Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanksgiving Week

I love this week! Xander is off school, so we enjoy lounging around the house, baking & digging through our Christmas decorations.   I've been working on a couple of holiday projects before I get to the BIG decorating this weekend! I tackled my first ornament wreath, after collecting vintage ornaments in my favorite shabby colours.  On Wednesday night, I will be making pies with my dear friend & our kids (our annual tradition!) I love traditions as they give you something special to look forward to every year.  It's never too late to start some or even revive older ones.  I am so thankful for all the love & support from family & friends. Have a great Thanksgiving! x Drena
Rudolph the wine cork reindeer
Thrift store find
Blue Christmas
Crates with basket liners from the Simply Shabby Chic line at Target
My big project for the week <3
Something to remember our 1st year of raising chickens
Lounging on the couch
That in between time, between Thanksgiving & Christmas
Love
A cozy mess on laundry day
Pink
The weather has finally changed but the garden is full of butterflies
Packing away the orange
Unpacking Christmas...



Sunday, November 11, 2012

Feeling inspired...

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of attending my first Fancy Flea, a twice a year vintage market in Lakeland, FL.  I was simply overwhelmed with all the beautiful booths!  The vendors were amazing, creative...I have never felt more in my element.  I should have taken more pictures, talked to more people but I was walking around like a child in a toy store.  It was so wonderful to see names and faces I knew from Facebook like Debi Coules and Paris Rags.  I am hoping to attend the Spring Fancy Flea as a vendor, next year (fingers crossed!)
The greatest thing about the Fancy Flea was how much it inspired me.  Granted, I am inspired everyday by my friends blogs and the beautiful pictures people share but seeing it in person, is a real treat.  Being able to touch and feel pillows and linens, admire the paint on a bench or chair...it really plays to the senses and my love of junking.  Nothing beats the joy of the hunt.  You never regret those things you find, only those you pass up (I should have bought those nesting Florentine tables *sigh*)
I've been busy working on getting my home in order for the holidays.  I have so many different projects I am working on and can't wait to share.  This is my favorite time of the year.  Over the next couple of weeks I hope to post more pictures.  I am still getting the hang of balancing blogging, projects and housework.  Hats off to those of you who make it look so seamless and easy!
Thanks again for stopping by and sharing!  Hope you have a wonderful, inspired week!
x Drena
Morning
Afternoon
My favorite windows
Last wildflowers for the season
My key keychain (think I will add some ribbon)
From a project that I shared on Facebook, gift boxes made from toilet paper rolls. Super easy and so lovely!
The Fancy Flea...heaven!
A little corner of our living room
Moxie loves the crates with fabric liners!
Thinking pink for Christmas
Feeling the love for pale greens and blues
$5 breadbox on the shelves that hide our shoes. I love the tin drawers!
Treasures!
Mismatched and cozy dining

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Shabby french for me: ~ RUFFLED LINENS Giveaway at Shabbyfrenchforme!! ~...

Shabby french for me: ~ RUFFLED LINENS Giveaway at Shabbyfrenchforme!! ~...: ~ Ruffled Linens Giveaway, Christiana from Ruffled Linens!

This is one of my favorite blogs to follow and Rachel is offering such a great giveaway!  Be sure to stop by and check it out! x Drena

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Happy Halloween!

Been busy, busy, busy!!  Hope everyone has a safe & happy Halloween! Thanks for all the continued support and likes on my Facebook page and Pinterest and Instagram.  Feeling more inspired than ever, meeting so many talented people!  See ya'll next month! x
Me, channeling Marie Antoinette, in my favorite chair.
Made a sweet dream catcher one afternoon
Creative process
Our Hemmingway Manx, Princess
A good day at the market (Love my green bread box!!)
Festive Fall Centerpiece (Thanks Shabbyfufu for the inspiration!)
Unexpected glamour & detail. Broken necklace turned into a ceiling fan chain
Thinking ahead to Christmas
My secret garden
Villeroy & Boch Cortina china, found at a garage sale.  Perfect to mix in with my floral china.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Creative Thinking

When money gets tight, especially around this time of year, with the holidays approaching, it puts me in a creative mood. I so enjoy my Saturday trips to the flea market & various sales. Hunting for bargains, hidden treasures, finding things that can be repurposed and given new life, thinking outside the box. Not to mention, it is a great couple of hours spent with my dad. I found a beautiful stained glass, that even with a couple cracks, still has years of beauty and a new life in our home.
I have also been taking advantage of drier, cooler(?) weather, getting my garden back in order. It's a process right now (lots of weeding!) but I look forward to sharing pictures with you in the coming weeks. I don't know very much about gardening or landscaping but I enjoy being creative with our outdoor living spaces. I like our garden to reflect our home, with an eclectic mix of furniture & details. Almost everything in our garden was reclaimed or generously traded from family & friends, including many of the plants. I just recently found a three light lamp post for the back garden & can't wait to put it in. I am constantly thinking about plans for the back yard. Again, being on a very tight budget inspires my creativity.
While I was outside gardening this week, I came across an endless supply of sticks & foliage for projects I have had in mind for awhile. Not to mention, it is the perfect escape from yard work, to sit inside, in the cool, with my glue gun.  I am having a lot of fun making my stick stars, for lack of a catchier name. (Suggestions welcome!!) I'm working on all different sizes, and using different decorating materials & paint colour. Expect more pictures, as I continue to work on them. I also made my first wreath, weaved from cuttings in my yard & decorated with dried roses. I am in love with the wilted beauty, that seems frozen in time. There is great satisfaction in creating something from items you already have, including sticks & flowers from the garden. Now, I find myself looking around outside with new appreciation, wondering what I will find to make next. Don't be afraid to try something new, you will probably surprise yourself. Appreciate all that you have, right down to the smallest things. You don't have to be wealthy to live a rich life.

Have a great weekend! Thank you again for stopping by & for all your support and kind wishes.
x Drena
Breakfast
My new star, hanging in our living room. A perfect example of glamourustique.
Something new, slightly worn, but full of beauty above our bed.
The quiet peace of the morning in our kitchen, after my boys are gone for the day
A cup of tea while I work on my stick stars
Last thing at night, walking through our cottage in the gentle glow
The window above my kitchen sink, an ever changing display of treasures
My first star, made entirely of goodies collected in our garden.  The piece of chipped china was found while weeding a flower bed, a reminder of days gone by.
My grandmothers china cabinet, now home to my ever growing collection.
Drying my anniversary bouquet of roses, makes for a pretty display of fall colour on the chandy
You don't have to be a great chef to display yummy, baked goodies under a glass dome.  One of my favorite, must have touches in any kitchen.
Egyptian perfume bottles and vintage earrings found at the market
Beauty is all around us, even faded, in all her glory.  My first wreath, again made from goodies collected in the garden.