New Offerings at Hillhouse

Things have been so busy at Hillhouse lately, that I am adding new stock all the time. 

 Old Metal Boxes filled with Vintage Spools

 Classic Children's books

Hard to find Books

 Fabric and pillows

 Vintage Spring Tray

 Bundles of Magazines

 Vignettes of all kinds

 Signs

Nautical Decor

These are just a sampling of the items now at Hillhouse so please stop bye and check out all the new goodies.

What is your favorite home decor item that you just can't pass up when you find it?

No Place Like Home

My husband and I just returned home from another road trip for his business, and boy am I glad to be home.  You know one of those trips that makes you think...Hmmm.. were we supposed to go on this trip.  So many things went wrong.  The weather was so bad, snow, sleet, torrential downpours, flooding, accidents (and that was just the drive getting there).  Then the hotel stay could not have been worse, I will not mention where (but it is a very nice establishment that we have stayed at many times), but for whatever reason things just kept going wrong, noises from the pipes making noises til 2:am (janitors in our room trying to fix the problem) because the hotel was completely sold-out, and by then we were too tired to go anywhere else.  We ate out at one of our favorite restaurants (again, won't say where) but by the next day we were both so... sick I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to go anywhere for a while.  The one highlight was that I got to see a girlfriend that I have know since high school and hang-out with her, we had a great time catching up.  I could go on about the other craziness but I won't, it just made me so glad to arrive home last night, sleep in my own bed and just be in the comfort of my own home.  Thank you Lord, for showing me so many ways to be thankful for what we do have, we cannot take things for granted.  I forgot my camera at home, otherwise I would have had some pics to share, but suffice it to say, somethings are better left unseen.  This stuff may seem so trivial to some of you right now, and IT IS I know, but sometimes we just need to share our experiences with others.  I hope you are having a great Saturday.

Coffee and a new Contraption

Lately all I feel like doing is sitting with a good book, a fire burning in the fireplace and drinking a delicious brewed coffee.  I know this is OK for a short season, but at some point I need to get up and continue the organizing of my house, the project I started at the beginning of the year. I read another blog today d reyne's and it truly inspired me to continue on and not give up. 

The problem is, that I created even more of a monster by buying myself an incline machine last night (because it is also time for me to get in shape) and now I have to make room for it. Even though it doesn't take up as much room as a conventional treadmill, it is still pretty big.  It took me half a day to clear out the space where it will reside.   Our house has limited storage, and every square inch of it is used space, so now I have to deal with the piles of stuff that I cleared out to make the room.  I knew it was coming and come to think of it, it was my idea to buy this contraption.  I really hope tomorrow I am able to mentally deal with the piles of stuff, figure out a system and just get it done. As far as today goes (since it is practically over), I'm going to relax now and have a decaf cup of coffee, maybe even light a fire since it has been haling on and off all day.  

And the Winner Is...

Drum roll please...the winner of the first ever Hillhouse & Pretty in Paint GIVEAWAY is:
Hillary Petersen-Toney,

I want to say THANK YOU to all of my new followers and those of you who participated in my first ever blog giveaway.  I hope you will continue on this journey with me.  I truly treasure your comments and feedback, so please keep them coming.    Stay tuned for more giveaways in the future.

The Romantic Bed

I am on the hunt for a beautiful bed like this for my newly remodeled bedroom.  Really all I did was switch some furniture around, change the drapes and all of the bedding to give it a more relaxed feeling.  And something like this would finish it off perfectly.  It may take some time, and it will probably cost more than I really want to spend, but I would love to find a dreamy tufted, creamy ecru colored bed for my new look.

 I really love this one, a little more modern

and a little less fussy.

I will post pics of my new look just as soon as it has the finishing touches, and hopefully a new bed.

P.S.  Don't forget only 2 more days to enter our giveaway.

Hillhouse & Pretty in Paint Giveaway

The Giveaway

Hillhouse is teaming up with Pretty in Paint for a GIVE AWAY!!!  so here is what is up for grabs, Hillhouse has put together a  wicker trunk full of unique goodies. It has a map photo album, vintage hanger with fun music paper shred, and map shred (perfect for gift bag filler) mini stamped envelopes, candle snuffer, bingo ephemera and handmade bookmark. Pretty in Paint threw in a french style pillow and super cute shabby white cast iron soap dish!  how awesome!!

 I want to introduce you to my friend Mindy of Pretty in Paint

Mindy is the mother of two children, a wife and creator of all that is beautiful~along with her business of making any piece of unloved furniture amazing, she inspires others to try their hand at adding character to their own homes. Her blog "Pretty in Paint" is a fun and inspiring look into her world.

 So To Win:

All you have to do is 'like' Hillhouse and Pretty in Paint on facebook (right hand side of the page) then share this link and leave us a comment that you did! Or you can become a follower to each of our blogs and leave us a comment under this post. (only one comment per person is required).
We will randomly choose a winner and let you know who won Friday March 18th. This is a local drawing and you will be able to pick it up at the American Mercantile on Saturday the 19th!!

This is Mindy and I shopping for goods at one of our favorite vintage markets,

 A Vintage Gathering in Washington.

Uncertainty of the Times in which we live

So much destruction and heartache in this world

when we read the news and we see the devastation taking place all over

It is easy to become sad and introspective,

but we knew it would come to this...because we have read the book and we know the end of things to come.  So we must:

Ask the Lord what part you must play, because the time is at hand.

When is the last time we shared the good news, with just one person...

Stand strong in the power of the Lord today, do what He has called you to do. And if you do not know Him as your personal Lord and Savior, and you feel that stirring in your soul, call out to Him and He will hear you.  We are called to fight, not to sit idly bye as we watch the world in disarray and despair.  Show yourself strong today, in the strength of the Lord. What has the Lord called you to do that you have not done?

Dreaming of Garden Parties

On Wet dreary days such as these, I dream of the sunny spring, and outdoor garden parties...

With that one special person in a quaint little spot...

 or a  party by the ocean for friends and family alike

or maybe...a special girls only retreat into these marvelous woods

or simply a picnic by the sea...

Psalm 39: "My life is no longer than the width of my hand.  An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath."

So live the width of your life in all its fullness today! 

Random Inspirations

 A Stairway that leads wherever you choose...

 A luxurious couch to sit on and read...

Whatever you choose

 A comfy bed to take an afternoon nap in...

A bicycle ride...

to that favorite country cottage...

where would your dream take you.

Isn't it fun to dream a little, may some dream of yours come true today!