Christmas Thrifting

So since I just recently purchased my first home I’ve been on a slim budget and I’ve started doing a lot of thrift store scouring. I’ve actually found some pretty great stuff for really great prices. Working on filling the house up more for the holidays and beyond. Here are some Christmas themed thrifty scores.

    

I found these giant wooden nutcrackers for $25 each. I had to mail them home because I was in the middle of Nowheresville California. They have been dubbed Art-ichoke and Rudy-bega since we were basically in the middle of a vegetable field.

    

On another thrifty trip I found this handmade sleigh for a few bucks and repainted it.

    

I added another egg dish to my collection and found this pretty silver plated dome lid for $3. Looks great on my buffet!

Just a couple other cute finds for a couple bucks. London play tea set and vintage kitty stocking. My “kids” love them! Meowy Christmas!

Where is your favorite place to find sweet deals?

Have a bright day!

Chelsea

Tea at The Potted Geranium in Greensboro, Georgia

As an avid lover of afternoon tea I’m always interested in trying out new tea rooms when I travel. We heard that The Potted Geranium was an amazing tea room in downtown Greensboro, Georgia not far from Madison, Georgia where we often go for the historic home tours. We decided to make a trip out for Miss Marie’s birthday and it was so worth it! The historic home that houses The Potted Geranium has been beautifully restored and decorated. The food is delicious and the ambiance is just perfect. You feel like you have been whisked away to another time and place. I would recommend this to any lover of tea time or just for a nice ladies luncheon spot. Take a look at where we spent our afternoon and, of course, the tasty treats we partook of.

Jane says, ‘ One lump or two?’

Fresh and warm out of the oven scones. My mouth is watering at the thought.

A delicious variety of savory sandwiches. Pinkies up!

Look at the little tea pot jam cookies!

Beautiful china is everywhere! My weakness!

We toured the beautifully restored house. Lovely touches everywhere.

In the garden. Look how happy those daisies are!

We did a bit of antiquing and walked around town. We went shopping at the local farmers market, The Ripe Thing, and picked up some nice produce.

What is your favorite place to get a spot of tea? Any suggestions on a way to spend a girls weekend? We’re jetting off for another adventure this weekend! Jane is definitely coming along for the ride :)

Have a bright day!

Chelsea aka Bright Girl

I’m alive!~ Photo a day July & Show and Tell

So it’s been a while since I posted anything. I guess things have just gotten away from me between reading for my book club and starting an almost daily trek to the gym I’ve gotten behind on the blog. I’m foregoing finishing the June photo a day and moving onward and upward with July. Can you believe it’s July!?! Half the year has gone by without me even realizing.


Here’s the July List. My birthday is “upside down!” Let’s hope that’s not an omen!



#Photoadayjuly


July Photo A Day Challenge


1} Self Portrait~This is usually how I’m forced to sleep in some fashion. I’m pretty sure this week Pumpkin has been scratching my face in my sleep to wake me in order to fill his kibble dish. I feel like one of the characters in “The Birds” but my movie is called “The Cats: 5 is enough.”





2} Busy~ Today was a busy day as usual made even more interesting by the fact that all 5 caterpillars emerged from their cocoons and transformed into butterflies! I quickly picked them some flowers and made them sugar water to gobble up. Aren’t they pretty!






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Show & Tell


So in case you didn’t know already I love antique china and have started collecting a few vintage patterns, which of course are hard to find. I bought some things on ebay last month to add to my collection. I think some of these would be so pretty hung as a collection on a wall someday. I even found a few pieces featured on Susan Branch’s blog, drool worthy kitchen and china collection! Take a peep here!
Here is the start of my own collection.

Part of my Tuscan English Bird of Paradise collection. I started collecting the pink pieces a few years ago because, well, I love pink. But the pattern itself is beautiful too. It’s really hard to find online, it’s over 60 years old and most sellers don’t put names and when they do they are rarely the same. I call it “Birds of Paradise.” I found a few mint green pieces that look very pretty with the pink and just got a cup that is a pale blue, I guess they made it several different ways.

