On the Way to Austin.......

Last weekend my friend and I headed to Austin on Friday morning!  Isn't it wonderful to take a vacation day from the office and just do "girly things"?  I NEED those .................

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Chappell Hill is about an hour's drive outside of Houston...but it might as well be a world away.  It's just so quite and peaceful and beautiful.

It's like Camelot....the flowers are always in bloom!

And if I won the lotto,.....I'd own this beauty!  It's smack dab in the middle of Chappell Hill.  I could sit on my front and watch the world go by.  Ahhhhhhh....A glass of ice tea---this beauty....what MORE could I want!??!?!

Since we were just two crazy girls on the loose, we stopped at any Antique Store or Junque Shop we wanted too...heaven!  I like to decorate with books/cards so I'm excited to add these to my collection .  

I got a couple of linens......I just liked the pretty little flowers on them and it's hard to find Cottage-y things with Purple...so I snagged this.  Plus the well made candy thermometer should hold up to my fudge and peant brittle recipes.  And I've been needing a new cookie/bisquit cutter.  And lo and behold, I found this set for $4.00!  SCORE!

My mom had a set JUST like these........I just had to have them.....$6....  :)

Isn't this apron cute?  I have a couple of them my Grandmother cross stitched some and was lucky enough to inherit them.  I feel so June Cleaver (in a good way!) when I wear my aprons.

Hmmmm.....what do you think THIS is??!?!?  Love the colors and it's going to turn into wall artwork in my colorful cottage.  It was only $5.  Sweet, right?

This board brings back so many childhood afternoons...playing Chinese Checkers, Monopoly and Life.  Did YOU play those games?

Isn't this a bright, colorful fabric swatch? Two "purple" linens in one shopping trip....it was my LUCKY weekend!

Here the the whole tablecloth.  It was in great shape and only $10. 

But I think my all time favorite find that day was this book, "The Wonderful Tarbaby".  This was another favorite childhood read and the illustrations are gorgeous.  Are there any childhood books that you always look for?  

Treasure Hunting on the Coast

I'm playing a little catch up on my blog because I've been having so much fun flitting around.  This past weekend I went to Austin and what they call their "City Wide Garage Sale".  As any typical road trip, we had many stops before we got to our actual destination.  Below is a teaser of my loot....but you'll have to check back in a few days to hear the "rest of the story".

Earlier I posted about my friend Lea's greenhouse in Seadrift, TX.  Besides enjoying her wonderful hospitality and beautiful greenhouse and yard, we ALWAYS shop when we are in town. The first stop was a resale shop.  These two sweet kitty's were so fun to play with but we zoomed thru the shop, got some bargains and moved on. 

We almost missed this shop.....but we are sure glad we didn't!  It's called The Treasure Chest and it's in Port O'Connor, TX.  This is the beautiful and fun Joanie Morgan, that owns the place.
Last year this store was tucked away and now.....it's a big pretty pink building you can't miss! 

In addition to a new space, they beefed up their inventory.  I just fell in love with this picture.  It looks like a photograph but it's acrylic paint.  The shadows looks so REAL, don't they?  I could plop myself in that picture and be happy for hours, just looking at the water and drinking that bottle of wine.  :)

Pretty beach and ocean scenes in stained glass shown in the windows.....aren't they pretty?
I bought this necklace and it's turned into one of my all time favorites. 

And my friend, Tyra, tried on this pretty aqua and clear beaded necklace.  We all agreed she HAD to buy it because it looked so pretty on her. 

Check back soon.....I've been going and blowing so much I've got tons to show and tell.  Happy Spring Ya'll!!!! 

Art Asylum--It's a Crazy, Fun Place

I can venture to say many of you have NEVER  been to a "shop" like this.  It's call the "Texas Art Asylum"...and it's as crazy as it's name! It's a treasure trove of STUFF.  People donate items but check out the website link at the bottom of this blog to see what they will and won't accept. 

Ever had the urge to make a cigar box purse, or decoupage one to make a little alter...well this is THE place to find just the perfect box.

Old pictures galore......

Bottles of paint are next to the old trophies....so random!!!

And here is a crochet or knitter's dream......there are also fabric swatches, dress patterns....OH, the possibilities!

 And my two lovely friends (you may recognize Susan A. and Reed from the Steam Punk Jewelry Class) tried on many hats until they found these two stylish ones. 

To find out more about this crazy, fun store.....check out Texas Art Asylum

Greenhouse Oasis

Are most of your plants looking like this after the FREEZING and HARSH winter we had?

Well, if you had one of these at your disposal you may have been able to save some plants.  Or, you could have at least created your own little oasis of beauty and been surrounded by beautiful green, living, thriving plants all winter long!

Step inside this unassuming greenhouse and see what treasures it holds.  It's warm and moist and practically pulsing with plant energy.

Who's wonderful greenhouse is this you ask and how am I so lucky to visit?  Well, it's my neighbor Tyra's mother's house down in Seadrift, TX. (Between Houston and Corpus Christi).  And it's right on the bay; with winds blowing constantly from the water.  But here in the greenhouse everything is cozy and warm and thriving.

Lea decorates with seashells, statues and wind chimes.  Each item (and lots of the plants) have their own story about how it arrived there.  Some were given by friends, some were bought, others found in junk shops, and big trash boutique.

I think this little angel is so sweet.  Check out the blooms (in February) on these plants!  Mine don't even look that good one day after I buy them at the nursery. 

Lea definitely has a way with plants.  I think she's a Dr. Doolittle type and "talks" them into growing and looking good for her.  She says she just waters, fertilizes and trims.....I'm not buying it...She's Magical!

Lea and a helper spend many, many hours trimming and pruning and it sure shows!

Look at this huge Kolanchoe......and the sweet owl that guarding the greenhouse----asking WHOOO goes there? 

This statue of St. Francis is lucky to have such a comfortable and beautiful place to oversee.

And this is the beautiful and talented Lea, and her equally beautiful and talented daughter, Tyra. Tyra lives right next door to me and has a beautiful, small greenhouse of her own.  She is always making me potted plants and giving me clippings for my garden....but so far the MAGIC hasn't rubbed off.  I can kill a silk plant!  LOL!