Spring Cleaning

Spring........

Ahhhhhhh.........

It has definitely arrived in Minnesota...in a BIG way.....

And while I should be out enjoying the nice weather, I have been inspired all week to CLEAN!

What is it about springtime that inspires the need to edit, rearrange, recover, redo??? Do you suffer from the same "affliction"?

While hubby was away last weekend on his annual golf trip, I decided my girls really needed to swap bedrooms. Yes. I. Did. That'll teach him to go away, huh?

I have one tweenie-bopper who uses her room to hang out with friends, listen to music, read and drop alot of dirty soccer clothes all over the floor (next to the clothes hamper, of course). She had the big room.

I have a sweet eight year old who loves her Barbie's, American Girl dolls, Littlest Pet Shop figures. She uses her room to create a diverse community where Barbies, American Girl dolls and Littlest Pet Shop animals all live in peace in harmony. She had the small room.

Get where I am going?

Because the tweenie-bopper could never live in a pink room and the sweet little eight year old could never live in a blue room, I called my painter. I just so happen to have him on speed dial. He came the next day.....did I mention I am a good customer?

By the time the girls got home from school I had everything swamped with the exception of the contents of their closets.

Did I mention my aching back?

Oh, and don't worry, I will show you pictures next week, as soon as hubby helps with the finishing touches!

I am a lucky girl.

In just a little over a year, since beginning this blog, I have been blessed to meet the most incredibly talented and creative people. Many of these individuals, I had only known through their work in the books and magazines I studied and admired.

Matthew Mead is one of those people. I met Matthew and his wife Jenny at the first Junk Bonanza show I attended, shortly after moving to Minnesota. Matthew was attending the show to sign copies of his Entertaining book. I found both Matthew and Jenny to be just lovely people who are as warm and friendly as they seem.

Last year, I was reacquainted with Matthew and Jenny when they once again attended Junk Bonanza - this time promoting the launch of Flea Market Style magazine.

If you know anything about Matthew, he is the master of styling and celebrating holidays, so it should come as no surprise that he is producing a "book-azine" that celebrates the Christmas holiday season. I can't wait to see his crisp, tailored and creative style!

And guess what? Matthew has a blog dedicated to the creating of the magazine! And the blog is having an uber-awesome giveaway!

Head over to Holiday with Matthew Mead to find out how you can win the opportunity to have your blog or online shop mentioned in the magazine. Holiday with Matthew Mead is a "book-azine" celebrating and offering inspiration for the Christmas holiday season. To be released in October 2010, Holiday is offered via online orders only - in limited quantities - and will not be sold on newsstands. But, by simply following the BUY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE link below their banner, you can reserve your own copy of this beautiful magazine, with guaranteed delivery of the magazine straight to your mailbox! Holiday with Matthew Mead is144 pages of holiday inspiration with well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch features, printed on beautiful paper and not drowning in ads!
Now, head on over for your chance to win!

A day with my little peeps.....

Most days, I love being a mom. I am fortunate that I was able to step away from my career when my first daughter was born 11 years ago. And because I waited until I was in my 30's to have my children I can honestly say I never regretted my decision. I felt like I had accomplished alot and was ready for the next chapter of my life.

I have a confession, however.......

In the midst of diapers, sippy cups, playgroups, potty training, temper tantrums and short preschool days, I sometimes (ok, often) dreamed about the day when both my girls would be in school full-time. I imagined luxurious hours spent on long workouts at the gym (with all the baby weight finally gone for good), coffee and lunch dates with friends, shopping, reading a thick novel, cooking (the real kind)and finally a clean house!

My baby is in second grade.....that means I should be enjoying my second year of "living the dream", right?

Time for another confession....

I sometimes miss those crazy days with babies and toddlers and I definitely regret ever wishing it away.

Thankfully, I live next door to a mom who is still has two toddlers at home and is always grateful when I borrow them for an afternoon when I need my little kid fix.



Mostly, we bake together, creating yummy special treats for the "big kids" when they get off the bus.

Today, we made cupcakes inspired by spring! We also made some lemonade and set a fancy table so they could enjoy eating their cupcakes together.




