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I thought I'd take a break from the flea market finds this week and instead share a tour of my master bedroom One of the reasons we purchased this house was its high sloped ceilings which lend themselves to that "Paris garret" feeling. I collect french armoires (as those of you who read my blog might have noticed *winks*) and they're almost all over 9' tall, so high ceilings were a must. But the slope can really be a minus because it does limit furniture placement, so not a lot of moving big pieces around. More a little rearranging of this-n-that *winks* This room has a little way to go before it's my dream retreat. I'm hoping the hubby will install a fireplace somewhere in the not too distant future. And I'd love to have a canopy over the bed (Been working on that one for years *sighs*) But all that said, I really do love this room! There are memories and stories everywhere I turn! *winks* So come on and follow me (If you want?)and I'll show you around ma chambre *winks*

I'll start with my favorite piece in the room, this french armoire. This was the first one I ever purchased and I'd longed for one for years, so it will always remain special to me.

View towards the bed.

From the doorway.

French gentlemens dresser.

1920's painting of nudes.

A favorite rose painting found at an auction for $25.

Bedside table with a beloved cherub lamp. You can see close ups on my other bedroom cherubs HERE.

The small painting of Jesus is KPM. I found it in a junque store for $15.

French dresser.

Lots of favorite things here *winks*

I love my beautiful nude ladies!

A trio of antique oil paintings.

My one and only widow in the room with silk drapes found at an estate sale for $25.

Part of my collection of art nouveau trinket boxes and a favorite lady lamp.

My little chinoiserie cabinet filled with yet more trinket boxes.

Top of the cabinet.

Chaise for comfy reading.

Favorite statue on top of the french buffet.

Ever changing buffet top.

My chandelier is another favorite. I purchased this chandelier with matching sconces for $125. I sold the set of sconces for $125 making the chandelier free!! Yippee I love that!

Victorian book/magazine stand painted on both sides with flowers.

My favorite french footstool.

The antique painted leather screen in the corner is another one of my favorite things.*winks* Yes I know... I do say that a lot!...

I also love the bookshelf full of my mostest favorite decorating books.

The screen features town scenes in soft colors which I adore!

A view through the looking glass *winks*

Well that's all for today. This sweet french lady above the buffet and I would like to say "Au revoir et merci pour votre visite! S'il vous plaît revenir bientôt!

I hope you enjoyed the tour! Please leave me a comment and I'll leave one for you too *winks*
I LOVE hearing from you! Vanna
I'm joining Kim at Savy Southern Style for:

My friend Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for:

Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

The Charm of Home for:

Hello wonderful friends!

As ya'll are probably well aware of if you've ever visited my blog... I LOVE... ADORE... OBSESS... over boudoir dolls!
I don't know what it is about them that draws me like a magnet? Perhaps it's that they represent one of my favorite time periods in history... the roaring 20's.
Outside of 18th century France, the 20's are my favorite time period. It was such a period of change with the "flapper" redefining womanhood and the dawn of jazz and art deco. (two of my other favorite things)
These lady dolls were not created for children. They were often naughty minxes smoking cigarettes with "come hither" eyes and lounging silk pajamas. Every chic Miss of the 20's would have had at least one (or more) adorning her bed or vanity. One could often purchase the doll unclothed and then demonstrate one's fashion sense as well as sewing accomplishment. I look at each doll as a little piece of art. My favorite dolls are those that resemble Marie Antoinette (combining both of my favorite time periods *winks*)
My little collection has grown since my last post about them HERE so I would like to share some more of my dolls with you.

There are a gazillion pictures! So I hope you don't mind?
If you love dolls please go grab yourself a cuppa and relax for a while! If dolls aren't your thing I'll be back to my thrift store finds next week *winks*

I'll start with one of my newest dolls, this wonderful smoker. I had long wanted one, but the prices can get fierce. I finally got lucky and "Genevieve" came home to live with me! I love her sultry devil may care expression, the feather in her hair, and her smoking pucker! Remember in the 20's smoking was seen as the height of sophistication, and thought to be perfectly fine for your health... We've come a long way huh?

