Paris, Anyone?

Passport? Check. Comfy shoes? Check. Camera ready? Check. Paris, anyone?

I’ve been hopping “across the pond” for many years now - the first trip when I was just seventeen years old. As I return from each trip, I love sharing my various experiences, but I always come across the same comment from so many lovely ladies. Most of the time, it goes something like this, “Oh, I would love to go to Europe someday, but I could never afford a trip like that”. And to that, I say, 'start packing your bags, sister!'.

If you have a desire to tour Europe, then you’re in the right place. This is part one of my travel tip series in getting "across the pond". In part one, we’re keeping things short and sweet. If you’re still interested in all the details, then stay tuned next week for all of my specific how-to’s.

First let’s do a quick cost comparison. Let’s compare a stateside trip to the Coast versus a trip to Europe – this way you can see the cost difference on paper…



Wanna be frugal? Then do your homework! Book your own flights…I go both to individual airlines sites, as well as the big dogs like Expedia and Travelocity…it takes time, but you need to be your own travel agent.


Forget hotels – stay in an Apartment! Our family finally caught on to the blessing of renting apartments all over Europe. It's much cheaper and you get to live like a local!



Eat with ease via bakeries and local grocery markets – that crusty bread and cheese is dreamier than you could imagine!



Forget the rental car…while in Europe, travel like a local via Trains!


Get your Europe fund rolling now. A yard sale is a great place to start!


Don’t touch your Europe fund – no matter what!



You will have memories to last a lifetime…and hopefully some over-stuffed shopping bags to take home with you as well!



So...are you intrigued? If a trip across the pond seems appealing to you, stay tuned for next week’s detailed version of The Frugal Mama Takes On Europe!

Here's who we're linking up to this week...follow these fabulous blog mamas!

Last Minute Lucy Needs Help!

Help! As always, life was crazy this week and now I'm wayyyy behind on finding the perfect Mother's Day craft idea - I'm running out of time. I know that earlier this week, there were several Mother's Day craft ideas floating around blog-ville, but now I can't seem to track any of them down. If any of my sweet friends out there know of any blogs that were posted with cute mother's day ideas, please send me the link. I love to bless my Moms with hand-crafted treasures!
Thanks Ladies (and any gents?)!

The All Things Dreamy Thursdays, Linky #2

Welcome back! We’re off to our All Things Dreamy Thursdays, week #2.

Today we’re headed into my küchen schrank to take a peek at some china. I’ve bought lots of fun things from all over the place, but today I’m highlighting some pieces that I have inherited. These are closest to my heart!

Now, I promise I’ll get to the show n’ tell of these precious pieces, but first here’s some background on why they are so dear to me. My grandmother was an avid collector of china – I also inherited her shoe addiction and travel bug! From what I remember, she had at least 6 major china collections. Unfortunately I was away at college when she passed away and there was a massive estate sale that took place, without me knowing. My grandmother had always promised me that her things were my things, as I was the sole granddaughter, so I was pretty devastated. I did find out later that the family did keep some of her things, including one of her sets of china. I was told that the china would be mine after I married.
Get married = get china? Too easy!

Well…years passed and I was not married. I would longingly stare at her china during family holiday get-togethers. I did finally marry at age 36, but at that time, her china was living with family, out of the country. This past year my father sold his home in Canada and brought back all of the belongings from the house there. Guess what was on the truck? MY china! So, 22 years after my sweet grandmother passed away, I was finally going to receive what she had always promised me.

The day that the truck arrived, I was both nervous and excited. As each box was handed to me, the grin on my face grew bigger and bigger. I brought all the boxes home and dove into them. To my surprise, there was not just one china pattern packed away, but three! Three! I guess the saying, “good things come to those who wait” could apply here. I treasure these Dreamy sets so very much because of who they belonged to, and also for their vintage beauty. Ok, I can’t wait any longer…let’s get on with the photos!

This is the set that I was expecting. It’s Wedgewood’s Columbia pattern.



We always referred to this as the Christmas China, because that’s when it sat before us every year.



The next set was a nice surprise. English Staffordshire’s Biarritz pattern.



These are extremely fragile, so I don’t use them very often at all.





This is what we refer to as The Adams China.



This is the china that our family had commissioned back in the 1700’s. Is that cool, or what?



You can see that there are lots of boo-boos, but I’m sure I would look wayyyyy more tattered than this if I was born in the 1700’s…



So if you stayed with me through this entire blog, you are a trooper! Photos are fun to look at, but I had to tell the history of these, to convey why these hit my list for All Things Dreamy. Now it's my turn to see what Dreamy things you all have written about this week...


Here is who we are linking up to this week...join these fabulous bloggers!





Here is how you link up with us...
1) Look for the words "You are Next Click Here to Enter" and click on them. Follow the linking instructions on the Mr Linky page.
2) Copy and paste the All Things Dreamy link button onto your blog, so that others can come by and say hi, if they wish!
3) Leave a comment on my post...you dont' have to, but it sure makes me smile!
3) Show some link love by visiting other's links as well - you may just make some new friends for life!

