Lilac Saloon

A Little Dab 'L Do Ya

Remember those bookshelves??

I picked up some paint for them.  Green for the sewing room and blue for the bedroom. 

I have the bedroom bookshelf finished.  I took a clean/simplistic approach and I really like it.  I could have gone all crazy and painted all over it... but I kind of want the things (especially the books on the sewing room shelf) to be the shining stars - and have the paint just be a fun accent!

 

I only painted the front edges of the shelves.  Then in the backdrop of two of the shelves, I did a polka-dot pattern with a stamping effect.  I can show you how that was done - easily!!

All you need is:

1. A ruler and a marking tool (I had to use a white colored pencil)
2. A "round something" that has the size circle that you need (I used a bottle from a drink because the cap was the size that I wanted!)
3. A piece of felt, hot glued to the "round something" and cut to the size you need
4. A little plate or bowl of paint

First you mark out your dot pattern - using your ruler for perfection purposes!  Staggering the dot usually looks best!

Then take your round thing (bottle with cap, with felt glued to it!) and dip it in the paint... wiping off some of the excess (too much gooey paint and it won't look like a stamp, it'll look like a blob of paint!).  Stamp stamp stamp over all the marks you've made.

Voila!

 

 

Now run along and try this yourself!

Spread dots around the world :)!!

Pumpkin Faces in the Night

I love everything about Fall.

I love the smell.

I love the crisp, cool air.  The crunching of the leaves.

The amazingly warm, naturally vibrant colors.

Cinnamon apple cider with pumpkin donuts.

I love Halloween!

 

There are only a few more days until October - and then it is ALL OUT HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES for the month :) because one day is just NOT enough.

Something great is happening on October 18thhere in Blogland... I hope that you will check back to join in the fun!
Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist is hosting a Halloween Blog Party and I will be taking part!  She will be making a list of blog links of everyone participating in the Halloween Party.  It will be fun to see everyone's creativity! 

On the 18th... I'll have a special blog post with my own personal Halloween party, with all sorts of yummy Autumn and Halloween-ness going on.  Even a special give-away to a lucky new commenter!

    

Be there... or be eaten alive by zombies.

Engagement Photo Shoot

This weekend was another good one.

 

Friday night we went out for a friend - Beth's - birthday.  We went to B-Dubs and had a celebration which included belting out "I saw the sign" at the top of our lungs and orders for 15 people "on separate checks please"!  Haha.

Saturday, Evan and I went to a huge Antique Mall with two friends of his from work.  We spent hours browsing every aisle and trying on hats and discovering ridiculous treasures.  I even found a statue to add to my collection of 1989 fashion statues!  Amazing!  I'll need to post pictures of them for sure.

Today, Peter and Heidi played photographer and creative input director and we did an engagement photo shoot downtown!  I'm wearing my 1950's dress (the one that I found in Brimfield, and showed you a sneak peek in another post).

It was so much fun and I'll definitely be doing a gigantic post with many more of the photos as soon as I can look through them all and pick my favorites!!

An Old Soul

I've always been told, mostly by my elders, that I am an old soul.  The meaning of that really depends on your beliefs... but to me, I suppose it means that I've lived a lot of past lives - so in certain ways I have retained some knowledge of the experiences and the overall big picture. 

As a young teen, I had a writing assignment to write something from the prospective of someone older than you.  It could be anything.  I recently, while going through old boxes, found this writing assignment.  I read it and was surprised by its insightfulness - considering my young age and lack of life experiences at the time. 

I thought I'd share it with you.

To my dear child,

    There are many very important things to be learned in life.  Some people never even learn some of life's most important lessons.  They will come to you, in time, but the knowledge I have, I will share with you.

    No matter how bad you think things are going, and no matter how sure you are that things will never get better, they will get better.  Just think of it as sunshine after the rain.  The sun always comes back out after a storm, doesn't it?  Good things are sure to come your way if you are patient.  I have seen this pattern happen many times in my life (enough times to declare it a proven fact) so, no worries my dear.

    Don't be too hard on yourself.  If you aren't perfect, that is okay.  Don't push yourself too hard; giving in is all right once in a while.  Too much stress is not good for anyone, so it is acceptable to take a break and take it easy when you need to. 

    Self confidence is your most powerful tool.  As long as you know in your heart that you are a wonderful individual and you are just as good as anyone else, then you will be unstoppable.  Each and every person  is equal, although many people do not feel or act that way, it is true.  So don't ever be intimidated by anyone and don't let any one person allow you to think that they are better than you.  No one is better than you.  Self confidence is the courage and strength to do anything.  Would you rather be a rock: strong willed and harmless?  Or, an egg: fragile, delicate and breakable?  Without confidence, anyone could break your spirit like a delicate little egg.  Confidence is your shield.

