For the love of coffee...and Pottery Barn

Good Morning.

To say I'm exhausted, is an understatement....

 My littlest dumplin' decided to have a yucky tummy last night and was throwing up until midnight....once on my pillow after I lovingly moved her to our bed...that's what I get I guess.

Needless to say, after stripping sheets thrice, giving her a bath twice, and getting yacked on once, I am a tired lady.

Once her tummy settled and she fell asleep, I attempted to readjust myself into a semi-bearable position, but it was to no avail.  It's hard enough falling asleep when trying to teeter on a 9 inch space on the edge of the bed, but when your baby is soundly nestled face first into your back, you just don't sleep that well. You can't move backwards because you'll crush her, and you can't scoot forward otherwise you'll plummet off the cliff that is your bed and you will inevitably smack your face on the edge of your nightstand...so you just stay put.

So, yeah. I'm sleepy.

So while I'm waiting for my coffee to kick in, I have a confession to make...

 

It's one I'm not proud of, and I should really seek help or at least attempt to changes my ways...

 

.... but I'm weak...

 

Now as you all know, with the exception of several items or features in our home that really shouldn't be skimped on (good flooring, decent cabinetry, energy efficient windows, roof shingles that won't just melt away at the first sign of precipitation, etc)  this Farmhouse of ours, is for the most part, a highly budgeted venture.  We knew going into it that if we wanted the picturesque, perfect country package, ie. a larger home on an acreage with a herd of cattle, a couple handsome horses, and a slew of fat chickens with grandma names, then we were going to have to pinch pennies and do a lot of the work ourselves in order to keep our overall costs down. 

 

We aren't afraid to get our hands dirty, pound nails, pull wire, install fireplaces (fingers crossed that was done correctly), put up porches, paint everything in sight, lay all the flooring, dig 6 foot deep footing holes that I may, or may not have dropped one leg down in to when I wasn't paying attention (my hip still clicks from that),  install fixtures of all kinds, caulk EVERY. STINKIN'. NOOK. and CRANNY, cut and put up insulation, run water lines etc etc etc...

 

...yeah, we do a lot. Ok, mainly my husband, but I'm taking half credit. It was after all in the vows...what's yours is mine right? Anyways, I have to say, its paying off. We done good.... that is until my dirty little habit decides to make an appearance and threatens all our scrimping and saving and hard work....

 

...why you ask, would this happen? Two words...

 

 

POTTERY BARN.

 

 

I love Pottery Barn.  No other store, with the exception of Target and the cheese counter at Whole Foods, can better sum up my taste.  It's just all so beautiful.  Its classy, and clean, with a touch of rustic, a pinch of country, a dash of vintage, and a big ole' handful of luxury. 

 

...I bet Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton shop there...

 

 If I had a million dollars, I'd blow it all at Pottery Barn.

 

....and the cheese section at Whole Foods...

 

...and the clearance shelves at Target....

Scored these little cuties a week or so ago le Target'.... I'm thinking salt and pepper bowls or maybe little tiny flower pots to perch on the kitchen sink window sill...

 

Cute huh? I thought so too.

 

But alas... I do not have a million dollars, so therefore I am forced to keep my home related purchases confined to Craigslist, work trades, Big Lots and Nebraska Furniture Mart holiday sales.

 

But yesterday, I cheated:)

 

I'm so bad.

I had some errands to run and, well, you know how sometimes you're driving and you suddenly realize that you can't really recall any details of the last 5-10 minutes of your journey?  Well that happened to me, except when I finally came to, I was parked in front of the Barn....

 

...it was kind of like when Clark Griswold comes across the perfect tree in the woods in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and its glowing in front of him like a beacon of hope...

 

...yes, the storefront was glowing...
....although it could have just been a reflection off my windshield, but still...

 

I got out of my car and walked in.  The whole place had that "well decorated" smell and was festively made over for Halloween.  There's just something about a farmhouse table overhauled with mercury glass pumpkins, spider web bowls and black skull candle holders that makes a person feel like their home.

 

I walked around the store in a euphoric haze for a good half hour just running my fingers along pillows, carefully fondling cups and trinkets, and flipping through the big rugs that hang on the wall....

...I may have touched my cheek to one when the sales lady wasn't looking...

 

I want this one...

 

 

This is the Brandon Persian style rug from Pottery Barn.  I absolutely LOVE this rug.  I have actually been cyber stalking it for over a year now, but unfortunately, a bag of money hasn't fallen into my lap yet, so I haven't been able to purchase it....  if you are as in love with it as I am, and you happen to have the dough, well good for you fancy pants... you can buy it here. 

 

...if only Pottery Barn accepted Bittersweet Bakery gift cards as payment...

 

Even on sale...

 

 

EEEK. 

 

So, after shedding a few tears, and saying my goodbyes to Brandon, I moved on. Here are a few other delicious little morsels that I must have...one day.

 

Some lovely, cottagey dishes...they are actually quite a bit more turquoise in person. Beautiful.

 

Want the dishes? Click here.

And how about these adorable, stackable salt-pepper-spice dishes?! I know right?! 

 

Get 'em here.

And then there are these pretty little, buttery yellow teacups with saucers.  This color is actually one of the accent colors I planned to have on my open shelving in the kitchen, so, naturally I wanted them.  I already have a wide array of plates and dishes that my mom gave to me, but as I collect coffee cups, and this particular color was ON SALE!!  I felt the need to snatch up 3 sets... I like things in odd numbers... don't know why.

 

 

So, for $21, I am now the proud owner of 3 yellow Emma teacups and matching saucers.  I picture sitting at my farmhouse table with my mom and grandmother some day soon, each of us having a cup of tea or coffee, just chatting....maybe about these lovely little cups.

 



  Grab a couple for yourself here.

 

So that is the story of my love affair with Pottery Barn.

 

One day I hope to recreate the shopping scene in Pretty Woman, except in Pottery barn...

 

...and yes, I will order a pizza...

 

 Until that day comes, I'll just continue to lurk around, smelling pillows and rubbing my cheeks on the rugs when no one is looking...

 

 

:) Ashley