Oh So Pretty

pretties to share

I am a December Birthday Girl and one thing that I always ask for is a little play money to go to the antique stores on my own and choose some pretties to bring home.  Again this year, my husband indulged me with a "free pass" - what fun!  I wish that you could have joined me. 

Here are some of my treasures...

I have more to show you but I've run out of light to take photos. 

Come see me tomorrow for more pretties from my trip and I'll also show you what was in these gorgeous packages from Lori!

(above three photos courtesy of Vintage Flair)

Enchanted, I'm sure...

Have you seen it?  Tell me that you've seen it.

Have you seen Enchanted yet?  If you have a little girl in your life or even if you don’t you must go see this, forgive me, enchanting movie. It is so sweet.  My girl and I went to a matinee yesterday on her last day of Christmas vacation and it was divine. 

Afterward, we went to Border's Books & Music to buy this.

And then on to Toys R Us to get... are you ready?????

I got my own Patrick Dempsey doll!!  Um, I mean, I bought Ava the dolls from the movie... 

Who am I kidding?  I got a McDreamy doll of my very own.

Ah, Patrick, I've loved you since "Can't Buy Me Love"...

I will just leave you with this eye candy, ladies. Enjoy....

 

we have a winner

I hope that you all had a wooonderfull holiday!  We did and I can't wait to share it all with you - especially the yummy goodies that I found but that will have to wait because we have a giveaway to get to.

You girls are so sweet - what lovely comments.  And how nice it was to hear from new and old friends!  I really do appreciate comments when you stop by - thanks so very much.

And now, with some help from my lovely assistant.... the winner is...

Congratulations, Sandra!  Please email me with your contact information. This was so much fun, I may need to have another giveway soon. 

I'll be back in a bit with loads of photos but it is a dreary, rainy day here in Greensboro so photos will just have to wait.  We are putting away decorations and watching old movies instead.

Happy Holidays and a Giveaway!

I can't tell you how much I enjoy this lovely little on-line community that we have here. 

You all provide so much  support and inspiration to me throughout out the year.  It's so much fun to read your posts and to recieve comments from you about my own. I would love to to give each and every one of you a pretty little present but, of course,  I cannot.  So, to kick off the new year, I'm holding my very first giveaway.  The winner will get a copy of Rachel Ashwell's The Gift of Giving, vintage wallpaper and a few other pretty prizes.

Please leave a comment on this post. I  will draw a name when I return home from our Michigan trip on the 29th - good luck!

Happy holidays to you and yours!

xo ~ dawn

(my girl with Santa this year)

wrap it up

Sweet Lori asked us all about how we wrap our gifts and showed us some of her gorgeous creations (how lucky am I that three of those lovelies are headed to my house?!).  So I wanted to show you a bit of what is happening this year at my house...

Once upon a time, I lovingly hand-painted brown kraft paper and white butchers paper for gifts for my friends and family only to see them ripped to shreds in seconds...I searched for beautiful ribbons to adorn packages only to see them tossed into the trash... now I hate to say, I have become much more selective with who receives the extra special wrapping service.  Of course everyone deserves it but will they appreciate it?  I have to ask myself if they will see the wrap itself as I intend it - truly as part of the gift.   Will they love the vintage seam binding?  the millinery flower?  the handmade gift tag?  Not everyone sees beauty in those things and that is okay - I'll just wrap those gifts accordingly :)  Although, I do put my foot down about NO stick on bows - under any circumstances.

I love that my 5-year-old likes to save all of her ribbons from her "prizes" - that's my girl!

Traveling during the holidays makes my wrapping much more streamlined than I would like.  My husband is not impressed when I have a suitcase filled with wrapping paraphernalia so I can't get as fancy as I once did.  One year I glued googly eyes to all of the childrens packages, another year it was white pompoms, and another was black and white photos of the children so that they could all "find their faces to find thier prize". 

This year, this gift is my favorite so far.  It is an old doll trunk that I partially covered in vintage wallpaper.  It's tied with millinery tulle and holds a gorgeous vintage bride doll....

