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Today is the beginning of a new year which, for most people, also marks a fresh resolve to become happier, healthier, richer, or skinnier.

It's good to make goals. Proverbs says that where there is no vision, people perish (29:19), and that when our goals are in accord with His revealed will and purpose for our lives, we can expect His blessing (James 4:3).

My goal, by the grace of God, is to love.

I'm not just talking about loving people who are easy to love: my children, husband, parents, blogging pals, and others who are dear to my heart. It takes no effort to be patient, kind, and enduring to those who share my beliefs, convictions, and ideas and love me back.
"For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:32-36Love is sacrifice. Love is love when it involves how I relate to the unlovable.

Love gives, expecting nothing in return (Luke 6:35). Love gives up sleep to nurse my babe in the middle of the night; baby-sits other children without believing their parents owe me one; stuffs envelopes for ministry organizations without expecting a paycheck or a pat on the back.

Love blesses those who curse me (Luke 6:28). Love responds with a soft answer to those who troll my Facebook page and blog, watching for opportunities to leave critical, harsh, or dissenting comments that prove how little I really know.

Love does not insist on having its own way (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love enables me to give up my clothing preferences and paint color choices for my husband's and fold his socks like his Mom folded them. Love makes submission a joyful service. Love cares for families who are contagious with the flu I haven't had yet. Love puts someone else ahead of myself.

Love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love doesn't snap "Hurry up; we're going to be late!"; "Don't you get this? We've been through it a thousand times!"; or get aggravated by piles of clothes on the floor, a toothpaste cap gone missing, or toilet seat in the upward position.

Love does not envy (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love is content. Love does not wish for someone else's clothes, personality, beauty, vacations, husband, degree, position, environment, fame, or fortune (Exodus 20:17).

Love does not boast (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom. Love can only boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection (How Deep The Father's Love For Us by Stuart Townend). Love remembers that Jesus came into this world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1:15).

Love is not arrogant or rude (1 Corinthians 13:4). Love does not engage in personal attacks, but informs and reasons in kindness and truth. Love presents opinions on educational methods, vaccines, diets, and birth control for the purpose of being helpful, not hurtful.

Love is not irritable or resentful (1 Corinthians 13:5). Love does not look for ways to be offended or take opportunities to hold a grudge. Love does not judge another's motives. Love assumes the very best of others in the same way I want them to assume the very best about me (Luke 6:31). Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love forgives seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22).

Love does not rejoice at wrong doing, but rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6). Love does not mean I will refuse to quote passages like 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11 for fear of offending homosexuals. Love is intolerant of abortion, Islam, homosexuality, humanism, adultery, theft, gambling, and drunkenness because they are opposed to Truth. When we condone sin by our silence or our fear of man rather than God, we keep people from Truth instead of leading them to it. Love desires another's salvation over their damnation.

Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Love doesn't worry about what people think of me or if they gossip behind my back. Love does not fear rejection, criticism, false accusations, disapproval, or misunderstanding. Love is concerned with keeping God's commandments (John 14:15), the chief of which is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself."(Luke 10:27)

If I do not have love, I have nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2), but I can love because He loved me first and His love never fails (1 John 4:19; 1 Corinthians 13:8). He offered His only Son as a ransom to prove His love and that kind of self-sacrifice is what I want to mark my relationships in 2014 and onward.

Have you resolved to do anything differently this year? Can you sum it up in a word? I'd love to hear the goal you're pursuing this year!

***
To help you start off the New Year with a new attitude, we've put our 153-page eBook, The Pursuit of Motherhood on sale for $3.99 (reg. $7.99)! You can read more about it and view the Table of Contents here.

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If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife

One of my favorite things to do (besides shopping for bargains) is to walk around my local neighborhoods and look at houses. I love to garner ideas for landscaping; to check out the various homes for sale and their prices, and just to enjoy the different architectural styles. I LOVE to see how people live. I'm a lifestyle voyeur *winks* Big/little beautiful/ugly I don't care! I'd love to walk through each and every house to see what's about? You're probably thinking "That girl needs therapy!" And to that I say "Nay! I just need a better pair of walking shoes!" *winks* In the neighborhood where I live it's predominantly 1990's Mc mini mansions that all seem to look alike. So what I love about the neighborhood I'm featuring here is all the different housing styles within blocks of each other. None of these homes are a show stopper, but they all have their own unique charm (At least in my opinion) They range in price from about $250,000 to 700,000. So nice smaller homes (With the exception of one) that almost anyone could start off with. So join me in a little tour of this hood... We'll start with this cutie in red. Turn of the century, nice flowers cute wreath on the door. Altogether a welcoming little home dontcha' think? All it needs is a cat on the porch. *winks*

Or how about this little beauty in yellow? It's neat as a pin!
(You can click to enlarge)

I really liked the wrought iron arbor gate. Looks like a pretty backyard too doesn't it?