 

Susan Branch has several pieces of this Minton Cockatrice pattern featured on her blog {unnamed creamers are pictured}. This hand painted pattern in a bright pink is very eye catching.

For obvious reasons I’ve also started collecting Chelsea Bird in the older aqua blue color. I just found a tea set of dessert plates, creamer, sugar, and cake plate.

I also found this adorable vintage Minton milk pitcher for a steal! The hand painted ribbon and flowers are so sweet, I thought it would be great for fresh floral bouquets.




Meakin Avondale in the lighter sage green color. So pretty! I found a huge collection of this at Scott Antique Market but held back from buying anything until I checked online prices which were MUCH less. I’m all about the deals!

Fresh peaches are the epitome of summertime!

Finishing up my photo shoot, every time I take pictures downstairs this Pumpkin cat comes around.






Is there something you love to collect? Scott Antique Market is next weekend, anything I should look out for?
Have a bright day!
Bright Girl

May Day, May Day!~Photo a day catch up, good bye April/hello May, and an Antebellum mini break.

I heard this song on tv today thought it was perfect for todays post.
Alrighty, I have some catching up to do. I can’t believe it’s already May!! 2012 is going by quickly. Since I already posted about my trip to the aquarium I thought I would focus my photos on my weekend getaway to the lovely Madison, Georgia historically known as ‘the city Sherman refused to burn.’ Learn more about the history of Madison here.
April photo a day challenge~The End
#photoadayapril
25} Looking Down~Checking out the lovely Dovecote House in downtown Madison, Georgia. Standing on the carriage stone.

26} Black & White~Resident Pug, Sophie, at the beautiful Madison Oaks Inn & Gardens. She is quite the character!

27} Somewhere you went~Le Petit Jardin in Madison, Georgia. Lovely garden and décor inspiration plus I love the smell of growing things.

28} 1pm~My colorful ensemble en route. We took the back roads through town for a few hours Saturday looking at all the beautiful homes. *sigh* Madison’s tour of homes is this weekend, we’ll probably be back to see inside the lovelies!

29} Circle~Blue Willow plates on the walls downstairs at home, what used to be the dining room has now become a sitting area for tea and such. I got pretty inspired and motivated from just a few days away from home. Rearranged three rooms of furniture, etc. Your welcome mother! Luv ya!

                  Before                                          After
30} Something that makes you sad~Saying goodbye to Madison & the end of my four day weekend=sad times. But hey Friday isn’t that far off.



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Mini Break to Madison, Georgia
The small town of Madison, Georgia is only an hour and a half from metro Atlanta but once you get there you feel hundreds of miles away especially at the beautiful Madison Oaks Inn & Gardens. My mother and I had a girls weekend of tea, antiquing, dining out, and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Antebellum homes and small town atmosphere.

Trying on chapeaux, what lovely ladies!

We had a great time at The Madison Tea Room. Jane loves a good tea!

Admiring the Dovecote House right off Main Street. Jane is just getting off her carriage for a visit.

Shopping around town looking at fun things and getting inspiration. Love the idea of a few antique bells in a kitchen and vintage shaving mugs are a fun idea for your powder room.



After a bit of vino, touring the grounds of the Madison Oaks.



Sophie is a show stealer. So funny! “Be a dear and drop a chop for me” :)

   

Peek-a-boo! I see you! Breakfast was delicious!

      

 

Some shots in front of the Madison Oaks Inn & Gardens with, of course, Miss. Sophie. So sad to say goodbye but we’ll definitely be back!

Made a pit stop at the local market, farm fresh tomatoes for dinner.
   

     

My treasures from the trip. Vintage shaving mug, pretty colors and design, and an antique Waterford crystal perfume bottle. Both were very reasonably priced and they look lovely on my vanity!

#photoadaymay
Day 1} Peace~After my weekend away it was nice coming back to work and seeing the kids. Before I could even say ‘hello!’ and ‘could I have a hug?’ I was immediately greeted by smiling faces and pleads to be picked up. It was a good day.

We had a great time on our trip! We plan on going back this weekend for the tour of homes, so stay tuned much more to come! Up next ASO Designer Showcase House 2012 + May photo a day!
Have a bright day and happy may day:)
Bright Girl