Cottage dreams

I awoke this morning from a dream I’ve had many times before. It involved a quaint garden, crumbling stone walls and a kitschy interior.

 This cutie is close to the one in my dream. I wonder what lies beyond that adorable cottage door.

This charming look would do until I saw this beauty below, for sale and in my neck of the woods.

 I came across this little gem, for sale just three hours north of my house, on 2 acres and within walking distance to the beach. It was listed for under $80,000. The perfect little project which could become the ultimate summer house. It looked like my dream may come true. I couldn’t dial the phone fast enough but unfortunately it had been sold. My dream will have to stay a dream for now.

xo-jj

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The Mad Tea Party in the secret garden blog event

Frolic…  Whimsy…  Magic…

Childhood comes and then it’s gone before we’ve had the chance to understand the magic and pure joy of living every day just for the sake of fun.

Just as soon as you fall under a childhood spell, it’s broken and grown up life begins. There are mountains to climb, bridges to build and households to maintain.

 

 

This story got started the day Gi Gi decided that something in her life was missing.  She couldn’t quite put her finger on it but  something was definitely wrong. 

The days of endless tea parties and playing dress-up were gone and 

her day dreams had all been forgotten.

 

She needed to find the piece of herself that had been  lost in the midst of living? Where could she go for help and who would understand?

 Suddenly she heard a voice…

“There is a place where dreams run wild and hope is free. Follow me to a far away land with magical spaces. This fanciful place can only be seen upon a return to the carefree mind of a child.”

 I must be brave, thought Gi Gi, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly before entering this secret garden of  magical characters and dreamy spaces.

 

She piered through the gate, while worries she might not fit in or be accepted filled her head with nonsense.

 

Don’t be afraid says little sister, Ra Ra we will enter the garden together, you and me. It’s time to forget the pressures of grown-up life and remember the days when you felt like a princess and your only worry was eating the icing before it melted. 

 

Gi Gi knew sissy was right so she checked her worries at the gate and entered the garden. This strange place of magic and whimsey filled her heart with pure joy.  For the first time since she could remember she was able to be herself , in this place where hearts were true and wishes granted. 

 This secret garden allowed both sisters to be themselves, to chase dreams, love unconditionally and wish til their heart’s content.

 Best of all, everyone in it was content to be themselves in a whimsical kind of way.

Nothing was too serious or uptight but fun-loving and free just like the days of her childhood.

The garden was full of surprises and laughter echoed from every direction.

Thank you, Dear Miss V, for providing a place where the cup is always full and our inner child runs free.

click on the image below to begin your journey to the enchanted land of A fanciful Twist and join this year’s fantastical blog party with  almost 300 participants.

 This festival of madness has shown us the way to a land of magical dreams and fairy tale wishes.

Take it from Gi Gi- life is meant to be lived authentically with joy and whimsy, surrounded by people who are free to dream and live their lives with hope for the future.

 Enter her secret garden and

live every day the way it was meant to be- joyfull!

 

 

There’s no place like blogland!

xo-jj

My inner gypsy

This room brings out my inner eclectic with it’s travel inspired finds that are drenched in rich color.    love,  love…

Found this at serena and lily

now off to work

xo-jj

Can you keep a secret?

The secret is almost out…

It’s time for the 3rd annual Mad tea party, join us this Saturday .

xo-jj

 

Grandpa’s are the Best!!!

 

 

Busy, busy day but I’ll be back later to visit my favorite cyber peeps later.

Happy Father’s Day!

xo-jj

Michigan Summer

Close your eyes, feel the grass between your toes, the breeze blowing through your hair, as a warm sun kisses your cheek. I’m enjoying the beautiful colors of summer and a steady breeze through my window-enough said…

xo-jj

Java June’s day off

I’m looking for a little inspiration before I paint my desk and decorative side table. I’m very inspired by the european feel of this room. It’s chic and finished but has  a rustic element that’s charming.  My decor is eclectically global, sometimes a little too eclectic. The pic above represents my more traditional side.

I can totally see myself in this room, Mr. Java not so much! I love every element in this room. What does that say about me- I don’t know. This pic represents my bold and rather impulsive side. 

This vintage shabby-chic look is also me. I’m not sure if I have a split personality or I’m just decoratively indecisive. This pic represents the homey, relaxed me.

 My office walls are red maple and my floor is indian slate (mixed earth tones), the curtains are off- white as well as the trim work. I’ve already refinished a little cottage dresser in creamy white with distressed blue details. This dresser fits the look above except for the fact that a buddha and indain goddess staue are perched on top. I’m having a little trougle defining my look. 

 I painted my antique chair that sits in the corner creamy white. A wrought iron dress form all decked out in pink sits on the back wall. I think I’ll use a creamy white to avoid udder chaos in the room. It’s not very adventurous but a little calm is in order, don’t ya think?

I have the day off  and the weather has been misty rain, comfortable temps but extremely high humidity, so gardening is out and indoor projects are in.

Have a lovely Monday.

xo-jj

Morning Zen

The magic of morning crept through my window and I came alive under her spell.

 

Fresh herbs growing on the potting table, patina pots and warm sunshine are my favorite parts of summer.

 

A little something, something I’m working on for my Etsy shop, little cards and envelopes made from a collage of  lovely images, professionally printed by Tiny Prints.

Wishing you a zenful day…

ox-jj

Pictorial meditation

 

Just finished my daily Yoga session. Feeling kind of spacey, no-words just a little pictorial meditation.

Enjoy!

xo-jj

Garden remodel

I’m looking to add a little color to my garden, turquoise perhaps.

Love love old pots with a great patina or chippy paint. This image from country living caught my eye.

This little green house would be the perfect place to spend my summer. I may be a city girl but my heart is stuck between the pages of a country living magazine.

We have had so much precipitation this year that a mini flood came through my garden during the last terenchal down pour.  So now I have to rebuild. The wood chips are gone and my flowers took a beating. The little play house/potting shed is wet but still standing.  The images from country living are a great inspiration.

Enjoy your day

xo-jj