It's "Show & Tell" Friday!

Hello my friends....welcome to "Show & Tell Friday"! This is my very first time to participate in this fun Friday event...and how great is it...to be able to show off your "treasure finds"! This fun Friday event is hosted by Kelli over at "There's No Place Like Home"....won't you go pay her a visit. She has some beautiful vintage linens that she is "showing and telling" about today! Also you will find a list of participants...Ohhh, what great fun!!!

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At first thought, I was taken back to my younger grade school years when we had "Show & Tell"...do you remember those days? Hehe! I know, I know...for some of us...it's been a few years back!!! I remember the excitement of "Show & Tell" day at school...hunting around to find something that I could take and show off to my teacher and classmates! Many of you know, that I recently retired from working with special needs students at a public school. Our little rural school is pretty small with a student count of about 200 children...that's a total count for kindergarten through 12th grade. Our little school still has "Show & Tell" days for the younger grades and I just love it! I've seen some of our young students walk through the doors on "Show & Tell" day with anything ranging from a special toy to baby lambs, pigs, puppies & cats...hehe!!! The baby farm animals is a dead giveaway that we live in a rural farming community...hehe!!!

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Well, without further ado....I present to you my latest "treasure find" for "Show & Tell Friday"!

Kensington Staffordshire Ironstone Balmoral 1801 set of dishes!

I found these little beauties on ebay...ahhhh, good ol' ebay!!! The listing was for a 20 piece set of Kensington Staffordshire Ironstone...not a complete set, however the lady selling these said that she had other pieces that had some minor damage to them and she would be happy to send all of them at no additional cost! The bid on the listing started at $10.00...I just couldn't believe it! Sooooo...I waited patiently....watched these pretty dishes for several days...and no one was bidding on them. I got the entire 32 piece set for just $10.00!!! Ohhh boy, you should have seen me doin' the Happy Dance! Hehe!!! I laid them all out on my dining room table so you could see....you can click on the photos to enlarge them!

Ooooh...just look at the pretty pattern on these dishes! So frenchy...I love them!!! You can see in the photo that my dining room is red...well, it's partially red...two of the walls are red. Last summer I painted the other two walls (which were white) the prettiest olive green color! I love the dark red and olive green together! Anyway...these pretty Kensington Staffordshire Ironstone dishes are the prettiest olive green color...they really do look pretty in my dining room!



Close-up of the dinner plates...

Close-up of the cups and saucers. I'm looking for at least one more cup...then I would have a complete place setting for four!!! I have been back to ebay, just to see if they have more pieces of this pattern...to no avail! In doing a little research, I have found that this same pattern can be found in blue. It would seem that the olive green is a bit more rare!

I even received some of the serving pieces...a platter and vegetable bowl. The platter has the most damage...a visible 4" crack that runs across the plate...but it's okay...I love it anyway! The other pieces that were damaged just have little chips on them...and they are all underneath the rims...not visible! The little creamer is in perfect condition! I have the lid to the sugar bowl...but no sugar bowl!

Just a photo of the centerpiece that sits on my dining room table. The cherub is masonary and quite heavy...I elevated him on a large gold candleholder and wrapped a pretty silver beaded rope with tassels around the base. The cherub is smelling a rose...ahhhh! The rose has been dried...it was my honey's bootineer when we were married!

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The two urns are also masonary and are actually candleholders but I've place my pretty little iron birds atop them! I got great deals on the cherub and urns at Hobby Lobby...at the end of the garden season...they were marked 90% off...they were practically free! Yeeehawww!!!

Well my friends...so what do you think? Did I get a deal on those Ironstone dishes or what?

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I'm so glad that you stopped by for a visit today...thank you for letting me indulge in "Show & Tell" day....hehe!!! Don't forget to go over to Kelli's and see her pretty vintage linens...as well as pay the other participants a visit!

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Have a fabulous Friday!!!

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Love ya'll,

Chari

"What's On Your Wall Wednesday"...

Hello my friends and welcome to "What's On Your Wall Wednesday"! This is my very first time to participate in this fun Wednesday event...it's hosted by Barb over at Grits and Glamour. Please go visit Barb and check out what's on her walls! There is also a list of participants...I just know that you'll enjoy seeing what our fellow blogger friends have done as well!!!

Ohhh my, I'm just sitting here thinking...I sure hope you aren't sick of seeing my little frenchy studio/office....especially since I'm using it once again for this Wednesday's "What's On Your Walls" post!

