While the cat’s away, the mice will buy stuff.
Paul is away for work.
I could have gone with him, but there were some problems… such as being required to (not only) leave the house, but also spend a full 24 hours on a plane or in an airport; which is in direct opposition to all of my defining character traits.
I won’t hash that out because either that makes perfect, OBVIOUS sense to you, or it does not.
Paul has traveled a lot in the last year, and his absences have given me plenty of time to think about the way I am limiting my life because of Self’s preference for her own bed.
I’m fine with it!
But other people (who claim to know me, but clearly don’t) keep trying to call into question my self-awareness by saying things like: BUT HAWAII IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!
As though Hawaii’s beauty is relevant?
It’s not.
I promise.
It’s just that I hate everything that other people think is fun.
Except auctions.
Auctions > Hawaii
Who knew!
I have no idea what is with the cow bench, but it sold for EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS… as I was typing that, I was confused all over again because: who pays that much for a bench that looks like a cow?
The pure madness of it made me google and… wow, okay, COW BENCHES ARE EXPENSIVE! The guy got a good deal!
All the other urns you see are reproductions… the one I bought is the only true antique.
My price for the urn I won was $60. Plus tax and buyer’s fee put me close to $75… this is more than (what I consider) a GREAT price, but it’s still good and I have LONG been looking for just the right urn for INSIDE the house.
I bought this pair last year (for a true steal!) but the size was not quite what I wanted for inside… the aspect-ratio (or something) of this one is exactly what I wanted, and of course I LOVE the handles!!
I know this is not the urn’s original base, but I’m fine with it; no one but a true urn-connoisseur would enter my home and openly judge me for having a mismatch… and if that were to ever happen, I would be overjoyed to meet my soulmate!
But also suspicious that I have finally met Unknown Assailant… Remember him? The mystery bidder who robbed me of my one true destiny in life.
Intermission while I relive the agony.
Ok! So below is what the base should look like… but considering this sold for $950, I feel alright!
Although this one’s patina is arguably THAT good.
Below is the base mine is paired with.
If you would like to purchase these urns for me, I will trade you my soul… it is in good usable condition; and who doesn’t need a spare soul for emergency purposes?
Think about it!
Anyway… the silver color is (shockingly) not doing anything for me, and I’m thinking I’ll paint it white.
If I were putting it outside, I would do black… (my BEST urn find is black and I love the pair of tabletop urns that are also black) but for the corner inside the house where I am thinking this will be best, I think white/light/bright/matches window trim and molding, etc.
I do wish it were already painted a color I like, and that that color had had time outside to naturally fade/distress, because I LIKE the rusty look… but c’est la vie– such is the life of a non-wealthy urn hoarder.
My intention is to plant something in it.
I used the arrangement I have on top of the old glass ribbon display cabinet to make the photos appear that I lead an enviably flower-filled life of charm, glamour, and Pinterest-worthy simplicity… but I will get something smaller that actually fits as an insert, so that you do not see the container.
I’m probably not going floral; as nice as it would look filled with seasonal blooms! Forced bulbs in winter! Daffodils, lavender, pansies, ranunculus in spring!
Floral height is lovely! But no maintenance is lovelier! So some type of evergreen… and maybe some moss… or maybe Sagina Subulata which is a nice alternative to moss– it gets a tiny little flower and spreads quickly.
I don’t want to be swapping out/replanting stuff inside the house… I’ve done it before and (because I am not a wealthy horticulturist with people to clean my mess) the dirt/repotting/bother is a deterrent.
Bunny Mellon, thou art inimitable (and frankly, a little irritating.)
It would be fine/super easy if you just bought the full-grown plants and stuck the containers in there and then threw them away when done, but I’m compelled to start everything from seed which is inexpensive; but a whole tedious production I’m WAY over once we get all the vegetables finished.
Infact! Below is a video of how I start my seeds… I made it back when I was a baby blogger who did not know that gardening posts = no one cares.
I am thrilled to foist it on the three of you who will watch it!
Or, go SEE ALL MY FAVORITE FINDS!
