Red, White & Blue

Red, White and Blue Star Garland

I love being creative. Since we are hosting this years Fourth of July party I thought, why not make some of my own decorations? So I searched my favorite crafty guru, MarthaStewart.com. I found some great ideas for red, white and blue garland. Above are pictures of my work in progress. I also plan on making a July 4th banner that I found on bhg.com. Colorful dinnerware and serving dishes will help to bring the red, white and blue them home. God Bless America! Pictures of the decorations finished and in place to come.


Jacklyn Lorraine

Treasure Hunts in PA

Boy do I love stuff, not just any stuff but stuff that adds a certain character to your home or yard. Stuff that when displayed correctly can add a unique, cozy, inviting atmosphere to your home. My search for the perfect "stuff" took us to Adamstown and Kutztown, PA where the Antique Extravaganza was taking place this weekend. Below are some photos from the Extravaganza.

Outside one of the vendors at the Adamstown Shupp's Grove Market. This innovative seller took pieces that would otherwise be consider junk and re-purposed them in creative ways. She had birdhouses made out of wooden barrels with metal oil funnels as roofs. Old turn leg columns used as posts for American flags.

Piles of hidden treasures lined up outside one of the antique stores in Adamstown. You could pretty much find anything and nothing you needed here.

A very shabby chic display at a vendor in Kutztown's Renninger's Market. Her palette of soft neutrals caught my eye from a mile away. I wanted everything this woman had for sale.

All in all my search found me a few metal buckets, a handful of masonry jars, a tiny blue wooden wagon, 4 blue shutters and endless ideas. A successful trip, a few regrets of item's I passed up or couldn't afford, but there's always next time (which hopefully will come sooner rather then later) to find more junk.


Jacklyn Lorraine

Shabby Chic Shed?

Tiny Victorian Cottage found on nytimes.com.

White washed walls and floors, hundreds of yards of white floaty fabrics.

The front porch I've dreamed of my whole life. Maybe mine could be a little bigger, buts its better then no porch.

I am in love with this little Victorian Cottage. Even though it's an overstatement to really call this a cottage, it's more like the size of a one car garage, I adore every single element of it. I can't take the credit for finding this little beauty, it was actual my husband who found the article on nytimes.com and screamed "You have to see this, it's like your dream shed?!" Front porch with window boxes, white washed interior walls, yards and yards of flowing voile drapes, dream-like bedroom loft and crystal chandlers, what more could a girl ask for? The bedroom loft alone makes you want to put your finger to a spindle and fall asleep till prince charming wakes you up. I don't think this backwoods brilliant little designer is actually a professional but she sure does have an eye for classic beauty. An all white little playhouse for a princess, pretty but not practical. It seems this cottage is for sleeping beauty's only; cooking and bathroom breaks are strictly in the trailer outside. But when you have an escape like this fairy tale doll house, does it really matter that you really live in a trailer?

Jacklyn Lorraine

Fresh Pickins'

Ripe for the pickin'. Cucumbers, sweet peppers, jalapeno's and basil. Yum.

Jacklyn Lorraine

Anniversary Getaway

Boy how time flies! It feels like just yesterday I was nervously anticipating my wedding day to my highschool sweetheart. With our 2nd Anniversary days away, (June 29th to be exact) the amazing hubbie suprised me with a night stay at Amethyst Inn B&B in Adamstown, PA. I know your thinking, "What's there to do in Adamstown, PA?" Well since you asked, it happens to be the Antique Capital of the US and I happen to adore shopping for used treasures. But that's not the best part! The Renninger's Extravaganza is this 24th, 25th, and 26th in Adamstown and Kutztown, PA. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about spending a romantic night away from home with my husband, but equally excited about the antiques! Pictures from the B&B and Extravaganza to follow.

Jacklyn Lorraine

Purple

Soon you'll notice that the color purple is my weakness. It's a color I have always loved. Against our pale blue house, purple and blue flowers are a striking contrast and compliment to the facade. I use the tri-color rule when picking flowers for pots; purple/blue, white, and pink for a pop color. These are some flowers I have planted around my house in window boxes, pots, and tiny treasures.

Jacklyn Lorraine

It's Summertime!

Summer officially began two days ago and our first veggie garden is climbing high. We've already eaten our first cucumber of the season and have two peppers in our fridge ready to be stuffed and consumed. As I work in the garden, tying stray tomato limbs to the stake, I soak in the smell of fresh tomato leaves on my hands. The smell is so fragrant, rich with earth and memories of summers past. Like my veggie garden, this blog is something new I am trying. Hopefully it will come as naturally to me as growing my own vegetable garden has been. I plan on sharing with you the things that bring me joy and a view of the world through my eyes. I hope you come to enjoy many of the same things I do and continue to follow my blog as it blooms!