PresentPast Collection

Spring Feature & New Sale

I was so fortunate to be featured in current Spring 2008 issue of Somerset Life. I know that many of you read this wonderful publication which is always chock full of incredible ways to embellish your life.

The article talks about how and why I started this blog and the amazing friends I've met along my path. I receive lots of emails asking advice on how to begin blogging and I usually respond by telling them to just jump in! It's the best way to learn and grow. Plus you will have lots of support from this community while you are on your own journey. I am truly blessed by all the wonderful readers who stop by to say hello, leave a kind word and share in my little spot of cyberspace. As they say, it wouldn't be the same without you my friends!

My website has had a little spruce up. Just a simple, fresh new look. You can click here if you'd like to take a peek. The Heart Fleur de Lis Charms are back in stock. Thanks to those of you who have waited patiently for them. There is also a new Sale going on at The Present Past Collection. Some of the t-shirts designs are being retired to make way for new ones coming soon!

The Flourish Bird T-Shirt and the Crown Logo T-Shirt have all been marked down to $15.00 each. If you've been thinking of getting one, now is the time. It's a savings of nine bucks and with gas prices these days we could all use a little deal now and then. Happy shopping, gas free.

Another Gorgeous Shop

Apparently I've single handedly managed to turn this into a shopping blog. It appears as though all I've done for weeks on end is shop, shop, shop. Trust me, it's not all I do. I've been working. Promise. And I do have plans to show you some things I've been doing that don't involve retail therapy. But for now, here's another incredible place to give away your hard earned dollars. It's called Vignettes located in the Ocean Beach District of San Diego.

The selection of gorgeous antiques are amazing. Just look at this tiara display case!

The beautiful displays are everywhere you turn. Seashells are scattered among the velvet chairs, chippy tables and French inspired antiques.

I wanted to bring this home in a bad way to put in my office for lounging. Because someday I'm going to do that...lounge...in my office. Sounds so professional doesn't it? Or maybe this would entice visitors to come and join me in my work lounging?

Of course, I came to my senses when I remembered that this would require knocking out a wall and that sounded a lot like work which would totally defeat the purpose of buying it. Moving on....

This is my friend Joy's space. It's such a wonderful spot filled with her handmade treasures, stationery, seashells and vintage goods. She called this her Mermaid Grotto, so cute!

Her petite French themed flags would be perfect on a birthday cake or cupcakes.

They have dozens upon dozens of beautiful mirrors to choose from. My shopping pal Jolee Jane bought one to take home along with a rhinestone clock and some other fantastic treasures.

I bought an antique humidor, a crown jewelry box, lots of rhinestone buttons, stationery, religious medallions and a dresser with a mirror top. Ummmm, yeah. I really should be working right now. Do you want to see all the loot I've been lugging home lately? I should stop shopping and show you some of my finds. It would be much more cost effective.

If you want to go see all this beauty for yourself they are located at: 4828 Newport Avenue, San Diego and their number is 619-222-9244. Tell them Heather sent you but don't blame me for what happens to your wallet! Smiles, H

Uncommon Objects

While in Texas we were able to squeeze in a quick trip to Uncommon Objects in Austin. The name alone is the perfect description of the wares offered by their dealers. Let's browse through and take a look. Please excuse the photo quality, I didn't want to use a flash and draw attention. If you know what I mean. Kind of like how I didn't want to draw attention during this shopping trip.

The small booths were packed with unique and unusual vintage goods. It's easy to see why this place is so popular.  Their selections are so varied, from industrial and medical to romantic and feminine.

Their jewelry counter was enormous. I'm sure a girl could spend lots of time scouring every display case.

I doubt anyone leaves this shop empty handed and I bet even the husbands don't mind going here. If you're ever in the area be sure to make this one of your stops. I promise you'll love it!

Jewelry Findings

Here is a glimpse of the recent stash I've been collecting on all my flea market excursions. There are always those little projects in need of some vintage bling. I've put together some new Vintage Trinkettes for you as well. I hope you like the new selections. I know that many of you are incredibly creative in remaking vintage jewelry because I've purchased lots of it. Can't get enough of it. There are even a few Etsy shops I stalk daily in hopes of new treasures.