What do your presents look like this year?

*christmas present*

...Christmas this year is a tight palette of sepia and cream with aged gold and silver and faded pinks...

...the tree is decorated with vintage crystal chandelier drops, sheet music and grapevine garland,  glittered stars, these fabulous Wendy Addison-inspired "Wish" signs and mini chandeliers...

... I made this garland this year with aged glitter letters, vintage ornamants, seam binding and

garland...

...I made a village of these paper mache houses last year...

...this is the coffee table...an old bottel filled with stardust, a glass bowl filled with stars to amke a wish on and a footed bowl filled with faded old ornaments...when the candle is lit everything sparkles...

*christmas past*

...the mantel last year...

...tabletop vignette...

...the felt wreath on Ava's door...

...Ava's vintage aluminum tree with shiny bright ornanaments...

My Christmas angel (Ava at 4)...

The last of Lucile's Letters

Here are the last two letters that I have of Lucile's.  I hope that you have enjoyed them as much as I have.  I so wish that I had found the letters that she wrote - she seems like she was quite the girl!  Enjoy...

July 14, 1915

Dear Lucile and Francis: -

You all ought to appreciate this letter for I got up this morning real early to write before my usual work sets in.  Have been as busy as bees all summer helping mama, so she could do our sewing. G... cooks breakfast and I dinner and supper.

We were so glad to get your nice little letters and were delighted with the pictures.  They are as pretty as can be and if I ever see Joe Kelly will let him see. Joe and Ch... are working together. They all think Susie's picture is "darling" and are crazy to see her.  Aunt B.. must be sure to stop over when she goes home.  We have really missed you both this summer.  Know Uncle Oscar could spare you all a few weeks anyway.  Erma can keep house all right by herself.  Mama said you must come.  She asked me to write as she didn't have time.

Leven was here all winter but has gone home now.  She thought so much of  you both.

Did you ever get your automobile ride?I never did enjoy anything so much but know I crowded Aunt B...  Miss Murphee wrote that I have gotten  my school; but as yet, haven't been notified by school board.  G... will work across the river again, and this year will be principal.

Did you get through your examinations? Know you did as Miss White used to show me some fine papers.

Hope everything has been well this summer and Aunt B.. will get to like her life.  Change will do her much good.  I t does me good and I am only there a year.

Wish Uncle Oscar could come and stay  long enough to benefit him.

We are going to look for and expect all of you.  Lots of love for each and all from us all.  Kiss Susie for me.

Your loving cousin,

Lucy B...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, Sept 1st

Dearest Lucille -

Have just gotten home this morning from a two week vacation.  Spent 10 days in Birmingham and 4 in New Orleans.  I had intended also going to St. Louis and Chicago but I was having such a good time in Birmingham that I gave up the rest of my trip and spent the time there.  Believe me that is the best town in the world (I mean the people).  Thought I would get to spend Sunday at home, but I went down to the office a few minutes ago and found that I would have to go to Washington tonight.  Wished they had said Birmingham.  Parker is also going to Washington tonight, but he is going to be there to stay.  Sure do hate to see him leave J.C. because he is such a fine fellow.  I received your letter this morning and am so glad that you like the hat.  You must always remember your most humble cousin when you wear it. (D--- this cigar it won't burn at all.  I have lit it forty-seven times and it has gone out again) Don't be surprised at what I say because I have just come from a wet town!

I remembered you on your birthday but was too busy to write.  Suppose Mother sent you a remembrance from me, but I have not had time to ask her, but it was my instructions that she do so, and if she has not I will do so.I am not much of a hand to select presents, especially for  young ladies, so that is why I left it to Mother, for she can do anything.  Alas so sorry you could not accept the trip to J.C., but , of course, you know best.  I had planned several nice trips for us and was going to spend my vacation at home while you were here, so that we could take these trips.  Please excuse this letter if it does not make any sense because I am writing like a streak of lightening, and I did not want to put off writing my most beloved and sweetest cousin until I got back from Washington. Will write you about my vacation when I get back. Must close.  With lots and lots of love

Your cousin

Bill

A.P.D.2.

