Pick 3, Spend 50, Save Your Local Economy

I've had the button on my sidebar just about since the beginning...

I really believe in this project.

So, I've decided to document my OWN efforts with this project in hopes of inspiring someone who might be reading this blog. (This project requires mostly shopping, so how could I not participate?)

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If you don't know about the 3/50 project, let me explain:

3

What 3 independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared?

Stop in. Say hello.

Pick up something that brings you a smile.

Your purchases are what keeps those businesses around.

50

If just half of the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.

If you're not sure what an independent business is, click here for more info.

Basically, it is a business that's owned locally without a big "name brand".

So about once a month, I would like to record my 3/50 shopping on this blog.

It doesn't have to be retail stores. It can be restaurants, dry cleaners, coffee shops, movie theatres, etc.

As I'm writing this, I can't help but think of some of my favorite places that have disappeared. I just heard, this week, that one of my favorite tiny gift/floral shops The Wild Violet is closing. I stopped by and everything was on sale, and the store was near empty.

*The $50 is TOTAL, NOT $50 at each business.

*And just for the record, this project doesn't recommend that you NEVER shop at big name stores.

It simply suggests that you keep the little guys in mind!

So here's what I found for February! I had so much fun!

My first stop was to Her Alibi Antiques
I found this cool cupboard in their bargain for dirt cheap. It has possibilities, can you see them?

Then I went to lunch with my friend to our favorite spot, Bouillon Soup.
I LOVE their turkey sandwich on focaccia bread, my friend orders Hungarian Mushroom Soup.
Last, I went to Scrapin' Fanatics to get paper for my Valentine's Fortune Cookies.

So, I spent more than $50. But I had lots of fun and supported the little guy.

If you have a blog and would like to record your 3/50 efforts, please feel free to join me and I'll add your link to the sidebar.

Vintage Farmhouse Style and Old House Creepiness

On my last buying trip, I had just posted about Pottery Barn's new catalog.

Everything farmhouse seemed to pop out at me!

These are some photos of the displays I have done in the shop with some of these items.

(They are selling quickly, displays always evolving.)

I'm just loving all of these muted tones, galvanized metal, burlap, rust, cream ironstone, and chippy paint.

I wanted to show you these displays before they are all gone!

When I first moved my shop into this old building, this room was a closet.

I don't have any before shots, but I wish I did. There were ugly shelves and a false ceiling. My friend (the amazing and talented Danny Hansen) helped me remove the false ceiling. He was coughing from all the dust, but when the dust cleared and we went back in the room, we noticed something kinda cool and a little creepy.

This room has very high ceilings (once the false ceiling was gone). The wallpaper goes all the way up and is likely original to the house which was built around the turn of the century. It also has an amazing art nouveau style border.

But on the wallpaper, there are children's drawings. It would appear that long ago, a child climbed up above the false ceiling (there was a small opening) and made it their hideaway and drew on the walls.

I kept the wallpaper and drawings on the wall.

Introducing: Six Degrees of Separation Sunday

I love to blog surf.

You know you do it too...

I go check out an interesting looking post, then click a link, then click another until I'm a million miles away.

Often, I'll find yet another great blog I've never seen before and become a follower.

So I thought it would be fun to record my travels through the blogiverse.

Here are my rules: I'll start with a blog I already follow.

After reading a bit, I'll click on a link from that blog.

Then, I'll read some more, then find a link on that blog.

etc. etc. etc.

You get the picture, I'll do it so I can find new blogs to tell about, then post it.

Oh. And I'll leave a comment telling them I posted about them on my blog.

I would love to have you join me!

If you would like to participate, I'll place your link on my sidebar.

Just mention Six Degrees Sunday and link back to me if you can.

So here goes on my first try:

1. I started with the fabulous 52 Flea, because she had the most recent post of the blogs I follow.

2. I clicked and got lucky to find Cheryl Kuhn's Small Stories Studio and my heart skipped a beat.
Oh my goodness, this mixed media artist uses the perfect blend of grunge and old photos:

How did I not know about this blog before? Did you?
why didn't you tell me?

3. I clicked on Roses, Radishes and Rubbish because I liked the sound of it.
Another mixed media artist: Amy Dabbs!
Her little dolls are amazing.

From there I clicked on

4. Cori Dantini Makes because the picture caught my eye.

Wow, just.....wow. She is an illustrator! I'm glad I stopped here.

5. I clicked on Pink Pig Cottage Antiques because I loved the name!
What a fun blog! I especially love their banner.
Oh yeah, I'm definitely following this blog, I like to see what other shops are up to.

6. From there I clicked on "Cottage Charm and Family Inspiration" and found this great tutorial for making these fabric hearts:

See? Wasn't that fun? Hope you decide to try it too!

All photos are credited to their respective blogs.

Heavens to Betsy!

Heavens to Betsy!

I just finished doing my taxes!
what a relief!

Honestly, after crunching numbers all day, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with all the support our customers have shown us over the past year. I want to say a huge

THANK YOU

to everyone who has shopped with us, voiced their support, made us feel *warm and fuzzy* with your kind words and compliments, and have been considered friends this past year.

I have a couple of announcements:

First, I'd like to announce a special Valentine's "thankyou" this weekend!

If you come in the shop, we will have Valentine's SALE Fortunes!

Draw a fortune cookie and get special deals, including gift certificates and up to 20% off your next visit purchases. There's even a couple free tutus in the mix!

Announcement #2: We are planning a super spectacular party/event to celebrate the opening of

Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton's new movie!

Jessica has been busy planning this fun event.

Stop in the shop to pick up your super-exclusive invitation.

It will be March 5th and 6th 12-6pm.

Please plan to join us for:

Tea and Sweets
Alice Merchandise
Drawings for Giveaways

Jessica, my ultra-talented and highly over-qualified helper, makes Alice Jewelry!

She will be there to showcase her merchandise.

Check out her website here and her Etsy shop here.

P.S. I got the fortune cookie idea here. Click for a step-by-step "How-To." I also used their photo.

Two Mod Cottage Nightstands $38 Each

Two Cream Painted Nightstands.

$38 each

Purple glass knobs (if you want a different color, we can change them!)

Great bedside storage, solid wood!

My Newest Time Suck

Has anyone seen "Sqare America"?

Square America is an amazing site with a huge collection of vintage and antique photos.

I am completely fascinated with old photos and this site takes the cake.

I could spend hours browsing here.

If I understand their "terms of use" correctly, you can use their photos as long as you don't do a hotlink back to them.

*Not all sections are appropriate for all viewers, just thought I'd let you know.

I recently got the following email:
(I LOVE this nursery and wanted to share!)

"Im interested in your two pink dressers, what are the dimensions?? also Im looking for the perfect dresser to put in my future nursery (due in may with a baby girl). My crib is my husbands handmedown that im not totally in love with but looks similar to the one in the pic. I love your blog and am hoping you can help me find a dresser similar to this one for a decent price! I live in (south) idaho so i can easily pick up. please help! thanks S.R."

So, I hope I can find something that fits her dream nursery. I have a few things in mind...

We've also had a bunch of young brides seeking that vintage look.

What are you looking for? Send us a comment or email, maybe we can help!

After a little searching, I can credit the photo to designdazzle.blogspot.com

Follow the link to get instructions on recreating this beautiful room!