Deco Pendant

I found this stunning Art Deco light fixture at a Tin Barn Market Flea for a mere $20. Swoon! I'm going to have it to rewire it, but oh even in the meantime using it with a battery tea light would be just fine. Look at those glam '20s details! I tell ya, this is going to be a dangerously Deco decade of thrifting finds for me!

Now is the Time

"The item you see today and will dream about tonight will be bought by someone today who saw it yesterday and dreamed about it last night."
That is what the chalkboard said outside of Prince Edward County's Frugal & Company as I rushed in for a whirlwind 5 minute browse last summer. Darting my eyes around, I didn't have much time to think, and I am not one for an impulse buy--oh look a spectacular sunburst Syroco clock frame, $18, no clock, good condition otherwise, gold with brown tips, would prefer all gold, but how neat, time to go...oh no why did I leave it there?! When I got home I ruefully went on an Etsy and Ebay rampage to learn more about the funky mid-century Canadian made-item I passed up. I resigned myself to keep my eyes peeled and knew it would come back in to my life some day, some time, eventually. Well, surprise surprise, exactly a year later, it made its return. It was patiently waiting for me in my local antique mall. I wasn't looking. It is in pristine original condition. It actually has a clock. The clock works. The time came for it to come in to my life, and better than I had originally hoped. Oh how circular life is. It makes me laugh with thankfulness how God works like that--even in a whim of a thrift hunt! 

Thriftmaster

Ok people...I have found my dream truck model while strolling through a recent vintage car show. How perfect would it be for me to drive a '40s/'50s "Thriftmaster" around to haul chairs on antiquing jaunts?! The name is too good. I love their iconic chunky shape. Plus, mine, of course, would be some sort of cheery aqua hue. 

Historic German House

Dancing in a lofty, inspiring historic building with a great floor and clean bathrooms (featuring an abundant paper product supply) always makes a dance weekend better. I recently spent Stompology weekend at The Historic German House in Rochester, NY, and it measured up. 

Shortly after arriving I heard a few ladies joyously squealing about the bathroom stalls actually having functional locks. If that ruckus combined the smell of newly varnished floor wasn't enough, I looked up and saw this multilayered textural hint that renovations were recently (beautifully) done.

Yes please to this tin tile ceiling and curly chandelier

Balcony seats and arch windows

Marble and hexagon

Complete with a sky blue tufted velvet bathroom settee!

Victorian Mansion

Last weekend I had the delight of staying in this Airbnb in Rochester, NY. I highly recommend! It is charming, clean, convenient, inspiring, and the hosts are superb communicators. Take a peek inside these historic walls.

 The décor was an eclectic vintage enthusiast's dream.

The black and white checkerboard bathroom and claw foot tub are stunning!

The kitchen was my favourite part--it was actually below the rest of the unit, via a winding servant staircase. I enjoyed that it was part of the unit but separate enough to be a space to retreat to when a couple of us were upstairs sleeping and the rest of us didn't want to disturb.

 Minty counter and more checkerboard tile!

I'm a fan of the fan light, and these tiny antique details.

A resident kitty made an appearance on the back deck.

 The kitchen windows were open a crack all weekend so the whole room smelled like lilacs and magnolias.

Such a grand porch so charmingly nestled in greenery!

A few of the architectural sites from a stroll around...

Staying in this lovely home made the weekend even more enjoyable!

May Bulletin 2019

Strong ladies, treasures, and ornamentalism

Apricot Lace

I found this pretty cotton dress at a thrift store, originally from Forever 21. Though it is contemporary, it has the perfect structure to be transformed into a gloriously Edwardian gown that would fit right into a Downton scene. I love the pale apricot fabric, mesh neckline, low square back, and lace details. It is a costume project in the works for whenever I next discover an outdoor tea or the like to attend! It shall be lengthened and embellished. 

Dish up the Mint

This sweet minty bowl was a gift from the mother! Look at those scallops! It reminds me of melting chocolate mint chip icecream. The bottom is marked with the maker's stamp RRP Co. Roseville, Ohio 308.

Backyard Flea

Here are a few snapshots from the tail end of Tin Barn Market's 6th Annual Backyard Flea! Check out their page for the beauty of the beginning of the sale, loaded with stunningly merchandised pieces!

Tent of goodies

Topiaries and tree trunks

Sweetex tin

Wildflower chair

Embroidered seat

Garden retreat

Rustic wood and burlap and baskets

Garden party

Queen Anne

Buntings foreshadow fun! I'm looking forward to the 7th Annual!

Mandy's

 I went to Montréal (again) and fell in love...with this restaurant. Mandy's. I've never been in a restaurant that is as close to an embodiment of my own personal style as this place, both in terms of stunning décor and gourmet allergy-friendly food which is incredibly rare! It's like the creators crawled inside my brain and lounged on a sofa in there for a while, soaking up the details. It was like walking into my Creatively Graceful Boutique design realized as a restaurant, with a dash of tropical paradise thrown in for originality. Can I just point out that pink and gold semicircular channel back banquet?!

Sewing machine table, picket fence, sunlit patio

Crisp black paned doors, topiaries, black and white stripe scalloped awnings

 Chippy turquoise door, greenery

 You can create your own salad! Delish choices! Well priced!

 Black and white checkerboard floor, ornate ticking stripe chair

 A ready-to-eat boutique section, complete with foodie décor items

Soaring ceilings, architectural fixtures

 Can I just get the whole place to go, pretty please?

A bar of pure cheer

Thonet chairs, gold globe pendants, cane stools

 Wildflowers, mason jars, marble bistro tables, gold flatware

Oh, it is! It IS!

I even stumbled upon a Mandy's truck dans le Vieux Port! A glossy pink beacon of bliss!