Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Housework...The never ending story

image via

Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of dirt. Be it laundry, dishes, cob webs or just clutter in general I never seem to have everything clean at once. I'd like to interject here that my standards are not very high, I'm just talking about an empty kitchen sink or seeing the rare and elusive bottom of the laundry basket.

I feel like I'm stuck in the same problem areas all the time (kitchen/laundry room/living room) while some rooms, I literally won't step foot into for a week at a time. I want to feel like I've collectively gotten every room clean at the same time...I know, fantasy island, right?

So I've devised a new plan, I'll let you know if it works, today is Day One of a 30 day personal challenge.
5 minutes, every room, everyday! That's it!
My Aunt always says to just do little bits everyday and it will add up, so I'm hoping that rings true. My strategy is to choose a different cleaning activity to power out on everyday. Today's mission; eliminate garbage and items for donation. So I'm going to hit every room with two bags, one for trash, one for the goodwill.

Five minutes, every room, everyday....in my house this equals one hour so we'll see what I can accomplish. I'll keep you posted. :)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

High hopes

Picture courtesy of heatherbullard.typepad.com

I've been with my hubbie since high school and over the years I've learned a few tricks when it comes to negotiating for things that I want. Anyone who's been married for awhile knows that marriage is a dance...one might even call it a balancing act. Give and take, trying to lean his way on some issues and hopefully he in mine.

I struggle to effectively communicate my wants. It's a flaw, what can say. I ALWAYS have a definite idea of what I want, but rarely do I shoot for the stars and ask for everything. I think it's my natural defense mechanism...if I don't ask, I can't get let down when I don't receive. The problem is my poor husband isn't a mind reader, so with my latest project I've decided to shoot for the moon. I figure if I aim for a 10 and get a 7, I'm still ahead. Usually, I would express the desire of a 5 get a 2 and be left pissed. Men of the world this is why women drive you crazy.

So what is this mystery project? A chicken cottage! I don't think that the term "coop" sums up what I'm shooting for. A "coop" doesn't have an foreye, pitched roof with awning and most important chandelier! "Chandelier in a chicken coop.....are you crazy?" my hubbie asked. No I'm not crazy, but I know he doesn't think I am. Over the years he has learned that the details matter to me (I love that he's able to see that).
photo courtesy of vintagehome.tumbler.com

I am very fortunate to have both the space and the man power to achieve what I want, now I just have to start gathering the supplies. I have champagne taste and beer pockets, so this project is definitely going to take some scrounging.
photos courtesy of thefancyfarmgirl.com

In addition to being pretty, the cottage also needs to actually effectively and safely house my lovely chickens. And yes, to the Bruhns out there reading, there will be an honorary "Plucka". What type of chickens do I want? Just regular laying hens and one rooster. None of those fancy pants furry fluffy chickens...not my style.
photo via pinterst unknown source

photo courtesy of picasaweb.google.com

I've been trolling pintrest for ideas and coop eye candy, I hope to include some of the pictured design ideas. ;) You can't blame a girl for trying!
photo via pinterst source unknown

Monday, January 7, 2013

Deep Thoughts Monday

"The purpose of life, after all,
is to love it,
to taste the utmost,
to reach out eagerly and without fear
for newer and richer experience."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Treasure hunting!

Today's loot

One of the best parts of the antique business is shopping for treasures! One of the reasons I became an antique dealer is because of years of inadvertent training I had as a kid. If I had a nickel for every time I went to a thrift store or the Goodwill with my mom...I'd be rich!

I remember this one place called the "Bargain Store". It sold beads and all sorts of bits and cool things, the owner would barter and trade, which made it a favorite of my moms. Even in my late teens I would frequent Antique stores to drool over the Jadite dishes and depression glass.

My taste in antiques has changed over the years, but my love for the older and weathered has not. I think old things just have more personality...and besides, it's just in my blood. I couldn't just fill my house with new things, I literally wouldn't know how.

I'm always on the hunt for things for resale, so you would think that I'm constantly finding wonderful treasures for myself as well, right? WRONG...I completely forget to shop for myself! It's actually a resolution of mine, to shop for myself as well as my retail space.

So what have I been looking for? My new space at Summer Cottage is fairly mono-chromatic, which makes shopping and staging really simple. I'm always on the hunt for ironstone, great furniture that I can paint, interesting farm/industrial items, enamelware and cool bits that jump out at me. I think the best thing to remember as an antique dealer is, if you love it, someone else will too. With that I'll leave you with some pics of things I'm in love with now...hopefully the new year will bring plenty of these stunning items my way!
Ironstone!!!
Unique Boxes and crates  
Butter Pats!!!

Natural wood furniture and cubbies  
Carts and industrial salvage
Galvanized anything & everything!
Latte bowls 
Ohh....and there's so much more!!! Here's to prosperous and happy treasure hunting to all in 2013!!!