FASHION GIRLY FASHIONS FOR ME PLEASE

Fashion

Girly Fashions For Me Please


I love fashion and all things girly.  I always like to look well put together when I go out of the house.  I like to wear pretty clothes and complete my looks with matching jewelry, shoes and handbags.  If I do not feel well put together I have a serious issue with going out. So I decided that I am going to, over time, put together some pictures of my outfits and pieces that I wear together. To start off I wanted to share a picture of my new beautiful skirt. It is a beautiful and full light weight gauze material with a built in slip.  The front is adorned with a black rose that is made using black stitching.  It is cool, comfortable and can be dressed up or down for a great summer look.

And here is my beautiful skirt with a pretty tank, sweater, ribbon belt, bow and rhinestone shoes, necklace and bracelet.

I also have a black patent leather Guess handbag that I wear with this outfit (not in picture).

A SHABBY CHIC STATE OF MIND

I love Rachel Ashwell and her line of Shabby Chic items.  Some days I get in a sort of Shabby Chic state of mind.  I like to enjoy my Shabby Chic items and today I wanted to share a few things.  First is our bed all made up in Shabby Chic bedding by Rachel Ashwell.  I do not always make our bed and put all the pillows on it but today I felt the need to do just that. I was joking with my husband who is away for a week and I told him I thought I would make the bed and take a picture to prove it. So here is our bed all made up beautifully.

Now I am sure you might wonder about a husband and wife having such a feminine bed. Let me explain how this works. I love the look of our bedding however, my husband loves the comfort and feel of our bedding. All Rachel Ashwell bedding is made from 100% cotton. Here sheets are divine as well as her quilts. Her quilts are all very well made and are as close to Grandmother's handmade quilts as you can get. The bedding is comfortable and so fabulous to sleep in and that is how I get away with having my beautiful bedding.... 
and my husband is a manly man.....

I have not been paid or compensated to say any of this and it is my opinion only......


Next I was very surprised yesterday while visiting Michael's Craft Store.  I found a collection of Treasures Shabby Chic Stationary items.  I could not resist them so I brought home a journal, pencils, note cards and a pen.  I placed them in a vintage napkin holder that I had painted white years ago.  I have placed them on my vanity in our bedroom.  However, for the picture I placed them on top of our fireplace. AND here they are..... Aren't they lovely?

The stationary is actually a fabulous gift idea.  Make one for yourself and one for a gift.  It makes grabbing a piece of paper and pen or a note card easy when you are on the go....

For my last picture I wanted to share my Ikea chair and slipcover.  At one time Ikea offered their slipcovers in pink.  I am so glad that I bought them.  Ikea no longer carries them in pink so I am happy to have them for sure. 

SIMPLE DIY FLOWER NECKLACE

I have been so wanting to make myself a necklace that I could use those pretty fabric flowers that we all love so much.  So today I finally got around to doing just that.  I stopped at Michael's Crafts and bought some black beads for only $1.99 and a roll of sheer black ribbon for .99.  I came home and in no time I had made myself a beautiful necklace. Here are some pictures of my necklace with different flowers on it.

If you are interested in making one for yourself here are the instructions.  Select any beads that you like and join them together.  Cut 2 long pieces of ribbon and tie the ribbon onto the beads (leaving the two strands of beads at different lengths).  On one side tie a matching bow where the ribbon is tied to the beads.  On the other side attach the flower of your choice.  I use flowers with pin backs on them so that I can use the pin closure to attach it to the necklace.  The flowers can also be worn by them self.  And there you have it..... A fast, easy and simple necklace to make.

THE TROUBLE WITH ME

Recently I finally (after a very very long time) was diagnosed with Osteomalacia, Pernicious Anemia and Hypothyroidism. I have been diagnosed for many years with Fibromyalgia. I am learning what it means to have these deficiencies and how to deal with them. I will take B12 shots and massive amounts of Vitamin D for the rest of my life. I am OK with that part, it is the being sick so much that I am having a hard time dealing with. As time goes by I hope to learn how to feel better and enjoy life as much as I can. My greatest hope is to live a long life and watch my 2 girls grow up and become beautiful women. I love my family so very much and I feel for their suffering as I struggle to deal with what has happened to me. I want to be the best person I can be for them. Please keep me in your prayers.

MOLE FOR CHEMISTRY - TIPPY MOLE

Mole For Chemistry

TIPPY MOLE

My daughter had an assignment for chemistry that required making a stuffed mole. A mole is a measurement used in chemistry to express amounts of a chemical substance. Since we always like to be green we decided to up cycle some things we had around the house. We found a fabulous old pillow (animal print) and it had plenty of stuffing in it. We found an old black shirt and lots of old buttons and ribbon and some pipe cleaners. We even used an old pink stocking. We worked together and she turned out so cute. The mole had to have personality so we made her a Fashionista, a writer and a student.My daughter had an assignment for chemistry that required making a stuffed mole. A mole is a measurement used in chemistry to express amounts of a chemical substance. Since we always like to be green we decided to up cycle some things we had around the house. We found a fabulous old pillow (animal print) and it had plenty of stuffing in it. We found an old black shirt and lots of old buttons and ribbon and some pipe cleaners. We even used an old pink stocking. We worked together and she turned out so cute. The mole had to have personality so we made her a Fashionista, a writer and a student.

If you are searching for the pattern you can find it here:

Chemistry Mole Pattern

See you soon,
Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

VINTAGE ARCOROC PINK SWIRL GLASS

Vintage Arcoroc Pink Swirl Glass

I was watching Roseanne's Nuts the other day (OK this is not a show I would normally admit to watching but I was waiting for something else to come on Lifetime, so yeah I was watching it, kind of) and she was visiting her Mom.  In her mother's kitchen I saw pink swirl Arcoroc glass and it made want to share a picture of my collection of vintage pink swirl ARCOROC glass.  Roseanne's Mom had it sitting on shelves in her kitchen.  I would never keep mine out like that because I simply could not keep it clean but it did look beautiful.  Instead I keep my collection in a vintage hutch.

  It is usually collected as circa 1950s glass and that is true to some extent but it was actually produced until the 1970s.  Some people mistakenly call it depression glass but it is not depression glass but it is FRENCH glass.  If you ever have a chance to hold a piece of French glass in your hands you will understand why it is so collectible.  It is a very high quality glass and it's beauty is beyond compare.  

This is a beautiful set for parties and intimate dinners. 

Till next time,
Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

LAURA ASHLEY DINNERWARE

Here are a few more pieces of my

Laura Ashley Dinnerware.

This set was called Celia


I have the Tea Set

Dessert set

and

Dessert/Sandwich Plates

I believe the Laura Ashely - Celia porcelain has been discontinued.  I have not seen it in any shops in years. I am vary happy that I have it in my collection of porcelain/china

CAKE POPS!!!!!!!!!!

Cake Pops

Me and my girls are going to make some cake pops.  We are excited and we will be sure to post pictures when we make them.  I picked this up at Ross Dress for Less for only $9.99. 

More to come.....

OK we made our cake pops. Me and my two girls had the most fun and made the biggest mess I have ever made in my kitchen.  The mess can be cleaned up but the fun with my girls will last forever!

Here are our creations!

LAURA ASHLEY DINNERWARE

Laura Ashley Dinnerware

(The chargers seen behind my dinnerware were hand painted

 by me to go with my new dinnerware)

On a beautiful white shelf that my husband and I built sits some of my Laura Ashley Petite Fleur Dinnerware.   This beautiful set has a soft pink border and is adorned with pink roses.  It is so feminine and beautiful and it makes a lovely table setting.   I like to pair it with pink drinking glasses and a lace tablecloth.  Oh and my little bird salt and pepper (see them in the picture). 

My sweet husband bought a set for me on my 40th Birthday.   I was so delighted with it that I asked for another set for Christmas.  My Birthday is in December so I did not have to wait to long to get my second set.  Combined I have 8 sets of the 6 piece place settings.  That following year I managed to get 2 different tea sets by Laura Ashley (teapot, 4 mugs and 4 plates each set), 2 Petite Fleur serving platters and a large Petite Fleur serving bowl.  I later found the Laura Ashley Celia sandwich/snack plates and cups.   I have 2 sets of those each with 4 plates and 4cups.

 I love my Laura Ashley porcelain and I am glad that I was able to get it before it disappeared off the market.  I believe this set came out in 1976 and has since been discontinued.  It is very difficult to find now but I have seen some pieces on eBay from time to time. 

 Here is a stock image from the set.

If you arrived here through my Pinterest, here is a link to eBay where you might still find a few pieces from this set.

eBay

Thank you for stopping by,
Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

PINK GOOSEBERRY (CINDERELLA) PYREX

This is my collection of Pink Gooseberry (Cinderella) Pyrex. I use these almost everyday (well the mixing bowls) and I love them. I have collected them over the years at thrift shops and some are from eBay. They just do not make them like this anymore. They make me smile when I open my cabinet and see them, so I wanted to share a picture of them.

WHAT MAKES A MAN AN ATTRACTIVE MAN

What Makes A Man An Attractive Man?

Recently I was in a situation that caused me to consider what it is that makes a man an attractive man.  We have all seen men who behave badly and when I do it makes me admire my husband all the more.  I had an encounter with a man that was, lets just say, not pleasant.  He was rude, disrespectful and kept asserting his authority over others.  His language and topics for discussion were both vulgar and offensive.  We were attending a formal function and he was just down right out of line and certainly no gentleman.  He was perhaps one of the most unattractive men I have ever encountered.  So I was forced to think about what it is that makes a man an attractive man.

I not talking about being physically attractive but being attractive as a whole being.  A man must be kind, trustworthy, dedicated, caring, honest, respectful and just an all round good person.  Honor and great integrity are two of the most important attributes for an attractive man.  Yet perhaps what makes a man the most attractive is his humility.  I think this is the one quality that all men should possess but only a few can master.  The ability to be respectful, ego less and humble.

So what makes a man an attractive man?  HUMILITY and by demonstrating his humility a man becomes an attractive man and thus a Gentleman.   I am truly blessed to have such a gentleman in my life.

Just my thoughts, 

Beverly

Tea Cottage Pretties

BEAUTIFUL FRIENDS

Aren't my Easter flowers beautiful! These were sent to me from a Dear Friend Miss Valerie. I think these are the most beautiful flowers I have ever been given. It just makes you feel wonderful to be thought so well of by a friend. Thank you Valerie for making my day... With love, Beverly

WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?

Being a military family I always go to the commissary once a month. The commissary uses baggers that work solely for tips. So today I bought my groceries and my bagger was an older gentleman. He must have been in his eighties if not older. I watched this gentleman and realized that he could barely walk and had to hold himself up on my car in order to place my bags inside. I wanted to help him so I grabbed our water (heavy stuff when you have 36 bottles of it) and I placed it in the car for him. He turned to me and said "no that's my job.". I realized that being old school I may have insulted him by doing this for him. It was truly my good nature but it was his nature to work for his money. I stood there fighting as hard as I could not to cry. It took everything I had in me to keep a straight face. The only thing that kept resonating through my mind was WHY? Why is this gentleman here doing this job? What is wrong with us when our older generation has to work like this to make a few dollars so they can eat? We must strive to honor those before us and to give them the dignity they deserve. They are not trash to be disposed of but human beings worthy of honoring.

A PORCELAIN HEART FOR BEVERLY

Recently I found a lady on Etsy that makes beautiful porcelain pieces using a process called sublimation.  Of course I love decorated pieces of porcelain so I had to get something special for myself.  She made a heart for me and I asked her to put Eric and Beverly on the backside of the heart.  Well today it came in the mail and I love it.  I immediately went to work to make a necklace for myself.  Here is my beautiful new necklace.

For such a lovely piece her prices are very affordable.

HOLIDAY SNOW VILLAGE

Every year I put out my village. I made the houses and church and I love to add beautiful bottlebrush trees. I try to add some new vintage items and this past year was no exception. I added all sorts of vintage snowmen and some lovely snow babies!

VINTAGE SNOWMEN

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am crazy for vintage items. I especially love vintage paper and spun cotton. This Holiday Season I added some really sweet vintage snowmen to my collection. I just love these little guys!

SNOW ANGELS

Today I was happy to get my vintage snow angels in the mail.  They looked a little worse for ware so I had to freshen them up.  After some love and attention they came out looking good as ever. So without further adieu here they are in their new home.

HOLIDAY DECORATING WITH VINTAGE LOVE

More decorating....

My Holiday Table and my vintage pink bottle brush wreath!!!!

This is my vintage dolly all dressed up for Christmas.

My new vintage pink angels. They have spun cotton heads and were made in Japan in the 1960's. I have 5 in all.

Here you see my vintage snowman, angle, reindeer, Santa and one of my paper houses in my village.

Here you see my tiny little vintage pink angels also from the 1960's.

NEEDLE FELTING

I am still busy as a bee with my needle felting and decorating. I finished my needle felt SNOW LADY on 11/15/2011. She turned out really sweet. Here are a few pictures of her.