This little blue 1930's house feels very East Coast seaside cottage to me. I love the large grouping of lavender in the front. It softens the look of the house and smells wonderful too... (Note to self to plant more lavender ASAP!)

I thought we could pause for just a moment and enjoy these hydrangeas.

This little cutie on a corner lot was/is for sale. High 200k's 1100 sq ft but isn't it adorable?

Just look at the front porch! Tiny but as cute as can be! Love the letter G on the front to detract from the iron security door... Hmmm maybe they should get rid of that one?... It does make for a nice contrast though. More lavender ahhhhhh fresh!

Or how about this little house in gray? Hard to see but the doors are painted a dark burgundy. Love the old screen doors! (You can click to enlarge)

Or maybe a petite Tudor is more to your liking? The people who live here were working in their yard and I snuck this one in just in time before they caught me camera handed! *swipes brow* Embarrassment averted!

Could any of my horticultural friends tell me what kind of rose (?) this is? It grows in a huge bush and is sooo loaded with flowers? I needs me some!

Closeup.

And this one? I also love the soft look of it. I'm a complete zero when it comes to plants. But I'm trying to learn...

This one was one of my favorites! It felt so "small italianate" to me. I'd buy it in a heartbeat; interior sight unseen were it for sale. It really spoke to me! (You can click to enlarge)

Or how about some mid century blues? Those plants had to be growing like that from the time I was a kid? They're huge... And I love them!

The neatest house on the block! Good lordy I bet weeds run screaming from this house! They wouldn't dare try to sneak in here! No no no! Unlike my yard where I think I could open a moss farm *winks* At least it feels wonderful under foot!

This will NOT be a pause that refreshes... because... It's ALIVE!! I looked down and thought I'd stepped in some dirt... But Nooooo they're ants! Eeeeesh!! I'm getting the creeps all over again just writing this!

How about a little french flavor? Oui je t'aime!

I'm sorry about the picture quality of this one but I had to show you the front before I showed you the back. Looks like a cute little shingled cottage doesn't it? Very sweet!... But deceiving because...

It drops off a whole other story and is over 4000 sq ft.

Couldn't this one be wonderful with the right person to love it? I'd start by getting rid of that tree. Sorry I love trees more than most but that one has got ta go!

But my favorite of all!! The cutest, most wonderful, captured my heart abode, was this little baby in blue gray! Come to mama baby boy!!

Cute in all directions!

Let me just get my bicycle and we can hit the trail!

I hope you enjoyed this stroll in my little corner of the world. Did you have a favorite? Do you love to house snoop as much as I do? Please share! I'd love to hear from you! Vanna

I could just cry. My newest post disappeared in all the blogger madness. Friday the 13th... go figure!! So for those that left me comments thank you! I really appreciated them. Did any of you lose posts also?
Well here goes again...
I wanted to share some of my dream sofas with you. There are LOTS of pictures because I have LOTS of favorite sofas and these barely scratch the surface. Won't you join me for a minute (or ten *winks*) and dream along with me?
Warning in advance... I don't like much that's shiny bright. I really prefer a time worn well loved patina. So if modern and sleek is your thing? This isn't for you... Just sayin'
OK let me start with this piece of deliciousness! Part chaise part sofa. Can't you imagine this with some large down aubusson pillows? I think I could lounge here all day! Maybe I could get my hubby to feed me some grapes? LOL!

This is my own living room sofa and I really do love it. It has its original silk upholstery from the 1920's and the cushions are pure down. It looks great until you sit on it and then it looks a flat mess.

I'd trade it in a red hot minute for this one from Rubylane (11k on sale HERE) *gulps and *drools*... Not a pretty sight! LOL! Me not the sofa!

Or this wonderful corbeille style. Corbeille translates to basket in French.

Isn't this one gorgeous?

This one has room for lots of friends!

