i heart the growers daughter....

Every once in a while I stumble on a blog that stops me in my tracks.

I am immediately taken in by the beauty...the music...the photos...a *love at first sight* kind of thing, I guess you could say!

That is how I felt when I found Maria and her blog The Grower's Daughter!

A page or two into it and I was head-over-heels! 

Smitten. 

Inspired.

*Tickled.*

First, I found her Etsy shop...and I got really excited!

Gorgeous photography and such incredible vintage finds!

It was from her amazing shop that I found her blog.

Instantly, I was head-over-heels!

Inspired.

Smitten.

How could I not fall madly in love??

The girl makes the most beautiful muffins I have ever seen!!

And her living room is sooooo incredible!

The lamps...the pillows...the sofas...I *love* every single inch of it!

(all photos property of the Grower's Daughter, please do not use without permission from Maria)

*sigh*

Isn't it just so pretty??

You should see her dining room...and she has the most amazing old cabinet in her kitchen, too!

I just had to share Maria and her amazing talents with you! Head over to her blog and be inspired...and after you have a look around...don't forget to take a moment to visit her Etsy shop!

 I am off to dream about Maria's beautiful home...don't you love drifting off to sleep feeling inspired??

*sigh*

Sweet dreams, girls! I can't wait to catch up with you all on Monday morning!

i want to get remarried...



To the same man, of course...I wouldn't trade him for anything in this world!

But I have to admit, every once in a while I see photos of a wedding that get my all dreamy-eyed and make me want to have a "do-over"...does anyone else every daydream about that, or is it just me?

You know what I mean...have a day so beautiful it makes up for the wacky bridesmaids dresses you chose, the big hair you wore on top your head and the gown that you just thought was the perfect one and now shudder to look at??

*sigh*

Ok, so I never had any of those things...but I never had a big wedding either.

My husband's father passed away unexpectedly and we ended up canceling the wedding and eloping.

Every once in a while I wonder what my wedding would have been like if I had finished planning it...

The other days I found this wedding featured on Style Me Pretty...and fell in love so just had to share the photos with you!

This is the most beautiful cake table I have ever seen...makes me sad I had a little french table like that and sold it last year...

The cake. Oh....the cake...simple and gorgeous...

What a dreamy dress...so flowing and soft...

Did you see the chandi peeking out?...I think I would have to sneak that one home under my dress...

I thought I would forever hate pink bridesmaid dresses after my sister-in-law made up wear Bo-Peep style dresses that were pink with white polka dots. Oh and as if the polka-dots were not bad enough, we had to wear big white hats. I cannot forget to mention that hats. It was traumatic.

The room the wedding party had to get ready is unreal.

So relaxing and dreamy...

Even the little accessories were beauitful....

Doesn't every wedding seem to use a chalkboard for the menu these days?

It is such a good look.

Pure genius!

*sigh*

Rustic elegance.

I love this tablescape.

The kiddos have a pretty unbelievable place to sit, too!

The finish on the little table and chair is just fabulous!

Even the drinks are pretty...

*sigh*

Well, even if I can't have the do-over on the wedding, I feel a backyard party coming on this summer!

Anyone want to come over for a cocktail??

(via)

I am off taking photos...I feel an Etsy shop update coming on...maybe tonight...maybe tomorrow...so take a peek and see what goodies I found yesterday! I'll give you a few hints...hobnail milk glass, tarnished silver, chippy aqua paint, rusty metal and some really cool beakers may make their way up for sale!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

pottery barn duvet for sale...

Happy Thursday, girls!

I hope you are all warm and cozy today. It is frreeeeezzzzing here, so think of me today if you are one of my warm-climate friends!! Or, feel free to call me up and invite me down for a visit!

Today I am working on the "Urban Plains"bedroom. I plan on giving you a sneak peek next week, but while I am thinking of it I thought I would offer an orphan duvet up for sale, just in case any of you were pining for this one when it sold out from Pottery Barn.

It was part of the "Farmhouse Collection" that launched last January.

You can see it in the photo here...it is the blue chambray duvet shown folded over the quilt.

This is the catalog it was first featured in...so if you are like me...and have a stack of their catalogs that date back to somewhere around 1999, you can turn to page 5 in this one and have a look.

