A Visit With King William & Friends

My stompin’ grounds in Texas are typically within the Austin area.
I love everything about Austin and could give you quite the tour there – great foods, thrifty finds, amazing parks and all my favorite music venues. Nearby San Antonio, however, still remains somewhat of a mystery to me. My husband grew up there, so I have found myself in San Antonio quite often over the past few years - although a lot of that time is spent driving around lost in San Antonio! A few years back, I was lost (yet again…) and accidentally stumbled upon the most amazing neighborhood. When I did manage to find the way back to my in-laws home, I excitedly told them about this neighborhood that I had found - beautiful homes from years' past and chocked with luscious trees and foliage. They smiled and simply said, “Oh...you were in the King William District”. So this wonderful mystery neighborhood does indeed exist, and it has a name!

On this trip to see family in Texas, I decided to do a picture tour of the King William District and his nearby neighbor, Monte Vista. You will notice that Monte Vista has more of a Spanish influence in some of it’s homes. All I know, is that I’ll take one of each – they are all beautiful and I would love to know the history that each one has seen.

Let's get on with our antique casa show 'n tell. I now introduce to you, the King William District

This southern living dream is on the corner of one of the entrances to the area...


This one is kept in immaculate condition...


A beautiful cousin to Key West...


You couldn't possibly wake up grumpy in this one...


This baby needs some TLC. I wish I could be the one to breathe more life into it...


Mega-sized and beautiful!


Want to be King William's neighbor? This one's For Sale!


And now onto the King’s neighbor, Monte Vista…


A Spanish beauty!


Love the carport and windows, windows, windows!


Monte beautiful...


"Stately" is the word you're looking for...


In the words of Rachael Ray, Yummo!


See the room with the windows, just above the carport? That would be My craft room!


Classic brick and scrumptious windows...


Need a new project? This one needs a little TLC...and it's For Sale!


I hope you enjoyed our little tour of King William & Friends. If you're ever in the San Antonio area, take a look for yourself. I can promise you will be inspired!

Here's who we're linking up to this week...




Update: October 10, 2010
Linking up With Chari @ Sunday Favorites.
Stop by & enjoy!

Bluebonnets & Cousins

These pictures say it all - fun lovin' cousins frolicking in the Texas Bluebonnets. It makes me sad that our babies are growing up so fast, but these photos will make the memories even sweeter.

For more fun photos, you can also join Mary at Little Red House for her Mosaic Monday or Claudia at Dipity Road. Enjoy!

Longing for Vintage Pasta…

My morning routine starts as always; after a few sips of coffee and cereal bowls placed in front of the kids, I sit down and hop online. Let’s see what’s churning in the world since last night…
In my email inbox, I see that Angela @ European Market Junkie has posted some pics from her recent trip to Venice. Nice. I’ll take in some pictures of Venice as I sip my morning cup. But no – these aren’t just photos of Venice. These are photos of an antique market in Venice. Oh my. These pictures just make my heart pound with excitement. There is nothing like walking down a cobblestone path of Europe, and turning the corner to find an unexpected outdoor antique market. What a rush! The greatest one I’ve ever stumbled upon was in Rome. I thought my husband was going to have to scrape me off the sidewalk. I was a little overwhelmed to say the least.
Back to the photos…she bought this amazing vintage Murano glass bead necklace, which is a smack in the face to any of the new ones they have out there – it’s dreamy. I would have had a hard time walking away from the cute little antique settee/bench - I want it, I want it, I want it… So, as you enjoy your morning cup of Joe, you may want to peruse Angela’s photo’s as well. I’ll bet they will inspire you to book some flights to Italy – ASAP!

p.s. did anyone notice that I finally (FINALLY!) figured out how to do links within my blog? That's quite an accomplishment for this non-techie mama!

Welcome to Bailey's Haus

Today we're joining others in their DIY show-n-tells, although mine will be more like a DIH (did it herself) as I am on vacation. While I'm visiting family and friends in toasty Texas, I'll be highlighting the creativity of those near and dear to me. I married into a family that is crazy-talented. I love seeing their latest creations, and you will too! Off we go to our first Spring show-off on our Texas trip...

Bailey girl is our furry little Texan cousin. She lives a simple, yet somewhat shabby and luxurious lifestyle. Bailey is quite lucky in that her mama is very talented. In fact, her mama (aka AJ) makes Martha Stewart nervous. She cooks, paints, quilts, sews like a champion, and even builds houses. Tiny houses fit for a pooch, that is.

