Classic Style Using Authentic Treasures

It's all about living an AUTHENTIC life, being true to who we are and finding beauty and inspiration in our daily surroundings. Decorating our homes with found items and antique and vintage treasures, we create a personal ~ classic style ~ that defines who we are!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

A Jar Of Joy


JOY!
What brings you Joy?
Do you know it on a daily basis?

There are several keepsakes
in my home that represent
experiences that bring me joy 
each and every time I look at them.

In my kitchen, 
on top of a book shelf,
sets a collection of blue mason jars.
Different kinds, and different sizes,
but there is one that just stands
out in my heart!

It isn't necessarily the jar itself,
although I love it ~
it is one of those large shoulder jars!

That curved neck and rusty
wire wrapped around its top...


it protects something 
precious to me.

When I was about 13 or 14,
my father came home from a business trip
and presented me with a single, beautiful 
bloom of cotton.

You would have to know me,
but I've always collected rocks and sticks
and flowers and seed pods and sea shells!

I was thrilled!

I've kept that one single cotton boll
for almost 40 years!



I recently added a few more pieces
 that I picked from a huge cotton field
growing next to the highway in Tennessee.
 
It was a wonderful trip,
full of laughter and joy!
 


It might just be an old jar
with some cotton shoved in it ~ 
but in reality
this vintage treasure in itself,
holds something even more important.

My happiness, my joy, my memories~
safe and sound
under an air-tight seal!





Live your Authentic Life - Be the Real You!!!

Blessings,

Martha















 

 










Saturday, October 13, 2012

Pickin' A Chicken House



Yes I did!

I picked a chicken house full of
junk that has been stored for decades!

And I must say, it was a blast!








I shopped for 4 hours ~
plain and simple,
there was just too much junk!




Automotive, hardware, 
school supplies, cash register tape,
yarn, Christmas stickers......
stuff, lots of stuff!









Anyone need some boat anchors?

Don't think these computers will
serve much purpose otherwise ~





Oh, but I fell in the love with
the rusty saw blades ~



 
and Garfield
forever stuck on 10:49 ~
wonder if it was morning or night?


 

 

Would have bought all the
canning jars, 
but I have cases of them at home...
still waiting for projects yet begun.




 
 Breaker, breaker 1, 9 ~
anyone need CB supplies?
Good Buddy!
  
 

 

Griswald stove dampers caught my attention,
I purchased several just because!


 

 

 I'm sure someone could fix
this baby up - but it's not me!




 
 More rust ~
Bicycle chains snaking across the floor,
just glad they weren't real snakes!
I saw a snake skin earlier that sort of
put me on edge.
 
 


 
 How about a huge box full of
Jagermeister Test Tubes?
Guess these were for a shot party! 
Seemed out of place for
a chicken house!

 


 
Poor Barbie, 
Ken was no where to be found,
probably hanging out near the Jagermeister Party.

Looks like she was resting after working
out to her Olivia Newton John cassette, 
hope Ken can find his way back to Xanadu!

  


 
The only mouse trap I saw ~
I'm sure they would need quite a few more!

 


 
Unfortunately,
this find was not for sale!

 
 


So, wondering what I DID
end up with after FOUR hours of picking?

 


  Seven galvanized boxes,
an awesome old red shopping cart,
shutters,
two old stretchers,
two old galvanized trash cans,
at least a dozen old metal signs ~
 



5 large unfinished frames,
two turned table legs,
one lone bicycle wheel,
one rusty metal milk crate,
a ton of yard sticks,

 
 

awesome rusty wire,
slatted wood pieces,
a vintage numbered valet board with hooks,
 and lots of small do-dads like big rusty screws,
stove dampers, metal cogs and wire screens!


 I can't wait to start on some
fun re-purposing projects!
 


I had a great day at the chicken house,
may have to go back again tomorrow....
already thinking about a few things I still need!


Live Authentically ~ Be the Real You!
Blessings,
Martha



Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Halloween Footsteps

I decided to do something
a little different with my mantel
this Halloween ~




The vanity mirror is old and the silver wearing off, 
(which I love), 
so I thought it would be the perfect backdrop 
for a Halloween theme.

The large, white architectural piece 
is from a very old building in my local community.

With the exception of a few items ~ 
like the glass ornaments, 
everything is vintage.
 




When I pulled out the glass beaded garland,
I thought the orange tones looked so much like copper, 
I decided to incorporate some of
my collection of bronzed baby shoes.




I added a few skeleton keys 
with black and white check ribbon
 to finish off the ends of the garland.



During one of my picking trips, 
I came across two small wooden staircases.  
They are too big for a traditional doll house, 
not sure what they were used for....but I thought, 
hmm, one day they will come in handy.
  
I added a couple of vintage clocks for extra interest, 
thinking it looked a little like a loose steam punk theme.


 


 



The metal urns came from Target 10 years ago!  
I took two old black wrought iron topiary forms, 
and placed them in the urns to resemble witches hats.  

Then I wrapped a black feather trim 
around the topiary base and tucked in one end.
  
Do you see what I see?  It's a black cat's tail!

 


This is the sort of mantel that grows on you!  
You have to walk up to it, study it, 
and then you see the vision!  

I love all the little baby shoes 
perched on their steps...
sort of like little ghost shoes from the past.





Quirky?  Indeed!

I wouldn't have it any other way!




Live Your Authentic Life ~ Be The Real You!
Blessings,
Martha