    Laughter really is the best medicine.  Even just thinking about something good and smiling can make you feel better.  When you laugh, it causes you to forget all your worries and just be happy.  Laughing is one of the best things for you: mind, body and soul.  You can never laugh too much.

    Don't hold back from doing things you want to do, or from trying new things.  If you have the chance to do something, then go for it.  If you don't, you will most likely regret not doing it.  If you never try new things, life could get pretty boring, and who wants a boring life?  Take on the world, for it is yours and it is here for you.

    Try your hardest at everything you do.  Succeeding is a very healthy and rewarding thing.  Plus, you never know how good you are at something until you really try.  You may even discover that you have a great talent!

    Let people see the real you.  Have qualities and opinions that are all your own.  People will like you better if you are an individual, not the same as everyone else.  If you speak out and make your thoughts and opinions known, the right people will respect you for it.

    Keep a journal.  It is great to look back on the years, the way you used to be, and see the way you used to think.  Not only can you learn more about yourself from what you have written in the past, but can learn how to become even more of yourself by writing more.  When you write, it forces you to think, and those words are purely from your own mind, and if you let the feelings really come onto the paper, those sincere words are truly from your heart.  Writing about what is going on in your life and how you are feeling about things is the best way to sort out your problems, understand your feelings, and vent your aggressions.  Writing is a mental release.

    Do something that inspires you, something that allows you to express and release your feelings.  If you like to sing, then sing, sing, sing!  Doing something that you love to do will improve your quality of life tremendously.

    Cherish all of your friendships.  Friends are the most important people in your life, besides for your family of course.  You can go to your friends for advice, encouragement, love, support, fun times, and anything really.  Life would be useless without friends.  You can look up to them for inspiration, as they also, will look up to you.

    What I am trying to tell you, really could go on and on because there is just too much to life to fit into a few short words, or pages, or even books.  There are millions of things to say about this great wondrous thing we have been given.  Life is so great, in fact, that you should cherish every part of it.  Take in the good and bad things, and learn from them.  Take everything you can get out of life.  Enjoy and treasure every experience.  Love every person for who they are.  And last but not least, love yourself!

With all my love,

Mom

So although it was not the most deeply eloquent masterpiece of writing - it was sweet and full of pretty solid morals and how-to-live-life theories.  Certain parts of it made me go "oh yeah, I should do that more often".

Being in a busy "adult" life really takes us away from the simple ideas that children have - such as to always remember to try new things and just take a chance and live in the moment.

It really makes me want to dig out my old journals....

Card Catalog

I hope to one day own such a collection of books that I need a card catalog just to keep them organized.  I'm talking floor to ceiling (need a ladder with wheels on a track) collection! 

A friend of mine sent me a package the other day (I just love getting real mail!!).  Inside it was a book that she said I must read.  I'm excited.  I know it will be good - because she is an English Major currently - and has read A LOT of books!!

We went into Barnes & Noble on Saturday afternoon just to get ONE book that I had in mind to get.  I practically freaked out as I looked around and got distracted along the way by all the amazingly awesome books and journals and magazines calling my name.  I maintained my will power and only left with the book I went in for... plus one more.  Not bad.

This is the one that I wanted:

This is the one that I just had to get, even though I didn't go in there with the intention of buying it.  A blog that I frequently read (http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/) had mentioned in a post of hers that she was featured in Artful Blogging magazine.  Then while at B&N... I spotted the mag on the shelf and instantly grabbed it and purchased without thinking twice!

As it turns out... it is packed FULL of super inspirational artists and bloggers that I'm so excited to finally know about.  I can't wait to begin reading their blogs too!  (Don't worry, I'll share them with you!)

 What an addicting little blogiverse this is!

Physical Labor

I'm exhausted!! 

Let me show you why...

I wanted a bookshelf to go here:

 

So, I bought one - then built it.  By myself.  Even the parts in the instructions that said "this step requires two persons".  Technically, it DOESN'T require two persons.  Unless those two people only have one hand each. 

Here's how big it is:

 

And then finally... I filled it!!  I'm on my way to having that huge personal library :)

 

Eye spy: two chopstick holders from Brimfield!

I still have one more book shelf to build (for the bedroom) but I'm way too tired now, so I'm saving that for another day.

I'm thinking about slingin' some paint on it somewhere/somehow. 

Any ideas??