When I brought my little buddies home to their mom, she was ever grateful for the break. Reminded me of the good ole days....



And while I sometimes miss the long tiring days where no one napped and everyone melted down at 4:00 pm, doing so reminds me to really pay attention to where my girls are today, to not take anything for granted...the good and the bad.

Check It Out!

Just when I thought I could take no more of this harsh Minnesota winter the sun has decided to shine, the snow has melted and the temperatures have warmed to comfortable levels - whoo hoo!

I visited with my friend Ki Nassauer this week, the uber-creative woman behind the Junk Market Style books, the Junk Bonanza antiques show and most notably, the co-editor of the new Flea Market Style magazine. Just when you think this woman cannot possibly have time to do more, you find out that yes, she does!

Ki and I met at Bachman's, a local home and garden center that hired Ki to help them with a new and different retail strategy - incorporating vintage and vintage-inspired wares into their stores. I was able to walk around the store and visit the five different vintage "departments", Country Modern, Cottage, Euro, City/Loft and Kids.



Besides great vintage finds, you can purchase custom pillows made by Nancy Polacek and jewelry by the fabulous Lisa Souers.

And just so you could feel like you got to come along, I snapped a few pictures for you.



I know most of you are not from the Minneapolis area, but if you get a chance to visit, you can visit the Bachman's on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis and soon in Plymouth and Eden Prairie to check it out for yourself!

It always fun to visit with Ki - as you might imagine she is a bundle of energy and creativity that I always find inspiring (not to mention, sweet as can be too).

Will you join me?

I have attended the Farm Chicks Antiques Show in Spokane, Washington for the last four years. It is truly one of my favorite antiques shows. Besides wonderfully juried "finds" from creative and talented vendors, the show brings together women from all over who manage to bring out their inner "farm chick"..... at least for one weekend.

And while I have long since left the Pacific Northwest, I would not miss the Farm Chicks show! I will travel once again to Spokane, with empty suitcases and the anticipation of lots of girlfriend fun!

Please let me know if you too will be bringing out your inner "farm chick" in June!

A girl who travels....want to come along?

I went to Napa Valley/Sonoma, California last week with the hubby.....

How cool is this "vintage suitcase sculpture" in the baggage claim area of the Sacramento airport?

I found it to be the perfect welcome for this vintage lovin' girl.



Besides "tasting" alot of wonderful wines and enjoying many yummy meals, I managed to convince the hubby to stop at a few home decor stores. After 19 years of marriage he knows better than to try to deny me this indulgence.



For as long as I can remember I have loved to seek out fun antiques and home decor stores when I travel to other places. It is amazing how the styles are so different depending on what part of the country you are in. I love west coast style, for its casual, laid-back yet sophisticated style.



I was so lucky to find a wonderful store called Sonoma Country Antiques. This store carries lots of European antiques and accessories as well as some reproductions.



When I walked in and saw all the beautiful painted cabinets, linen slipcovered furniture and euro chandeliers, it literally took my breath away.



I knew I had to take some pictures to share with all of you....cause isn't it more fun to shop with your besties?



And guess what?

I am leaving on another trip....

Now don't go thinkin' I am some sort of jet setter...

We are taking the kiddos to Florida for a lot of sun and fun...

Can't promise I will be bringing back pictures taken in beautiful home decor stores, unless they have some of those at Disney World!



And by the way, my generous friend Kasey is having a fantabulous giveaway at her blog, Lola B's....tell her I sent you!

A bit of chic with my shabby...

Hellooooooooooo....dear friends!

You might have thought that I had dropped off the face of the earth...but fear not, I am back from a restful mini-vacation with the hubby in Napa Valley, California....have you been?

Literally the day before I left, one of my friends (who is a real-life decorator and should not be confused with me, the pretend-life decorator)dropped off my reupolstered Louis chair.

A few weeks ago I had gotten a "bee in my bonnet" so to speak (is that old foggy speak??)....

You see, I love the shabby look I have going in my home - all chippy and white and worn .....

However, it was beginning to feel out of balance - you know what I mean?

It needed a little "chic" to balance all it's "shabby" glory....

I think this chair is a good start! What do you think?