Lucile's Letters

Hey everyone.  Sorry that I've not been around for a while - just stuff happening here over the past month...I've missed you and appreciate the sweet emails so very much.

I wanted to share with you another of sweet Lucile's letters...

"Fayetteville, North Carolina

Friday, July 10, 1914

LucIle dear: -

Please don't be angry with me because I did not write at first, the plain reason is because I wanted to wait until after the pic-nic and tell you all about it.  Now mind me Lucile, this letter is to you and you only don;t you show it to Ella, Ione or anybody. I was invited to a party the other night. It was a surprise party, given to Anna Drake.  We met at Irene's and went from there to the Drakes.  And Lucy, every boy there had on long trousers, you don't know how funny I felt. The fellow that took me was a Mr. Garrisou and he was some kind of old.  Well now, take it from me, I had a precious time.  I spent the night with Louise Powell and it was after 2 a.m. before we went to sleep. Next morning her uncle (a real young fellow) drove me home in the dearest horse and buggy.  That afternoon we played croquet til dark.  Yesterday (Thursday) was the pic-nic.  I couldn't begin to tell you all about it.  We went out in automobiles.  Irene, Louise, Ava and 3 other girls. Mildred and myself went but in one car, we stayed to-gether all day.  I can't think of the other girl's names but they were sisters, one's first name is Marigold.  They are from Elizabeth City but moved here 3 years ago and know Dorolly Roberts.  They are going to visit her in August but haven't told her yet.  If I could see you face-to-face I'd tell you the pic-nic from beginning to end but it is so hard to write it on paper.  Franklin was there(had on long trousers and he looks precious).

Has Ione or Ella gone yet?  Mama sent me those pictures and I think they are grand.  Which one are you going to get ? The one staring up that's real close or  the one in the sand sitting down?  I took two or three pictures yesterday, one of Irene alone, I do hope it looks good, if it is I'll send it at once, another one Louise took of Irene and I in our bathing suits.  Please write to me, a letter from home when you're away is so nice.  By - By

Ester Werny...

Who got the banner in S.S.?"

I wish the photos were in the letter! I just adore these letters - little peeks into the past.

Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Lucile's Letters #3

Here is the third letter in the series - this letter is written on stationary from the Middle West Hotel in Webb City, Missouri - on the " Corner Allen and Main Streets", offering "Special attention to Theatrical People and Traveling Men".

June 11, 1913

Dear Lucile, 

I am writing you to let you know that I am not mad with you in the least.  I have lost your picture you sent me and I want a couple more.  I have your others in my trunk somewhere but I can't find them.  I will send you a couple of real Jim Dandy pictures in a day or two of myself.  That old postcard picture is no good that I sent you.  I am still in Vaudeville and am going to stick around because I like it.

Oh just wait, I have something to say now.  You said you thought I might have another girl I loved better than you but let me tell you I would not do you that way and another thing I would rather go with some other girl right before your face than go away from the one that always had been true to me and one that I always thought so much of and then go with some other girl.  Lucile don't think that of me. Haven't I always been just as good as I could be to you?  Only once where I would not speak to you and that hurt me so that even now I am sorry of doing that way.Don't take this letter the wrong way now, but I just don't want you to think that I would give you up for any other in this old world. Lucile I don't know but what I might have said something in this letter but any thing I have said don't take in the Wrong Way.

I remain as ever (for you are the only girl for me),

Rodney Forbert

Lucile I want you to get a book or something to keep postals in and I will send you postals from every where I go.

Your loving friend,

Rodney Forbert

He sounds like a winner, huh?

I am not going to be posting much this week.  My in-laws have come to town for their annual visit and my computer is located in guest room (i.e. their room).  I will be checking in with all of you whenever I can dart into the room and log on.  Have a great week everyone!