Valentine’s Day evokes thoughts of nostalgia and romance. Memories tied together with faded ribbons and trimmed with antique laces, telling of first romances long ago past, loving grandparents holding hands, and loves that have endured across long years and distances.Romantic memories stirred by your great-grandmother’s secret love letters, bound carefully by silk ribbons and bows, and tucked into a hat box stored in the back of a closet shelf. Stacks of vintage postcards, with words of love gracefully written across the back and faded images of another time. They speak of long-ago romance and promises that would be kept for many years to come.

A vintage handkerchief, hand-embroidered with tiny hearts and delicate flowers, tucked into the corner of a handbag or decorating the top of a night stand, adds a touch of romance to your everyday life. You were never sure where it come from, except that it belonged to someone who treasured this delicate souvenir of her love. Lifting the lid of an antique dresser box, a silver locket, still hanging from its antique chain, which once kept those loved dearest, close to heart.

Faded photographs placed in vintage frames upon an antique bookshelf, that tell of romance and happy times. The stories of lives built together fill the pages of a vintage photo album, now gracing your coffee table. You pick it up and slowly flip through, remembering the faces you used to know, and imagining stories about the ones you don’t recognize.

Beautiful vintage boxes for candy and romantic treasures, decorated with old-fashioned fabrics, handmade lace and satin ribbons, perfect for storing your favorite Valentine memories that your children and grandchildren will treasure for years to come.

Add a touch of romance to your home or gift giving this Valentines Day.

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday January 29th 2010 as we present "My Vintage Valentine"

Photo Contribution 1: The Pink Rose Cottage | Photo Contribution 2: Tres Belle Boutique | Photo Contribution 3: Coeur d'Alene

Winter Whites

Decorating with whites can be very calming and serene. White is the color of new snow under sunny skies and fresh linens drying in the breeze. Winter whites represent everything that is clean, chic, and sparkling. They create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

But when decorating with this monochromatic tone, your design elements can easily blend into one another and become lost in a sea of white. It’s almost essential to break up an all-white pallet by adding visually interesting pieces to your décor. These will draw the eye up and away from the all-white background, and make the winter whites all the more stunning in contrast.

You can use pieces like long, interesting branches sprayed in silver with glitter glass to fill a tall vase in the corner of a winter white room. Antique mirrors with attention-getting frames, turned into trays to hold reflective candles, their dainty shadows dancing off the white painted walls. Or vintage candlesticks, tarnished with beauty and years, as an eye-catching centerpiece on a white linen cloth, in a dining room of winter white.

Warm beige and understated accents can add warmth to a room decorated in cool winter white. A chandelier in pale green when hung from the ceiling of a winter white room. A special pitcher in the color of the sea combines nature’s own pallet with your winter whites. A floral wreath that bids everyone welcome.

Stitched items can bring interest and a feeling of coziness to a winter white décor. Creatively designed cushions tucked in to the corners of a white sofa or lounging chair. Vintage needlepoint pillows in pastels or tonal colors and hand-stitched quilts to hang on a white wall, with designs that capture the imagination.

Don’t let the pristine coolness of winter whites keep you from decorating in this elegant tone. A few interesting accent pieces will help you create a white décor that refreshes the eye and the spirit.

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday January 22nd 2010 as we present "Winter Whites"

Photo's provided by: istock photo

"In With the New"

The New Year comes in, bringing with it permission to try new things that you hadn’t considered before. Or perhaps this is the year for something you’ve always wanted to try but hadn’t quite dared. You can give your entire home a New Year makeover, make some changes in a favorite room, or just add new touches to a special corner.

Perhaps cottage chic is the look you wanted to try. You can combine floral patterns with checks and ticking, in colors ranging from bright hues to muted tones. Top comfortable overstuffed couches with beautifully handmade pillows and hang bright artwork on the walls. You can set an inviting table set with charming vintage plates, a vintage buffet in the corner to display your favorite collections.

Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding a rustic look of French Farmhouse to a large room or to a cozy nook. You can make this change by adding painted furniture. White or cream dressers and shelves, maybe a table top decoupaged with French-style wrapping paper would make the perfect accent piece. The key is to add small touches that make it unique. White pottery canisters, pitchers and urns are perfect for holding utensils and flowers on a counter or table top to complete the look.

If you’re a romantic at heart, there’s nothing better than roses in a vintage vase or dried as potpourri in an antique bowl. Dainty vintage china adds a romantic air to the kitchen, especially when adorned with a floral pattern. Antique wood frames hanging from grosgrain ribbons and mismatched tea cups make the perfect accessory. With an abundance of antique and vintage china, this look is an easy look to try.

Victorian design represents the opulence of Queen Victoria’s reign. Rich, vibrant colors like deep greens and blues distinguish the Victorian room, or you might choose light tones to show off exquisite rugs and needlepoints. Displaying collections of antique dolls and toys in an ornate cupboard, while also using an abundance of lace, linens, crocheted tablecloths and doilies, will complete this look.

Shabby chic celebrates the simple life and the comforts of home. Pastel greens, pale pinks, sky blues, muted grays, mixed together with all shades of white. Previously owned and well-loved items that have been handed down through generations are abound. Vintage wicker baskets, wrought iron candle holders, interesting lamps, they all combine to create a feeling of home and the comfort of time.

Give yourself permission to try something different, and celebrate the new year with a new décor. You’ll find everything that you need right here at the Boutiques of Make Mine Pink.

Joyce Lucas, Founder
Make Mine Pink

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday January 15th 2009 as we present "In with the new"

Photo Contribution 1: The Pink Rose Cottage | Photo Contribution 2: Cottage Flair | Photo Contribution 3: C'est Chouette

(Some of)The Best of 2009

Thank You Friends~ all of these (and more) pillows, poufs, and tuffets have new homes this year~ sometimes "Thank You" is not enough~ but it is sincere. 2009, with all it's problems will remain a year for my memory books. I am ever so grateful. Now!!On to 2010!