Corn-gratulations on your new crib!

I was flipping through the pages of Cottage Living magazine today and came to a layout of a circa-1860 farmhouse in LaFox, Illinois (about 40 miles west of Chicago). Of course it is beautiful, a brick walkway to a screened in porch welcome guests into the Civil War-era home that sits on three acres. Out the back of the house is a flagstone pathway leading to a circular garden with four Adirondack chairs placed around a gurgling fountain. And Ohhh the outbuildings!! What I would give for outbuildings! Even if they were empty (and you all know I would fill them up in a minute flat!) there is something enchanting out them. I love it when they look nestled in to blooming masses of peonies or one corner is peeking out from under a tangle of fragrant climbing heirloom roses. But one more flip of the page and I found this wonderful secret spot...

I LOVE this! The caption reads "The roof blew this corncrib (a classic Midwestern structure made for storing field corn), but Donna reimagined it as a sturdy form for growing her favorite flowering clematis vines." Wouldn't you love to sit out there in the evening and watch a storm moving in across the cornfield? Or how about an intimate al fresco dinner for two with all the candles burning in that funky chandelier? Then, of course, you would linger into the night and watch for shooting stars. A wonderful reminder to not run out, tear down the old and build the latest "new and improved" version. This version looks pretty darn near perfect to me.

The grace of lace

I stumbled across this idea recently. How darling! A piece of vintage lace and an old brooch together as a napkin ring. What a simple, elegant and inexpensive way of adding that finishing touch to your table setting. Bits of lace can add romance to anything. Try adding a lacy sash to the rim of an old mason jar. Fill with water and a fresh bouquet. Or dress up a special package for a special someone by tying it up with a length of vintage lace. Secure it with a clip on millinary flower or a fabulous creation of altered paper art.
For more inspiring photos and ideas check out the book Living with Lace by Bo Niles

Last Saturday a new customer was in the shop and she had the best bag slung loosely from her shoulder. When I complimented her on it and that I loved the organic look to it I found out there was much more to this bag then meets the eye. I knew as she was talking that I wanted to run home and share it with all of you.

First some background: Did you know that between 350 and 400 million children around the world still go to bed hungry every night? Hunger and malnutrition kill more people than AIDS, malaria, and TB COMBINED! In fact, every five seconds a child dies because he or she is hungry.

FEED Projects was started in 2006 when acclaimed model and activist Lauren Bush designed a bag to benefit the United Nations World Food Program's (WFP) School Feeding operations. Lauren, a WFP Honorary Spokesperson who has visited several WFP food aid operations around the world, was inspired by the plight of the people she met on her travels. She took a special interest in WFP's School Feeding program, which provides children with a nutritious meal a day and provides incentive for them to get an education. Inspired by the aesthetic of the bags of food distributed by WFP, she created the FEED 1 bag, a reversible burlap and cotton bag stamped with "FEED the children of the world" and the number "1" to signify that each bag feeds one child in school for one year. That bears repeating...the sale of ONE bag feeds one child in school for a full year!

They are big, roomy, reversible, made from 100% organic cotton fabric and sustainable burlap, which is made from raw jute fibers. Natural jute fibers grow without fertilizers or pesticides, are carbon-dioxide neutral and naturally decomposable. Jute can be grown in 4-6 months, making is a rapidly renewable resource. So not only are you feeding a child in another part of our world, you are also choosing a greener alternative to disposable paper and plastic bags.

I am waiting on a response to be able to offer them in the store but do not wait on me...you can purchase them here: FEED bags

Hallelujah, He Is Risen

"And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
A blessed Easter to all.

The Promise of Spring

As promised...photos from the Garden Party. But first,I must say a HUGE thank you to my mom for helping me pull together all the displays and tying up all the loose ends. She has been helping me with all the open houses and I truly could not do them without her tremendous assistance. She enjoys it immensely (especially the buying trips!) but it is a ton of work and she is quite a trooper. She puts up with my crazy ideas and offers some of her own. Thanks Mom!

Above was the entry, the mossy tree branch, arcing over the vintage wicker sofa, was laden with succulents in mini glass bowls and glorious butterflies that lit onto several branches. The succulents sold out last week so I am bringing in more. Fern balls fill the fantastic antique dough trench.

