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Collections...

This Monday is proving quite busy!

Just wanted to drop in and share a couple of my favorite collections of late.

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

How was your weekend?

Mine was good. I spent a little time outside, went on a mini lunch date with the hubs and watched a couple good movies. Yesterday, I was able to prepare for the week, so hopefully I won't be off like last week.

Anything exciting happening this week?  Do share!

{I have a surprise...but it must wait til Friday.} 
 

Random thoughts...

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

In regards to our small group...I realized that all of our kids {including our future ones} will never know a time that we weren't friends.  I love that.  I hope they have to ask how we all met, cause otherwise they'd never know we weren't friends our whole lives.

Some people have to talk about how busy they are to make themselves feel important.

I thought Wednesday was Thursday all day, and thus thought Thursday was Friday...it's wasn't.  But today is....Hooray!

We slept with our windows open last night, and it was glorious!  I never sleep better than when there's a cool breeze  and fresh air.  What about you?

It's my new mission to ask myself every morning how I can be the answer to someone else's prayer.

The polish at the dentist smells like the Strawberry Shortcake doll from my childhood.  Is that weird?

Did you know that cat's noses can whistle.  You know, like when you're stopped up and it whistles every time you breath.  This morning I kept hearing this teeny tiny whistling noise and I finally figured out that it was Chloe sniffing around.  Hilarious.

I hung the picture I posted yesterday on the wall of my cube at work, and I can't stop looking at it. So pretty.  

Happy Friday everyone!  Enjoy your weekend!

{Old Photos} A Fine Looking Family...

 I've always loved this picture of my grandparents with my dad as a baby.  Isn't it the sweetest?  Based on how old my dad is in the picture, I'd say it was taken in 1945. 

Just wanted to share.

*****I do ask that you keep in mind that these are my family photos.  Please do not use them without my written permission.  Thank you.*****

Off...

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

Really, that's all I want.  Is that too much to ask?

***************************************************************

I've been a little off all week.

Haven't worked out like I'd hoped.

Haven't packed a single lunch...which is very uncharacteristic of me.

Haven't been as productive as I'd like.

Which leads me to this:

Would you all hate me if I postponed the craft tutorial until a later date? 

I know, I know.  I said this week.  I may have even promised...but you see,   I feel that if I threw it up here all willy-nilly like I'd have to do at this point, that it wouldn' do anyone justice.  Not you, my dear readers, and not me either, cause I can do better than that.


And...there's something exciting going to take place next Friday that I'm trying to prepare for.  I will definitely share it with you, don't worry! 


That's all I have for now!

Have a glorious day, my dears!  ;)

Treasures...

Last Saturday, my mom and I went antiquing to celebrate her birthday.  She got to pick anything she wanted to do, and I'm so glad she picked that!  We spent the entire day driving around the small towns outside the metro, and had a blast.
I came away with some new treasures...

An old Coca Cola crate...

 I love how vibrant it still is, and how the branding is on the inside too.

A recipe box...

 I've been wanting a recipe box for all those random recipes that are floating around on pieces of paper.  I picked this up and said, "well, this is kinda cute."  That's when my mom told me that her mother had a recipe box just like this one...I was sold!  I added another project to my list.  This baby needs some matching recipe cards and my recipes need to get transferred on them!  

A glass washboard...

 On one side underneath "Victory Glass" it reads "Use this washboard made of materials not needed for defense and help win the war".  So cool.  I didn't notice this til I got it home, and it only made me love it more!  I've seen some incredible medicine cabinets made out of washboards, but I don't think I can stand to drill into this one, it's too perfect.

And last, but certainly not least, a set of strawberry dishes...

 These are so cute, and I cannot wait for the next time I serve fruit salad, just so i can use this bowl!  The small ones would be darling for strawberry shortcake.  I'm on the lookout for more small bowls, since it only had three with the set.  I'd love to find more!

I hope Mom had as much fun on her birthday outing as I did!  She walked away with the most darling little desk and chair, a Fisher Price wobble dog, and a Boyd's bear.  I think it's safe to say we'll be doing it again before too long!

Do you enjoy antiquing?  If so, what's the best thing you've ever found?

the blues...

No silly, I'm happy as a clam!  Just started a new board on Pinterest, and wanted to share some of my faves!

