Adkins Interior Decorating and Redesign

Just Love Florida!

We are back from Florida and I have to say, I just love it down there.  I get so inspired by the use of color and texture.  The beautiful fruity colors, beachy accents on every porch, the aqua water and the suger white sand.  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!  As always we brought some of that wonderful sand for our collection.

I found some awesome little shops to check out if you are ever in the Mexico Beach area.  Starting in Mexico Beach.

A little strip of cute shops can be found off the main road.  Lady Fish had cute summer clothes and dresses, Two Gulls had beach t's, jewelry, and cute beach finds. Another shop just up the street (can't believe I didn't get a photo), had tons of great beach accessories for the home and porch.  Fish chairs, artwork, dishes, cute hand painted signs, and tons of shells.  Everything to set up a beach home.

About an hour up the road was Apalachacola.  I loved this little town too.  The corner coffee shop was very nice with home baked goodies or breakfast made to order.  My two favorite stops here were.

   

Grady Market was the best shop on the gulf coast I found.  Lots of beautiful everything!  Life is good t's, great kitches accessories, dinner ware and serving pieces; all with a beach theme, jewelry, fashion clothing for men and women, my favorite summer bags by Vera Bradley.  Avenue E was a beautiful store with great displays of everything beachy for the home.  Signs, planters, linens, tableware, lighting, shells, beach totes, vintage toys and children's items.  Very well put together with a great variety.

OK so we didn't spend all out time shopping, we got in tons of beach time hunting for shells, swimming, fishing...all the normal family fun stuff. 

We also got to visit with family and friends during our trip.  We took a day and drove to Navarre to visit with the Fowlers.  The kids spent the day in the pool with their cousin and got to meet the newest addition to the family.  Can't wait till they get to Washington. (Anyone looking for a great home in Navarre with a beautiful pool, let me know.)

On Sunday we drove to St. Augustine for Mass at the Cathedral and met up with the Sherlocks.  John and Dave go way back to early Navy days.  We all had a great time visiting and catching up on life.

   

It's so great to be back home.  Next week I'll be starting a series on summer organizing.  Stay tuned.

Time To Run Away

School is out and we are off to enjoy the beach....See you when we get back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Mookie&Me

We are all set up in our little corner of Oak Harbor and the aprons look just lovely.  Six aprons were delivered this week to Candy Bouquet and have received rave reviews already!

                

New signs and display items will be installed by the end of the month.  For a look at more of our aprons hot off the cutting table, check out our Mookie&Me photo album.  Enjoy.

Almost Summer

Summer is almost here.  Along with the nice weather come garage and estate sales every weekend.  Last week I totally scored on some of my favorite goodies, milk glass and linens.

The milk glass tiered server was only $6 bucks!!!  I was so excited.  I found the adorable tea cup for my daughters collection.  I found two battenburg lace tablecloths($2each), another table cloth($2) with beautiful brown embroidery and the hand sewn pillowcase($1).  The small yellow candle stick($2) is going to get a shot of black paint and the silver candelabra($15) goes perfectly in the dining room.

I love finding treasures this way.  Often times many people feel everything always has to be "New", I like the idea of "New To You" better.  Weather you're looking to complete a collection, find a treasure, or purchase a gift....get out there this summer and check out local antique shops, thrift shops, estate/garage sales for something different and special.  Remember you're recycling!

Happy 40th to me!!!!

Well, my darling husband and kids were able to pull off the most amazing surprise party for me over the weekend.  I was totally suprised and had no idea.  With the help from my mom and some dear friends the Fiesta was at our house on Saturday.  Margaritas, pina coladas, and a huge feast.  It was so nice that everyone took the time and effort to put this all together for me.  It was wonderful!

My brother Jim (on the right) and his army bud Chad, bartending.

More party goers!

Mom and I    Me and Sherri

The Carrs    Me, Steve and Marguerite

In hind sight...there is not one photo of my hubby or my kids :(          I'm not sure who had the camera.

