Cruisin Over Sixty

A Celebration For Mom's

2013-05-23T19:54:00.001-07:00

These are the flowers that were on the men's table at the

Mother's Day celebration my daughter hosted. (Votives

from Pier 1).

These are some of my favorite images from a Mother's Day

celebration my daughter had for women that are mothers and

women that are motherless.

The flowers on the women's table.

Table set for the women at the celebration.

Sweet photo of the blouse and necklace worn by my grand-daughter.

Beautiful earrings worn by my daughter.

(from Nordstrom's rack).

Awesome earrings worn by a gorgeous mother.

Gifts from the event. Notice the crown sugar cookie?

I'm linking with My Romantic Home

and The Feathered Nest

Oh, The PLACES I've Been

All Things French

2013-05-17T09:57:00.000-07:00

This chandelier printed on burlap and framed, I found at

Hobby Lobby.

Raoul Dufy image on silk scarf. See the Eiffel Tower

on the right.

This was taken at T.J. Maxx. It was a poster board for sale.

This is Dufy.

Here I am in my office all alone composing a post in

my dreams of France and everything French.

Borrowed image. Source unknown. If it is you, please, leave

me a comment and I will credit you and give

a link back to your post.

My favorite photographic print that I have hanging

in my home.

Chambord Castle.

I'm joining this party at Castles Crowns and Cottages:

I'm linking with Oh, The PLACES I've Been

More From The Shabby Chic Boutique

2013-05-09T15:27:00.003-07:00

Most photos of this post are from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture

boutique in Santa Monica, California. These photos are from the

visit I made in January of this year and they didn't get in my original post.

The vintage bottles are from Rachel's shea butter line.

Those are little blue coin purses and make-up bags.

Go here to see more photos that I took in January from

Rachel's boutique.

What would a shabby chic post of mine be without a pretty chandelier.

I like the shade on this little lamp.

Doesn't this look comfy?

Everything looks so sweet in her shop even this ordinary table.

Funky chandelier? What do you think?

I've been thinking about having a giveaway with products from Rachel's boutique.

Santa Monica, California location.

I'm linking with The Tablescaper for Oh, The Places I've Been

A personal note here about being a Shabby Chic fan. I am not

reimbursed for posting anything Shabby Chic. I have been into

Shabby Chic way before I had a blog in my brain.

I started decorating my master bedroom, master bath

and one guest bedroom in shabby chic in 2001. I was taping

Rachel Ashwell's TV shows (they were 1/2 hour shows) and

a friend of mine told me Rachel had a boutique in Fashion Island

in Newport Beach, California (now closed) and then later in

Malibu, California(also closed) (I knew about the

Santa Monica boutique-still open). I watched my taped shows

of Rachel's over and over and eventually sent the tape to

comfort a friend. I didn't make a copy.Wouldn't it be

great if Rachel made a DVD of those episodes?

All this was before Rachel's line was in Target, altho

for a time it was in Mervyn's. Anybody remember that?

In 2004 I switched into overdrive and really got passionate

about shabby chic decor. I found my end tables at the now

defunct Subtle Tone boutique (Newport Beach, Ca)-shown

below-and my friend Pernilla and my daughter helped me

with it and we all took a field trip and had lunch at Jennifer

Lopez' restaurant Madre's in Pasadena, California.

Designed and decorated by Rachel. It was beautiful.

It was opened from 2002 to July 2008.

My last project was to shabby chic my laundry

room and I did that last summer (shown below).

My Shabby Chic laundry room

My bedside table ala Rachel Ashwell

Happy Mother's Day

I'm linking with My Romantic Home

I'm linking with French Country Cottage for

Feathered Nest

My Roses In The Spring Rain

2013-05-02T22:25:00.001-07:00

These are photos from the first rain of spring and some of the first blooms.

This is probably our last rain for awhile.

I found this here.

I'm linking with My Romantic Home.

Shabby Chic Treasure

2013-04-26T12:22:00.003-07:00

In the mail this month came this beautiful shabby chic

dreamcatcher made by Laurie at Heaven's Walk. I

put it in a shabby chic guest bedroom.

Shabby chic pillow from the line at Target.

My roses.

Just a note here to say that I like to order when I can from

blogger's shops or etsy shops. I am currently ordering

my mother's day gifts from Beachcomber's etsy shop.