It is King Size, and I snagged it for one heck of a deal on clearance earlier this year. I had no plans for it, but for $60 I knew I had to grab it "just in case" it worked in one of the bedrooms in my home. Well, now that rooms and color schemes are coming together...it is not going to work afterall, so thought maybe someone out there could give it a new home.

It may have been a return, or a display...I don't know. I just know it was after this one had sold out, I was walking through one day...and there she was sitting alone in the clearance corner, not in its original package. So it may not be 100% perfect, but I asked before I purchased it...and the girl that sold it to me told me if it is flawed, they cannot sell it in the store, it goes to their outlet. I unfolded it to check it over, and it looks good to me!

So, if someone out there would like it...send me an email!

$60...plus shipping...and its yours!

urbanfarmgirlandco@yahoo.com

UPDATE: Woohoo! The duvet has a new home! A great-big THANK YOU to Brenda!
\
I am off to get to work...we had a bit of a color change to the white walls in the guest room I am working on. "Snow White" was just too cold...but "Chantilly Lace" by Benjamin Moore did the trick! It is my new favorite white! Warm, but doesn't have a "cream" cast to it...but still a nice bright white. I recommend it to anyone out there looking for the perfect shade of white for their walls or furniture!

today, i heart sundance...

This morning, I was searching online for bed linens to use for the "Urban Plains" project...and I remembered my love of the Sundance catalog. I don't hear blogs refer too Sundance to often, but it is one of my favorite sites to find inspiration...

Ok, I know it has a lot of "western" style things...but they also have some of the most gorgeous vintage-inspired, rustic style things...which I personally LOVE to blend with my mostly-white decor...

Here are a few of my favorite things, just thought you might enjoy some "pretty" on your Monday morning...

First up, a lovely rustic barnwood key rack...I am only of those "always losing my keys" people, so this is perfect for me! But, sorry Sundance...I have enough barnwood to make about 986 of these, so I am whipping one up myself. Hmmm...maybe I should add one or two to my shop??? Anyone else out there losing their keys on a daily basis...or is that just me?

Next up...this fabulous clock. As soon as I saw it I thought of Maria from Dreamy Whites.

She has one very similar above her fireplace...love, love, LOVE it!

Ohhh...and LOVE these gorgeous french-inspured table linens.

They come in red and a beautiful aqua blue, too!

This basket is one I could not resist. It is going to hit my door-step next week, and I am so excited! I have seen this one in so many decorating magazines, I am so glad I finally found it! What does it say about your life when a basket gets you so stinkin' excited???

Speaking of baskets...isn't this just dreamy?? I immediately though of laundry-room storage.

This one is going on the birthday with list!

Anyone remember the blog post when I was searching for chairs like these?? I still never took the plunge and bought any, because I am hoping to find vintage and have the paint removed...but these just may have to do. I love them so. I wonder if they would rust outside?? Wouldn't they be fabulous around my white salvaged-wood patio table??

Love.

And I can't forget...bed linens is what started this Sundance-love-affair this morning! I am thinking about this bedskirt...but in white. I love the little ruffle. 

Simple and sweet.

I am looking out my window as I type this...and it is snowing...sideways.

Ugh.

I think I am going to click over from Sundance to Expedia and book me and the hubs a weekend in the Florida Keys! I need a little sunshine in my life! Doesn't that sound like a good idea?

Happy Monday, girls!

Stay warm and cozy today!

I am off to paint the "Urban Plains" bedroom today...it is going to be a lovely Benjamin Moore shade of white called..."Snow White".

Ironic, isn't it??

want to win $40 to use in my Etsy shop??

The lovely and talented Kristin from
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
is celebrating her 1 year blogging anniversary!

And to celebrate, she is hosting a giveaway every day this week!

And today is Urban Farmgirl day over in suburbia, and you could win $40 to use in my Etsy shop!


Kristin is one of my very favorite friends, and her blog is fantastic! I was so excited to learn she has family ties in the area I live, so I cannot wait to meet her when she comes to town next time! Have you seen you kitchen make-over?? I remember it  was the very first thing that drew me into her blog. This girl has some amazing skills! So when she asked if I would be part of her anniversary celebration, I could not type *yes!* fast enough!

