may



What happened to April?  If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know I've had trouble from time to time wondering what to write about.  Well I'm there again and I wonder how I got here.  The start of the year got off ok but then losing Melinda in February really derailed me, like big time.  I post things on INSTAGRAM because it is so easy.  Just take a pretty picture and write a few words, it really doesn't take much thought at all.  Blogging is different, it actually requires thought. So while I continue to ponder this subject, here are some images of the last month.  Please forgive me but it's all I got.





My rose garden has exploded like it always does.  And so has my allergies.  This year has been one of the worst on record for my allergies.  It's such a shame that the roses can only come inside for a quick picture then out on the porch they go.




I picked up these 2 chairs for free from work.  They were doing some redecorating and wanted them gone.  At first I thought I'd use them for a little side project I have going on but they didn't really fit that. We placed them on the porch and are really enjoying them







Since I've been scouring thrift stores and yard sales, I came upon these lovely bargains at the Goodwill.  A few weekends back the Goodwill was celebrating their 100th year anniversary and had a huge sale. On top of the sale everyone got a $10 giftcard. So my total spent was $1.50 for a pair of brand new Cynthia Rowley trellis capris, a Ralph Lauren striped shirt, a vintage I. Magnin spring tweed coat and a brand new J. Crew dress.




I mentioned on Instagram that I now know whether or not I made a good purchase by how quickly and often I actually wear the item. Sometimes things languish in my closet for unknown reasons. Well these capri pants have been worn so often I think everyone around me is sick of them - except me.





I also came across quite a bit of this Calico Corners fabric.  It was such a great buy that I couldn't resist. I have lots of plans for it.  If you'd be interested in any of it let me know in the comments.

So that's about it.  I hope you are all doing well and I hope to find my groove soon. You are the BEST.  xo

73 comments

  1. I like that you promise a non post and then you post photos with interesting tidbits and projects! I think that counts as a real post! I am obsessed with that pagoda fabric but have no need for it. I love your blog for its authenticity and if youre finding more pleasure and creativity in other outlets, that's okay. No need to push it as it will regenerate on its own. I love the chairs on the porch! My strong antigram stance is eroding so I just might be back.

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    1. thank you SAJ. i think you should reconsider IG. also, cannot wait to hear your proust interview on ellie's blog. you are going to be famous, make my words. xo

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  2. You new post is like a breath of fresh air....lovely to see what you have been up to and your capris are very on trend. I have been eyeing these but have not yet made a purchase. Those chairs look very cozy...I would sit with my tea or read a book in those.
    As always it is a delight when I see your post up on my computer.
    Take care, Leslie

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  3. You new post is like a breath of fresh air....lovely to see what you have been up to and your capris are very on trend. I have been eyeing these but have not yet made a purchase. Those chairs look very cozy...I would sit with my tea or read a book in those.
    As always it is a delight when I see your post up on my computer.
    Take care, Leslie

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  4. I absolutely love that fabric. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

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  5. I like the shoestring budget living room. (Today seems to be Fun Fabric Day!) Reminds me of setting up a temporary apartment for myself a few years ago -- I had such a good time doing it! I always enjoy reading your posts and I'm with Steven Andrew; this was not a non-post at all!

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    1. thanks carolyn. their place is really looking fabulous. it's always fun on a shoestring right! or maybe it's just a challenge! x

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  7. Always love your sense of thrift and resource. Love the calico fabric if only I owned a sofa (or 'Davenport' as my grandmother always insisted on calling it) to cover it with.
    You are getting that young couple of to a good start.

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    1. thanks g. yes even my mom called it a davenport. lol x

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  8. There you are, I've missed you! I don't do Instagram, its like the on-line equivalent of fast food - all style but no substance.
    Loving the romantic story of the estranged couple - I'd wear the fabric on their sofa in a heartbeat. Their room looks fantastic. How cool are those chairs you got from work? Gorgeous as always. xxx

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  9. Fabulous finds. And the story of the blended family of 7 warms my heart as that's what I became part of last week. I hope your continue to be kind to yourself as you heal. xo

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    1. i know right?! i do nothing but water, feed and prune, they do the rest!

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  11. I love your site and your posts but I find myself in the exact same spot. I'm really bored with blogging and feel I don't really have any new ideas for posts. I love instagram for the reasons you've given...quick, easy peasey.
    Love your finds. Your Goodwill must be better than ours, I rarely find anything. :-)
    Karen

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    1. i hear you karen. i love your evening posts on ig! it truly is rare when i find really great stuff there too. patience! x

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  12. It is always good to see a new post from you and this was a great one. Love the new look on your porch. The fabric is great - I could see myself using about a yard and a half for making a couple new throw pillow covers - or is that too little? Be kind to yourself - I am trying to do the same after my recent loss.

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    1. i think that would be enough yardage, depends on the size of the pillows you want to make. i'll be selling it for $10 a yard. let me know if you are interested. x

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  13. I know it is HARD does require thought and PHOTOS.This WILL DO‼️‼️‼️

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  14. oh AJJ! your muse never left. she's just very mellow from terrible grief. and allergies.
    and soldiering on.
    it hasn't been all that long ago that you spent months and months away from your home.
    but nobody soldiers on as beautifully as you do! this is a wonderful post.
    you're lovely as always. and you are loved. XOXO♥

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  15. I love this post- brings a smile to my face. Your home and photos are gorgeous. So very sweet of you to help that couple decorate their home. Any home would be truly blessed to be touched by you!!

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  16. Hi Janet,

    I was getting worried but then saw your instagram photos...glad to see you posted today! Sounds like you have been pretty busy.

    Love the story about the blended family and how the couple reconnected. How nice of you to help them out, but then that sounds like something Janet would do!

    A good deal at Calico Corners? Who knew? Wish I could use some of that fabric...can't wait to see what you do with it! I scored some gorgeous Greek key fabric at an estate sale earlier in the year for $3.00. Decided I'm going to have pillows made.

    Have a good week!

    Linda
    xo

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    1. thanks linda. i didn't get the fabric at calico corners but through 2nd hand of course:)

      xo

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  17. That fabric's gorgeous! I think it would make lovely pillows also. Your roses are really beautiful. How come I can never find anything nice at Goodwill?!

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    1. i don't know donna. i don't talk much about all the zillions of times i leave empty-handed. it really is a sport for the patient. x

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  18. I love this "post" Janet. My youngest is somewhat part of a blended family, although he brought no children to the marriage. His wife had 4 sons when they married, & then they proceeded to have 3 more sons together...for a grand total of 7 boys.

    I'm also a fan of decorating on a budget...I look for cheap treasures that work in my home, & once in a while splurge on a more pricey antique.

    My daughter-in-law set up an Instagram account for me, but I don't really post on it & rarely check it. I will definitely follow you there for when I need a Gardener's Cottage fix. I can imagine that having a blog can be a challenge at times. I do visual journaling & sometimes go many weeks or months when I feel I have nothing new to add. That's just how life is. And I agree with the other comments about loving your honesty & transparency.

    Anita - the cabin on the creek

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  19. All your thrift store purchases look gorgeous! I got lucky and scored two beautiful sweaters from a local thrift for $2 each -- it is just amazing what people give away! Can't wait to see your plans for the Calico Corners fabric. It is very pretty!

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  20. nice post actually! so real and down to earth. I loved it when you said everyone is sick of you wearing your capri pants except you, lol!

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  21. porch chairs look divine and love your project!! needed this cheery post x

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  22. Hi Janet
    I love your new porch chairs and the pretty fabric that you picked up!
    I would like to replace some sofa pillows and I was wondering if you would share your source for your hydrangea floral pillows from you living room sofa. Thank you, Judy

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    1. the fabric is from designers guild and it's called cassandra moss. thanks! x

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  24. Do love the colors in that sofa fabric!

    I enjoyed going over to your instagram; I tend to forget about it. OMG, your little granddaughter looks SO much like son Alex!

    Good to hear from you; thanks for posting. Wishing you continued good health and healing from up here north of you. Hope you're enjoying the purple-exploding jacarandas at this time of year as much as I am!

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    1. hi vicki! yes she does look like alex but also a bit like B too. she is so dang funny. and yes i'm enjoying all the gorgeous color right now even tho i can't spend much time near it. ahhh chooo. x

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  25. How can I find you on Instagram. I looked but there's so many gardeners cottages.
    Lisa
    Spring Peeper Farm

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    1. oh lisa i'm mrskorff on instagram. you can click the link in the post. :)

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  26. Hi, I am just a passerby but wanted to say how much I enjoyed this post. The roses are beautiful and is that a maidenhair fern? I adore them! The ferns, I mean. Who doesn't love a bargain, whether it is clothes or home decor. I love the white chairs, I have always wanted one but with a tuxedo cat they wouldn't stay white. Finally, that fabric is gorgeous.