I love the grand decay of this one

I really love high backed sofas and the enclosed safe feeling they provide. One of the sofa styles that lends itself to this wonderfully is the knole sofa or settee. The knole dates from 17th century England as is named for Knole House in Kent. It was originally used as a type of throne. Both the sides and back are equal in height and each end is tied on the top with ropes which fold down to create a lounge of sorts. Honestly I'm not sure what this is all about? But it is cool don'tcha think?

Many years ago I fell in love with the knole sofa in Rose Tarlow's living room. It had the perfect patina. Just the right amount of wear and tear and it didn't hurt that it was chinoiserie in style either *winks*

Weeeellll eventually Ms. Tarlow decided to let it go and it turned up on 1st dibbs. Alas it was not to be in my home because at 13k (If I remember correctly) it wasn't in my price point *sighs* Isn't it fab? Maybe a little too shabby for some, but I LOVE it!!

This one would make a nice alternative.

I love the antique 17th century tapestry on this one.

This is a set of knole sofas in Sidney Poitier's living room. Just gorgeous!

And this one in pink is adorable!

I finally managed after years of searching to find my own lil' pink knole sofa. It's from the 1920's and also has down filled cushions. I found it in a local antique store for $300. I'm thinking of adding some fringe to the bottom. Do you think I should? This one is a keeper!

Here's where it ties at the top.

And changing direction a little I'm also wild for french daybeds! Are you? I immediately fell in love with this smooshy wooshy perfect daybed that belongs to Joni's (Cote de Texas) sister in law's sister (Did you catch that? LOL!) I don't usually love blue but I'd redecorate my entire living room for this one!

Love this Louis XVI style.

And this one.Those little bolster pillows make me weak in the knees every time!

And I also love this Louis XV style...

This is my own antique Louis XV daybed. I purchased it without really thinking about where it might go in my house? I had visions of lounging upon it in front of a sunny window with a good book. Usually this devil may care strategy works for me but not this time *sighs* There just isn't room (Or enough sunny windows!) So off to etsy it will go. An expensive mistake.

Hand carved details.

I found this similar one in gray at the Paris Apartment Boutique that I love!

I'm also mad for the smaller corbeille settees! Each one wraps itself around you like a nice hug!

Tatty but darling.

Beautiful in aubusson.

Lovely in salmon.

Luscious in silk.

I'll just have to be happy for now with my little $60ish funky green velvet settee (in my home gym) from craigslist. At least until that money tree in my backyard starts to grow. *winks*

I'm also crazy for the English chesterfield. This one is my dream come true! Perfectly aged and worn leather from the 19th century.

And this one is mine. In this delusion *winks* I had an English library with a roaring fire and floor to ceiling leather books... But again in reality not the space *sighs* And the scale was all wrong for what I actually DO have. So off to craigslist it goes.

And yet another dream piece run amok. I love this french iron crib/daybed! Don't the textiles just make it in this shot?

And my own very similar iron daybed. I bought it as an outdoor sofa for my side deck but it really isn't sturdy enough for multiple people to sit on. Especially in my family where some people tend to be + sized *winks* So off to etsy it goes.

So some of the dream pieces I've managed to aquire turned out to be lifelong keepers and others not quite so dreamy after all. Have you experienced this? Longing for a certain piece for years and years only to find that the reality didn't meet your expectations? Or surpassed them? I'd love to hear your stories! Meanwhile I'm going to keep on dreaming... You never know what you'll find at the next garage sale *winks* Vanna
I'm joining my friend Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

And Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

Jill at The French Country Cupboard for:

And my dear friend Laurie at Bargain Hunting And Chatting With Laurie for:

Yesterday Iwoke up overwhelmed - never a good sign. My to-do list for the day was longer than my arm. I wanted to crawl back under the covers and hibernate until the middle of January until after the Christmas dust had settled.

The schedule for the day included attending our Ladies Christmas Tea at Church - something I look forward to every year. Something I was supposed to bring homemade goodies along to as a gift to our Senior members and shut-ins.

I hadn't baked anything.

Also on the list was finishing an article for Free Homeschool Deals, picking up a car-seat swing for our new church, buying a birthday present for my brother, baking cookies for two separate exchanges, tackling seven loads of laundry, and replying to an overflowing inbox... after homeschooling and taking care of supper.

I wanted to cry. I felt stressed and irritable. When I'm stressed and irritable, I get snappy. I've learned that snapping at my kids doesn't make them work any faster or harder; it drags them down and puts a wedge in our relationship. Ain't Momma happy, ain't nobody happy.

