Farmhouse Fantasy

Ever since I've opened my Etsy shop, I have been introduced to shop owners from different parts of the world. A few of my faves and are in my circles are from France (bien sur). Two of them are from the french countryside running their Etsy shops from their exquisite farmhouses. This of course got me to fantasize how fabulous it would be to live in my own farmhouse!


I would be happy in this cheerful looking farmhouse for sure

With the most ideal farmhouse kitchen

And a charming grapevine covered outdoor dining room

Although, no matter where my farmhouse is located, I would always bring my very useful hoosier cabinet with me...

...well equipped with my farmhouse industrial chic kitchen accessories

Are you like me...do you ever fantasize about your dream home and where it would be?

Linking to Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Par Avion

What is it about mailboxes...why am I obsessing about them lately? I think it's because I hardly get any "real mail" anymore inside my mailbox. Bills, bills, bills, oh and junkmail...that's all I get nowadays! Remember these two mailboxes I posted about here and here? Well, I found two more mailboxes at yard sales this weekend. Transformed them of course from their original rusty ugly look - this time, after I painted them, I simply applied some cool graphics found from Graphics Fairy!

Here are the mailboxes before -

Here they are after - this is the Eiffel Tower side

And the french letter side - quelle romantique!

I simply enlarged the graphics and printed them using clear blank labels bought at Staples

By the way, the mailboxes are sitting on top of this old ladder I found at my local thrift shop...the best part...it was already painted blue!

Sexy, non?

It's an excellent bookshelf

Where I can easily grab my fave design books

Of course I have to mention that those pretty pale pink geraniums all came fresh from my window boxes. They are thriving so happily right now.

Speaking of mailboxes, etc. (haha!)...mon petite boutique has gone "par avion" - international style. A dear sweet blogger, Celia from Atteatude and Chocolate found the two pieces below when she clicked on my boutique tab. She liked them so much, she ordered them just like that! It was rather fun shipping two big boxes to Canada, that's where she's from. Celia, like many of us has such a great life story to tell in her other blog Falling Off a High-Heeled Life. Check it out here...her story is one of those inspirational must read, really. Merci beaucoup dearest Celia!

Linking to the following parties:

Tracie from Cottage Flora Thursdays

http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

http://modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2011/08/mod-mix-monday-12.html

http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/

Summer Pickins'

Mon cheri et moi have been enjoying the last few dog days of summer here in SoCal. While he's out fishin', I go pickin'...fortunately, the downtown areas where I go antiquin'/thriftin' are mostly within a few blocks from the beach or pier, so it's a win-win for us both!

Here are a few of my finds this weekend:

This was the the pier where Chris went fishing...it's in Dana Point Harbor, very popular spot to paddle boarders.

While we were there, this pirate looking ship was getting ready to take off

Let me show you these...not sure if they are tea cups, but these dainty pink cups have two handles. They are too small to be soup bowls, so I will totally use them as tea cups.







I was so excited to find this cast iron balance scale with a pair of copper plates. It's in mint condition for a very low price. The mark reads HCo.

How cute are these primitive pharmacy bottles???

The bottle in front with a cork top reads "toilet water"...what was that for?

This particular one still has the oil inside (which I will toss - eeewww), and the box

Speakin' of pickins...I had to pick the last few of my mophead hydrangeas. They are burning in mon jardin during some intense heat these last few days of summer.





And a few last picks from my veggie garden...my yellow pear tomatoes

Sweet corn which never got big enough

And some hot hot hot jalapeno peppers

Finally, remember these heirloom punkins that I planted from seeds just a few weeks ago...look how fast they're growin'???

Seriously...WHAT IS WRONG WITH BLOGGER??? It's frustrating to blog lately so I'm considering changing to wordpress...any thoughts?

Linking this post to:

Tracie's Cottage Flora Thursdays

Terri and Martha's Teacup Tuesday

Paris Trunk Show

Going into seven months of owning mon petite shoppe and learning more about the retail business, it's my responsibility to know what my customers like...what items sell immediately and what stays unwanted (sigh!).

As predicted (and you probably guessed too), pieces that go flying out these doors items related to "Paris, Eiffel Tower, French, and Euro" style.

So without further a-deux...here they are, french-inspired goodies available this month at mon petite shoppe inside Olde Ivy in Carlsbad Village!


My own version of Le Paris Trunk Show...
Ooh la la!

Madame Marie Antoinette Pillow

This bangle bracelet reads "I'd rather be in Paris"

Magnetic calendar with thermometer

Farmhouse milk bottles with wire basket. These bottles are quite big, has a fruit logo and reads "frutta del pratto"

Les Fleur vintage-inspired frame art

J'adore this french grocery list! You can point to items you need to add to your shopping list and even works better if you can read french.

This box reads "candle box" but really, you can put any mementos you want inside this frenchy box!

Violettes vintage-inspired art frame

This old mailbox was originally painted grimy green, but I repainted it and added the Paris street name.

This box will knock your socks off - haha! Really, it's a box to organize your socks, but I use it to organize my price tags.

And what queen doesn't want a crown? Enchante', your highnesses!

A sign inspired by the world famous Paris Flea Market, bien sur!

And a french "Bakery" sign, perfect for someone's kitchen

Keepin' my fingers crossed that these pickins' go flying out the door of mon petite shoppe at Olde Ivy. Wish me "bonne chance" mes amis!

P.S. I will be giving away one of these "french-inspired" items from mon petite shoppe. Stay tuned for the announcement...soon.