Meet the chicks!

I'm back!

 It had been so long since we had taken a vacation, I forgot how nice it can be to get away.  We have traveled over 3000 miles in 10 days...and with those miles came lots of  bad weather.  Not exactly how I thought we would spend our Spring Break.  We did however get to see lot's of family, many different places and I had fun doing a little shopping. 


For those of you that stopped by and visited our sweet company here last week, thank you!  It was so much fun to see how these talented ladies use whimsy in their homes.  Thank you again to Amy@WhisperWood Cottage,  Melissa@The Inspired Room,  Jen@Tatertots and Jello and Jennifer@Jennifer Ruizzo for sharing with us all your beautiful and inspiring homes!  


If you were here visiting last week, you also know I had a little surprise giveaway that I would be revealing when I got back.  I had so much fun finding little whimsy goodies for one of you to win.  Many fun, whimsical boutiques I visited and I also found many treasures for my own home I will share later this week.  


Along the way I also met some sweet, little, chirpy friends I couldn't resist taking home.  I soon learned that they were all such unique chicks with lots of personality! In fact when they heard I was doing a photo shoot of all the goodies I was giving away, they insisted on being in it!  Of course it was hard for me to say no with all their cute little faces.

Well, let me just introduce them all so you can see for yourselves...

The cuteness is almost too much to handle!! Like I said these chicks definitely have personality !  

Meg is the singer of the group, everything she says...comes out in a tune.  Yo-lky and Scramblez are twins...they think they are really cool when they rap!  Egg-bert, he is Mr. Smarty pants and is like a walking encyclopedia of knowledge.  See how talented these little chicks are too?!  Shell-e she is such a DRAMA Queen...enough said!  How cute is Li'l Peep?! He exudes cuteness and always so sweet!  Then there is Frenchie...um, a little confused about where she really is from, she even talks with a french accent.  Last but certainly not least....Chickie! She really is the mother hen of the group, keeping all these little chicks in line.  

Now that you have met these cute chicks, they're going to help show you what's in  the surprise giveaway!

My first stop...a little boutique in Paradise, California...  

As you can see Li'l Peep is super excited about this beautiful hand painted egg!

Fir Street Gallery boutique has many unique finds.  I was automatically drawn to some beautiful, detailed hand painted paper mache' eggs .  It was hard to choose they were all so unique and pretty!  It was also nice to get to visit with the owner, Pam Funk.  She is a glass artist as well and I enjoyed seeing some of her amazing pieces.  Her shop has so many great things all in one, an art gallery, specialty gifts, fine jewelry, gourmet foods and wines. Pam also teaches stain glass classes. You can visit her shop Fir Street Gallery in Paradise, California or online! 

Shell-e loves this handmade soap from France!

There is a town not too far from Paradise called Chico.  It has a lot of unique boutiques downtown to shop in.  Many things I fell in love with there!

  One shop that stood out to me... Zucchini & Vine. This shop is a Gourmet Tabletop store, they feature local artisans, casual linens, dinnerware, home accessories, gourmet foods, fine imported cheeses, and Moonstruck chocolates. 

In my search for the perfect gift, I came across the most heavenly fragrance...lemon grass soap! When I found  out it was handmade in France...even better!  I loved visiting this store.  You can visit Zucchini & Vine online as well here.  

On our trip back we had to change our direction for going home due to more snow that came into Truckee.  So, we went South.  We now were on our way to Las Vegas, Nevada where more of our family lived.  We were hoping to find some sunshine finally on our vacation!

I knew that Las Vegas might just have the perfect gourmet chocolates I was looking for.  I found it...on the strip, in the Bellagio.  I had been to this divine chocolate shop once before when we visited Las Vegas.  The chocolate fountains at Jean Philippes shop are  mesmerizing.  This was where you could find decadent, rich chocolate made by world renowned pastry chef Jean Philippe.

Frenchie is drawn to anything French...she wanted to keep these chocolates all to herself!

Let's just say you have to be rich to buy a lot of chocolate here, but even a little bit is soo worth it!  These chocolate truffles should be savored with each bite.  A little taste of  heaven. You can find out more about Jean Philippe and his incredible work here, you can even order chocolates online.

Shell-e is in the spotlight again..she was trying to get into every picture!

After leaving Las Vegas we were finally on our way home.  I only was able to get a few more stops in due to weather and my family just wanting to get home.  We had put a lot of miles in and we were ready to be home in our own beds.  

We stayed overnight in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.  After having some breakfast with some more family...(I have family all over!)  I talked Mr.W into letting me make one last stop before we were back on the road. So glad I did!

As we were going down town and looking for little shops I wanted to stop in, my eyes caught a glimpse of a window display that called out to me.  I convinced my husband to park and let me go visit this shop while he took some of the boys into a train/book store. 

Once inside this shop...I was smitten.  Everywhere I looked...eye candy! I was in vintage anthropology heaven!  I found so many things I couldn't live without and that very cute bag above for my giveaway.  I am excited to tell you...I talked with one of the owners and asked to take some photos of her shop so I could share will all of you.  I was given the go ahead and I was in my element!  I will be sharing so much more on this unique boutique soon.  I know you all will love it too! 

