Treasure Hunting Across the Bay

My friend Lisa has been telling me about an antique store on her side of the Bay that has more majolica than I could ever imagine! So, last week, I drove across the bridge and met her for lunch and treasure hunting.

The lovely Terri, treasure hunter extraordinaire from La Dolfina also joined us for lunch. Two bloggers and a designer together! Needless to say, we had a lot to talk about!

After lunch, they were both excited to show me Friendship Farm Antiques. Sure enough, this store has a ton of majolica. I was in heaven!

They sell transferware too. I should have bought this Masons Vista pitcher!

All three of us walked out empty handed. No worries though, Terri knows all the best consignment and thrift stores, so off we went!

I lucked out at the cutest little cottage, turned thrift store when I spotted this ironstone butter tub. $4 please!

Also, this bee skep for $8! After I finish my planting project on the side porch, it will fit right in!

My "big ticket item" though is this faux bamboo etagere. Only $125! The tops of the shelves have been painted black, so that's probably why it wasn't more. However, I like it that way.

Now, where to put it. Certainly not in this bathroom!

It was such a fun day! What could be more fun--friends, antiques and lunch!

Accessorizing with Ivy Topiaries

Last week, I took a trip over the hill to Half Moon Bay for ivy topiaries. It was time to replace my outside topiaries that flank both the front and back doors, as well as a few for inside for some fall decor.

The first place I went to is Schickenberg Nursery. They specialize only in ivy topiaries, and have been around for many years. As you can see, they are ready for Halloween with their pumpkin and witch topiaries.

They are already stocking up for the holidays too. Wouldn't this ivy reindeer look cute on the front porch for Christmas?

Next door, is Nurseryman's Exchange, a wholesale nursery catering to florists in the Bay Area. They have everything one could need! There is a $150 minimum purchase here, and at first you think there is no way you can spend that much since all the plants and flowers are so inexpensive.

There are so many wonderful plants to choose from though, that $150 adds up quickly!

I always feel like a kid in a candy store here!

So, I filled up the Suburban with flowers and ivy topiaries, brought it all home and have been slowly planting the urns and pots around the house.

Mums for the back yard urns....

Ball topiaries for the back door.

Larger ones for the front door. I'm not quite finished decorating this area, so stay tuned!

Inside, I put little circles of ivy in these red urns, which also came from Nurserman's Exchange a couple of years ago. They are perfect on the kitchen table grain sack runner.

The family room mantle also got a couple of new topiaries.

I bought a few large circles too. One for the confit pot on the kitchen island....

....and one for the sunroom.

I even put a little ivy ball on the master bath vanity.

Ivy topiaries last forever outside, as long as they are watered regularly. Inside, is a different story. They like to be cool, so in the winter they may not do so well when the heat is on.

I sometimes refer to them as my victims, because eventually they will die inside. When they start to look a little stressed, I move them outside for a while in an attempt to keep them alive little longer.

Hopefully, the new topiaries inside the house will last until Christmas!

I'm joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday.