Getting back to finding the shabby.......

I can't even begin to tell you how busy this week (right after our vacation) has been.....crazytime. I have been fulfilling orders and, well, fulfilling orders. Today I got to do some much wanted thrifting. Surprisingly I found some books......:).

Loving this Michelin guide to France.

I can't wait to explore this falling-apart book some more, it's just beautiful.

And this book, exploring three Arctic expeditions, written in 1898.....really? May need to read this one first.

This one may be my favorite. I love antique religious books, especially those I've not seen before. This one is in that category.

Amazing graphics, and someone actually used this book.

And of course, on the quest for the elusive and weird office supplies, I found this beauty. The Acme visible file, obviously an early bookkeeping or file system that could be so very useful today.
I can see putting favorite business cards in this cool folder.
What have you found today?

The friends you make online~~~~

Before leaving on vacation I purchased some french trim from my friend Rhonda's awesome Etsy shop...her shop is so incredible and things of beauty are made by her talented hands. Seriously, this is one awesome artist! I had commented on her fabric strips with the wonderful images on them and lamenting the fact that I was too slow and someone else bought the one that she featured on her blog.

Swoon worthy canvas bag~~~this is what my goodies came in.

This is the gorgeous fabric strip with french images sewn on....it's stunning! And Rhonda added it to my package because she's so sweet...she made one just for me.

This is the amazing french trim that I purchased from her shop, all wrapped up with a pretty metal tag.
Rhonda creates beauty with items that she's found in France and she is just ever so talented.
You will definitely want to check out her etsy shop......but you have to be really quick to purchase, do NOT hesitate or you'll miss out, that's how quickly her items sell!
She's a true blogging friend and one that I'm so glad I've met here online.
Thank you so much Rhonda, I love my goodies!

A great time was had by all.......

Our vacation rocked! The only down side was having it end....:(.
Here's a shot of the trolley in Astoria....we didn't ride it this time but we did make a couple trips to this gem of a city. I absolutely love Astoria's charm. Did you know that it's the oldest city west of the Mississippi? Well now you do!

Here's a photo right before we left on the front steps of the house.
It was bittersweet for sure. The weather was mixed, as it always is at the Oregon coast but that's all part of it's charm. You can visit in the summer and have a fire in your fireplace!
The cherry on top with this trip was my sister and her dh visiting us and spending a few days with us, relaxing, eating, beachcombing, shopping, and laughing! We had the best time!
Luckily we'll be seeing them again in about a week as they come through town so I hope they can stay for a while and visit some more.
This is the winding down time of summer and I can't wait for Fall, as usual.....it's my favorite season.
I've been blessed with great sales in my Etsy shop and this has been a banner month for me.....so getting back home has been a lot of work but I'm so very grateful for each and every sale that I get in my shop. I should go on vacation more often, for some odd reason sales seem to pick up when I'm away......!
Hey, it's retail, it's really hard to find any rhyme or reason to selling, right?
Hope you are all enjoying summer's waning days.....I've noticed the days getting shorter and it's starting to get dark a lot sooner than just a short time ago......til next time!

Off to the beach.......

So happy to be off to the beach for an entire week!
What bliss....and to make it even better? My sis and her dh will be joining us. To say I'm thrilled would be an understatement. I haven't seen her in years. They've been traveling around this summer in their new camper and look forward to spending time with us at the beach house, home cooked meals, the ability to do some laundry, sleep in real beds, etc.
Not to mention all the fun things there are to do at the coast.
Mostly I see us sitting on the front porch, sipping wine, and just talking into the night.
I'll be back in a week or two with some photos of our adventures....stay cool but enjoy the heat while you can because it will soon be gone.

I've wanted one for soooo long now......

And it was my birthday present this year....woohoo!!!!!

When dh wheeled this baby out I was screaming....wouldn't you be?
It's going with us to the coast in a few days.......it will probably be the first time I'll ride it since I've been sick since it's arrived.
I picked out the basket myself. Now mind you, this is no expensive high end bike, dh bought it at Target at my request because I knew it wouldn't get a ton of use but when we ride bikes around the neighborhood or at the beach, this is just the ticket for me!
As soon as the tires get inflated I'm off.....hmmmm, whatever will I put in that basket? Can you guess?

Back to the land of the living.........

And it's good to be back....I've been battling an ugly cold and sinus junk......the worst of it is over, thankfully.

These images, of course, have nothing to do with what I'm writing about today. Just wanted to share this beautiful needle keeper that I found (I think on ebay) awhile back that someone has pinned a lovely holy medal in....

I just couldn't resist it.

So if any of you wonderful friends have any great or special concoctions that you swear by to keep yourself healthy, please spill it here....I'm all ears!
Do you take more vitamin C? Does that work to keep you healthy?
Maybe you have a healthy drink in the morning that works that's loaded with great stuff to boost your immune system?
I need to start doing this asap because I don't want to be sick again for a very long time.
Let me know what works for you and I'll be forever grateful!!

It's beginning to look like.......

Halloween!
Just listed this beauty today......Halloween can't come soon enough for me....my favorite holiday.
I'll be making lots of these paper dolls, each a little different than the one before so that they're truly OOAK dolls.
Bronwyn just got listed in my Etsy shop.