Sneaky Peekie

I'm in the very beginning stages of a painting.  I have a pretty solid idea now, but I have been letting it sit and seep into my brain and mix all around with other ideas since... Christmas.  So I finally decided I'm ready to make the big commitment and put paint on the canvas.  Here's a sneek peek of the direction it's going in!  Remember, I said VERY beginning stages - just to give you a taste.

And here's another peek at something awesome.  I had mentioned in another post that Evan and I are taking Engagement Pictures.  Well while I was in Brimfield, I got the perfect dress.  I'm not posting a picture of the whole thing until the actual photos... here's your sneak peek..

  Ooooooohhhhh!!!

 

Leanimal

I love finding someone new and inspiring.  I get so excited when I find something out there that really fits my aesthetic or gives me something newly beautiful to admire.

When Kelli was eliminated from Project Runway, I was a little ticked.  She was my favorite at the time and I was hoping for her to win and represent Columbus!  But now that she's gone... I've discovered a new favorite.  This girl... she is amazingly talented.  She has only just begun to show her talents on the show in the past 2 episodes.  So I checked out her website and was SO PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!

l e a n i m a l

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Field of Dreams

I just returned from Brimfield.  This is my second year going there.  If you've never heard of it, or heard of it but have never been there - let me tell you that it's quite an experience!!  Brimfield is a tiny little town in Massachusetts that has the most massive antique market everrrr... 3 times a summer (May, July, September).  Vendors come from all over the world to sell their treasures.  They set up right on the grass outside in these big fields and you have to wander through the sea of tents and tables full of vintage everything, to find what you're looking for.  I would recommend going if you love vintage stuff, love hunting for unique items, and have some cash burning a hole in your pocket!  I was on a hunt for inspiration for work. But I also found some amazingly cool stuff for myself as well. 

A day in the life of a Brimfield shopper goes something like this:

• Alarm goes off at 4:15 am.  Don't shower, there's no need.  Brush teeth, tie hair back.
• Put on good walking shoes, shorts, a tank top, a warm sweater, a hat, sunglasses handy for later, a good bag or backpack, and a wad of cash in pocket.
• Grab a bagel from the hotel lobby and meet shopping buddies looking as tired and strangely dressed as you do.  Get in car and drive to the fields.  Arrive by 5:15.
• Pay $5 and park in field.  Walk through cold wet grass in the dark, pay for ticket to first field entrance and wait in a heard of old and similarly strangely dressed folks.
• Gates open and everyone pushes their way in - practically running - and you feel the need to run also.  But run to what, to where?  It's a hunt, not a race. Stay focused.  They aren't looking for the same thing you are.  Keep telling yourself that.
• Spot what you're looking for and start digging through it.  Find a gem.  Negotiate a price with the dealer.  Pay cash.  Wander to the next tent.  Repeat until hungry or need restroom.
• Get a Pilgrim Breakfast Sandwich, a big bottle of water, and reluctantly use the Port-o-Potty.
• The sun rises.  Remove sweater.  Put on sunglasses. Realize it's only 9am.  Continue the hunt.
• Shop until delirious from the heat of the sun and drag feet and bags back to the car by 3pm or so.  Notice sunburn.  Turn on car and blast the AC while waiting in the bumper to bumper traffic out of Brimfield.
• Nap at hotel until dinner time.  Eat somewhere nice and enjoy the act of sitting.
• Return to the hotel, shower, and climb into bed by 9pm.
• Repeat day, for as many days as you choose to stay.

What did I get this year, you ask?

 

An apron to add to my collection:

 

Assorted buttons!

 

Another apron.  Look at this awesome stitching technique!  It was all across the hem, and across the little pocket.

  

Sew awesome.

   

I was in love with these as soon as I spotted them laying in a pile in the grass.  There was a huge pile of them, and very very dirty and dusty.  They are from China and the dealer said that she thinks they were used as Chop Stick holders.  Once I get them washed up, I'm thinking I can display the 2 colorful ones in the sewing room.

 

And the three black ones in the living room.  I'll post pictures once I do!

 

A LIFE magazine from 1940!!  The ads and articles inside are SO great!

 

 

And I even picked up a Playboy.  It's actually really cool.  The ads are the best part.  Most are for cars, liquor, cigarettes, and speakers.  Manly, 70's things.

  

Eating here is a must:

 

For dinner one night, we ate at Cedar Street Restaurant.  Look at this amazing dessert!!  It is Mixed Berry Sorbet - with a cookie spoon - in a Martini glass!

 

Here's a view of a pond behind one of the fields.  It's sooo pretty in Brimfield.

 

The only down-side is that I came back sick.  Maybe it was digging deep into old dirty, dusty bins of scarves that haven't been washed since 1955?  Or 1890?  Icky.