Spring Break Coffee Table

I enjoy decorating my coffee table.  I don't paint or move my furniture, but I do try to freshen up my family room by making a few changes each month.  Today, I'm sharing with you a coffee table idea that I've had in mind for quite some time.  It's a vignette on my coffee table that calls out Vintage Spring Break in all capitol letters!!

I purchased the flamingo planter last November--I have to admit,

 I passed it by at the church sale a couple of 

 times before I decided to buy it.

 I then found the metal Florida souvenir bowl

 and my idea for the coffee table began to take shape.

The bowl is appealing with it's still-bright colors. I believe the bowl is from the early 1970's as it has Disney World noted on the map.

I already had the vintage postcards that I received from a sweet friend.   

I used a burlap runner (for my sand) and a blue tray I made and painted with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in duck egg blue (for my water).  I also added a few shells that I've picked up on beach walks.

My final addition to the coffee table is of course, a book about the beach--Mary Kay Andrews' Beach Town.  And, have your heard????Mary Kay Andrews has a 100 page novella that will come out on April 5th entitled, Change of Scene.  It's a prequel to Beach Town and it will only be available as a e-book.  

It all comes together for a fun Vintage Spring Break Coffee Table. It brings back memories of family trips of the past and a few trips I hope to make in the future.

What about you?  Do you have some nice spring break memories? Did you get to go to the beach or maybe the mountains for a quick spring break getaway?  I'd love for you to share a memory today!

Joining the party:

Your Inspired Design


BlueSky Kitchen

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesday

The Charm of Home

Home Sweet Home

Beach Coffee Table with Vintage Touches

I can't believe I've waited this long to bring my shell collection out and begin using them in a few designs around my home. Today, I worked on my coffee table.  It is one of my favorite spots to decorate.

 I started my design with the wire basket

 that I got recently at an antique store. 

 There were several in the store and

 they came from a local industrial site. 

 I love containers--especially baskets.

  They can be so pretty and so useful at the same time. 

My sweet friend shared with me some of the vintage post cards from her collection.  I love this one from Cypress Gardens.  The ones peeking out at the bottom are from Panama City Beach, Florida.  We used to go to Panama City when I was a little girl.

I found this small iron stone dish last week

 and I decided I'm use it in my design today.

I found all the shells in the dish!

I just love collecting shells.

I got the green vase from Target a couple of years ago.  I love the pretty color.  I put it on top of a round chippy architectural piece that I topped with a page from an old dictionary.

Have you noticed the glass floats?  

I've had them for close to 40 years. 

 Gosh.....I guess that makes them (and me) vintage!

Have you read Mary Kay Andrews' new book, Beach Town? 

 I have!  Another treat from my favorite author.

I put my great aunt's magnifying glass on top of the book.

 Here's a final look from the sofa.

Thanks for stopping by to see my coffee table.  

The weather is predicted to be pretty hot this week. 

I think I'll stay inside and think of the beach....

I'll be working on a few spots later this

 week and hope to share more with you then.

Joining the Party:

Common Ground Share Your Style


Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays


Cozy Little House Tweak It Tuesday

My Salvaged Treasures Vintage Inspiration Party


Bella Rosa Antiques Let's Talk Vintage


Confessions of a Plate Addict The Scoop


Dwellings the Heart of Your Home Amaze Me Mondays


Karen's Up on the Hill Something to Talk About


Coastal Charm Show and Share


A Stroll Thru Life Inspire Me Tuesday

Bees and a Book

Sunday afternoon, I decided I was going to start reading a book by my favorite author, Mary Kay Andrews . It was such a beautiful spring afternoon, that I decided I would read outside.  Before I started reading, I decided to take a quick tour of my spring flowers.

 I just had to go get my camera, because there were several large bees in my azaleas.

They didn't seem to mind that I was there with my camera. 

 They kept right on visiting all the blooms that they could find.

My goal was to try to capture a bee in mid-flight.

I got a couple shots of the bees as they visited the blossoms.

I love this picture!   

Making a visit to a Coral Bells azalea.

Bees on a Red Ruffles azalea.

Oh, and yes, I did get my book started.



 I didn't know on Sunday that it would be

gray and overcast on Monday and Tuesday. 

 Nor, did I realized that we would have a lot of rain today (Wednesday).

  If it is cold or rainy where you are today, I hope this post brings you a little breath of spring!