London part 2 and #50 Giveaway

Fifty

You know ....

the big five-oh.

They say

fifty is the new forty.

Not sure what that

REALLY

means.

But

THIS 50

is the real deal.

Time to stand up and say

"this is what life is all about".

This 50 is about

FUN, FRIENDS

and

GETTING OUT OF TOWN.

I am currently in London

and wish you could be here, too.

Here's our hotel.

Yes --

the potted trees on the balcony ...

that's our room.

I can tell we're not in

Whoville anymore ...

public phones ...

public bathrooms (toilets)

and public buildings

way too snazzy for our 'burb.

Today we went to the V&A.

That's the

Victoria and Albert Museum.

A museum founded by Albert

consort to Queen Victoria.

Albert and Vickie

(his nickname for her)

Dedicating the "new" building was apparently one of her last official duties out of the palace.

Sorry - found that interesting ....

Inside the entry was this chandelier.

Yep -- Northwest glass artist

Dale Chihuly's work.

Felt right at home!

Didn't take too many pictures.

Plexiglas makes it tough and I hate asking people to move so that they AND their reflection are out of the screen ....

Maybe if I were a better

photographer ...

Anyhow ....

Tomorrow we go to

Buckingham Palace

and the Queen's Gallery.

Liz will be out of town.

But said we could visit.

More importantly,

this is my

50th post!

Yes ...

I did want to get this done

BEFORE

London.

However,

plans are often optimistic.

Enlarging the pic

to read the sign -

the pink corsets

off display

at the V&A

were scheduled

to return to exhibit

MARCH of 2008.

At least I'm not

THAT late!

I had planned an

extravagant post.

Over-the-top.

Rose themed

with

TONS of pics!

They are all on my computer at home.

This is what I have:

Why roses?

The giveway goodies

are all about roses.

Imagine a beautifully

decorated box.

Covered in pink paper.

Everything padded with

Pink tissue paper.

Pink and roses on

EVERYTHING.

Didn't get done.

I DID get a quick picture.

Of some of the stuff.

Great book

Comforts of Home

bone china egg cup

fun little dish with cutouts,

three dishes with aqua banding

a plate with rose trim

delicate glass blown flower basket,

handpainted mug ....

Oops ...

not the mug.

Pink princess

"borrowed" it

after the picture was taken.

How could I say no

when she just confessed

she feels drawn to flowers.

This is something

new for her.

To make it up to you I am adding some vintage floral ephemera from my private stash, as well as a few goodies I hope to find at the markets and fleas here in London.

Interested?

Just let me know of your visit

to ANY of my

London posts.

Voila!

You are entered.

One for each post if you visit them all.

Thanks for all of your support -

Hugs and have a great day!

Sammy Girl

Going Out - LONDON part 1

Two posts before leaving.

Didn't happen.

BUT

we did leave on schedule.

REALLY!

No worry about missing the plane.

We got out of town.

PDX

Portland International Airport

Home base for our travels.

They have FREE

WiFi

so everyone could check e-mail.

But no time to post.

Long layover in Philly.

Didn't take any pics.

One airport McDonald's looks like

every other one.

At Heathrow we saw

a gaggle of girlfriends

from Denmark

(or Sweden, I forget)

who had stolen away the

bride-to-be.

Tiara - check

pink sashes - check

weekend in London - check

lots of laughs and smiles

for this happy group.

Once checked into our room

I wanted to go out.

To the balcony.

The one off our room.

Breeze felt great!

Across the street was a

private park.

We could go as guests of the hotel.

(After a cash deposit for the key!)

The Pink Princess and I

headed down the stairs

and across the street.

A rose beckoned

over the iron fencing.

There were paths to wander down.

Hydrangeas in bloom

A lovely greenhouse.

With more hydrangeas.

And a tennis court where

two friends were spending

some time together.

This private park was the

PERFECT

URBAN OASIS.

Families playing and picnicing.

And off in a corner ....

Friends were setting up a table

that was exquisitely lovely.

To celebrate the

BIRTHDAY

of a friend.

PLEASE IMAGINE

it's a party for all of you.

My next post with be

# 50.

Hugs and here's to going out and having fun!

Sammy Girl

Note: no signature today as on a different computer. Here it's 9:30 and time for shower and bed -- no time to read posts.

Hop the Pond!

GOODNESS!

I have two more posts to write

but no time right now.

One will be my

50th post!

I need to write them

before vacay.

We are heading to

LONDON

for two weeks.

We leave Thursday morning.

Day after tomorrow!

Pink Princess is coming.

