A Girl's Best Friends - Rhinestones, Crystal Glasses, and Pink!

As I am unpacking my treasures from my 3 weeks of antiquing, I become acutely aware of my fondness for beautiful crystal stemware, anything with rhinestones, and most everything pink! The beautiful pink satin prom dress was found in Wisconsin - note the delicious rhinestone buttons. It will be used in the store to display our incredible new collection of rhinestone and crystal jewelry. The gold etched stemware was purchased in the south - mostly in Atlanta. I am collecting individual stems that look pretty together, so our customers can mix and match the glasses. The vintage silver goblets look great with the crystal and will be available at the store. The rhinestone brooch is a find that I can't ever part with - I just keep thinking of different ways to use it- on a handbag, on a dress, or just simply on a pink velvet pillow. One of my favorite finds on this trip was the billowy pink peacock! Can you imagine it in a baby's room or as a centerpiece for a wedding shower? OMG. Needless to say, we have several coming to the store for our customers. Purchasing pink macaroons at Sucre in New Orleans, I have combined them with the gorgeous raspberries for the delicious pink delight in one of the gold etched glasses. Catching up on my blogs this morning, I found this beautiful pink floral cake, the pink cameo votives ( how pretty are they?) and the pink peonies with the silver votives and thought you would also enjoy the pink eye candy!

New Orleans - The Paris of the Americas

Our affordable interpretation of Antiques from the French Quarter
More Frenchy antiques from our road trip!

The Beautiful Exterior of the Hotel Monteleone - where we stayed in New Orleans.

Looking down a corridor to an inside courtyard.

A beautiful home in the Garden District.


An entree from Commander's Palace- A pecan crusted fish.

A hotel lobby in the french quarter.



Looking through the window of an antique store across from our hotel.

In Jackson square - across from the Cafe'du Monde.



The Napoleon Restaurant in the French Quarter.

The ceiling in the lobby of the Hotel Monteleone.



Dessert at Restaurant August.


The elegant dining room at Restaurant August.

A gazebo in the Garden District.

I am just returning from a 2 week trip of birthday celebrations in New Orleans, and the Atlanta gift show - what a stimulating way to get ideas for the upcoming fall season for the store. First, let me share with you why they call New Orleans- "the Paris of the Americas". Just looking at these pictures, you think you are in Paris- but no - these are New Orleans. New Orleans is a culinary dream - food presentation is exquisite. They entertain with silver, monogrammed napkins and the finest of china. Old Paris Porcelain, manufactured in Paris, was exquisite to look at in the stores, but very pricey. While we checked out the antique stores on Rue Royal and found unbelievable epicurean antiques, the prices were extremely high. But they did inspire several fall trends for the store- Collections of vintage white and gold crystal dinnerware and crystal, along with serving pieces. Since we were driving, I was able to antique through Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi , and gather many beautiful things for the store at much lower prices than New Orleans, even some Old Paris Porcelain look a likes! As soon as they are polished, buffed and priced, they will be available for purchase at Romancing the Home.

Breakfast on the Terrace

The chance to eat outside without bugs is very rare in Northern Illinois. But today is perfect for breakfast outside on the terrace, no bugs and 78 degrees! A shabby chic tablecloth from Target is the back ground for the Anna Weatherley powder blue chargers. Antique plates, embellished with gold trim and pink orchids, are the perfect size for a light breakfast. My birthday flowers still look great and work well with my outdoor tablescape. The vintage gold rimmed glasses make the orange juice special. My friend Lynda's homemade jam, blueberry and vanilla, tastes awesome on the cranberry walnut toast. Fresh blueberries and kiwis are the perfect accompaniment to the light breakfast. Even a simple meal tastes better when served outside on vintage silver and china! My friend Mariterese has taught me to use "the good stuff" everyday - it makes every meal a special occasion. Why have it if you don't use it !!! Please be sure to visit www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for other inspiring tables.

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

A glorious day in Lake Bluff - the smell of barbecue, music playing, firecrackers , marching bands and many flags waving ! It just doesn't get any better than this! Happy Fourth of July!

Fairies in the Garden

I love lightning bugs, but they are not out yet! I think that they are little fairies, hiding in the garden. I have a little stone fairy house that sits in the garden for the fairies to hide. Today I created some fairies for the garden. These little fairies have been embellished with moss, glitter, angel vine, and dried roses. Mason jars are filled with dried roses and moss and the little fairies are added- trying to climb out. Skeleton leaves are added for wings. One little guy is reaching for the sky on top of a bark mushroom. The little fairies are by Cicely Mary Barker and are found in her antique books! We are planning a fall fairy garden in the store with many more! What a delightful treat for children and adults too!

Birthday Flowers

Look at these exquisite flowers - sent to me for my birthday by a wonderful, dear friend! Thank you, thank you, you made my day! Arriving home yesterday, I was delighted to look through the shiny cellophane wrapping and see the most beautiful arrangement of flowers. Tightly packed hydrangeas, peonies, orchids, cocks comb, and kale - can it possibly get any better than that combination? I truly don't think so!And I love the little green pods that look like peas in their shell, not sure what they are yet. Again, these were done by my favorite florist, Twigs, in downtown Lake Bluff. What a talented crew!

4th of July Celebration Table

Vintage red glasses, trimmed in gold, add the red to the red, white, and blue theme.

A collection of vintage patriotic pillows are added to the front porch wicker.

Vintage American flags are draped across the front porch railing to add to the spirit of the holiday.

Vintage blue and white plates depicting historical moments in our history are used with red organdy napkins and topped with a beautiful clementis bloom.

Crystal and gold flatware add a little glitz to the table.

A copy of the Declaration of Independence is the background for the menu card.




Jewel encrusted stars add holiday sparkle to the 4th of July celebration.


Join me with www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com to view other inspirational tables. Happy 4th of July everyone!