Are You Ready For A Summer Giveaway?~

Hi everyone, I hope your enjoying your Summer!!

I have a little something special for one of my readers, so stay tuned for details below~

Recently I was contacted by Ricky Magana from Novica, which is in association with National Geographic, regarding a chance to write a review of their site

 and a product of my choosing.

Here's a little about Novica:

"NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. We work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. We have thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts, accessories, jewelry and home decor items on our website." ~Ricky Magana

Novica is a wonderful company that gives artisans from places like Bali, Brazil, Central America, West Africa, Mexico, and Thailand a place to sell there beautiful handmade wares. They carry everything from tableware to men's & women's clothing, to jewelry and home decor.

Rayon dress, 'Black Denpassar Chic'

by Galuh Kenanga

(Bali and Java)

 

I love this dress, this is definitely on my wish list.

Sterling silver heart bracelet, 'Love's Message'

by Victor Williams

(Andes)

 

 Cotton batik wraparound skirt, 'Balinese Shadow'

by Arthur Karvan

(Bali and Java)

 

As you can see, everything on their site is amazing, and I had a really difficult time choosing what I wanted.

Finally I chose some gorgeous hand blown lime green colored glasses from Mexico artists, Javier and Efren.

The color is to-die-for and the glass is super thick. It came as a set of 6 and I received them within a few days. Best of all, the workmanship on these glasses is excellent!

Here are some photos of my glasses:

 

Perfect for Summer entertaining don't you think?!

 

Okay, so on to the giveaway!

***One lucky reader will win a $50.00 gift certificate to Novica.

Yea!!!

All you need to do enter is:

1. Leave me a comment and let me know your a follower.

2. Go to Novica's site and come back and tell me what you would spend the gift certificate on.

So there you have it , 2 chances to win.

or

***If you want an extra chance you can blog about the giveaway or tweet it, or post it on Facebook.

 So 3 chances in all.

 Good luck to you all!!~

**~Winner will be announced on Friday July 6th**~

Have a lovely day all.

Sincerely,

Melinda

Gentle Living~

Happy Monday all!

And welcome Summer!! :)

A few months ago, I was contacted by a really sweet girl named Liz regarding featuring me and my home on her site called "Gentle Living".

 {Photo courtesy of Liz~"Gentle Living"}

Here's a little about "Gentle Living" written by Liz for her blog:

Gentle Living: A spiritual niche of sorts. A way of living.

A manner of being. A striving for better. A loving of what is.

"I’m Liz. I’m a sensitive Cancer, a recovering lawyer, an animal lover, a traveler, a writer… 

I believe people should treat themselves better, treat others better, and be kinder to animals and our planet. We’re all connected and our lives have a deeper meaning than some of the day to day things that preoccupy us.

I am a champion of the underdog and a believer in giving a voice to the voiceless, human and animal alike. I am highly sensitive and a bit of an emotional savant, I see the world in colors of emotion, I see things many can’t.

I used to believe in stress and overwhelm, trading money for misery, and working to please only others. Now I believe in doing what comes naturally, what’s creative, what brings the most joy, and what does the most good.

I love writing to inspire others to be kinder to themselves and the world around them. Selfishness, greed, ego, apathy and disregard are old-paradigm thinking. We’re all meant to be loved and respected and to thrive. I believe that we should all use our unique strengths to contribute to the world. I believe that small consistent actions can have big impacts.

Gentle Living is a lifestyle blog. It embraces everything involved in living a gentle but powerful life. From self-love & acceptance (including a shy girl’s manifesto series), to animal welfare, to travel, to home decor, it’s all gentle; not weak, just gentle. Being gentle is sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for yourself and the world around you. Join us by signing up below (and receive our free guides)."

{Excerpt from Liz at "Gentle Living"}

 {Photo courtesy of "Gentle Living"}

**Liz also runs a travel company called "Your Time travels", where she currently books African Safari's  so you can see the animals in their natural habitat.

***Please stop by her beautiful site and be inspired to live more gently! 

Also, if you want to check out my feature, click 

HERE

or

"{Gentle Powerful Souls} Melinda Reyes & Alabaster Rose Designs"

 Thanks so much Liz!!

Have a beautiful week everyone!!!

Sincerely,

Melinda

Feeling...~

Me and the ol' homestead are feeling a bit blah lately!!
I am definitely feeling the need for some color in the house.

I saw this really amazing window display at Anthro the other day and the background wall was this fabulous vibrant apple green color and aged with a dark wax, it was gorgeous!! It made me want to paint a wall in my house that color.
I almost did it in my bedroom, but chickened out and painted it what else, gray!
It's a really pretty gray, so I suppose I'll just have introduce color into the room with bedding and accessories. Now if I just had the funds to do this. :)


Anyway, on to some happy news:
My oldest just finished 2nd grade yesterday and we are so proud!! :)
I can't believe I have a kiddo going into the 3rd grade! Where did the time go?

