APOTHECARY ~ Dr.Feelgood

This week featured in the apothecary is Benefit's Dr.Feelgood. "A velvety complexion balm with a feel good finish", Dr. Feelgood promises to leave your skin with a beautiful matte finish - something every girl needs in the overly balmy weather we've been having so much of.

Dr.Feelgood works like a primer and smoothes out wrinkles and lines making your finish more polished and flawless. It doesn't have the greasy feeling that many primers have and it doesn't feel as heavy I find. Because it kind of smoothes everything out nicely, I find I can wear less makeup. A simple swipe of powder goes a lot further on a smoothe, even surface.

$28 at Sephora and even available through some Shoppers Drug Marts in Canada.

* This may seem pricey, but a very little goes a long way!

RECLAIMED RUSTICS ~ The Vintage Bird Cage

This week's featured Reclaimed Rustic item is the vintage bird cage. So versatile and so gorgeous! While searching for photos to illustrate the beauty of these simple and functional pieces, I came across some of the most intricate and interesting bird cages I've ever seen. Some of them were smaller but with great detail, others where free-standing, giant bird houses with ornate details. I loved each one of them!

I only have two old cages in my house; one old green one on display above my cabinets in my kitchen and the other an old rustic piece that sits in my sun room. I actually have a pretty white parakeet that we adopted this year but she's in just a simple white cage. I'm still looking for the perfect little vintage house for her to call home.

Aside from the obvious, bird cages have many uses. As shown below, they make great centerpieces for weddings or dinner parties, they look fabulous displayed together or even just alone maybe filled with some vintage books and a little bud vase. Whatever their use, they're so charming they even look great standing alone.

Bird cages just aren't made like this anymore, and, for the life of me, I can't figure out why not. I mean they were obviously functional and came in any desired shape, size or colour. There are bird cages to suit any decor or personal taste and any type of bird! But, today we resort to boring, white metal cages. Sadly, I guess, that's because that's all that's available at the pet shops.

Whatever the case, these enjoy these beauties!

(Oh and my parakeet, Lola, is sitting in our sun room off the kitchen and singing her heart out while I'm writing this. I always wanted a singing bird in my kitchen but it's rather messy, so, in the sun room she sits. She prefers it actually because it's all windows and overlooks our property out back. Just out her window is a big old tree that's home to many different birds - sometimes, when I have the windows open, I think she thinks she's outside with them!)

I think every one of the cages are amazing! They're all so different and beautiful! And they look gorgeous together! And, normally, I always gravitate towards any shade of white. In this case however, I love the rich colours!

The make such unique centerpieces!

This is my favourite old birdcage that I found at an antique store not too far from here. It was sitting outside in pieces, waiting for the owners son to come pick it up to repair it. When I asked to buy it as is, she didn't seem to understand that I didn't mind that it was in rougher shape - it had so much character. It would have been a shame to paint it and make it look like new! I prefer it more rustic and aged. I bought it for $7.50 and it's now on display in my sun room. It's such a beautiful cage.

Lazy Days

As it does every year, our trip to the cottage has come and gone. It feels like it takes forever to get here and then, barely blinking, the week's over and we're packing the car and saying good bye. It's such wonderful place to be. We are so blessed to have a getaway like that were we can go to refresh and relax. We get to spend much needed quiet time together as a family and indulge in the simple, slower way of life. It's a place where we get to catch up on our reading and waste away the hours of the day sunning on the dock or napping in the hammock. We play cards every night and occasionally drag ourselves out of bed to marvel at the millions of stars that can be seen when one is so far North. It's a beautiful place - full of luscious wilderness and sparkling waters. We never tire of the cottage. How could one? But alas, all good things must come to an end. Our only consolation is that there's always next year.

Here are some photos from our holiday. I can't wait to finally have some free time tomorrow to share the rest of the posts that I've been working on for this week. Check back soon!

I got up early one of the mornings, drove out to the main road and walked up and down picking wildflowers. I brought them back and made some arrangements to put around the cottage. Fresh flowers, even if they may be from the side of a road, make any place more lovely.

The arrangements. This one is by the wall that has each family members framed rendering of the cottage - it's such a personal touch and it always feels special to have your artwork frames, on display for all to see!

The hammock which I spent many lazy afternoons lounging in. Sometimes with a glass of wine and my book, others for a morning nap with my son. As well, the deck, over-looking the water. It's a beautiful place to eat.

An old lobster trap and buoys all the way from PEI years ago, and my inspirational books with my coffee out on the dock.

My tear sheets being categorized... one of the things I look forward to getting around to at the cottage.

The rest are some photos taken one evening when my husband and I went for a romantic paddle around the bay. The lake was serenely calm and we took our time exploring around the shallows looking for wildlife and enjoying the beautiful scenery!

Some of the few waterlilies - my favourite.

Some of the many beaver dams.

We're always amazed at where nature flourishes. I think it's so amazing to see little trees beginning to grow atop dead, rotten stumps in the water.

My mother-in-law and son were waiting at the old bridge that you cross to get to the cottage when we returned from our paddle - I thought this was so cute because there's a little chipmunk scurrying across the bridge just as I'm snapping the photo!

The dock and our Wheaten Terrier, Chloe, who if she could, would spend her whole life at the cottage.

BROWSE LIST ~ Cottage Reads

Okay, so this is more of a preview of what will be featured on the browse list when I return. I made a trip to the library yesterday and I think I'm taking half of it's contents with me! Here are some of the things I've brought to keep me occupied while I'm away. I'm sure I'll have lots to report about upon my return.

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabric Crafts

Martha Stewart's Good Things For Organizing

A Prairie Girl's Guide to Life

(This one is 50 projects including braiding, whipping up a face cream, making rock candy, throw a quilting bee, make lavender linen spray and even a how-to on panning for gold!)

The last couple issues of British Country Living

And of course, many months worth of magazine tear sheets that need to be put into protective covers and filed away in the appropriate inspirational genre. (Somehow, I have a feeling I'm not the only one that does that sort of thing.)

I'll let you know how they are!

Oh and as a side note, I also rented the VHS copies of Pride and Prejudice and am looking forward to spending 6 full hours with Mr. Darcy!

APOTHECARY ~ Aspirestyle Cosmetic Cases

So I know that generally this section would be more for actual beauty items, however, while packing this afternoon, I realized a good travel case or bag is just as essential. These are ones from Aspire Style - a company in the UK. I love each of them and even included a wallet and purse just because I couldn't resist! Check out their website for more great finds or for the pricing on these items.

http://www.aspirestyle.co.uk/catalogue

Enjoy!

RECLAIMED RUSTICS ~ Old Tins

This will be short since I now have to be up in less than three hours! I really just wanted to get something posted at least for this week.

Anyway, this week's featured item is the old tin. Vintage tins are amazing! They come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, and, with a little imagination, they can be used for anything. Here are three ways that I use mine - they all happen to be a set. At this ridiculous hour, I'm not going to list all the wonderful uses for tins... I'm sure you could come up with a dozen in the next few seconds if you had to.

As an unusual vase for a pretty flower arrangement.

To hold sewing notions.

To hold vintage ephemera or bits of paper such as stamps, business cards or place cards.