Pretty posts to ponder and a hello from Teddy!

Good morning......some of the new items I featured yesterday will be added to my store as of later today or tomorrow for those of you emailed me yesterday to ask. Namely the statuary/planters, new porcelains and some of the pewter objects.

Also to all of you who have purchased items from my store...please send me your inspiration pictures, I love seeing what you have done and with your permission would love to add them to my newly added "Your enchanted home" section featuring your homes using my products!

I have over time come across so many amazing posts, posts that have touched me on one level or another, some just really tug at my heart, others totally appeal to my obsession for all things beautiful, some inspire me to run  out and start a project and others are just pure eye candy. I always bookmark special posts that are worth keeping and revisiting in ever growing "posts I love" file. Beautiful things never get old!

So......as I do periodically I like to share some favorite posts through my Posts to ponder. IF you have some free time this weekend, its a great way to take a quick trip to "an A list" of beautiful posts all in one fell swoop. I have so many others and obviously it would be impossible to share them all in one post, but in a few weeks i will do this again and promise it will be another treat worth the while! So thanks to all the talented bloggers for putting these together and to all my readers for following along. Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend!

Before we begin since so many of you frequently ask about dear Teddy..he agreed he was finally ready for his closeup and agreed to a photo session (his "spread" will publish next week) But here's the man looking like himself again with his hair growing back......he sends a HUGE thank you for all the love, prayers and kindness you have shown.....

And now for our featured presentation...........(click on links on bottom of each picture to visit)

Home Bunch...check out this beyond dreamy Provencal estate!

http://www.homebunch.com/provencal-estate-giveaway-winner/

                                             
                         The Paper Mulberry...a farmhouse harvest, totally breathtaking

              http://thepapermulberry.blogspot.com/2011/09/farmhouse-harvest.html

Roses and Rust.....talk about opulent grandeur!

              http://rosesandrustblogger.blogspot.com/2012/02/decadent-grandeur.html

Splendid Sass...welcome to tablescape heaven!

http://splendidsass.blogspot.com/2012/02/stunning-tablescapes.html

Conspicuous Style....fabulous home office inspiration!

http://www.conspicuousstyle.com/2012/03/home-offices-ive-been-obsessing-over.html? 

Classic Casual Home...this takes "taco night" to a whole new elegant level!

http://www.classiccasualhome.com/2011/08/taco-tuesday.html?

Chic Coastal Living...when I grow up I want my beach house to look like this!

http://chiccoastalliving.blogspot.com/2011/09/mediterranean-style-beach-house.html?

Atelier de Campagne...remember that eye candy I mentioned? Here it is......

http://atelierdecampagneantiques.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-container-sale-encore.html

Haus Design.....droolworthy outdoor inspiration!

http://bjdhausdesign.blogspot.com/2012/04/awe-inspiring-outdoor-spaces.html?

Splendid Market...talk about awe inspiring (hope my husband is reading this) Check out the Mothers day feast a bunch of dads, that's right, DAD'S made for these lucky ladies!!

http://www.splendidmarket.com/2012/05/splendidly-spoiled.html

The Enchanted Home.....still love this, a vintage country Christmas!

http://theenchantedhome.blogspot.com/2011/12/vintage-country-christmasand-youre.html

Jenny Steffens...these meatballs are really really good and the tutorial is fabulous!

http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/09/recipes-homemade-meatballs-spaghetti.html

Belgian Pearls...excellent and inspiring weekend decoration tips!

http://belgianpearls.blogspot.com/2012/04/weekend-decoration-tips.html

The French Tangerine.....talk about one heck of an absolutely beautiful backyard!! 

http://www.thefrenchtangerine.com/2012/05/patiopots-2012.html

Castles Crowns and cottages...a beautiful and moving tribute to a mother

http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-am-my-mothers-daughter.html

So there you have it...those should keep you busy for awhile!  I included one of my own because its one I actually forgot about until someone wrote me about it yesterday, telling me how much she loved it and that it transported her to her childhood Christmas's spent in Vermont and when I took another look at it.....I got that same warm,fuzzy feeling so wanted to share for anyone who might not have seen it. So many beautiful things to see, I swear scouring the Internet for inspiration could easily become a full time job! Minutes turn to hours and a "quick morning computer check" easily could turn into an all day affair!! But its so much fun and its rather mind blowing just how much there is to see and find and discover! Hope you enjoy and hope you have a fabulous weekend. The sun is shining so I am happy:)

Mid week musings........

Good morning, the sun is out and after a dreary bout of rainy, very humid weather, its nice to wake up to bright skies and cooler weather....hope you are off to having a great day. My week has been hectic but I have resigned myself to the fact that this is the way its going to be until June. Then hopefully the summer will bring about a state of calm and relaxation, ahhh....feel more relaxed just thinking about that possibility.  The peace of my little hiatus last weekend has long worn off and I am ready for another:) I can't believe memorial day is just around the corner, time is going by so quickly. Before you know it we will be inundated with fall fashions and back to school supplies in the stores again...ugh!

