Make note~

New Year~ New Ideas~ New Aspirations~New Blog~
http://www.luciwallis.blogspot.com/

Quite a log time~

It has been such a long time since I blogged that I could not even figure out how to sign on. After about 20 minutes here I am. Life has been busy! Someone in college should have smacked me hard when I chose to major in retail marketing. This has been the wildest Christmas I have ever had in my 17 year career! But like every year it's over and now just to get through inventory. I am rested and back to normal.
I have been going back and forth about this blog. Up until now I was going to just forget about it. But just like retail I love it and cannot walk away from it. You might not see me back right away, I have to redo this blog. Even thought the name is quite special to me I might change the look and the name. I wonder if anyone even reads this or not? Who knows who cares it is a great creative outlet! So for now I have to get my creative juices flowing~

Tons and Tons

I started with a couple and that turned to hundreds and now there sitting in boxes~ I used to sell these little pretties on my past website. I have them in white, yellow, blue, pink, and yellow. I have several around the house, but sad to say the rest in boxes. I need to pull these beauties out and do something with them. Any ideas?

Learning Something New

My husband bought a scanner, printer, copier thingy. Is thingy even a word, that's what I think of that little contraption. It took me forever to figure out the scanner. Don't you know I went a wee bit overboard scanning " back in the day pictures"~

I loved that dress, but oh so short!

My Dad made this baby doll bed and check out my little Bengal cheer leading outfit~ And no I was never a cheerleader. Remember from my last post, no grace~

I was happy as can be with my ketchup bottle!

By far the best Christmas to this day. My Dad made that sweet table and my grandmother painted it. Don't you know I still have it~

All For the Porch

I was off Tuesday and had my whole day mapped out. Well usually when you do that things don't go your way. And on this particular Tuesday nothing went as planned. And to understand the story you have to get to know me a little better. My middle name is not "GRACE" and that is a good thing, because I really have zilch! That's right I am a klutz of sorts. The times I have fallen down steps cannot even be counted. The boots I showed in my previous post and I commented how I got them broke in. Well that was thanks to my spill down our steps leading to the sidewalk. There are a few and let me tell you it was a fall. Bruises up and down my leg, however my boots were instantly broke in! The list goes on and on. Fast forward to Tuesday. Griff and I were getting ready to walk to school. Well wouldn't you know Cooper (a beauty of a Golden but no brains) got loose. It was 755a and the bell rings at 805a so G and I headed out to play Cooper's little chase game. Thank goodness he did not follow us to the schoolyard, that is bad and has already happened once. So I dropped G off and wouldn't you know Coop was there sitting on the porch waiting for me to let him in.

I should have stopped there. I proceeded to shower and get ready for errands. When I headed out I had to stop for gas. I put the pump on the automatic flow thingy and ran in to get a Diet Pepsi. Here is a valuable lesson don't do that! I forgot about it and drove off and yanked that hose right out of the tank, it was still hanging out of my tank. Thank goodness someone did it last week and it could be fixed.

I was on my way and headed to Hobby Lobby and Michael's to get more decorations for the porch. I was excited to get home and put my visual thoughts into motion. I proceeded with putting the burlap garland up and adding fall leaves around the door. I was using my old rickety chair as a step stool. (Note to self always use a ladder) Well don't you know I lost balance and went flying down with the chair. Smacked my head and elbows on the porch, it was not pretty.
Somehow I pulled myself up and headed to the phone to call my husband. I was then approached by my six year old who informed me I should have used a bigger chair or ladder. Thanks sweetie I will remember that next time. To make a long story short my husband and I headed to the ER. And let me tell you that is always a fun experience. Since my husband is a police officer we play the I arrested that person and that person game. That usually entertains for about 15 minutes and the people watching keeps me going till we get called. After xrays and waiting I have one elbow with a hairline fracture and tendon problem. Just a normal day in the life of Grace oops I mean Bristol! And if you drive by my house it's half decorated!!

