Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger


Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 
Kathleen from Lavender bouquet
August 16th


Good Saturday to everyone.  This week I am introducing you to a newer blogger.  I found Kathleen's blog from her following my blog.  I fell in love with her blog and asked her to do spotlight since she is a newer blogger and it would introduce her to so many of the wonderful bloggers that read Spotlight.  I thought this is a great way for you to get to know her and she to get to know all of you.  So when you get a chance please hop over to her great blog and say Hi.





Hello New Friends!

When I received an email from Kris asking me to be part of Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger, I was so grateful. It’s tough to get started as a new blogger 
and since Kris has such a beautiful blog this is a true compliment!

My name is Kathleen and the name of my blog is The Lavender Bouquet. (http:/thelavenderbouquet.blogspot.com) I began blogging a year ago and chose the 
name because I have always admired the stunning beauty of lavender growing in the fields of Provence and dreamed of someday experiencing them first hand.

I grew up in a small rural town in Western New York near Buffalo.  I’ve been married for 37 years to the love of my life. He’s a wonderfully patient man after
having 4 sisters and 3 daughters!  Our daughters are grown, have graduated from college, and are well into their own careers and lives. We are a very 
close family, so getting together is always a good time!  We are very proud of our daughters and the great women they have become.

This photo was taken when we were in Paris at dinner in the Eiffel Tower. We celebrated our anniversary by traveling to Portugal and France
 two years ago. It was such a beautiful experience!


My husband’s executive career has taken us to many cities and towns starting in Western NY, followed by the Midwest, Southeast, Southwest, and now the Northeast. 
We have moved 13 times throughout our marriage. Only 4 of those have been without our daughters.
We decided early on that my husband's career was positioned to be more lucrative than mine, so began my career as a stay at home Mom. Once we started moving
our decision paid off “two fold.”  I was with the girls through the day to day challenges of moving, and integrating. And when Dad was home, they had the added bonus 
of help with the homework and weekend times when he coached their sports teams. It was a great balance that worked very well for all of us!
I started blogging after much encouragement from my husband and daughters, as well as a few close friends. Because we had moved so many times the physical 
relocations became my job. I handled the conversations with the relo companies, realtors, house hunting and home selections. Our homes were always new with 
the exception of “3.” Most were custom built, and a few were spec homes. With each relocation I began learning so much about building, design, materials, and 
construction. I realized I just LOVED it!

My passion for decorating grew to become such a “sweet spot” for me during the moves. I became quite familiar in choosing selections that were neutral in color 
and making the most of my budget. I tried to keep the selections so that the homes would be appealing to anyone’s color pallet and would sell quickly if necessary.
I personalize our homes by way of adding color and personal effects through our furnishings.

Our present home has really pushed me to new limits. It is a “16” year old home that was in need of a lot of TLC. I told my husband it just needed a loving touch 
to restore it to its original beauty and of course it had “good bones!” At this point in our marriage he just says, “I trust your judgment.”  Kind of a lot on my shoulders, 
but I was up for the challenge because I LOVE it so much.

Here is a bit of a peek at what the kitchen looked like BEFORE reno and AFTER we completed.


I love Spring and its beautiful unfolding of color. I love to “play” (as my husband calls it) in my flower gardens in the early morning hours when the dew is still on the ground. 
I keep it simple, a few flower beds and colorful pots on the patios and porch. This photo is one of the urns on our front porch.


Along the way entertaining has become an integral part of our lifestyle. That's where my inner FOODIE kicks in. I like to throw a party wrapped around a beautiful presentation.
Each time we move we host a cocktail party or a housewarming party.  This allows us to introduce ourselves to our neighbors. I love this way of opening our doors to
new friends….just like I am to you today!

Thanks so much for reading a little about me and my family. I’d love it if you would all stop by The Lavender Bouquet for a visit!
Don’t forget to say “hello!” You can find us on Facebook too!

My sincere thanks to Kris for taking the time to introduce newbies like me to the world of Blogland!

Fondly,
Kathleen

Thank you Kathleen for sharing your self with all of us.  You will not be a newbie after today when everyone starts to visit your beautiful blog.

Please hop over to Susan's blog and meet another wonderful blogger in Spotlight Jeanie from Marmalade Gypsy.

Have a wonderful week end.
Kris
:)
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Happy Thursday

Hi everyone.  Hope your week is going good.

 Remember the basket I got at the little shop when I went Junkin last Friday.  Well it landed here.
It is now in my bedroom and it holds some of my pillows and throws from the bed.




I moved this white Ikea chair I had in the guest room out and put it under the baskets hanging in the dining room.

I am going to see if I like having a reading chair in this corner.  I am on the hunt for a cuter stool to put with this chair.  Something with a ruffle maybe.

Where the chair was in the bedroom I moved the dresser I got from Rosemary at the Flea Market over to that corner.  

It is so much easier to get into my guest room closet now without the chair there.

So now I will see if the chair stays in the dining room corner for a little reading area.  I am liking it for now in this spot so we will see......

Have a great rest of the day.  Be sure to come back on Saturday for Spotlight.  Susan and I have two great bloggers for you to get to know.

Thank you for all your sweet visits and comments.
Kris
:)
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Dining Room Reveal

Happy Start to the New Week.

I had a 96 inch long table in my dining room and while it fit the space I just did not feel like the table was intimate  for entertaining when everyone sits in a long line down the table.  I feel like the people at the head of the table talk and the people at the end of the table talk but the people at the top of the table and the end of the table do not get to really talk to each other.  Did you get all of that!!!!

So.........  I had Terry get out his handy dandy tools and said "hey can you take this 96 inch long table and make it square for eight people to sit at?"  He told me he could using all the stuff from the old table.
I was so happy that he thought he could do this and we could recycle the old table into the new one.





Old Table.  See that ugly round ufo looking thing in the ceiling.  That was where the chimney for the old stove that was in this room when we moved into this house.  I have hated that thing and Terry finally got that out and was able to dry wall up the big hole it made.

New square table for eight.

Remember the old drawer fronts that I had on the long table.  I was able to use them again on this table on each side.  Loved the key hole and chippy handles to these drawer fronts.  Just gives a little bling to the sides of the table.

I got this side table at the Kane Country Flea Market a few weeks ago.  It was black but no worries I had paint!!!

Moved some of my white plates around on the wall by the chippy barn door.

Relocated my bakery sign and a few more platters.
I have the old milk bottle with sand and my new paper flowers for a centerpiece on the new table.

I hung this old rusty candle chandelier on the old cabinet door on the wall and moved my mannequin with the french apron out to the dining room.



Remember the old cart with wheels.  Gave her some paint and distressed her and I put the old heater grate on the cart along with the old french milk bottles and farm fresh box.




Not sure the mannequin will stay in the dining room.  I kind of like it in my kitchen. So needless to say there will be more moving around of things!







Love these old french milk bottles with the steel carrier and wood handle.  They fit nicely down in this farm fresh crate.

Moved out my ladder and baskets from the laundry room to give the dining room a more french farmhouse feel.

Not sure that old garden bench will stay there and I know the roses bucket will be moving.  Not sure on the garden bench right there just yet.  I might try to find some kind of old french cottage island table to put under those baskets.



Yep not sure yet I am liking this bench right under the baskets.
My bike still has her corner in the dining room.  I was thinking about moving her and hanging the baskets over in this corner with a table underneath but I just am not ready to part with my bike or the headboard chalk board just yet.  So for now she stays in her spot.


The roses in the new painted bucket got relocated over by the old door and birdhouses.



I then moved this dresser into the dining room and re styled the shelves and dresser top.  

Need your opinion here.  This was chippy which I like but I am thinking it is too chippy so what do you think should I leave it alone or paint it solid white?

