Hi girlies. Guess what? I feel much much better today, thank the Lord as I don't think those Beach Cottage kiddos could take anymore. I don't do under the weather very well, it makes me cranky when I can't do what I want to do, I get all antsy and like yesterday, sat at the computer looking at things like houses and painted furniture and blogs which made me want to have a move around, or craft, or paint and I couldn't do any of it cos I didn't feel well enough. So today I woke a tad more full of beans, oh yeah I'm gonna change the world today. Hmmm.
Well I tell you what I did do. I painted some furniture (one of those desks I bought the other week, it's beginning to sing and I love it), went for a walk to the lake with my two younger kiddos, finished Under the Tuscan Sun and went treasure hunting – hey I'm a Professional Collector now ya know (flicking through one of the Australian House and Garden's one of the features was a to-die-for warehouse painted white and full of white distressed furniture, be still my heart, and the owner describes herself as a Professional Collector, ahem, 'scuse me lady I am SO STEALING THAT TITLE).
What I did find is Peter Mayle A Year In Provence that unbelievably is nearly 20 years old, I can't believe I've been avoiding it for that long, I must have been 18 when it came out. And there is a reason I've been avoiding it, I won't bore you with it but it stems from many trips to the South of France to my godmother's who is French (Toulouse, just lurve that city) and meeting way too many expats living the life in France. Anyway, strangely, this book, again like jumped out of the shelf at me, I was in a rush, with Little Six Year Old Mr Beach Cottage and late so to find it that quickly was a delicious surprise.
So it's all ready and waiting for me for my tea ritual tonight. Can you even imagine how excited that makes me feel? Gawd I am l o s i n g the plot, I buzz around all happily cos I found this and line it up on my nightstand all ready and waiting. All I'm saying is it better be worth the extra dollar more it cost me tha Under the Tuscan Sun did.
And for all the linen-addicted out there I decided after being prompted by Cindy's collection at Romantic Home, that I would start using my linen like daily. I got Mr Beach Cottage to put up a rail of hooks and dug through my stash finding some that were in the category of pretty-loved-and-special but not-too-loved-to ruin. Do you know what I mean?
I also thought that if I start using my linen stash then I can happily start collecting more of it now that I am a Professional Collector…;-)
p.s. swing-on by the Beach Cottage Giveaway on Monday, I promise I won't make you do anything nasty to enter…
I have a large collection of Peter Mayle’s French books and have just finished rereading some of them.
I also watch (rewatch) the ones that are on DVD that I have – A year in Provence and A Good Year.
I collect the creme de la creme of the “I go to Tuscany to buy a villa” books – substitute France or anywhere just about in Italy.
I have not got any further with my bedroom makeover as I went back to work – the school holidays ended. I still have one more top of the wall to sand, then to paint. Then I have to choose which paintings to put back up, and what bookcases I want in here.
So, my big bed is pulled out one and half feet from the wall still and only three walls are painted. *sigh*
Ah honey, ignore them. What do men know? They get their good ideas from women anyway. Just look what kind of money you’re saving. You may have a whole new career now. At least the title gives you more credibility. Tell them that and let them ponder it while you shop.
Brenda
I love your ideas for lace etc… I must go to the blog you got the idea from. I’m home for a day and back to the hospital.. Couldn’t resist looking at your blog and finds. wish I lived close to you.
Nanette
So glad I checked your blog before I called it a night. I couldn’t relax tonight (tried, settled in a comfy chair with the husband and a DVD but I kept interrupting the movie with ideas of projects running through my head! What could I paint, where should I hunt for my next treasure….my children always know when I am thinking of flea market shopping when I answer “a huh” over and over or “sure great idea , mommy will do that”. I best stop agreeing to stuff I get myself into trouble that way.
So glad I checked your blog before I called it a night. Tried to settle down and watch a DVD with my husband in a big comfy chair..kept interrupting the movie with ideas of what I could paint or where I should hunt for my next flea market treasure…
I gasped (with delight) when I saw that photo of your beautiful linens! And then when I saw I was the inspiration..well you made my day!!! Those are gorgeous! I guess I’m a professional collector too…I just bought my 3rd soup tureen today.
I wish you lived closer to me and not on the other side of the world! LOL!
Oh, Sarah…you are the cutest thing…I love your sense of humor and you already know that I think you ROCK as a decorator!!
P.S. I am stacking piles of magazines beneath lots of tables, JUST LIKE YOURS!! Oh, dear…alas…choke and cry…they aren’t looking nearly as SMART as your stack looks!!! DAAAANG IT!
TEE HEE…
love, bj
So glad to hear you’re feeling better! I love those hooks with the linens. So cute! And can’t wait to see pic’s of the treasures you found!
- Jennifer
P.S. If you enjoyed Under the Tuscan Sun, check out Frances Mayes’ next book “Bella Tuscany.” I really enjoyed it and am now reading “A Year in the World” also written by her. It makes me want to hop on a plane and explore all these places she visits.
How beautiful! Love the vintage look!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Dear Mrs Professional Collector – i am writing to say that you are the most professional of the professional and that title is definitely YOURS! glad to hear you are feeling better – enjoy your tea and mags! I am going to check out your house tour in a moment, i might even do one of my own down the track as we got a snazzy whiz bang new camera today – just have to read the novel sized instruction manual and work it out! Mel xxx
Sarah
What Beautiful linens you have. It makes me wish that I had kept some old linens I had but got rid of when I shifted but now I have grown to love all these old world items again. suchy beautiful lace. Just gorgeous. Yes its a good idea to get them out and have them on show.
it looks so very crispy and delicious those hooks…. Just this morning I had a black blouse in my hand and was holding it against my white wall… and thinking… wouldn’t it be lovely to put of just some hooks on the white wall and hanging one or tree pieces of clothing on it … and further an empty wall … i think I have to do it ;PP
PS Where are youre white boards with the hooks from?? I like the shape of those hooks a lot!
Love, love, love your site and your style! Fab! I’m adding you to my blogroll. I’m so glad you’ve joined the blogging world so we can all see your fantastic home!
~Angela
Everything you have is pretty, pretty, pretty.
You’ve got me intrigued to look for these books. I have so many on my nightstand waiting to be read. I began reading ‘Out of Africa’ this summer and now it sits waiting for me to finish. I love the ‘Under a Tuscan Sun’ movie and ‘A Good Year’…they are dreamy.
I love your blog. I too have the same title of Collector. I even painted my garage and put all my extras in it in hopes of a great big Shabby sale one day.
Love your linens too.
What kind of camera do you use? Your photography is wonderful.
Becky
I adore that book. I have an autographed copy that I bought on ebay…and I love it. His books are some of my ‘comfort reading’.
Susan
Just discovered your blog…I love it! Your linens are so crisp and white and I love the hooks too!
Michelle
You are busier than I am ! Great job with the finds, i can’t wait to see what you do with them!
I love his books! My mother is French, family is from Toulouse…!! small world, here in the states..you say Toulouse and people say “what”??? I love the linens especially the crips white against the biege, my bedroom is currently taking on that theme.. I will post picture of my bed’s new linen…uou have inspired me..Marlene from Cambria
Those linens are just luscious.