Vintage Shopping and Home Decor - Part One

Here we go ladies and gentlemen.  Buckle your seat belts because we are going on a 3 post journey to some of southern NH's prettiest vintage and home accessory shops.  First we will visit the newest shop of the 3 on our journey, Twin Elm Farm located in Peterborough, N.H. 

When we arrived we were greeted by the adorable Michelle who was so friendly and more than happy to talk with us.  Soon she was joined by her mother Louise, owner of the shop.

Twin Elm has been open since last August and let me tell you, each time there are more and more goodies.
Come on, we got some shoppin' to do!

Gorgeous old farm house with wrap around porch in beautiful Peterborough, NH
Easily accessible from the main road and lots of parking available

I've seen these bottle racks all over blogland but I have never seen one used as a light ornament. 
Love it!



I know we're supposed to be looking at the plethora of silver but I can't take my eyes off of that lampshade!



The color of this chandy is perfect with all the lilies.



This lamp set is so feminine!  Delightful.



This pic makes me dizzy, but I just love this chandy.

This is so clever.  It's just a bunch of twigs glued together and spray painted.   Just place it around a pot or vase and you have instant nature indoors.

I think every vintage shop needs an old typewriter!

I will own an alabaster lamp soon.  I just love them.

Looks like my little chubba Albert.  Same attitude.

Can't go wrong with concrete urns (or concrete anything!)

Vintage porcelain pooch

Dreamy

One can never have too many fleur di lis.

Hope you enjoyed your tour.  If you are ever in this neck of the woods you must stop in.

Thank you Louise and Michelle.

                                           Linking to:
                                                No Minamalist Here/Open House Party

My Thrifty Finds Today

Quick post this evening, I'm exhausted.  Why?...  Little Miss Melissa and I went power shopping today to some of our favorite antique/thrift/shabby chic shops today.  We hit 3 of them and stopped for a girl's lunch in the middle of it all. 

I am going to share a few of my favorite finds from today and call it a night after that.  My next 3 posts will be part of a series that include gorgeous photos of all 3 shops. 

Here's a look at some of my treasures...



This is a beautiful vintage blouse that has the most amazing tiny pleats in the front.  It did not come with the camisole underneath, I added that so the photo would show how sheer and delicate it is. 





Exquisite





This 'almost' tunic style blouse is not nearly as spectacular but for $6.95 I had to have it!
It's a J.Jill, so definitely not vintage.






Looks puckery but it's not, it just needs a good ironing.  The bead work and stitching is very delicate and pretty.



Now onto the delight of my day!  I have been looking and looking for a cuff bracelet at a price that would make me smile and had practically given up.  I set my eyes on this lovely sassy girl and it was love at first sight.

It gets better.  On the shelf below the bracelet were these darling earings. 



Gold Eiffel Towers with creamy ivory bows.  Love, love, love these.


But wait....is it possible I would possibly find something else to pull it all together?  Yes!!!  Sometimes I just love whimsical jewelry and this ring practically jumped on my finger and battered her eyelashes at me in hopes of going home with me.




So fun, so delicate and such a perfect match with the bracelet and earrings.






Oh my!  It's the little things that make me so happy.




I have really gotten into hats these past few years and this one is so versatile. 
 Scooped it right up and actually wore it the rest of the day.



Thanks for stopping in! 

Ribbon Driveways

Whenever I see a driveway with a strip of grass growing down the middle of it I get a warm nostalgic feeling.   My grandparents had this before they ulimately ended up paving theirs.

source: apartment therapy

While these are not unique to New England, there was a time when many NE driveways looked like this (perhaps not so perfectly manicured).  There is an actual name for these, they are referred to as Ribbon Driveways.   Before the days of paving, people would pull their cars into their driveways and the tires would cause ruts on the grass leaving only the patch in the middle.  Once paving began (originally with concrete), the ruts were filled and the grass was left to grow.

For some homeowners, these have made a comeback due to their 'green benefit'.  First of all, there is less use of whatever material is used to pave which allows more growth of nature.  Second and perhaps more important, there is far less sewer run off.  There is actually a company right in my home state of New Hampshire called PermaTurf  that has created an interlocking system that helps the grass take root and withstand heavy loads.  The system is made from 100% recycled plastic.  Many people who are intentionally designing driveways like this are using this or similar systems to assist in the overall maintainance for the strip of grass.

All I know is I love the aesthetic of a grass and paved driveway....gives the illusion of history.



          





                   



                                












Here a few beautiful variations.........

This one just makes my brain hurt.  How on earth is this functional I ask you?

   

        

My favorite!

Now go get your big girl/boy DIY boots on and go tear up your driveway!  Just don't tell the Mr. or Mrs. that I told you to.


                                                Linking to these lovely blog parties:
                                                         Common Ground