GraceReclaimed Christmas SideDoor Sale....December 12th, 7ish!

Thanks to all my beautiful friends and clients for making this years

GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show

 the absolute BEST EVER! 

 

 

 

 

You are all a blessing to me!

 

 

This weekend there is so much going on around town,

 The Tomball Museum Candlelight Tour (just next door)

and

The German Christmas Market....

 

I think I might just open my little side door for passers by!

So if you are out and about on Friday evening,

 And my door is open,

 Please stop by for some refreshment and a little shopping!

 

But if I don't have the pleasure of seeing you,

I pray for each and everyone,

A wonderful Christmas filled with God's love and grace!

Most Sincerely, B

 

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 Isaiah 9:6

GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show

Do you hear what I hear?

Sleigh Bells Ringing...

Silver Bells....

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day....

 

Nothing like a little last minute bell ringing

....but this elf as been busy!!!!

 

Please stop by if you have time! 

Would love to share some of my Christmas Spirit...

and Cranberry Mimosassssss!!!

 

 

And if you can't make it this weekend,

I'll open my doors next Friday evening during

The Tomball Museum's Holiday Tour....

If you can make it then, it is always a beautiful time!

Gracefully enjoying my favorite time of year! 

A beautiful Christmas to you all, b

Decision 2014 Christmas Trunk~

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here]
Should I or should I not? 

It is obvious I've got some stuff to share with you, my friends and clients....

 

So what's the problem???

Let's see...

Again, the roof is leaking in the Old Charlton House!

Again, St. Philip is working in Austin and will be flying the country next week

...saint to do list squashed!

Again, I still have way too many ideas and projects swirling around!

And again as usual, my "maid"
 is busy decorating my clients' homes...

so no white gloves will be allowed!!!

 

 

With that said, 

In not so graceful Belinda fashion,

I just can't help myself!

 

So, I'm shooting for December 6th, 10-1,

I'll keep you posted...  

 

 

 

So come all ye faithful friends and clients!

 

Decision 2014

GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show,

almost certain to ... B

 

A Day Full of Toil, Prayers and Elation

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here] 
As I toiled away the day trying to decide whether to

Open the GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk or Not...

 

I found myself extremely distracted, my head and heart full of thought and prayers about something much more important!

 

You see this was the day my youngest,

Garrison was anxiously waiting to find out if he would become part of

Phi Gamma Delta at SHSU. 

When he first mentioned that he was considering a fraternity at Sam;

it was with great hesitation his father and I accepted the fact that he would spend more time than we would like to imagine pledging and working toward being accepted into this family of young men. 

Since neither of us were a part of this kind of thing in our college days, you know...Eons ago; we were somewhat clueless about the extent of commitment required. 

But we reminded ourselves, when something is important to Garrison, there is usually no stopping him.  He is headstrong, hardworking and loyal to a fault.   Obviously qualities that make for a good Phi Gamma Delta brother!

 

 Because, He’s in! Hallelujah, I think!

 

 

So excited for this guy and his drive to be a part of something bigger than himself!

 

Congratulations GARRISON Lee Shaw…

Now can I buy you flannel instead of chubbies???

Gracefully proud and praying this is part of God’s awesome plan for him!!!  Mom (B)

It's beginning to look alot like....

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here]

A GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show!

 

Date and time to be determined....indecisive I am!

Someone just needs to get a bit busier!

  

 

I am so thankful today, cozy in my almost warm old house...

For the time to do the things I love and for a husband who supports and even celebrates my creative, busy, and much too demanding self!

 

 

For the gift and blessing of my life's work, the freedom to choose how much or how little...and for the trust of friends and clients who honor me by allowing me to share it!

Stay tuned and warm!

Grace and peace to you, b

 

 

Weekend Snag....Fiddle Leaf Fig

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here]

 

Quickly wanted to share, as they will not last long.

The latest indoor plantcraze….as far as I know! 

The Fiddle-Leaf Fig!!

Ficus Lyrata,  is a species of fig tree, native to western Africa.  It grows in lowland tropical rainforest.  As a house plant, this fig is very easy to grow.  Provide morning sun or very bright indirect light and keep evenly moist, not wet or dry.  Trim as needed.

 I’ve seen them all over blog land, in design, in the home.  Just love the large green leaves and the structure of this thing.  I had also seen them listed at IKEA,

 known for inexpensive furniture solutions with impossible to read assembly instructions and inexpensive house plants…Yeah right! 

