National Cheesecake Day-After

I'm moving a little slower today..not only am I one year older and wiser, but my tummy box is still grumbling from last night's dinner. My girl treated me to a birthday dinner last night at the Cheesecake Factory. They had a promotional on slices of cheesecake for $1.50..which normally run around $6.00.
As we sat there savoring our delicious Orange Chicken with Stir Fry veggies...we had an idea! Instead of her making the birthday cake, why not buy a variety of 6 pieces of cheesecake and take them home?!! Brilliant..so that's what we did. She chose 3, I chose 3 ..we were both happy, but when we walked waddled out the door, I was a bit embarrassed so I made her carry the bags...haha. Off we went to the car with these flavors..Snickers, White Chocolate Raspberry, Caramel Pecan , Cookie Dough, Dulce Leche and Godiva. My husband isn't picky, but not a huge fan of desserts. He would much prefer a bowl of fresh fruit. Pffft!

Oh...in case anyone is looking for Hint #3, here ya go. Tomorrow is the big day with the final piece of the puzzle....I'm so excited!

...Hint #2

Hint Number 1

Some of you may immediately recognize these beautiful hand painted roses...Yum!
This is hint #1 of my four piece puzzle which will be complete on Friday! Quit tapping those fingers Ronda...a girl needs her beauty sleep ya know...hahaha

Tag Sales are TIRING

This was a busy weekend for me as we held a tag sale for 2 days in a row!
I usually only have them one day, but my sister convinced me to go for two and I'm glad we did. We did much better the second day and since everything was already set up, we didn't have to get up at 5:30am. Holding a sale is always so tiring, and I had no time to add anything to the web site..sorry! A few posts back I mentioned that I have something in the works and it's happening later this week...Beginning Tuesday, I will be posting a little hint to you each day with piece number 1 of the 4 piece puzzle. `o)

Jenna's Little World

I was putting away some of her clothes the other day , and since she was gone..it was the perfect opportunity to get nosy and take some pictures of her room. She doesn't like it when I do this..calls it "creepy" Whatever...I figured I would show you my daughter's little world. She loves vintage, the stranger the better. Like Sigmund Freud atop her tv between the creepy looking lamb and bunny. A 1940's dating photo of her Grandma & Grandpa hang on the wall behind them. She loves mannequins and even names them. The green headless one is Myra. She was a prize find from the flea market and everyone wanted her as we left, and that made Jenna feel just that much better about her purchase. I found the vintage record player on eBay last year and it was like new! An old rolling metal medical cabinet holds art & craft supplies. She has collected handbags for a few years now, and keeps most of them in a cool old green kitchen built in with a yellow and black deco tile top. Saint Rita was a recent purchase which she had been eyeballing since last year. Her most prized possession is not vintage..it's her iMac. I don't know what she would do without it!

I can never resist...

Something old, with original worn paint,especially when the paint is in this color! Pale robin's egg blue. I have always wanted an old wooden file cabinet, so when I turned the corner and found this sweet thing for ten bucks...I couldn't say no.

Now I know there may be a few out there that would take one look at this and say, "that needs to be refinished or taken to the dump." My husband used to be one of them, but thankfully, he's come over to my side now. He has strict orders to pick up anything & everything with chippy paint and bring it home to Momma! `o)

Koi Pond Update

In the beginning...surprise! An old rusty water pipe had to be cut out.
A few weeks later....the liner arrived but is still has to be trimmed to fit.

Still lots of work ahead...the border and the waterfall. The pump has been circulating the water and I just love the sound it makes....so peaceful but it makes me sleepy. It was in the 80's today and I was tempted to jump in!
I'll be sure to post the final pics.

Show and Tell Treasures....

Found some goodies over the weekend..Of course I will probably keep at least 1 or 2 things for myself. That's the hardest part about this biz...letting go.
(For a closer look, you can click on the photos to enlarge)


The best find of the day was this little number. I was told by the seller that is was an antique chromolithograph. I knew it was something special when two men were breathing down my neck waiting for me to put it down. Other finds included 4 Paris fashion framed prints in the old butter yellow frames, 2 tarnished silver trays which make great displays for sea shells and for vintage ornaments at Christmas time. A vintage framed needlepoint in the best colors I've ever seen, a darling shabby stool with it's old PINK paint, a wall sconce, a yellow ware mixing bowl, pretty fabric and 40 old picks with tiny balls that look like mercury glass! I loved the pearl ones but there were more silver..of course! Does anyone know what these were for? These will be perfect for adding to my ornament wreath I plan to make for Christmas. Into the drawer they go!



Until my next shopping trip...
Nancy

10 more days!

The Secret Garden

I went to a private sale yesterday with my friend Jane and we had such a great time! Hosted by Katie of Berkeleygirl and her trusty sidekick Miss Olive. We love Miss Olive and one of these days I just might have to sneak her in my bag! We walked away with some sweet treasures, but not before relaxing under this huge old tree.

