Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Antique French Chest

This very old antique French chest has the prettiest patina and is such a lovely piece. It's fat curved legs look as though it could walk around such personality! White marble top and large mirror does attach to back it is not shown here. The price on this piece is fantastic come check it out!

More Spring Florals

 Love this little nest with dusty miller and lavender tucked in it-there are tiny nest scattered throughout the store Spring is in the air!
 These bright yellow and red florals are so beautiful coming out of our old wheelbarrow...
Loving this silver luster jug stuffed full of these lovely Spring florals and surrounded by tall silver candlesticks come check out all of our new arrivals!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Bright Spring Florals In!

 So many bright and cheery florals have arrived for Spring! Bright Yellow forsythia, purple lilacs and lavender picks, green ferns & grasses, and twiggy bird's nest with eggs inside of them.
 This cupboard is full of green succulents and herbs-these little potted succulents are so sweet in a kitchen window or under a glass cloche.
Have your own basket or jug but not sure what to put in it? Feel free to bring it in we can work it up for you or help you pick out some of our beautiful florals to work inside of it!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Valentine Giveaway!


~VALENTINE GIVEAWAY!~ All you have to do is LIKE our new Bonnies Amies facebook page. Then LIKE & SHARE PHOTO and we will pick one lucky person to send our love to!

This intoxicating Simpatico bubble bath and shea butter soap soothes skin with pure vegetable-based soap, calendula petals and chamomile. Pour some into your bath and let the silky bubbles and decadent aromas surround you. Light a candle in our red etched glass votive and relax you deserve it! Two beautiful antiqued mercury hearts included for our valentine!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Antique Chinese Wheelbarrow

Our antique wheelbarrow is stuffed full of spring pillows and other wonderful things! Just in are these very cute wicker cloches perfect to display small keepsakes... such as old letters, a small potted violet, or use them outside this spring when you start grilling!
We have several very old Chinese pieces in the shop this is one of them for sale-it would be fantastic in a potting shed or garden room it's a wonderful piece!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Leaving Things Undone...


Snapshot Of Rocki Gorman

Here is a snapshot of our Rocki Gorman pieces we love so much.  Shown here is the "tres platos" three strand silver beaded necklace that is so great with any of her pendants. Large and small silver cross are sterling silver with Navajo stamping. Large bright blue turquoise cross is a beautiful vibrant blue, multi cross in middle is kingman turquoise, apple coral, and the green mojave turquoise. Come in today to try one of these pieces on a email us for more information. Remember Valentine's Day is coming up!

"My love of stone cutting carved a path for me. After moving to New Mexico 18 years ago, I grew into one of the top designers in the Southwestern venue and have continued to inspire, create and design contemporary jewelry crafted by Native Americans. My eye for color combinations has brought me to the forefront of Southwestern jewelry. I help support several Navajo families continue their rich silversmithing heritage, while keeping designs modern and fun." -Rocki Gorman

Rosso Vecchio by Vietri


Do you know we have carried Vietri in the shop for over a decade? It has been a staple in the shop and a wonderful addition to our little kitchen area! When I got married 8 years ago I selected the Vietri Crema we have used it almost daily and it still looks beautiful!
This pine black hutch is filled with the red Rosso Vecchio which would be so pretty for a Valentine setting don't you think?
With its crackled glaze, Rosso Vecchio has us seeing red - the Italian color of life, love and passion! VIETRI's classic solids collection, while inspired by traditional earthenware forms, is made for a modern market! It is twice fired and formed of dense, less porous terra cotta, making it dishwasher and microwave safe.
Translation: aged red
Handmade in Tuscany
In the 1300's, peasants used rustic glazes on their hand-thrown pottery that separated during firing, exposing the terra cotta on the edges of the pieces. VIETRI reproduces these edges on Rosso Vecchio using clear glazes.
Due to its red glaze, Rosso Vecchio has a slightly crackled patina that adds to the character of each
piece.
Charming, distinct shapes, vibrant red color and rustic deckled edges characterizes the Rosso Vecchio collection. This large tavern pitcher can be used as a beautiful centerpiece with fresh cut flowers! Handmade of terra cotta in Tuscany.