For a while 

thought she was a cancellation

but she can come.

Make up Christmas present?

She was in India last year.

Or maybe to celebrate her

21st birthday.

It was 5 weeks ago.

Maybe just to have fun

with mom and dad!

Speaking of Pink ...

I am thinking about participating in Pink Saturdays

when I return.

Think that's the right day of the week.

For me EVERY DAY

celebrates pink.

ANYHOW ..

Here's a quick hit from a blog I visit

Decorating 101

Go see their whole post on pink rooms!

Hugs and have a super day!

note:  I have been updating my list of shows ... you might want to check it out here!

No new updates until after London and bank holiday weekend.

Get R Done Friday!

To visit other 

Get R Done Friday Posts

GO HERE

Note to self ...

Gather up ALL the postcards and notes about upcoming shows you want to attend.

Think I did ... but could be more hiding

Somewhere in the Who Villa ..

Put them on your calendar.

YEP!

And will share them all with YOU!

See the long post

just below this one  ....

Happy Get R Done Friday!

note:  Can you believe this is post #46/47?  Have a surprise planned to celebrate #50!

Cooling Trend? Hot Shopping!

It's been a pretty HOT summer 

here in the

Pacific Northwest.

Photo from Moggit - (where else!)

But now we have a cooling trend

where you can actually breathe

when you step outside.

Well, maybe not THIS cold ...

More like this ...

View from our Who Villa

Yes, I know, folks in

Texas and Arizona 

think our ten little days of 

over 90 degree weather

was hardly enough to turn on 

the A.C.

We are spoiled rotten with perfect weather

most of the time.

But back on track ...

the cooling weather and rain reminds me that

"shopping season" is just starting to

really heat up!

Just in time for the holidays!

Ornaments on sale at Etsy  from 

artist Lenae Mae of Windlewood.

Visit her blog, too.

Don't give me any grief over the fact that it's just August!

You KNOW ya wanna 

or gotta 

get things into gear.

And mid November you are 

ALWAYS

in a bind about why you put things off.

So here's the plan:

#1   * Look at your calendar

#2  *Plan to attend some of the many 

FAB SHOWS and SALES

(or virtual sales)

#3 *Combine retail therapy and

supporting small artisans and shopkeepers to

create your own economic stimulus plan.

Simple

Effective

Fun

What better way to kick start your retail "holiday" therapy 

(isn't ANY shopping day a holiday?)

by attending some of the 

FAB SHOWS AND SALES.

Aug. 22nd

Queen of Tarte and Willow Nest

the Queen does it up in her own trendy style 

and this month she is collaborating with 

Willow Nest 

for what should be a highlight of design you won't want to miss!

Aug. 22nd

Molly Mo's Summer Antique Faire

Diane throws one heck-of-a fun bash.

And joining her will be Kindred Roses 

(LOVE JULIE AND KRISTA!)

and Carol Curtis ... 

and maybe even more friends!

Aug. 22nd

Simplify Sale

Community Yard Sale

13691 SW Morgan Road

Sherwood, OR

9 AM - 2 PM

Aug. 22nd

Vintage Faire

Tumbleweed Cotillion

Yep!

This one's got the whole 'tude

right there in the name.

Who could resist.

Now git y0urself down to

RENO, baby!

Tracey (Notes from a Cottage Industry)

has an Oregon connection ...

and we LOVE her.

Aug. 30th

Oregon City Open Air Antique Fair

We will be gone, but

wish I could go.

ALWAYS great

100+ vendors

vendor application

Sept. 4th -27th

Fall Premier Show

Monticello Antique Marketplace

Storewide Sale Sept 4-6th

A great spot to shop .... 

with SOMETHING

for EVERYONE.

Sept. 5th

Crossroad Doll & Teddy Bear Show

Not the "usual" venue

for many of you to shop.

But believe me -

I have found great treasures.

Like small ironstone dishes.

Try it ...

You'll like it!

Go Mikey Go!

(get it? Mikey will like it??)

Sorry, it's a 5 am update.

National Guard Armory

Portland

Sept. 12th

Barn House Fall Harvest

Harvest a bunch of goodies ...

That's what I'm planning on doing!

Joe and Jermonne

and the phenom they have produced.

Can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves ...

Sept 12th

Vintage Barn Antique Show

For those of you not in the Portland Metro area

or wanting a trip out of town -

this is a great show in

Rathdrum, Idaho.

more info

btw -- Rathdrum is close to

Coeur d'Alene

Silverwood anyone??