I was visiting at Tina's and got inspired about

orchids. I added these to my master bath.

I'm linking with My Romantic Home.

Spring Looks

2013-04-19T10:47:00.001-07:00

Taryn Rose Sandals.

I like these looks for spring.

This is from Joan Vaas. I especially like

the cardigan/shrug.

This is from Johnny Was. It is silk.

This looks great for going into summer. By Tolani.

This is also in silk.

These are by Ippolita. I like this line of jewelry.

I don't get reimbursed for the products

I post. Everything I post is what I really like

or own.

Here is the photo of my hair that my hairdresser (Janine) took after she

did a magnificent job on my color. Awhile back I told you I would

post my new hair and this is it.

Do you see how she mixed the blonde in with my grey.

My hair, now, looks younger than me.

My Disneyland Spring Break

2013-04-12T00:34:00.001-07:00

Disneyland is literally a few minutes from my home.

I visited this past week. I took these photos in the morning

and it was overcast as you will see. I got there early enough

to see the Main Street vehicles. They only run in the morning

and early afternoon. This photo was taken on Main Street.

How could I resist taking a few photos of the beautiful chandeliers that are in the

shops along Main Street?

This chandelier is pink and white and I thought very girly, girly shabby chic.

It is in the candy store. Disneyland has made some changes on Main Street since

I was last there. One of them is the location of the candy store.

This beautiful Dooney and Bourke Handbag is in a gift shop on

Main Street. Do you see the little Mickeys on it?

You can buy this at Disneystore.com.

This is a photo of the Matterhorn ride taken from the Corner Cafe that

now has the bakery in it. You can see here how overcast it was.

Is it my imagination or do these little flowers look like little Mickey heads?

These pots are hanging all down Main Street.

When I have visited Disneyland I have rarely seen the Main Street vehicles and

I couldn't resist this photo.

This flower bed looks heart-shaped to me and very shabby chic with it's

pink and white flowers.

These are the feet of my companions (my grandchildren) as we stood in line

for a bite to eat.

This is part of the Disneyland charm. This photo is dedicated to all

my family and friends that I have accompanied to Disneyland .

Mickey Mouse topiary that stands in front of the pool area of

the Disneyland Hotel.

Cute hooded bathing suit cover-up for the pool.

I'm linking with The Tablescaper for

Oh, the PLACES I've been

My First Rose Of Spring

2013-04-05T09:11:00.001-07:00

This is the first rose (Leonidas) to bloom in my garden this year.

I don't touch up the photos of my roses. I want you to see them as I see them.

Look at the exquisite colors of this rose.

These came later in a few days:

'Sentimental'

Happy Spring!

Linking with My Romantic Home

and The Tablescaper.

Chandeliers At The Gardens

2013-03-29T12:21:00.003-07:00

I wanted to share with you these beautiful chandeliers for sale at

Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar. I saw these while shopping

for plants in my garden.

While I was admiring this chandelier, the sales associate told me this

was their lowest priced chandelier at $595.00. And it could be

arranged for someone to install it in my home.

This chandelier has shell garlands hanging from it.

The shells were added and draped over the existing chandelier.

Good idea!?

Beautiful pendant lamps

Candles holders and candles for sale as well as chandeliers.

This is an upscale nursery but so worth the visit if you are

in the area. I'm not reimbursed to say this. I love this place

and the plants I buy from there thrive and do not die.

At this time, I'm using this chandelier photo that I took at the Gardens as

my header.

Happy Easter to you!

I'm linking with The Tablescaper.

Easter At The Gardens

2013-03-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

We visited Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar, California (nestled next to Newport Beach)

over the weekend. We purchased some plants for our home and I found these lovely

things celebrating Easter and spring.

Sweet baskets of all sizes from the Easter bunny.

Spring wreaths real and faux.

Beautiful beachy items for the home.

Birdcages to almost rival Rita's at the Vintage Marketplace in Rainbow, California.

All kinds of pretty planters filled with flowers. I liked this one. Altho, it is pricey at $69.95

just for the planter. I bought just the plants for $3.49 for a six pack to 4.99 for one.

Easter goodies for sale.

A surprise inside the gift shop.

Do you like blue and white? I liked this.

Roger's Gardens is a large nursery with a

fantastic selection with a beautiful gift shop.

Happy Easter! Have a lovely Spring!