Just lounging elegantly in her silk pajamas *winks*

Here in my guest room armoire is where I keep most of my dolls. I've currently run out of room so if a new doll comes in, an older one will have to go to a new home. I'll start with the group views.

Top shelf...

And bottom.

OK lets zoom in on some close ups of some of my favorites. This darling Marie-esque doll is my version of DIY *winks* I already had the little bust, and I found another doll at the Goodwill that had on this lovely silk dress (for $1.99) but a really ugly plastic head (New and made of some dense plastic resin... ick!) So I cut off the old bust and glued this 20's lady to the base and "VOILA!" Another Marie for me! WHOO HOO! I LOVE her!! Isn't her dress perfect?! Usually DIY is NOT my strong suite lol! I tend to fall somewhere bellow "awful" and "hideous" but this vision actually worked out! Yes there really are miracles! *winks*

Moving on to my favorite Marie... this amazing paper mache doll bedecked and bejeweled in splendor! She has the most exquisite details from the little rose in her hand to all of her bracelets, rings and necklace...

to the string of pearls and rhinestones on the back of her mile high hairdo.

I only wish I had a Louis to go with her!

This is another of my favorite Maries in her tattered blue silk sitting on an antique couronne de mariee chair.

This is my newest Marie. She was a birthday gift from my sweet hubby. She is a Lilli Bates German doll. I adore her beautiful gown! Doesn't she look as if she has been running through the gardens at Versaille?

Her nose is chipped and she's a little shabby, but beautiful none the less!

And this Marie is more casual in her peasant style gown and flower covered hat.

This little lady bust is just a little bit Marie too don't you think?

This sweet lady is another one of my favorites. Her dress is silk and her bodice was made from some old beaded lace. Her nose is chipped which seems to be what most often occurs with these. I really need to learn how to fix them... I could probably do a brisk business *winks*

Here she's sitting on another antique French couronne de mariee chair.

This little lady is also charming in her purple gown!

Another one of my favorites...

A sloe eyed beauty...

This is my only couple... I think they look like George and Martha Washington. Male boudoir dolls are quite rare. I think it's interesting that the same face that has been used for so many of my lady dolls has also been used for this male doll?... Or perhaps it's supposed to be a woman dressed as George Washington? (His chest is flat) The jury is out on this one.

I love the outfit and expression on this lady. Did you notice she has the same face as the sloe eyed beauty? It's amazing what a difference a hairstyle can make isn't it?

This lady was feeling a little shy about being nekkid so she's hiding behind a ribbon...

This chalkware doll has such a sweet face.

[ This is a rare candy box doll.

I believe this sweet lady head was part of a boudoir pillow at some point.

This one is a lingerie bag.

A pair of Victorian clad composition ladies in green out for a stroll.

A darling little girl hat stand.

A blond vamp?

A sweet senorita.

A fiery redhead holding a bird... And yes she has the same face as George Washington! Did you notice?

A couple of bed lamps.

And finally a grouping of some of my larger girls.

Well that's all for now. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the tour and I didn't overwhelm you? If I haven't already burned your retinas with all these pictures you can find more boudoir doll beauty HERE... But I think I might have... Lol! I hope you'll leave me a comment. I LOVE to hear from you even more than I love collecting boudoir dolls *winks* Vanna
I'm joining the sweet Paula and Patti at Ivy & Elephants for:

Debra at Common Ground for:

Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

And Honey at 2805 for:

I thought I'd take a little break this week from the flea market finds to share another room in my house, my family room (On a tight budget *winks*) And I'm hoping that you my ever so wonderful friends will help me make a decision about something...
But first follow me this way and I'll show you around *winks* This room is loaded almost entirely with bargain, thrift and craigslist finds. The armoire in the corner holds the TV and was a $250 score on craigslist (And the seller even delivered it!) It was being used in a garage to hold fishing tackle! I think it's much better off at my house don't you? *winks*

This gold french wing chair was $125 at a local antique mall.

I love this little victorian fairy frame with a painting of a vase of flowers.

