a lot like Christmas! ...a very simple Christmas...
Following an Argentinian tradition, the Christmas tree came out of solitude on December 8th and will stay up until January 7th...
The vintage ornaments that won my heart a few years back are this year displayed inside bowls...
urns...
and under glass cloches...
The good wishes have filled the room...
and even my "corner guy" is ready...
A little shopping, lots of good food and definitely no stress! I try to keep it simple, whatever is done...is done whatever is not... I can always "get it right" next year!
"The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect! " ~Charles N. Barnard~
When Martha called and invited us, we didn't know if she did it because we are her number one fans o her number one customers, no explanation needed here.... We accepted right away!
Martha's touches were, of course, spread throughout the house. This beautiful arrangement with handmade paper birds made by her was our first surprise... Pure eye candy, just the perfect prelude to a special gathering...
While asking about our trip and families, Martha walked us to the backyard, where the table was already waiting for us... Fresh, colorful, girly... Oh, so inviting!!
We would like to think that the pastel colors, the floral pillows, the mix of painted and wood furniture (all our faves!) were picked in our honor, but we need to keep it real...Martha has impeccable taste and those choices were perfect for an Easter Brunch!
A closer look to the table to remind everyone of why we LOVE Martha: Her attention to details: look at the napkins folded in shape of bunnies!!
Her creativity: She can transform everyday objects in pure sweetness...
and her simplicity, although you wouldn't dare to think of Martha as "simple"!
Later in the afternoon, over tea and coffee...
she shared with us some of her secrets and had so much encouragement to give us!! (She said that the aqua nests and chocolates were picked specially for Clara)
Unfortunately, it was time to leave Martha's place. But she had one more surprise for us.... She let us take a beautiful glass jar each, filled with colorful eggs...
and a basket full of goodies for all our readers!! She is so generous...the perfect hostess!
She waved us Good Bye while making us promise that we would get together again...
Happy Easter, Martha! Thank you for everything...
And just like that, we turned around and without even wanting it: we woke up!!
We do browse catalogs and we do visit big-names decorating stores, but when it comes to furnishing our own homes, pieces found in antique stores or flea markets always win our hearts. Why?
Because a vintage dresser can also live in the dining room...
...or the family room...and be much more than a dresser...
and because an old fence can complete a big wall.
Because salvaged architectural pieces can be wall art...
and everyday objects become objects d'art
Because when we buy vintage, we get to recycle and think outside the box...
But the #1 reason of why we decorate with vintage and antique cottage pieces is because...
And we get to do it all in a super budget!
Go green, shop vintage!...Visit the Colorado Lady today for lots of vintage goodies inspiration!
Just a little imagination + just a little wall + just a little bit of paint + just a little need of something new + just a little bit of time + $20.00 = A big, big, change!!
In my Professional Opinion (I am a Psychologist after all...) the rainy weather we've been having in Southern California has also a lot to do with it...After days and days of rain, cold, wind and very grey skies, (all of this by Spoiled California standards, I know) the "Princess of all things white and shabby" was in need of some color. And she got it!! This is how Clara transformed her entry way: from white and fab to aqua and fab!!
She even got aqua candles... notice how the color reflects on the mirror accross the way...
To keep the "King of all things not-shabby" happy, she did it all in a budget:
Paint: $18.00 (Lowe's) The color is "Staqua" from the Seaside Retreat Collection, Valspar Candles: $.99 (.99 Store)
Don't you love it???, I sure do!!... Too bad the bad weather didn't affect me that way, in my case, the formula was: eat + watch TV = Extra weight :(
Have a wonderful weekend, full of family fun and finished projects!!
We share a passion for all things old, cottage and chic! After 10 years of retailing, we have closed our San Clemente store but you can find us now at our Space in Country Roads, Orange, CA (Space #135)
We are constantly shopping for vintage and antique treasures: ironstone, china, linens, accessories and small pieces of furniture that we can rescue and give a new life to, so don't be surprised to see at the Flea Market on Sundays mornings!
Thank you for visiting us,
Clara & Marcela
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