*Royalishes*

*Royalishes* I say...

What do we love most about the Royal Wedding? Let's ponder this a moment...

Can we really answer that question! Do we really love the pomp and Circumstance or the Traditional Etiquette of protocol...I really think its personal but overall I feel we love the Romantic Pageantry of it all***{THE DRESS}

I remember watching Princess Diana getting out of the Carriage. Really that's all I remember. I have that Beautiful image of her in her Wedding Gown.

My favorite has to be the Carriage, Horses and of course THE WEDDING DRESS*

I love how it is kept a secret up until the moment The Prince will see her in it.

That is what it is supposed to be. Who shows their fiance the dress before!!

It is a special Intimate moment for the Bride and Groom. A extra special gift for the guests to witness that pure moment between them!

This all makes me reflect on my own wedding!! Aren't you doing the same right now?

I kept my Dress a secret too. The Color was the biggest secret. It was so difficult but so worth it!! It was a complete surprise.

No one knew except my seamstress because I designed the dress and headpiece. My Mom and my Dad a tiny bit though they didn't see it.

Here are a few Photos: Our Wedding day and my Dress and the White Carriage I rode in. I wouldn't change a thing even many years later. Our little fairytale..

Enjoy, Get your wedding pics out and reflect a little.

It's the whole Romance and Love Story of the two people whom lives will be forever joined and changed. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it**

Remember the moment when you first saw each other on your Wedding Day... Gives me chill bumps**

xo,

me

PS. If you want to see more..look back at my older posts from August 2010, I posted the whole month of Pink and more from my wedding*

Topiary Kiss*

This topiary has grown to be HUGE!

I shear it about twice a year. When I was shearing it this weekend my son said, "It looks just like a Giant Hershey's Kiss" I love it. Its Rosemary, smells really wonderful.

My Iceberg Rose Topiary's are blooming nicely! I have three in a row like little pompoms***

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful spring weather we are finally getting here in So. Cal.

Happy WHITE Wednesday*

{Take time to smell the Roses}

xo,

Me

Simple touches*

I hope your Easter was a special day for everyone..

Here's wishing you a belated Happy Easter filled with hand holding grace,

blog hugs, chocolate bunnies and pink champagne mimosas.

The day was filled with being together as a family and simple touches that remind us of Family and all the blessings we have.

Photos:

*Easter basket ribbon with a Zinc "P"

*Root beer from my childhood in the Midwest, a favorite little place.. "Dog n suds".

My son's comment... Mom the best root beer float EVER!!!

*A Easter egg holder filled with things from my garden, Lavender,Mint, and lemon from our grove.

Enjoy your Monday*

xo,

Me

Scale Love*

Vintage scales are so fun! To think that these were used in all kinds of buisness trades is so cool. I found this one several years ago. This is the actual Pink color it was when I found it.

New York is stamped on the metal. It has two glass circles on each side. I was told it was a jewelers scale.

I have a white one as you see in the photo, I also have a large one I will share another time.

I love them all...

Details....Someone might be in luck... Because I have this PINK SCALE FOR SALE!

It is $140.00 plus shipping.

{If you are a follower of my blog and you bring 3 new friends over to follow just let me know by email who they are and I will pay the shipping $$$}

Anyone interested send me a email and we'll take care of the details.

These are so fun to use for display, I used this one in my store years ago and put Baby shoes on it!

On a scale of 1-10 I hope today is a 10!

xo,

me

*Beach House Memories*

Yesterday was such a Beautiful Day here in So.Cal.

I woke up this morning with memories of the Boyz "play house" my husband built at our Beach House...

When he first told me he was making a play house, I thought how cool, he will love it..

Well... I was gone for the day and I came home and their was this huge platform on beams about 15 feet in the air... I said my little 4 year old isn't going up their by himself!

It turned out Fabulous, he loved it and it worked out just perfect. The neighborhood kids loved to come and play there. It was a perfect design element for the landscaping. The flag flying,the beautiful Ocean view!!!!

I have such wonderful memories of my Boyz and their friends there.

This was our first home I was lucky to have full reign on design and decorating.

It was a special place...

Hope your having fun Playing House....

xo,

Me

Off to a Baseball game..

Petite Bunny Canvas*

Hope your having a lovely week.. I haven't had a moment to blog...

I will try to get back in the swing this weekend...

Here is a little favorite piece of art.. A Petite little cavas that has a Bunny on it. I have had it for years and I keep it out all year. Its is about 4" wide x 3" tall.

In the yard near the pool there is a little metal sign that says "Bunny Crossing" we have alot of wild bunnies here at the Country house...

Usually I do love to really decorate for Easter, I am keeping it minimal this year since were in a project phase..

Have a beautiful Thursday!

xo,

me

Oh...... If you have Children the movie "HOP" is FABULOUS!! I even loved it!

Definitely the whole family will enjoy it...

Vintage Zinc Moulding*

It's Friday.... This week has just flown by, I haven't had a moment to blog!!!

I thought I would share another Love of mine.

I have these Zinc Tin mouldings, They came out of a old Hotel. They have beautiful details, here is a photo of just the Wreath detail!!

I have two of them and have a plan for them one day...

I just love that these architectural elements were used in buildings. I love the History of them.

I love Zinc!! Visit for more posts on them later*

It's The Picket Fence Inspiration Friday, I just linked up my kitchen view!

If you click the button on my side bar it wil take you there!

Have a Fabulous Friday ya'll..

xo,

Me

Details around my Garden House*

This is our Vintage garden house it's just aged to perfection... The old carved elements, The chippy White paint, can't believe what I discovered when I was sweeping it out over the weekend.

I knew we put a french drain in it but I never noticed this engraved word, SON....Of course I took a photo of it wouldn't you? It gave me chills because my son had just left to return to college...

It was so pretty the way the warm little ray of sun was on it, almost saying to me "Mom I'm always around you."

I had a cool idea for it and I made it,turned out very cool.

Awe... I'm saving those photos for a different post!

Here are a couple more pictures of.... My Favorite Little House!

Hope your week is beginning Fabulously,

xo,

Me

P. S. The white fireplace photos from the post the other day are also from inside the Garden House.

Window Accourtements*

Hope your Sunday is relaxing, peaceful and your enjoying quiet time alone or with family and friends... Mine began with taking my oldest son out for breakfast, he was home for three days from college so we like to soak up as much time of his as he allows... We took our dog Miss "Chloe", she enjoyed being with us I presume! {She's quite lonely and sad with out her BFF Bentley, as we are too.}

I drove my Princess car, it was a beautiful day to drive her. After breakfast, a trip to Target... You know it's a love / hate store with me, I {love} to go because I get all the paper items, laundry etc. But I seem to mosey around a bit while I'm there so I {hate} how I spend to much time doing that!!!

I came home and packed a goodie box for my son to take with him back to school.

After he left I was watering some plants near my son's bathroom windows and I fell in love all over again with our windows and the stone pediements I had made. They turned out better than I thought they would.. I can't wait for the whole house to have them!! Here are a couple pictures I took... Enjoy*

Now I'm going to get dinner started!

My design tip: When your choosing window styles, selecting the look that fits the architecture of your home is essential.

Don't just buy windows because they are inexpensive {Cheap} and you like the style. Labor is the same to install quality.

If you need help, ask a professional. Choose carefull they are expensive, you will have to change them all out to have a cohesive look. Use a professional you don't want a leaky window.

{Our windows are "Pella" Archectural Series, low e, shatter proof, dual glazed, invisible screens.Paintable wood inside aluminum clad exterior}.

Have a wonderful evening*

xo,

me

P.S. I'm already missing my son in his room!!! It's been two hours....

Spring Flowerings

These Pretty Flowers are growing in the yard and I wanted to share the large purple ones with you.. I know they are perenial and they bloom like this every spring..

We did not plant them, they were here on the property.

These are about 8ft. They just multiply!

When it's windy they sway like they are signing, its beautiful.. No fragrance though.

The other flowers are little tiny daisy ground cover. I placed this round topiary sphere in the center and forgot about it and now it's almost covered!

When you leave here, hop over to*AT THE PICKET FENCE* I'm linking up to "Inspiration Friday"

My blog is featured!!!

{Click the icon on the side bar}

A Big Blog HUG & KISS to Thank you girls from "AT THE PICKET FENCE" for selecting my blog!

It was so sweet of you...

Have a great Inspiration Friday and I hope this inspires you to get in the garden and see what is blooming this Spring*

xo,

Me

My Season for change...

It's a Beautiful Spring Day here in So. Ca

We have been patiently waiting...

Spring is always a season of change for me and I really feel it this season..

I feel refreshed and have many new paths that I am walking down.

I love the feeling of the possibilities of Change...

Speeking of Change.. I changed the background colour of my blog!

I would love to hear your thoughts please leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

{When I very first started my blog I had a white background but felt it was too similar to others}

So I went went Dark.. We'll see!

