Category Archives: Uncategorized

It’s my Bloggerversary!!!!!

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It was a year ago that I launched “VivaLaVintage” Blog and I’m just so excited about it..  I started VivaLaVintage as a platform to showcase my love of antiques and thrifty finds that I used to decorate my home and also in hopes to inspire the readers.  I just read my stats and the blog has had almost 5000 hits.. and over 400 followers…WOW!! That was pretty impressive to me (as new beginner to the blogging world).   It’s a good feeling knowing people have taken interest in what I’m doing and what I blog about .. I want to Thank All my supporters and followers!!!  Let’s take a look back at my productive year and some of my favorite posts…  (click on the picture to see the blogstory about each post)

                                       

          

In all, I must say it’s been a fantastic year and I love doing this.  I never knew blogging could be so much fun.  I hope you all continue to read, follow and share it with your friends.  Once again – I thank you!!!    

Won’t Let Go

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For years I’ve had this arrangement of dried roses.  I always like drying out roses when get them.   I’ve had this bunch for so may years (I would say about 8 or 9 years.. )  I know, I know.. that’s a long time to hold on to dried flowers..but this bunch is just a mixture of roses I’ve gotten over the years  and being a sentimental nut.. I just kept them..

But it’s time for them to be either tossed or spruced up..of course I chose the latter.. SPRUCE  THESE UP!

I had more dried hydrangeas left over so I added them to give a pop of color

Looking better already!!

Then, I remembered I bought a big bunch of turkey feathers (I love using feathers) and decided to add them..

                

They don’t look so dried up after all!   And I’m glad I didn’t have to ditch them

Holding on to the Hydrangea

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The blossoms of the hydrangea plant are so beautiful.  I’m not sure at what point in my life I decided this was my favorite plant, but it was definitely before I moved south.  I’m a “Jersey” girl transplant “Carolina Girl” and when I moved to the beautiful state of So. Carolina I discovered these plants were everywhere – almost as if it were the southern tradition to have one in every yard.   In fact that was partly the selling point of my house.  “Wow” – I thought – now let’s hope the inside looks good – chuckles… and it did.  I had a plant in my yard and planted several others – needless to say some died, some lasted.  The rain this year made the do very well and I was quite happy about the blossoms this year.

As summer is dwindling away  I have to say “ta-ta” to the beloved blossoms.  I read a post on how to dry them and decided to give it a try.  Years ago I would get them when they were beige but I’d prefer to have had them when they were the beautiful chartreuse color.  I find that such a pleasing palette color to the eye.  I clipped the blooms just before they were turning the “aged” beige color and put the stem in about 1/4 inch of water and let the water slowly evaporate.  The flower will slowly dry out with the exisiting color.  So I decided to give it a try.  This one came really good. I’ve been checking it and it’s slowly drying out and the color still remains.

So i clipped a few more and these are doing well also, in fact, they’re dried completely but I still left them in the water until it completely evaporates.

      

Now I can enjoy the blooms all year long.

Stand for your Cake

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted.. but I have a very good reason for my hiatus.. two words.. Family Reunion. This year was my turn to host and I must say we had a wonderful time (phewww).. It was four fun-filled days and after all the planning and seeing these smiles..it was well worth it.

.       the group

September has approached and this is a special month for me because it’s my birthday month. I’m not sure what my plans are yet,, but whatever it is.. there’s always a cake for the celebration.  For me, the cake makes it a much sweeter day.. even if there isn’t a gift… but as long as there is a cake – I’m happy (it doesn’t take much to make me happy… Needless to say, that’s my reason for this blogpost. The importance of the Cake Stand.  Important??? hmmmmm, maybe that’s a strong word but after seeing my point, you may not think so.. After looking at these beautiful cakes, putting it on a stand only seems appropriate.       

I paid a visit to the local antique store to find one that would really make the cake have a grand stand. Here are the ones that caught my eye.. I loved the pretty blue shade of this depression era glass stand.  The unique look was quite fascinating.. It is suited for a round cake yet it had a square base.   Very different and  it was made in America

           Moving along I found this one:   The clear crystal with the ruby red trim was absolutely lovely.. Hmmm..  perfect for a Red Velvet Valentine’s Day cake.

I also saw this little cutey pie which was just darling.. Nice and petite.. Just the right size for a small cake.

Just thought I’d  visit to my favorite store Home Goods to see what they have and came across these little darlings.. They’re really nice, but I truly prefer the vintage style

     

Now that I’ve narrowed down my search, I’ve got 27 more days to figure it out.  So after seeing the lovely cake stands and the beautiful cakes,  Isn’t it important to have it stand higher than  table level..  Like this

Perked-up Porch

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I hemmed and hawed about my front porch.   The cement is so badly stained and I just haven’t decided what to do.  Should I paint or should I clean it with some type of harsh chemical to get it looking new.   In any event, my hopes were to get it to look as pleasing as the ones I posted in my  “Porch Dreaming” post.  But that’s later to decide, because summer is here and I need to spend some time on it, ..so in the meantime I decided to perk it up.  FIrst, I needed to wash the siding.. so 2 hours later with a bucket of bleach & water I washed it.. and suprisingly it came pretty good.  I started with the Off My Rocker chairs.

I had this vintage trunk that I decided to paint and use it on the porch.   I painted it white and used a leftover purple-ish color for some stripes ..  DSCF1324and used it as a plant stand DSCF1438 DSCF1439

I found this chalkboard frame and decided to use it as a “Welcome Sign”

Next came time to dress it up with plants.    I had this vintage crate and decided to use it as a planter, so I outlined it with plastic bags to protect the wood.   Placed it on top of a folding seat and it becomes a pretty little showpiece for the plants.

        Found a piece of caribbean art to hang

Used a thrift store find table ($3.00) for some additional plants

            

The sedum planted in the chair added some additional color.  Since I had so many in the garden, I just dug some up and placed them in the pot last year,

             

I picked up this vintage wrought iron candle holder for $5.00 at a flea market and it became a planter instead

So, in the meantime, until I decide to paint, I think my little “perks” made a big diffence to the look of the porch.  So, if you’re ever in my area just know that guests are always