Wren's Nest

Morning Light

Since I did mornings last Thurs, I thought I'd continue. The first four of these are morning light around my home: across the dining room table, across a chair in the living room, my St. Terese statue and cloche, across the fireplace. The last two are just kind of funny - well, maybe not the picture of what my friends who we'll call The Evil Racoons from H**L did (and apparently spend many nights doing) pulling up my lawn, but the last picture - if you look really, really hard, you'll see one of our teeny tiny lizard friends who live in our rock wall! Happy Thursday - one more day until my husband comes home!

Mess!

Looks like a box of pillows and cases exploded in my studio/office/storeroom...new stuff listed (and restocked) at the shop!

Reflections

I'm participating in the Unravelling course this go-round. It's very interesting and maybe making me think more about myself than I actually want to right now (which is good)...there are picture exercises and writing exercises. The picture ones are easier for me than the writing ones - self-exploration is not always pleasant for me. In the spirit some of my blog friends have taken to getting real - it's not always fun to look at your life when it hasn't always been very good. It's never fun to admit to insecurities you know you have, but try to fake your way through. I'm glad I'm doing this, though - it's time. Time to decide more of who I am and what I want and where I'd like my life to go rather than letting other people tell me.  I'm tired of nodding and going along and being complacent...I'm a pretty quiet person (unless I'm really comfortable), so it's not easy for me to speak up for myself or what I think and during my childhood, that was REALLY not allowed, so now it's time. I worry WAY too much about what other people think about me and that stops me from being myself sometimes - a lot of times. So, that said, I'm kind of using this course as a jumping off point to try to put myself a little more out there, to say what I think, to wear what I want to wear and to just be a little more me (baby steps, you know).

This week the theme was reflections - of how the world see us, how we see ourselves, etc. I really hate getting my picture taken - I don't really know why - it's just uncomfortable, but this was a way to take the picture with the protection of the camera - I think it was sort of freeing. I took this one - it's a full length mirror we just got (I haven't had a full length mirror in the house in 2 years - since our bedroom door got changed out) - there's a HUGE possibility that I've been wearing really bad outfits since I never knew what the whole thing looked like together!! Anyway - now we have one and I took this shot. (I really like my necklaces in the background). I do like it - it's sort of funky and I feel very Mary Louise Parker in Weeds with my short dress and boots, but I like it - there, I said it...that was hard for me, but I did it anyway...maybe I'm making progress!! Thanks for listening!!

Mornings...

Inspired by Jeanne's recent post about What do your mornings look like - I've taken some shots of the more peaceful side of morning around here (including the new coffee maker and my dishwasher since I empty it every morning). I loved doing this and hope to capture more mornings - nothing is better than the morning light and it really motivates you to appreciate the little things at the start of the day and maybe have a little moment of gratitude before the craziness begins (at least at my house).

I mentioned Jeanne above - pop on over to her adorable blog "A Bushel and  Peck" where she is celebrating her 1 year blog anniversary with a lovely giveaway!!

I forgot to mention...

...these ladies at White Flower Farmhouse - I bought a candle from them on etsy and they didn't have the size I ordered, so they were so lovely and sent me 3 candles and these sweet starfish AND a lavendar sachet! Thank you Megan and Lori! I LOVE all the candles and scents (Driftwood, White Tea and Salty Sea).

More lovelies

Some of the treats I talked about last week...

not only did Jeanne make beautiful badges for my shop - I got one of my own too...and I have it on my cute reversible burlap bag.

I also got this sweet linen apron from Kim's etsy shop...

and this apron from The Queen of Tarte...

and this little sweetie - crocheted necklace from Magdalinen - all the way from Latvia!

 

Love, love, love!!

New Fun Things...

I have quite a few new things to tell you about that I've received in the mail (my favorite thing) lately, but we're out the door to Bear Valley right this minute...so I'll leave you with this most amazing new shop item....created just for Dreams of France!! I'm so excited about these I could pop!!

Just around...

Last Saturday was my birthday...number 44, if you must know. How did that happen? I still feel about 19, so as long as you feel young, I guess it really doesn't matter how old you are in years. Anyway, we pretty much just hung that day - I got to read and do nothing - we got George's Giant Burgers for dinner and instead of cake I had gelato (my favorite). I got cute cards from the kids - a coupon book from my oldest and a Sid Dicken's tile from John.

The next day was even better...we started at the Farmer's Market:

That's my sweet guy buying a red pepper...

I loved the containers used here, alongside their tomatoes and other produce.

Then off to St. Helena and Yountville. St. Helena is the cutest little town with tons of adorable shops. This one is my favorite...to browse around in, anyway - the prices seem to have gone up! (Hi - the cute wood lamp I liked - $849, so that's not happening).

Then we hit Yountville on our way back and had lunch at Bouchon ~ a lovely little French bistro with great good and a great atmosphere (which we found out is owned by Thomas Keller who also owns The French Laundry, where you'll wait a good 3 months for a reservation). Anyway - I didn't take pics there - I need to not be afraid to just whip out my camera, but I just always feel sort of embarassed taking pictures, which is silly, I know. So here is a picture courtesy of Google and MomGrind

 

Yum - white wine, mussels, charcuterie platter, olives, bread and profiteroles to top it off!! They also have a sweet looking bakery next door, but the line was like down the street, so we didn't stop in there this trip. I love the drive up to Napa and it's really pretty close, so we'll head up again soon (during the week) ~ can't wait!!

Alameda Finds

We went to Alameda this last Sunday (we were, then we weren't, then we did)- earlier than we usually go...it was freezing!! It was pretty good, not as good as it's been at times - but I'm pretty specific about what I like, so there you go (also some of my favorite vendors weren't there).  So here are the goods~

St. Terese de Liseaux- she's from a vendor that's always right in front called Grenouille- they have amazing French antiques - they had a giant rusty metal cross that we REALLY wanted, but it was like $400, so not this time! But I love her - Terese is my confirmation name, so I had to have it!

Some starfish - love these!

Some lovely European Shams - with beautiful lace inset (I know they need to be ironed!).

 

And last, but not least - a sweet rosary (also from the vendor where I got the statue - I went back and grabbed this - they had a really sweet garnet child's rosary, but it was gone when I got back - story of my life...I need to grab things when I like them, especially when they aren't very much money).

 

New burlap beauties!

Hope everyone had a great 4th! Our kids really enjoyed some of Nana's fried chicken and the fireworks!

Here are a couple of new things just in at the shop...(the burlap love continues)