Summer Close-ups

                                 Today  I've taken close-ups of my 'Secret' and 'Sentimental'
                                     roses showing off. At the end of the post are some surprises.

                                                                       Caught in the act.  

Judi's 'Secret'

A 'Lion' in my garden. This rose is so beautiful in person.

I don't think it photographs as beautiful as it really is.

Here it is the next day. The colors are so rich, it takes my

breath away.

My 'Secret' rose

Closer up

 

Judi's 'Secret' rose on the table at Father's day.

I'm linking with My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Summer Green

                               I'm joining Raindrops and Daisies (in Ireland) for her Green Party
                                               and My Romantic Home for Show and Tell.

I thought this was beautiful with the shades of purple and green.

I found this interesting and lovely plant in Rainbow, California.

On my apple tree.

Arbor in my friend Judi's backyard.

I've been told this is Confederate Jasmine.

Secret hide-away at the Cerritos Sculpture Garden in

 Cerritos, California.

Beautiful shadings in my neighbor's yard.

                                I love this plant I found on my tram ride to Disneyland.

Shabby Chic Touch-Up

 

                     I bought this pillow this week from the Shabby Chic line at Target.
                      The sham behind it is from one of Rachel Ashwell's boutiques.

Here is a better close-up of the sham. The lamp is from Pottery Barn.

The quilt and matching sham are from an outdated on-line source.

                                                    That's my pink rose from my garden.

The balloon shade I bought this week from the Shabby Chic line at Target.

The vintage print I found at Country Roads Antiques in Orange,

California.

Close-up of balloon shade

                                   These were touch-ups in my shabby chic guest bedroom. 

Close-up of pillow with quilt and dust ruffle from Bed, Bath and Beyond ages ago.

                       I'm linking with My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

Paris On My Mind

              I've put togerther some photos that I've taken to show you that, altho, I haven't been
                                         to Paris it has been on my mind for some time.

I took these photos at the Vintage Marketplace in Rainbow, California.

Do you see the little Eiffel Tower painted on the pane of the window?

This is a photo of a print I own of Chambord Castle in France.

I'm daydreaming of Paris and everything french.

        This hangs in my shabby chic master bedroom to send me off to dream land in Paris.

Paris frame from Pier 1. That's my grandfather in the photo.

This is in my daughter's music room.

Join the party at Castles Crowns and Cottages

Get Your Summer Groove On

     I paid a visit to T.J. Maxx this past week to get a few things for summer. I found
     some things to share with you that I especially liked.

This handsome sun hat will do for extreme heat days $14.99

I'd wear these most of the year if I hadn't broken my ankle

$59.00.

Haul this out to the water and watch the

sunset over the waves $99.00

Grab some beach towels put them in this and head for the sand

$7.99.

                                       Great for a stroll down Shore Line Drive under $99.
                                                                   Feels like soft leather.
                                      

                                   Meet me for our trip to Paris on June 8, 2012 at
                                                       Castles Crowns and Cottages.
                                   You can buy this sign  at T.J. Maxx for around $14.99.               
                                   

               I visited  Pier 1 in search of new pillows for my sofa. Here's some
               of the ones I found. All were 20 % off. The range was $24.99 to 34.99.
                                            

                                                          I haven't made up my mind. I'm still looking.
                                                          When I make my decision, I will post it.
                                                           Here is the before of my sofa:
                                                                              

                                   



                           And for anyone looking for a tablescape for the Fourth of July, I
                                                               found the following at Pier 1.

                                                            I love these little stars.