Shabby Chic Dining Room Before and After

Wow, it has been a month since my last posting but I have been so busy!!! One of my personal goals before the end of 2011 is to have my house looking tip top! When I finally was true to myself and listened to my inner voice and no one else, I decided to renovate the house the way I wanted it! After all I own it and pay the mortgage. With a love for Shabby Chic and Paris Apartment style and a keen eye for decor at minimal expense, I set along the decorating path. Feeling a little like Martha and a little like Sarah Richardson, my team of paint experts at Benjamin Moore and my knight in shining armour Micheal (my painter, contractor and ever so handy man) have been transforming my house one room at a time.
Today I want to reveal the dining room. It is a south facing room so it gets lots of sun and has lots of windows. We really don't spend alot of time in there since eating in front of the TV or on the go is more our forte. I wanted a dining room that would be inviting, look great in summer or winter and be of course Shabby Chic therefore hopefully we would spend more time in it and be able to have a FAB Christmas dinner.
Even though I committed the cardinal sin of painting over original wood trim, I love how it looks and I'm very happy!!
Well here it is!

Ikea Lekvsik Round Table with Leaf:
$250 on Kijiji
White ikea chair covers: $5 each
Pink and white striped pillows: 2$ each Value Village
Chandelier: 10$ Yard Sale and the best bday gift from my neighbour, Carlotta
Gold Mirror: $1 thrift sale
Painting: by Micheal Hall
Paint: Wall: Woodlawn Blue, Egg Shell
         Trim: Cloud White, Semi Gloss
Christmas Items: Yard sale
I still have to put up some drapes yet, but I'll save that for another blog!

The Mysteries of Port Ryerse

I am fortunate enough to live in a place that is steeped with history and folklore. This is my favourite time of year as the nights get colder, the leaves turn brilliant reds and golds and Norfolk County takes on a little mystery of its own. Having a vintage clothing store allows me not only to show you the wonderful clothes we have to offer but to also share with you the places where we love to showcase them. Last weekend and today we are in a little lakeside town called Port Ryerse.
Founded in 1795 by Samuel Ryerse, a U.E.L. During the mid 1800s, it prospered under the lumber exporting industry.When the railway bypassed Port Ryerse in the late 1800s, the town's prosperity faded but it still remained a popular summer getaway as well as a great fishing spot along Young's Creek.
Today only restored century homes, cottages and the wonderful Anglican church remain. The churchyard cemetery is an historic United Empire Loyalists gravesite dating back to the early 1800s. I find it fitting to shoot some of our vintage clothing here because it is so beautiful and takes me back to another time. If you get a chance to visit the church, do so. Last week, some tourists thought I was a tour guide because they 'thought I was in costume" " No, I explained, I just sell vintage! :)"

Entrance to the Port Ryerse Anglican Church~

Perfect autumnal inspiration~ http://www.etsy.com/listing/84583103/60s-dress-mod-brown-hippy-plus-size-fall

Photoshoots can get a little creepy at times~

This is the outfit that prompted the tourists to ask if I worked here~
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84734013/plus-figure-medieval-dress-velvet

The United Empire Loyalist Cemetery behind the church in Port Ryerse.

This is a gorgeous 70s boho wedding gown photographed in front of an old farmstead from 1866.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84587713/70s-boho-lace-wedding-dress-ivory-cream

More pictures and stories to come from today's photoshoot!

October's got those orange eyes..........

October is upon us! I can't believe it has been over a month since my last posting. School starting, the girls' basketball and life has just caught up with me. Today, though, was the perfect fall day to get cozy by a fire, watch the leaves swirl around the yard and contemplate the summer past. This is my favourite time of year. It has a bewitching character about it that draws you in whether it is deeper into the woods or deeper into your heart. I always find this season a time of great change. My new collection for fall reflects the mystery and the magical aura of the autumnal equinox.

Witches are always present but emerge from the forest to dance under the light of fall moon...

Strangers draw the attention of detectives, Sherlock Holmes is watching~

English Country girls properly attired in their dapper wear for autumn would not be the same with burgundy wine~

The fall is the perfect time to be the elusive spy~

All these items are in my shop now!

www.etsy.com/shop/thewitcheryvintage

Feeling like Snow White

Snow White is one of my favourite Disney movies. As a child I remember being terrified as she ran through the dark woods with the long gnarled branches grasping at her as she ran through the forest. Unknown to her, what she feared was just the animals of  the forest. I have a little collection of vintage ceramic animals, mostly from the 50s and 60s, made in Japan, that remind me of the friendly animals in Snow White. My favourite one is Bunny Love! I guess I'm just a little girl at heart.

Yard Saling Finds

I am an avid yard saler. Getting up at 6:30 a.m. is a call of duty for me during the late spring, summer and fall months. Yard sales in our county can be small, household ones or get as big as the giant townwide sale in Caledonia, ON where hundreds participate! That being said, how can I help myself but think of all the treasures that await me. Today I went with my very cool neighbour, Carlotta. She is from Mexico and I swear I will be bilingual in Spanish very soon. She loves to yard sale as much as I do and we both know how to rock a sale.
Today was Friday and normally there are not many sales to be found but to our advantage there were a lot mostly because of the Port Dover Summer Festival and perhaps it was just a great sunny, warm day. From Simcoe to Norwich to Port Dover, we ventured getting some really cool things. I think we have a TV show in the making! Here's some of what we found!

The colour of the day was red and black! Cool 80s red suede witch boots-$1, 50s Tapestry purse $2, 80s Danier Red Suede Crop Jacket $1, 60s mink hat in black hat box $2, black knit cat .50 cents!

 I just had to give him a home!

 Patterns from the 60s, All bigger sizes too! all for about $4!