I am lovin'..."Rose Petal Porch"

Every once in a while you walk into a store...and you want to buy, EVERYTHING! That's how I felt when me, Kath, Robin and Denny wandered into "Rose Petal Porch" down in Layfayette, NJ. There are oodles of shops in the town, but this is a stand-out. Joyce, the owner has an eye for the shabby chic and her displays are just fetching.

I was utterly charmed...so much so we are planning an event next spring for a trunk show since this charming shop is just 40 minutes from Warwick...

Here, take a peek...
...she arranges gobs of silver like bouquets...


...these signs from a French home decor store came home with me...they almost didn't fit on the car but Denny made it happen...it was that or he was going on the roof!


Meet the shop mascot, Ingrid, and yes, she is for sale...after all every woman has her price!


I love the 1920s Frenchie furniture...
...charming textiles hang from a chippy pink chair and stockings hung on a faux mantle; Joyce creates a look with a few key pieces...

...gobs of pretties abound...

...sweet rosettes are everywhere...

...ohhh ahhh silver like flowers...
...love her look...

I did score the old tool box on the bottom shelf...it needs a good cleaning and will be a perfect jewel box for my many baubles...


...I have a soft spot for old lawn ornaments...it's that bewitching kitsch I can never resist...

Yes, I bought this lampshade, after Robin willingly put it on her head, how could I not? Oh, and Joyce was willing to don it too, no wonder I liked her so much.



Joyce, thanks for agreeing to host us...I will be down soon to shop with my calendar in hand and we will set a firm date!

In the meantime, you better get there before I go back and buy up all the good stuff...or check out Rose Petal Porch on her cool site...

xxoo and sure hope see you in Lafayette in the Spring...something sweet and fresh to look forward to....
Jen
Earth Angels

...a very merry...

...wishing you a very merry Christmas and tidings of joy and peace the whole year through.

All the best to enjoy the spirit of the holiday.

Much fondness xxoo
Jen
Earth Angels
ps...and I hope Santa is good to you, too!

Annual Parade of Trees...

I have an issue (well I have more than one, but let's not go there at this time)...as I was saying, I have an issue and you long time BLOG readers know that Christmas is the perfect day to share it...yes, it's that tree addiction...only 11 this year, but I am obsessed with decorating those branches with all manner of baubles and beads!

Here's a peek at the annual tree parade at our house this year (keep scrolling for links to 2007, 2008 and 2009 parades via this blog...)

...here's the tree in the front hall...it hosts all the kiddos' handmade and goodies from over the years, from pre-school projects to this year's hand made cards...


....the tree in the bedroom...simple birds and wishes...


...the tree in the den...this is the one with all the old glass ornies and new glass treasures; it's the one where Santa leaves the presents...


...the tree in the living room...



...then there are small trees in the hall, two in the mudroom -- one shown here and oh, yes one in the garage with little cars on it that I forgot to photo...


...of course you need one in the bathroom too!


...and in the boys' room...


...and in my daughter's room...


And then there is the hutch...




Here's a link to last years Tree Parade Post of 2009:
http://earthangelstoys.blogspot.com/2009/12/annual-parade-of-trees.html

And the 2008 Parade:
http://earthangelstoys.blogspot.com/2008/12/tree-parade.html

And the 2007 Parade:
http://earthangelstoys.blogspot.com/2007/12/tree-parade.html

And not that I haven't had this addiction to tree decorating for some time now, but it pre-dates the BLOG addiction by about 15 years so there's no more versions to share...

Enjoy every moment today and if you have one tree or many, may they remind you of the true joy of the season and add a festive note to your celebrations...

xxoo Jen
Earth Angels

A lovely launch...

It seems I am behind in my posting of a most auspicious gathering...just the same take a look at some more pics of the fab-u-lous launch of "Where Women Cook"...

The event was stellar, the new magazine its equal and well, the whole thing made me want to run home and bring butter to room temp and make something simple and tasty (not to mention tear open Sarabeth's fab new cookbook and bake...but more on that in a later post...)

Thanks to Jo for this wonderful new mag, it's a great read and simmers with goodness. Well done!

Here's some of the wonderful folks that made the day special...and a big thanks to Kathy, Jennifer, Ellen and Sallianne for donning the aprons and being the best of pals to spend the day with...and to Loralee...you my dear, are one wonderful woman to work with...












If you want to see more images from the day -- hope over to the photo on facebook for a peek...

If you have not yet purchased it, we do still have copies available. Mention this post for reduced shipping.

xxoo Jen O'Connor
Earth Angels

...i went shopping

As a retailer, I don't often get to be the customer.
Well, I do get to go grocery shopping, and of course there's the clothes shopping for the kiddos...but to shop for handmade things, like the ones I collect and have strewn about my home...well, I sell all the things I love so I am forever shopping from myself.

BUT, I just had the wonderful treat of shopping at "Baubles & Bling".


Sallianne McClelland of Art-Is-You invited some wonderful artist friends to create a shopping showcase in her Westchester home...you cannot miss it next year if you are in the NY area... and I have already promised Sal I would again send some Earth Angels goodies.

On top of all the fab offerings, how cool that a part of the proceeds from the sale benefits Sal's two fave local charities... The Westchester Bereavement Center and SEPTA.

Here she is with Loretta and Marlene...
...well done gals!

And I loved being fussed over as a customer. Look at these displays; I loved it all!




I loved every minute of being with ya'll not to mention the loot I nabbed....this is just SOME of it...can you spot the Pamela Huntington treasures and some treats from Kecia Deveny...I cannnot show them all because my gal pals who read this blog will have things under the tree from this wonderful shopping jaunt!


I really love this idea of "handmade-homemade" shopping -- so if any of you know of more of these boutiques speak up! Looking ahead to next year already, I would like to include them in a calendar/blog post (oh, and I would like to go shop at them too!!!)

Hope you are all avoiding the frenzy out there as the holidays approach...

xxoo Jen
Earth Angels