I hope you’ll join me on my never-ending search for beautiful pieces, with history, for your home. Find my curated treasures, in Booth #154, at the Antique Trove, in Roseville, CA. ~ Barbara
When it comes to home design blogs, I’m like a kid in a candy store! You see a fun comment on one post, go check out her blog and learn about another designer and go check them out. It can go on and on and on… That’s exactly what happened today, when I found Atelier de Campagne! It isn’t that Johan or Trinidad are funny, or clever. It’s the pictures that do me in! Now, don’t get me wrong. Johan and Trinidad are probably totally charming, but I’ve never met them! When they aren’t traveling in Europe, filling up a…
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I have the coolest new gadget on the block! It’s called the “square”! It allows me to sell something at a street fair or even on Craig’s List, via credit card….on my iPhone! You don’t have to have an iPhone. It works on other phones and is so simple! I had to check out several stores, before finding this at an Apple store. No set up fees or monthly charges. Just 2.75%, of the sale price, when you use it! See, I told you it was cool! And in honor of my older sister, who used to tell me I…
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I’m one of those people that tends to read the cookbook for enjoyment more than to actually create a meal. I don’t know about you but I have oodles of cookbooks, that I hardly ever open. I’m hoping that my newest acquisition, Vegetables from an Italian Garden will be a more hands-on cookbook for me. It’s kind of strange but I don’t see an author for the book. It seems to be sort of a publisher group effort. But what’s neat about it is that it’s recipes are arranged by season. They stress the value of using local, seasonal vegetables…
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Well, the title of this post may be a bit misleading! I’m talking about new bedding; simple changes in bedding, to change the look of an entire room. For longer than usual, I’ve had this golden sateen spread on our bed, along with two different patterns of John Robshaw’s Euro shams. This is the spread that Miss Kitty loved to sink her claws into. Now that she’s in “kitty heaven”, I’m bringing in a new summer spread, from HomeGoods. Without the duvet covered comforter, or with…
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Greetings!, While I was out, looking for a colorful outdoor umbrella, I decided to stop in at World Market, formerly known as Cost Plus. While they haven’t really changed the type of things they carry, the selection seems to be quite a bit nicer. Cool jewelry, hats and scarves… …to outdoor or indoor furniture and goodies for entertaining. They had these cool little battery operated lanterns, that you can hang from trees or umbrellas, or just about anything. Colorful pillows and great baskets! I loved these colorful melamine plates and natural fiber placemats. I found a floral outdoor umbrella. I’m…
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Hi there!, Life is finally getting back to normal, after having been gone for two weeks. What’s better then getting a package in the mail? Shortly before leaving for Italy, the shipment from my New York shopping adventure arrived. So I thought I would share it with you, my shopping buds! First of all I found this beautiful painted wedding scene. It’s Indian and I think it will look great in the dining room, once it is framed. … quite the dashing groom! And what about these bridesmaid outfits? I also love the moon and the stars and the water…
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Something crazy happened while I was away! The jeans hanging in my closet somehow got a little bit smaller! Or, was I eating just a little bit more? The last night in our hotel we celebrated our goodbyes, while enjoying yet another feast. I’ve never had asparagus served as an appetizer with an egg, but it was actually pretty tasty. The second course included ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach. I was only going to eat one, but somehow the second one disappeared as well! The ravioli was followed by pork fillets and pan roasted potatoes. I don’t know…
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Day 13 in Milan: Another thrill-packed day! Our trip is coming to a close and I’ll be happy to be back home. I hear that Wonder Dog has stayed by the front door, waiting for his momma! Our day started early, leaving for the train in the rain. It poured all night long and thankfully the sun was coming out by the time we reached Milan. We toured the city’s Fashion District, on our way to the opera house, that was restored about five years ago. Back in the day, people owned their own box seats, reminding me of how…
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Today was spent on and around Lake Como, touring gardens, eating pasta, visiting a few shops and enjoying the amazing views. This estate was given to Carlotta, by her parents, when she got married, a few hundred years ago. Cut gravel beds are everywhere, in Italy. I really like the paver stone that was used here. (For our future Italian garden!) The plastic grid set in the gravel was interesting. It was used in the hilly areas, to keep the gravel in place, I assume. Inside, was quite a large collection of art, from the same period. Pictures weren’t allowed…
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Hello again!, Just two more nights before we head for the airport in Milan, very early, Wednesday morning. I look out our hotel window, at the lake and see the Swiss Alps! It makes me want to keep driving, to see it all. Yet, about this time, I start really missing Mr. Wonderful and Wonder Dog! Daniella, our very own exceptional tour guide, has shown us all the sights! This shot is through an alley, at sunset, on our way to dinner. We’ll head out soon for a boat ride across the lake, to see more sights. I’m hoping for…
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