In Search of The Perfect Vintage Shop

So today I convinced my dear hubby to take me to search out for Vintage Shops.  I loved the Vintage Marketplace so much, that I wanted to find something similar. If you happen to be near the area I recommend you stop by and check them out, they happen to be in Farmington.  They open certain days of the month so keep an eye out for that, luckily they have a website that will help you track them easily, http://www.vintagemarketplace.org. This time around though we went to Stillwater.  It was like a New England style area and has plenty of spots to eat on the strip. This area has plenty of antique stores all in one main area.  So you don't have to travel far from shop to shop, you can just walk.  Now I did fall in love with a shop there.  It's called Rose Mille and it has a website that you aught to see, http://www.rosemille.com.  They happen to be relocating but if I understand correctly it's within the area.  I'm really excited to go back!

My First Black Friday

Hi! So I shopped and shopped in my first Black Friday.  I did splurge a bit.  We bought a 60" TV.  Which will be delivered on the 30th.  I went to GAP and got me some sweaters and under shirts.  Specials there were upto 60% off.  Early morning I took advantage of Anthropologie's 50% off all Sale items.  That was delicious.  And for my home I went to Pier1 of course.  I got some sweet diffusers which are on sale for $9.99.  I got me some napkin rings and napkins.  (Boho is all about artful details!) Which were 20%-25% off.  Love the details on these napkins and the rings, so, if your interested rush and grab them.  I doubt they sold out.  Hope you had a wonderful time shopping and found yourselves some amazing deals this year!!!! xo Diany

Shopping In The Winter Wonderland.

We went to two different Vintage shops today, shopping around hoping to land something sweet for my home.  First time for me experiencing snow, since I last remembered I was only a child.  I was needless to say ecstatic.

I found these beautiful vintage glasses at a shop called Vintage Marketplace.  I loved the feel of that shop.  I felt like I was surrounded by so much history, so many memories. I thought these glasses would make great vases too.  That's mainly why I fell in love with them right away.  They sold them in a set of four.  Too many for my purpose but oh well, I still go them!

I was so lucky to find this little treasure in Marshall's.  You never really know where you're going to find little treasures for the home.  I remember when I went to pay the girl at the cash register said...Oh WOW!  I'm so happy with my finds today.  I also got me some boots for the winter now.  I just ordered them at Anthropologie, I cant wait for them to arrive.  And I made a quick stop at Archiver's and got me some Winter Themed scrapbook paper.  I can't wait to build my first snowman!  I'll be posting that for all to see :)

Bohemian Flare

Above Moroccan Lanterns are from Pier 1 Imports currently on clearance.

The wall decor is also from Pier 1 Imports in select stores only.  It's been on clearance for a while so not all the stores carry it.  I just managed to get extremely lucky today and found a Pier 1 near me that had 3 of them and I snatched 1!

The cute little end table has been hand painted by yours truly.  It's one of a kind.  I loved my handy work here so I chose to post it.  If you wish to create something similar I will post the trick.

A piece of furniture you wish to salvage or any good sturdy furniture you find at garage sale that you think it worth salvaging.  Make sure its wood - so much nicer to work with.  Avoid Formica.  Have your hubby sand it down LOL.  Pick out a nice color that you like.  I chose Silver Leaf from Behr brand at Home Depot, among the whites they had.  Get a primer, prime let dry then paint and let dry.  1 coat of each need only be necessary.  Check out Micheal's and once you're there go to the stencils section. Pick out a stencil that you like.  I recommend the ones from Martha Stewart Collection.  She also carries a line of small bottles of paints in many different colors that can be used in many surfaces.  Pick your colors that you think will look good and remember to pick bright and bold.  It is what Boho is all about after all.   So once you stencil your design on and let it dry apply a stain on it.  Yes a wood stain.  I chose Provincial 211 Wood Finish from Home Depot.  While staining you must wipe it down with a dry cloth.  This will give it a distressed look  When painting furniture it's good to make full brush strokes.  Let dry,  I usually give it till the next day to complete the next process.  With a sand block, sand the edges to emphasize the distress look.  Last but not least the finish.  Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane in Clear Satin found in Home Depot too.   This will protect the furniture's paint.  Also I recommend you change the handles like I did.  Antique style furniture bring those strange looking handles I'm not crazy about.  I replaced them with handles from Anthropologie.com.

 I've been doing tons of research trying to come up with a Bohemian Style.  From what I've gathered you need to be bold in color with a Global flare, layers, layers, and more layers.  Clutter is a plus.  If I need to clutter I'm obviously going to make sure every item counts. Keep an eye out for the items I'm picking out for my home.  I will point out where I get these gems from, so, if there's anything you like by all means rush and get it before they sell out.  Please note that I've decided that most of my items will be bought on sale, and clearance.  So do rush on it if you really-really like something.

Walls are to be bold.  My Rooms are bare right now.  I still have to paint the walls and add much more decor  I'm starting from scratch sorta speak so you will be able to see how my home decor develops.  Colors have been picked out already just need to get around to painting.  I will gladly post the process and the colors I'm picking for the walls etc.  This bohemian home is a huge work in process but I am truly glad I can post it here and share it.