Freckled Star

7 weeks.....

Really.......

It's been that long already......

I can't believe I have been in the Parts Department that long!!!

I can't believe it's time to go back to Virginia again......

But alas it's true.....

Leaving tomorrow bright and early:)

Soooo........

As always I will try, try, try to post......

and.....

for those of you who want to leave comments or email me while I am in class learning all I never wanted to know about a car dealerships service department.......

a little something......;)

Oh and did you know I am on Facebook now?????

Well I am....

See the little tab to the left....

That's me....

Want to be my friend???

If you do you get extra chances to win.....

And if you comment on my blog thru Facebook you get chances too.......

So now I am all over the place...

In case you needed more of me than you already have;)

It's a surprise my sweet friends so this is all you get.......

But you know me right?

You know it's going to be good....

I've already given a couple of hints:)

You know the drill all comments and emails count. Plus now my Facebook friends will be thrown in the mix:)

Gotta finish packing, grocery shopping, laundry and just getting these people ready for my departure in general now:)

Talk to me:)

Be happy.....

Another new Etsy shop.....

Orchard Farm Soap

Artisan crafted soaps, lotions, lip balms and great candles!!

In all the wonderful scents. Lavendar, vanilla, peppermint, lemongrass and so on.

I went in with the intention of only buying candles but...........

I ended up getting some chocolate peppermint soap, peppermint lip balm and I wanted to try the lotion bar they make so I got a lavendar one:)

Great little natural fiber bags too and a fab little surprise for me that I have decided to include in my giveaway......

Oh and did I mention they have tea too.....

But my favorite thing has to be this.....

This smells soooo good. Everything from them does but this is just awesome!! Vanilla, bergamont and ylang ylang. So happy........

Details for my giveaway tomorrow........

I think I love giving fun stuff away more than you like getting it:)

Excited!!!
 
 
 

So happy.....

The Three Gable Birdhouse is up!!

Here's a few pictures.....

Again the lighting is not the greatest because of the window and it's late afternoon.

But you'll get the point:)

Taken from downstairs.

From upstairs. It still needs a tall topiary in one of the corners. Everything that's in there I already had. And decorating this was no small feat!! It doesn't move around very well and there wasn't too much space for me to manuver. Hanging the little twine bird nests I almost gave up on. A lot of patience and nimble fingers on one hand. I can't stand in front of it so I was decorating from the sides. Trying ever so hard to get my arm in those little doors:) What I won't do for cute decor.....haha.

From the stairwell. I plan on changing out the flowers and trinkets seasonally. But for that I will need a taller ladder. I need to be able to stand in front of it. Ours was too short and since it was raining and I wasn't going to Home Depot I risked life and limb trying to do it from the sides. Balancing ever so carefully on my butt! When a girl (like me) gets something in her head it's got to be done right now! And I wasn't going to bed with an empty birdcage:)

Don't even ask how I got that wire wrapped around that dowel:)

So that's what I did last night. It still needs a little more fluffing. It sits so perfect up there. I love it!

Then I had Cold Stone ice cream for dinner! Not a wise choice:)

While the cat's away.........

*think the man will notice???

  
 

 

House Beautiful.....

Have you seen this magazine???

Over the last few months they have changed their format. I don't know if they got a new editor or what but it's fantastic. It used to be very, VERY expensive spreads. Totally unobtainable. Although there is still that element to the magazine (who'd pay $1,507 for a bathroom faucet in the real world:). The "oh to dream" element still there but there are also some real finds. Quite a lot of IKEA inspiration which is right up my alley:) There is a beautiful little lamp in the February issue for only $20!! Or the Roasted Garlic Jam from Stonewall Kitchen for $5 that I had to hunt down! Delish:)

Here is just a sample of one article form the February issue.....

"Reimagining a Ranch House"

Gorgeous right??

And here is what you'll find on their website.....

"Romantic Bedrooms"

Oh my gosh!!! I would never leave my room!

The fan, the canopy, the lantern and that lovely bistro set!! Heavenly:) Such great tones of pink and cream.

Also the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, does a feature every month.

That is why I picked it up in the first place a couple of months ago. I love her style not to mention her cooking!!

This month in the name of love......

 Ina's Deconstructed Strawberry Shortcake

Anyway just thought I'd share in case you peruse it at the grocery store.

It's worth the $4.50 although I think it's time to get a subscription.......

House Beautiful for some inspiration.

 
 
 
  

Mama needs a brand new bag....

Just when I think Vera Bradley bags can't get any cuter!!!

They come out with a whole new "I have to have it" line!!!

First of all I can't wait to get this catalog in the mail....

With pictures like these.....

Or this one. I know lots of ladies are digging old trucks right now.....

How cute is that ????:)

They have new patterns like "sittin' in a tree", "totally turq", "loves me" and "poppy fields". They are all sitting on the truck. Sittin' in a tree" is my favorite!

And it looks like they are getting a new resort travel line that has flip flops!! Hard to tell on the on line catalog. I hate those so hard to see! Teasing me:(

So if you are in the market for a new bag take a peek. Love it all!!

And I might just be having a little giveaway soon............

  

Jump Start.....

 Need a little product inspiration to jump start your winter body??

I know I do....

As most of you know I LOVE beauty products!!!

Washes, creams, exfoliants, conditioners, masks, serums. You name it I've tried it:)

Now some of these are deals and some well.....

are splurges.

But I tell you just try one or two of these things and you are sure to be inspired to shave those legs, exfoliate that face, condition that hair, soak those limbs and in general just pamper that body you've got:)

No matter what it's shape, weight or disposition we have got to take care of what we've got:)

We are as beautiful as we feel........

Now here's to feeling really good.......

We'll start with bubbles! Lots of them for a good soak. Tyler bought me this Christmas. Let's just say my kiddies are no dummies;)

And while we are soaking we'll run a comb of conditioner through our hair. This smells like apricots. Try not to eat it:) 5 minutes sounds about right.

Then a little facial care. Scrub, scrub,scrub.

Then a little body care. Try not to eat this either. I swear this will be hard! Creme Brulee Sugar Scrub doesn't get much better than this. Makes the skin so silky.

Okay out of the tub.

Brush your teeth and try these on. 10 minutes seems about right.

Lotion up......

The BEST lotion out there. And I have tried some really expensive one's nothing beats this.

For hands and feet. Also delicious smelling:)

Take care of those lips.

Excellent toner. I can feel my pores just drinking it in. Has positive ions (whatever that means) to help your skin against all the pollutants in the air. Go ahead spritz it on:)

This is a fab little highlighting powder for cheeks and decollete:) Oh la la..... Has just a touch of shimmer very flattering.

A little splash of Pink Sugar. Smells like cotton candy. Are you sensing a theme here:)???

If your feeling like it this is a beautiful color on anyone. It's called "lollipop" especially love it on the toes:) Who couldn't use a little mani/pedi?

There you have it perfection:)

Going out?

Slip this on.....

Okay so not if it's snowing or raining or below 75 degrees outside you might look silly:) But this is cute and it looks so comfy.

Or if you are staying in..............

I love this gown and it's empire wasted so it looks awesome on everyone.

You know just in case.....

Well you do smell like cotton candy you know........

And well someone just may get lucky;)

Resources in order:

Bubble Bath Anthropologie

Fekkai Mask Nordstrom

Target for St.Ives, Crest White Strips, Nivea Lotion

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Sugar Scrub Nordstrom

Lollia Hand Cream Anthropologie

Nordstrom Beauty for Kiehl's Lip Balm, Dior Highlighter, Clarins Toner and Pink Sugar Perfume

Essie Nail Polish

Donna Morgan Kimono Nordstrom

Night Gown Victoria's Secret

 

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Simply lovely.......

