Top Spin

My head is spinning!

There is so much going on!

My kids are back to school:

A new middle schooler

And a high schooler 

Gearing up for the the next Barn Show.

Contemplating a business decision 

at Chartreuse and Co..

Considering another opportunity this week that's intriguing but scary at the same time.

Can I handle it all?

Will I be shortchanging my family?

Just to satisfy my own dreams?

Do I continue to grow my business or should I just maintain what I'm doing now!? 

So much to think about!

And so hard to do when everything is going so fast!  

Especially since I'm prone to motion sickness!  

Friday Night Lights

My son made the football team!   

Whew!   

He's so happy and I'm so relieved!

Now, back to what I love most (besides my kids)!

My shop!  

Check out this really cool German biergarten table I picked up this weekend: 

It looks great with some industrial stools and would be fabulous for crab feasts, crafting or in the dining room!   

I also have some beautiful antique stained glass windows that look great hanging from chains in front of a window, over a fireplace or propped on a side table:   

I found this fabulous vintage store bread display at last week's auction and think it would be so cool in a mudroom for shoes, on a porch loaded with mums and pumpkins for the fall, or in a really cool industrial style dining room as a wine rack:

But my favorite new  shop item is this turn-of-the-century apothecary chest with Eastlake style hardware and original paint.  
I'd use it as a television console for my flat screen - for a vintage meets modern look:

And I'm off to the auction tomorrow in search of more vintage treasures for my shops at Chartreuse and Co., and The Barn Show. 

Wish me luck!   

And thanks to all who sent me e-mails or left a comment wishing my son luck with tryouts!   

Including Eddie Ross and Jaithan!   

Yes, seriously, the Eddie and Jaithan!

Amazing!  

Step Away from Staples

You've been to Staples.

You've picked up the pencils, the loose leaf paper, the ridiculously expensive, way too high tech $120 calculator needed for the sixth grade,  

(Oh, am I ranting?), 

the new kicks, the clothes, a sporty new backpack and every other possible acoutrement any student could ever need!  

Now, it's time to have some fun.

For yourself.

And your house.

Come to my barn sale this weekend at 

Chartreuse and Co.

And pick up:

A chalkboard repurposed from an antique frame.

 Some industrial bins to contain all the clutter.  

An amazing old door turned mirror! 

Salvaged stained glass.    

It's all at the barn.

Just waiting for you.   

And I promise, there's not a binder or clipboard in sight!  

Thanks Knute - Rounds One and Two

My son made the first cut! 
(And the second today!)


It's emotionally exhausting!    

I'm praying tomorrow's round is the last!   

Keep praying!

Hail Mary!

I'm back from vacation.

Reluctantly.   

But sometimes life gets in the way when you'd rather just ride the waves.

We had to come home a day early so my oldest son, a freshman,  could try out for his high school football team.

I'm a nervous wreck about it.

I'm not worried that he'll get hurt.

I come from a football family so the game itself doesn't worry me.   

No, my stomach is in knots because he wants it so badly and this mamma bear doesn't want her cub to be disappointed.

So, I've been praying to any of the football Gods I can think of:  

Knute Rockne

(Did you know he perfected the forward pass while working as a lifeguard at Cedar Point?  But that's another story!)

Woody Hayes

The legendary Ohio State coach!

Go Bucks!

Paul Brown

Famous Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals coach

If you know any others I can pray to please let me know!

My baby wants to make the team and I want him to have all the help he can get!

Surf, Sun and Sand

I've never been much of a sun worshipper because:

 a.  I don't tan 
and
b.  bathing suits hurt my ego!  

But once a year I head to the beach with my family for a little fun in the sun.


And I'm always amazed how much I actually enjoy it.


This week has been no exception and I've quickly realized that one week is definitely not enough.


I'm wishing for two!  


But alas, our real life is waiting for us at home.


There's high school football tryouts on Saturday.


Last minute summer school work to finish and my monthly barn sale at Chartreuse and Co., to get ready for.


So, I'll just have to savor my last two days.


Sink my toes in the sand.


Pour another glass of wine and slather on another round of SPF 50!


As for the bathing suit?


Who cares?


I'm having fun!

(In Topsail, North Carolina)

Industrial Girl

I'm much more of an industrial chic girl than a shabby chic one!   

Molly and I are loading our space at Chartreuse and Co., with my favorite style in mind this month.  


We're stocked with vintage carpenter tool boxes, old laboratory stools, galvanized containers, Molly's custom painted signs on reclaimed lumber, factory inspired lighting, and a Belgian work table.  

Do you think we're off to a good start?

Silk & Burlap

Have you ever watched someone's dreams come true and feel so much joy for them you just want to burst?   

That's exactly how I felt visiting my friends' new shop,

Silk & Burlap

In Frederick, Maryland

Angelique and Saule are Chartreuse and Co., girls who have been creating magic at the barn for the past year and a half.   

They took the next step and opened their own store last month, and to say it is fabulous would be an understatement!  

It's amazing!   

I went to a happy hour to celebrate their grand opening and was so happy for them it made me weep!   

(Yes, I've been doing a lot of that lately, but when you see your friends absolutely glowing with happiness, it's hard not to get emotional!) 

It was so inspiring to see their dream come true because it's also one of mine.  

They're two amazing women! 

Talented

Gracious

Discerning

Savvy

Beautiful

and 

Silk & Burlap is:

Original

Light filled

Fresh

Stylish

and

Incredible

Check it out:    

Silk & Burlap

112 E. Patrick Street

Frederick, MD  

Tell them I sent you!   

Loving Life

My oldest son has been at the National Boy Scout Jamboree all week.

I spoke to him yesterday and he's having the time of his life.

My youngest son spent the week with my sister and brother-in-law in Ohio.   

I drove to Youngstown Friday to pick him up and spend the weekend with my family.  

As we were driving back to Maryland today my son told me he loved being with his aunt and uncle and that his
 "heart is so happy".

It doesn't get any better than that.   

In fact, it made me cry.

How blessed I am to have happy children and loving relatives! 

Life is beautiful!