Anyways, I had a wonderful birthday, thank you, thank you to all to conspired to pull it off!

Redesign Candy Bouquet

Candy Bouquet received a bit of a redesign this week to prep for Father's Day.  All the brights got moved to the back corner to create some interest and pull the eye back to that area of the store. 

          

We moved the chocolate products to the left side of the store and set up a Father's Day area to the right as you enter. Sherri has been very busy working on new bouquets as they seem to be flying out the door.  Father's Day is June 15....suprise Dad with a Candy Bouquet!

    Chocolate Wall

       Father's Day windows waiting for bouquets!

Oh yes, don't forget the grads....Sherri's got goodies for them too!

   

New from the studio!

Introducing 'Mookie&Me'    Designs that make you smile... a line of funky and fun aprons and accessories.

                                                   

Well, I just can't wait to share some of our new designs.  Liz and I have been busy in the studio working on our apron designs for the June 1 launch.  Here is just a preview of some of them.

       

       

June is our official launch month, with two stores here on Whidbey Island displaying these beauties.  For more information please email.

Pentecost Sunday

Wow!  what a busy week.  Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday and I have some beautiful photos to share.  Also in the "new' is the --Mookie&Me-- line of funky and fun aprons which will be launching on June 1st.  Stay tuned!!!!  We are finishing up samples and will be sharing those photos soon.

Here are the photos from Sunday.  Hope you enjoy!

            

These were displayed on the back wall of the church.  Red and orange made a great pop after the calm white of Easter.  Lots of glads, hydrangea, and peony's were used plus some orange lantern flowers...don't know the name but I loved them when I saw them.

    

Here you can see the whole alter and back.  The roses up front were for all our Mommy's.  Since Mother's Day fell on the same day this year.  The flowers on the alter I used bird of paradise, glads, peony's, and hydrangea.

This week I will be transforming the church once again to celebrate First Communion.  I'll have those up next week.  Have a great week.

Teresa

Blue and White

After a few beautiful sunny days here in the northwest, I decided to totally redesign the house downstairs.  This started with a quick vacuum, followed by moving all the furniture, accessories, and art work out of the family area.  I have this wonderful chest I brought down from the sewing room for the TV so I could free my lovely tea cart for a use in the sitting area.

      

Moved all the rugs around to different areas, which totally changes it up and confuses my hubby who is more of a buy-it and leave-it there forever kind of guy.  This of course never happens in our home because I love change...got that from my mommy.  Anyways, after the furniture was moved to their new homes, I rehung the artwork and accessories.  I love accessories and change them out regularly.  Not only to keep down on the dust but also to freshen things up seasonally.  Summer is all about the beach for our home.

      

With the family and sitting areas complete, I moved on to the dining room.  I usually decorate with blue and white on the hutch for summer.  I pulled my collection of blue dishes and milk glass out and put together this lovely display.  I love the way a redesign can transform my house!!!!!

  My hutch!          Their hutch!

Do these look a bit similar?  I love being on top of a trend!  It's wonderful to see blue making a decorating come back and seeing it featured again!

Mass with the Pope

We are back from NYC!            

Thanks to the efforts of our Fr. Dave, we were able to receive tickets to see the Pope in NYC.  What an amazing blessing for our family.  We flew out last Friday morning and spent two days sight seeing and shopping through the streets of NYC.  On Sunday morning we headed to Yankee Stadium to join the over 65,000 other Catholics for Mass with Pope Benedict.  The morning started out very cool and gray but by the grace of God, when the Pope arrived the sky opened up to a cloudless brilliant blue.  It was amazing!  Pope Benedicts' soft kind words of encouragement and hope has lifted our hearts and renewed our faith.  We are all so greatful that the lord gave us this opportunity to attend this Mass along with so many other faithful Catholics throughout the country and world. 

       

 

GOD BLESS!!!