Every Leaf Speaks Bliss to Me...
It is starting to cool down a little bit here in Texas and we even had a some rain, so it's finally feeling like Autumn is here. I decided to celebrate this lovely weather by decorating the entry of my little cottage for Fall.I'm loving the warm fall colors mixed with the aqua, turquoise and whites. I'm also loving the leaf picks with gold glitter I found at Michaels. I must get some more!A lovely quote by Emily Bronte on my huge chalkboard. (Still working on trying to write pretty and balanced on it!) "Every leaf speaks bliss to me, falling from the Autumn tree." This tin picture frame is definitely speaking bliss to me!
It was dark brown when I found it, so I used some robins egg blue spray paint and then sanded it to bring out the details.I hope you are enjoying nicer weather where you live, also. Happy Autumn!
I'm linking up with Debra of Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday , Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses, Fall Into Fall with DIY Design and Autumn Arrives Party at Savvy Seasons by Liz.
Michelle xoxo

Birthday Bliss...
It was my birthday this past weekend and my dear, sweet mama sent me a delightful package full of vintage goodness!!!
The box was brimming with treasures! Inside I found these gorgeous vintage earrings.So pretty!! I will have to use these in some projects!Look at these gorgeous vintage linens!I adore the colors in this runner and hot-pad!
There was also a darling vintage baby book. Inside it is filled with sweet entries, a lock of baby's hair and even an elementary school report card. Mama also sent me my very own ruffled tights I wore as a baby!
A sweet vintage saucer with blossoming trees. Mama said she bought it because it reminds her of Anne of Green Gables. If you watched the movie, you know how gorgeous the scenery was on Prince Edward Island where they filmed it. I need to watch that movie again soon! It was my favorite book series and they did such an amazing job sticking to the book when they created the movie.She tucked in some fun craft supplies, too! Vintage crochet lace, seam binding, rick rack, buttons and Martha glitter.On my birthday I visited all my favorite local antique malls. I didn't find much, but had lots of fun looking. Treasure hunting is definitely one of my favorite pastimes. I love to find something wonderful, but I think at least half the fun is the hunt! I did find this cute "find" flashcard and a vintage ledger book at an antique mall. I also found the lovely blue transferware plate at the Goodwill for just $1! To top off the day I ate way too much of my favorite dessert, white cake with buttercream frosting! And my sweet husband and boys sang happy birthday to me in the sweetest way, gathering around me and hugging me. Does it get any better? I don't think so. I am so blessed with my sweet family!!!
Michelle xoxo

Happy Fall!
Hello, dear friends! I didn't intend to be absent so long, but sometimes I just get out of the blogging groove. I thought I would share some of the Fall decorating I've been doing around my little cottage. My newest finds inspired me to do my hutch in black and white.
I found a cute little black suitcase, crochet doily, flashcards, cream pitcher, an adorable alarm clock and the fabulously huge letter R! I also found this cute musical flash card and the black satin bow tie.
On top of my t.v. cabinet I used white, cream, red, brown and oranges. Not my usual pastels and neutrals, but they are so cozy and warm for fall.I love the scents of the fall candles and the velvet leaf and berry picks add such richness! I used some old books for lifts, brown tansferware, vintage clock faces, and of course I had to spell out Autumn with my scrabble letters! I so love decorating for seasons and holidays! Oh, who am I kidding? I love decorating for any, every and NO reason at all! Next up I'm going to try to do some spooky Halloween decor. But not too spooky, I don't want to scare my little guys! Now I'm off to enjoy blogs and spend too much time on my favorite pastime, Pinterest!!! So inspiring and so very addicting!
Michelle xoxo

Hello dolls!
Just wanted to share some of my newest finds with you! I've been loving vintage toy phones for years and finally found a super cute one for a price I couldn't refuse. I love this shade of blue!
As you can see I had a bit of fun making a vignette with it. A rhinestone button added to it makes it ever more adorable. I just can't resist adding some sparkle to most things.Love these sweet old buttons I found in my favorite colors. The just don't make buttons as cute as this anymore.This large runner with hand crocheted lace edge was a fabulous find and a steal of a deal! The vintage flash cards are irresistible, too. I especially love the one with the music note.Hope you are keeping cool during this heat wave. I'm in Texas so it's always a heat wave here. Thank goodness for air conditioning!!!
Michelle xoxo

Seaside StyleHappy Summer, girls! One of my favorite decorating styles is seaside style. I love blues, white, aquas, seashells and starfish, mermaids and sandcastles!
This is the entry to my cottage. What better way to be greeted in the summer than with whimsical sea inspired items and a cheerful blue and white color scheme. I just found this wonderful large chalkboard last weekend at a favorite antique mall. I love the frame and love how big it is. Lots of room to write longer quotes like this one. It's a favorite quote of mine from author Lucy Maude Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series. "Look at that sea, girls~ all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy it's loveliness more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds." (Seems I need to work on the skill of writing in a pretty and balanced way on my chalkboard! I'll just pretend my messy writing looks "casual".)
My pretty Simply Shabby Chic lampshade from Target~ love it!
Love my blue striped pillow, too!
Hope you girls are enjoying this summer. I so wish I was at the beach right now. I have not been for many years and that needs to change~! How wonderful would it be to live close to the shore and visit often! I dream of that. For now, I'll just have to enjoy my sea inspired decor.
I'm joining Kathleen of Faded Charm today for White Wednesday.
Michelle xoxo

Cute White Cupboard
Happy White Wednesday! I haven't participated for a long while because a girl can only find so many white things to photograph! I'm happy to join today and show off my newest find.

This adorable cupboard was a Craig's List find. It was a honey colored pine which was lovely, but I could tell it would look so perfect painted white! I have never painted a piece of furniture this large before and it was more work and time than I had anticipated, but well worth the effort.I'm quite pleased with how it turned out and couldn't wait to fill it with some of my vintage treasures! Sorry my photos are a bit blurry. I don't get very good light where I have placed this in my living room. I opened all the windows and doors, but it was still not enough light.Love this vignette with the crochet lace, alarm clock, book and my dad's baby shoes all sitting on a vintage suitcase.
I used my favorite piece of crochet lace to add softness and charm.
I also used some of lovely tarnished silver pieces and old books for lifts.
I love that this piece has drawers for storage. I could also add fabric to the doors later if I want more hidden storage instead of display space.
Now I'm off to visit the rest of the White Wednesday participants. Thanks to Kathleen of Faded Charm for hosting this fun blog party every week!
Michelle xoxo

Fun Finds!
Hello, dear ones! I thought I'd pop in and show you my newest finds. I just love this adorable shelf I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby!
I'm using it in my kitchen to display some of my vintage potholder collection and other goodies. Don't you just love Hobby Lobby?! I had never heard of it till I moved to Texas. Now my mama wants them to build one in California. Are you listening Hobby Lobby? Those CA girlies need a Hobby Lobby, too! I found this sweet vintage basket at the Goodwill this weekend. I just adore vintage baskets! I love how this one is shallow and wide so you can really show off the vintage goodies it's holding.Vintage lace, flowers and buttons and cards.... so pretty!!! I can never resist these lovely and romantic pieces of the past!
One more recent find is this wonderful vintage ledger book. Isn't the cover just so beautiful? Thank you so much for coming by for a little visit. Have a beautiful week!!!
Michelle xoxo

Sweet Mama and Sweet Vintage Finds!

My sweet mama is here to visit! My dear dad gave her airline tickets for Mother's Day. We have been having the best time together, as we always do.
We went to our favorite antique malls and came home with some lovely things.
I found some wonderful vintage buttons on their original cards and a gorgeous deco Easter card.
I adore this super sweet vintage apron! I can't imagine that any lady would ever wear a gorgeous apron like this to actually cook in.
I assume they must have just worn ones this pretty when they were entertaining?Here are some close ups of the lovely embroidery work.So pretty!!! I love the colors! I also found these darling pink and green potholders and the green enamelware bowl they are in.
Another sweet card. I love calling cards. They are always so pretty! The gorgeous sparkling buttons were too beautiful to pass up.
I'm off now to have some more fun with my dear mama. Have a lovely day girls!!!
Michelle xoxo