Santa Monica Antique Offerings...

I recently stopped in at the Santa Monica Antique Mart.  They had such a wide variety

of offerings.  There was definitely something for everyone. 

I think we are all aware of my love of silver...

And alabaster...

As I said, so many things to see...

I love this piece...

So much to look at...

It's always fun to return to an antique place because there is always something new to

find and enjoy.

What have you been  up to lately?

I hope you all have a wonderful week.

A House In The Trees & Thank You

Yesterday I visited the CALM Antique Show in Santa Barbara and after that met a
friend for cup of tea in Montecito.  While driving around Montecito I spied a couple
of very creative and artistic treehouses.  They really caught my eye!  Although I 
didn’t stop to take pictures I really was not able to get their beauty out of my mind.

I remembered reading about a man who’s business is to create wonderful treehouses.
His name is Roderick Romero and he is the guru of treehouse creations. Some celebrities
who have commissioned Mr. Romero to build treehouses for them include Sting,
Donna Karan, Val Kilmer, Julianne Moore and many other’s including CEO’s of large
industries.

Sting’s treehouse, in Tuscany, is built on a century old oak tree with  copper and found
wood from the land around the old oak tree, on the edge of a private lake. A huge copper
sundial was built into the floor of the treehouse and Romero, with interior designer wife
Anisa,  designed stained glass windows for the 190 sq. foot abode. It is named
Casa Del Sole Di Mezzanote.

(Sorry, magazine pictures don't always copy well)

And designer Donna Karan’s treehouse has a bridge to take you to the house in the
trees.  It also includes an Australian musical instrument built into the wall where you blow
into the mouth piece that goes up a tube that is inside the wall and resonates throughout the
entire structure.

Here are a few other wonderful treehouses...

This two story structure will be one of several in a Costa Rican treehouse
community...

Val Kilmer’s house in the trees...

A tri level treehouse...

Santa Barbara treehouse...

Lantern house in the trees in Santa Monica...

Romero is New York based and has a band called Sky Cries Mary. He has designed
dozens of treehouses scattered from Montecito, California to Tuscany, Italy.  All are
said to be fully functional with electricity, kitchens and plumbing.

I must admit, I never would have thought of doing a post on treehouses but for the fact
of seeing the spectacular treehouses in Montecito.

Now, my question is...Do you have a treehouse?

I also want to thank so many of you who left comments and sent lovely emails regarding
my kitty.  Unfortunately, he passed away. He lived a long and happy life until the age of
27, which really is quite remarkable.  He came to live with us 26 ½ years ago when the
people he was living with decided to move away and abandon him. He was the sweetest 
little guy and I certainly do miss him. I thank you all for your kind wishes for him. It has
been a sad time for me and I thank you for your generous kindness and understanding.

My Spring Fever Continues!

Well, the weather has certainly cooperated with my Spring Fever!  We have had
beautiful sunny warm days in Southern California with temperatures around 80!
Believe me, this is not the normal weather for this time of year, we are usually in the
50's and 60’s.  However, I have been totally enjoying this burst of early spring to
feed my spring fever.

Recently I visited a wonderful antique store named A Beautiful Mess and had a lovely
conversation with the owner, Kymberely Fraser of 3 Fine Grains.  If you are in
the Southern California area I know you will enjoy a visit to A Beautiful Mess in Agoura. 
I only wish I had had my camera with me. Next time, for sure!  It is a very lovely store.

Because it was such gorgeous weather I also spent some time outdoors in Malibu. I
guess everyone else decided to do the exact same thing.  It was so nice to see so many
people out playing in the sand and surf.

The famous Malibu Pier...

Even though the surf was mellow the surfers lined up waiting for the next wave...

The Lifeguard patroled the beach...

The red sand of the Malibu cliffs was showing a little green...

Children were frolicking in the sand and sea...

Bright colorful umbrellas were making an appearance...

But just turn your head in the other direction and you are reminded that it is still January
and this spring fever will soon disappear for another few weeks...