I'm linking with Fiona's Green Day.

and The Tablescaper

Annual Love Fest March 2013

2013-03-15T13:25:00.001-07:00

Our Annual Love Fest was on March 2 this year('cause of everyone's schedules).

It's a get-togerther to celebrate Valentine's Day.

It was held at my best friend's home and the theme for the party

was 'The Key To My Heart'.

Our welcome to the party.

All red table with a beautiful candle centerpiece. I've shown these

with the crowns inside on my Christmas post (without the candles).

Handmade napkin rings and wine charms.

The hostess of the party made the napkin rings,

wine charms and place cards.

Handmade place cards that we got to keep.

Every napkin ring was different.

Every wine charm was different.

A box like this filled with party favors reflecting the theme was

our gift.

Mini cupcakes for dessert. Our menu consisted of melt in you mouth steaks

barbecued on the grill, garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and

onions, salad with toasted walnuts, feta cheese and dried cranberries. Before

dinner we had two hot dips (one was spinach) with heart shaped crackers.

And a pink sparkly champagne. Merlot and pinot noir were the wines with

dinner.

Some of the party favors that were in the gift box that we

got to take home. The one that says "Key To My Heart"

is a rubber stamp and the fancy key with tassel is a can opener.

The necklace I wore representing the theme that I got

at the Vintage Marketplace. See the little key and heart?

You can see the shoes I wore here.

I'm linking with The Tablescaper.

More Vintage Marketplace March 2013

2013-03-09T11:36:00.002-08:00

Lots of vintage silver.

I really like photographing this event in Rainbow (next to Fallbrook), California.

It has beautiful surprises, interesting new ideas, and very friendly vendors.

Good looking vintage table.

I like this style of chair.

Birdcages galore.

Inside Rita's booth.

More silver and lots of frames-vintage or not.

Here's an idea: hang squares from vintage quilts in vintage frames.

Showing another chandelier.

I really liked this hand painted vintage mirror by Christie Repasy.

A shopper shared this wreath purchase with me. I thought the entangled twigs were

interesting.

I bought this necklace and earrings at the Vintage Marketplace.

This is a close-up of the earrings. See the little crowns on the

ends. I got these from My Journey's Joy booth. She has

an Etsy shop.

This is a chandelier from inside the Oaks Restaurant where we had coffee. It

shares the same parking lot as the Marketplace. There is a small country store

in the same parking lot with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vintage Marketplace March 2013

2013-03-02T08:50:00.006-08:00

This time the Vintage Marketplace had a garden theme.

They had some interesting and unique vintage things for sale.

Beautiful birdhouses from Rita of Mammabellarte.

Birdcages.

Vintage fabrics, quilts, clothes and this adorable little girl's dress.

Lots of furniture.

I wanted this and lost it from thinking too long about it.

A vintage hand-painted cupboard with roses at Christie Repasy's Chateau de Fleurs.

Lots of chandeliers.

I've never seen this done before in a chandelier. What would you do with it?

This is it hung up in the booth.

Do you see the chandelier that's painted on the mirrored glass?

This was a topper on one of the booths. Lots of crowns.

Chateau de Fleurs booth. See the beautiful hand-painted mirror on the left.

Click here for a closer look.

A beautiful day.Warm. Plenty of sun shining.This is in front of Rita's booth. That's her in the

right corner of the photo. Rita and Christie put on this Vintage Marketplace 4 times a year.

A look into one of my favorite booths.

Hand made signs that plug in and light up.

Peace, Out!

You can still visit. It's open today till 4

and tomorrow.

Let It Be

2013-02-25T17:16:00.001-08:00

We've been a little under the weather here in COS land. I thought

I'd post this vintage poster I got from One Kings Lane.

I got this for Mr. COS as he is a big Beatle fan.

We were sneezing and coughing while watching the Oscars

Sunday night and rooting for Adele's song "Skyfall" from

the Bond movie of the same name. She won. Mr. COS stood

up and walked over to right in front of the TV and watched

as she performed the song as if he was deaf and dumb. He is

a big fan of the Beatles, Bond movies and Adele. In that order. He went

to the bathroom while Barbra Streisand performed, "The Way We Were.

He watched every other minute of the show this year. Unusual for him.

He is usually asleep by the first break. It helped that we had seen

Skyfall, The Life Of Pi, and Argo. Movies to root for.