Vintage Style Bottle Rack

Loving this metal vintage style bottle drying rack this would be fabulous on a kitchen island to hang your coffee mugs or juice glasses on. It's a large size so it would definitely make a statement in a kitchen or bar area! Holds over 24 bottles, cups, spools of ribbon, use your imagination! Great functional piece with loads of charm for your home!
Here is an example of taller skinny bottle rack with glasses displayed on it as well....

Monday, January 21, 2013

Happy Monday!


Happy Monday! We hope everyone has a great week!
I took this photo a few years ago in a small French town... we walked to the very top of the city to look down over it. The roofline was still damaged and had holes from the bombing of WW1-it was a beautiful little city that had withstood so much throughout the years!

Sunday, January 20, 2013

A Little Spring Is On It's Way

 Recently we have got in this fabulous antique French carved oak table estimated to be from the early 1900's it still has the original chairs that were with it. It would be a great great desk and of course a stunning dining table dressed up or dressed down...These great large white washed wooden lanterns are so pretty with colorful glass acid jars scattered on top of it...
I had the pleasure of working Saturday afternoon and noticed we are getting in fresh and colorful Spring florals. Will keep you posted as they are worked with and displayed. I am ready to put of the cedar and winter and spring up my home!

My Favorite Little Leather Chair


We like to talk about chairs at the shop...how they feel when you sit in them, where they would look good in our homes or others homes, what kind of ottoman they might need. The list goes on and on we all have "a thing" for chairs we can't help ourselves.
This one in particular I really love because it looks like old aged leather and it's a perfect quaint size...
Oh how long can Christmas money last I would love to take this little leather chair home with me...And those kilim pillows sitting in him are just lovely perfect amount of turquoise blue in them...come try our chairs out you will enjoy!

Door Of Happiness

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” -Helen Keller

Simpatico Bath & Home

 One of my favorite and easy gifts to give is the Simpatico bubble bath in the these beautiful glass bottles. We simply shrink and bow it up and it's perfect! I thoroughly enjoy it on a cold winter night for a hot bath...also available are wonderful soaps, bath salts, and much more.

One of the best additions to the Simpatico-Home fragrance line has been the beautiful hobnail candles. These extra large candles burn about 100 hours. The lovely hobnail glass is available in eight colors and scents; Meringue, Fern, Stem, White Flower, Coral, Petal, Reindeer, and Tea. Their nature inspired scents will fill your space with fragrant illumination. The natural wax is hand poured with care in the USA, and the cotton wick allows the candle to burn clean and even so that you are left with a darling hobnail glass vase once the candle is finished.

Fill your home with a fresh and inviting scent these hobnail candles are beautiful flickering in any home...Simpatico’s natural fragrance goods are sought after by many for their high USA made quality and gorgeous packaging which of course has gifting in mind. This new fragrance line has already been featured in Country Living, Real Simple’s Holiday Gift Guide, Southern Living, O Magazine and more. It’s easy to find the perfect gift for mothers, wives, husbands, sisters, or any one on your love list at Simpatico-Home.

Friday, January 18, 2013

French Table In The Window


Here is out lovely antique French table filled with silver croc lamps, glass cloches and glass jars, and large tablet style journals...Parson script chairs on the end finish it off...

Muted purple and grey hydrangeas are tucked in here and there. Venita is at market this week looking for new and exciting items for the new year! So far the finds are wonderful Chinese antique pieces, large fantastic oil paintings that look dutch and are amazing, Aidan grey chairs and much more. Will keep you updated!

Winter Blues Bring On Spring!

I am ready for Spring this cold dry winter so far has made me anxious to be outside in the sunshine and work in the yard....
 So here is some inspiration for those who are also ready for Spring! English cottage with green thatched roof this looks like a house in your dreams doesn't it?

