Archive for Favorite Finds
Upcoming Occasional Sales!
Posted by: | CommentsHey all… 
Fall is definitely here in the Midwest and so are the shopping opportunities! Just thought I’d mention that there are an abundance of Occasional Sales this week in the Twin City Metro and beyond. So many in fact, it will take judicious planning to take in all of them. (I kinda like a challenge like that don’t you?!)
Wait… I think I heard someone say…“An occasional sale? What is that?” Well, let me share with you… Renee Christensen of the Minneapolis examiner.com describes them as: “Occasional sales are usually hosted by an antique dealer or a group of antique dealers, and are held as often as monthly to quarterly to biannually for three to five days.” I would also offer that these sales can be great places to find furnishings, home decor, seasonal decor, unique oddities, special handmade creations, repurposed finds, vintage wares and so much more! So, if you haven’t been to an occasional sale… you may not know what you’re in for! (Don’t say I didn’t warn you..)
Looking for something to fill that special spot, want to jump-start your holiday shopping, or just browse until you find that one piece that you didn’t know you would fall in love with? They’ve got them! Good buys and great finds. I am planning on finding a car load of wonderful things for my clients (and my own home)!
Want to catch a preview of the loot?
Start by checking out A Gathering of Friends down at Bachman’s Flagship Store in Minneapolis. This great sale has grown over the years to a spectacular sale. I always leave with not only loads of good stuff, but inspiration and ideas to put into action. I can’t wait to find some architectural pieces, a few vintage accessories, and maybe a white pumpkin or two. (No matter how many I already have, I always end up buying more here… it’s a like tradition!) Go ahead… just to temp you… check it out here.
In addition, Bachman’s is celebrating their 125th year by transforming their historic 1920’s Bachman family home, (located on the original Lyndale Avenue family farm), into a seasonal Ideas House. (The Fall Ideas House is open October 7-10. Tickets are $5 each with 20% of all proceeds benefiting Children’s Home Society & Family Services. Just a note: You must pre-register online for tickets ahead of time. Go here to do that.) So, not only can you shop for wonderful treasures, but you can gain some fall decorating inspiration and benefit a special cause all at once! That’s what I call real shopping ladies! Learn more here.
Then head on over to Teresa DeJarlais’s blog to see a preview of what’s coming over at The Atelier and The Porch. You will find me checking out the fall and Halloween decor, the jewelry and maybe a painted piece or two… You can find the shop right here...
Also check out the wonderful Second Hand Rose’s upcoming sale finds over at their blogspot. I especially want to check out the upholstered pieces, the lampshades and some of the old clocks (those are for me… I have a growing collection of old clocks.) Check them out here….
I will share some of my finds with you…if you share your finds with me! ” A Shop and Share Post”… post your comments and link back to your photos here in the comments.
Can’t wait to see what you find!
We have a winner!
Posted by: | CommentsThanks for those who entered the Curly Girl Contest! I was happy to share my love of Leigh’s designs over at Curly Girl Design. 
Without anymore delay… the winner of her favorite product is…Kimberly P!
Kimberly chose the matted print “The world is full of people”. Good choice Kimberly!
(Please contact me through the comments with your mailing address so I can get that right out to you! Your information is protected.)
For those of you who haven’t, please check out the website over at Curly Girl Design.
Have a great Thursday!
Curly Girl Design…a Favorite Find Giveaway!
Posted by: | CommentsHi all! It’s giveaway time…I just wanted to share one of my favorite finds with you so you might enjoy it too.
I just love the whimsical and heart-felt artwork of Curly Girl Designs. I have been in love with Leigh’s creations for a long time… I thought I was so cool discovering them so long ago… but now you can literally find her everywhere you go!
I love her cards, calendars, artwork and gifts. I have bought many things for myself and for others. I picked up some darling cards for my daughter just last week.
Check out the website at Curly Girl Design…. THEN leave a comment HERE on what your favorite thing from her line is… and you may just win it! Yes… a giveaway! Yahoo!
Post your comment about your favorite Curly Girl Design… and one lucky person will win what they love! (Please post comments by midnight on August 2nd CST.)
