A couple of weeks ago I had the awesome opportunity to help my friend Stacy (owner of the fabulous store, Dream) set up and sell at the brand new College of San Mateo Antiques & Collectibles Market. By my calculations the event had to have at least 200 if not 300 vendors and a great turn out of shoppers. There was plenty of food, music, and tons of cool stuff.

It was a great treat to spend an entire day hanging out with my best friend; helping promote our businesses was just the icing on the cake. We caught up with friends, made new contacts, sold stuff, and smelled so much kettle corn that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat it again.

The new market was so successful that I can’t wait for the next one. Flea markets are such an amazing source for everyone; you can find the perfect chair for your client’s living room, a cool piece of jewelry for your friend’s b-day, or that obscure record/book/cooking utensil/belt buckle you’ve been searching high and low for. Even if you don’t score an amazing find, flea markets are a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon ambling along people and stuff watching. To have one in our own backyard is like a dream come true!

I've included some pics of Stacy's lovely booth and of the market itself. It’s going to be held the third Sunday of every month from 9am-5pm but don’t dawdle; many vendors start packing up early if the crowd thins. You can find out more about the College of San Mateo Antiques Market on their website: www.sanmateoantiques.com.

See you there next time!

Vintage Indian Suitcases, found object art, and antique greek and turkish olive jars at Dream's booth. And yes that's right, she does accept credit cards!

Garden Goodies @ Dream

Cement faces & hot pink 'Dream Dust' @ Dream

We had a really cool selection of chairs to choose from!

More handmade goodies from Stacy... 100% recycled purses made from salvaged fabrics, buttons, and vintage army bags

There was neat stuff all around... a definite must see!

What's with the new website title? I've decided to get a real business name! Saying my own name over and over again has made it sound less than appealing to my ears, and I want a business name that truly reflects what I do and what's important to me.

The word 'Haven' is defined as "a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter" and is also described as a place of "refuge". In the context of one's home, 'Haven' then means a place for you to retreat from the day's troubles and relax... a place where you leave the outside world behind to renew and find peace . The same goes for a garden- what better way to design a lovely garden than as someone's sanctuary?! 

I may also have a personal connection to the word 'Haven', as I'm considered a homebody and at times, even, a recluse (but not in a weird way). For me my home is my haven. It's my safety zone, the place where I can find sanctuary and balance from the stresses of life. But a 'haven' isn't solitary... friends have mentioned feeling welcomed and comforted in my home, meaning that a 'haven' can be sanctuary for one's friends and family too.

All that said, 'Haven' it is! I'm going to give it a shot and I have a feeling the name's going to stick. Please be patient with me as I transition to more aptly titled web address, e-mail, etc.

                        Here a are few lovely looking havens... what's yours???

While I love decorating for holidays and have even (embarassingly?) been nicknamed grandmother christmas, I have to be honest... I don't decorate for Valentine's Day.  I just usually don't have the time or perhaps the motivation to get anything together beyond a gift and some nice plans with my honey. 

If you do have the time, or the motivation, there are a myriad of ways that one can decorate for the day of love. On etsy, I was happily surprised to find several shops who make really simple, really cute V-Day Banners. Take a look:

Hang one over a doorway or mantle, put some pretty flowers in a vase, light some candles & pop some bubbly and you're ready for a romantic evening or party in your very own home!
xoxo

Today I’d like to share with you some fabulous Valentine’s Day gift ideas. Some are pricey, some are inexpensive, but all of them are unique and thoughtful, which is the best kind of gift to give. I’m not a big fan of red roses and heart shaped chocolates, but I’ve even found some modern (awesome!) updates of these traditional V-Day gifts.

After all, who doesn’t like getting flowers and chocolate?! 

For the traditionalists out there the classics are great, just make sure they're special, beautiful, and good quality! I'm obsessed with this sacred heart chocolate from Vosges Chocolates, who also has bacon chocolate bars:

To die for flowers by Susie Nadler at Flora Grubb Gardens

If handmade gifts are your thing, Martha Stewart's got some fun ideas, like seed starters, catnip hearts, and love note tea:

I also love this wrapping idea from Design Sponge and I think books make wonderful gifts!

If DIY isn't your thing, you can still give handmade by giving something from etsy, like this adorable platter or framed print 

I'm going to take a break from the Valentine's Day posts for a bit, but check back for a new "Good Read" and some V-Day decorating down the road...

Many of us believe Valentine's Day to be contrived... a holiday invented to get consumers to spend more money... and it is. But, it can also be something else. Whether you're pro V-Day or anti V-Day, it's kind of hard to ignore. Even if you choose to rebel against it by doing nothing, you're still inevitably surrounded and reminded of it by all those who choose to embrace it.

So, as many of us do with other holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, etc.) why not take Valentine's Day and it's kernel of meaning, reinvent it, and make it your own?

If you have a significant other, show them your love. If you don't, who is to say you can't make it a day to show your love to your family? Or your friends? Your dog? Or YOURSELF! It's also an excellent opportunity for humor!

However you choose to acknowledge (or deny) the day of love, there are plenty of unique and inexpensive ways to get your point across, like the humble greeting card:

And if you're not really feeling it...

My personal favorite:

There are always some people in your life who really deserve a Valentine's Day nod:

And holidays are always a great reason to hone your DIY skills. Nothing says "i love you" like something you made yourself. Martha Stewart's got tons of impressively pretty hand made card templates:

Check back this weekend for some neat Valentine's Day gift ideas!
XOXO