A Great Coffee Table Book!

This weekend I took the boys to the library to get a new stack of books for this last week before school starts and grabbed a few for myself. I'm going to buy a copy of one to have on hand...it was that good!

Paula Deen has always been my go-to girl for finding southern recipes that are hard to find elsewhere, but beyond that I didn't really know a whole lot about her. After reading through this book, I think we would get along fabulously! Not only is she just a beautiful lady (I just pray my hair will gray like that!), but I just love her accent as well. The book is written just like she talks:) I'd love to meet her. We both grew up in small towns in GA, had only boys, moved to the low country...her Savannah, me to Charleston... and felt like we'd moved home.

This book could be titled Low Country Style with Paula Deen, because it's not just Savannah style. It does a fantastic job at not only describing what makes up Savannah style, but also gives you great ways to incorporate it into your home by Brandon Branch. The photography is just fantastic as well.

Well, there's a little book review for you!
It's just a quick Sunday hello from me. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Hey, Ya'll...Look what I found!

Oh, man, did I hit the jackpot yesterday and today! I made my thrift store rounds (with three sweaty boys in tow) and then this morning I was up early out yard sailing. There is something so relaxing about getting up early before everyone wakes (and back home before they're up at times!), having my morning quite time and coffee, throwing on some gym shorts, t-shirt, flip flops, and a visor then heading out to "treasure hunt" ALONE! Makes my week...especially when I hit the mother load like I did this weekend.

My prized antique French mother-of-pearl opera glasses.

These wonderful opera glasses were a wonderful surprise when I pryed open the door on the French Provencial sideboard redo that I shared with you here. I nearly choked I was so excited and I've hung on to them not sure if I could sell or not. I've got them in the pile to go to the store, but still am not sure they'll make it into the booth:)

Wonderful 12" deep dresser.

The great thing about this dresser is the dimensions - 37.25" x 36" x 12" deep! It's handmade (I think) and I'm going to paint it...probably replacing the handles. I could think of a million places a good shallow dresser like this could go!



I loved the simplicity of this pedestal cake plate and cloche. There is actually a faint hint of gold inside the round top of the pedestal where it connects with the plate. Very pretty!



I am very tempted to keep this gorgeous crystal and silver shaker set made in England. They are so elegant and classy! 

This stainless holder is showing some age, but it was just so pretty with the cut glass decanter and little hanging fork...for pickles or such?

Leave it to me to pair an old (clean, mind you) oil can with a Bible! This Bible is lovingly inscribed from 1942 and well worn. Something about handwritten inscriptions make a book, espeically a Bible, even more exciting to find. Makes you wonder about the person who obviously spent a lot of time with this precious book.

I LOVE these plates!

 I still continue to be amazed at what people just toss out. To me, it's a sad commentary to our times, but I am more than willing to capitalize on what others don't want:) This set of plates was just too beautiful to take one picture of so I took one of each to share with you.

I found two sets of these silver candelabras. I just showed two here with the shakers for a pretty vignette. Lots of silver was out this weekend!

Huge scallop shells!

 Would you believe I found eight of these huge scallop shells just in a Ziploc bag? I can think of a bunch of fun projects to use these on!

A set of pretty buffet lamps were just waiting on me at the thrift store. Sold!

  

This mirror is ancient!

 I wish I knew the story with this mirror I found at one of the local thrift stores. It's incredibly old, gold leafed, and heavy as lead! It was sitting behind the counter and I just caught a glimpse of it. Enough to make me ask to see it and plunk down some change. Incredible! It's missing a top pediment, but it's still gorgeous...just makes it seem prettier to me.

This was another large mirror I found as I was hitting my last yard sale.

Last, but not least I found a tiny little thrift store I didn't even know existed, walked into the very dark back room and found this! After a little haggling, we came to a really good price and I wheeled it out where I could be sure I wasn't being "hoo-dooed". True to her word, it was in good shape a should be a quick redo. I've placed an order for some of this ever so famous chalk paint and can't wait for it to get here. This is the perfect job to try it on.

What a great day! God is just so good. I so don't deserve to find these kind of treasures, much less be able to have a little booth where I'm able to sell them! It's amazing how when you're willing to do what He asks, how He blesses. This is one of those endeavors that could so easily crash and burn, but after much prayer, I knew it was were He was leading ...for now. And I'm having a ball. Wonder what he's got in store for me next...or better yet...what he has in store for you? Are you willing to go out on a limb if He asks you to? Do you trust him enough to take a chance with the unknown? If so, you'll be truly blessed...simply for taking the leap of faith, regardless of whether your endeavor succeeds by the world's terms.

School Desk Reveal

♪"Schoooool's (still) .....out.. for.. the summer..."♪,

but I'm working on a school desk! Go figure:) Actually I just finished up this little school desk I found out yard sailing not too long ago. It was in really good shape.  I immediately grabbed it as there are a ton of home schoolers around here who'd probably love to get their hands on one. Let's just hope it's a boy who likes racing stripes!






Would you believe I forgot to take a true "Before" picture?! UGH! Sometimes I get ahead of myself and jump on a project before getting my ducks in a row. I'm sure none of you ever do that:) I remembered after I'd slapped on some Zinser Bin Primer.

It was all this color wood. I at least remembered to take pictures before getting primer on all of it! 

First, I lightly sanded the whole thing, then masked off the wood. Krylon's Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint was applied to the metal and allowed to dry. Then, the desk was coated in primer.

After appling a coat of Sherwin Williams "Rice Grain".

After applying stripes prior to sanding, staining and waxing.

Nice and neat stripes that I was about to rough up and stain. That part always pains me, but I love the after.

A layer of SW Rice Grain in satin was applied (that I found at the Habitat ReStore - a whole gallon for about $5!), some stripes were masked out with my favorite painters tape - Scotch Blue Delicate, a thin layer of sealant brushed on to make double sure of no leakage under the tape, and then navy stripes were painted in BM Midnight Blue. Lastly I re-taped the red stripe, sealed and applied some red acrylic paint. After it was all dry, I wiped on a layer of Minwax Dark Walnut stain to age it, then applied Minwax clear wax. Done! Sounds quicker than it actually was! I love how the stain, sanding and wax gave it a well worn and loved look.

Now it looks loved and worn from time (wink, wink).



Nice and lightly worn.



The finished product which is now in the booth.

Funny thing is my first refinishing/repair project was a little desk just like this several years ago and now sits in the boys room and has gotten TONS of use as both a homework and art spot as well as a timeout chair:)

This was my first little desk and refurbish job that put the bug in my blood:)

And lastly, I guess I'll spill the beans on the current big project, like you've not already guessed it...the love seat shown in it's before stages here:

I'll be as excited as anyone to see the finished redo on this baby!

I've pulled so many staples today that I have blisters forming on my hands and a crick in my back from leaning over. I have a whole new appreciation for upholsters! They earn EVERY single penny they charge and must have the patience of Job! Once I FINALLY get all those staples out, it should be quick work (please no surprises!).

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Common Ground Vintage Inspiration Friday

















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