Before coming down with a massive sore throat I got a

major change in my hair. After my daughter said my hair

looked brassy, I mentioned this to my hairdresser and she

went all hip and young on me and if you saw me, now, from a distance

with my sunglasses on, you would think I was in my (out of shape) twenties.

It's all due to my hairdresser, the products I use and Shaklee Instant Protein.

The products I use are expensive (so is the Shaklee) and are not free.

Come to mention it, I don't get anything for free. I take that back.

I saw "Argo" for free because my grandson is a SAG

(Screen Actor's Guild) member. He is sent movies to vote

on for 'best movie of the year' and he invited us to watch

"Argo" with him. I guess I'll have to post a pic of my hair

or you'll think I'm full of myself (I might be that, too.). I'll

have to do it soon before it grows out. Stay tuned and see

if I do.

Blue and White

2013-02-18T12:19:00.001-08:00

Most everyone likes blue and white, including me. I am posting, here,

my favorite all time blue and white painting. This looks

very blue and white shabby chic. What do you think?

This is by artist, Raoul Dufy. He was my mother's

favorite artist.A print of his famous Paris painting hangs

in the background of Helen Hunt's apartment

in the movie, "As Good As It Gets".

This is the Dufy print that is hanging in the background in a couple

of shots in the movie "As Good As It Gets".

Raoul Dufy did this, too.

This is my contribution to blue and white. This is a photograph that I took and digitally

enhanced. I know it is a lot of gall posting this on the same page as Raoul Dufy.

Happy Valentine's Day

2013-02-14T09:01:00.001-08:00

I'd thought I'd seen everything with hearts. This delightful pump is at NM $1450.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I wish you love.

Spring Hue

2013-02-07T21:13:00.002-08:00

Tying together spring and Pantone's color of the year: emerald green.

Jimmy Choo at Nordstrom $1495.00

Marc Jacobs at Nordstrom $298.00

Tory Burch at Nordstrom $345.00

Wow-perfect for this year! Oscar de la Renta for Neiman Marcus $5790.00

On a budget:

ASOS strapless sequin dress $48.37

Did you see something you like?

You can always celebrate St Patrick's Day

by wearing the color of the year! I love how

that works out.

I'll be linking with Fiona's Green Day.

Vintage Storage

2013-01-31T22:57:00.003-08:00

I store my linens and bedding in these vintage trunks. Everything is so

accessible.

My mother antiqued this trunk in the sixties.

And this trunk she antiqued a little later. I haven't redone them since.

This is the inside of the last trunk. I like having different storage

options. This is a decorative storage option. What do you

like to do for extra storage?

This is a close-up of the small tablecloth in my trunk.

I'm linking with My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Vintage Green

2013-01-24T18:11:00.001-08:00

While we wait for spring, some vintage green.

From Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture Boutique

I did not purchase this but items like this by artist Christie Repasy

will be on sale at the Vintage Marketplace at 'The Oaks'

in Rainbow, California.

Next Marketplace date is March 1, 2 and 3.

Full view of framed printed ferns.

I bought this at a now defunct

boutique in Long Beach, California.

Vintage trunk from Gum's Antique Mall in Hawaiian Gardens, California

Rachel Ashwell sham mixed with vintage green and white

sham and chenille star pillow.

I'll be linking with Fiona's Green Day

and My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Getting Ready For A Valentine's Day Party

2013-01-18T11:32:00.001-08:00

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday.

We don't get the day off from work but we should.

This is my third Valentine's Day blogging.

These are some of my favorite things I

found shopping on the web.

This is from Sur La Table $10.00

The salt and pepper shakers come with the little cage

and it is at Pottery Barn for $34.00.

Pottery Barn Set of two heart shaped dishes $18.00 and

4 love letter dinner napkins $30.00 There is still the

table runner for sale. I posted it last year here.

This is at Pottery Barn on their site. I didn't get the price

'cause I didn't realize at the time that heart and key

to the your heart were such big valentine party themes.

Pottery Barn tea towel $14.00. Can be monogrammed.

Big Lots monkies $5.00 each

For all who love Paris, I bought two of these at Target

for $1.79 each. (in store) They are sold as salad plates

but I'll probably use them as lunch plates. They are

online, too.

I originally found this poster on an

international website for sale

and now I found it at Posterplus.com.

I found this card at Target this week. It's by Papyrus and it's

expensive at $8.95. It's a beauty, even more in person

and it's the kind of card I'd like to receive.