I didn't want my kids to have another day with a snappy Mom. They had too many of those already this month. Something had to give, and I decided it wasn't going to be them. They had given me plenty of grace lately, more than I was worthy of.

I cancelled everything.

I didn't go to the Ladies Tea. I emailed the hosts of the cookie exchanges I had committed to and apologized for over-committing myself; I just couldn't do it this year. I turned off the computer and refused to check my email until the kids were in bed. I closed the door to the laundry room and put the "out of sight, out of mind" rule to the test. Picking up the swing and buying the birthday present could wait until tomorrow.

I cleared the schedule. I had a day free of commitments; a day where I could enjoy my children all to myself and they could enjoy a happy Mommy whose focus was on them and not the things she had to prepare or the places she had to go.

I started the morning with devotions, something I had skipped for a few days because I was "too busy." Ironic and shameful isn't it? The Christmas Season was too busy for me to spend time with the Reason for the Season.

I found my place in 1 Corinthians.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends... " 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
"Oh, Lord," I prayed, "please help me to love the precious souls you've entrusted into our care with that kind of love today."

I woke up the kids by whispering "Mommy loves you! We're going to have a super fun day today!" They opened their eyes immediately and smiled. "We are? What are we going to do? Are we going somewhere?" "Nope. We're just going to stay home all day. Mommy's going to play with you, and read books, and we're going to have lots of fun doing school!"

"Okay! I'm excited about that, Mommy!" I didn't rush them to get dressed or scarf down their breakfast. There was no reason to hurry. They were in the best of moods and I found myself enjoying their chatter. How had I let those adorable giggles get on my nerves?

They laughed when I told them they could do three jumping jacks for every flashcard they got correct. They got more right then the day before when I told them how many they were getting wrong.

We baked cookies, seven dozen of them. I put away my perfectionist tendencies and let the kids help me roll the dough balls. They weren't uniform in size like they are when I roll them. There were small cookies, and big cookies; cookies that looked like snakes, and cookies that looked liked they were rolled by a two-year-old. They looked better than they ever had. Tasted better too.

We read books on the couch, one child leaning on my right shoulder, one child leaning on my left shoulder, and a baby on my lap trying to eat the pages. "Can we read another one?" they asked. "We like it when you read us books!"

They felt satisfied by the undivided attention and went off to play. I started tackling the mountain of dirty dishes in the sink and had the counters sparkling by dinner. We enjoyed the Cream of Broccoli Soup that the kids helped me make.

Not everything was picture perfect about our day. The potty-training child had more than one accident, the baby was teething, I burned the last batch of cookies, and the living room was far from spotless by the time Brad came home from work. Many times I had to remind myself, "love is patient and kind... love endures all things... "

But our day was happy, peaceful, and far more productive than I had imagined it would be. I enjoyed my kids and they enjoyed their Mom.

Quite possibly, I disappointed more than one person by cancelling all my plans, but I didn't disappoint our kids. You can't please everyone all the time; sometimes you have to pick and choose who gets your attention and who is going to feel slighted even if slight is never intended.

I'm no expert (as evidenced by the circumstances that led up to this day), but if you have to choose between your children or another thing, or place that needs your attention, choose the souls that have been entrusted to your care. Cookie exchanges and Christmas Teas are lovely but happy, peaceful children in a happy, peaceful home with a happy, peaceful mother are even lovelier.

If the busyness of the Christmas Season has you wound up tighter than an eight-day clock, consider making the following changes:

• Just say "no." Practice with me, "Nooooooooo." That's it! You can also add "I've got too much on my plate right now," for clarification.
• Ask your husband. This advice comes from my friend Stephanie at Who Can Stand. She says, "Andrew never minds if I want to "blame" him for having to turn something down. We got this wonderful idea from Gord and Paula, and it seems men are less likely to care what others think than we are. So if it is easier to say, "Oh, I just can't take that on - my husband thinks I've got too much already," then check with Brad and see if you can 'blame' him too!"
• Spend time with the Christ of Christmas. You cannot survive without Him, but you can thrive within Him.
• Subscribe to Homeschooling Enrichment. Seriously. I love curling up with this extraordinary Christian homeschooling magazine for inspiration and vision at the end of long days. It ignites the fire when it's almost out, helps me re-focus, and keep my priorities aligned as they should be (You can read more about why I love it here, or purchase it for 58% OFF the cover price here).
• Clear your schedule. Wipe it clean. Commit to nothing but your kids. See if it's not the best day of the year, in their books and in yours.
• Determine not to yell at your children to obey. Otherwise, you are actually training them not to obey until you shout. Call and instruct them in your regular voice. Correct them calmly, firmly, and consistently until they respond promptly to your first call.
• Remember that a good education is life-integrated and not confined to a textbook. Make it fun! Reward correct answers with jumping jacks Count baking cookies as Home Ec. Sing carols around the neighborhood for Music. Read Luke 2 for Bible Time. Teach fractions with the clementines you're snacking on. Go tobogganing or skating for Phys Ed.
• Take a break. Who says you can't?
• Tell your kids you love them. It's hard to feel stressed or angry when you say those three uplifting words: "I love you."