And this coffee table was a $135 also at a local antique store. Do you see the art nouveau planter of the lady with her daughter?

It's one of my favorite things... Yes I do say that a lot! *winks* Aren't they lovely together?!

Moving clockwise we come to the gas fireplace that my hubby added for me. I'm getting lots and lots of use from it this year!

Here's a close up on one of the lithographs that surround the fireplace.They represent the 12 months of the year and were a whopping $10 for the lot. This one is September.

A favorite slag glass lamp with one of my beloved spelter figures. The leather wing chair was $75 at the Goodwill.

The sofa was a $300 find at a local consignment store. I love that it has a curved back and it's really comfy!.

This 1840's flame mahogany secretary is another one of my favorite things. Found at an auction for a song.

And another favorite (yes again) *winks* this wooden carved portrait. There's a silly story to go with this one. One day My sister and I were discussing which piece of art in each of our homes was our favorite? I told her this carved portrait of a young girl was probably mine. And she replied "Oh honey I hate to break this to you but... that's a boy! He has an adams apple" And danged if she wasn't right! (OK so I'm not the most observant person on the planet lol!... But WHATEVER!! I still love it!... Miss know it all!

This is the view from the back side of the sofa featuring another of my beloved spelter statues. This one is titled " Fleurs de Printemps" (Flowers of Spring) and a bouillotte style lamp from the local Goodwill ($7.99 sans shade) My hubby said "the last thing you need is another lamp!" Silly man! As if I could ever get too many charming lamps! *winks* And While I really do appreciate my DH's opinion I've found that if I love it? Or even like something strongly?... Well better safe than sorry right?! I'm really glad I took it home. *winks*

On the other side of the sofa is this french Louis Philippe armoire that I use to store lots of little favorite bits. Usually gifts from friends and family.

Lots of stories in this armoire.

This lovely spelter bust is L'Automne"

And this handsome spelter gent is "Virgile"

I've been trying for years to figure out what this bronze box was used for? Cigars? Mens pretties? *winks* It has a hunting theme. Maybe you could help me? If any of you have any idea would you please share it with me? I'm always amazed by all the collective wisdom out there in the land of blog!

On the opposite side of the room is my hubbys billard table (He HAD to have it!) And two of my 4 furbabies. Shelby (large) and Jewel (pom)

I like these silk striped drapes for their pop of color but they're going away because they just aren't "lush" enough. So stay tuned for some new draperies... I got 8 of them for $40! The chairs are 19th century french.

In the far corner sits a working telephone booth that I gave to my hubby for our anniversary.

A little settee and an eastlake victorian table are on this side. The throw is antique paisley.

And on the opposite side sits this behemoth of a bookcase. A turn of the century find from craigslist. It's really too large for the room and we scraped the ceiling just trying to get it in, but it was LOVE at first sight! And it's another one of my absolute favorites! *winks* Hopefully in my next house (when I win the lottery lol!) I'll have enough room for it.

Looking back across the room.

I hope you enjoyed this not so little tour of my family room? *winks*
And what I really want to ask you my oh so intelligent and design savy friends is: What color hardwood should I use on the floors? It's time for the carpet to go after wayyy too many years of this ugly. And I'm absolutely stuck in indecision! I'd like to go with the dark hand scraped hardwood floors but my hubby made the point that it's dark here in the Pacific Northwest most of the year, and do we really want it to be darker? My answer was a quick "you bettcha!" But now in retrospect he might have a good point? So what do you think I should do? I'm counting on your expertise so I hope you'll leave me a comment and I'll do the same. You've seen all the different woods in this room so please help! I LOVE to hear from you!
And please join me next week for more Flea Market Finds. I think I've found a few good things to share with ya *winks* Vanna
I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

And Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

I've noticed lately that a lot of bloggers have done posts on their year in review. So many have accomplished some amazing projects.
So I thought "hey why don't I take this opportunity to share my favorite 11 finds for 2011?!!"... OK really not that exciting I know, but I'm working it here *winks* so are you with me?

Wanna see?

