Are You Ready To Spring Forward?

I recently stopped at the Santa Monica Antique Mart and could not escape the fact that
there were clocks ticking everywhere. Maybe I noticed it so much because I am aware
of the time change happening this weekend.  We are going to set our clocks forward
one hour at two o’clock Sunday morning...but I’ll probably do it before I go to bed on
Saturday night.


I think the picture above of the clock table is quite fun and unique. But maybe we don’t
need to be that aware of time passing so quickly. I would constantly be thinking of all
the things I had to get done before the end of the day.


Here are some other clocks that were making their tick tock voices heard today.  I
was not always able to get a full length picture because the antique store has so many
wonderful things and often there just wasn't enough space to stand back and take a
full picture. I know the overhead lighting causes a reflection on some of the faces in
the pictures, but when you are in the store it is perfect.

Here is a better look at this clock's sweet face...

This table clock is one of my favorites...

If you collect plates...

A sweet little Swedish clock.  She has a darling face and a little drawer...

A little more fancy...

A pretty little cloisenne clock

I wonder where this octagon clock lived before?  Maybe a school or market...

I believe they said this one was Danish...

 

There are so many styles of clocks.  It would be fun to know where each of these clocks
has lived before.  These are just a few of the many clocks in the store.
I love the fact that we are setting our clocks forward. That means more daylight hours
and spring is definitely around the corner.

Happy Spring...Forward!

 
PS...I apologize for taking so long in doing a new post.  I have been working hard on
decorating a beach house for someone and it has been taking all of my time.  The good
news is, he's very please with the beach house...so far!

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning...I Can Even See Catalina Island!

We have been having lots of rain in Southern California this past week but today was
beautiful.  In an effort to ease my eager spring fever I decided I would take a few
pictures while on my walk this morning. 
Our beautiful white flowering pear trees lost all their blossoms in the heavy wind and
rain of the last few days but the flowering plum trees are still quite lovely.

The Magnolia trees are beginning to bloom...

Some of the spring flowers are also beginning to blossoms too. Like this Calla Lily and
Bird of Paradise.  You can still see the raindrops...

After the walk I met a friend for breakfast. He is leaving to go to France for a few
weeks so we decided to meet in Santa Monica because it was a glorious crystal clear
morning.  I looked toward the mountains and was surprised how snow covered they are.
They are about 2 hours away. That’s one of the wonderful things about California, you
have the Pacific Ocean on one side of you and the snow covered peaks on the other.

Here are some of the snow covered peaks...remember they are about 2 hours away...

Look, you can even see the famous Hollywood Sign below the mountains...

But I was headed to a restaurant near the Pacific Ocean. The sky and water was so
blue today...

Even though it was very early (he had to catch an early flight) people were already at
play and enjoying this beautiful clear crisp weather...

And sailing...

It was so clear you could see Catalina Island which is 26 miles across the sea! There’s
a bit of morning haze but the island can still be seen...

Those of you who used to watch the show Baywatch will recognize this beach.
This is where they filmed that show...

Looking toward Malibu...

Well, getting back to my spring fever...I have put some flowering branches in a vase and
I was hoping they would be flowering by now. But they are just beginning to bud.
Oh well, I love the branches and once the flowers bloom they will look extra beautiful...

Kathysue of Good Life of Design recently wrote a wonderful post about decorating with
branches. Her post also included some beautiful images you can view here.

Also helping with my spring fever is this lovely orchid that friends gave me when my kitty
died. It is a soft yellow that definitely speaks spring...

I also added a couple of vases of roses because they were on sale at Trader Joe’s for
only $3.99 a dozen. Who could resist!

And yes, my dried hydrangeas also remind me spring will bring fresh flowers...

What are you doing to help with your spring fever?  Do you ever decorate with flowering
branches?   I would love to hear your spring fever tips!

A Quick Stop At Santa Monica Antique Mart

A friend and I met for lunch and decided to stop in at the Santa Monica Antique Mart.
It is not one of the places that I go to often. I decided to take a few pictures so that
you might take a peek inside the store.  As you will notice the spaces are very close
together so unfortunately it was difficult to get a wide or tall picture.

I fell in love with these two-toned alabaster pair of table lamps. I think they are
absolutely exquisite.
I have not seen many two-toned alabaster lamps.

I also really like the other alabaster lamps standing next to the two-toned...

One of my favorite pieces of the day is this bisque lamp laden with grapes. It has a
marble base and I thought you would really enjoy seeing it.  I wish I had been able
to get a tall picture of it because the shade is perfect with the lamp, but people were
working and redesigning all around it so I just had to snap while I could.

A few more pieces...

 

 

 

 

 
Dogs hand carved of stone...

 

A touch of  Roseville...

 
Just imagine...

 

 

A Hand Painted Screen with Bamboo...

  A Large Map Of Paris...hanging from the rafters...

 
 

 
Masks In A Frame...

 

 
Another Favorite...An Old Metal Ship Box...

Did anything catch your eye?