in Denham Springs, you should check out the shops. They are great!!