Restyled the white ironstone and some of my old silver and jars on the shelves.




Mason jars and doilies with old silver and my cute cow candle stick holders were added to the shelf.





Remember that old basket I got while out junkin.  I filled it with an old french cutting board a table cloth and some white plates.

I had this old cup holder in my laundry room so I moved it out and put my coffee cups on it.






So there you have it.  A new table and some new styling to the dining room.  I am looking for a cute cottage bench maybe something white and chippy and skirted to added to the seating.  I am still moving things around and tweaking in this room.  It seems to always take me a few times before I get it the way I like it.  I know a lot of you understand this whole process!!!!!!

Have a great week.  Thank you always for your visits and I love your comments on my decor change ups.
Have a great week.
Kris
:)

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Treasure Hunt Friday and Great Junk Finds

Happy Sunday.
The weather has been so beautiful that I have been able to spend a few days out on the deck on my lounge chair.  Ohhhhh how I love summer!
**************************
Junkin Trip on Friday

On Friday I went on a little junkin trip.  I went up to Anne's house from White Lace Cottage for her Vintage Market at her home.  


Anne's Invite:
White Lace Cottage Vintage Market 



Her home is so lovely and she had a cute pink bike out front of her house.  I forgot to take pictures of her show but I know she will have them on her blog.

I got a really cute chippy post from her sale.  Not sure what I am going to do with it yet but it was white and chippy so I had to have it!

Then Anne gave me the name of some shops near her home and I thought since I am out this way I would visit the shops.

Glad I did.  I found some great treasures to help me finish up my dining room make over.
All these wonderful treasures will be transformed or painted to make for new treasures at Junk Chic Cottage.

Yep look at this wonderful french cart with wheels.  Oh I cannot wait to re love her into the new french farmhouse dining room.

I use to go to a shop called the Perfect Pear. The owner Sara and her mom ran this shop.  I was missing Sara and her shop so much when she sold the shop not too long ago.

Just as I walked in the door of a cute shop Anne told me about in  downtown Woodstock  there was Sara sitting at the front desk.  I could not believe it.  Sara has a booth in this cute shop now.

So of course it was fun to see her and find some wonderful old and new treasures from her booth.

I loved this old milk bottle that she filled with sand and then I saw these cute paper flowers and they looked pretty adorable in the milk bottle.

That old bucket is getting a paint job and those french baskets will find spots in the dining room.

You get a sneak peak at the top of the new farmhouse table that Terry remade from our old table in the picture above.

I used a water based white wash stain on the wood top and it came out perfect and was easy to do.

Hope to have a post up in the next day or two on the new table and the dining room re do.

Have a great start to the new week ahead.  Thank you for your visits and sweet comments.
Kris
:)
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Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger



Susan from Must Love Junk, and myself wanted to do a regular feature on our blogs, something unique that hasn't been done before.   So we came up with an idea to 'spotlight the real life behind the blogger' in a more personal way.
There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland, and we thought it would be fun to bring you a closer look at the person behind the blog.

Every week on Saturday we will spotlight a blogger and have them tell us a little bit about themselves and their blogs.  You will be able to see and read about each of the bloggers on both Susan's and my blog. 
August 9

Happy Saturday.  I am excited to introduce you to another wonderful blogger this week.
Keya from Vintage Prairie Style Blog

 Keya from Vintage Prairie Style blog.  Keya has a wonderful sense of decor style and she can re love a piece of furniture like nobody's business.  Love her vision and creativity.  Enjoy getting to know Keya and then take a visit over to her blog.


First of all I can’t believe that my tiny little blog caught the attention of the girls behind junk chick cottage and must love junk. I am truly honored that they asked me to participate and tell you all a little bit about me. For those who have never heard of me, and I’m assuming that’s most of you, I operate a little corner of blogland known as vintage prairie style. It’s all about me and my adventures (and often misadventures) in decorating our home, selling vintage and antique items and rehabbing furniture. From time to time little bits of my personal life sneak onto the blog as well - but not too often.