P.S.~ Notice how we have a routine at the emergency room, well we go a lot~~

Progress

I don't know if you all work like I do but it is in stages. I build a little on things each day. I love this Harvest banner I created out of burlap and twine. I usually decorate the front porch in Halloween but with work being crazy; I wanted something that could make it through until Christmas. So I went with a Harvest theme for the front porch. I keep adding a little to it every day and hopefully by next week it will be done. Everything on 125 Grant St. is a work in progress. I decided to go with the classic orange pumpkin this year~ I even added my newest boots on the porch for their color. They were a birthday present from sweet husband. I have been working really hard to get them broken in and I think I have been successful~

Swoon~

I was blogging for a quick second and came across the most delightful blog http://www.toriejayne.blogspot.com/. While I was visitng I ran across this wonderful designer that I am just swooning over. http://www.janconstantine.com/ Off to get my creative juices flowing it may even be a two post day~

P.S ~ Can some sweet girl please tell me to hide your link in a blogger post!

Marking My Calendar

I think I am marking my calendar to go. One of the instructors is Kaari Meng, oh how I love French General and her style~ I have always longed to go to Silver Bella. But way back in college I made the decision to major in Fashion Merchandising. It was fun and an easier major. Just lets say I was never a book worm more of a party worm! So I figure working weekends, holidays and nights is my payback for my crazy days. Don't get me wrong I am a General Manager at a large retail store and I do love it. It however keeps me away from fun things like Silver Bella( do you think they could reschedule our sale that weekend.

So perusing Mary Engelbreit's site I saw this and how excited am I. This totally works out for me. Every spring we head to my Dad's hometown in Illinois and only an hour from St. Louis.
So I think I am making plans to head off there! Is there anyone else out there that is thinking of going???

Decisions.. Decisions

Since there is a chill in the air, I can get down to Halloween decorating. Decisions, Decisions.... Debating whether to carry over the black and white pumpkins from last year. Such a fun and quick project. All you need is spray paint, markers and vintage paper. For some reason though I am just loving the classic orange pumpkin this year.
Then we have to decide on the costume. Last year we compromised and had two one for school and one for trick or treating. He got his transformer and we got to come up with a home grown costume. When I was growing up we either used items in the house or my Mom would create one. The little boy is cute as a button in his cowboy creation.

And the most important is the front porch. This picture is from two years ago. I have lots of plans for her this fall. The first thing on my list is the front door. Can I tell you how much I dislike both the storm and front door. I want to remove the storm door and paint my door red

a dark red. and then paint No. 125. So give me advice do you have a better color choice. Right now I have the paint samples taped to the door and they are all red. I am going to remove my wicker chairs and add rocking chairs or a bench. I think I am going to fill that porch with Mums and orange pumpkins.

Next up the mantle, this was last year! I think I am going to go with white , black and pops of orange.

I hope your fall decorating is going well, don't you love this time of year~

Thoughts

I felt as if I was in high school again this weekend~ My son had his school festival and it being his first year in school I wanted to give as much as I could. We sold the raffle tickets, donated all the needed items, worked the festival and donated something to the silent auction. I felt good until I went to the actually festival. Wow to my surprise it is like a whole new world and where do I fit in. It was like I was a freshman in high school again so many cliches and lines drawn in the sand. There was every group right there, just like in high school. And at that moment I had that feeling of insecurity! It has always been hard for me to make friends quickly. I am very quiet in surroundings I am not comfortable with. I have been mistaken for a snob on so many levels because of it. Little did they know how insecure I felt, what to say and what not to stay....just easier to stay quiet. When I am at work or in my element I am a chatty Cathy and in new settings a misfit!
I guess in a way I have felt insecure in my blogging and that causes me to stop and start. Afraid to move ahead..... fear no one will read my blog....fear that I will be standing on the sideline. The other day I actually asked my husband well how do you become friends with someone... sad huh.
So I look at all these blogs and the closeness of some of you sweet girls. Can someone tell me how do you get there, how do you fit in so well.
Not knowing the answer it leads me to this, get out there girl. You enjoy blogging, put more effort into it. My Mom always said you "the more you put into something the more you get".
Buy until I get there can anyone give me a clue?
Now the festival and the Mothers there, a whole other story I am going to have to tell on another day~

Bristol

Dear Besties~

Dearest Besties,
I put my wonderful birthday present in the most perfect place today; it was like it was always supposed to be there. From the perch on my couch , I saw so many things in that vintage cabinet that reminded me of my friends and sorority sisters of 20 years. The beautiful lines and detail reminded me of Jennifer, the strength of the cabinet reminded me of Les. The oh so fun and vibrant paint job reminded me so much of Debbie. It was at that moment , I was so thankful that you three were back in my life again. I don't want to go in to detail but in the past years I had distanced and basically cut myself off from you sweet girls. You can be rest assured that will never happen again.