Hometown Visit

2013-01-11T00:00:00.002-08:00

This is one of the homes on the street where I grew up in

Santa Monica, California. My best friend lived down the

block from me. Looks english, doesn't it? Most of the homes

on this street were built in the thirties as in 1930s.

Looking inside Pom Pom interiors on Montana Avenue in

Santa Monica, California. It's a few doors up from

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Boutique.

We ate here at Rosti on Montana. Good food, good service, casual

and friendly place to have lunch.

The view from Adelaide Drive to the beach on Pacific Coast Highway.

When we were kids my best friend and I walked our dogs along this drive.

The view traveling to Malibu from Santa Monica.

Wouldn't this be an awesome commute?

Peace in Malibu.

I bought this book at Zuma Moon boutique in
a little shopping mall across the street from Zuma
Beach which is north of Malibu on Pacific Coast
Highway. They are having a sale and I got 50%
off. This was a right find for me. The sale runs
thru January.

This is kind of a tease. The view was spectacular on this day.

Straight on is Pala Verdes Penisula and to the right behind

the third bush you can barely see Catalina Island.

Santa Monica Bay. The view returning to Santa Monica on

Pacific Coast Highway.

St. Monica's Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California

where my best firiend's father died on the front steps

of a heart attack. Neither of us are catholics but

he was. It's all decked out for Christmas.

I'm linking with Fiona's Green Day

and My romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Shabby Chic Visit

2013-01-03T20:28:00.001-08:00

One of the many chandeliers in Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture boutique

in Santa Monica, California. All the photos in

this post were taken at her boutique.

I love the view of this room as I walked in.

Another shabby chic chandelier to the

left of the Madonna.

Vintage mirror with a reflection of one of the pendant lights.

Mirrored chest

I like the screen behind the boudoir chair. That's a dream catcher

or two hanging on the screen.

Shabby Chic writing paper with images of chandeliers

on the surface.

One of the gorgeous shabby chic chandeliers.

In her line she carries sheets and bath towels. You

can purchase these with your monogram at her

online store.

Shabby chic tablesetting .

I'm linking with Fiona's Green Day.

And A Happy New Year

2012-12-27T12:31:00.001-08:00

Here are some images from Christmas week, celebrating Christmas eve, Christmas and

the day after. Saying good-bye to 2012. This is a shot of my friend Cristina's

chandelier in her home on Christmas eve. Cristina is my daughter's sister-in-law.

I wish you all love and happiness in 2013. This is a shot of my

grand-daughter's necklace.

Handmade bracelet from a handsome and charming Italian

gentleman, Gianni, Cristina's father.

My grand-daughter's new animal print I-phone cover.

Stylish shoes seen on Christmas eve on my daughter.

Crowns inside candle holders. I hope to post these later with candles in them.

These were a gift to my daughter.

Wrought iron front entrance on Christmas day.

Yours truly getting excited about the food on Christmas day.

My grand-daughter is taking the picture. I'm talking to her

while being very distracted by the food. As you can see

over time I've been very distracted by food. I'm

probably telling her not to take my picture.

I'm looking very grandmotherly here.

I'm wearing a Johnny Was scarf and top with an Orvis

vest. Earrings are handmade from vintage faux gems from

the forties and I'm wearing Gianni's bracelet.

The day after Christmas lunch (after shopping) in the marina in Long Beach.

Photo taken through the window of the restaurant.

This bring out the rebel in you?

Good food in a relaxed atmosphere with a fantastic view.

I'm linking with My Romantic Home for

Show and Tell Friday

A Very Merry Christmas

2012-12-20T16:33:00.002-08:00

A Very Merry Christmas from Southern California

Here are some images in and around home

this Christmas.

Cocktail napkins

Festive votives with little bells

Santa in faux fur

Reindeer with gifts

Nutcracker with drum

My heart and prayers go out to all who are stricken by the tragedy that

occurred at the Sandy Hill elementary school in Newton, Connecticut.

Chandeliers At Christmas

2012-12-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

If you know me, you know I love chandeliers. I was doing a little

Christmas shopping and came across this beautiful eye candy.

The chandelier is being reflected in a vintage mirror.

I couldn't resist posting this beauty. $85.00

All photos were taken at Country Roads Antiques

at the circle in Orange, California.