Mr. Prof designer home

So I'm working on the elusive garden cottage today...

I swear there's a post coming any day now about it...

I had walked past a secret that nature left me about twenty times when I finally noticed this...



A sweet little nest inside a rusty sconce that flanks one side of the door into the cottage...

But then I noticed this... Do you see it?



The egg had fallen out of the nest and wedged between a garden pot that the nest is built on top of and the sconce... What to do, what to do?

I know you aren't supposed to touch the egg, but I thought the egg had no chance where it was and maybe the mama has even abandoned it already...

So I carefully lifted the nest and pot trying ever so hard to touch the nest as little as possible... Then using a plastic spoon I lifted the egg and place it back inside the nest where the mama left it.





I hope she comes back and thinks something magic has happened... I wonder if she is somewhere fretting over her lost baby... Do birds fret?



I'll be keeping an eye on the egg now... Let's keep our fingers crossed...

So have you ever visited Houzz.com?  I've been spending some time there recently.  After decorating magazines and blogs, it's the next best thing.  You can create your own "idea books", which are basically a collection of home design images that appeal to you.  And you might surprise yourself!  Here is one image I chose for my idea book.  There's just something I like about this:

Just a quick note to say my Etsy shop is now up and running. There are just a few treasures there for now, but I will be adding daily until I get my inventory well stocked.

I hope you will check back often...

Hugs,

Shelley

"Thrifty Chic" is a book I've been enjoying lately.  So many inspiring photographs, but the one thing that has resonated most with me is this in the introduction:

This is something I've contemplated time and time again... limitations bring on inspiration.  I've found that true for myself.  If there was no limit to what we could buy, our homes would likely be filled with things inspired by someone else.  

So what do you think? I am madly in love with the new look of my blog. It is very "me". I've been working with the uber talented Karen Valentine of VALENTINE DESIGN to re~vamp the whole design.

Do you see what she used for my sidebar buttons? My fabulous French chair that I kept from Marburger! Is she a genius or what? She completely blew me away with that one.

And the chippy shabby frame around my header couldn't be more perfect! The pic inside is of my favorite antique dress form inside my garden cottage (a future post). I have been wanting a unique look for awhile now and I think she gave me just that.

If you are looking to freshen up your blog, I highly recommend that you contact her and get going. You won't be disappointed...

And now that that's accomplished, it's on to getting my Etsy shop going. I'll let you know right away when the shopping can commence.

Until next time...

If you've ever been to TJ Maxx, you know that what you see is what you get, and if you want it, you need to buy it that day. Shelf life is short. And I can understand why. There are so many goodies to be found.

I wanted to share my new finds from TJ Maxx while they are still in the stores (I hope!).

First up... these lovely jars. You'll find them in the soap aisle (not the homewares section). They did come with two round soaps each.

But I had better plans to fill them with shells and feathers. They are part of our current mantlescape.

Another peek into our laundry room again. No, it's not finished yet.

But this darling apron has made its home here.

The contrasting patterns and colors are so divine.

And this coming from a woman who isn't much into color.

But how could I resist the orange pom-poms? And the funky smocked waistband?

Just like it was plucked out of Anthropologie, yes?

to go HERE to enter the fabulous giveaway at FIONA AND TWIG. Anne is giving away this book that looks scrumptious...

Drawing is tomorrow Wednesday the 19th...



Sure hope it's me...