When I began planning this room, I drug out all of the unused art that I had in storage...plus, we had recently acquired many old family photos that were housed in lovely old antique frames! Many of you that know me...know that I love art...and I love to decorate my walls!!! I must admit however, that this is probably one of the most difficult processes of decorating for me. I think I'm just way too meticulous! I can literally spend hours planning what to put up on a wall.

This is a photo of the beginnings of my "art stockpile"...hehe!

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As you can see...I have several pieces! Do you see anything you like? Hehe! I started by formulating a plan...what I wanted to do was a "museum or gallery" type wall grouping on the wall where the old antique garden gate is.

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And....this is what I came up with! I'm still not sure that it's what I want...I thought I would "live" with it for awhile and see. I sure am open to suggestions if you have any!!! As I mentioned earlier, I really was hoping to achieve that "museum or gallery" look on this wall. But I must admit, I had a heck of a time! I'm all about symmetry...symmetry...symmetry! Every thing has to line up, be balanced...it just drives me nuts! And...if you've noticed, most "museum/gallery" wall groupings are about anything but balance and symmetry! Sooo...what am I to do? Hehe! I would like to add another piece to the bottom...below the fleur de lis!

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A closer look...as you can see, I used the ornate frenchy wall topper and the pretty plates that I found at Hobby Lobby in this wall grouping!

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This beautiful giclee print of the French Lady was in my living room. But I've decided to use some of the antique family photos in that room (living room) and brought "The Lady" into my studio/office! I just adore this pretty print!

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If you take another peek at the very first photo on this post, you will see a fleur de lis hanging above the antique garden gate. For the wall grouping, I decided to hang it on the inside of a frame. At first, it seemed kind of bland...so I took some of that new fabric from Hobby Lobby and used it as a background for the fleur de lis! After adding the black fabric to the background, I realized that the darker colored fleur de lis just didn't show up...soooo...I got out the paint and lightened it! I'm not real happy with it and think that when I get the time, I'll try something different. What do you think? Please be honest, you certainly won't offend me...I'd love to hear your opinions!!!

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I still have one more wall in my frenchy studio/office to address...the wall just to the right of the china hutch. Another day...another project! Hehe!!!

I've had such an overwhelming response about my antique garden gate that I thought I would post the photo again. I moved the gate behind my desk so that I could use it as a bulletin board! You all have been so sweet with your compliments concerning the gate...I sure do appreciate it!!!

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Well my friends...thank you so much for stopping by! I sure do hope that I haven't bored you to tears...posting my frenchy office once again! I've just had so much fun decorating this room...and I have loved sharing it with ya'll!!!

Don't forget to stop by Barb's place...

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Love ya'll,

Chari

"Metamorphosis Monday...The Saga Continues"

Hello my friends...and welcome to "Metamorphosis Monday"! I have just had so much fun participating in "Met Monday", hosted by my dear friend Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch! Run over to Susan's and see her landscaping project and while you're there, don't forget to check out all of other participant's projects and transformations!

The Saga Continues....My Frenchy Studio/Office

As many of you know, if you've been following my blog, I have been in the middle of a decorating project....my little Frenchy Studio/Office! I have made progress but there is still so much that I would like to do! Slowly...but surely! Hehe! A few days back on my blog, I showed you some of my Valentines Day "treasure finds". Click here and you can see them!

Well...I have been busy utilizing some of those new "treasure finds"! Here are a few photos of my Frenchy Studio/Office now....

The Desk

I am really loving my old desk! I moved the antique garden gate to the wall behind the desk so that I can use it as a bulletin board! I still have several projects in mind for the garden gate. And...my new frenchy lamp that my friend Laura custom made just for moi...is in the mail and on its way to my house. I can't wait to get it and try it out on the desk! Soooo...stay tuned...as soon as I get the lamp, I'll post photos!!!

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The Waverly Toile Drapes

My new toile drapes are pressed and hung! I just love them!!! I purchased a double drapery rod...it's hard to see in this photo but the drapery finials look like antique door knobs which was a perfect look for this room. This is a "Juliet" valance...I love how it hangs and all of the pretty little black tassels! I kept the decorative iron panel in the window (it just sits on the sill and lays against the window but I'm thinking of placing it more permanently (hanging it from the top of the window casing with chain or something?) I just love the look and feel of the decorative iron scrolls in the window...you should see all of the pretty shapes it makes in the room when the sun is shining through it!!! I found the old ladder back chair with a rush seat at a yard sale last summer...for only $2...I couldn't pass it up!