If I end up heading to see Montana Girl

and the kiddos --

I'll time my trip to catch this show!

Who wouldn't love this Barn Baby?

Sept. 13th

Coburg Antique Faire

Need I say more?

If you've never been ....

Well, I can't describe what you've been missing.

Unless it's the best deals in the dark ...

and sometimes the rain, lol!

GOBS of Good Stuff 

and many of my personal favs will be there ..

any probably some new favs ...

(and I will too!!)

Sept. 13th

Antique and Art Faire

Want to stay in the

Portland Metro area?

Millennium Plaza Park

Lake Oswego

Sept. 19th

The Camas Vintage Street Faire

One of the most picturesque small towns 

so close to Vancouver WA and Portland OR

Laurie (Worthy Goods/A View from the Coop)

gave me the 411.

Sept. 2oth

Historic Deepwood Antique Faire

Hmmm .....

GORGEOUS Queen Anne house - check!

STUNNING gardens - check!

Vintage car show - check!

Live music - check!

Scads of wonderful booths - check!

Free admission - check!

On my calendar - DOUBLE CHECK!

Sept. 26th

Queen of Tarte 

Boutique Flea Market

Only Cindy could host a flea

that's really a boutique is disguise!

I have heard whispers about the guests,

but you'll just have to wait and hear it from the Queen herself!

note:  If you haven't visited the Pearl Street of Dreams, 

go just to see the space outfitted with finds from Tarteland!

Sept. 26th

Simplify Sale

Community Yard Sale

13691 SW Morgan Road

Sherwood, OR

9 AM - 2 PM

Oct. 3rd

JBUGS Sale

From Hwy 126 go south on Helmholtz about a quarter mile, turn west on Obsidian Ave. 

We are down about a mile on the right hand side.  

For more information or directions. 

Lisa at 541-410-7815 or Peggy at 541-460-0357

5735 SW OBSIDIAN AVE

Redmond, OR

Oct. 15th - 17th

Craft & Antique Show

Lynden, Washington

ROAD TRIP!

Think of heading up north?

Tippy top of Washington?

Maybe head up to Vancouver or

Victoria

for some tea

or 

Tim Horton's donuts?

Don't ask ...

Here's the place I wanna stop.

For all three days.

and THEN to the Empress....

Oct. 23rd & 24th

Funky Junk Sisters

Antique Show and Flea Market

A junk-a-licious show ...

One that has GOT to be on every

Junk Queen's calendar!

So much rusty stuff - so little time!

(South Hill - Puyallup)

Oct. 24th

Queen of Tarte

Can't let the pumpkin out of the bag ...

but come and see the Tarte barn!

Oct. 24th & Oct 25th

EXPO

Yes ...

It's a four letter word!

A true shop-till-you-drop

experience.

Nov. 7th

Molly Mo's & Vintage Trifles

Wow!

I kinda hate to mention this one, 

as I'd prefer it to be 

my own personal fun time.

But honestly -- 

everyone in blogland is 

so nice, 

that I MUST share.

These two are incredible separately and 

nuclear together.

For those that wait for 

Martha of Vintage Trifles 

to be at a show with her work, 

this is the one not to miss.

Don't be sorry - mark your calendar, NOW!

Martha's Miss Rose lives at the Who Villa!

Nov. 7th

Tarte Magic of Christmas

Good thing Oregon City and Sublimity are close!

Who knows

  "Magic"

better than the Queen of Tarte?

I've got to be there to experience the sparkles!

Hugs and here's to some fun on YOUR calendar!

NOTE: Updates will continue as more information available

Weddings

I heart vintage wedding pictures!

Thought I would share a few.

This one is from Dawn a while back.

Unknown provenance ..

Klager Lilac Gardens

Hulda had twin daughters.

Double wedding.

She made their wedding dresses.

Garden is a GOTTA GO when

lilacs are in bloom.

Another with unknown provenance, 

(which means I cannot remember where the image came from)

But I love the hand tinting.

This is currently my favorite wedding pic.

Not as vintage as the rest.

Nope -- not even vintage at all.

Unless you are counting in DAYS ...

and then it's OVER 60!

MSTG and RSG

at their reception.

Hugs!

note:  I actually own dozens of vintage wedding pics and am considering scanning and sharing them.  Good idea or waste of time? 

*MSTG my son the genius and RSG rocket scientist girl - Married May 31, 2009!!

2nd note: we are having a wedding shower TODAY!  Our niece is getting married on Saturday ... and both girls and both grandkids in the wedding.   Then countdown to our vacay!  HURRAY!