So when I was asked to share a little bit about myself I was excited and a little nervous. What do I share? What should I say? What might people want to know????
our 1965 "dream kitchen" that I made-over with some paint, new curtains and hardware

Should I tell everyone about how this month my husband broke a few ribs while I was diagnosed with an inner ear condition related to pregnancy (I’m 7 ½ months Prego with our 3rd) which has been giving me some pretty wicked bouts of vertigo. Should I tell you that while this drama is unfolding we were also dealing with a skunk family taking over our side porch and a squirrel trying to set up residence in the basement of our 1965 dream home… Yes, it’s been a banner month for our family; and yes we are happily living critter-free again - with the exception of our small pup Fynn. Am I sharing too much? Have I made you uncomfortable yet???
our ever-changing house...

But we aren't a chaotic mess all of the time. About half the time we are a fairly normal family of 4 (soon to be 5). Our home runs on a single income, my husband's, and it is because of his job that we have decided not to post pics of of our family and children up on the blog. Sounds mysterious doesn't it... It's not as exciting as it may sound but there is just enough risk that we feel strongly about keeping our family identifiers private. It was also the nature of his job and unpredictable schedule that lead me to decide to stay home with the kid's full time. It was pretty tough to give up my career and I do miss it from time to time, but I have never regretted the decision or wished for something different. In fact I feel pretty lucky to be able to have made the choice.  Staying home has also allowed me to explore some new hobbies like refinishing furniture, researching, collecting and selling a range of vintage/antique items and it has also lead me to continuously make changes to our home.
one of my favorite furniture re-dos

So while I can’t show you pics of my little ones, how about I tell you a little bit about them while continuing to show you some images that you will come across, should you decide to hop over and visit me.

one of my many lighting projects
Our oldest is about to start a major milestone in September, Kindergarten, I am in awe of how quickly the time has passed and how much this little lady has taught me in the short 5 years she has been on this earth. One of her ongoing lessons involves teaching me to embrace my inner girl. I will admit that my inner girl was pretty well non-existent before our little miss made her debut. I was never a lover of pink or fashion or makeup or any of it. I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of girl, nothing too fancy. Now I am learning about fanciness and fashion and tea parties and dance. And you know what, I'm loving it. I don't foresee becoming a tiara wearing princess any time soon, but it sure is fun to play! 

my style, for better or worse
I am also momma to a little man. This one is all about trains and building. He is a boisterous and rough and tumble as they come and he is so much fun. He also suffers from pretty sever asthma and allergies. Until we got some control of his symptoms we were in  and out of the hospital and our pediatrician’s office. It has been an up and down battle and we have had to make a lot of lifestyle changes in order to accommodate his issues but everyday I am thankful for modern medicine and our easy access to great medical care. Everyday.

a local handmade show that my sis and I participated in...

Parenthood has brought so many surprises. As I’m sure it has for countless others. Who knew that I would have a “fancy” girl for a daughter and an all-out-boy for a son. I can’t wait to meet #3 and learn what s/he is all about. One thing I know for sure is that I would not be doing any of this without my family. They encourage and inspire me. They offer a helping hand when they can and give me their straight up honest opinions, which sometimes smarts a little when a 3 year old is telling you where you've gone wrong. They come along to craft shows and antique malls and they are always there for photo shoots and treasure hunting; and best of all they accept ice cream as payment for a job well done!

So that about wraps it up. I want to thank these wonderful ladies again for asking me to participate!


Thank you Keya.  It was so much fun to learn more about you.  I can tell you are a great mom and enjoy this part of life's journey for you right now. Good luck with #3 on the way.  How exciting.  Thank you for sharing with all of us.

Now that you have learned a little bit more about Keya.  Jump over to Susan's Blog and meet another talented blogger Lisa from Lee's Hideaway

Have a great week end.
Kris
:)

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