These pics are inside my Garden House...

Enjoy*

Thanks for visiting*

xo,

Me

Delicately Glazed Pitcher*

This is is my Favorite Pitcher*

It is so unusually shaped and I fell in love with the Ornate details on the handle.

I have seen pottery similar to this in alot of European magazines, so when I found this one I thought, awe... it will be so pretty in my French Farm House Kitchen... {sometime}.

Maybe I will take it oudoors for dining on my new {Vintage} French Vineyard table.. I showed you awhile ago in a post.

*Happy White Wednesday everyone*

xo,

me

Love my GREENS*

What a busy weekend...

We went to a charity event Benefiting physically challenged Athletes. It was White Attire Cocktail Dress.. It was very chilly... though a wonderful charity and everyone had a lovely time..

Then Saturday, in my jeans and white T stacked with blankets and coats ...at my son's Little Leaugue games! I know how to mix it up!!! Ha Ha

The weather is supposed to warm up in time for the elementry school's TWO WEEK Spring Break!!

Ya HOO is all I'm hearing around here...

It will be the last year for TWO weeks next year off to middle school and they only get ONE poor Darlings...

I LOVE *LOVE *LOVE* my Greens... MY {EVERGREENS}. I do have a Metal URN Issue and Covet my Topiary passion with my Heirloom Roses!

I will have to take a populataion toll of my Topiary's I know I must be in the 30 ish count... Not nearly where I should be!!

It is time for some pruning and shaping... A bit tidious but afterward they look perfectly coiffed!

My Design Tip: In the Garden and Landscaping, Keep Urns for Special Shapes. Elevating them gives them a place of Honor.

xo,

Me

My first blog link up!

My first Linking up!!

I am linking up to "At the Picket Fence" for Inspiration Friday..

I am thrilled I finally made it work, I hope I can remember how I did it!!!

The blog is written by two Sisters.. I'm excited to share in the fun..

Check it out just click on the button on my side bar and it will take you to my thumb nail and lots of creative blogs!

I hope you enjoy the blogs there!

I can SEE THE WEEKEND!!

Sharing a photo of me from my modeling archives shot in Malibu,Ca . Sorry can't remeber the magazine..

xo,

Me

WHITE is always Fresh*

I have a chair love which I have posted on before!!

I have a collection of these WHITE European chairs.

Wouldn't you love to know how many kitchen or dining tables these have adorned over the years..

The original paint colour is hard to detect you can see from the bottom and the chips they have been blue, green and now WHITE*

I have had them for about 15 years and this is how I found them. They came from Scotland.

My Design tip:

Collect chairs that are simple for added seating. They can fit them into any decor.

Happpy *WHITE *Wednesday

xo,

Me

Spring Accruements*

Haven't we have all been patiently awaiting Spring!

LOVE that it's here..

Let's hope the weather remembers to follow!!!

A chilly, rainy & windy morning for the first day of Spring here in So. Cal.

The rain has stopped for a few minutes and I hear the Birdies...

Every year I find these Jasmine topiary's.

{Wouldn't they be so beautiful growing up and over a arch}

I love the delicate pink flowers and incredible Fragrance.

Here are a few photos of some Spring Accruements in my Foyer..

A little dark not much natural light this morning!

Wishing you a Beautiful Spring Monday*

xo,

Me

European Umbrella*

This was a photo of my European umbrella with this beautiful wild green vine growing up on it!! This was a special find*

It was leaning against the fence behind the garden house and it was growing up all over it...

I had to cut it off to release it from the plants!!

I used it for display with my vintage train cart at my "Olivenhain Grove Sale" last May!!

Well I just saw that Booke Gianetti from Velvet and Linen just found two of them.... I thought how rare... I love love love them too!!

We could be sisters in Style!!!

She has my other eye!!

Here are the photos!

Looking forward to my garden plans...

Happy Saturday Dears*

xo,

Me

What's in the Cuboard?

Oh This... It's my 1890's European Pine HOUSEKEEPING Cuboard.

I LOVE Antique Pine. This cabinet was one of three Large pieces I have from the 1800's.

This one is *Georgeous* measures 8 1/2 feet heigh - 11 feet wide.

I was told it was a rare find that these are hard to find now. It was used for Housekeeping linens etc I suppose!!

It has nine drawers and six cabinets!!! I have a special location for this piece ...I'll share later!!

I keep some of my Vintage Linens and small Vases in this center one.