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The New China Hutch

I do have plans to refinish the hutch. I'm leaning toward painting it black! I also have very pretty frenchy looking wood appliques to add to the hutch...another project for another day! But in the meantime, I have added a few "pretties" to the top of the hutch! Some of my Valentines Day treasures have found a home here. Do you see the little black bird house? I added a pretty vine around it. On the opposite end is an old iron crown...it has fleur di lis on it. I placed it on top of a stack of old books...and if you look real close, you can see a little bird has nested in the inside of the crown! Hehe!!!

I haven't decided if I really like this vignette yet...it may change! I sure am open to suggestions on decorating the top of this hutch!

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Just a closer view...I turned the light on inside the hutch!

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Close-up of the bird house. Just look...even my little black bird house has a "fleur di lis" on top...hehe!!! This little fiddle belongs to my honey. His parents bought it for him when he was only 4 yrs. old while they were in Mexico...my honey calls it his "Mexican Fiddle"! I thought it looked cute...nestled into the vine!

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A close-up of "Tweet" the bird and the iron "fleur di lis" crown. I'm looking for a little bird's nest to place under Tweet!

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Wall Art

This wall art can be found on the wall just to the left of the hutch. I just love the frenchy mirror...I hung one of my "treasure finds" (after Christmas sale...19 cents) with a black ribbon from the mirror!

This picture (photo & frame) is an antique. The little boy in the center of the photo was Russell's Grandfather when he was just a young child...probably taken about 1902. I love the old ornate frame...and the bubble glass!

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A close-up of the frenchy mirror with the pretty little decorative bauble!

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Well my friends...I hope that you've enjoyed the tour of my little frenchy Studio/Office. It's a work in progress...as I make changes, I will post photos! I'm so happy that you stopped by today!!! Please don't forget to visit Susan and all of the other "Metamorphosis Monday" participants!


Have a marvelous Monday!

Love ya'll,
Chari

"Treasure Finds" & My New Little Cloche....

Hello my friends...and Happy Saturday! I just wanted to apologize for not posting all week...I've been so busy playing in my little Frenchy toile studio...the room is coming right along, by the way! I hope to post some about it this coming week!

Anyway, I just wanted to share one of my little "treasure finds" from my Valentines Day shopping trip. I found this little beauty at the antique shop and it was on sale...I only gave $3 for it (the pedestal plate & cloche)!!! Yeeeehawwww!!! I just couldn't resist...it's just too cute!!! The entire piece only measures 10 in. in height, including the pedestal plate. I placed it on my pretty Valentine tea towel that Melissa, from Melissa's Heart and Home, gave me! Isn't it sweet?

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Just another photo with a different view. Hmmm...wonder what I can put under this pretty little cloche?

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Well my friends...thanks for stopping by! I just didn't want you to think I had forgotten you...hehe!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Metamorphosis Monday

The Continuing Saga of the Little Frenchy Studio/Office...

Hello Friends! Here we are at the beginning of a new week...and it's "Metamorphosis Monday"! This is my 4th post for this fun Monday event. It's hosted by our dear friend Susan over at "Between Naps on the Porch". This week Susan is sharing how she transformed her beautiful wicker porch swing...you just have to see it! She also has a list of all the sweet bloggers that are participating in this Monday's metamorphosis...you'll want to see them also!!!

I tell ya what...I have the best honey ever!!! For Valentines Day he took me to the city for shopping....I got to go to all of my favorite antique shops and Hobby Lobby! I was truly in my "7th heaven"...hehe! I found a few goodies....all for my little frenchy studio/office! This room is starting to take on a "mind of its own"...hehe!!! I sure have enjoyed playing in there...and of course, as I have mentioned before...I have always wanted a room that I could decorate in toile...and voila...I finally have it! The decorating process has been slow...but I'm savoring each and every minute of it!!!

My first little "treasure find" was this little black bird house. I found it at one of my favorite antique shops for only $4.00....I think I got a bargain! One of my goals for this Valentines Day shopping trip was to find something to decorate the top of my new china hutch. I wanted something with some height to it....and I think that this little bird house will fit the bill...what do you think?

I love that it stands on a pole...it's black (which goes very nicely with all of the black accents in this room)...and just look at the frenchy little carved detailing!

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My New/Old Desk Chair

I was really needing a chair for my desk...and lo and behold, look at what I found! This little beauty was hiding in the corner of one of the antique shops...I almost missed it...hehe!!! As soon as I seen it...it called out to me..."Here...over here...yes, over in the corner...see me? Ohhhh, please take me home with you!"