Later, I went to visit a friend and passed by a park where many people were also

enjoying the beautiful weather...

Playing soccer...

A baseball game...

Yes, all signs of spring!

I also saw four Monarch butterflies but didn’t have my camera ready...definitely a sign of
spring!  And,  I think the birds are beginning to get their summer cottages ready...

Yes, I definitely have spring fever.  However, I know this will be short-lived because
temperatures will fall back to normal in a few days.  They say that next month is going to
be very rainy for us.  Oh well, spring will follow and we will all be enjoying the gorgeous
weather again.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

PS... Please know that even if you haven't heard from me I am reading your blogs. 
I have been working long hours on a project and also, my kitty (who is 27 years
old!) has been very ill for the last week so I have not had the time to leave comments.
But please know that I have been reading and enjoying your blogs.  You will start
hearing from me again soon.  Thanks so much for understanding.

An Introduction

I was going to write a post about trying to make a decision of what to do with my
vintage footstool but have decided to tell you about that another time.  The reason
for the delay is that a friend sent me some wonderful pictures of footstools and
ottomans that she has in both her home and her antique showplace. I was so excited
to see her pictures that I wanted to share them with you right away.   Here is just a
sampling of  a few of her wonderful pieces...

Stephanie Lloyd

Stephanie Lloyd



Stephanie Lloyd



Many of you know her but for those of you who don't I would like to introduce

you to Stephanie Lloyd.  She is one of the leading purveyors of old and authentic
grain sacks and she and her husband Ken have a wonderful and thriving antique
business. Stephanie and I have a very special friendship in that we have been friends
since before kindergarden!  We were the best of friends when we were children.  We
adored each other but  then we would squabble and quickly make up because we could
never stay mad at each other for long.  As adults, we would lose contact with each other
and then find each other and then lose each other again only to find each other again. 
She is the best!   I actually consider her to be more like a sister.  You can find and enjoy
her most delightful site and blog at www.StephanieLloyd.com.   Wait until you see the
pictures of her showplace!  Now that it's Christmas time she has decorated the front
window beautifully. Well, it's always beautiful but there is just something  special about
Christmas.   I know you will enjoy her blog and her pictures.  Oh, and she has supplied
lots of pieces for some of the biggest movies you have seen.  I know you will enjoy your
visit to her site and reading her blog.  I hope you will leave a comment for her and say
“Hi” from me.

Here is a tease looking in her Christmas window. Who knows, maybe in one of her
future posts she will show you her beautiful home.

Enjoy your visit with Stephanie Lloyd and I will continue my footstool story in

another post...probably after I finish decorating for Christmas.

I hope you have a great weekend!

PS...Stephanie was having some blogger issues yesterday but everything is back

to normal today.  Enjoy her site and blog and please say "Hi" for me.

Another Trip To Country Roads

I was so excited today when I found that I had a couple of free hours and could
drive down to Old Towne Orange and visit Sue at Country Roads Antiques. It
seems that lately everything has been rush, rush so I was so delighted to have the
time for a visit. Wandering around her shop is always so much fun. You just never
know what you are going to find.

Today was very interesting because they were setting up new displays.
Adding an architectural feel...

Sue is great. She let me take my camera and wander around so all of you could

enjoy a day at Country Roads too.

Lovely linens and velvets...

For all you mermaid lovers...

A table made of shells...

Forms come in all shapes, sizes and sexes...

Some of you were fortunate enough to go to the Alameda Flea Market a couple of
weeks ago and you may have seen this wonderful display.  A friend fell in love with
it and emailed a picture to me. I realized this beauty's home base is really here at
Country Roads but they exhibit at the wonderful Alameda Flea each month. I
certainly wish I lived closer to that flea because it’s one of the very best.

I can just see this in a garden with roses and lavender...

I actually have several more pictures and wonderful architectural pieces to

show you but blogger seems to be having some problems and I'm having difficulty

loading my photos.  They will have to wait for another time.

I hope you all have a wonderful week.