Thanks… hope you win!
Shining the light on lighting options….
Posted by: | CommentsI have noticed an abundance of really cool lighting options lately. Some I’ve found at mass retailers, others some more unique shops. 
Inadequate lighting is one of the most common mistakes most homeowners make. Not having enough lighting, the proper size and proportion, and not really choosing lighting for it’s functionality or how it compliments the room.
Here are some tips for choosing lighting:
1. Have at least 3 types of light per room. Ambient (Overall), Task, and Accent.
2. Have up to 5 sources of light in most rooms. Remember, lighting is done in layers and not all lights are on at the same time.
3. Position lighting around room to avoid dark areas.
4. I prefer to have the main light sources similar in color and style, with the last one or two having a bit more pizazz and style.
5. Lamps should be in proportion to the room, ex: no wimpy stick lamps in a large family room, no tiny chandeliers over a full dining table.
A few of the fun options that I have seen lately:
Wouldn’t this trellis linen drum shade be fabulous over a kitchen island? I can see the room coming together with white painted cabinets, pale green walls, stainless appliances, and wood flooring…
This red coral stone chandelier is so much fun, it would be quite a statement in an entryway, with some khaki walls, checkerboard painted floors, and some turquoise and red fabric on a cushioned bench seat.
Love the simplicity of these tapered crystal lamps. I can see them in a more masculine style den with chocolate brown walls, olive-colored upholstery, and some ikat printed drapery panels.
I can just see the light coming through this unique leaf-patterned shade as it lights up the bedroom before turning in. It has an almost organic, vintage feel to it. I would do some layers of neutral creams and grays on the bed, dark wood furniture, and some wispy linen sheers at the window.
Now that I’ve shared some lighting inspiration with you, can you find a space in your home that needs to shine a little? Replacing a lighting source can dramatically update a room. Look around your home for a worthy candidate… the results may surprise you!
Flea Market Style Giveaway!
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s all about “flea market style” today. Are you fond of things from the past being re-used or re-purposed for today? Some people love everything in their home to be vintage or re-purposed, others just like a touch here and there to add personality and history to their everyday routines. I am in the middle. I enjoy many vintage pieces, but mostly as accents or accessories, not used as my primary furniture. Some of my favorite things in my home have been found at flea markets, vintage shops, or pieces that came from my grandmother.
For those of us who enjoy the hunt, there are those stories of favorite finds, and purchases that we didn’t make, but still haunt us. One of my favorite finds is my large vintage wood framed Coffee Sign in my kitchen. One of the pieces that I didn’t get and regret was a large cupboard that wouldn’t fit in my house at the time I found it. Today’s comment question: What is your favorite find or the story about the one piece that you didn’t get and regret? So, with the question set… what’s the fun part… the giveaway?
Today’s giveaway is the premiere issue of Flea Market Style !! (Which hit news stands mid-February.) After much searching, I have located a few issues, so I have one to giveaway to today’s lucky winner! Flea Market Style is loaded with practical and fun ideas and tips on creating a vintage or re-purposed look for your own home. From inspiring projects and entertaining ideas, to decorating and how-to tips, you will find endless inspiration from the pages of this premiere issue.
As Star Tribune reporter Kim Yeager writes, “Readers still bereaved over the loss of Domino, Country Home, Cottage Living and other home publications don’t have much longer to wait for the new mag in town. Flea Market Style, edited by Long Lake junking maven Ki Nassauer and New Hampshire-based lifestyle expert Matthew Mead, is trickling on to newsstands now.” Others on the editorial team include: graphic designer Stacey Willey, writers Linda MacDonald and Sarah Egge, photographer Jenny Mead, stylist/photographer Heather Bullard and antiques expert Tim Luke. Yes, an all star team from the flea market, vintage, and country decor scene assembled this new magazine.
Oh, another teaser for you… one of those wonderfully creative team members will be interviewed by me in my upcoming Interview Series…. keep reading in the weeks ahead for that post!
So, start commenting and the winner for the magazine will be chosen from those entries posted before 11:59 pm CST today, March 30th. The winner will have just enough time to read the magazine and prepare for the spring flea markets just around the corner….
