One New Thing, and Everything Moves.

Hi everyone! Yesterday I hit the Wednesday Ventura County Flea Market. I love this little market. I always find something...but there's a slight problem with that...

Did you ever stop to consider the ripple effect of bringing one new thing into the house? Granted, for me it's a happy problem, but still. When I find something great that I want to incorporate into our home, I often find myself moving lots of other little things to new locations. It's the domino effect! For me, this is what keeps me from getting bored with the way the rooms look, but it always takes some time until I finally settle on my various new arrangements of things.

Look what I found yesterday!

I have been starting to look for vintage oil paintings for our home. I love the detail and the history of them. I find myself wondering who painted them, and who's home they lived in. When we first moved into this house almost 11 years ago, it was my feeling that old things would not mix well with the California new home vibe of this place. So I bought and sold antiques as a dealer, but kept very little for my home. I could just KICK myself now! I have completely changed my mind, and I've decided that I need to start surrounding myself with the things that I love, and that bring me joy when I look at them. Since I can't live in an old farmhouse, I'm going to start bringing more things with history into my new(ish) build home. I am really inspired by a few of my favorite bloggers that have gorgeous old oil paintings and antiques incorporated into the decor of their homes. (Which may just inspire yet another post to feature some of these talented ladies homes!)

This painting makes me want to take a stroll on that path. So pretty. I got this for less than HALF of what the dealer was asking at the beginning of the day! He started at $125, and I bought it for $60! I love everything about it.

Right now it's hanging in my entry, which is also waiting for just the right bench where the iron candle holder stands now. A few weeks ago I bought the ceramic riding boot umbrella stand. I stuffed some twigs in it until I am able to dig up some cool vintage umbrellas.
Here's the thing, though... Once I moved what was hanging on that wall to put up the painting, the vignette on the demi lune table had to change...hence the domino effect. Here's how it looks this morning, but don't get too attached, cuz it's probably gonna change again. Hey, that's just how I roll!

Some old books between grape bookends. And I always have nuts, feathers, pinecones, rocks, or twigs around on tables. In fact, I could probably do a whole post on it. I am obsessed with these little natural elements. I am forever picking them up when I find something interesting.

This bronzed shoe was worn by my mom as a baby.

 I just love it.

A few close ups.

Of course we have a few vintage aviation boks around here.

I like this vignette for now, but as I said, I will most likely be tweaking it again soon.
Hope you are all having a fantastic day!
xo
-Lisa
Linking to the following...

Birds of a Feather. Birthdays and a New Wreath.

~ Hello friends! ~

How is your week going so far? Mine is going pretty well. We have a lot of birthdays in my family at the end of March, so last night we did a combined celebration of three of them, mine, Mr W's and my father in law's. There are four all together, but my little nephew lives out of state, so we have to send gifts and call on his birthday. Mr W and I have a week between ours, and my father in law and nephew's birthday's are in between. Confused? Haha! It CAN be a bit overwhelming for us all.

Today I thought I would share a wreath I made a few weeks ago. It was time to get my craft on again, and I LOVE it! It was such a simple project, but often, those are the best.

Here it is...

These are the supplies I used...

 A few months ago I found a long feather garland wrapped up in a bag at home Goods on sale for $3!

 They are all attached to a rope with a little loop at the end.

 I love the look of these feathers.

 I bought a small grapevine wreath and some brown pipe cleaners for a little over 3 bucks at Jo Ann's with a coupon I had. I wanted to be able to remove the feather garland to use for something else if I got tired of the wreath, and I decided to attach it with pipe cleaners.

 Easy Peasy!

 It took like 2 minutes to make. My kinda project!

 I added a scrap of brown satin ribbon at the top.

 It hangs over my little antique hutch. Dont you love that old telephone sign? You would not believe me if I told you how little I paid for that at the thrift store. Ready? Ok, $3. Yep! Three is my lucky number, people! My birthday is 3/31/--.  I. am. not. telling. the. year. A-hem.

 I even tucked a little bird in there, but decided I liked the bird better on the backet below it.

 It's actually a Pottery Barn christmas ornament, but I left one out for display.

So that's my easy 2 minute six dollar wreath. I love it!

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

xo-Lisa
Linking to the following...

BNOTP Metamorphosis Monday
 

I Hate Math, But...

I was straightening up the house today, and lamenting the fact that I don't have exactly the photos that I would like to share with you for the post I was planning today. See, today was supposed to be the Master Bath Reveal post day. But...I did not like the photos that we shot, and the light is only good late in the day, so I have to re-shoot.

Today I thought I should share a few new additions to my ever growing vintage abacus collection. I REALLY don't like math, but I love the texture of these old abacuses so, that must be what draws me to them. Anyhow, I bought two more at a little antique store in Carpinteria this past weekend.

I took this photo at the store, then I decided that I should buy them. 

 Now that they are at home, I am deciding where to put them. They are currently leaning against a wall with another cool find that is waiting to be hung on the wall.

I've never seen an abacus with a handle before, so I am thrilled to own one.

 This vintage japanese abacus is on my nightstand in the master bedroom.

Another random collection of mine hangs just above it.

I have a couple more in beween cabinets in the hallway that I posted about earlier here.

And finally, one more in the guest room. I will probably add my new ones in here, since I took some away to create the new vignette in the hallway between the cabinets.

This room has a bit of an asian feel, these elephants are actually opium weights from somewhere in asia? I just thought they were cool. I think I bought them in Singapore, but I am not certain.

Since I was in the guest room, I thought I would share a vintage Chinese add for Bayer Aspirin. I just love this.

Vintage adds were so pretty.

So, I think I have proved...even though I hate math, I can still love abacuses!
See you tomorrow!
xo
-Lisa