I've got a NEW Etsy shop for you ladies!!

Homemaker Movement

I found her by way of Blondie n SC:)

I swear I get into more trouble by reading some of these blogs:)

But I have to tell you I love, LOVE, love these.........

PILLOWS!!!

Now I need more pillows like I need a whole carton of Vanilla Chip Hagen Daaz......

But I had to HAVE these.....

*I know the lighting is not the greatest:)

Not only are they gorgeous but they go perfectly on my sofa......

And the very best part.....

They smell absolutely lovely!!

They are each filled with organic buckwheat hulls, French Lavendar and Peppermint to aid in the relief of stress and tension. They feel so good and I could smell them before I even took them out of the box!! 

Oh how I just want to curl up on the end of my sofa and take a nap:) And you saw that little eye pillow on the top of the heap right?? A little surprise for me!!!! I love little extras and that is probably one of the best I have ever gotten:)

So if your in the market for a little piece of peace and relaxation in the form of a gorgeous pillow head on over.

But I warn you now "throw pillows are addictive" just visit Blondie;)

I am thinking I need these next.....

Those would be awesome on my bed. They have the same kind of swirly floral design and I think the camel color would really bring out that color in my duvet. I am sick of the blue and these may just be the ticket;) Not to mention the rosemary and peppermint scent.......

I am simply hooked:)
  

The colors of love......

For the love of Cupid and all of the hopeless romantics out there......:)

Just some pictures from around the house. The lighting isn't the best. It's cold and gray here. But I am not complaining:) I've got the fireplace on and a cup of hot chocolate. In a word "cozy" is what I am feeling today:)

Love those Tin Flower Buckets with a couple of cheap silk stems from Michael's in them!!

As an aside it's raining here. Has been for the last few days. I actually heard that it was going to rain in Biblical proportions!! Now I know we Californians are a bit dramatic with all our actors and gang bangers but Biblical?? So I thought about asking the "man" if it was about time HE started working on the ark. But I did not because I am sure the only thing he would tell me is to wear actual shoes out:) And maybe an actual COAT instead of a sweater. Only now I wish I had because I think I just heard an elephant going down Wardman Bullock Ave!! :)

 

 

 

 

 
 

Grateful.....

I am eternally grateful that I had you as a brother for as long as I did.......

Until we meet again.....

"Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again."

*This is on Michael's headstone and I have only seen it once when we buried my grandma across from him. I don't think Michael is there, nor my mom or my grandma so I never go there. Some people think this odd considering how much thought I put into all their headstones. I did it for them because they do go up there and talk to them, pray.......

Micheal is all around me everyday. The cemetery only brings sadness and ending to me.......

So I don't go.....

I hope they understand........

Happy Birthday Michael.

Proof that God works in mysterious ways......

I just found this picture last week on this computer that I have had since his death. This was his computer. I was going thru all my pictures deleting and moving and I came across a file with sample pictures that I could not get to erase. So I opened it after about the third time it kept coming back and within it were 6 background scene sample pictures that come standard on your computer, the sunset, an ocean wave, the dessert etc. but 2 were not background pictures........

One of them was this one......

The other was of him on the deck but his back is turned.......

This is in Cayucos at our beach house.....

This was taken about 6 weeks before he left us.

Just when I think God may have over looked my utter sadness I am rewarded....

I do believe
 

I've got mail.....

I love mail especially the kind that comes in a box.....

Especially goodies from Faded Plains......

These are great little baskets....

(zinc tags are from Heather Bullard)

Some vintage treasures.....

Isn't she beautiful?

And I love this Saint Therese......

And I got some of these too......

I am currently playing with these. I'll show pictures when I am done. I am thinking they will be part of my Valentine's Day tablescape. I love that I can write words on them then erase and start again for a different season.

Here's a little Valentine's Day peek......

Be back soon with a little romantic inspiration:)