Egg-bert and Megg sharing their cuteness with you!

Our vacation has come to an end and we finally are home getting back into the routine of things.  I did a little more shopping at some of my favorite stores here and added some more whimsy things for someone to enjoy!  

Here's Shell-e again...see how much she likes the attention!

Yo-lky was rapping while taking this picture, always trying to be cool!

So there is the surprise giveaway! I hope the winner will love it as much as I loved finding special things!  I want to say how much I appreciated you leaving some love for our special guests while I was gone.  


The random generator has picked  #29 and that is Connie@I started out as a child...you won!!! I'm so happy for you! Please contact me with your info. so I can get this on it's way to you. :)

I have lots going on this week and hoping to get a little time in for creating for my soon to open Etsy!  I hope you all have a great week and enjoyed meeting my cute chicks!

Hugs,

Jennifer Rizzo...

I've always been an artist but never knew it.

Even when I was little I would paint and draw on everything, but as I grew,

 I pushed it down, feeling like a starving artist wasn't really an acceptable job.

Now that I am in my... ahem... late 30's; I've finally gotten to the point

 where it's almost a "need" for me to let that inner artist come out.

 My home is certainly one of the places I like to let it shine.

 A bit of whimsy can make the entire space.

I've always loved color and texture and now that I finally feel like

 I can express  myself, I am trying to become more fearless in using it.

 On a whim, I'l stitch up  a pillow or cover a lampshade with a fabric I like.

 

 I have no problem putting fun things in my home

 or covering my girls room in paper butterflies. 

It's only decorating, not life or death. 

Decorating should be a fun, organic process. Be creative, take risks.

 If you hate it, just change it. It will make you love your home so much more.

Jennifer D. Rizzo

Artist/ Freelance writer
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com

Etsy: Jenniferrizzo

"Jen, your artistic expression always inspires me!! Thank you so much for sharing!"

Well, I have to say I am sad to see my company go. :(  The good thing...you can visit them anytime at their blogs!  I just want to say "Thank You" again to all of my guests and for taking the time to share here! I loved seeing so many different ways others interpret whimsy in designing their homes.  

I will be back on Monday to share the winner of my surprise giveaway! It is has lots of whimsy finds and I know who ever wins it will love it! You still have time to enter.  All you have to do...leave a comment on each guest post this week and it will give you a chance to have 4 entries!

Our vacation has come to a close and we will be back in our beds tonight...revitalized with a zest to

get back to work! :)

Till next week friends,

Hugs!!

Tatertots and Jello...

 Jen@Tatertots and Jello is here to share all about her whimsy style in her home today!  We are still on vacation and happy to say the open road has finally led us to some sunshine in Las Vegas!  We will be here for a few more days then on to Home Sweet Home!  Enjoy friends....

Hi there!! I'm Jen from Tatertots and Jello

I’m so excited to be here at Victoria’s beautiful blog. I just adore her and I love her ideas and style!

Victoria asked me to share some of my idea on decorating with whimsy.

I just love color and I think that is probably how I add whimsy to my home.

Like these Ruffled Pillows…

You may know that I love pennants, and I have quite a few in my home. Like my pantry…

And in my Dining Room that I turned into my Office…

Making Subway Art….

Even turning coffee filters and tissue paper into whimsical Spring decorations…

Thanks for letting me stop by! It’s been wonderful.

Come by for a visit sometime @ Tatertots and Jello!!

Jennifer Hadfield
tatertotsandjello.com
thecsiproject.com

"Thank you Jen!  You have such great creativity and I LOVE the fun projects you are always doing in your home!"

I have one more guest popping over tomorrow!  It has been such a fun week to see how everyone uses whimsy in their homes.  It really does add to design and keeps it unique! 

If you missed any of the other guest bloggers this week, here are the other fun posts you might have missed:

The Inspired Room

WhisperWood Cottage 

Don't forget about the giveaway going on here! Through my travels on vacation, I have been picking up all kind of unique goodies for a surprise package that will be revealed on Monday, March 28th 2011!  All you have to do to enter..leave lots of love for our company!  If you visit each post and leave a comment...it gives you an entry.  You can have up to 4 enteries.

I am off to enjoy some sun while I can! :)

The Inspired Room...

I love a little whimsy in my decor! Decorating with whimsy can mean something different to everyone, depending on what YOU like and what makes YOU SMILE! A home wouldn't feel like a home to me if it didn't make us happy or show off our personality! Whimsy is what makes a home fun, unique and interesting, don't you think?

In our family room, we framed whimsical maps and art to remind us of places we've traveled! We don't get to travel as much these days as we'd like but just seeing our art gives us a little mini vacation full of memories!

We have had this blue table for years and on a whim, we painted it a fun shade of "boat blue" last summer. How can you not smile at the thought of a blue coffee table? It is unexpected to see a blue antique, but it definitely makes this room more fun!

I couldn't resist bringing home this little lantern last year, it is a great whimsical shape and it is YELLOW!! It is like sunshine on a cloudy day.