A Wonderful Bird Cage!

I just added this wonderful old bird cage to the web site. It's even more amazing in person...go take a peek if you are in the San Diego area. Now on display at Vignettes!

The Queen of Vignettes!

I was out and about yesterday, and stopped by to visit my friend Lori, who owns Vignettes in Ocean Beach. This is the first vignette you will see as you enter her store. It will stop you dead in your tracks...isn't it amazing?
Be sure to click on the photos to enlarge.








Vignettes : 4828 Newport Ave in Ocean Beach, CA. 619) 222-9244

Web site coming soon!

Attention Please...

Attention Shab-n-Chic shoppers!
We are having a 20% off sale so come on over!

The EEZE way to get in shape?

Slender-eeze : A massage table, a piece of fitness furniture, chaise lounge, and electronic device all in one. Is this too funny or what?!!! This 1950's gem was listed on eBay a few weeks back and sold for a mere $60. It was like NEW! It was designed in the era in which it was believed that one could have all her exercising done for her. Just lay there and let the geometric shapes pulsate against your body and you will lose weight and tone your body, effortlessly! Ahhhh..if it were only this easy. I would have most certainly purchased this thing.

When you just can't say no...

I spent over 4 hours in the garage yesterday. It was hot, humid and not a fun filled afternoon. I have had enough of STUFF junk , so I am having a yard sale very soon! This is what it looked like when I opened the door..on ONE side of the garage. At least nothing fell on top of me. Somebody please tell me I'm not the only one who has this addiction?
I took everything out of MY half of the garage and separated the yard sale stuff junk and the shop items. Then I put back the shop items and left the junk OUT.

I have to remind myself to be a little more selective on my shopping trips. I took a picture of the yard sale pile, but I'm slightly embarrassed to post it. All I can say is it's pretty bad when you have a 2 1/2 car garage and you can't fit one car into it. In closing, I will have to borrow Sharon's line from her blog.
"A shop is born when you just can't say no to junk..." Or maybe I should re phrase that to read a yard sale is born.

A Pug's Life...pretty much

My Latest Find

As we drove past the Salvation Army Thrift Store yesterday, Jenna suggested that we stop so I made a U-turn. I have been to this one many times and have never had much luck finding anything. Today was different. As we walked in, our eyes went immediately to this sofa and matching chair. We just stared at each other without saying a word. Jenna sat on it and I knew right then and there...this set was going home with us! Well, not immediately, because a 7 foot couch and chair won't quite fit in the back of a Toyota Highlander. So I got on the horn and called Dad...not to get his approval mind you, but to make him THINK I was getting his approval...*snicker* We already had our minds made up people! It's two against one at this stage in the game. Besides..I told him it was either this or the dreamy sofa I saw at Anthropologie for $3000...
He wasn't thrilled with the thought of hauling another piece of furniture home, but he's a good sport. :) Today he came with truck and trailer and we loaded her up. I think he actually liked it, but he never actually admitted it. After all...it IS a floral print. He would much prefer a manly man leather set I'm sure. Once it was inside, he saw how nice it looked and admitted that it was a nice set. I think it was a steal for $175 . The original fabric is still like new and I'm guessing the previous owner had a plastic cover on it for 30 years. The only thing I would like to do is to paint the wood trim a creamy white, but that won't be for awhile.

Sophie and Ivan immediately claimed their spots and they have been napping for the last 2 hours in the same chairs. Looks like it's four against one now. :)

I love parcels!

..Especially when they smell this sweet! As soon as I picked this up off the ground, the sweet scent of lemon verbena hit me. I couldn't wait to rip this box open. My blog friend Sharon from Sweet Repose is responsible for this..
All it took was one whiff. I'm hooked! I was also treated to samples of other scented soaps...shame on you Sharon! My favorite is the Lemon Verbena and it feels heavenly on your hands. Lathers like no other soap and you almost don't want to put it back in the soap dish! SO head on over to Sharon's and order some soap and treat yourself to a candle or two. Even when it isn't burning, I walk by it and the scent is still strong! I ordered the chestnut brown sugar and it smells sooooo yummy that I know I will be ordering more.

Here's a peek!

Jenna's sewing room is pretty much complete so here's a peek at how it's progressed.The large glass top table was a thrift store find for $25. We got a great deal on a dress form off Craig's List that was only used twice by a fashion student. Yes, that's a tiara on her head. :)
The dresser where she displays her hats.



Stop thief! Come back with my chair!!!

Too late...
Let's see...what else can we borrow from Mom for the studio.. Her favorite aqua table, bread box, glass jars, bistro chairs, wire laundry basket..she'll never miss them. Right....

The next purchase will be the biggie. A sewing machine to replace the antique Singer.She is trying to decide between a Janome or Bernina , but wants to keep it under $600. I would love to hear your suggestions so I welcome anyone to leave a comment on their favorite brand of machine. She won't be doing quilting or embroidery, just dressmaking.

Happy Independence Day!