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  27. Hi Janet, My comment isn't about your post today (I enjoyed it, too) but I just saw the spread of your home in Country Living Magazine. I had forgotten that you were to be in the magazine and was perusing through; and as I turned the pages, I stopped. I recognize that house on the page and turned the next page and discovered I was right, it's the "Gardner's Cottage". Loved the article and so I just couldn't wait to tell you.

    jean

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  28. Just found your blog and I'm so happy I did! Your cottage looks lovely, and I agree about blogging. It does take a lot more work but it's worth it. :)

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  29. Always so nice to see what you are up to, and I love reading your thoughtful words. I know it takes more time than IG, but it's what I prefer. IG is too much for me. Too much overexposure. I just can't do it, so I do appreciate when my favorite bloggers (like you Janet!!) take the time to do a thoughtful, timely post.
    Allergies.....have you tried using a neti pot? We all do it once, sometime twice a day around allergy time and it really helps! Great for when you have a cold too.
    The Fabric....It would make a sweet tablecloth for a garden party, and if you sew, I think it would make a fun tote bag!

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    1. hi emily! yes i use a netti pot daily during the allergy season. i've just added flonase which is now over the counter and it's working miracles. x

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  30. Hi Janet, I just read your instagram about hyper pigmentation. I have a large kind of freckle-looking thing on my left cheek, that I know is from driving south.lol
    Is there anything I can do about it?
    Thanks, Kathleen in Oregon

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    1. yes kathleen there are lightening creams that are available now that will take care of that. my favorite is by Osmosis. you can google their products and take a look. x

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  31. I Magnin; oh how I miss that store! I am a native San Franciscan (7th generation native Californian) and loved Magnins when I was growing up. My mother, grandmother and aunts were all regular shoppers there. It closed when I was in my teens, but I still have a gorgeous, very classic Calvin Klein houndstooth jacket that I got there (that was back when Calvin Klein was an elegant, expensive, high-quality brand), along with a classic Magnin's tote bag and a few other things. It was so sad when the stores closed; like a death in the family. Enjoy your lovely new coat and other great buys! You have better luck in thrift stores and estate sales than anyone I've ever heard of!

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    1. oh i loved i magnin too. such a swanky place. so hushed and quite and gorgeous. thanks for sharing your memories. xo

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  32. Hi Janet - that fabric is amazing - looking forward to see you work your magic! I don't blog but I have also turned to IG (missus_pearce) instead of Facebook. I follow you on IG and while it may not be as "chatty", it is still always a treat to see what you post!

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    1. i really do like ig at the moment. it's just so easy and i love seeing what everyone is posting. it's really a positive place. xo

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  33. Hi Janet - I always look forward to your posts, both blog and IG. Have you ever tried Lavendar essential oil for your allergies? I have found some relief diffusing while I sleep. Even so, the roses are too beautiful to miss. Enjoy them while they last.

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    1. no i haven't tried that but i think the lavender scent wouldn't work for me. the slightest scents send me into a sneezing fit. i'm finding pretty good relief right now with flonase but i still can't really get out into the garden to work or bring flowers indoors. :( but at least i feel better. x

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  34. hi Janet, Miss your posts. I (WE) love anything you post. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.....

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  35. Hi Janet. Beautiful photos as well. I am amazed by your purchases and freebies. Great stuff! I never have that kind of luck. I really like your side project, that's so nice. Would love updates on that too. :-)

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  36. Janet, so many beautiful photos! Many lovely patterns and colors. I also love the blue patterned plates and matching pillows.

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  37. Janet....so excited to hear that Country Living did a photo shoot at your beautiful home.....I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did when Victorian Homes did a couple of shoots at my home.....exciting and exhilarating.....just wanted to drop you a line and say congratulations and let me know when you will be published. I would love to see it.....Pam (Yellow Victorian, corner of Center & Cypress)

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    1. hi pam! it was in the april issue of country living so no longer on the newstand. but i can drop by and show you mine. so good to hear from you! xo

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    2. LINK TO COUNTRY LIVING'S April article:
      http://www.countryliving.com/home-design/house-tours/g3091/california-cottage-small-space-decorating-ideas/

      Enjoy!

      Smiles form Charlotte Des Fleurs

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  38. Would love to see more pictures of your lovely kitchen. Thanks

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kindness is never out of style.

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