Well grab yourself a nice warm beverage (cookies optional *winks*) and settle in for a nice walk down thrifty bird lane lol!
You can click on the pictures for links to their original posts should you wish to browse some more... Just sayin'
I'm going to start backwards from my 11th favorite and move up to #1... Builds tension right? *Heh heh*
Starting in the 11th spot is this fab frenchy clock I found at the Value Village for $3.99. I think it was a really good buy and I love it!

In 10th place is this really amazing hand painted chair (Well I think so anyway) from craigslist for only $10!! I've never seen anything like it for that price.

It features a sweet courting couple.

In the #9 spot is this large statue of a french lady and her children. This one was a trade with a craigslist seller for something I had lying around and never used so it was pretty much FREE! And that's the best price of all don'tcha think?

In 8th place is this charming but scratched $49 portrait of a girl. I almost didn't buy her, but I'm so glad I did because she seems to add life and interest everywhere I place her.

7th place turned out to be a wonderful surprise because I was afraid I'd probably paid too much ($86.50) for this cute little inkwell, but she was so wonderfully French! If just a little spendy, so I took her home. She turned out to be old paris porcelain from around the 1820's-1840's according to my friend (And antiquer extraordinaire Richard Cottrell of the fabulous blog My Old Historic House) and at a very good price after all... Yay!! I just love when it works out that way!... Instead of the other *winks*... Not that that ever happens... *nose growing an inch*

Isn't she adorable?

In 6th place is this pair of vintage concrete cherubs for $35! I couldn't believe the price and strained my back trying to pick them both up so no one could swoop in on my lovlies! Lol! This shot was taken in the summer, but they're still living on my porch getting mossy *winks*

Close up.

5th place goes to one so dear to my heart, this lovely antique nude lady statue covered in beautiful roses! I love everything about her! I adore beautiful old nudes! Does that make me "risque"? *winks*

She's even holding a sweet little rose.

In 4th place is this lovely French globe de mariee case. I paid almot $200 with shipping, but it was money well spent. I can't seem to get enough of these beauties! And this one is an absolute favorite.

3rd place goes to this beautiful dresden cherub mirror that my hubby did a little upright adaption to via the Goodwill.. If you've read my blog before you probably know how much I LOVE cherubs!! What is it about those chubby little dimpled baby knees that I just can't resist? *winks*

Close up.

Almost there!... In the #2 spot is this fabulous large alabaster bust of a girl. She was a steal on ebay for $256. A lot I know, but she's one of my absolute favorite things!

And in the #1 spot is this one of a kind hand painted bed from the 1920's featuring paintings of nudes that I found for $45!! (Yes I really would swear on the bible) *winks* I kept looking at the price tag to make sure there wasn't an extra zero somewhere? But nooooo it really was only $45.I've been HAPPY DANCING about it ever since lol!

The three muses?

And a lovely piper with sheep in the background (Another one of my favorite things)

Well that's my list of favorites... Which ones were yours? I'd love to hear from you!
And the Happiest of New Years to you all! Vanna

These recipes are reprinted with permission from the authors.

Just Like Wheat Thins Crackers | Trim Healthy Mama,
I had my doubts about this recipe. "Just Like Wheat Thins?!" Yeah, right. You need refined flour and sugar to achieve that kind of deliciousness, don't you? Apparently not. These crackers are amazing and taste like the real thing I can't seem to keep our house stocked though - they disappear quickly!

• 3/4 cup flax meal
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 2 egg whites
• 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 1 Tbsp. parmeasan cheese
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• dash of black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Fooled Ya Pizza | Trim Healthy Mama,
I've always felt bad for Brad who used to eat cardboard-like gluten-free pizza crusts while we enjoyed the gluten packed version! I had heard rave reviews about this cauliflower crust from other mamas on the Trim Healthy Mama plan and decided to give it a try even though it sounded pretty gross. Boy, was I wrong! Our entire family enjoys it just as much as the real thing! You'd never know cauliflower was the magic ingredient!