I just couldn't believe that it already had a pretty black & white toile seat on it! I love the carvings in the back of the chair....ahhh...so pretty and a perfect fit with my desk!!! I thought the price was right for only $19.00!

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French Topper

I found this pretty wooden French topper over at Hobby Lobby and just fell in love with it immediately! I'm not exactly sure what I'll do with it yet but I'm sure that I can find something...hehe!!!

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Fabric

Hobby Lobby was having a 30% off sale on all of their decorative fabric...look at what I found! Again, I'm not sure what I'll do with it...maybe pillows? The striped piece is a heavy silk...I bought a yard of it for only $11.99! Maybe I'll use it on the seat of my new/old desk chair. The black fabric with the little beige fleur di lis on it is really a pretty piece...it was only $6.99 for a yd. of it!

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As soon as I seen the striped fabric I just knew that it would coordinate perfectly with the Waverly toile drapes....

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Decorative Plates

Ohhh boy...I really hit the jackpot on this shopping trip...everything I bought was on sale....yeeeehawww!!! I just hate paying full price for anything and almost never do!!! Hobby Lobby had these pretty decorative plates on sale for 50% off...so I only paid $5 ea. for them! I love them...and they'll go perfectly in my frenchy toile studio/office!!!


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So there you have it...just couldn't wait to share all of my new "treasure finds" with you!

My dear friend Kathysue suggested that I move my antique garden gate behind my desk and use it for a bulletin board...what a perfect idea!!! Thank you, Kathysue! I can pin notes to the wire or just stick them in the mesh work...this will work perfectly for notes!!! As you can see...I hung one of my antique gold transferware plates with a black ribbon on my new gate/bulletin board.

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I bought a few other items on my shopping trip...maybe I'll share them with you tomorrow, in the meantime...I hope you enjoyed seeing my new "treasure finds"! I just have to give a special thank you to my honey...I had a wonderful time on my Valentines Day shopping trip! He really spoiled me with all of these gifts...my honey is the best!!! I love you, Russell!!!

Well my friends...stay tuned...for continued progress in my frenchy toile studio/office! Thank you so much for letting me share it with you!!!

Have a marvelous "Metamorphosis Monday"!!!

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Love ya'll,

Chari

I'm Doin' the Happy Dance...Oh yea...Oh yea!!!

Hello my friends! Ohhhh yea...I'm doin' the Happy Dance...Ohhhh yea!!! I'm just so excited...you'll never guess what I got in the mail yesterday! Hehe!!!

I got a package...I got a package (can you hear the "sing-song" in my voice as you read those words?) Well...a couple of weeks ago, my dear friend Melissa over at Melissa's Heart & Home...was doing a "Royal Giveaway" (you can go here to read all about it)....and I won...I WON!!! I just couldn't believe it...for one, I just never win anything (until now...hehe!) and two, Melissa was giving the prettiest gold crown away (and I've been wanting one for soooo long)! When the package arrived, I started doin' my happy dance and squealing like a little girl! You should have seen my honey, he thought I had lost my marbles...hehe!!!

Well...being the good blogger that I am (wink)...I got out my trusty camera and began to take photos of the "unveiling"! Ohhhh...I'm tellin' ya, it was just like Christmas had come to my house in February!!! Melissa is such a sweet, sweet lady....and so classy...just look at the pretty card she sent along with the box! Yes...I refrained myself from just tearing into the box...I did read the card first...hehe!!!

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Ooooh...just look at all the goodies!!! Melissa is a "stylish" lady...why just look at how pretty everything looks...all wrapped up in pretty red & gold striped tissue paper! Ooooh...and I spy CHOCOLATE!!! Hmmm...I wonder what all is in there? Should we unwrap them and see?

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Ohhh my goodness!!! Just look at all of the goodies!!! Melissa really splurged!!!

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And here it is...in all of its ROYAL GLORY...the gold crown!!! Why isn't it just the prettiest crown that you ever laid eyes on? It's made of heavy metal and measures about 8 in. across. Oh where, oh where...will this pretty crown find a home at my place?

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Hmmm...what else do we have here? Ohhhh...a couple of pretty Valentines Day towels....a solid colored red towel and a pretty red towel with embroidered hearts! I just love em'!!!