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

{Click on the images for the source, on the caption to view my pinboard.}

Hope you all are having a lovely Tuesday, and that these are the only blues that come your way!

A good weekend indeed...

pinned by jennifer davis on Pinterest

It's Monday once again! My how the weeks fly by.

How was your weekend, my dears?

Mine was chock full of antiquing with my mama, frozen yogurt, a great thunderstorm, crossing off of some of m list, the making of a clean house, and even some naps on the couch with the hubs. A good weekend indeed. My heart is full today.

I have some treasures to share with you from the aforementioned antiquing extravaganza, though I still need to photograph them! I'll share, I promise!

And, I also plan on sharing a craft project with you this week, so stay tuned!

A pretty bicycle picture and random thoughts from the week....

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

•  I have a lot of projects to do. I mean a lot! Just off the top of my head, I can think of 4 things that need framing, and at least 9 other projects that I want to do sometime. Some are bigger than others, but all are things that I've been longing to accomplish.  I really need to clean up the office so that I can do some of these projects!

•  Pesto is really yummy, and I can't believe it's just now making an appearance in my life.

•  People who freak out on other people for no apparent reason are lame.

•  "That's what she said" jokes can make me laugh for a good half hour. I'm mature like that.

•  It's not a good idea to run on the morning of trash day in the summer. It stinks, literally.

•  I really need a pedicure.  My feet are starting to resemble my husbands, and that's not good!

•  Early to bed, early to rise makes Jen a happy girl.

And last but not least: 

•  grilled veggies are the bomb.  'nuf said.


Any randomness you'd like to share from your week?

I will be presenting my very first craft tutorial post next week! {I'm very excited.}

Have a lovely weekend, and enjoy the little things.

p.s. welcome to any new readers who have stumbled upon this place.  so happy to meet you!  ;)

Collections...

I talked about my love of collections last week. 
Since then, I've found more lovely collection inspiration.

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

This week is flying by...well, yesterday I thought it was Thursday all day, so I guess that's a lie. However, tomorrow's Friday, so that makes me happy!

Have you seen it?

The new look of Etsy?   

I for one, really, really like it!  It seems so much cleaner and there's more focus on the items, which is why we're there to begin with! 

What do you think?

p.s. I'm working on a little blog makeover of sorts...if things are a little wonky, I appologize.  It's a work in progress!  ;)

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

Just a burst of color for your Tuesday afternoon.

All are via my Pinterest boards. Click on the image to go to the original source.

Are you on Pinterest? If so, let me know so I can follow you. If not, what are you waiting for? It's fab.

{thanks to Galit for introducing me to this wonderful site in response to this post!  I'm totally addicted.}

Happy Birthday Mama!

pretend by lovelysweetwilliam on Etsy

Mom, 
Wishing you the happiest of birthdays and many, many more to come.  
I'm so grateful that we're not only mother and daughter, but friends.  You're the best thrifting buddy anyone could ask for, and without you, all my flowers would be dead.  {not just some of them!} Thanks for being there for me always, and for loving me through the hard times.  
Love you, and Happy Birthday!
Jen

{Today is also my "other mama's" birthday!  Happy birthday to Amanda's mama too!}

How To Be Alone

Found this here.  I think it's pretty awesome.  Being alone is something I've always struggled with, but I'm learning to be better at it.

We've been talking about solitude with our small group as we study this book, and about how it's in those quiet moments that God speaks to you.  It's when you stop trying to fill the void that the void within you is filled.  I found this video fitting to my recent appreciation of solitude.

I hope you enjoy it too.

Do you get any solitude in your life?  Do you enjoy alone time?

It's lookin' kinda spooky...

in the shop!  

I started adding some halloween goodies over the weekend. 

There's Sven the Mummified Sock Monkey or "Mumkey" as I like to say....

  The Witch is In painting....

a Candy Brooch...

and Wilma the Sock Cat!
{she's featured in this treasury too!}

 I love how bright and colorful she is!

Seems crazy that it's time for halloween already, but it'll be here before we know it! 

Happy Birthday Hollis!

Hollis turns one today!  He's the darling little son of my best friend.   {She wrote the sweetest post about him, you can read it here.} It's hard to believe he's having a birthday already, but I'm so grateful that I got to see him twice in his first year!  He has such a fun personality and is always full of love.  I want one just like him.  

