WHEW!

I was finally back to work yesterday after five, feet wrenching, days at market. I had a great time and found lots of fabulous stuff. Good thing, too, because it looks like my customers had a great time during the "Come and Play While the Owners Away" sale! Thanks a bunch to all of you who turned out. I have been able to rearrange a little to make room for some of the new things that will be coming in.

I will be putting out some new jewelry pieces this week as well as a few sweaters and tops I found. Yes, I know it is kind of strange, but I am trying out a clothing line. I call it "vintage style" but I don't mean old fashioned looking. Maybe "shabby chic" style is a better description. It is flouncy, comfortable, lacy and girly. The type of stuff that just makes you feel pretty when you put it on! I will also be getting in a few fun, blingy, wash out, tee-shirts later this month.

The rest of my purchases will trickle in through February. Some of my funnest finds I will be putting in the new building for a surprise! I can't wait until it is finished!! Which leads me to a BIG announcement:

The cottage will be joined by two wonderful, talented ladies.

One is Mandie, of Altar'd, who does furniture painting and distressing. She has a large, happy following of customers. She will be setting up her showroom in the garage - - we'll need to come up with a better name for that because, believe me, it will look nothing like a garage! She will be available for furniture makeovers . I guess I should say "they", because I believe her husband is an integral part of the business. You can check out their website at www.altard.com or blog at www.altard.blogspot.com. Mandie also gives furniture painting workshops. You bring a small piece of furniture and she takes you through the process from start (sanding) to finish (glazing). It is a full day of fun, laughing and making new friends. Lunch, snacks and supplies are provided. We will be hosting our first one here at the cottage on Saturday, March 12th. It is limited to 10 people so call if you are interested. You can WIN a FREE entrance to the workshop by "liking" my facebook page; or if you are already a facebook friend, just leave a note you were there and I'll see your name is entered in the drawing.

The other wonderful gal that will be linking up her business with the cottage is Jennifer Williams of Fauxreal Designs. She will offer upholstery services to our customers as well as faux painting/finishes for walls, counters and floors. I have heard nothing but rave reviews of her quality of work and attention to the customers desires. Last I checked, she was still working on her website, but you can check it periodically - it is www.fauxreal-designs.com.

They both will be joining me when the new building is finished. I believe they are both available now for estimates if you have work you need done. They both will be scheduling three or four weeks off. A deposit will secure your spot on their agendas.

Well, that is all the cottage news for now. Hope to see you soon,

Marci

P.S. Due to all the work that needs to be done to finish and stock the new building, the cottage will not be having it's February Antiques on the Lawn show. But we will let you know when we schedule the date for the Grand Opening of the new building.

Let's Play While the Owners Away Sale

Well, Marci is off to market again AND we are going to have fun with our big semi-annual sale. Furniture will be 10% to 30% off. So if you have been thinking you would like to, but . . . not sure . . . NOW is the time. Pictures, Mirrors, Wall Hangings and Chandeliers will be 30% Off and most everything else is 50% OFF! We even have a section in the kitchen that is 70% Off. That's right, we are in the mood to clear out, and make room for whatever new treasures we find.

If you have been by recently, you have surely noticed our new building in progress. It still needs finished inside. We had hoped it might be ready by the end of February, but . . . we will keep you posted.

We will also have some fun, exciting, news for you next week so check back.

Come by and say Hi to Kendra this weekend. She'll have the coffee on and the cookies out.

Valentines and Vintage Finds

Things just feel so much cleaner and fresher after Christmas is put away - have you noticed that? We finally accomplished that here at the cottage last weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to put in a few new pieces of furniture. Well not new, they are old, but new to the cottage.

One is a great, round, solid oak table. It has been covered with glass to protect the beauty of the finish. There is also a small oak buffet with mirrored back. Soo pretty. We also brought in a cute little gossip bench, painted black and distressed. AND my favorite piece of all is the distressed, black cedar chest. Actually, it looks like a short dresser. But the top two drawers are faux, and the top lifts to reveal plenty of space for blankets,etc. It does have one nice, big, real drawer on the bottom. It is really unique. I was going to post pictures, but, alas, my camera battery is dead. Aargh! Maybe later.

Meanwhile, we also brought in some fun vintage smalls and some wonderful, old mirrors. We sold a couple great, vintage, florals before I even got them hung.

AND we got in our vintage style valentines. They are adorable and have moving parts - - googly eyes and peek-a-boo and such.

So stop in and see what's new (and old) at the cottage. I know some of the pieces will go fast!

Ciao, Adios, Au Revoir, Farewell....

As each year comes to an end I tend to reflect on what the previous months have taught me and look forward to what a new year will bring. This new year will definitely be a change for me. Through much prayer and consideration (and evenings of my sweet husband listening to my ramblings) I have decided to bid farewell to The Old Oak Cottage. The time that I have spent at the cottage have been a dream come true for me and it has proved to be the most exhilarating, exhausting fun and back breaking work that I have ever done. Time has become a precious commodity for me right now as I look forward to my oldest son graduating from high school and my youngest son with 2 years of high school left. As most of you bloggers/moms know...we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be everything to everyone....I do realize that I honestly cannot be everything to everyone but it became aware to me to take a step back and regroup...

Marci will continue with the cottage and has an expansion underway already....Watch for exciting things to be happening on the beautiful property that the cottage sits on. We had discussed earlier in the year of adding some new, beautiful, "different" items to the Cottage inventory so be on the lookout for cool things to come.

I will continue to blog and may even try to "facebook" myself to keep up with you guys!!! I thank each and every one of you for your sweet smile as you entered the cottage and your encouragement throughout the last 2 1/2 years!!!

Many blessings to you,

Mandy

12 Days of Christmas Specials

Starting December 9th, the cottage will feature a special "super sale" item each day until December 24th.

That is 12 Cottage business days of super specials! We will also be having a drawing for prizes each day - each customer will be a winner (as all our customers are). Plus, each $10 you spend will give you an additional chance to trade in your prize, and try again for that day's "Grand Prize".

If you are on our email list, check each morning for the announcement of that days' super sale item. OR check our facebook page each day, or call, or just stop by. The special of the day may be that perfect last minute gift for someone . . . or for yourself!

Stop in to visit, draw for a prize and have a cup of coffee.

The Cottage Chicks,

Marci & Mandy