I don’t make it there often, too minimal for me….

But by way of getting lost last week in the 610 Loop craziness,
my Mom and I ended up there.

No Fiddle Leaf Figs to be found!! 

Thank goodness, I saved you the trip, DON”T GO THERE!

 

Go to Garden World Express, Hwy 249, ignore the construction craziness……it is worth it!

This little beauty was only $7.50. 
I bought three.

1 to kill, 1 to replace it and 1 for a friend!

Proverbs 27:18Amplified Bible

¹⁸ Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his master shall be honored.

Thank goodness, this isn't the fruit bearing type!!!!!!!

 

My attempt at caring for a large living house plant with no worries, as Christmas tree time will quickly replace any remorse I will feel if I lose them both. 

Gracefully fiddling with a fiddle-leaf fig, b 

New frocks for the girls….

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Update to a recent Weekend Snag!

Just picked up the girls from my upholsterer….

And they are quite smart in their gray denim frocks!

You might remember I snagged the pair a while back on Craig’s List for $80.00~~

These vintage library chairs made by Shaw Furniture out of North Carolina are solid, comfy and just the right size.  I adore the new tailored pleats and their strong lines!  And of course adding a little ottoman makes them extra comfy. 
It was an Estate Sale bargain at just $6.

Now the decision....
Do I sell them at the GraceReclaimed Trunk Show or
will they have a home around this Old Charlton Place?
 

If the gray girls stay,
somebody’s gotta go (chairs of course)….
because the Chair Whoreder Alarms are starting to go off!

AND just in case you caught it….

Pencil in November 29^th or December 6^th….

A GraceReclaimed Christmas Trunk Show

is a strong possibility!

 

St. Philip has already started on his Trunk Show To Do List....
It's amazing how much we can get done around here if I cry Trunk Show!!! 

Plus it blocks the view of Epps Fitness and Grill, across the street
when I sit in my swing.....
Tomball Museum is a great neighbor!

Swinging gracefully into the season, B

Artless Flattery?

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here]

Interestingly enough,

300 years ago, on a fall day in October 1714,  

English writer, Eustace Budgell wrote in a newspaper piece that…

”Imitation is a kind of artless Flattery”.

Without going into boring details, at 57 I continue to learn new lessons in life and business!   One of the most important lessons is that my purpose is to please absolutely no one

 but my loving God!

 

 Flawed and falling short in this area more times that I’d like to admit, I let my heart and my gifts tangle and tie my hands into a defensive fist rather than a thankful clasp.  

 I love being creative but I am a reluctant business person.  I love making my clients happy but after all these years, I'm still uncomfortable charging for it. 
I love sharing my ideas with sweet clients who truly appreciate me!
And I absolutely love sincere compliments! 
But I detest being UN professionally imitated! 
God please help me to remember that imitation can be considered a sincere form of flattery…even if I shouldn’t care!

 

I pray this October season finds you full of joy and excitement for cooler weather,

changing leaves and an upcoming holiday season... 

May our hands be thankfully clasped as we

FALL on our knees to Him who needs no flattery! 

 

~Thanks Rebecca, you are a constant blessing to me~

Most sincerely and in God’s gracious care, b

Recent Reclamation...

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Thought I start sharing some of my reclaimed design work, just in case you wonder what I do with my time when I’m not scouring estate sales, stressing over boys or shopping…..

For the past several months, I’ve been working with a precious family to add a little warmth and style to their beautiful home.  One of the areas that I thought needed a little substance was their mantel.  The husband’s choice of G. Harvey art fits the elegantly rustic and relaxed feel of their home, but this particular piece, just wasn’t’ “filling the bill”. 

 

 

So, my little reclaimed mind got to work.  Then of course, I ran my

 crazy thoughts past St. Philip who is always, well almost always, on board! 
We took a little trip to the family farm, pulled some pieces off one of the old out buildings and got to work!  

 

Quite a few splinters, not just a few nails and 55+ pounds later,

A beautiful barn wood tray to showcase the art! 

 

Thank you Lupe, the installer and team!

 

It couldn’t have turned out better if I say so my reclaimed self!

 

 Now I'm thinking....what was I thinking??

This is one of those "I should have kept that" pieces! 

Oh well, there is always more barn wood
just a crow's flight and a crowbar away.

 And St. Philip has a garage full of nails....

May I just say, sweet Melissa, you got an awesome deal!!!