I've also put the Vintage Metal Number Tags up for sale in the shop and hope to have the ledgers ready in the next few days. I've been a busy little bee around here this weekend. Please tell me some of you are doing some fabulous things this weekend. Living vicariously through you sounds perfect about now. Well, that and maybe a nice dinner on the patio.

I Finally Found Some

New ledgers that is! I've been searching and searching for antique ledgers to replenish the shop inventory and I finally found some that date from the 1800's through the early 1900's. The writing is wonderful and the pages are in beautiful condition.

And take a look at these cool metal number tags. I believe they are old price numbers from a gas station or grocery store.

Wouldn't they be fun to add to a card with an anniversary date, a birthday or special year? These will be packaged up for the shop as well over the weekend and I hope to have them available for you early next week along with the ledger parcels.

In the meantime, I've added so many beautiful new jewelry pieces our collection. Here's just a few new ones.

If you'd like to see all the new pieces just click here. I hope you like them as much as I do!

Well, I wish I could say I'll be lounging by the pool all weekend sipping iced tea but that won't be the case. It's a Working Weekend for me. Luckily I have some additional help to make the job more fun, not to mention a Flea Market trip on Sunday. Would you like to see photos from my junking excursion? Have a beautiful weekend everyone! Smiles, Heather

A Sprinkling of This and That

This antique bread bowl is one of my favorite pieces because it's so versatile. I've used it to hold tortilla chips and bread at parties, small garden plants under a window sill, Christmas ornaments and of course, fresh picked lemons. I thought they were so pretty I just had to share.

I think I mentioned before the fact that although I was born in Vegas, my luck has been somewhat dismal. But......times are a changin'!

I won a prize! This pink patchwork belt with the fab rhinestone buckle from Bari J. She makes also makes beautiful handbags and clutches and incredible French ribbon brooches. I told her that I felt so lucky to win something that I think I should go buy a lottery ticket. Who knows?

I also received my order from Andrea at One Hundred Wishes. She had some delightful Spring and Easter goodies to add to my collection. Aren't they packaged so pretty?

I think these two friends have the dearest faces. It's a Nicol Sayre gift box and tucked inside was a small pink heart. I know I will cherish this for years to come.

New to the shop, I've added these Crown Bath Bars. These artisanal soaps are all hand milled with the finest ingredients such as goats milk, honey and vanilla and smell amazing. They have been very popular at the barn and I thought it would be nice to offer them to my online customers. Hope you enjoy them too!

I Heart Etsy

After reading this post on Dede's blog (who also happens to have an Etsy shop) I had to make my way over to French Kiss right away to find myself a treasure! Tammy Fischer is so creative with her jewelry designs and incorporates incredible vintage surprises into her pieces.

And need I remind you about how much I adore packaging? Details...it's all in the details. I could lie awake at night dreaming of ways to adorn and package things and never miss loosing sleep. Someone could even give me an empty box, beautifully wrapped and I would be just as thrilled as if there were diamonds inside.

Here's what I purchased. Love, love, love. I think I may wear them forever. I can't wait until she's added more to her shop so I can spend my kids inheritance.

Here is my recent stash of tags that I purchased from Brandywine Boutique. Brandy makes absolutely lovely tags that look so weathered and elegant. I especially like her birds, nests and eggs. I'll be using these for my items going to the barn sale this month.

I've been collecting soldered charms for about a year or so and really love the quality from Dove Grey Art Studio. I purchased the square beveled charm and the one above it from this lovely shop. I love looking at my growing collection scattered all over my Inspiration Board.

These mini bottles of glitter are the work of Marilyn Healey. The stoppers are made from rolled up paper and then wax sealed. Will I ever use them? Of course not! Too pretty. They make me smile just looking at them. I don't know if she still carries them but she does have lots of great German scrap and pretty paper packs. Cerri of Little Pink Studio carries small shaker bottles of German glass glitter and mica flakes. She's also having a giveaway on her blog and the drawing is on Wednesday the 6th so hurry on over!

Anytime sweet Rebecca Sower adds her wares to her Etsy shop I know to go while the gettin's good! Her offerings are so lovely and she truly inspires me to be more creative. Her artwork is so genuine and reflects her unique style. I want to be her neighbor one day and live down the road in the Nashville countryside. I'll pretend that I need to borrow a cup of sugar while I absorb her creative surroundings. Sounds fun doesn't it?