April 26, 2017 @ 11:41 am
I observe that a person who shall be named herein as kitten referred to you as “Momma”. Does that mean “foster momma” or…have you decided to keep the brothers boo?
April 26, 2017 @ 11:43 am
Victoria, this is wonderful. And I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining (because I’m really trying not to complain) but please can we have an update on the kitchen soon? Even a little update? Even if there’s no progress at all?
It seems my kitchen cannot progress until yours does x
April 26, 2017 @ 8:15 pm
I second that request! And I love that sweet kitty up on his white-stockinged toes, checking out the new urn. It doesn’t get any cuter than that.
April 26, 2017 @ 11:49 am
I totally agree with you about the white, I was thinking the same thing, I’m trying to think of a way that you could speed up the rust process and do a DIY rust over the weekend kinda thing – I totally bet there’s info somewhere online about how to do that. That seedling video was VERY helpful and informative, I had no idea such a tool existed, I long to be a real gardener with a greenhouse and everything, sadly my thumb is somewhat brown. I really want to try growing some flowers from seed this year though! It was really nice to get a peek of old Elvis in that video too. Also, another alternative to the flowers in your urn, really really good quality silk flowers – then you could totally do spring bulbs and have them year-round! (Just a thought, though I think I hear you screaming at that thought lol)
April 26, 2017 @ 11:51 am
Ok, so that makes it two times now I’ve enjoyed and appreciated your soul blocking video, once back when you first shared it and today too. I admire your hard work. Not sure I could get my sweet husband to participate in such endeavors. Love seeing dear Elvis ❤ warming herself and keeping the seedlings company.
April 26, 2017 @ 11:53 am
I’m one of the three who watched and glad I did…..I SPY ELVIS💕!!
April 26, 2017 @ 12:15 pm
I have had this secret desire to have giant urns flanking my front door, any maybe a lion too. Now I’ve come out with this hidden passion and I need to get off my butt and go find some. I’ve stayed away from a particular antique place in my city because I have a hunch they might have them and today I just saw this post and had a small windfall of cash so I feel them calling to me. I want them so much!
April 26, 2017 @ 12:23 pm
I would remove the existing paint from the urn with a wire wheel attached to a power drill. Then you can water down white paint and brush it on , then wipe it off while it is still wet. I think this will give you the look you want. If you spritz the pot with water in a mister every few days , it will begin to rust if it is made of metal. LOVE your posts..
April 26, 2017 @ 12:30 pm
Pets are so smart and aware — every time something new comes into the house they instantly have to check it out. I would look at some chalk paint (dark grey), white wax and gold gilding wax? It would be really easy and give it more of the patina I think you are looking for. White would be fine, but I think it might blend it too much?
April 26, 2017 @ 1:07 pm
Very cool video! You make it look so easy! And of course the video that followed was the one where you turned the piano into an island… which leads me to my next question — probably one you are tired of hearing — WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH YOUR KITCHEN UPDATE?! Dying here!!
April 26, 2017 @ 1:08 pm
I just watched your seed starting post and I loved it! Quick question. Did the plasic tub your seed blocks were in have drainage holes? If not, how did you handle watering?
Thanks.
Jules
April 26, 2017 @ 1:11 pm
I live IN Hawaii and yes as we all know it is beautiful but you would be disappointed in the antiquing here 🙁 I was an in the antique business for 22+ years in California and was obsessed with it, is as to why I LOVE reading your articles. They remind me of my (past self). I have to leave the island to do anything serious about it like revisit Round Top, TX or The Vintage Market Place (4 x a year) in CA. I used to consider myself a “chenilleaholic” but have slowly trained myself to be a minimalist as I only own and use a few now in our 500 sq. ft. ‘tiny house’. I understand why people don’t like to travel (airports, crowds, delays, etc.) but one MUST travel if you live in Hawaii to get any where different and I LOVE to travel. It’s an ‘adventure’ for me and I consider myself actually “Time Traveling” each time I do it. You just literally have to ‘sit there’, watch a few movies, read, eat (everything you would normally do in a day anyway) and BOOM when you walk out, you are some place else and in a different time zone ready for the next adventure. P.S. Yes, paint the urn white. 🙂
April 26, 2017 @ 1:15 pm
AWW, Elvis! Such a helper she was!
That Urn is stupendous! I marvel at the wealth of awesomeness that you all must have up north. But then, I rarely visit our old city nearby, where you can maybe pick up GFT’s because I would have to spend the night as it’s too far for a day trip AND shopping. I live near farm country, out in the sticks, where it’s quiet, and our town is stuck in the ’50’s. They don’t much like progress here. So I enjoy seeing what you come up with! I for one would love an occasional gardening blurb, even if I can no longer kneel and then try to get up again! Ever seen those kitschy rotund statues of a lady in a farm style dress bending over to garden? Yep, that would be me, only not quite as rotund! 😉
April 26, 2017 @ 2:42 pm
In our predicament of collecting/hoarding/storing (storage lockers in three states, now down to ONLY two states!) wonderful things, we like to use the term “marriage”. You know for the things that end up together but were never meant to Be together? Just a suggestion since you have been using deprecating terms like “paired” and “mismatch”. Ha! That’s what we-uns call marriage!
And maybe try a white wash over the gray base color? Chalk paint is truly magical and I know you know that already, but just a thought. L.
April 26, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
I noticed that it was Paul doing the dirty work while you delicately placed each seed. It looked a very tedious job. My husband is welcome to it, if he likes. Loved seeing sweet Elvis. I wish I had videos of my cats that have died.
Now, Hawaii. I can speak with some authority because I used to live there and have made many trips there from the East Coast. Yes, it’s a long plane trip–but hours shorter on the return trip because of the tailwind. You set yourself to endure, just like they did for journeys in the nineteenth century, because at the end of your trip is paradise. I am not referring to the Honolulu airport, nor to Waikiki, which any sensible person should run screaming from. I speak of the islands themselves, the softness of the air, the fragrance of the flowers, the blue sky scattered over with fluffy white clouds, the whiteness of the beaches, the indescribable deep blue of the water, the sparkling sunshine. Rent a beach house anywhere from Kailua to Mokuleiia (need to check spelling)–or on one of the other islands. Buy your fruit from roadside stands and your other provisions from local grocery stores. Put on your swimming suit when you get up and watch the sun rise from the beach. Walk on the beach, go swimming when you feel hot, eat simply when you’re hungry. Go to bed early and fall asleep to the sound of the surf. Paradise.
April 26, 2017 @ 3:01 pm
PLEASE do gardening posts!!!! I would drool over them and love you even more than I already do (if that’s possible)
April 26, 2017 @ 4:27 pm
Hi Victoria. I don’t want to seem like a stalker, but regarding your last post (kale and foster kitties) I wrote you an email using the @hotmail address I found on this site (took me forever to find an email for you lol) and I also sent you a couple messages on Instagram. I notice you don’t seem to use your Instagram account much which is why I sent the email to you (to alert you that I’d sent you info regarding fostering cats on your IG Acct). Anyway this “comment” is just to let you know about the email and the DM on IG if you check neither on a regular basis.
I love your posts here by the way!! 😊
April 26, 2017 @ 5:55 pm
I was one of the 3 to watch your potting video; I loved seeing Elvis in it! ❤️😢😇
April 26, 2017 @ 6:25 pm
I’m assuming that is your voice in the video.
I never realized that you had a much more pronounced Boston/Nor’eastern accent when you talk in my head than you do in real life. 🙂
Yay gardens.
+1 for bonzi
April 26, 2017 @ 8:02 pm
In the voice in my head, you sound like the grown up version of “Eloise at the Plaza”. Because she’d want to be you when she grew up.
I just know she’d be into Giant Fancy Things and disco mirror balls and have a lifetime supply of the really good glitter. And she’d have an antique urn filled with fabulous flowers (they might be fake) and nobody could tell the difference because she was just that classy. And had a doorway to Narnia.
April 26, 2017 @ 8:07 pm
Your urn is very nice and the orchids are beautiful! Are they all in one pot? I simply cannot keep them alive although I watch oodles of videos from orchid professionals. Perhaps help from a fellow lover of GFTs will be more appropriate. Any advice?