I would like to start by saying
God is good.
This has been an amazing and busy month...
It began with riding the high of the truly lovely feature in
Where Women Create...
Where Women Create...
Then was the release of the April Romantic Homes issue...
Next stop: I bundled up and flew North to get my first look at the plans for the commercial job I will be working on over the next few months...burr...
Then I was so excited to see my article in Flea market Décor...
The retail and online shops were beginning to look a little depleted so I added new items to the inventory
inspired by the photo shoot in my garden...
Then came Kitchens & Baths...
And to my surprise an amazing feature about my shop in
Romantic Country...
I was honored to be asked to be a guest speaker for the ladies of the Captiva Islands Yacht Club...
Then off to Sarasota to photograph the wonderfully talented Susie Holt's beautiful shop and café for an upcoming book...
...and I returned home to host a Gathering in the Garden
round table discussion in my garden...
I have a grateful heart.
I would like to give a very special thanks to my family and friends who are always so very supportive and encouraging. It has been a long and winding journey and I am grateful for every failure and success along the way.
God is good indeed.
Can't wait to see what comes next...
Hi Melinda!My name is Michelle and I from the Czech Republic!Today I go visit blog by my dear friend Laurie(Haeven's Walk)and she write on you :-)I look on your blog and oooh your style is amazing-LOVE!!!You have a beautiful blog and now I read your all post!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!!!
Hi Beautiful Michaela! Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit! I really appreciate you very kind thoughts. It is good to have such a sweet new friend all the way from the Czech Republic. I am honored to have you here...
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Melinda
Hello Melinda... how fun to see a new post come through from you today... I so enjoyed browsing through your online shop and have a wish~list I keep adding to... then I will call you with my order... I have seen many of your features in those fabulous articles in my favorite magazines... you are truly an amazing lady... yet so down to earth... I wish you much happiness and bliss in your new adventures... you truly live in paradise... one day, I hope to visit there... I have not been to the ocean in a long time and I love the sea... but in the meantime... I shall listen to the beautiful ocean once again in the shells I am going to order from you... and daydream about what your little island must be like... xoxo... Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteYou sound like the most lovely lady! I wish I could package up a bit of the Gulf of Mexico and send it to your doorstep wrapped in a big bow! It is beautiful here. I will be away on a photo shoot again this weekend but I would love to visit the beach when I return and post the sights and sounds. I don't want to be complacent and forget about the simply beauty that surrounds me. I will try to post something soon for you that will hopefully be a mini vacation. Thanks so much for your very kind note! I'm so glad to have you as a friend!
DeleteMelinda
Oh my gosh Melinda!... I just realized where I read about you recently besides Laurie's... in the February issue of Romantic Homes "The Sailor Valentines" article!... I was so flattered to have my blog featured in the "Site Seeing" section that month, and have looked at that issue so many times and sighed over the Sailors Valentines pages... now more than ever, I want to create some beautiful seashell vignettes like you have shown... and the perfect touches will be some of the shells and sea glass I am ordering from your shop... like Laurie, one day I too hope to meet you in person!... and I can hardly wait for your next post when you visit the beach and capture the sights and sounds... xoxo Julie Marie
DeleteI hope to meet you too! I will have to go back and look for the write up about your blog...that's awesome!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the article. I am a seashell nut and stick them into every story and I pictorial I can. I am shooting a beach front garden this weekend and it's decorated with the most amazing vintage treasures...and the entire garden, accessories and furnishings are pink. Even the boat! I have been filling my car with some big chunky shells to add to the shoot. Can't wait!
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I found you through "Heaven's Walk", and just wanted to say your shop is so so pretty. I can't wait to follow along and see all your beautiful creations!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Hi Miss Cindy...it's so terrific to have you here! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a note. It sure means a lot to me! I hope you have a wonderful weekend...
DeleteHugs from your new blogging friend!
Melinda
Congratulations on all the new and exciting things. Life is so wonderful isn't it??
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Floridian, I know we are so blessed to live where we live.. beautiful, and fun. Keep ding what you are doing!!
Hugs, Gee
Oh Miss Gee...thank you so much! We sure are blessed aren't we...? And big hugs to you too!!!
DeleteMelinda
Hi Melinda!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from one West Virginian to another! So happy to see your star shining so brightly! I've caught all your features except for WWC - will have to pick that one up. ;)
Happy to see you working with Susie Holt. Upon visiting she & Mark back at Cat's Meow a seveeral years ago, I purchased one of her fab mannequins, and traded having it shipped to my home for a dozen pair of my daughter's dead pointe shoes, which I'm sure you've seen styled in her shop, and probably photographed.
Best wishes on continued success!
Rita C.
http://wvpanoply.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh Rita...I have coveted those shoes since she open on Palm!!! LOVE IT!!! It is so funny to now know where them came from. I have know Susie for several years now...it's such a small world! Her new place with the bakery and café are just darling. Thanks so much for sharing that with me. It warms my heart...
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You have had a fabulous month and I know it's only going to get better for you, Melinda! So many features! The ladies are going to be booking flights to Sanibel Island to visit you! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to look out for these magazines, so many of my favorites, and I'm going to browse through your shop. Best wishes on your projects and enjoy your many, many blessings!
XO,
Jane
I really appreciate your kindness Miss Jane! I would love for any and all gals to come visit Sanibel. Maybe we should have a sisters in Christ/all things lovely weekend on Sanibel. Cupcakes and laughs all around!
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Hi Melinda, i am visiting by way of Laurie at Heavens Walk and have been a long time follower of hers.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to have seen a post on her site to as meeting up with you and giving us a bit more beauty on you.
Your shop, and shop life is amazing and one to behold its grace and beauty.
I am now a follower of yours, and had the honor of being featured in Fifi's Romantic Country magazine spring issue that came out in Dec through March 2013 I was page 18-25 and it was an amazing experience to behold, one I will always cherish for my little place that inspires why I create in designs and interiors with forgotten salvage.
I am leaving your place inspired to create some white today :)
Have a beautiful weekend.
Blessings to you and your plans.
Xox
Doré
Oh my goodness Miss Dore...I am so happy to have you here! And I am so happy you shared with me. I am always in search of inspiration and it is a blessing when it happens. I am so touched that you found inspiration with something I have done...it's an honor! Thanks for being here with me and for lifting my spirits with your note!
DeleteMelinda
I too am visit via Laurie of Heaven's Walk. I am a new follower also and look forward to reading back through your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love that your name is Art and Sand!!! So beautiful and rings so true to me as I am surrounded by sand. My Grandparents spent many years before their passing in Florida. My Grandmother would spend countless hours sweeping the sand until my Grandfather said: "we can only track in so much sand before we start tracking it back out!" Now that I live on an island off the gulf coast of Florida I can truly appreciate that! I think of them every time I reach for the broom. Thanks for posting a note...and for allowing me to think of my beloved grandparents in this way today! Wishing happiness for you today and every day!
DeleteMelinda
Hi Melinda, another hop over from Laurie's blog. Congratulations on all of your many accomplishments. I loved the picture of you and Laurie. Looked as though you two cuties could be sisters. Your shop certainly showcases your talent. Looks like such a fun place to hang out. God certainly does bless our lives. Happy to be a new follower.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Oh Miss Jann...thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to leave a note! I adore Laurie and I do feel like we are sisters even after one visit. I guess we really are sisters in Christ and I am so glad we had the opportunity to meet! Maybe someday we will meet too...God is good. Thanks again for lifting me up today! I hope you are smiling...
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Well, I am adding my visit after reading Laurie's post - you have a gorgeous shop and I am truly delighted to find a Sister in Christ - wishing you many, many blessings - happy to be your newest follower,
ReplyDeleteKathy
Hi Miss Kathy! The delight is mine in having you here with me! I am always blown away to know the Lord has a plan for us and I too and thrilled to be blessed with another sis in Christ. It is great to "know" you now and I will return the love and wish for blessings in your life today and every day! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit and leave a note...it means so much to me!
DeleteMelinda
Hello Melinda. I'm visiting you from Laurie's blog...Happy you both had a chance to meet. Your shop is pure loveliness and I'm enjoying the inspiration that I've found so far. Congratulations on all of your features and accomplishments and I love how you ended it "with a grateful heart." You are very blessed to be able to live and have your little shop in the same b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. beach house. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to have you here visiting my little blog! And I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a note to brighten my day. Thank you for all of your kind words. I really do have a grateful heart and even more so now after reading your note! I will send you blessings too! Thanks again for being here with me...
DeleteMelinda
I just discovered you through The Charm of Home blog and I think I'm really going to enjoy your blog and your style! You are one busy lady! My parents (now my dad) live on Siesta Key and my daughter is in Orlando. We are on countdown to our own move to our favorite state over the next year or so, so hopefully I will actually visit your shop one of these days.
ReplyDeleteHi Miss Sue! I love that you are "someone's Mom"! That is so sweet. It is so good of you to stop by my little blog. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a note for me. You are welcome to visit anytime. I think a move to FL is fitting since your wonderful family is here. My family is still up North and I am so hopeful that they will venture down someday. Family is everything!!! Thanks again for your very nice note. Have a terrific weekend full of joys and blessings...
DeleteMelinda