did someone say roadtrip??



 I am in need of some sort of therapy. A break. An escape. Downtime. I never allow myself to have those things. I just work. And work. And work some more. There is only one cure for me when I find myself working more than I am living. And that, my friends, is a little time with the girls and lots of junk shopping! Next weekend I am going to bust out the GPS and hit the road. I am ready for girly drinks, a cupcake for breakfast every day and lots of singin' in the car on our 6 hour ride north!

Destination?

Minneapolis!

I {heart} Minneapolis. It is such an awesome city.

( I came across this road totally by accident last summer when I was junking my way through Minnesota! I couldn't believe it!)

 We have a few things planned...but I am looking for some help from my Minnesota girls.

(I will be on the hunt for 6 old chairs like this...)

Anyone out there from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that can give me some info on shops that are a 'must see' while we are there?? Our time is limited...so I want to hit the best spots that have the best goods. If you know my blog, you know what I like. White, chippy, maybe a little industrial mixed in...ooohh...and I LOVE me some architectural salvage! I know a few places in the Twin Cities thatare my usual stops, but always love a new lead!

(And I need about 4 more old mirror for a feature wall in my foyer, too...)

Please let me know of any junk shops, antique shops, restaurants or the place to get the best cupcake in the Minneapolis area!

(photo #1 & 2 by yours truly...photos #3 & 4...country living)

And don't forget my Shabby Apple giveaway ends Thursday at midnight Central time!

shabby apple giveaway!

I am so excited to share another giveaway with you today! When the girls over at Shabby Apple contacted me to ask if I would collaborate with them to giveaway one of their incredible dresses to one of my readers, I could not scream YES fast enough!

 Bali Ha 'I'

I love everything about Shabby Apple...their vintage-inspired designs, the incredible selection of styles and colors...and their gorgeous accessories! They have the most amazing selection of women's dresses, but they also have dresses for little girl's...bridesmaids...even maternity dresses! But what I love most, is that they have a dress to fit anyone.

Any shape.

Any size.

Seriously.

Coming from a tall girl with long arms and a little more than she would like in the 'chest area'...I was amazed that even I could find something I could wear and most importantly feel soooo good in! For years I have had to avoid long sleeves because they are always too short, or button-down fronts because...well...lets just say they never wanted to stay buttoned...but Shabby Apple and their stunning wrap-style dresses have made me one happy girl!

 Marseilles

I love the L'Ete dress for spring! Isn't it just the cutest??...and I cannot let this photo go by without mentioning that I am crazy in love with that door, too!

L'Ete 

And this pretty little yellow number just makes my heart sing! I dream of flying down the Pacific Coast Highway in a retro convertible while wearing this dress. Isn't it funny the effect a pretty dress can have on you?

Happy Talk

Ok, ok...so I know you want to WIN...here is what you have to do to enter:

(giveaway open to US residents only, my apologize to my International friends!)

1. Leave me a comment on this post telling me which of the 4 dresses I have shown in this post  would love to win!

(Yes! The winner gets to choose which of these 4 dresses she would like!)

WANT TO ENTER YOUR NAME 3 MORE TIMES??

2. Visit Shabby Apple on Facebook and "Like" their page. Be sure to leave me another comment letting me know you did! (You will get insider info on special promotions and exclusive discounts, too!)

3. If you are a follower of my blog, leave me a separate comment letting me know!

(And I thank you all...I just love you girls!) 

4. Tweet, Blog or post on Facebook about my giveaway and leave me another comment letting me know you did!

Oh, and if you visit Shabby Apple and see that perfect dress just calling your name...Shabby Apple is offering a 10% discount to all my readers, too! Just enter "urbanfamrgirl10off" at checkout!

(giveaway closes at midnight central time, Thursday March 17th. Winner will be announced Friday morning, March 18th.)

Good Luck, girls!



I will no longer be anti-social...



I am so happy I did my last post on your opinion of 'social-networking'!

You girls lets is all out, and I am sooooo grateful!

First...lets talk Facebook.

The overwhelming majority of you thought Facebook was the way to go for my business, and I can't agree more! Althought I admit, it is another thing on the 'to-do' list...but I think it will actually make my life easier. It can condense 30 or 40 pre-show emails regarding what I will be bringing to that show, down to once nice and neat place where my clients can visit to see the lastest and greatest in my painted furniture. Call me crazy, but that seems so much easier than returning all those individual emalis and phone calls. Not that I don't want to be more personally in touch with my clients, but I simply don't have the time a week before a show. Usually I can be found in total freak-out mode trying to get 100 pieces of furniture prettied and ready for sale and all packed in a couple of really big moving trucks.