• 1 bag (16 oz.) frozen cauliflower (I used fresh)
• 3/4 cup egg whites
• 2 cups skim mozzarella cheese
• sea salt and other seasonings (I used Epicure's Pizza seasoning blend)
• pizza sauce and other pizza toppings (I used pepperoni, green pepper, red onion, cheddar and mozzarella cheese)

Add egg whites and pulse again.
Add cheese and other seasonings (sea salt, Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powder). Mix ingredients together well with a spatula.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and grease well. Spread crust mixture evenly across cookie sheet. Bake at 450 for 20 minutes. Cool.
Add pizza sauce and toppings and broil until toppings are done (I baked it at 400 for 8-10 minutes).

Peanut Squares | Trim Healthy Mama,
These squares are so yummy! A combination of sweet and salty, we enjoy them as a snack and a dessert. They're gerat to give along with a meal to a new mom too.

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tsp Truvia
• 1 pkg cream cheese, softened
• 10 tsp Truvia
• 2/3 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup whipping cream

While crust is baking, beat cream cheese and second measurement of Truvia together until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and beat some more.

In a separate bowl, beat whipped cream. Fold into cream cheese mixture and spread over cooled crust.

Place in refrigerator to chill until set.

Cheeseburger Pie | Trim Healthy Mama,
This is probably our #1 favorite supper on the plan. It's all the goodness of a cheeseburger without the bun. You would never miss it! This is so satisfying and delicious. I make once a week in place of burgers on the barbie.

• 2 lbs of ground beef
• 3 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 6 oz. grated cheddar cheese
• pickles, tomatoes, red onion
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• sea salt
• ground pepper
• 6 oz. grated cheddar cheese

Chunky Cream Pops | Trim Healthy Mama,
This frozen dessert reminds me of my favorite ice cream, President's Choice Chocolate Fudge Crackle... except it's waaaay healthier, made with good fats and no sugar. We love this treat. It's Brad's favorite of all the desserts I've made from Trim Healthy Mama so far.

• 1 batch of Skinny Chocolate
• 2 8oz. blocks of cream cheese
• 10 tsp. Truvia
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 heaped Tbsp. peanut butter

Spicy Chicken Wings, pg. 323

Taco Salad, pg. 347

Special Agent Brownies, pg. 383

Trim Healthy Pancakes, pg. 223

In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support.

Hi y'all! It's that time of the week once again for Flea Market Finds!!! Bet you weren't holding your breath for that one huh? *winks*
just a few small things to share for this week. Try as I did to find an amazing garage sale, the weather just wasn't cooperating here in the Pacific Northwest. I hope the sun is gently shining on you wherever you are! And could you send a little my way? *winks*
I'm going to start with my favorite find... a vintage lavender straw hat loaded with flowers from a local antique mall for $24. Kind of a lot for me but it was justtttttt right! Hats seemed to be my theme for the week.

It has lots of my favorite flowsey blowsey flowers!

Then my second favorite find (s) were these pretty vintage red wine glasses adorned with various courting couples from the Value Village. I paid $5.99 for each stem, but I'd never seen any quite like them, so home with me they came *winks*

Aren't they sweet?

Another antique mall find was this vintage painting for $20 featuring some of my favorite subjects... Sheep!! It's very folk-artsy dont'cha think?

A couple of darling boudoir pillows for my etsy.

As well as this sweet Dresden reticulated compote.

Another little addition to my boudoir doll collection for $12. I'm big time hooked on these!

One vintage avon perfume from 1976 and three vintage compacts (The mesh is Whiting and Davis) The smallest is a coty rouge compact (never used) and the largest needs a little rehab. I'm thinking of adding a rose decal to it? Or perhaps some rhinestones? I just loves me some bling! All for $7!

This little blue silk doll hat was $1 and I've been having fun trying it on every doll and marble bust in the house!

I found a set of these paper mache hand painted trays for $2.50.

And lastly this set of angel plaques to paint and play with ($2) lying on a set of Ralph Lauren Allison ruffled pillow shams for $3.98.

That's all for this week. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll leave me a comment and I'll do the same *winks* And please come back next week for more flea market finds! Vanna

I'm joining my friend Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

My friend Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

And French Cupboard for: