A Most Lovely Final Diva Day it was...

I took a short breather just long enough to snap a few images...

So many beautiful chicas (& guys) stopping by just to wish me the best of luck and mentioning how much FUN it's been!

I can honestly say it was probably the hardest week of preparation due to all the end-of-school activities for both my moppets, plus my husband's job, evening engagements...

What I will not miss: Difficult customers!

The evening turned out SO very beautiful with my true, lovely customers & friends

who were, and will always be, the most loveliest of all!

And that is what I will miss most of all!

The Final Diva Day Friday tomorrow...

the youngest, (and cutest) hat wearin' Diva to date...

Troy, I believe, was the only 'male Diva' to date...

great stories...

great times...

loveliest chica...stage left...

The hardest part of closing shop: No more Diva Days...

The easiest part of closing shop...being home for my loveliest Divas of all.

It's been a great ride! Thanks for supporting

my vintage inspired dream!

XOXO

Monday musings...Let's Caravan!

I just arrived home from camping. My kind of camping would be to camp out at this shop while admiring beautiful finds. Oh yes, in London...of course!

Stylist Emily Chalmers, and author of Flea Market Style, also owns a stunning shop in London called Caravan...

Surreal sweetness found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzqEY2dAKxY

Thomas Paul Love...

I know... I am such a sucker for birds and nests. Always have been. I have admired this line since the very first day I laid eyes on the website... swoon.

More eye candy for your nest @ : www.thomaspaul.com
Excuse me, while I order some melamine plates for a summer soiree.

Coasting...

images from google...

We leave on a camping trip to the coast Wednesday morning. When I first met my husband back in '84, I found it so odd to hear people say, "we're heading to the coast"...only because I had just moved inland to Redding. Growing up in the South Bay, it was so foreign to me when I heard people say it. Now, it brings sheer joy to my heart when I say, "we're heading to the coast". If I don't get to the ocean at least twice a year, I am NOT a happy camper. With the closure of my shop around the corner, this is the perfect place to just breathe and reflect with my kids. The weather should be sunny in the high 50's while it is in the 90's here, in Redding.

Oh, I love staying 'on the coast'!

A new Chapter...

Our good friend, Tommy, once told my husband that even if I wasn't making tons of money at my shop, people sure like visiting!

ladies always want tips and pointers from 'Furniture Diva Diane'

True. I never opened a shop for the money. I opened it for a passion of Home and great moments! Diva Day Friday was a hit from Day One! The 'Diva Bar' always seemed the best spot to get all the latest scoop & happenings around town. (Not to mention great cocktails). Lots of laughter, for sure...a place where the chicas hang out, let their hair down just a bit, and sing all the lyrics to La Belle, Marvin Gaye, & Chaka Khan...

My undying gratitude goes out to all of the fabuluous jewelry artists I've met through the shop...

all of the priceless friendships that I have made...



to the chicas that have been with me since the very beginning...


and all the chicas that remained to the end...



for all of the prop-styling over the past few years being quite the ordeal...

and for those many, many long nights of flipping the entire shop, (moving all of the furniture& goods around), until 11pm - or well past midnight... when I dragged my exhausted butt through our door at home, Tim would massage my calves and give me an 'atta girl'... = )

but I always LoVeD the end result...

for me, my shop was always my sanctuary, a resting spot, my fantasy, my passion...

and I loved sharing it with other lovely chicas...

and so many lovely chicas shared my same passion and 'got me'...they really understood!

view out my front door @ home...

So, for now, I bid you Bon Voyage as I close my shop doors. My husband is expanding on his career which will require me to be home with our moppets.

He has been my #1 TRUE FAN & supporter. I will now become his...

This isn't the end however...but rather, a new beginning for us.

A new chapter in the life of monica's... now, with a capital 'M'.

~Monica's Nest~

Stay tuned...

It's sure to be a fun voyage!