Who’s Cracking the Whip?

Do you ever wonder what motivates you? I do. What leaves many of us content, while others have to look for the next challenge? I wish I knew. Somewhere, I have to have this tattooed into my brain (ouch!). I won’t go through my list of what I’ve been doing to fill my days lately,…

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4 Steps to a Beautiful Centerpiece

Mr. wonderful gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, for our anniversary, recently. While I am not a professional florist, my mother was a stellar entertainer. Having lots of dinner parties, and not a lot of money, she always made her own centerpieces. Her tables always looked like a wonderful celebration was about to take…

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At Veranda Antiques This Week

Welcome back to Veranda! While I am the keeper of the shop today, I thought I’d give you another tour. You might see something you can’t live without! Or better yet, you might find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift…or gift certificate…for your sweetheart! I love this old original pastel. The frame is especially great! I’ll…

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Design Opportunities of Open Shelving

While open shelves were probably first designed to hold daily essentials, today…or at least in my world, they offer wonderful points of interest in a room. Give me a nook to fill and I’m at peace with the world. Some decorate shelves, sticking to a color scheme… While pretty, these shelves would never end up…

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Gorgeous in the “Grove”

Before heading to the Ft. Lauderdale airport, we had the wonderful chance to spend time with dear friends, Gale and Glenn, at their gorgeous home in Coconut Grove. Gale and Glenn are the “poster couple” for a fun-packed and rewarding retirement lifestyle. It’s no surprise that they have a steady stream of house guests, because…

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More New Pillow Fabric & Lunch at The Breakers

With just two days left in South Florida, the sky is clear and it should reach 80 today! Pretty nice! I’m ready to get back home soon,to work on some projects. I hear Annie Sloan calling my name and am going to work with her gorgeous red color, for starters. Emperors Silk, I believe she…

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Touring West Palm Beach & Antique Row

What a wonderful day for antique lovers, in West Palm Beach! It all started at the Brass Scale Antiques, where Jane Schott is the shopkeeper and also a blog-buddy. Her blog is called Empress of the Eye. She keeps track of all the gorgeous pieces that come into the shop, thanks to Judy, the proprietor.…

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Dreams of Touring the Paris Flea Market

As a regular reader of Velvet and Linen, I stumbled upon an older post about her visit to the Paris Flea Market last summer. It was one of the most inspiring blog posts ever. It just made my imagination run wild! You can see the post by clicking here. The beautiful pictures made me feel…

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Focus…Plus a Fun & Inspiring Link Party to Join

I’m not sure if you’ve ever read a sweet blog, called www.theletteredcottage.net, but they’re hosting an unusual link party called Word often Year. The idea is to pick a word and keep it in plain sight throughout the year; on the refrigerator door, in your sock drawer, on your car’s dashboard. A constant reminder to…

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Trend Watch: Otomi Fabric Has Gone Wild

I have been hearing and seeing so much talk lately about Otomi fabric. While I had seen the pattern, I didn’t even know it’s name, until now. It’s finally getting the recognition it should! It’s timeless and simply beautiful. I found Jane at Empress of the Eye, talking about hand-stitched Otami recently on her blog,…

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Antique Show in Stuart, Florida & More

What do you do, on vacation in Florida? Why, go to an antique show and flea market, of course! Yesterday was cold and grey, here at the beach, but today is beautiful, even know it’s pretty breezy. Before heading out to the flea market, we toward the beach, pool and Mr. Wonderful’s favorite, the barbecue.…

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