Eiderdowns,pillows,quilts and fabrics in the other cabinets.

This is one of my favorite Linen Books too. Beautiful linens....Check it out sometime...

Inspires me to get into some Spring cleaning**

Have a wonderful evening*

xo,

Me

French Laundry!

Look what I found a picture of...

This is my favorite little monogramed "P" pillow. It is a Vintage European find.

Ok the Story..

Years ago I used own a store called "Buckingham Mercantile".

I had this wonderful lady who traveled to Europe and handpicked Fabulous Vintage Linens for me. Well, this was in her suitcase of treasures...

She said I thought you might want to keep this because it has your Initial on it.

YES MAM I LOVED it!!!

I used to hand launder each piece and soak them for stains and Iron them myself before I took them for sale to the store..

Well.. One morning I was getting ready to leave and I had a basket of linens to Iron . My Baby "Cade"crawled into the Basket... I grabbed my Camera and took this pillow case out and draped it on the side. I took some pictures and I couldn't believe how cute they were!!

Soo...I thought this would be perfect to use on my Postcard I was designing for the opening of my new Store..

So here it is... I wrote this on the postcard.

...just waiting for mommie to finish the laundry so we can go to the new turn of the century "Buckingham "Mercantile". I can't wait to see you there Cade...

My Design tip: Iron linens when they are freshly laundered and still damp. Do not store until completely dry or they will rust.

Happy White Wednesday Ya'll.

xo,

Me

*SEASIDE*

I love love love this little butter knife, I have a little collection of these..

This is a find!!

When entertaining..They are so perfect to keep the appointed utensil with the dish intended!!

I have one I treasure that is a Antique silver spoon with old engraved words "Merry Christmas".

This one says *SEASIDE*

*It's resting on a vintage flower frog upon on a vintage white ironestone butter pat plate*

My Design tip: Use Vintage Flower Frogs to hold the tips of knifes,photos,cards, etc. They can be found in many shapes.

Hope your Tuesday is Fabulous!!

xo,

Me

Top THREE***

First of all "Thank you" from the bottom of my heart to all of you who sent me such touching words of Grace. I shared them with my family too.

A tough week to say the least. We are sooo missing Bentley .....

Ok...On a light note to start the weekend...

Often I am asked.. How do I give my homes Character and Charm?

Well, It's many things. It's knowing just what elements and how to achieve it.

I'll show you three photos from my home of three elements that are important.

My Design Tip: Quality is the most important. Not Quantity.

Just because it was a good buy or you collect it doesn't mean it's the right choice for your home.

MY TOP THREE

These are my THREE Favorites that I use to instantly give a Home "Character and Charm"

* 1 Antique Lighting.... Cohesive with the homes Architecture/Style

* 2 Antique Garden Elements....if it is for plants use Living Plants/Flowers

* 3 Natural Stone.... Cohesive with the homes Architecture/Style

Note: #1 & #3 may add value $$$$ to your home if chosen properly.

Have a Beautiful Saturday*

xo

Me

{If you live in the San Diego area email me for a consultation.

It will be fun and you will see your home in a completely new light and Love it}!!

Ode to "Bentley"

A heavy Heart prepares and ponders this post today.

Whooo.. Where do I begin, Our Beloved St. Bernard "Sir Bentley" life was unexpectantly taken on Friday. He was Four years old. An amazing dog.. So pure and gentle with such kindness. He held such a large Nobel presence in our family that gave us such joy and love with tons of laughable moments.

Our Family is extremely saddened and we love and miss him dearly.

You know as parents how hard it is to deliver such news to your children.

I think I would rather do anything except relay sadness to my Boys.

So.... I took this opportunity and had a little talk with my youngest son... I explained to him that as his parents we want everything to bring them Joy and Love and we want to shelter them from any thing that would bring unhappiness.

Unfortunately in some circumstances that wouldn't be real or teach them about Honesty, Life, Love, Spirituality and Compassion. It is our job to express real life and be there for them and to nurture as they learn to accept and embrace all that life is....

I truly believe we learn so much from loving a animal,they become one of our family and are there every day for us.

I don't know how you feel but we feel our Children respect Honesty and we owe it to them to always present it...

A few favorite photo's with "Bentley". The one in the car was our first Christmas card with our Dogs and it was Hilarious trying to get our family in the car with them.

Both dogs were just turning ONE.

Bentley will be treasured forever and we are so Blessed to be loved by him...

He will watch over us now... I know why they are called ST. Bernard's.

Thank you for your ear...

xo,

Gail