Smile Big!

I am! I am! Such a simple gesture but oh, such a delightful way to spend your time. I'm guessing you've heard that smiling, from a physiological standpoint is much easier to do than frowning. Here's some other interesting facts on smiling for all you Cliff Clavin types who love to collect trivia... 

Wandering back to why I'm smiling...

I was forced {{{aw shucks!}}} to head to the monthly flea market held here in Atlanta (Scott Antique Market). A couple of darling antique dealers from Florida who do the show were bringing up some items I purchased while vacationing in their neck of the woods last month.

Big smile when I finally pulled into the lot and began taking in all the fabulous junk. 

No...these chairs aren't my items. But if the pair of chairs with the caning on the side had not been sold I would have been sorely tempted to make them mine. But I did buy several of their screen printed images for future projects.

And I'm still kicking myself for not having grabbed the pair of doors second from the left.

 We {that would be me, myself, and I} are in the beginning throngs of taking on some major redecorating and finishing a big chunk of our lower level. Hubby likes to tease that he's given me an unlimited budget and I will most likely exceed it! Okay. Maybe you have to be married to an accountant/businessman to think that's funny. But truth be told, he knows that I am a terrific bargain hunter who will dig and dig until I find most of my stuff at great prices.

I've been scouring consignment and antique shops for several months. It will take quite a few posts to share it all...but I've found some yummy stuff. Some you needed a little vision to see what it "could be" ....and some, no further explaining needed.

No further explaining needed...

The little bench with the barley twist legs {huge smile} is one of the pieces that came up from Florida. It was fresh out of their container that arrived from France. The framed art is like a petit-point tapestry...gorgeous to me. I'll probably do something with the frame...maybe some antique white paint & glaze.  

Guess what else I purchased from the Florida antique dealers? Squeal and smile.

I'll stop my show and tell for now on recent finds. We are long overdue to spruce up the place...we moved into this home about 9 years ago and most of the original decorating is still staring at us. Normally I am someone who is constantly changing and fluffing up one area or another. But as a family we went through so many twists and turns and one challenge after another that "normal" just sort of went out the window for a long, long season.  

Part of my smiling big goes beyond the fun of getting something new. It's about finally feeling like doing some decorating. Some fluffing up...taking on some long overdue projects. 

And the icing on the cake? Mr. Accountant is even smiling because he not only likes what the little shopper of the house is bringing home, but he also likes the deals I'm scoring as well. Or is he smiling because the mama is smiling? You know..."if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy..."

I'll go ask him which one it is...  

Xo, Sue

Comments

[Terri@PringleHill]

I KNEW we had a lot in common - I'm married to an accountant too!!! And I totally understand your shopping for bargains, although I'd pay a king's ransom for one of those chairs, Sue! Your little bench is exquisite and is perfect in that little spot. Awesome post! Hugs, Terri xoxo

[Linda Jo]

I'm married to an accountant, too!!!!!!!!!! And...I got your box full of goodies yesterday...which I emailed you about.... that I WON a few posts back. Awesome, awesome winnings! You keep shoppin, girl...and offer these things up to us! I'm IN!

[Autumn Clark]

Great finds! I am so happy for you. Your smile is contagious! We started on our kitchen and it has been a really frustrating process, but the kids went back to school yesterday and I have been "at it" like I'm on fire! I'm STILL super inspired by your studio pics and think of those to help get me going. I love your taste in goods and have some of the same types of things, so it is good to visit you and see what you're doing with yours. :) You're a sweetie, thanks for the smile!

[Anne Marie]

the bench is great, the rack is too, but you cannot beat that piece of art!! with a frame like that ....

great blog!
xo+blessings,
Anne Marie

[~*~Patty]

You have me smiling too Sue!!!
Fabulous story telling as always and ooh la laa your eye for treasure is superb!

My father used to do needlepoint, the piece you got is really special ... but you know that!

So happy you are happy and fluffing and having fun!
oxo

[Jill]

Hhhmmm....I'm sending a kick your way too for not buying those doors!!! LOL! I just signed up for the Remains of the Day journal class--just thought I'd let you know if you wanted to play along side Joy and myself!

[Connie]

Your face must hurt for all the smiling you are doing! I bet you smile and just have to touch your treasures everytime you pass by! Waiting patiently to see your other 'improvements'!

Oh, and Sue? I'm smiling for you!