This crusty old cupboard is one of my favs and has spent some time in my humble abode. I hate to part with it but I accidentally found another that is 9 feet long with no doors on the top, perfect for my ironstone collection. So this beauty found it's way into the shop. I know it will be finding a new home soon. Here it's loaded with artichoke candles and a smattering of ironstone.

Backside of entry, urn, potting table and shutters have all sold.


This potting bench is perfect...lots of compartments and a lift top on the work table area to keep tools, seed catalogs, notebooks and other important items at hand. It's quite a find at only $149!!


Lovely vintage wicker. We almost always have a few pieces to offer. The coffee table and blue trunk sold.

We still have three pairs of these darling Wellies available, sizes 8, 7, 6. Since this weather of late has been fit for a duck, now is the time we need them! Tromp through those flooded roads in style!






As most of you know, Janet fills the back third of the shop with her great furniture finds and mixes it with wonderful new goodies. Below are the photos of her vingettes.









Below are a few of the "before" photos.

A Garden Party Interrupted

Our First Garden Party started out with a bang. Despite the cold devoted customers showed up 10 minutes before opening, staying in their cars for warmth until we unlocked the front door, lit the luminaries down the front steps and welcomed them in to our candle lit garden escape. Just wait till I post pictures! Hands down it was our best flip of the store ever and I mean better than Christmas and Fall too!

But alas, we must have upset Mother Nature by trying to bring Spring on earlier than she has planned and she let us have it. The warnings about the impending storm started early in the week. Undaunted we pushed forward with our plan, hoping it would swing a little farther north, as it usually does, or turn to rain. Wednesday was a little chilly and it was tough to keep the shop toasty with the stream of customers coming through the front door. Thursday we were swamped with everyone thinking ahead and shopping before the flakes began flying.

I expected a day of replenishing goodies still thinking Saturday would be our busiest so I headed off to an auction in the boonies to find some must haves leaving Janet alone at the shop. Of course my cell phone would not get any reception and incoming calls were bounced right to voicemail so by the time I knew how busy she was it was too late to help. But she was a trooper and handled the rush with her usual grace. How does she put up with me? Thankfully she does as I could not be without her! Weekly customers are relaying stories to me of how she has helped them with decisions and purchases, decorating tips and ideas. She scouts out the most fabulous finds from vintage Victorian statuary to sweet, little bird's nest place card holders (which we sold out of in two days!) She is a gem to work with and I am truly thankful to be blessed with her talents.

Friday we both began the day early, fluffing and moving to fill in holes and bring out new. The flakes began early and our first customers told us how slick it was on their way in to the shop. They shopped quickly (one hour :-) and hurried back to Mount Vernon. Janet left to get home before it was horrible and I stayed to wait for a customer from Powell who was picking up furniture purchases from Wednesday night. She arrived, shopped some more, we loaded her van with the library table, several occasional tables, windows and bags of merchandise. She scooted out around 12:30 when the snow really started coming down. At 2 PM I closed up, school was letting out early and it was clear this was going to be a doozy. Blizzard warning started Friday night and the closed sign stayed on the door/answering machine/website for Saturday too. Can we say Garden Party do-over? Hmm...maybe next week? Stay warm everyone!

Thinking outside the "big box" store decor

I was sitting in the emergency room with my son Zach (a possible ankle break turned out to be a bad sprain, after x-rays and a "how to use crutches" lesson they sent us on our way), and happened upon an old issue of House Beautiful. I am a visual person and really just leaf through most magazines, never really "reading" unless something really catches my eye. But, oo la la...I ran across this photo and it stopped me dead in my page thumbing. I loved it so much I quietly tore it out of the magazine (yes, I admit it, I am one of "those"). An urn as a sink! Brilliant! I so love bathrooms with personality and this one has it, yet it is simple, elegant and understated. "Honey? Next weekend I have this little project for us..."

Take that Christmas wreath down!

Just had to share this with you. From the latest issue of Romantic Homes magazine. Above, a unique and funky "wreath" made from an antique oval frame, bits of lace, skeleton keys, dried hydrangeas, make it personal and add anything romantic. Below, a door hanging made for love just in time for Valentine's Day. Afterall, your front door welcomes all your guests, a romantic gesture in the name of love! Perfect for the entire month of February.

If music be the food of love, play on...