Link Up with Us on Thursday!

Hi Friends! Just a quick reminder that we will have the linky up and ready for our All Things Dreamy Thursdays linky party.
You should be able to link as early as Wednesday evening through late Thursday evening.

I'm crazy busy this week, so I'm running behind on everything. Potty training, cleaning house, potty training, purging for the yard sale, more potty training... Our new dog trainer will also be here for our first appointment in the morning. I hope she's not a neat freak, because this nest will not be so welcoming to her. Anyway, as we speak, my sweet Mama is proofing Thursday's blog for me...like I said, it's crazy over here! Can't wait to read your Dreamy words on Thursday. See you soon!

The "All Things Dreamy" Linky Party #1

Welcome to our All Things Dreamy linky party #1! I'm super excited for the upcoming weeks, as we meet up with fun new people and read about Dreamy things all over the globe. Are you ready to get started? Let's go!!!

All Things Dreamy, at Max's Haus
If you are ever in the hill country of Texas, you just may want to plan a trip to New Braunfels and hit Max's Haus. Max's is one of my most favorite places to shop, both for myself and for others. As you peruse the pictures below, you’ll see just what I mean! Max’s is much more intriguing than your typical antique store. It’s a combo of amazing vintage finds and incredibly talented artists, with prices that you just can’t beat. Each room in the store is unique and so are the treasures that you'll find there.

I am also quite fond of Max’s, because of its owner, Norma. Norma has a heart for stay-at-home moms desiring to have a creative outlet. Almost every corner of her store is represented by local ladies (most are moms!) who are given the opportunity to display their wares here, in exchange for very low rent and minimal commission. In other words, Norma helps many of us to have an outside life – three cheers for an outside life! I no longer have the pleasure of selling at Max's Haus, due to our move to Colorado. But, I still have the pleasure of shopping there when I'm in New Braunfels!

Ok, so now onto the dreamy finds that await You, at Max’s Haus!

When you see this sign, Stop! It's time to shop...



Here's the store...



The black & white room. I'll take one of each.



I love these artsy signs. They mix well with shabby or mod, priced from $8 to $68



Prior to being a mom, I was a teacher, so this is one of my favorites...



The kitchen. Full of vintage kitschy treasures and gourmet stuff...



I fell in love with this scale, priced at $55



This is a set of paper dolls with all the outfits included! I couldn't find a price...



An original from the Junior Miss pageant. It includes the program and all kinds of other goodies, priced at $38.



This artist's specialty is fun photos of the central Texas area...most are pics from my old stompin' grounds - Austin! Priced from $26 to $30.



This room always has an old Frenchy feel to it. I'm loving the chandeliers - the one on the left is priced at $120.



If you look just beyond the chandeliers, you'll notice this flower art. I don't use flowers much to decorate, but I could definitely use these. Each is so different and adds a ton of character to a room. Priced from $15 to $95.



On your way out, be sure to peruse the lawn and shed areas...more fun & funky things await you!



I hope you enjoyed our little tour of All Things Dreamy, at Max's Haus. Now it's my turn to see what Dreamy things you all have written about this week...

Here is who we are linking up to this week...join these fabulous bloggers!

border="0"/>







Laurie with Favorite Things Saturday




Here is how you link up with us...
1) Look for the words "You are Next Click Here to Enter" and click on them. Follow the linking instructions on the Mr Linky page.
2) Copy and paste the All Things Dreamy link button onto your blog, so that others can come by and say hi, if they wish!
3) Leave a comment on my post...you dont' have to, but it sure makes me smile!
3) Show some link love by visiting other's links as well - you may just make some new friends for life!

A New Linky Opportunity for You!

Good evening, Friends. I'm inviting you to begin joining us on Thursdays, for our All Things Dreamy blog link party.

We will be celebrating anything Dreamy in our lives...a new dreamy DIY, a dreamy day at the spa, or that dreamy new pair of shoes that you're wearing. Whatever you have going on in your life that you consider to be Dreamy, write about it and share it with us!

I will add the Linky post here every Wednesday evening. Can't wait to see what you ladies have to share! See ya Thursday!

Wanted: Homes for Wonderful Vintage Finds

We're back! Just wanted to let our fabulous followers know that the store is no longer on vacation mode...you can shop, shop, shop to your vintage heart's desire! I've included a few photos to highlight some of my favorites that are currently waiting for a fabulous new home to showcase them...

Just in time for Spring...an amazing vintage full bib apron.


This blue toile Lazy Susan.


This amazing vintage Vogue Paris Dior pattern...uncut!


A prime piece of Oma's handiwork.


And back by popular demand...our foofoo dishtowels! These will be listed in the store within a few days...I'm editing their photos now...



I've also just received my latest shipment of European linens from Germany and France. I can't wait to show them off...stay tuned! Until next time, have a fabulous weekend!