~ Happy Halloween ~ Shabby Chic Pumpkins ~

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(via pinterest)

Hi friends

I hope you all had a great weekend!

I found these beautiful pumpkins on pinterest and had to share them with you.

Aren't they so pretty?

I think I might try this next year with craft paint.

Very shabby chic

~LOVE~

And now look at these velvet pumpkins with real stems
from Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

(Shabby Chic Couture)

You can find them HERE

Aren't they beautiful?
(I've seen similar ones on etsy)
  I just might buy some for Fall /Halloween next year.

~  Have a Happy Halloween everyone ~

My family and I will be at home giving out candy to trick or treaters :)
Should be fun!!!

xo,

Rachel

~ A beautiful gift ~

(My inspiration board)

I was so surprised the other day when I recieved a beautiful gift from my sweet friend Tausha.

She sent me the new Rachel Ashwell 2012 calendar wrapped so pretty..

I admired it in Tausha's beautiful home.

Tausha's blog is  Simply Me

Tausha is so talented and I think she should be a stylist for Rachel Ashwell.

Or she should have her own book published with all of her stunning photos.

Thanks so much Tausha for your friendship and your kindness

~hugs~

I put the calendar on my inspiration board along with some favourite photos and bits and bobs.

Isn't it pretty?!

I marked my sons' birthdays with the gold push pins.

I LOVE it

Have you started your Christmas decorating?

We've been busy here at 425 putting up our Christmas tree and decorations.

My sons always put up the ornaments on our tree.

I love the ones they made in school,those are my favourites.

This is truly my favourite time of year!

Have a wonderful week friends

xo,

Rachel

~ Shabby Chic Console ~ Change ~

Hi friends

I hope you're having a great week so far.

In case you noticed a little change here..I went back to my original blog name.It fits where I've been going with my design style.I debated about it for a while and felt that it needed to change back.Thats all. :)

Also...

I want to share with you my new favourite piece...

My good friend had her talented husband make me a console very similar to the one that Rachel Ashwell sells on her site  HERE .

I am in LOVE..

He did such an amazing job.

I didn't realize what a substantial size it would be.He made it slightly taller than the dimensions of the RA piece.

His craftsmanship is amazing and he stained it to match my antique wooden shoe rack. (previous post)

I had wanted the RA piece for a long time..but I couldn't afford it. 

He can create similar versions of Rachel Ashwells furniture pieces on her site. ( very affordable)

 I asked if he would be willing to create custom pieces for my  friends / readers of my blog and he agreed.

(If you don't live in WA, then shipping the piece is always an option if interested)

**If you are interested in having a custom Shabby Chic piece made for yourself **

 *email:  shanecox470@yahoo.com

He also makes farm tables that we all love..

We are going to have him create a very large farm table to fit all our family and guests.

I will be sure to share it with you when its finished.

xo,

Rachel

Vintage finds...

My favourite find!! Antique rolling table from an apple picking company in WA..

Going to use it as a side table in my living room..

My friend Pat purchased this beautiful pink banner and I bought the chippy pink stool..

Love this flooring...

Found this old paper mache roses bucket.. Love it

A few more pretty finds...

Love these hearts from Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture... <3

Xo

Rachel 

~ Christmas ~

Hi friends

Sorry I have been a bit absent from blogging lately

There is so much going on this time of year and my lack of blogging reflects it.

I've slowly but surely been adding some touches of Christmas around our home

I love decorating with fresh greenery and like to keep things simple

I purchased this sacred heart from my favourite shop

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

It goes perfect with our Christmas decor

Little touches of greenery here and there

very simple

I love mixing rustic with pretty

I purchased these pretty little books when I attended the 2nd Saturdayz fleamarket this past weekend with my friend Tracie

My favourite part of our Christmas decor is the handmade school ornaments our sons have made

Our Christmas tree is full of a variety of handmade and sentimental ornaments that all have special memories

Our tree isn't vintage or shabby chic style but it is perfect for us.

~ Have a  Very Merry Christmas ~

Remember the true reason for the season

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

xo,

Rachel

~ Finds ~

Hi everyone

This past weekend my friend Tracie, my grandmother and I went to the 2nd Saturdayz Fleamarket

I only purchased a few items, but I love what I found.