Hope you all are enjoying your Summer!!!

*****Also, stay tuned for a great giveaway in the next week or two, I know you'll love it!

Sincerely,
Melinda

Oh My Ever Loving Flowers~

I recently received a gift certificate for Trader Joe's and I was finally able to use some of it on my most beloved flowers.

~Lavender, Peonies, Lisianthus, & Stock~

My home is full of beauty and it makes me so happy!!~ I really needed that today.
Enjoy your afternoon all and thanks so much for stopping by!
Sincerely,
Melinda

A Few Changes~

Happy Saturday all~ I hope your having a great one so far. I just thought I'd show some photos of my bedroom. I changed it up a bit and hopefully next week I can start painting. I'm actually thinking of switching rooms with the boys, but that's a big undertaking, so we'll see:)

This vintage cabinet used to be in the boys room, but I moved it into my room to hold all of my vintage linens.

***I also just wanted to let you all know that the lovely Angela of
"Parisienne Farmgirl" is offering everyone a free copy of her magazine "Parisienne Farmgirl". Yes, FREE!!!! Can you believe it?!!~ And let me tell you ladies, it is exquisitely done!!! Every photo and article is fantastic!! I hope one day she'll offer it in print because I would love to have this beautiful magazine in my hands!
Stop by her blog for all of the info.

I mean just look at this gorgeous cover!!~

Hope you all have a great day and a Happy Father's Day to all of the amazing and loving Father's out there!!~
Sincerely,
Melinda
P.S.~ Thank you for all of your amazing and beautiful comments on my last post, that is exactly what I am thankful for, your kindness!!~

Thankful, A Personal Post~

This is a personal post~

Do you ever find yourself taking things for granted? The beauty around you, your amazing loved ones, God given gifts? I hate to admit it, but I do at times. I get so wrapped up in the busyness of life, wrapped up in what I need to do next, or what I want to buy next. I struggle with that one, a lot!!

I struggle daily with depression, it's true, and it eats up my life at times. 

But I try so hard not to let it make me forget the gifts I have in my life. My husband, who is still here with his family after almost loosing his life to a ruptured brain aneurysm 3 years ago, my beautiful children, who were huge blessings that I never thought I could have, my mom who is in remission from cancer, my dear dad who suffered a major stroke in December but is still alive and whom I'm lucky enough to talk to every week or so, a place to call home, pretty good health, and beauty all around me everyday.

I am thankful!! Truly thankful, even on my bad days, I am thankful to God!!

Just like these flowers which are also a gift from God.

I think that's why when I have fresh flowers in my home, I am quick to snap photos of them so they can last forever in my memory.

Not looking for sympathy, just stating the fact that I am so thankful!!!~

I am also thankful to all of you for making my everyday a little brighter with your kindness!!

Have a lovely day!

Sincerely,

Melinda

White Wednesday~

Sharing just a few shots around the house~

Joining the lovely Kathleen today for White Wednesday~
Sincerely,
Melinda

Flea Market Chair MakeOver~

Hi everyone, I hope your enjoying your weekend. 

I wanted to share a make-over that I just did on the chair I picked up at the flea market recently.

If you recall, I had said that it wasn't very pretty, but it was very sturdy and solid, so I knew I could do something with it. After all, I only paid $35.00 for it. You can see the before upholstery here.

I didn't take a photo of what the base looked like before I painted it, but I'm sure you've all seen that ugly old yellow and brown paint that use to be all the rage in the 60/70's.

I painted it with Benjamin Moore paint called "Steam" and lightly waxed it with dark brown Briwax.

I loved the color of the velvet but it was in pretty bad shape and the foam pad was disintegrating underneath, so it wasn't really comfortable to sit on.

When I took off the old velvet, it was a complete mess underneath, the foam pad had turned to dust, literally, so I am glad I decided to re-upholster it.

I used one of my old grain sacks to cover the seat and arms. I love this one with the red monogram.

I am so happy with how it turned out, so it was worth my hands and shoulders hurting for a few days from all of the stapling. :) I really need to get an electric air staple gun.

Now, I think this piece will be the next to get a makeover. I'm not really loving the old creamy chippy paint. So I might end up just painting it white for a fresh and clean look. Plus it will stand out a lot more against my newly painted pale gray walls. I've always loved how Maria's mantle looks against her gray walls. Her style always inspires!

Well, I hope everyone has a beautiful Sunday!

Thank you all for taking the time to stop by!!~

Talk with you soon!

Sincerely,

Melinda