Miss B's Home Office in a Closet

I went up to visit Miss B at her new apartment this weekend. While visiting she mentioned that her desk area was quickly becoming cluttered with law books, papers, etc.

She has amble closet space at the apartment, so we googled home office in a closet and got these pictures of ideas.

This was my favorite, but she can't wall paper so it was out.

This was also nice because of the color and lightening.

Off to IKEA we went to look at possible ideas.

Miss B did not like the orange, but this was a good temporary setup for the closet because you could take it with you at the end of the lease.

This fold down top was nice because of the work area it created.

These type file cabinets could be placed on either side

to provide additional filing storage

Boxes, baskets or containers could provide

more storage for the top two shelves that

already exist in the closet.

This black wood desk was my favorite, but I like

traditional and Miss B likes contemporary.

I especially liked the mini-lamps inside.

We got some good ideas. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

for Metamorphosis Monday.

Dining with Dolls

A recent trip to the lake brought us back to one of my favorite restaurants, Pattis 1880's Settlement. For more information about Pattis visit these posts here and here.

The room we dined in was decorated with dolls, which I thought was so charming!

This is a picture (above) of the doll directly above our table.





Here's a close up of the doll hanging below a garland of roses and wisteria.

And another doll in the corner of the room with lily and hydrangea.

I love Pattis food, but I love the atmosphere too!
I think I'm inspired to do a tablescape at home with dolls :)

Tomorrow is my "official" grand opening.

Wish me luck!

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch &

Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie.

A Touch of Fall

Update: I just joined a great party at domestically speaking !

Who's ready for fall? Well I guess I am since I've begun

rooting around the fall decorations at home.

I thought I'd start out small since it's still pre-Labor Day.

A few pumpkins & gourds in the punch bowl to

let Mother Nature know I'm ready for cool weather!

Here's some more of my blue and white collection too.

Spode napkin rings - 4 of a set of 12

A mod podge of appetizer plates collected at TJ Maxx.

Four little fish friends (I like the one swimming ahead)

which are chop stick holders for the table :)

And a small box brought home from Italy by

my parents with a gift in it for my son.

Above the buffet hands my portrait done in St. Louis

in the lobby of the

Well, one piece done, more to come!

I'm joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life & The Gypsy's Corner.

More Lessons from the Store

I told ya'll I'd keep you posted as I learned this new retail world so here's some more things learned as we close out week 3 of the store being opened.

1) Time can be your enemy

Number one ~I never have enough time to get all the "business" things of running a new business done. This includes banking, paperwork, supplies, inventory orders.

Number two ~in the shop I have nothing but time, especially when we are slow. One would think there would be time to do number one above, however a slow trickle of shoppers means I can never "get involved" in a in depth project like setting up tax reports.

2) You think you know nothing and then you know you knew even less

This maybe self explanatory. I thought I knew nothing about retail and would have a lot to learn. Turns out there's a world of retail lingo out there I don't know & probably have only tapped into a tinsy bit of it so far.

3) If you want a friend get a dog

So I already pretty much knew this in the business world, but guess what, in the retail world it's true too~ some customers- I'm sorry they are down right rude :(

4) Happiness can be measured in baby steps

Some days I open the store and hope to get just one sale. Heck some days I open and hope to get one customer~although I've been lucky with foot traffic so far. Other days I've measured success for the day by completion of a display or an inventory order or even this blog post.

Still happy I've opened the store. Still understand it's really early in the game.

Still soooo grateful for all your support, friendship, comments and visits ;)

Scarecrows and Sunflowers

I thought I'd share with you today another tabletop display at the store.

This one is themed on scarecrows and sunflowers.

I love these pumpkin sunflowers. Aren't they cute?

Equally adorable are these scarecrow head bags

& the scarecrow goody bag pants! These make great gift

ideas for Sunday School, hostess gifts, grandkid surprises, etc.

Looks like harvest time to me!
I'm joining Table Top Tuesday and Three or More Tuesday.

Dreams Come True

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau

I'm linking to Weekly Words to Live By at Notes from a Cottage Industry, who's blog I adore!

An Angel Left Her Wings

Tonight I join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

for another Tablescape Thursday.

I have this little angel. For me she left her wings.

She has no idea how much happiness she truly brings.

She brightens my days with her smiles and her laughs.

She helps me to remember all the blessing that I have.

Her face, is so perfect, she's sweet and soft and pure.

Sometimes she can be willful and sometimes she's demure.

She tries very hardest to please and do what's right.

She gives the greatest hugs from morning till night.

Every person that has known her sees this light within her soul.

I know that in this whole great world, she has a special role.

She's helpful and considerate to everyone she knows.

This light in her shines brighter as my angel grows.

When she sees someone is sad, it opens up her heart.

She wants to do all that she can; she wants to do her part.

She'll squeeze away the sorrow and make me forget my pain.

She shows me where the sun is when we're hiding from the rain.

I know that God must love me, He showed me with His Grace

I knew just how completely when I saw my angel's face

And in that very moment when she came into my world

I knew that she was so much more than just my baby girl.

She would be my sunshine, with a sweetness that won't end,

And when she grows up one day she would be my closest friend.

She would be the reason I always try my best.

For my little angel baby girl would be my greatest test.

For when God entrusts to you an angel, who has left her wings for you.

Encircle her with love with everything you do.

Let her know God made her, and that He trust you with her care.

Be sure to make time for special moments with her to share.

And when at night she finally says her prayers and goes to sleep

I Thank Him for my angel, and ask him to always keep

A watchful eye and hand to protect her from this world.

Protect my little angel; protect my baby girl.
By Tina M. Marascia

When Miss B left for law school a few weeks ago I must say I felt so proud of her and her accomplishments! I feel this poem represents so much of how I feel about her. A mom at 17, I could never imagine her becoming a law student when that picture of us (me with the long hair) was taken.

Tonight's tablescape was inspired by the wing creatures & my littel angel who has left her wings for Momma :)