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!

I just wanna fly...

This Saturday i will attend the 'Fly Girls' event at Rolling Hills. I love their catch phrase...Some of the Best Fishermen Aren't Men...A charity event for women who have, or may have had, breast cancer. Along with other independent shops, I will be setting up shop, and I fear that sometimes I bite off more than i should! A bit nervous as I am definitely a 'newbie' at this...my first show to be exact! Wish me luck. Now, i will go make my lists, check 'em again, pray...and sleep...and go on with the show!

when i get back i just want to soak...

No, i wish this were my bathroom......and No, Robert Redford will NOT be washing my hair...that's okay. Tim always offers to massage my calves when i hop out of the shower, after an especially long day...and that's okay!

Spring Flingin' it...

The Cottage Tour was wonderful last weekend. The weather was beautiful, the artists were lovely, the homeowners gracious, and the attendees extremely courteous! We don't have a final count on ticket sales just yet...but it should be good! Thank you all for attending this inspirational event. Thank you for supporting our local Women's Refuge. Women helping other women. You ladies ROCK!

Another Event?!

Yes! Join us for 3 full days of Spring Goodness! Attend all 15 shops, (grab a Shop Hop Map), within the next 3 days, and enter a chance for 1 of 3 lovely Spring Baskets! It is a celebration of Spring and YOU, our lovely customers. Refreshments, various door prizes, and fun throughout the weekend. Stop by to say 'hello'. I'd love to see you.!

XO

Monday Musings...a few Cottage 'Pre Tour' images...

Yesterday was our 'pre-tour' for Sunday's 3rd Annual Cottage Tour. A smooth day overall, (with the usual minor glitches of parking issues & signage to be made). It was a nice opportunity for the homeowners to meet eachother and share inspirational ideas. This year, we plan to sell 300 tickets and proceeds benefit our local Women's Refuge.

First home on this year's tour, Tanya Williams with Cottage Tour participants, in her 1800's farmhouse kitchen.

A place to hang your hat. bear rug...
beautiful brass bed in this 'Cowboy' themed guest room...
We then headed to the second farmhouse-style home near Shasta College...Ladies, this home is on the market and i SO want to move in!
loved the kitchen nook...looks out to the surrounding property just off the sun porch.
The third home was the 'doll house'...this is her 'Paris' themed bedroom...
everything is put together so sweetly...
a tribute to her parents...letters her father sent to her mother during WWII.

The garden was so enchanting... just wish i could take more photos! But, we had to move on...

to the fourth and final home on the tour...this 'Westside Story' home reminds me of a cross between Veranda magazine and Better Homes and Gardens...

divine kitchen...

terrific bedroom terranium next to a fainting couch...

so many lovely items throughout these homes that i could spend an entire day shooting images and it would never do them justice. These homes are simply beautiful. The owners are beautiful for sharing their inspiration for a great cause. Women helping other women is key. By purchasing a ticket for this year's Cottage Tour, you help women towards a better future. Proceeds benefit our local Women's Refuge and we will treat you to an Art Faire with various artists, musicians, and refreshments at the old Village Schoolhouse location in Market Square following the tour. So, grab a pal, go for a Sunday Drive, and prepare to be inspired!