To enter, take a look around my new little shop and then pop over to Kristin's blog and leave a comment telling her which item you love the most! She has few ways you can get an extra chance to win, too...so read her post carefully!

Also, I just want to send out a great-big, bottom-of-my-heart THANK YOU for your support of my Etsy shop. I opened the shop in September...but was too scared to put a single item in it for sale until December 4th. Well today is Janurary 14th, and I am celebrating my 200th sale today! I feel like I need to give a Sally Field-inspired speech...."you like me, you really like me".

Seriously, it is so nice to know there are so many of you out there that share my love and passion for a simple, yet beautiful life...and see the beauty in vintage finds the way I do.

* thank you *

Now, get over to Kristin's blog and enter that giveaway! I have more goodies going in the shop this weekend!

wanted: loving home for sweet cabinet



Remember my post about this beauty??

I did a post about her over the summer...

when I found her the poor girl looked like this...

But I gave her a new life with white paint...a little distressing...

some chicken wire...and new linen curtains...

Well, now that the "Urban Plains Project" is underway (if that sounds totally crazy, its because you may have missed the posts here and here about it...) this girl needs a new home.

Sadly, I don't have a single spot in my home where she will fit.

Now, when I originally did the post, there were a few of  you that reeeeaaallllyy wanted me to sell her. Some of you were even local....but alas, that was so long ago I no longer have the emails.

Two of you even came to my booth at the Kane County Flea asking if I was going to part with her...

So, whoever you were...if you are out there...and still want to give this girl a home...email me for princing info!

UPDATE:

This lovely girl has found a new home! THANK YOU to all that emailed wishing to "adopt" her!

She is looking for a new home. Sniff....sniff... 

urbanfarmgirlandco@yahoo.com

Otherwise...I officially have my first piece done for my first show of the flea market season!

Happy Thursday, girls!

Oh, and I am reloading the Etsy shop tonight...come by a little later and take a peek!

guest bedroom project & a little help from a friend...

This week, I am embarking on a guest-bedroom makeover adventure!

It is going to be interesting, and I can't wait to share the final details...I believe this is the first around-the-house project I will be featuring here on my blog.

I am usually so busy working on client pieces, there is no "me time" left in my days. I just don't have the opportunity to share the things I would really like to with you.

But, its a New Year, so time for new things! And I vowed this year I am going to finish some projects I have wanted to do...and share them with you through my blog. I bet you had no idea I am was a DIY junkie, did you?? There is a little pattern in my life..I buy a house, totally redo it...sell it and start all over again. That seems to be my M.O. But it feels like a secret side of me, because I have never let that part of my show here on my blog.

When I started making plans for this room, I found I had so many ideas swimming around in my head, I just could not decide what to do! Thankfully, my friend Andrea has come to the rescue!

You may know Andrea as in the girl behind the incredible farmhouse and fabulous blog Faded Plains. Well, she and I have discovered over the last year that we MUST be long lost twin sisters, because it is amazing how we love so many of the same things and want such similar things in our life! This is what I love about blogland...how it can bring people together that never would have crossed paths otherwise.

Anyway, about the bedroom. Andrea and I are going to be collaborating and blogging about our project. I just have not quite decided yet if I should show the progress as we go, or do a big reveal and then show you what we did. Hmmm...any opinions out there on that subject??

We have one rather unique feature for the room, so lets hope it turns out as we hope! These are a few photos that have inspired us...I won't tell you which element from each photo got us all excited, but if you have been reading my blog for a while, you may be able to guess.

*smile*

(all photos from Country Living, except #3 is unknown)

I can't wait to get started...how crazy are we, anyway? Putting our heads together and coming up with a fresh, new space...even though 422 miles separate us, and she has never seen the space other than through photos! But she has amazing skills at making a room simple and beautiful...plus she's super fun, so any excuse I can come up with to call her and yak on for 3-hours like I usually do...I'm going to do it!  I am gonna love this crazy process!

It should be an adventure! Let the fun begin!

I am off to Chicago bright and early Monday morning...I'm on the hunt for new bed linens!

Woohoo!