Janie's eclectic farmhouse...take two:)

 

Good morning friends.  I'm sitting in the pitch dark.  It's stormy outside.  The perfect day to put up my post on Janie Fox's farmhouse:)  As you know I went back home to Central Illinois recently.  When I go home I always try to touch base with my quirky girl Janie.  If you don't know her you should.  She's a hoot, full of fun and sass, and one of my favorite people I've met though social media.  Lucky for me she lives close to my mom and dad:)

This time I took my people.  My mom, dad, honey and the girls tagged along.  It was a treat for them to meet sweet Janie and visit her fun farmhouse.  

Due to a fire last year her home has underwent a recent transformation.  The last time I was here the walls were bright colors (read that post here or see her daughters' amazing homes here).  This time around she used a neutral wall and all her colorful finds made the space come alive.

Grandpa's barn wood on the ceiling.  Sigh...

She collects everything. I like that about her.  Right off the bat I can tell you she has a ton of little chairs.

Crutch anyone??  What a clever way to make a plain wall interesting.

Church memorabilia, Jesus, all things vintage nursery, and cows are scattered all around.  She loves pink:)

Etched mirrors galore... 

And the most amazing vintage furniture you can find!  

Her style and think out of the box creativity inspire me.

Loved this idea.  I have one of those old hook things. Hanging magnifying mirrors from it make it so interesting:)

She loves all things chippy and old.  You could spend an entire day in one room and not take it all in. 

Her yard is just as fun as the inside of her house.  The vintage camper that she scored for $150 is one of my favorite things.  Travel pillows and vintage fabric make it fun and take you back.  Just need a little apron, dew rag for your hair and a campfire outside:)

I think the way a person decorates can say a lot about them.  If they put themselves out there and decorate from their heart it gives a little glimpse into their past and things that are important to them.  Janie's house would read sentimental with all her family heirlooms and treasure finds.  It would reflect cozy with her comfy furniture and love of throws and pillows.  Her faith is obviously important to her with all her Jesus stuff;) Words speak to her heart...via artwork from various friends and family.  Color makes her happy etc...

Wonder what your house says about you:)  Do you decorate with old things or new?  Do you collect or purge?  Do you like a clean, white, modern space or does stuff and color make you feel more at home??  Wouldn't it be boring if we were all carbon copies of each other?

Be a blessing.

favorite Instagram pics this week... 

IG @farmgirlpaints

 my honey turned 41!!!  HAPPY birthday Honey:))

 the shop is opening in 5 days...COLORAMA!!

 screen door love... project in progress;)

quilt floorcloth and a sick little chick on the mend...all better now :)

SHOP opens NOW and the official tour!!!!!!

Good morning girlies.  It's a special day!!  Not only is the shop opening...YIPPEEEEEE, but I've been waiting to show you the finished shop space f.o.r.e.v.e.r!!!  So glad this day is finally here:))

It was late last summer that the switch finally flipped for me that we needed to swap out the girls playroom in the basement for my cuff shop that was currently in our upstairs bonus room.  We were cramped and hot.  Honey was working from home, so all the hammering and helpers coming and going was a big distraction.  So an idea took root and this is that beautiful beautiful flower!!!  Welcome to the new and improved FGP SHOP:))

These letters were the final special thing I was waiting for.  Last fall when I went to the Rose Bowl Flea I met the coolest gal...Anjanette.  So here we are months later with a SHOP sign design that literally surpasses all my expectations.  I sent her a picture of what I wanted and voila.  Gorgeousness!!!  The reclaimed wood even matches my floor in that space.  I LOVE it!!!  Her etsy shop is called American Vintage Inc.

This is our shipping station.  My hope is to eventually plaster the sides of the corkboard with your sweet cuff/selfie IG pics and map pin where the cuffs are heading off to:))

("Be awesome today" came from here. The "she turned her can't into cans" art came from here.) 

I wanted this space to be like a home away from home, so we've got a mini fridge, microwave and a Keurig coffee pot.  We pull up our TV trays at lunch and cozy in.  I seriously have to pinch myself that this my job.  That I get to work with my friends!  God is SO good.

We finished off the bathroom when we remodeled the basement.  This is our new girlie room:)  The vanity was purchased at an antique store for a really good price and then we bought the sink at a RESTORE store and inserted it.  I painted and distressed the dresser and added pretty glass knobs.  I've always dreamed of having a sink like this.  It was a perfect fit for down here.

I have a collection of handmirrors and I just kept having this vision of a handpainted one.  The words came to me and this is the final product.  From my favorite passage...Psalms 139 You are fearfully and wonderfully made...

The string art is just a handpainted chalkpaint background with nails surrounding it and yarn wrapped around the nails.  The hard part was figuring out the design and keeping the yarn from popping off the nails.  Other than that super cheap and easy peasy focal point for the space.  I HEART my string heart art!!