Oh yes...and chocolate! Truffles...one of my favs!!! They are delish...I had to pop one in my mouth as I was going through the gift box...hehe!!! Would you like one? Here you go....

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Ohhh...I see some pretty leopard print stationery! Ahhh...and it has "Paris" written all over it! Ohhh, this is so me!!! Okay, I'm thinking about now that my winning Melissa's Royal Giveaway...surely was a "God thing"!!! The good Lord knew how badly I wanted a pretty gold crown...and now...just look...Paris stationery!!! Could that be any more perfect for my new "frenchy studio/office"? It's as though Melissa's giveaway was designed specifically for moi!!!

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Oooh...and I see more leopard print! Okay, this is just sooo cool! Travel bags for shoes and cosmetics....too cute! The little leopard print bag has "shoes" emboidered in red on it! I'm telling you...about right now, I really do feel like royalty! Thank you so much, Melissa!!!

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Shall we see what else we have? Ohhh...how pretty! A lotion dispenser...and just look at the beautiful colors...deep red, olive greens...could that be any more perfect for my house? It's lovely...I love the roses on it!!!

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Ohhh...we aren't finished yet! Melissa Sweetie...surely you spoil me! I told you it was just like Christmas in February!!!

We have a set of beautiful wall plaques! The first reads..."Life is a Song...Love is the Music" and the second reads..."Laughter is the Gift of Love and the Music of the Soul"! Ahhh...so true!!! (and did you note the color? Red...just perfect for my home!) I love these beautiful little plaques!!!

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And...last but not least...Melissa sent a beautiful croc-leather "Memory" Album! It's just gorgeous!!! I love it!!!

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Melissa...you are the best, Girlfriend!!! I just adore all my gifts!!! Thank you so very much!!! Your "Royal Giveaway" certainly made me feel like a Queen for the day...shoot, Queen for the year!!! I just pray that the Lord blesses you...as you have blessed me!!! Big hugs and lots of smooches to you...just from me! Hehe!!!

Well my friends...wasn't that exciting? Hope you had fun! If you haven't ever met or visited with Melissa...please do so...she is one of the sweetest ladies that I know and I consider her a dear friend! Melissa's Heart and Home. Thank you for sharing in my excitement! Tomorrow is Valentines Day...So I'm sending you my very best wishes for the most memorable Valentines Day ever!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love ya'll,

Chari

"A Love Affair" & Tablescape Thursday....

Hello my friends...welcome to Tablescape Thursday! Tablescape Thursday is hosted by my friend Susan over at Between Naps On The Porch...it's great fun and the list of tablescape participants grows each week! Go over and check out Susan's fabulous Valentine tablescape and visit the participant's tablescapes...you'll be glad that you did!!!

"A Love Affair"

My honey and I are still having a love affair...ahhhh...LOVE!!! In celebration of love...this Valentine's Day I have set the table for a special dinner! It's a "classic" Valentine's tablescape...all decked out in red and white! With fruit...candles for ambiance...and a cupid to boot (just to watch over the whole affair)!

I didn't go out and purchase anything special...just gathered a few things that I already had on hand!

Hope you enjoy...

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An intimate dinner for two...just for my honey and me!!!

Valentines Day is an easy decorate in my red & white dining room!

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Here you can see the "Cupid Watchman" centerpiece. This little angel is made out of masonary and is quite heavy...I added two masonary urn candleholders topped off with little birds to each side of the cupid.

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With a closer view...you might be asking what that is in the hand of the cupid? It is a dried rose that was my honey's bootiner when we were married!

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I just adore this pretty little white fruit platter...can you see the embossed fruit around the edges? I placed two little birds on the handle...a recent find from Michaels for only .75 ea.

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Dark red placemats...embossed white charger plates...dark red dinner plates...and red transferware dessert plates make up the tablesetting. I used a dark red satin napkin with a glass crystal ball on a gold tassel for the napkin ring.

Simple but classic!

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Ahhhh...I do believe that "love is in the air....for a love affair to remember"! I'm looking forward to an intimate Valentines Day dinner with my honey!

Hope that each and everyone of you have a fabulous Valentines Day too!!! Thank you so much for stopping by...I just love our visits!!!

Love ya'll,

Chari

Update: On my Frenchy Studio/Office

Oooops...I almost forgot! Wanted to let you know that I finally got the drapery rod and brackets that I ordered....here's a little preview!

See the old looking doorknob...that is the finial for the drapery rod...I just love it! Well...now maybe I can get those toile draperies hung!

Love ya'll,

Chari