Colleyville Chamber Business Expo

I attended the Colleyville Chamber Business Expo yesterday. It was lots of fun to be a part of such a great community.

Here is my door that I posted about last week.  I hung draperies on each side of the door to add some interest.  It's only a 10X6 space so I had to squeeze it all in. 
Placed three outdoor rugs together to make the booth feel more inviting.
Used a resin garden urn (nice and light) for my Christmas arrangement.  Placed a wreath on top of the urn and then added some more garland and floral pieces to create height.  I had a Powerpoint presentation with before and after pictures of jobs I've done.
Here's the wreath - remember you can win it!!  Go here to read this post.
I had a drawing for the above candlesticks & everyone got a large magnet as seen above.
Gave out lots of "Baby Ruth" candy bars to help them remember my name.  It all counts right?
Adore these down filled pillows.  In this picture you can see how nicely the rug looks with the chairs.
My friend Sue came to help me and it was a fun day to spend with her!
Thank you Sue for being such a loyal friend!
Ruthie

This and that

Found this column at a thrift store and it was white and all sad looking!  It needed a serious home!
I brought it home, painted it black and sanded it and glazed it.
Won't it be perfect for Christmas with garland on top of it?
I also found some Rattan Shades for my gazebo outside.  I love the look they add.  Best part was they were still in the box and I got them both for $5.00.  Love a treasure like that!
I think it feels a bit like my "Africa" past and that's what I like about it!
I'm really busy right now getting ready for Christmas if you can believe it.  Here is a corner of my storage unit as I gather ideas and start putting things together. 
I love this vase, it's about 3' tall.
I'll post pictures on Friday and show you how I'm going to use it!
Happy rest of the week!

Out and About Saturday

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!  I don't really like celebrating HALLOWEEN but I LOVE to celebrate fall!
On my way to RED BARN ANTIQUES sale this morning, I passed a neighborhood entrance with this display!  I had to turn around and take a picture because it's stunning!  I would love two of these urns in my front yard flanking my entry 
Yesterday I volunteered my time at The Red Shed to help decorate one of the rooms.  It's always a pleasure volunteering when you know it's going towards a good cause.  All the proceeds of today's sale go to the Susan G. Koman Foundation.
I arrived today and the whole cottage was decked out and so was the garden.
The room above is what I had fun with.
The owner's were up all night and up and at it this morning, decked out in their costumes for Halloween and handing out pink donuts!
The whole place was covered with treasures!
They had touches of pink in every vignette.  Like I said above, the proceeds will go towards the walkers in the Susan G. Koman 3 Day Walk. In Autumn, every room needs a splash of Black. The Red Shed adds in their signature White, a dash of Pink, and Fall Texture for “ooh la la” French Style. Find lots of affordable French Antiques, Vintage Décor, Handmade Art & Jewelry, Architecturals, Chandeliers and Vintage Christmas. 8 AM – 3 PM

If you haven't gone by yet today, you still have time!  Tell them I sent you!
Below are my treasures!
Enjoy your day!

Gift basket collection

I know it seems early, but I'm  thinking about Christmas already!  I'm putting together all kinds of baskets for auctions, donations for schools, fundraisers, teacher's gifts, doctor's gifts, friends, you name it!!  As I'm out and about, I'm looking for treasures and putting them in baskets that I think  go together.  Here's an example of a basket that I've been putting together over the past 3 weeks.
REMEMBER YOU CAN CUSTOM ORDER A BASKET FROM ME!
Found the 4 napkins first and they were my inspiration.  Then I found the English Crackers.  Go here to find out more about this English tradition.  Our family still has Christmas Crackers every Christmas and YES we all wear the paper hats at the table over dinner.
Peppermint soap was found next.
4 small dessert plates added.
I loved this white dove!  So delicate and peaceful.
Isn't she cute?
Finally this pillow cover.  I'll stuff it of course!

Today I found this dish towel (tea towel as I call it, my husband still mocks me).  Doesn't it finish it off?
Some of the above items are from  Crate and Barrel.   See the chocolates that I'd love to add to this basket.  Every gift needs some chocolate!  See Crate and Barrel chocolates.
I'll post others as I finish them off!
If you plan ahead, you won't pay as much.  I love the collected look of a basket that doesn't all come from the same place, don't you?  Feels personalized.

Here are a few other THEME BASKETS  I have up my sleeve:
Each basket will have a nice tag with the theme name!

COFFEE BREAK - chocolate covered spoons, good coffee, china mug
TASTE OF CHOCOLATE - you know what this involves
HORSDEAVORS FOR TWO- wine, cheese, crackers, crystal wine cork
MANLY MAN - pocket knife, sports magazine, nuts, root beer bottles
TEA TIME- china tea cup, Earl Grey teabags, gourmet cookies
CARDS & SUCH- note cards, shopping lists, fridge magnets, sticky notes
WELCOME HOME-  music CD, candle, room frag. spray, Starbucks singles.
ALL THINGS LUXURIOUS- hand towel, small fur pillow, crystal ornament
CAPTIVATE YOUR SENSES- bath smellies, bath towel w/monogram
CHEF'S DELIGHT- cookbook, hot pads, recipe cards, bottle of wine
ABSOLUTE SIMPLICITY- magazine, good book, Starbucks card
SHIMMER & SPARKLE- notepads, pens, ornaments, new scarf
SPICY MIX- candles, snacks, dipping sauces, apple cider
HOMEMADE FOR YOU- homemade goodies
PASSIONATE- chocolates and champagne
A STORY TO TELL- variety of books
MOVIE NIGHT- popcorn, full size candy bars, gummy bears, coke
WRAPPING FRENZY - wrapping papers, bows, tissue, tape, scissors
EAT YOUR HEART OUT - tons of good snacks
ON THE RUN - grab bag snacks

ORNAMENTS GALORE
Got a few for this basket already!

YOU CAN ORDER CUSTOM BASKETS FROM ME!




E-mail me here and give me details and I can give you a quote.

Enjoy & Happy Weekend!

English breakfast for two

I know that I already posted today but I realized that today is Tablescape Thursday at Between naps on the porch.  I had to comment about one of the posts from Aiken Home and Gardens blog written by Carolyn.  Click here to see her Tablescape Thursday post.  Read her post and then you can look at the rest of my post, they go together!

This is why my tablescape goes with Carolyn's.

I grew up in England and each morning it's pretty common for us to have a boiled egg, toast fingers (toast cut up into slices to dip into our "runny" egg). In honor of my grandma Alice who passed away about 11 years ago, I set this Christmas table.  We usually have boiled eggs Christmas morning and it has become a fun family tradition.  The fun part is that my husband was born in Australia and his family has this same tradition. 

I inherited these egg cup cozy's from my grandma and love them because I remember them on her table.
My china cups create a heart when the tea is poured!
I miss you Grandma Alice, you left an amazing legacy!
I hope I can follow in your footsteps.