Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Au Revoir Summer!

Bon Jour Mon Amis!  And Au Revoir Summer!



I am a warm weather kind of girl, so I always am a bit sad to see summer end!  While I love fall and the cooler temps that it brings, not to mention all of that glorious color with the changing of the leaves, I am always a bit hesitant to see summer come to an end!

Today I thought I'd share with you a little curio cabinet that I have accessorized with a few favorite things.  I love vintage flower frogs.  This one was found a few years ago at a yard sale for about a quarter!  Here I am displaying one of my vintage postcards (again, a yard sale find!) that features a pretty sail boat, and gorgeous blue Forget-Me-Nots.

A few end of summer blooms in a cute little vintage hob nail pitcher.  Below you will see my curio cabinet shelf, which I have painted a pretty cream color (I know, you are shocked at my use of cream!!).  This little shelf wasn't always so cute!  I found her several years ago at a church rummage sale, for free!  It was obvious why they couldn't even give the poor thing away:  she had the most awful dark brown finish on her, and was looking very sad!  At first I painted her a nice soft mossy green, which I really loved.  But when we painted our walls green last year, she just kind of blended in and disappeared!  So out came the heirloom white!  I must say I love this version much better!


On the very top, I have added two glass jelly jars, one vintage, one not.  Also this pretty little tin "pocket" that I received from a friend, that looks like a vintage postcard.  Love it!

A vintage glass cruet my mom gave me years ago.  I really love the simplicity of the old cruets.


Sea shell love!  I adore vintage pressed glass creamers.  My mom gave me the ones you see here, and they are so fun to change out with the seasons!  At Christmas time, I enjoy displaying vintage ornaments in them.  Right now they hold some pretty shells that I've collected on some of our trips.  Aren't these sea urchins amazing?  The are so fragile, so I am always excited to find them intact!  I also love the conch shells and the pretty pink & white scallop shell in the pink Depression glass creamer.



One last look at my little curio cabinet shelf.  It hangs in a nook off from our dining area.  I like changing it out with the seasons, so I will soon sadly put away all of my shells, and replace them with some autumnal decor.  How do you decorate for fall?
I am joining Kathleen over at Faded Charm for White Wednesday.  Be sure to stop in!

22 comments:

Sandi said...

Your curio cabinet is just beautiful Donna. I love your displays! Funny thing is that I have one a lot like this one in the shop being painted right now. I am thinking it may have nine holes istead of six, but not sure. It also was an ugly brown color! lol
Love your jam jars on top...got some of those too. We are just too much alike. Oh and have me a tin pocket too! hee hee
Blessings~

NanaDiana said...

Donna-What a perfect little curio cabinet! I have one of those sweet little cruets too and always love the looks of it. I will be dusting down everything today and hope to bring some Fall out of my basement and into my house. I do love all the natural Fall elements though...and although I don't favor bright colors in my own decorating I love the brighter hues of Fall. There is just nothing like a pumpkin and some corn stalks to say Autumn Is Here!

I love Summer too and am really dreading its demise this year. I feel like I got a bit cheated out of my summer...sigh...Lord willing, there is always next year! *sobbing quietly* ;>) Diana

mizdarlin said...

Really lovely shelf (yes, in spite of the fact that it's wh..no, cream, excuse me!) and I too love shells; as a matter of fact my living room is maritime central, with shells, lighthouses, and a rogues gallery of marine paintings, photos and prints..including a vey surreal carved wooden mermaid! (did i mention I collect mermaids and lighthouses, too)..so absolutely love the postcard in the frog..great display idea, I'll remember it!
You often inspire me in little ways that don't always bear fruit right away, but then...thanks for that!

Donna said...

Lovely shells and shelves...on your curio cabinet!! Just love inspiration like this!!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
The curio cabinet looks great painted heirloom white. I love all your little vingette arrangements.
Love the shells too.

hugs
Sissie

Karen said...

Your shells look wonderful here and there. I would almost be inclined to leave them and add a fall leaf here and there. What do you think? Well, maybe not. And, at Christmas, some red and green ribbons and pine cones?

Well, it has been a long day and I'm tired and getting silly!

Take care!

Kim B said...

What a wonderful little shelf. I love to see the old drab things turned into something special. I love the way you have it decorated. The little creamers or too cute. The white one is my favorite. Hope you have a great day.
Smiles,
Kim

Olive said...

Wonderful re-do on the shelf. I love the flower frog and vintage card. hugs♥olive

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

My shells share their space with a couple of pumpkins during fall and Christmas ornaments later on...they were confused at the beginning but now they are used to it!!! LOL!

Leo said...

Love the shelf. And the milk glass too. I think this is a perfect place for the shells and sea urchins. The color is great. Is this making it's way into your Etsy Shop? Or is this a keeper?

Just saw your blue framed chalkboard in your Etsy SHop - oh boy - I LOVE it...!!!!

Tete said...

I wish I could go back and pick up all those curios I passed up years ago. Yours is so pretty white and love all your little treasures!
Happy WW!
Hugs- Tete

Anonymous said...

Beautiful images!

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

I love your little milk glass jug!

Sue
xo

Rebecca said...

Love all your summer collection-I feel like I didn't even get to enjoy the summer this year-it was tooo hot!

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Love your shelf and your arrangements! I feel the same way about summer and fall. Can't wait to see what you do with your curio for the new season!

Debbie said...

Hi Donna~~your shelf is so pretty dressed with all the little vignettes in each cubby.
I'm not ready for cooler weather either...but it's a comin'.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
Oh my goodness--this all looks adorable! Your shelf is precious...and how fun to arrange everything....
I saw your comment and I wanted to tell you that the background paper is from my favorite paper of all...and I knew you had it because it was on the background that the magnets were on...(in the package.) I noticed it and thought, "Oh, we have the same taste!) I love that paper dearly.
Love,
Cindy

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hi Donna,

I love the Autumn and Winter seasons especially here in the Smokies. I love everything you've shown but I ♥ that tin pocket postcard. How neat is that?!

I'm visiting for White Wednesday and I would love to have you come visit with me. ♥

Have a wonderful day,
Stephanie ♥

Heaven's Walk said...

Hi Donna! I have to agree with you about saying goodbye to summer. It's a sad day for me when I have to store all of the porch furniture in the barn for the winter. But let's hang to it as long as we can!! Like your little cabinet....so summery and adorable! A quarter for that frog???? That was a steal! I have a few of them with b/w photos in them and just adore them! Love your tin pocket, too! Have a happy WW! :)

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
I'm so glad you saw it...AND I have to tell you that I can never say "good-bye" to summer...lol
Love,
Cindy

Unknown said...

you sure know how to make a girl drool. that shelf is to DIE for!!!! and the shells in the creamers?? well. now i know what to do with mine!!!
xoxo
lynn

{oc cottage} said...

Lovely arrangement!


m ^..^