Happy Birthday Mr. Hollis!  Aunt Jen and Uncle Jon love you very much!  mmmmmmmmmwah.

{photo credit:  wanted photography}

Time machine...

Isn't it weird how a certain sound can take you back to something from long, long ago?  I suppose this is true with the other senses as well. 

This morning while watering my flowers there was a little cricket chirping away in the grass.  My mind instantly went to this book.

Apparently, when my mind thinks of crickets, it automatically goes back to elementary school and Chester the cricket.  I remember being so in love with this little cricket and my imagination ran wild with this story.  I seem to remember him having a little bed made out of a matchbox...anyone back me up?  I really don't remember much about the story, but apparently it made enough of an impression on me that it still comes to mind.

I have other things even more random than this.  Like every time I put on eyeshadow, I think of this girl who I went to school with who's mother passed away in high school.  I think her mother's illness must have been around the same time as me learning how to apply eye make up.  I just always think of her, and wonder how she's doing today.  

Is that weird?  Does anyone else experience things like this?  If so, like what?

Do you remember the Cricket in Times Square?  What were your favorite books from school?

And......Have a great weekend!  I can't believe it's already Friday!  Huzzah!

p.s.  I made the poll more user-friendly yesterday, so poll away folks!  {top of right sidebar}

Lonny faves...

After swooning over the John Derian collection yesterday, I thought I'd share my other favorites from Lonny Magazine's latest issue.  

Apparently I'm drawn to collections of things.  

{that last image of the collection of mirrors reflecting the collection of pictures...swoon!} 

I guess I already knew that.  I have small collections of things around my own home, but I'm thinking I need to start working on incorporating this aesthetic on a larger scale.

Do you collect anything?  If so, what? 

**some people were having trouble with the poll I had set up telling them they had to be signed in.  I have embedded a new one.  {I accidently signed up for an account in french and am working to get it resolved, but it's still pretty self explanitory  I mean, isn't it chic how it's in french? haha}

John Derian for Target...

Have you seen the sneak peak for the John Derian collection for Target in Lonny Magazine?  

O.M.G.  

I'm thinking some of these beauties may have to work themselves into my home, and quite possibly into my holiday gift giving!  

John Derian is a New York based artist who has designed a collection for Target encompassing about 100 home and office accessories with a nature and vintage-inspired theme.  He says he wants people to think of his items as keepsakes.  I know I would!  

Hooray for another exclusive collection from Target to pine over!  

The John Derian collection hits stores September 5th.  

I think I need some of those trays!  The human head one is awesome!

p.s. Please take a moment and fill out the poll underneath the followers box in the right sidebar...it would make me tremendously happy!

{All images in this post via Lonny Magazine}

Stale...

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

I trust everyone is off to a good start on their week.  I think we are.  Poor Jon boy wasn't quite over that sinus infection as we'd hoped.  It has now spread to his eye, and he essentially has pink eye now!  {everyone together:  eeeeeewwwwwwww!}  Poor guy.  He's so miserable.  I'm hoping that the new antibiotics an the eye drops start working their magic today.

In other news, I've been feeling lately like things might be getting a little stale around here.  Do you guys feel that way?  Well, I've set up a little poll, if you wouldn't mind taking just a second to fill it out so I can better understand who you all are, and what you'd like to see here.  You can choose more than one answer.   It's going to live right over there at the top of the right sidebar for a few days at least..............>

{oh yeah, if you aren't following, head on up there and do that too!}

Thanks so much in advance for your participation.  I'm hoping this will really help me focus my efforts on posts that my readers want to read! 

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

{oh, and the picture on this post has nothing to do with the content, but what did you want me to put a picture of Jon's pink eye, or some boring graph?  I thought a pretty picture from one of my pinboards on Pinterest was much better!}

Watermelon...

Saturday I was chopping up watermelon and my husband and I had this conversation:

Me:  Gosh, watermelon is so watery.

Jon:  I think that's where it gets its name.

Me:  Yeah, I guess.  Isn't it so pretty though?  Don't you think it has a great color combo?

Jon:  It's like Christmas in July!*

I laughed hysterically at that.  Yeah, that.  I must have been under some kind of spell.  I'm telling you, he's one lucky guy that his cheesy one liners amuse me so.  

I love him. 

*I'm not sure he knows it's August, but whatev.

{photo credit:  elaaaine nguyen}

Soak it up...

