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!

The Old Chippy Stuff

There is just something about the really old white chippy stuff.  For some reason, it always calls my name, it inspires me, and I love to fill my home with it!

An old white ironstone dish, filled with vintage hinges and such.

I love contrasts, like the old architectural column with the smooth old vase on top of it!

 

 I always have a soft soft in my heart for old advertising. This old sign, hanging above two old corbels on a stepback cupboard, always warms my heart.  I love that the owner of the farm added "daughter" to his sign after she was born!

With industrial being so popular right now, I loved how the industrial lamp, my son made me for Christmas fit right in with my pair of architectural corbels.

Architectural elements, old vintage windows and more "stuff" pull you in to my house when you come in the front door.

I have two of these old chippy columns with the old wood pieces on the top. They just seemed to match the old farm tractor door next to it on the fireplace.

Old, rusty "cow tags" that have rusted over the years, casually hang on one of my favorite tall, chippy architectural pieces in my bedroom. The old rust and chippy white seem to always compliment each other. I'm linking up today with my friend Debra over at Common Ground. I hope you have a chance to stop by and pay her a visit!

Taking Time To Notice

There are many, many times that our Country Roads customers spend hours upon hours strolling through Country Roads. I am always flying through Country Roads. Whether it's to help a customer, to find something that I'm looking for, or a hundred other reasons, sometimes I don't really notice how much cool stuff we have at CR. When I find the time to take some pictures, and I'm not in a hurry, I am just amazed at how much cool stuff is tucked here and there at CR. Here are some of my favorites from yesterday.

I posted the picture of this door on Country Roads Facebook page this morning. I don't know what it is about this big, old metal door, but I love it! If I could find the perfect spot for it at my house, it would come home with me! There is always so, so much more "stuff" to lust over here at Country Roads. Come on in and have some fun!