But that is exactly what I love about my job,

making things happen and not breaking the bank!

 

Reclaiming Grace, one creative day at a time!!!

B

 

Top of an October mornin’ to ya!!!

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here]

 Dinna fash yerself …

It’s only one of the ladies of this old Charlton House!

I’m not sure if you know this,

but I’ve lived in this old house for only 13 of it's 75 year old self,

and rumor says 400 Epps Street is haunted!! 

Not that I believe, but each October, when fall shows up,

cool weather sets in and the floors begin to creak a little more,

I wonder….

Just a bit & not really, but all the old stories are fun to hear and trust me,

we’ve heard more than a few. 

 

I LOVE FALL, however Halloween has never been my favorite holiday and time was I hated skeletons;

 but when I saw this one at Costco last week,

she just rattled herself right in to my shopping cart.

AND she is poseable!!!

 

Just couldn’t resist dressing her up to greet the passersby.  I’m thinking Mrs. Charlton might enjoy sitting on my porch with this old girl!  Honk if you happen to drive by,
I’m sure they’d love the attention!

 

 

Gracefully waving on Fall...I've been waiting, B

Weekend Snag, my new addiction/obsession….

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here]

 ~Good Monday friends~  

Let me just say thanks for all the love and sweet support expressed about my ramblings last week. It was such a blessing and helped me decide to blog awhile longer....

 

I pray your weekend was restful and relaxing!
 

I wish I could say that mine was both,
but I find myself recovering from a bit of a SNAG High. 
 It seems I have become a little addicted or obsessed!
 

~It all started when I thought I’d check out Craig’s List for furniture pieces for Tyler's new home.  You have no idea how many awesomely priced sofas I've forwarded to he and my daughter-in-law this last year!
 

Who is CRAIG anyway?  

I’d like to get my hands on him thank him for this newly developed addiction.  Because of him, I may have to join Furniture Buyer’s Anonymous and admit that I am a chair whore!! 

AND then there is EstateSales.net...I mentioned them last week. Buyers beware! My white dish obsession has morphed into china closet hoarder proportions and believe me, this old house has no china closet!!!
 

This week's binge began on Friday morning.  Before a busy work day, I talked my sweet Mom into running with me to an Estate Sale in Magnolia...Yes she drove over in a downpour; did I say she's a trooper?

We picked up all of this before 9:30 a.m...

 

 
I just love these old ceramic Christmas Trees, an art form from the past! Can’t believe I scored both.  Plus a sweet set of American made vintage dessert plates and just a few old pastry molds.
 

 

And after a little cajoling on Saturday, I talked St. Philip into driving me to Katy to pick up these two old girls. 

Vintage Library Chairs just waiting for new frocks! 
A steal for $80, yes for both!
 

 

So there you have it, my addicted, obsessed self, finished the weekend on something other than a sugar high! 

Planning a GraceReclaimed trunk show…

will be the 1^st step in my much needed 12 step program!

 

Gracefully shuffling through my sweet stuff, b

Weekend Snag...and a sprinkle of thought!

 

[Grace Reclaimed Full Blog ~ Click Here]

 

 

I’ve decided that this blog serves many purposes for me….

A place to share

the joy and grace of God….

   people or things I love and cherish…

cool or beautiful design stuff (at least in my eyes)…

  my latest shenanigans (just in case you want to play)…

and last, not least, thoughts about life & how I don’t always handle it so well!
 

All simply to give ya’ll a reason to hope, shop, think or just laugh…even if it’s at me! 

In the last several months, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about whether to continue this blog thing or if I should just step away from the laptop.   After much thought, I’m still here!  Because I found that this blog is more than just my ramblings, it is a mirror into my heart. 

 It also helps me to hope, think and laugh… yes at myself! 
 I need no help with the shopping thing!
 

 

Speaking of shopping, here is my WEEKEND SNAG~

Wicker nightstand for Quinn's new room $28...on approval!

A little blue & white $18...can never have too much!

And the find of the day, English Ironstone Platters
...less than $5.00 for all three!

Value~~Up to $100!

 

 

Estate Sales with St. Philip, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon…Am I not blessed that he would rather ride along with me on my crazy hunt than watch Sunday football? 

Maybe~~~!!  But I just love it when those Aggies play…wink, wink!

 In case you’ve never been to an Estate Sale and don’t know what you are missing, here is a link or two!

EstateSales.net

All About Estate Sales

 

May your week's platter be brimming with grace, b