I found this large arched wooden piece with antique wallpaper on it.

I'm not sure what I will do with it..but I loved it as soon as I saw it.

Maybe I will make it into a memo or photo board for my home office or kitchen.

What would you do with it??

I think the tattered edges and faded florals are beautiful and give it so much charm.

Right now its just sitting next to my mantel waiting to be used.

My other purchase was this antique petite round etched mirror.

I think it's so pretty and a perfect addition to my mirror collection.

The italian florentine box was a recent Ebay find

I've been collecting vintage italian florentine pieces and love the patina on this little box

My grandmother purchased this beautiful antique religious motto for my mom.

I wish it was mine! :)

I am still loving the antique wooden shoe rack that I bought from the Funky Junk Sisters event a few weeks ago.

I have filled it with favourite vintage finds,decor books and magazines.

I LOVE Rachel Ashwell's newest book, do you have it yet? It is beautiful!

I also want to let you know that my friend Tracie from Fishtail Cottage has amazing giveaways going on all month to celebrate her blogging Anniversary!You don't want to miss out! :)

                                        

Have a wonderful day everyone! :)

xo,

Rachel

***You still have time to enter the Ruffled Linens giveaway!!!***

~ A Rosary ~

(French Farmhouse 425)

Hi friends

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

My husband surprised me with this beautiful large Rosary from Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

(French Farmhouse 425)

As soon as I opened it I draped it over my antique chippy pink column and there it's stayed since.

(French Farmhouse 425)

I love it

Thanks to my sweet husband

...

I can't believe 2012 is almost here.. Do you have any special New Years plans?

My family and I will be cozy at home for the New Year

Just the way I prefer it! :)

Have a wonderful weekend and a very
Happy New Year!!!

xo,

Rachel

~ My Kitchen Nook ~

Hi friends

I hope you're having a nice week so far.

I took a few photos of one of my favourite spaces in my 1930s home.

My kitchen nook...

Old chippy baskets in  a beautiful shade of blue filled with kitchen linens,old platter and bowls.

I like using prayer candles when entertaining guests.

They give such a nice glow and last a long time.

I use my Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic mugs daily.

I love the little crowns on them.

...

My kitchen nook is the perfect spot to read a favourite book and have coffee.

The original built ins are great for storing my collection of white serving pieces.

This space is always so light and airy which I love.

Do you have a favourite space in your home?

Have a wonderful week everyone!!

xo,

Rachel

~ French Sacred Heart ~ New finds ~

Hi friends

I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far!

I recently purchased this beautiful antique Sacred Heart from my favourite antique shop

Whimsical Whites

I had to share it with you

It is from a Church in France and I think it is so beautiful

* I recieved a comment that said she believes it is the Immaculate Heart Of Mary, so intersting to learn more about its history*If anyone knows anymore about this piece I would love to know*

It is very large and has a wonderful chippy shabby patina

Very Shabby Chic

                                     I admired it for a long time and finally decided to splurge on it



I also recently found mercury glass candleholders at TJMaxx

I love the mixture of the chippy wood with the beautiful shiny mercury glass

TJMaxx has alot of Mercury glass right now and very inexpensive

The chippy blue pedestal is actually an antique piece from France that men would spit their tobacco into a long time ago! Crazy huh? I love the light blue chippy paint and the decorative edging. I was surprised to learn what it was originally used for!lol.A little gross. Now it's a pretty shabby chic accent in my home :)

I'm going to a fleamarket this friday with one of my blogging friends

Tracie from Fishtail Cottage

We've been planning this night for a long time and it should be alot of fun!! :)

I'll be sure to share with you my fleamarket finds

(Simply Me)

** On another note I have to let you all know that my friend Tausha had a very special comment left on her blog yesterday...Rachel Ashwell stopped by Simply Me and left Tausha a very sweet comment!! I am so happy for Tausha and know it really meant alot to her! Yay!! And how precious is her little furry baby in the photo above?!**

~ Have a wonderful week everyone ~

xo,

Rachel