Chelsea Morning

Picture yourself living outside of London, England in a pretty rural suburb. You look out the window and the sky is clearing. Big white puffy clouds and the telly says sunny all day! That is very good because your Gal Pals, Lisa and Donna are going antiquing with you. The chickens and goats are fed and the cat has settled into her favorite rocker. This will be a perfect day....

You recall Joni Mitchells song "Chelsea Morning" and it is on replay in your head.

The giant annual flea market is a short distance away and you say a silent prayer that you will have self control and only buy things that have a function! It's still new enough in the year where there is hope of living up to your resolutions...

Friendly competition is how we describe our shopping forays. Donna is on the lookout for fabrics, Lisa is on the hunt for vintage, retro anything and I am looking for that special item that reminds me of my Joni Mitchell song..

We separate after 15 mins. and I stumble upon a gorgeous concoction of color, print with a freshness that overwhelms my senses. The proprietor of the booth is wearing a charming apron and has lots more to sell just like it in a variety of colors. She has the best prices on thermal bags for toting my lunches to and fro my workplace/studio and the sweetest patterned travel mugs and cups that tie in with all the other patterns!!! Who is this wonderful designer and how will I ever stay true to my new years' resolution? All self control flies up into the fluffy white clouds and I remember my other mantra, "surround your self with beauty and love".

Well, it is all functional I remind myself as I roll out my tattered wallet...

After we part and I say farewell to my BFF's I repeat the feeding of animals and unpack my precious loot! Forget the hunger pangs it's time to re-do the cottage with some of the lovely finds from the most wonderful day!!!

I way going to name this theme "Home Sweet Home", but of course, now it's "Chelsea Morning"!!! Come visit me in the Gift Shop and see the fantasy I get to live for my work/play days.... You won't want to miss this burst of happy color of (functional) home, gift and accessories.