There has never been one single day that I did not think of you and longed to be in that wonderful circle of friendship. I don't want to dwell on the past, but look towards the future! How lucky I am that I have gotten to spend time with the two sweetest girls of my friend Jenn. I look forward to getting to know Les's boys as well. And Debbie, Sassy can always call our house home~

Spending my 40th birthday with you three was wonderful. Everyday that I look at that beautiful cabinet I will think of each of you. I used to think 40 would be so horrible to face; but honestly it is like I have come full circle. You all know me like a book and I cherish that! I am so blessed to call you friends, besties, sisters. Whatever the term, it is not going anywhere.

Jenn was given the task of picking my present out and if she only knew how much it meant. It was a wonderful gift to receive! I am so lucky to call you friends and look forward to the memories we will make. It makes me kind of wonder who had that cabinet in the past and what story they had to tell. I can tell you when it gets passed through my family ,it will have such a beautiful story to tell~

All my love,
Bristol

P.S~ Check back tomorrow for the reveal of my sweet birthday present~

Kindergarten

That little boy up there is my five going on six kindergartner. I always wished for a rambunctious little boy..... be careful what you wish for. That is exactly what I received. He's a little social butterfly like his Dad, talks a mile a minute. I honestly leave a room with him talking and come back to him still talking. His favorite catch phrase is "Let me tell you something". But all in all he is my sweet little boy.
He had such a successful time in preschool I thought kindergarten no problem. Well I was sadly mistaken. His class has an apple tree on the wall and if you break a rule your apple comes down. We have been in school for a little over a month and Griffin's apple has been taken down 5 times. Last week Grif had his first visit to the principals office. Did not phase him in the least!
Grif's teacher says he is a popular boy in class, but talks and interrupts class. That I said is his problem he wants to socialize all day. Let me tell you ladies it is going to be a long 13 years at this rate. We do know one thing at least he will be surrounded by lots of friends in the process~

~I Lied~

~ I don't know what it is about Fall that really gets me recharged. Isn't spring the season that is supposed to do that? Well for me it is the day there is a chill in the air~ My mind starts thinking about pumpkins, Halloween, mums, chili, backyard fires, college football.......
And the thought the that I am going to be 40 in a exactly 4 days, yikes I said it! The other day
at work I told one of my sweet 18 year old employees how old I would be. " I did not know you were so old" was the answer I was not looking for. "You look so young" was the answer, good save!

~ So I had this vision I would stop blogging and get really involved in my house , work and family and not miss blogging in the least. Well I did everyday I visited my favorites. So here I go again..... hopefully it will stick this time.

~Off to plan Fall decorations......can hardly wait to share!

Bristol

So long... for Now

I have not posted in about a month! I think I am going to close the little blog. I have so much going on with work, family and house it leaves me no time for this. So bye for now. It has been a pleasure getting to know so many wonderful ladies.

Bristol

Where does the time go

We have been so busy here on Grant St. Working on the little boys room, cannot tell you how much I dislike painting. Hope to have pictures up soon of his baseball room~


And can I tell how much I dislike the fact that a couple of my favorite magazines are out of print. I am so hard up I peruse the Pottery Barn catalog for inspiration. I just received the fall catalog in the mail and they have added Vintage Style as one of their decorating categories. Some cute things and ideas check it out........


Love the graphics in this room.
Cute little take on some burlap roast bags~

I love this bar it look like a work bench of my Dad's. Makes me think of an idea~

I love love this idea of the photos clipped to twine. I have this on my to do list for today. I am going to try in my living room and bedroom.

Where do you find your inspiration??

Doghouse~

I have a thing for totebags, maybe because I ruin them so quickly. My most favorite is this little lovely from http://ballarddesigns.com/ . Because I bought one for my Mom at Christmas, I think I have the right to use it. What you say, why don't you buy your own. Well because I am cheap that's right I said it. Just ask my husband it was just until recently I let him purchase a large screen TV. I do really get it honestly from my Dad. When I was in the 8th grade I swear we had cable installed on our black and white television. Okay back to the topic!

This cutie is on sale for 13.99 so I am off to purchase. The sad thing is I will think about it for another 30 minutes, so wait before you look. The two things I never scrimp on are hotel rooms and shoes. Those are just two things I cannot lower the bar on. That always reminds me of Bridgit Fonda in It could happen to you~ One thing she could not scrimp on is Miracle Whip(cute movie) So now you ask why the title.....

Well like I said I purchased one of these large totes in green with brown initals for my Mom. I always borrow it on trips. Well this time I put too much in it and what do you know the strap popped off~

When I called to tell her she was not happy. So everytime I call she reminds me, you know we take that tote to Mackinac Island with all the wine and such(because you have to have the right tote for wine!!) Today she flat out told me you better have another tote when you come up here in August. So needless to say I will be in the doghouse if I don't. So my question is what to have embroidered on it. Last time I did her initials and this time I want something different. So help me out which do you like the best
1. the lake
2. cottage
3. Up North (that what we always say when we are heading to the cottage
4. Let me know if you have something better.

There can be only 8 letters~

P.S. Wait a while before you check that 13.99 tote out! I ordered mine, they are an extra 10% off!!

Glamping.........

Back from vacation, finally! We had an adventure flying home with emergency landings and such. A missed connection in Atlanta to cause a vacation extension by a day and did I say I do not like flying. We did have loads of fun, sorry to say not a lot of pictures to follow. I was bad this time at clicking the Fuji on this vacation. I do recommend St. Maarten it was wonderful! I do have some great finds through hours of reading on the plane. First up is the book Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. I'm sure if there are some "self proclaimed foodies" out there, you know the movie is coming out in early fall. It is a great memoir of Julie who decides to cook through Julia Child's book in a year. If you don't mind a few choice words it is excellent!

My next find I think was in a People magazine. It really makes me want to plan my next vacation. The funny thing is I am not that much of a camper, but this looks wonderful. Glamping whoever thought of that was a genius. There are more ideas at www.goglamping.com. These pictures below are from the wonderful www.pawsup.com resort. They also have luxury cabins to stay in. The resort is in Montana and a little pricey. I am off to research other glamping alternatives. Until then my husband is putting the tent up in the backyard for some summer fun.

I could so be kickin' back here with a glass of wine.......

P.S. Can someone please tell me how to link to a website. I had it down on typepad but for the life of me cannot figure out on blogger

Did someone say movie night....

Okay so I am almost packed and ready to go on the Caribbean cruise with my Husband's family. I have been anxious for the past couple days with regards to flying. It is not my most favorite thing to do. So my mind wonders to the things that make me relax. How fun would an outdoor movie night be. I would love to try this out a the family cottage this year, the kids would love it. I guess there is no way for the cow to be included. We could start with dinner outside and then on to a double feature. It would surely be a Disney classic double feature, Freaky Friday and Herbie the Love Bug. Did I ever mention to you that my son G loves old Disney Movies we have a ton on DVD, such a cute kid~ Happy weekend to you!

Picture from Country Living

Picture from Country Home

Quick note and then back to packing~

So I have a mind that goes in fifty million directions a day. So many things I want to accomplish and not enough time, oh never enough time. That little nasty word CAREER gets in the way,there's no way around it. So I have been thinking lately how to fit in everything I love~ I thought for the past week about just throwing the blogging thing out the window. I have not been putting a lot into it for some time. But just like my mind goes a new idea popped up and it got me to thinking. I love the whole blogging thing and the sweet girls I have met along the way! I have always just stumbled around trying to find the best little area of blogging I fit into. And you know what who cares what group or class I fall into. I am just gonna do what I love and go from there. One of my most favorite people in the world told me "You need to do what you love to be happy in life". So I am getting on that road to do what I love. It is a dream of mine to have weekend sales with a farm/country atmosphere. It may take a year to get there but that's the road I am headed on. So to get there I am going to change the look of the blog and officially close down http://www.honeybendvintage.com/ . So the images up top will be a focal point of the new blog. The one thing that will surely stay the same is that picture of that little farm house and the name Honey Bend. We will tell you the story when the new blog look pops up in a couple months. I think through trial and error Honey Bend Vintage has ended up right where it needs to be~

Interruption

We interrupt this blog for vacation to the CARIBBEAN. Headed out for our family vacation very soon. The laundry, packing, planning is underway. I will be taking a blogging break for a few weeks! See you soon........