Teresa of French Poppy has a beautiful greeting card line. She has some French inspired cards along with birthday, holiday, all occasion and super cute chandelier designs. Her shop is a great place to find that unique card for your special someone.

There are so many more, but I have to stop somewhere on this post! Let me know if you enjoy my favorite Etsy shops and please support these talented women! If you'd like, I can do more posts on my Etsy Love since I shop there quite frequently!

Wrapped, Ready & Winners

Today's the day! All ten petite calendars are wrapped and ready for their new homes. Thank you so much for playing along. Reading all your comments just brightens my day and I appreciate each and everyone of you for taking the time to stop by this little blog of mine!

At the La Maison Rustique Barn Sale this weekend I bought a vintage hot pink straw hat that had these flowers encircling the brim. They were faded and worn to an absolutely irresistible color. My friend Linda just started her new blog for the Barn, be sure to tell her I sent you over and give her a warm Blogland welcome!

Tattered little rose treasures! Aren't they just yummy? I thought you might think they were pretty too! Ok, now on that what you're really here for. Drum roll please........

The first five winners are: Amy, Laurie, Delinda, Norththreads, and Dee A. Allen!

And the second five winners are: LiLi M., A Cottage Industry, The Farmers Wife, Carol Eldridge, and Dawn! Congratulations everyone! Please send me an email to: presentpast@sbcglobal.net with your "real" names and addresses so I can get your goodies on their way! Be sure to put Calendar Winner in the subject box so I'll know it's from you.

Calendar Giveaways!

Hello everyone! I was going through the stockroom this weekend and cleaning up a bit and came across some of these 2008 Cavallini & Co. desk calendars. So I thought I would give them all away to you my friends! I have a total of 10, there are 5 Birds & Nests and 5 Vintage Letters. I figure with 10 to share it might increase the odds a bit!

Just leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. Ten random winners will be drawn on Friday. They are such adorable little calendars and the images are ones you'll want to keep long after the year is over! Good Luck and Thanks for playing along!

Books in Review

Amazon has been making frequent deliveries to my house. Besides magazines and bath products, books would be next in line to absorb my earnings. Why don't I share my humble reviews with you?

Crafting a Business- A great inspirational read for anyone wanting to start their own business. It's very similar to the Business of Bliss published by Victoria magazine a few years back. There are feature chapters of well known women entrepreneurs and a few I'd never heard of, all with insight on how they did it.

Eat Pray Love- Hmmmm, I have to say first, the only reason I ordered this was because of all the "hype" about how fantastic it was. Can't say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt myself trying to hurry up and finish it. There is a lot of self dialog, reflection and soul searching by way of food and yoga. In fact, I think that about sums it up.

Shrines- A gorgeous picture book for grown ups. It's full of fantastic old buildings and images from Italian shrines, cathedrals and the surrounding countryside. It's a perfect little book for the armchair traveler.

Vintage Vavoom- From the editors of Romantic Homes magazine comes this delightful eye candy book filled to the brim with beautiful photographs of bedrooms, baths, kitchens, charming vignettes and entertaining ideas. A delightful addition to my bookshelf and I'm sure will be loved by all who embrace the vintage style.

How Not To Look Old- Don't laugh! You know that secretly we don't want to grow old, let alone look old! Not as many pictures as I would like for a book of style but I did come away with a few new ideas and encouraged by some I already practice. In a nutshell, no fake nails, wear pink lip gloss, buy a pair of the latest jeans, color your hair and combat your wrinkles! How's that?

French Country Living- Oh how I would love to live in France. But since it's not possible, devouring every book on the subject will have to suffice. How is it that the French make such humble, old buildings look so effortlessly chic and stylish? Is it their fantastic brocante markets? Is it their attention to quality fabrics and linens that age beautifully? Or could it be their herb gardens with gravel lined paths? I'm trying so hard not to be jealous of the French! Which is why I continue to purchase any and all French style books I can get my hands on.

Well, that's it for today girls. What books are you reading? What books would you recommend? I prefer to read non-fiction, memoirs or style and design books. I can't seem to enjoy fiction, I'm always thinking.......this would never happen in real life! What about you, what are you favorites?