Obviously I have a thing for words and COLOR.  I got the Humble sign in Orange County last fall and the HOPE letters are from Joann's.  I recently painted them rainbow stripes.   

And here are the basement pics I've been promising you forever:)  We had a dark brown corduroy couch that was really ugly, so to disguise it I thought colorful afghans would do the trick.  From that the whole color me happy theme just kind of happened.  The girls and I punched every single heart and threaded them to string.  Then we draped lights (from World Market) across the room to help give the basement more light.

The BIG art is just draft prints I had made up at Office Max.  Super cheap.  I used spray adhesive to attach them to large pieces of wood that I had painted with chalkboard paint.  

This space gives me goosebumps.  It's exactly what I dreamed of.  If you would have told me a year ago this would be my life.  That working with friends and having a real business was in my future I don't think I would have believed you.

It's all been a wild daring adventure.  Stepping out in faith...believing for continued favor...and now having HELPERS.  It's out there.  My faith is stretched.  But honestly I believe that's right where God wants me.  He wants me to rest in his arms, trusting for every turn.  He wants to use me in a bigger way than I can obviously see.  So let's do this thing!!!!






The shop is open from today until FRIDAY.  That's only FIVE days!!!  We had to shorten our shop days because we'll be open in March as well.  It takes us several weeks to restock the shop.  So I hope you've got your words picked out.  Also the cuff give-away is still happening on IG.  To enter just post a pic of you and your cuff or future word you want and tag...#farmgirlpaintsetsy.  I'll announce the winner on Monday evening.

Oh and if you are following along on my @farmgirlfitness IG post a pic of the words that motivate you for a chance to win a fitness cuff.  Notice the little peek a boo blank on the back.  Such good motivation!!

A special THANK YOU to our February sponsors.  

Check out their blogs and IG for coupon codes:)

Laura from Finding Home

Sasha from Lemonade Makin' Mama

Tiffini from House of Belonging

Erin from IG @tweetpotatopie

**Art studio tour coming up soon!!

Be a blessing.

life is sweet...the OC trip

 

If you don't like looking at other people's vacation pictures you might wanna move on;)  Just sayin' this one is obnoxiously filled to the brim:))  HA!!!  Okay so girls I feel like I've been to a far away planet.  One filled with strange beautiful creatures, lush plants, over the top restaurants and shopping that just doesn't seem possible...of course that foreign land is actually LA and Orange County and if you haven't been there you really need to see it with your own eyes.  It's so very much like what you see on TV but magnified 100 percent. 

As I was sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to take off I was mentally counting how many times I've been to Cali.  TWELVE!  I've been there twelve times!  And as much as I love the weather and the unbelievable amount of things to do and see I always, ALWAYS feel a little out of my element.  Like I just don't belong.  Maybe on the 13th visit it will feel like home;)


**Little side note...stalker Becky comes out the second my feet hit the LAX airport.  I become "tuned" into all things celebrity and make eye contact with every person I see.  It's weird.  Can't help it.  My dorky side just comes out guns full blaring.  This last time I didn't see anyone that I recognized, but two "important" people got off the plane at the gate I was sitting at.  I didn't know them, but I could just tell they were different.  There was an air.  Anyhoo...they had a driver at the gate!  That means they actually had to pay for him to get past security.  Can you imagine??  Okay so the important people get off the plane and immediately drop their carry-ons without so much as a hello to this poor servant person and walk on ahead with the guy scrambling to grab the bags and catch up.  Can you say rude?  It was slighty disgusting and very much what I imagine is the norm for a lot of these famous people.  Just had to share.

My girlfriend Tracy who lives out there picked me up and she showed me the town while we waited on Lissa to come later in the day.  We walked Rodeo Drive (gawking at the valet drivers)...ate at Sprinkles and then she took me to Pink's.  Pink's Hotdogs is a local legend.  I read about it years ago.  It's a hotdog stand that's been there forever.  People stand in line for long periods of time to get one of their crazy hotdogs.  Imagine avocado and caramelized onion and chili and sauerkraut and all sorts of weird things on a bun.  That's what it was.  I got mustard, ketchup and onion.  I'm boring like that.  It was good.  Different, but good.  The casing was firmer than normal hotdogs.  Okay enough about that;)

After our LA tour Tracy took me home.  This is her sweet place. She loves cloches, crowns and lots of sparkle.  She has a great style, and I have to say she's way up there on my list of best hostess'.  I had chocolate covered nuts by my bed and a bathrobe and slippers to wear.  I felt very pampered. 

And her sweeeeet dog HANK! Oh how he made me feel right at home too.  Kinda fell in love with him.  He would sit right by your arm and keep nudging you until you petted him and when you stopped he'd do it again...and again.  I miss Hank;)  Then he'd curl up on the couch and cuddle with his momma.  Beyond sweet!

Late that first night Lissa finally came.  Come on girl!  She'd been at Disney all day with her parents.  How much fun would that be?  Anyhoo by the time she got there I was TOAST.  I'd been up since 4 am EST...which means 21 hours with the time difference.  That first night was short.  But the next morning more than made up for it.  Tracy took us to the Ramos House in San Juan Capistrano.  Talk about a picture perfect, all things California restaurant AND we got to meet Tracy's beautiful momma.  If you ever get a chance go there!  Beyond good.  GO THERE!

We also went antiquing...she loves me.

 

 

Tracy kept asking us throughout the weekend what our favorite part was and even though I have lots more to show you THIS was my favorite.  One night we just got cozy. 

 

 

Tracy showed me how to make her delicious caprese salad.  We popped some wine and had our own little tasting.  We lit candles and shared what God had been doing in our lives.  It was beautiful and intimate and very very special.  It's really what the whole weekend centered around and I'll never forget that night.  I love these girls.

The next day we hit Newport Beach.  Think mansions and cottages and lots of moolah all on the bay.  Absolutely stunning beauty.  My favorite memory is singing Chicago's Being Without You at the top of our lungs with the windows down.  Oblivious to all the bikers and walkers:)  Oh and Lissa sitting in the back with her sad mopey I'm freezing face;)  Good times!
 

Newport came with a whole lot of excitement.  Tracy signed us up for Timree Gold's painting class.  I'd never done anything like that before.  SO MUCH FUN!!!  She walked us through step by step and at the end we had our own little...BIG masterpiece.  I think we nailed it. 

That night we hit the uber swanky Javier's.  Uh can you say fabulous!  This is one of the places that made me feel out of my comfort zone though.  Very adult.  Posh.  Fancy people.  Fancy food.  It was so beautiful.  SOOOO luxurious.  They even had a bathroom attendant!! 

 

Is it just me or is that a super weird job.  I can grab my own towel thank you:)  Having someone do something for me that I can easily do myself...like a Valet holding the door open...or two servers at the table at once is uncomfortable.  Is that just my Midwest upbringing coming out?!  I appreciate the attention, but it makes me feel awkward. 

Sunday pretty much blew my mind.  For years I've had the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea on my bucket list.  I'd seen so many shows on HGTV filmed there and I knew celebrities walked the aisles and I'm a dork I know, but I just HAD TO GO!  Tracy kindly obliged.  It didn't disappoint.  Within five steps in I found a belt gal that literally had leather that I was swooning over.  It was incredible.  I spent more than I would have if I'd done all the thrifting myself, but the leather was gold.  You guys will DIE!  I went not expecting that at all.  Talk about a major blessing.

The only downside to the flea is that most of the vendor only accept cash.  I didn't know that.  And since I never use an ATM I couldn't figure out which card and how to do it.  So I had to bum money off Lissa.  I hated doing that.  I was like WHY GOD WHY...I'm at the flea and I can't spend freely.  This is torture.  But it all worked out.  Trust me.  I found my treasures.  The ones I was supposed to get and nothing more:)  And it was a good thing because nothing more would fit in my suitcases.  My carry on (which was filled with belts) alone weighed 42 pounds.  He knew when to cut me off;)

Oh and right after we hit the Luggage Room (SO GOOD) for lunch and drove by the Father of the Bride house!!!  How fun is that!!! 

 

One of my favorite parts of visiting a friend is seeing the familiar, the intimate...cue momma's house.  This is Tracy's childhood home.  Needless to say she gets her beautiful style from her sweet momma:) We also got to drive by her brother's home and her old house in Pasadena. LOVE!

Okay so last day finally.  If you're still with me you deserve a macaroon...just sayin;)

We had to drop Lissa off for an early flight (cue sad face:/), so we hit the amazing Bottega Louie in downtown LA for brunch while we waited for my flight.  Again another impossibly beautiful restaurant with amazing food and gorgeous waiters.  It was straight up out of a movie.  Very French.  Best breakfast I've ever had!  No lie.  That top left picture was a potato cake with buratta cheese, prosciutto and basil.  Sounds weird, but it was perfection on a plate.  Add a little lemon ricotta pancake on the side, and roasted potatoes with asparagus and this girl who really doesn't think about food much at all is all of a sudden a major FOODIE;) 

So there you have it, a beautiful weekend all tied up with string.  Beyond grateful my honey lets me travel.  These occasional mini trips are like an oasis for this homebody farmgirl.  I've been so blessed to spend quality time with my far away friends, to see some amazing things I'll never forget, and to experience Gods goodness in the most unlikely of ways.  Now it's back to work...I've got some CUFFIN' to do!!

Be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

**to see more pics of the weekend find
Tracy @lvngprtythings and Lissa @hawaiimama808 on Instagram

 

 

 

Chicago lyrics

avocados, heirloom tomatoes and buratta cheese

laughing til it hurts

sunshine and palm trees

jo Malone orange blossom cologne

treasure hunting

leather GOLD

getting pampered

stories of God's handiwork in a dark cozy living room

HANK

friends who listen to you dream

luggage that made it home