So a week or so ago, AJ decided that it was time for Bailey girl to have her own space. Off to Lowe's she went, and this is what she came up with...




I never thought that our furry cousin would get a cute beadboard house with a hot tin roof before I did, but I can keep dreaming. Someday...

Bailey's mama even keeps her special treats in a shabby manner...

And her food bin looks scrumptious...


Her bedding is also on the chic side, even if she's worn it out a tad...

Bailey's mama is raising her the right way. She's a sweet simple girl, who now has a space for entertaining guests, the Southern way.


Have a very blessed weekend as our World celebrates Resurrection Sunday!

And now, here's who we're linking up to...

I'm Talkin' Texas

So I drove…


And drove…



And finally arrived…


In the great state of Texas!


To find much warmer temps…


Friendly faces…



Old places…


And amazing spaces.


And I plan on sharing them all with you!
Stay tuned as we take a fun and funky look at all things vintage…


in Texas!

Packin' up The Beast

Just wanted to put a little note on here for our shop followers. If you click on our Shop link, you'll get our "vacation" notice that we're away for a few weeks.

We're currently packing up our monster-sized Suburban (aka The Beast) and headed to the Great state of Texas for a few weeks. My poor cold pasty winter bones can't wait to soak up some Texas sun! My flip flops are all lined up and ready for wear. I also have my extensive list of Austin restaurants handy...I can just smell the TexMex now!

We will be blogging along the way, so stay tuned as we say hello, Texas style.
'Nite Neighbors.

Top O’ the Mornin’ To Ya!

A good thanks to all ya Bettys and fellas for joinin’ us t’day, as we give a nod to all things Green! I have to say that this is one of the easiest blogs I’ve ever created, as my favorite color is….green! I’m not the Kelly green kinda girl (sorry Saint Pat, but I’m truthful), I’m more a lover of the lime & retro greens. Now, onto the sharing part. I was going to post this fun-filled blog with Mr Linky this evening, but I just got an emergency hair appointment for this afternoon, so I’m posting now. My white trash roots are screamin', so my priorities have changed a bit.

Let the Saint Paddy’s Day big-girl show-and-tell commence!

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things…”
Now you’re thinking, “what in the world does the Sound of Music have to do with Shades of Green? “. Well, remember those adorable little frocks that Maria so cleverly (and quickly!) made for the kids to play in? Made from curtains! …she was a frugal mama as well and she may just have copied Scarlett here... Well, those are definitely one of my favorites today!

Here’s some current stuff that I promptly display in my house…have fun perusing my green stuff…can’t wait to see Yours!

First up is my most precious retro Fiesta serveware in chartreuse. Also note the cute tablelinen that it’s sitting upon – a gracious green find from Germany.



Next is my prize luggage. It doesn’t look so green in the picture here, but trust me, it is. I bought the larger piece at Goodwill and the smaller one was picked from a garbage pile in Germany. Free is always fabulous!


My green shabby little picket fence. This beauty is hanging on the wall of my craft/work room. One of these days I’ll post pics of my fun little work space – right now it’s cluttered with piles of fabric and other fun stuff…



My favorite tee just happens to be green. For you Texans out there, you may recognize the logo for Amy’s ice cream. Seriously amazing ice cream!



If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you may recognize this little beauty. My precious little sewing basket, purposely picked at a flea market in Paris. That was one amazing thrifty day!



This is my daughter’s bed that was also rescued from a trash pile in Germany (I promise to blog on my trash pile days at a later date!). It was a screamy red and now it’s a perfect lime green, fit for my princess.



And of course, it’s only fitting to end my Shades of Green with a photo from this week’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade, here in our home town – loads of fun!



Thanks for letting me share with you and I look forward to looking through your green day blogs as well. I just linked meself over to Cuisine Kathleen http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/2010/03/sharin-of-green.html as she is havin' some green fun as well!
Be off with ye now and have a blessed week!


I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who posted your fun St. Pat's Day blogs here. When I deleted the Mr. Linky box, it unfortunately deleted all the links with it. (groan...) Like I've said before, this whole blogging/techno world is new to me. Please have patience with my learning curve and I'll take any tech tutoring that you have to offer! Hope you all had a fun-filled St. Pat's week!