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

Happy Friday!  Is everyone else as glad to see the weekend as I am?  This has been a looooong week!

I guess in all actuality, it's the first full week I've worked in a while, that's probably why.

Anyhow, I can't wait to relax!

This weekend's festivities include a bbq with some neighbor-friends who we haven't seen much of over the summer.  I'm really looking forward to hanging out and catching up.  

I still need to get to the pool....and ride my bike!

My Etsy store needs some TLC...

But mostly, I'm looking forward to soaking up summer!  There was a crispness in the air that whispered faintly of fall this morning.  Although I'm over the oppressive heat and humidity, I'm not quite ready to give in to fall yet.  

{They're calling for temps in the 100's next week, so I have a while.}

What are you doing this weekend?  Any big plans?

Have a lovely weekend!  See you Monday!

Bicycles with baskets...

It's been so hot lately, and with us being sick, we haven't gone for a bike ride in a while!  I think it's high time we got out and about.  Perhaps tonight I can talk the hubs into going for a ride and then to the pool!  Wouldn't that be lovely?

Speaking of bicycles, it's been a while since I've shared some beautiful bicycle pics with you...this edition complete with baskets!  :)

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

via jennifer davis on Pinterest

Have you been to the pool this year?

We've been a handful of times, but I don't feel like it's been nearly enough.  Everyone keeps telling me that summer is almost over, and even though I know there's lots of summer left, I'm feeling the need to soak up every last drop of it.  I always convince myself when it's freezing that summer's not all that wonderful...but it so is.

To see other posts on two wheels go here.

Piggies...

I'm so happy I'm not the only one.   

{Oh, and yes Dad, you did teach me better than that.  But, you also taught me to walk my bootie across the street and take care of what needs taken care of.  :)}

 And now, a little bit of business...

I just added two new piggy designs in the shop! 

Logan Flowers...

and Tools...

Get your custom painted piggy bank here.  I love coming up with designs to fit your theme.  In fact, that's where both of these came from.  Send over your ideas folks!

Have a great Tuesday!

Frogger...

via

Saturday morning, my mom and I decided to go to the farmer's market.  

I drove, and just before pulling into the parking lot, the car started stuttering.  Uh-oh.  That can't be good.  I thought, well, maybe it was user error, maybe I didn't let the clutch out smooth enough.  But, that didn't really make sense...I mean, I've driven a stick almost every day for the last 14 years, it's not like I'm new at this.  Oh well.  

We went to the market, and it was lovely.  

Then, we decided to hit up Savers and see what we could find.  

So, we headed down the road and just when we got to the busiest intersection in all of Olathe, the sputtering returned.  I was praying, please Lord, get us through this intersection!  Well, the prayers were answered.  We got through, and then everything seemed normal.  

We went to Savers, and found some treasures.

Upon leaving, I stuck the key in the ignition....crank, crank....crank, crank....nothing.  Uh-oh.  What now?  

Just as I'm pulling out my cell phone to call the hubs, Mom says.  "Is the gauge always on empty when the car's off?" 

O.M.G.

For reals.

I just ran out of gas.

Who runs out of gas?  I mean seriously!

{See I knew immediately that this was what had happened, because it's almost happened before.  The light on the dashboard that indicates low fuel is burnt out.  Apparently, I need a light.  Without it, I seem to think I can drive for weeks without filling up.  Yeah, I guess I'm that girl.}

So, Mom and I froggered it accross the street to the gas station where I payed $12 for a gallon of gas in a can.  Can you say "stupid tax"!?

Sure enough, as soon as we got the gas in the car, it fired right up.  Funny how that works! 

I went immediately to the gas station and filled up the tank.  All the while, mom and I were laughing hysterically.  She kept saying, "In all my life, I've never been in a vehicle that ran out of gas."  Yeah, me neither, Mom.  She called my little sister, who just got her restricted license.  "Jen has a piece of advise for you...always make sure there's gas in the car."  Her response was..."Um, yeah, that's kinda common sense."  

I have a feeling I'm going to be the butt of many jokes for quite some time.

I'm just glad I wasn't by myself, and that it didn't die in the middle of that intersection.  Talk about embarrassing!  Holy cow.  

And that folks, is the time I ran out of gas.  

Anyone else ever ran out of gas?  C'mon make me feel better....anyone, anyone?