Full Bloom Cottage

We all have been really busy at Country Roads this past month.  I go home at night really tired from a hard days work and it feels good! We also have been busy moving people around. Many of you know Loretta, from Full Bloom Cottage. She recently moved to one of our large window spaces. And to say she did a good job, with the help of her husband Jesse, would be an understatement. Take a peek at these pictures and you will see what I mean.

 

 

I love everything about the way this room turned out. Also today, I'm linking up with my friend Debra over at Common Ground.  Many of you know what a beautiful blog Debra has and I hope you will drop by and say hello. And don't forget, if you live here near Country Roads, we are having a big President's Day Sale beginning on Saturday and ending Monday at close! Take care.

Changes

We've been doing a lot of moving around these past couple of weeks or so here at Country Roads. And the "mixing things up" as turned out to be so, so wonderful. All of our "new" looks are totally amazing! Linda Curry just finished up her move yesterday. Here's  a few pictures of Linda's magic.

The thing that makes me the proudest of Country Roads is all the wonderfully, talented people I get to work with. Seriously, they are an amazing group of people. Stop back on by here in a day or so. I've got some more eye candy to share! Take care.

Rose Bowl Sunday

This will be a quick post since I've got to get to "the store" to work this morning, My son, Bryce, his friend Mike, and Sue Lennon (one of our wonderful dealers at CR) are sharing a space at Rose Bowl today. I hope if you are out there shopping, you stop by and say hi. And if not, come on down and see us at Country Roads. Here are a few pictures that Bryce had time to take before they got too busy!

I've got two or three pieces of Sue's furniture in my house, similiar to the one above, and all I can say is that I "LOVE" them. Don't forget its Sunday, always a day full of adventure at Country Roads. We hope you can come on down and enjoy the fun!

Be Inspired Friday

I have a store, Country Roads, here in Old Towne Orange, CA. Twenty years ago when we constructed the interior of our old 1920's building, I was fortunate to have a really talented people build out the interior. Our antiques and vignettes all look so great because of these backdrops. Here are some pictures from on of my favorite dealers and friend, Debbie Watts, who inspires us daily!

I always think how very lucky I am. My job is working in a place that I not only love, but where I'm surrounded all the time with beautiful and creative vintage inspiration! And speaking of that, please take the time to go visit a really big hearted and sweet friend of mine, Debra, who puts together these Vintage Inspiration Fridays!

Mermaids

We all know our talented one here at Country Roads. . .Lori Hannah Gutierrez! Whatever she touches or decides to create, it turns into magical beauty. Recently she took a little separate area of the store to showcase her "mermaids". One of my personal favorites. Here's a peek. . .

What I love the most about not only Lori's creations and art, but the backdrop where she is displaying these beauties has the walls covered in the old Laguna Beach boardwalk. You've got to stop by and see how wonderful this all looks!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I didn't remember it was my Mom's birthday until this morning when I woke up trying to remember what day it was! Yes, Country Roads fried my brain over the week-end. My Mom, "Johnnye Merle" would have been 86 years old today.  She left us way to early, actually back in 2006 a few days after Riley, my first grandbaby, was born. My Mom was born and raised in Texas and even though she moved out here to CA and married my Dad in the late 40's, her love for Texas always was in her heart. I so love the old pictures that I have of my Mom, like the one above.

Pictures like this one of her in school, I never saw until after she had passed away. I'm not sure why she never shared her childhood. I know it was tough. Her Dad drank too much, and sadly took his own life when she was only 15. Then she lost her Mom to cancer when she was only 18 years old.

My Mom is in the middle of this photo, wearing overalls. And what is she holding? A cat, of course. And myself and my family have to know where that love of animals came from.

Although "Johnnye Merle" didn't look too thrilled gardening in this photo, she loved gardening! We all know where we got the gardening bug from. And she was so proud when we named the Country Roads garden, "Johnnye Merle's Garden & Nursery"! She never physically was able to see it, but she saw plenty of pictures.

I love this picture of my Mom when she was young and sassy!

This is my Mom and my Grandmother in a field of her beloved Texas bluebonnets. The stories she use to tell my about her bluebonnets I always keep close to my heart.

My Mom and Dad on their wedding day back in July of 1950.  My sister and I didn't find out until after my folks passed away that each of them had been married before ;0) Guess back then they just didn't discuss "that"!

That is me sitting in my Mom's lap at my great Aunt's house in Long Beach. My folks were married forever and sadly passed away within six months of each other. My Dad was so empty & alone without my Mom. So, "happy birthday" Mom! We miss you.

Magic Performed Here!

What I really enjoy the most about Country Roads is the "variety" of merchandise we carry. It's nice to have not only so much to choose from, but so many different looks and styles. Sue Lennon has a style all of her own. She takes a variety of merchandise and transforms it into magic. Here are a few more magical vignettes courtesy of Sue.

If you are looking for a way to spend your Saturday, come on down to Country Roads and Old Towne Orange. We've got some great restaurants and other shops that I'm sure you will enjoy!