thankful

I am thankful for a job I absolutely love.  Buying, merchandising, potting, painting, decorating and all-around creating are tasks that I simply love to do.  Shopping Brimfield…for work?  Yes, please.  It’s been said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”  Truly, I am grateful.

Circa Dee at West End Garage- Garden Holiday, cotton, boxwood & vintage radio flyer scooter

I’m thankful for my husband who has been by my side creating this brand.  He’s done the heavy lifting, constructing and much of the behind the scenes work to make my many visions reality.  Just this week he spent hours meticulously arranging minute dollhouse furniture, positioning the tiniest of dishes and details.  Something I’m not sure I would’ve had the patience to complete.

Circa Dee Victorian Cape May dollhouse holiday wndow display

Circa Dee Victorian Cape May dollhouse holiday wndow display

I am thankful to call this community home.  Cape May is a quaint seaside town lined with historic homes and filled with some of the most creative folks around.  This week has been a massive behind the scenes tour as we’ve watched an entire town prepare for the big event.  The Holidays In Cape May.  Fresh paint, new lights, stacked firewood, grand displays, pressed linens.  Pulling out all of the stops to create fantastic memories.  No wonder Cape May was named one of America’s best towns for the holidays by Travel + Leisure.  I’m grateful to contribute to such a special culture.

Christmas in Cape May-5147

Christmas in Cape May-5153

I’m certainly thankful for your support.  This year we’ve taken our business to a new level.  We’ve expanded and branched out to areas I dreamt about for longer than I realized.  We added an entire line of garden products including live plants and American made gifts.  You’ve been so encouraging.  Following our journey both personally and professionally.  Leaving comments across social media.  Introducing yourself in person.  Pinning, liking, purchasing.  Thank you.  It hasn’t gone unnoticed and means the world to me.

Circa Dee at West End Garage- circa 1940s plant stand

Happy Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for?

pushin’ along

We raised an impressive $500 through the Petal Pushers fundraiser last week for our Bike MS: City to Shore team!  Just a gaggle of ladies happily arranging flowers while making a difference…

petal pushers floral design MS fundraiser 2014-4278

I am so grateful for this community, family and friends for all of their support!  We couldn’t have done it without our fearless leader and professional floral designer, Renee Tucci, the mastermind behind Petal Pushers.

We have about 6 weeks to go until the actual Bike MS: City to Shore ride and most of our riders have met or exceeded their minimum fundraising goal.  You can check out our team’s progress here.

petal pushers floral design MS fundraiser 2014-4291

Multiple Sclerosis is a real part of our everyday life and business journey.  Those things are closely intertwined therefore I choose to share personal updates such as these here.  I hope to educate or empower someone by letting you in on our lifestyle.

petal pushers floral design MS fundraiser 2014-4289

Ryan’s MS diagnosis has shown us that life truly is a gift.  MS has taught us to live for today and not put things off for ‘someday’.  We’ve become more adventurous and courageous.  Within reason, of course.

petal pushers floral design MS fundraiser 2014-4282

It has been a year since we moved to Cape May and slowed down our pace of life while eliminating some stress and ‘stuff’ along the way.  A year!  Already.  And two years since Ryan’s diagnosis.

petal pushers floral design MS fundraiser 2014-4288

I’m not sure that I ever made it explicit but Ryan has officially come on board with Circa Dee.  He is doing very well in this new lifestyle that we chose.  It seems to agree with him.  And me too.  Although change can be terrifying at first, it is certainly good and not to be feared.

petal pushers floral design MS fundraiser 2014-4281

what a long, strange trip it’s been

Ok, it wasn’t long at all.  Ryan and I were gone for about 36 hours over the weekend.

vintage treasure haul

But it was strange.

where are her pants?

We decided to hit the back roads of Pennsylvania and New Jersey to quench our junking thirst.  We quite literally took the roads less traveled.  Passing rolling hills of farm land boasting the most perfectly dilapidated old barns.  Followed by the swampy marsh land dotted with the most perfectly dilapidated old boats.

barn door and concrete planters

We scored all sorts of vintage treasures hitting junk shops, flea markets and yard sales.

retro yellow porch chair

The junking trifecta if you will.

vintage aqua pots and pink trowels

vintage art

We even stayed at what seemed to be a trucker motel…

treasure hunting

I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about that experience yet.

vintage drexel nightstand

We had dinner in a swanky drape lined lair where men apparently wear fancy hats.

dinner

Ahh, yes, the things dreams are made of…

The wide open road, an empty truck and no real agenda.  I’m so glad we chose this strange career.

Perhaps it chose us.