So coming soon to a blog near you...the Urban Farmgirl Facebook page.

Ok, who out there has a business page and wants to answer a few questions on setting one up?? Raise your hand...or just email me. I will be eternally grateful for some first-hand info!

Now on to the subject of Twitter.

The results for this one were not so surprising to me. Just as many of you that loved Facebook, REALLY dislike Twitter. And I totally get it. I have been on Twitter for a little while now, and I read sometimes...but hardly ever post. I just can't get the feel for it. On one hand, it does allow my customers and readers to get to know me on a personal level, and once in a while there is something in my day that just seems way to ridiculous and hilarious to not let the world know...but in the big picture...I will not be announcing on Twitter where I am eating lunch or the fact that I am shopping at Target for the 8,167th time that week. Simply stated...it is just not me.

So, the verdict here is that I will maintain my Twitter account, which is UrbanFarmgirlCo for those of you that want to follow along. I will post when I am featured in an Etsy treasury, or when I just feel I have something to say. I admit, once in a while when I am out junking I find that piece that makes the Heavens part and angels sing, and I just gotta let someone know about it! During Flea season, I will post a few photos of some extra-fabulous furniture pieces before the gates open, so customers can get a quick preview. Will this make the stampede worse or better when the gates fling open? I am not sure, but at least it will satisfy the curiosity of whats going on behind the gates and what I have to offer when they run in! But I will not be a slave to the Twitter button on my phone. That's just not how I roll.

via

Now, on to more exciting things!

(oh, and the photos have absolultely nothing to do with this post...I just thought they were so beautiful and I am totally spring-obsessed at the moment)

- I am writing a post for a FABULOUS giveaway starting tomorrow!!

- Remember the Urban Plains guest room project?? Well, it has officially started, and I have a barn going up in my guest room today. Yes, a BARN. And its not what you are probably thinking...it does not involve barn siding. It is something else that is going to be spectacular...I hope. Stay tuned for details.

- Regarding the delay on the "Urban Plains" project...I have EXCITING NEWS!!! But, I can't share just yet. Soon, very soon...within the next 2 weeks. I will let you know why the project didn't happen when we first posted about it. Ooooh...I am about to bust and spill the beans, so I better sign off now.

Happy Wednesday, girls!

are you a social-networker??

Is that really a term? "Social-networker"? Well, for this post it is...because I want to know if I need to be one!

I have been thinking about Twitter and Facebook lately. About why the heck I have an account with both, but never...ever...seem to use them. In the past I would 'tweet' a thing or two, and I do use it once in a while to spread the love of an Etsy treasury I am featured in. But neither one of them ever really became a tool I use on a regular basis. 

I am curious how many of you out there do use Twitter or Facebook on a regular basis. 

If you do...what are you using them for?

Do you post on Facebook to stay in touch with old friends...and new friends? You know, just to let the everyone know what is going on in your life?

If you run a business like I do...do you have a Facebook page for that business?

I have been considering starting a Facebook page for Urban Farmgirl. I think that would be an especially useful tool during my 'show season'. Since I only sell at a show once a month, I could post pieces of my painted furniture for my customers to see before I even get to the shows. Right now, only about 1/5th of my business at the shows comes from pre-sales, and that has always been through photos I send in texts or emails. It might be nice to show what will be up-and-coming...that would save so much time and clients would be happy getting the pieces they want before they are sold out from under them. I get about 40-50 phone calls in the week before a show. Customers wanting to know if I am going to have a pair of twin beds, or a dining room set done in black, a tall bookcase, a pair of nightstands...things like that. Maybe a Facebook business page could ease the strain on both ends?

And how about Twitter...do you 'tweet'?...and if you do...is it promotional for your business or just to let the world know a play-by-play of your day?

I have to admit, there are a few of you I follow on Facebook and Twitter...and I *love* keeping up on your latest project or what is going on in your life! I just don't get why I can't bring myself to do the same. Hmmm...anyone got a leather couch I could lay on and talk out my issues with social-networking??

I think the main reason I have never used Facebook or Twitter is that it is just one more thing to do. One more thing to take time away from a life I try to live simply and be slightly 'disconnected' from my already 'over-connected' life. Honestly, I never really thought any of you may care what I am doing in my daily life...but maybe you do. Maybe I am very wrong. Maybe I AM missing something. I am not a girl to let opportunity pass me by, so hit me with it girls!

Do you want to see Urban Farmgirl have a Facebook page..a place to store my endless photos of design ideas, furniture make-overs and junk finds? Do you want to follow my crazy journey through life on Twitter?

Am I behind the times...am I missing something?

Lets hear it!