If you can't hang a ladder on a wall and use it as a shelf in your own home, well, you should just loosen up! It is fun to do something unique that makes you smile and keeps life from feeling too serious.

Fun, unique and whimsical ideas are what give our homes LIFE and PERSONALITY!

Thanks for inviting me to share the whimsy in my home today, Victoria!!

"Thank you Melissa! I always love your creative and whimsy ideas!"

 You can see so much more of Melissa's beautiful home at The Inspired Room.  I am loving having all these wonderful and talented friends sharing their beautiful, whimsy homes with all of you!

If you missed out on my guest post yesterday by Amy@WhisperWood Cottage, you can see it here.  

Don't forget about my fun giveaway! I am picking up goodies all along my road trip.  Unique one of a kind and of course whimsy finds! All packaged up for 1 lucky reader! :)  All you have to do to win...leave a sweet comment for our guests. You can get up to 4 entries for leaving some love on each post! Easy, peasy!! 

I leave you with a little peek of 1 of the whimsy finds in my giveaway package...

You will get to choose 1 of these beautiful hand painted eggs!  The winner will be revealed on Monday, March 28th when I get back from vacation.  Make sure to enter... 

Heading out on the open road again, destination....Las Vegas!

WhisperWood Cottage...

Hi, Whimsy fans! This is Amy from WhisperWood Cottage. I'm honored to be here at Whimsy by Victoria! When Victoria asked me to guest post, I automatically said, "yes!" Then the reality set in. Did she say something about whimsy? WHIMSY? What is whimsy? Am I whimsical? Do I know enough to post about whimsical things? The panic set in.

After taking a deep breath, I did what all good bloggers do. I googled. And here's what I came up with...

So, with that definition, I wondered if WhisperWood Cottage is...

• Capricious? Um. That doesn't describe me or my style. 
• Extravagant? Not really...I like thrifty finds and uncluttered spaces.
• Fanciful. No, I'm rather traditional and pragmatic, but I like some pretty mixed in here and there.
• Excessively playful? Playful, yes, but not excessively.
• Odd? Are we talking about my style or me? :) Now, I do use some odd or unique pieces...and usually vintage or antique...throughout the cottage.

WhisperWood Cottage might not be outright whimsical, but I think it can still qualify! Here are some odd, unique, and somewhat playful pieces that we've used throughout the cottage...

WHIMSICAL SIGNS

I L.O.V.E. signs! Especially vintage signs! I love them in every room in the house. Here are a few that make me smile each time I see them...

Vintage church sign in the master bedroom.

Vintage Greyhound bus sign in the guest room.

Hand-inked depression-era sign above the kitchen window.

A simple greeting card with a powerful message framed by a vintage toaster.

WHIMSICAL DOORS

One of my favorite projects ever was the master bedroom makeover. Two salvaged university doors became barn-style doors on the closet and the master bathroom with the addition of antique barn track and trolley pieces.

A salvaged university door turned barn-style door for the master bedroom closet.

Using antique track and trolley salvaged from an 1800s barn in southern Wisconsin.

A ship's key and leather fob just for a fun detail in the keyhole.

WHIMSICAL DETAILS

I guess I've also used a few pieces around the house from time to time that could be considered unexpected or whimsical. When entertaining, gifting, or decorating, adding a simple unexpected touch makes it a little more fun!

An old LP used for a table setting.

Crystals from a chandelier turned cabinet knob.

Craft paper and a wall stencil to make my own whimsical wrapping paper.

With all that said, does WhisperWood Cottage style qualify as whimsical? I imagine that most people have at least a touch of whimsy in their home. I also imagine that there are different forms of whimsy. What collections, pieces, colors, or creations do you use to add whimsy to your home?

Thanks, Victoria, for letting me stop in for a visit!! I enjoyed meeting all your guests. All of you are welcome to stop by WhisperWood Cottage any time!

Thank you Amy! I love her style and definitely thinks she has whimsy in her home!  

Now that our company has arrived, that also means it's giveaway time!! Yay!

 Please welcome Amy and share your whimsy thoughts and love...every time you leave a comment on each guest post for the next 4 days, it gives you an entry to win my surprise package!!

 It's that easy! 

*source*

 A wonderful package full of whimsy! 

I will share who the lucky reader is and what they won on Monday, March 28th, 2011! 

Be back tomorrow with another great guest!!

The open road...

Ahh....the open road!

There is nothing more I love than going on a road trip.  

This is where you will find me this week....

Bags packed and on vacation!

No exact plans or places...going wherever the open road takes us.

Time is on my side...at least for a little while.  

Will be back soon, but in the meantime....

I have some company coming over! 

Some friends most of you are familiar with and love.

They will be sharing how they decorate with whimsy in their homes...

you won't want to miss it! 

I have a little surprise for you all too...

I am finding some goodies on my adventure and 1 lucky reader will win the whole package!

*all images and sources can be found here*

All you have to do to enter...

visit each day this week and leave some love for our sweet visitors.

I hear the open road calling me again...be back soon!