 So beautiful filled to the brim with every plant and flower imaginable I appreciate English gardens because they are so full and beautiful let it grow!
 I just loved this photograph and her blue polka dot skirt....
I think this Spring being with our summers so hot and it was so dry last year I'm going to fill empty spaces with hardy roses, lavender, and shrubs that can withstand the dry heat. This picture gives me inspiration!

Quit Staring At Me...

These lovely ladies will watch you wherever you venture in the store-their gold frames have a wonderful old patina and they are reproductions of old master paintings recognize them? This black distressed scrubbed chest goes with our drop down desk I just love these pieces because they are so unique and the finish is great on them...
Here is a pair of great antique chairs we recovered in metallic croc and finished out in large brass brads. This little corner is also full of religious inspiration-old santos, antique Jesus lithograph, and much more....and a better view of that chest it is a great size wonder if it would go somewhere in my home...

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Burt Reynold's Stew & Grandmother's Apple Crisp


 A long time ago my mother gave me her burt reynold's stew recipe if you have never made this it is a hearty and wonderful dinner on a cold night. Especially this week it has been bitter outside. Below is this recipe enjoy!

 Burt Reynold's Stew
3 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 (8 ounce) can beef broth
2 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
3 potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces
6 -8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup dry red wine
2 lbs boneless beef round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 bay leaf
1 pinch thyme

Directions:
1. Cook bacon until crisp reserve bacon fat, and drain bacon on paper towel.
2. Combine flour, salt and pepper in a plastic bag shake beef in flour mixture to coat completely.
3. Brown beef in bacon fat, turning often Add onion and garlic cook 3 minutes. Add tomato sauce, broth, wine, bay leaf, and thyme.
4. Cover; on low heat simmer 1 1/2-2 hours.
5. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, and mushrooms. Uncover and cook until meat and vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with reserved bacon.

Grandmother's Apple Crisp

Above is my grandmother Daphne Fern's apple crisp recipe. It's very simple but I love making it on a chilly night it is very comforting and the recipe card still smells like her kitchen. I like to add cinnamon, fresh nutmeg, lemon juice and a little sugar to the sliced apples. And also add pecans to the crisp mixture-I sometimes imagine her standing behind me making sure I peel the apples!

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Our fireplace mantle

Here is our little fireplace mantle worked up for a fresh new year...Gold & turquoise platters hung and overlapping each other is a glittery contrast with the old scrubbed blue and white santos admiring them...Notice the old santos hand tucked in winter greenery we love unusual and special items such as these...

White Washed French Shelf

This tiered Frenchy white washed pine shelf is full of turquoise Vietri, mercury glass decanters, Paris clocks and jugs....This shelf would be fabulous in a bathroom with linens and towels stacked on it and glass jars filled with beautiful soaps. Or featured in a kitchen with a majolica or pewter collection. Drop by and have a hot cup of coffee we have been diligently working, cleaning and rearranging for the new year. Wonderful eye candy!

Life Is A Journey

"All of life is a journey which paths we take, what we look back on, and what we look forward to is up to us. We determine our destination, what kind of road we will take to get there, and how happy we are when we get there."
I took this picture when we were visiting a small little town in France on our way to the market. They were in the bakery getting their bread I was so charmed! Didn't want to come home ever!

Scrubbed Black Desk

I love this quaint black scrubbed desk with a drop-down work table. And I especially appreciate it with this great antique chair recovered in a black floral Ralph Lauren fabric with big brass brads....
 Filled with cubby holds and the perfect size(not too small or large) the patina of the burled wood shows through each scrape and scrubbed section.

Last what is displayed on it is just an idea of how your wonderful items could look on it! Shown here are these great leather bound canvas books, turquoise & bone frames that are great price, and a bone magnifying glass! Come in today and take a look at it-we offer lay-away and can deliver and work it up in your study or bedroom...We have some wonderful antique maps that would be great displayed above it!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy New Year

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"
Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. ~Helen Keller