As many of you know we are always on the lookout for unique music to play in the shop. I firmly believe music is necessary in our lives on so many levels. For White Cottage it is an integral part of your shopping experience. Afterall, shopping is as much about stimulating the senses (all of them) as it is finding new treasures. Oliver Wendall Holmes said "Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water-bath is to the body."

My new favorite is a group called Over The Rhine which I shared with you in the December newsletter. I am now offering the Trumpet Child cd in the shop for you to add to your personal collection or as that perfect Valentine gift.

The Columbus Dispatch

Welcome Columbus Dispatch Readers!

I have felt like a child at Christmas waiting for this day to arrive! White Cottage featured in Kristy Eckert's Shop Talk column of the Columbus Dispatch! I am honored and thrilled to join the community of small business owners who have been Thursday's Shop Du' Jour in Kristy's articles. I hope you enjoy your visit to my website. Make sure to check out some past issues of my e-newsletter which you can access on the home page. After receiving the December newsletter one of my customers e-mailed me this wonderful note:

"Your newsletter is like my favorite magazine subscription...can't wait 'till it gets here...can't wait to read it...always sorry when it is "over"...and can't wait 'till the next one! Thanks for a wonderful year of White Cottage treasures! Thanks for a wonderful year of White Cottage communication and superb prose! Marilyn"

If you would like to be added to our exclusive newsletter subscriber list please use the enroll box on the home page (we hold your privacy with the utmost regard and will not share or sell your address with anyone).

Thank you for stopping by today. We invite you to experience White Cottage in person...where Spring has arrived early!

Gloria in Excelsis Deo

"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid ... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."

"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men." (Luke 2: 8-14)

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." - Linus Van Pelt

From all of us at White Cottage a very Merry Christmas to you and yours.

The Big Night

Do I really have too much time on my hands?

Okay...I know, there are SO many other things I should be doing but I stumbled on this and it is too cute not to share. My 10 year old daughter found it just as amusing (hmm, what is that saying about my sense of humor?). Anyway, it's a fun little website that gives you a wacky, royal title. Check out mine!

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Most Serene Highness Lady Lisa the Sentient of Fritterton on the Marshes Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Now that's just plain cool...

I love finding new uses for great old classic pieces. These ideas are fantastic! I found these while perusing the HGTV website and knew I had to share them with you. So many times something will just "speak" to you but you don't know what to do with it? How about those wonderful vintage Christmas stands you see in every antique shop this time of year? Check out these ideas and photos. First is a cake, plant or anything you want to elevate stand. Simply cut a decorative wood curtain rod to fit the hole and attach a wood plate to the top!

Second is as a great candle holder, tapers, pillars, any will work depending on what size tree stand you find.

Third is to make it into a great lamp! Add a shade and another decorative curtain rod and voila!How fun is that? If you are not electrical savvy ask us and we can refer to our favorite lamp guy.

tis the season for shopping...and baking...and sledding...and wrapping...

Here it is the first week in December, the beginning of the gift buying frenzy. I actually thought we would be slowing down and was not looking forward to this. But our customers have been returning and returning and returning...and the beginning of the gift buying frenzy has not really even begun! We even had some drive up on Saturday, loaded their car with as much as they could, drove it home and had lunch, unloaded the car and drove back for more the very same day! Last Thursday I left the shop around 2:30 to do my Mom taxi duties, when I returned at 4:45 there were 2 ladies oohing and ahhing. I told Janet they both looked familiar. She said "That's because they were here when you left." Two hours and fifteen minutes! This just warms my heart! So it is with heartfelt thanks that I extend my appreciation to you.

Janet is winding down from a week of prepping for her space at the Cherry Valley Lodge Home for the Holidays event. This show is so wonderful and is packed with shoppers. If you haven't been to it plan on it for next year. You will not be disappointed. Janet almost always sells out no matter how much she takes. Too bad she can't pull up a semi packed with her treasures!

With all that's been flying out the front door we are bringing in just as much through the backdoor. Some recent finds are two nice vintage wicker chairs. Unless they have great vintage barkcloth cushions I almost always give them a makeover with a great new European pillow for a seat cushion. Also found a WONDERFUL 18th century urn with fantastic scrolly arms. I LOVE these things and would have them all over my house for everything! If my dogs were taller they would be eating out of them! Seriously, this one is stunning and would be fantastic in some stately garden, would make you're entry fabulous or imagine it with a Christmas tree! YUM!