I have been trying this week to get refocused on my house again. I have admittedly been burning it on both ends and feel like certain aspects to getting this house together have fallen to the wayside. So I have devoted this next week to attacking my 'priority list" of what I really need and want to get cracking on. Namely the living room and finding fabric for the dining room chairs which I have already selected. So tomorrow I have a full day planned to do just that.

A few things on the home front and a few odds and ends with my store.......


Finally got my ant. mirrored top for my island, this space is nearly done, now just need to paint the top perimeter molding which is still in its base coat. Nice to see a space come together, last step is the window treatments (in a few weeks). I think I have won the battle on the carpet for our bedroom. I am just not an "area rug" for the bedroom kind of gal. Not saying it doesn't look beautiful but to me, the feel and look of a plush yummy carpeting under your feet (especially in the winter) cannot be beat. Just my humble opinion. So....that's another project, finding the right carpet. Then I cannot wait to put on my magnificent monogrammed bedding, work on window treatments and possibly look for a replacement for the wallpaper that I had so loved for so long only to find out its now only on custom order and prohibitively expensive!

Everything is looking so beautiful around the yard, with everything in full bloom, its heavenly. Remember this is our first spring here so theres a surprise at every turn. When I walk around utterly overwhelmed with how much there is left to do, seeing nature in all its beauty makes me smile and instantly calms me...... 

The small pond we hope to restore one day...sigh, adding to the growing list of "projects"

One of the beautiful original benches.....

The original birdbath......

Gorgeous rhododendrons in full bloom!

Original planters from the old house

Added this urn to my vignette......like the way it breaks it up a bit

And guess what came in 2 days ago.....yep, my wallpaper for the bathroom. Cannot wait!

I also am thinking about furnishing the covered porch/loggia.....such a great space and one I think we could easily use 3/4 of the year...this is the look I am  leaning towards, what do you think?

I see this with a beautiful stone table a few oversized palms, gorgeous lanterns.......I am going to make a mood board and share it with you to get your opinions. This furniture here is from Lane Venture.

On the store front...... I am really enjoying it but frankly,  was not prepared for how much time it takes up and learning and trying to pace myself. That said, I get immense satisfaction out of helping others pull their homes together and LOVE getting the emails from all of you telling me how much you are enjoying your new goodies!!  A few things worth noting-

• The bell jar lanterns will be going up approx. 20% by the end of May, these are still sold for about half of what they are sold for in design stores across the country, in Greenwich, Beverly Hills and Atlanta, these exact lanterns are sold for approx. $550. For anyone who knows these lanterns, you will recognize the exceptional pricing. Even with the increase they will still be far less than my competitors. 

• The linens will also have a price increase by the end of May. My manufacturer has raised their prices therefore I must too, but again i can assure you they are still going to be very affordable and a real deal for monogrammed napkins.

• The porcelains section is going to be "revamped", some of those items I have one or two pieces left of, so you will see several items removed from the online store and in June, new items will be added.

• The statuary line is going to be expanded and several fabulous  new pieces are being added. In addition, every piece is offered  in 5 different finishes!! Also, this line is quite extensive, and many of who have emailed me about larger planters, urns and statuary. If you tell me what specifically you are looking for, I can send over pictures with dimensions,pricing,etc......the line is truly fabulous!!

                       This is the finish I carry now and is the most popular.....

               But now all pieces will also be offered in these beautiful finishes too.........

New items soon to be offered.......

Just got in a pair of these for a cusotmer in CT. how gorgeous are they!!

• I am not going to carry the topiaries after the end of May. Though they are really beautiful, its cumbersome to ship and I have sold all of the ones I had in stock. Perhaps down the road, this could change but for now i am going to concentrate on the other items

• I will be adding to the exquisite Vagabond pewter line which is absolutely gorgeous...some beautiful pieces soon to be added!

• I am also not going to carry the brackets, beyond the end of the month, I will honor all orders placed until then but again i have found these to be somewhat fragile, large to ship and damages are more frequent with this kind of item, which is a shame because they are so beautiful!

• The silver line which is overall probably my best selling category, with a few close seconds like the porcelains and European kitchen,  will get a few more pieces added very soon. Also the flower bowl which I have been sold out of and will not get more of until later June.....well, found one box "hidden". I know a few had wanted it, have one left...first come first serve!

So that wraps up changes and additions that will be taking place. I am still very much in the learning curve of having and operating an online store. Part of the ebbs and flows, is learning as you go along and 'adjusting" as necessary. I will always keep you in the loop and cannot thank you enough for your patronage, support and business. So....whats new and exciting over on your end? Wishing everyone a fabulous Thursday......