Favorite things to do in the Autumn?

Sorry I haven't posted much during October, but I have been busy painting and a million other things.
I am still working on the guest room/ slash office re-do, and will post some of my progress this weekend.
But I've been waltzing around town taking some pictures here and there, and I wanted to share with you some of the things I enjoy the most in the fall season.
I still love the beach this time of year!

Who wouldn't love this feast for the eyes. The clouds make it so pretty, don't they?

My Cottage is up in that cluster of houses. 

Beach Cruisers waiting for the return of their owners as they walk on the beach, 

no need for chains and locks.

Just around the bend of the beach up here...it looks like you can jump and touch those clouds!

Around the bend is the lighthouse.

Looking Halloweenie even without it's decor yet.

I've discovered a few new shops too, and especially wanted to mention 

the North End Garage in Cape May.

I was drawn in immediately when I spotted the front window. I love vintage bottles.

they're multi-colored glass sparkling in the sun.

I love to browse around these places. this one has a few different dealers.

 I love all the different rugs on the floor.

I adore this perfect size trunk.

So eclectic.

And this cute little dresser has smuckers lids as handles. I love that idea!

Ok.. so I have to get back to working on my guest/ office room. I posted that plan here.

I knew it would be a long journey, lots of other things to do along the way.

This bed and this bureaux below are what I have been working on, painting

Here is a sneak peak at the bed still in progress.

It is a three step process, for the many layers look I'm after. 

the headboard just has the grey as of yet.

the footboard has the 2nd step also

Annie Sloan Paris grey

Then Annie sloan Off white dry brushed over that

Then some sanding.

This entire room is being redone with just the cost of paint.

All the furniture I am using has been taken from different rooms in the house or storage.

And this pretty antique pitcher will be getting a sweet spot in the new room.

Isn't it the sweetest thing?

I'm off to do some more work on my little Frenchy room.

Have a great weekend!

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Addicted 2 decorating

A Simple Fall Mantle

I wanted to post about a mantle decoration for Layla's linky party Tuesday Sept 27th.

I've done just a few small things to decorate for Fall around here. I have to admit I'm not real enthusiastic about it because, I hate to see the summer leave us. I know all too quickly that the leaves will all be changing on the trees and then falling off.
Leaving us with bare trees, and dark skies for months and months.
We just closed our pool, 2 days ago!
When I begin the Fall decorations before the leaves actually turn yellow and red, it is a little hard for me to ... ummmnn...get into it.
 I usually like to really wait until the trees are turning. Then there is actually a pretty glow to the sky. And I can really use the leaves that are falling. This picture below is from last year, in November. We are a long way from this yet, and I am not one to rush anything in my life.

 I like how the grass is still so green and pretty in this picture.

Vintage Collections

I have a few things I just couldn't stop myself from hunting down, buying or foraging for, so after a while I guess they do become a collection.
So I guess i'd say i have a few collections. Years ago I began an obsession with blue and white dishes.It started with just pitchers

 then my step mom gave me tiffany plates

 some blue onion

 I used my blue and white willow wear all the time and eventually gave it to my daughter. I recently renovated  my kitchen and packed all the blue and white away,

 and bought out all the old solid white and some newly thrifty white. some of that is later in this post.


But for now, the story of my  Hull pottery.

Usually I only buy in the Water lilly or Magnolia patterns.

 The one below is my favorite and the one that started my hunt for Hull.

The story behind it is so cute. Back in 1985,An old neighbor who was about 65 then, used to help us out fixing things, and I had gone down to his basement where he was searching for a special bolt, for me , and when I looked to see a few grimey old screwdrivers sitting inside this gorgeous piece of pottery on an old shelf, with a bunch of nuts and bolts, my jaw dropped. I asked him why he didn't just have them in an old coffee can, instead of this beauitful piece. He said, Oh that old thing, Someone gave it to us for a wedding present, it's older than dirt."  "You can have it if you like it." 

Like it....I loved it. But we better ask your bride!! She said Oh sure, I don't have any use for it.

They were married  when he was 20. So I guess it was about circa1940. I had no idea what it was at the time but had seen Roseville and thought it to be even prettier than any Roseville I'd come across.

On the bottom it said Hull USA

So i took it home with me and an affair with Hull was born!

oops I can't forget, I have a few vintage purses i adore. I just love to hang them around the house.
Against an old door

On my old clapboard porch front

On a table top or near the hutch

Or just dangling from an old cubbard

I also have collections of vintage tablecloths, which I have posted once before here.
Cottage Beach House: Vintage Tablecloth Love
and honestly, of course ... the seashells,

They are the most fun to collect because they are free and the whole family becomes involved, scouring the beach for goodies.

Never really thought about myself as a collector but yep, I have to admit I have enough white pitchers and pottery to be a collection, and vintage aqua bottles too!

I have fun with the things I "collect" I use them for flowers, and drinks, and setting out dinner.

 and holding fruit, and milk and sugar

I like to use these little white pitchers to stuff flowers in or mix a couple mojitos.

 It makes the yard sales, and thrift shops a fun jaunt to see if I can find the things that I like.
What things do you like to find when your out on a hunt?

Posting at Privet and Holly Collections Linky party

Good Life Wednesdays

~White Wednesday # 110~

Vintage Bottle for Dish Detergent

Here's a sweet and simple idea. I'm not claiming this to be my idea, because I first saw this concept with an old wine bottle on another bloggers site. I can not for the life of me remember who.

 An old bottle to hold your dish soap by the sink!

But in my mind it segued from old wine bottle to one of my vintage bottles laying around the house.

Vintage Bottles get a new home

Last week I posted here, about my vintage bottles haul that I found while driving down the shore.

See the beach glass?