Looking for more practical homeschool encouragement? Our new eBook, Homeschooling Day by Day is available for $2.00 until January 17! It's 40 chapters of realism, practical advice, and plenty of grace from homeschooling Moms on every stage of the journey. You can read the Table of Contents here.

Homeschooling Day By Day: $2.00 40 Chapters (with Discussion Questions)
PDF Version:

KINDLE version:

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This post contains affiliate links. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife

I'll start with my good find. This beautiful lady came from a local antique store. I paid $110. Not inexpensive to be sure, but I fell in love with her! Anything with tattered old velvet seems to get my attention. So I'll be eating mac and cheese for awhile... I have my priorities lol! She had the name of a jewelry store on the back and I was able to research a little and find that she had been framed in 1873. And as I was browsing ebay I found her match! He was too expensive for me to purchase at this time ($777 Or Best Offer) but I will be on the hunt for another now that I know he exists!

Isn't this frame beautiful?

Close up

Here is the matching gentleman I found on ebay. Not so nice a frame as mine. She was a pretty good score I think?

Now on to the good book... While I was browsing decor books at Barnes and Noble looking for something french (As usual) I stumbled across this book. Not impressed with the cover at all, but since there wasn't much else to look at I opened it up... Oh my goodness! Not what I expected! The beautiful images of grand antique rooms rich with character enchanted me at first glance! I felt as if I'd stumbled upon a secret. The perfect antique design book in disguise. Maybe you'll feel the same way? *winks*
Warning: This book nor the following images are for the minimalist. But if you're a more is more kinda gal like me you're going to love them!
Text by Carl Skoggard and (Dreamy!) pictures by Derry Moore (12th Earl Drogheda)

I love the bed canopy. Actually I love EVERYTHING in this room!

Some dark romance...

Oh how I love the dilapidated beauty of this one!

This image is for my friend Dawn the bohemian. It's Nureyev's apartment. Looks to be the perfect place for one of Dawn's fabulous tea parties. We can all sit on the floor and luxuriate *winks*

And this image is for my friend Andie who'll probably whip this up in a weekend using old scraps of silk and re purposed furniture *winks* Yes she's that kind of talented! See her post here and you'll know what I mean. Love love love this bedroom!

I sold a piece very similar to this one and now I could scream!

How's this for a plate display?

I LOVE this rococo piece topped by an old lampshade! (Carl Skoggard's) Hey wait... I HAVE that same lampshade! Mine is a little worse for wear)

I wandered around my house hoping a fabulous rococo piece would jump out at me so I could plop my ole lampshade on it... but this was the best I could do. Looks pretty cute on her I think? *winks*

That's Miss Joannie saying "Thank you for dropping by!"
If you loved the images from this book as much as I did you can find it here for as low as $6.19 (Including shipping) Truly a bargain IMHO. Vanna
I'm joing up with the wonderful Linda at A LA CARTE below. Please click to connect to the other wonderful junkin' finds!

And the lovely Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

As well as my dear friend Laurie at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie for:

Bonjour mes amis!
I thought I would take a little break from the regular Flea Market posts this week and share one of my little cabinets-o-stuff with you.
Really it's just another Flea Market Finds, but with stuff I've had a lot longer *winks*

AND I have another GIVEAWAY for this week so keep reading! One more week to go!
But first let me share the WINNER of last weeks little blanc de chine heart... It's...

CYNTHIA!!!
(Cynthia please email me with your mailing address OK?)

Moving on to my little cabinet.
It's choc a block full of little this-n-thats. I'd love to share a few of my favorites with you. And I'd love your opinion on a few of them too *winks*
Warning if an abundance of crap stuff makes you crazy?
This is NOT the post for you!
There is no rhyme or reason to how anything is placed in this cupboard, I pretty much shove things around until I can sneak in one more piece... Yes hoarders cabinet... quelle surprise lol!

This is the top shelf full of many things I've already shared and more I haven't.

The second shelf

The third... Remember my blue opaline urns? They're hiding out in here.

And the bottom which isn't visible through glass.

This little nude is one of my favorite pieces. She's 18th century German by the Hochst factory. I found her at an auction and paid $75 (Which was a lot for me at the time) because I loved her so much! I found her HERE on Ruby Lane for $1750! So I guess she was a pretty good deal after all! She's dated 1771. Isn't she cool?

And this Victorian brass and mother of pearl dinner bell is another one of my favorite thrifty finds.

This is my favorite perfume bottle by the Apollo company from somewhere around 1912 -1920. It was part of an auction lot that I paid $25 for. I've been looking for years for another without any luck... but I adore the hunt! Don't you? And the perfume still smells pretty good too! *winks*

This little art deco flower frog was a thrift store find, as are most of the items in here.

I don't know what this little silver cherub mount/applique was originally used on? But it's another love thang It's so detailed for something so small!

I also love this miniature painting on ivory that I purchased from an art dealer friend. Sorry the photo isn't very good, it's so hard to get a good shot through the glass, but again it's very detailed for such a cute little thing.

I also love to collect antique tortoise shell items. This calling card case with an inlaid bird (in ivory or bone) and mother of pearl is Victorian. I found it at an antique store for $25.

The interior.

I also love this little Victorian mourning brooch. It came with a note stating that it's the hair of Edmund Brown 1772-1859 and Mabel Norton Brown 1775-1840. Grandparents of Dr Plumb Brown. Why would a family member have given it up? Too creepy maybe?

Another thing I love to collect are antique perfume caddys. This blue purse shaped Victorian velvet one is shown closed...

And open.

And a slightly newer celluloid single bottle case closed...

And open.

I also pick up these vintage ornate metal perfume bottles whenever I can find them for less that $30... Which is getting to be very difficult. But again the hunt is most of the fun! *winks*

They have cool little things hidden inside. This one features a lady bust... And you know how I feel about those! Lol!

I found this set of antique French pump perfume bottles at an estate sale for $10.

Do you see where the brass is scraped? That's where the bottle moves when you pump (by pushing down on) the bottle. Have you seen others like this?

And this french bottle has painted flowers found for $4 at the thrift. You unscrew the little piece you see on the side and then the top depresses to activate the pump to spray the perfume. I don't really know exactly what time frame this is from? I'd guess the 20's or 30's? But it's only a guess. If you happen to know please share OK?

I also wanted to share this pretty little vanity tray with etched flowers and ribbon detailed handles. Hard to see I know... Sorry.

And lastly in the background of the top shelf is this reproduction painting of the coronation of empress Josephine... It's something of a mystery...

Napoleon

And Josephine...

Lots of people watching... The two holding the train are Napoleon's sisters, who if I remember correctly did not like Josephine in the least as she made them feel awkward and unsophisticated. Way to go Jo! They seem to be behaving themselves here.*winks*

Napoleon's mother who wasn't actually at the coronation (Due to a quarrel between Napoleon and his brother) but was painted in as a guest of honor, as was his brother... Boys!

Doesn't the man next to the cardinal below resemble Jesus? Hmmmmmm.

And here is a close up of the original painting found in the Louvre Titled " Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon 1 and Coronation of the Empress Josephine in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris on 2 December 1804. By the artist Jaques-Louis David. The painting is quite large at about 33'x20' tall. My little painting measures 11"x10". And the mystery of my painting is that it's painted over another much older painting which can be seen under a few small areas of flaking paint. Hmmm I know it isn't uncommon for painters to reuse canvases but I'm so curious as to what's underneath? Perhaps a hidden old master? Yeah more likely NOT. But I can dream right? Little mysteries make life more fun *winks*

So those are a few of the things I love to hoard collect. What kind of things do you collect? Are you a highly organized neat collector? Or perhaps a bit of a mess like me about it? I'd love to know... So I don't feel alone lol!
OK on to this weeks followers giveaway. I'm offering this Cath Kidston style wallet. It's brand spanking new and in the most charming blue red and pink rose print. So leave me a comment telling me you would like it to be yours... Or just leave me a comment anyway! I LOVE hearing from you! Vanna

Interior

I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

And that wonderful pair Paula and Patti at Ivy & Elephants for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

Honey at 2805 for:

And Cindy at My Romantic Home for: