My First Ever Guest Blogger!

I'd like to introduce you again to my very dear friend, Rhoda, the beautiful lady behind the charming and ALWAYS inspiring Southern Hospitality blog!  She has kindly accepted my invitation to be my first EVER guest blogger!  Rhoda and I have known each other for years on-line and had the wonderful opportunity to meet in person at my house a year and a half ago. We spent several precious days together and you can see that she and Miss Maggie hit it off just fine!   ;-)

We shopped, we ate, we chatted, and YES, we thrifted!  And she is definitely the yard sale queen of all queens!  And she is as cute as a button as she goes about her wheelin' & dealin' too!

But Rhoda's talents do not stop there.  Along with being a fabulous cook, she is also a talented decorator.  I have asked her to share her beautiful dining room with us today. 

So, Dear Daisy Cottage family, please welcome Rhoda as our first guest blogger!!

Dining Room and Thrifty Finds

When my friend, Kim, asked me to guest post for her, I was absolutely delighted.  I mentioned before that Kim is the reason I started blogging in the first place.  After she started her blog, I began to stop by and visit her and she encouraged me to start my own.  ME, blog?  I had no idea what I was doing, but it sounded like it might be fun, so I started and the rest is history.  I took to it like a duck in water.  And I love to share all things home with the many wonderful ladies out there who also love their homes and want to make them comfortable for their families.  And doing it on a budget is topmost in my mind always, when I’m getting things done around the house.

Last spring, I painted my dining room in Sherwin Williams Antique White.  It had been a pretty deep and dramatic red, which I loved for a long time, but I started longing for a lighter and airier feel, especially with my dark mahogany furniture in that room.  I adore the lighter color and am so happy I made the change. 

I’ve share on my blog many times about my love of white dishes and started a creamware (poor man’s version of English ironstone) and it grew from my yardsale and thrifting jaunts fairly quickly. 

I filled up my shelves and still have room for a few more. 

White tureens have been a favorite to collect too and I’ve found several of these at yardsales.

When I did my makeover in here, I also did a redo on these buffet lamps and covered the old shades with burlap and had them monogrammed.  That really added some punch to the new look.

A mirror from Tuesday AM has been with me for a few years and was a good bargain too.

The centerpiece is a simple Italian white cakeplate I picked up for a great deal at TJ Maxx, one of my favorite shopping spots, along with Homegoods.  The cloche was also found at TJ Maxx and was on deep discount because of a small chip on the edge.  A cluster of faux pears from a yardsale are casually placed underneath.

This china cabinet has also been with me for a few years and holds a really fun new find.  I made a trade out with one of my readers for a decorating consultation and we traded for this set of brown and white transferware dishes.  I think I got the better deal! J

So, I set out this thrifty place setting with my new to me brown transferware.  Placemats are yardsale finds, as well as that beautiful set of silver plated flatware.  I scored the whole 16 piece plate setting of the flatware for $100 at an estate sale.  It’s tucked away in it’s own little case and I hope I get to use it soon.  We don’t do a lot of sit down formal dinners at our house, but I sure do love it.

My niece did the monogram napkins for me.

So, I hope you’ll remember that putting together a room doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  All of my rooms have been decorated with love and patience and each piece collected one by one. And you know what?  It’s a lot of fun to do it that way, not to mention cost effective.  I’m a real yardsale lover and know the potential of finding great things out there, so I encourage shopping that way on my blog.  Lots of women are newly discovering the thrill of shopping at yardsales and estate sales.  I know I sure have enjoyed it so much! 

Thank you, Kim for letting me come by Daisy Cottage again.  Ladies, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Kim in person at Daisy Cottage and let me tell you, it was a treat I’ll never get over.  That sweet doggie, Maggie, made me feel right at home too.  Kim, if you ever get to Birmingham, you have a personal invitation to my house too. 

xo, Rhoda

*****************************************************************

Thank you Rhoda SO much for spending time with us and thank you for ALL that you share every day on your gorgeous blog!  I can't imagine being in Blogland without YOU!

AND, if YOU, dear friends, would like the chance to win your very own thrifted soup tureen, please leave a comment on THIS post and I will send one of you my favorite one from my collection!  I'll pick the winner at midnight on Friday, October 2nd!    Maggie will be sleeping, however.  ;-)

So,this one is for you!

Love,

Kim

P.S.  WooHoo - Jaybird - WHERE ARE YOU?????

Comments

[Christina Varela]

Hi there, I recently purchased the book blogging for bliss, to learn all about blogging and that's how i discovered daisy's cottage, it's darling, and i really enjoyed reading the guest blog on decorating the dinning room and thrift finds, thank you both for sharing your creativeness and your both an inspiration!

[cathy gillette]

your blog is so inspiring!! I love to see what you can do with found items, and how wonderful it all can be!! Would give the tureen a good home in California!

[Joanne]

This would make a lovely addition to my newly thrifted dining room... I am learning from you and Rhonda and absolutely adore your blogs. Thank you for all the joy your bring to so many dreary Seattle days!

[Pat]

I love Rhoda's dining room and you know how much I love my white dishes and things! Please toss my name in the hat for this cute tureen!

I used Sherwin Williams Antique white in our in progress master bedroom redo. After trying several samples, I had another look at Rhoda's dining room and knew that color would be great for the redo!

[Donna]

Nice to meet you Kim! I am looking forward to getting to know you in the coming days. Thanks, for having our favorite thrifty decorator on your blog. Donna

[Jen@thecottagenest]

Love your dining room Rhoda. I think the lighter color is wonderful. Two of my favorite bloggers in one place. That's a good way to start my morning!

[Carol]

Oh how I love Rhoda's style. I don't even know how I found her, but I'm glad I did. She got me into starting a collection of creamware as well.

Thank you for the giveaway! :-)

Carol

[DeborahF]

Thanks Kim for sharing Rhoda with us. I love her decorating style. Her dining room is really gorgeous and I can't wait to jump on over to her blog and check out the rest. Count me in for the tureen too...white dishes are a definite favorite.

[Kelly]

What a beautiful tureen. They are one of mu favorite things to collect. As far as blogging goes, you were the first one I ever followed. Shortly after I discovered Rhoda. I can always find such great inspiration with both blogs. Of course, I am still totally in love with Daisy Cottage and her use of color. I think it is so neat that you can walk into a room and it just makes you happy. That is what I want in my house, so please don't mind me if you find me wandering about Daisy Cottage. It is, after all, one of my favorite things to do!! ;0)

[Jan]

I love BOTH of your blogs! I also have a little creamware collection going on.Please include me for your tureen giveaway.

[Joan]

Just found your blog, and I like what I see! I love your tureen.

[Natalie]

I am a fan of both you and Rhoda! I love what the two of you have done with your homes -- so warm and welcoming. It is always like visiting with friends.

Please include me in your giveaway.

[Kathy]

I love Rhodas style and her thrifty sensibilities! She really proves, once again, that you don't have to spend a fortune for your home to look like a million bucks:>) Thanks to Rhoda for her guest appearance, and thanks to you Kim for sharing her!

[susan]

Kim-I stumbled here from Rhoda's and am so glad I did. I can't wait to browse through your older posts and get to "know" a new friend. Having Rhoda as a guest was a treat. I'd love to enter your giveaway--I have a soup tureen thing :). And, please count me in as one who SO enjoyed your music..A Summer Place...sigh...:)

[Julie]

Loved the post. I am almost daily trying to catch both yours and Rhoda's posts. They are both fun to read, and I can identify. Love to thrift, love to decorate with finds that just jump out at me. Most of the time when I "shop" secondhand, it is not because I am looking for something in mind. Just seeing if anything is on the shelf shouting at me! :-) You know. Love the tureens.
Have a great day. Thanks for blogging.

[Melissa @ Breath of Life]

I came from Rhoda's, too. Nice to meet you!

[Tanya]

I check out Rhonda and Kim's blogs everyday. I enjoy reading about both of you. Keep up the good work girls. Oh, and the tureen would look great in my khaki colored dining room. Thanks.

[Mimi @ Life At Mimi's House]

I love your blog. I'm visiting from Rhoda's blog. She is so inspiring. I have enjoyed seeing how she can put together beautiful rooms on the thrift. Thank you for having the giveaway. I'd be thrilled to win.

[Jess Y]

Came from Rhoda's. I would love a tureen. I haven't seen one in the thrifts I've been to.

[Jenn]

Love your blog! Just recently found it and I enjoy looking at all the pictures!

[Gabriela]

Hello Kim,

Your house looks amazing. I love your collections and your exquisite taste to decorate.

~ Gabriela ~

[loree]

I love Rhoda's blog too. There awlays something interesting to read on both your blogs and I love the photos you both post. That soup tureen is just too cute and I would definitely have scooped it up at a yard sale.

[Reid]

Love the tureen! I only have one and it was my grandmothers. I cherish it.

[Gigi]

It's so nice to meet Rhoda. Her dining room is beautiful. Thanks Kim for sharing her with us!

[Ginny Sass]

I just found this site several weeks ago and I a in love. I start everyday with this beautiful place or places and these lovely ladies. Unbelievable how much talent there is out there.

All the colors and found objects just warm my heart. This place makes me really really happy. I have tons of color and party lights and all sorts of fun things but I have to say this brings it all to a higher level. I just want to go insane with the color and "stuff".

The tureen is beautiful and it would sure look lovely in coastal S.C.

Thank you so much for having me in.

Best wishes,

Ginny Sass

[Daisy Cottage]

Good Morning Sweet Ones!
And Ginny - I'm so glad that I found YOU!

xo,
Me

[Hope F.]

The soup tureen looks lovely...

[Lisa]

I want to go thrifting with both of you!

[Bonita]

I'm one of Rhoda's biggest fans. Love everything about her and her house! I came to your blog via her blog and I'm so glad to be here. I will most definitely be back!

[Patti]

Rhoda's diningroom is so inviting. I wish I could find great finds like she did. We must have good garage salers around here that get up and out earlier than I do!!
Thanks for the give a way. I would give the tureen a good home.

[Michelle]

I love Rhoda's dining room and I really love her dishes. It is so much fun to go to yard sales and estate sales etc. to treasure hunt. I was just looking around my house last night and noticing how much of my things used to be owned and loved by someone else.

Love Daisy Cottage!

[Diana]

Daisy Cottage, what an inspiration you have been, I truly enjoyed visiting Rhoda's dining room, hopefully she will share even more, like her kitchen! Have a Wonderful Day!

[Francis C. Moore]

I love reading Rhoda's blog. I love all things "southern". The tureen would have a happy place of residence in my home.

[Betsy]

Love the tureen! Your blog is adorable and I enjoy following it!

[Ann]

I love Rhodas blog...and now I love your's too!!! Thanks to you both for leading me here...
Many Blessing's
Ann
P.s......I love the white dishes

[Becky G.]

Kim, thanks so much for sharing Rhoda and her blog with us - her home is lovely! Please count me in for the tureen - it would look so perfect in the center of my dining room table! Blessings, Becky

[Esther Mangini]

I love your blog! I have just started blogging with the help of my daughter and it is so fun to find so many people out there who love "treasuring from trash" like I do. I have already gotten so many ideas! I too have several soup tureens and am always drawn to them when I see them!

[Annette Taylor]

I absolutely love Rhoda's blog and her thrifty treasures and her home and well....you get the point. She is truly an inspiration! Would love to have a soup tureen...

[SusanG]

The dining room is gorgeous!! So many wonderful finds, but it's serene and uncluttered feeling at the same time. Makes me want to clear out my house and get that feeling too!

SusanG

[Vonda]

What a beautiful room full of ideas! Kim, I just found your blog and look forward to making you one of my daily reads.

[Cheri]

Good morning Kim,

This is my first time to scout out your blog and how very nice that you had Rhoda as your guest. She does have a wonderful blog (and so do you). Love Maggie, I have 2 doxies myself, aren't they just a great companion? I hope when I move to B'ham that I will meet Rhoda and maybe she will be able to help me with some ideas for my home.

Nice to meet you in blogland.
Cheri

[Tara]

Hi Kim, I found your blog after just recently stumbling onto Rhoda's. You have a beautiful home. You have given me many ideas that I would like to see in my on home. Thank you for the inspiration!

Tara

[Kathryn@BonafideSouthern]

I have visited your blog several times, but it's been awhile since I've visited. It was almost like I "rediscovered" a new blog today, thanks to Rhoda. Thanks for offering such a wonderful giveaway. Please sign me up for a chance to win it. It is such a beautiful tureen!

[Melanie]

Hi Kim!

I cam from Rhoda's too! I don't have a design blog, but I LOVE to follow them! Yours will be a new one on my list!

melanie

[Kristie]

Lovely post Rhoda! I'll be sure to check out your blog as soon as I'm finished here.

Kim, I enjoy my daily time spend at Daisy Cottage so much. I love to read your posts and savor each and every picture. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again...I love your style!

Oh, and the tureen is sooo nice! I'd love to give it a happy home. ;)

[Janet (Shabbyfufu)]

Lovely room!

[LindaSonia]

I enjoy visiting your blog very much. It's always so inspiring. Would love love a chance to win a tureen. Count me in. LindaSonia ([email protected])

[Debra]

What a beautiful tureen. I'd love to win!

[Jennifer]

Count me in Kim. Love your guest blogger. Love that dining room. To die for.

Thanks for the opportunity.

xoxoxoxo Jennifer

[Liz]

Hi! I came from Rhoda's and now I will be coming to YOU!! I love creamware /ironstone and would love to start a collection. Please include me in your giveaway. I don't have a blog but spend much too much time reading them and getting inspired. Thank you for spending your time creating them for those of us who love to read them. I feel like I open a new gift to myself with each one!

[Hattie]

Oooh, Kim,
You two girls, you and Rhoda! You both are an inspiration to me and the many others out there.
Please toss my name in the hat for the tureen. That would serve up my stew oh so nicely!
xoxoxo,
Hattie

[Carol from Indian Springs]

Good morning Kim,

I am the one who traded with Rhoda (dishes for the design consult) and I got a whole lot of good design information from Rhoda! I am in the process (slowly) of making the changes she recommended and the house is already looking lighter and brighter - I'm falling in love with my house all over again. Please include me in the drawing for the tureen...it would look lovely in my dining room or as a gift for my mom who also loves pretty homes and tureens. Thanks for having Rhoda and for giving us such good advice all the time! Hugs to Maggie!

[Lou Lynn]

I love me some Rhoda... Is her dining room not uber amazing?? I am slowly redoing my style house one room at a time after the blur of 2 international adoptions, then 2 babies turned toddlers, paired with my 2 teenage boys. The last year has been a BLUR! Now, I'm ready to get my housing groove back! That tureen would be perfect on my new (old and on layaway) hutch!

[tina]

Ooooohhhhhhh!!! I would LOVE to win this! I can never find tureens.

Great post from Rhoda! Love the new look in the dining room.

tina

[Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions]

Love the idea of a soup tureen giveaway when it is starting to get chilly here; I love to do a soup night at least once a week for dinner. I follow Rhoda's blog and it was fun to see her guest post and get a look into her dining room. I'm off to look through you blog now!

[Julie]

It was very nice to meet you Rhoda! I love your house and I'm so in love with the tureen!

[Victoria]

Kim, I don't comment all that often, but I read your blog every day! I enjoyed seeing Rhoda's dining room and how she put it all together. I am loving the soup tureen too!

[Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage]

I enjoy both your blog and Rhoda's....the tureen is beautiful and would be fantastic with my collection.........

[Sandy B]

I'd love to win. Thanks for the opportunity.

[Mary]

What an inspiration both of you ladies are to a very novice decorator. Thanks!

[Janelle Miller]

Hello from Iowa! My twitter friend @forthegirls directed me to Rhoda recently when I had stated that I would like to figure out the right new siding and look for my house to have the cottage style look. I have enjoyed looking at her site and now am excited to look around on yours too! Love the music too! Very relaxing!

[Ginger & Pickle]

Love Love Love and Love! Oh Yeah... and Love!

[Dianne]

Came here from Rhoda's blog, and I'm loving you so far!

[kathie]

Wow, so many comments already (57! Yikes!). That's okay, I'll take my chances. I really loved this post. Especially since I just moved into a new house and am shopping for a new dining room table. So far no luck as I'm holding out until I find the 'perfect' one.

[Christine Brubaker]

Rhoda, Your dining room is inspirational to myself and my coworker, Cindi. Kim I love coming to your blog for rest, relaxation and inspiration. Love the tureen, too! Chris

[Linh C]

I hope to meet Rhoda in person one of these days...we live in the same city!

[Vickie H.]

What a nice post!! Always love Rhoda and Daisy Cottage as well. Please count me in for the drawing for the tureen! Love it!

[Patty]

Wow! It was nice to get to know Rhoda and see her lovely dining room! You ladies are such an inspiration to the ladies in blogland.That soup toureen would love lovely in MY dining room (which desperately needs some help). Thanks for sharing so much with us.
Blessings,
Patty

[Cherri Engle]

Both of your blogs are tagged on 'my favorites' and I frequent them often. It was nice seeing the two in one 'place'. I also love the 'creamware' and only have one or two pieces. I would love the soup tureen. Thanks for the give-a-way opportunity.

[Marla]

Kim, I am so happy that you have this post with Rhoda. She and you were my inspiration to start blogging, after I stalked yours and others blogs for many months. I still feel like a newbie, but I am loving everything about blogging so far. I love Rhoda's home and find myself emulating her whenever I can. I want to be like Rhoda when I grow up! Oh and I would love to win this tureen too!! Marla

[debi]

LOVE Daisy Cottage! I visit most every morning for a bit of "sunshine". would love to add the beautiful tureen to my growing collection of "white".

[Amy]

What a beautiful dining room. I love tureens. Beautiful!

[Marty]

Oh, I love her dining room. It looks so inviting. Her collection of white dishes is also inspiring. Your soup tureen is gorgeous and what a special gift. Thanks for showing us such a beautiful room. Hugs, Marty

[Cindy]

How wonderful, two of my favorite bloggers together on one blog! Rhoda is so sweet, I love seeing what she is up to. I also love what she has done in her dining room, it is so serene and beautiful. I "knew" both of you back in the GI days.
Thank you Kim, for the sweet comments you left on my blog, it made my day!
Hugs, Cindy S.

[Renee McCranie]

I heart Rhoda! I have followed her for about a year now and I am constantly inspired. Glad to find your blog. I will for sure be lurking around!
Renee
[email protected]

[Layla Palmer]

Kim and Rhoda, you two are inspiration personified!

I love both of you to pieces! :-)

Layla

[MJ Smith]

Great post, Rhoda!! Love the antique white walls with the creamstone!

MJ

[Rhondi]

Hi Kim
What a sweet idea to feature Rhoda on your blog today. I love visiting her blog almost as much as visiting Daisy Cottage! Rhoda, I love the new look in your dining room.
I would love to win that tureen. Pick me :)
Hugs, Rhondi

[janet]

Good morning Rhoda and Kim. I love the "new" look of Rhoda's Dining Room, but I also loved the more dramatic red. Must be the New Englander in me...all warm and cozy colors. I would love to win the tureen so sign me up please. Also Kim, I want to say that when I hear your blog music everyday I can't help but think of your Dad and the way you honor his memory with the music. What a wonderful thing for a daughter to do!
Hugs,
Janet

[black eyed susans kitchen]

Kim, This was a delightful surprise to get not just a post from you, but from Rhoda as well. It was pretty exciting for me to see her set of dishes, as we have the exact same set and love them so much that we have used them every day for many years now. I never know what I will find when I visit Daisy Cottage, but I am always happy to have stopped by.
♥, Susan

[Janey]

Isn't it so cool to finally meet your online friends face to face in the real world?!! Yrs. back, I hosted 28 yaya buddies at my home...not one of which I had ever seen face to face!! Everyone of us got along like we'd all been long lost buddies! And continue to be!
rhoda's post was fun! And I'd love me up that very chick tureen....heh!!!

[Michelle]

Hi Rhoda,
So wonderful to see you over at Daisy Cottage! I love both your blogs and your different styles. Great post!
Please sign me up for the giveaway!
~Michelle

[MNStacey]

You guys make me want to decorate! I don't know where to begin, but I do sure want my home to wind up looking like yours!

[Sue Nichols]

Love both your blogs. Thanks for sharing your beautiful dining room.

[janice]

To begin the day with both Kim & Rhoda - well it just doesn't get any better than this!!! What a wonderful surprise and great idea.

Rhoda, I remember when you changed your dining room. I was so fond of the red, I couldn't imagine making the change. As "always", your choice was "right-on" and your beautiful pieces are enhanced by the delightful new and bright colored walls.

I would be thrilled if lucky enough to be chosen to win the beautiful tureen.... Heck, it might even prompt me to start blogging.

Hugs - janice

[Jamie Farrar]

Love, Love, Love this dining room! Mine is due for a makeover. I also have a new found love for white dinnerware pieces and have picked up a few here & there to start my collection. This room will be a big part of my inspiration when I start my make over!!

[Kathy]

Good Morning Girls....

Two of my faves getting together how nice !!!

Lovely post :)

Pls. enter my name, I need something Daisy Cottage in my house :)

All the best,
Kathy :)

[Jessica]

I also have started my own collection of flea market/yard sale white plates. I have about 14 pieces so far, and this would look fabulous added to the mix! Rhoda, your dining room is fabulous, and Kim, I'll be sure to stop by again now that I've discovered your blog!

[Stacey]

I always love to visit Rhoda's dining room. Our rooms seem to be about the same dimensions and we even have some similar furniture pieces. My deep red needs to leave pretty soon!

Please include me in the drawing for the beautiful tureen. I know just where it will sit. :)

[Antonella]

wow, two favourite bloggers rolled in one!

please count me in for the tureen, it's soo lovely

hugs to Miss Maggie

[Sheila]

Yea! I love Rhoda's new look in her dining room, and you're right, Kim, she is a sweetie... but so are YOU!

And girl, you know I want a chance to win that fabulous turreen! I love white!

Thanks for the chance...

XO,

Sheila :-)

[Pam Schroeder]

Rhoda is the "Queen" of Thrift and does great things with all of her finds. Please include me in your drawing. I enjoyed stopping by to read your blog! PAM

[christy]

I follow your blog and Rhoda's. My 2 favs! I started a thrifted soup tureen collection a few ago and scored some great ones!

[Brenda Turner]

What a beautiful dining room! And Kim's home is always so inspiring.

[Sharon]

I have been LURKING at Rhoda's and Kim's for a long time..........it is nice that they got together for this great post. Would love to win the tureen..........I have four. Is that a collection?

[The Lady of the House]

Rhoda truly is fabulous isn't she? I love what she did in her dining room and the all white peices are so classy. Love to be in the pick for the giveaway! Thanks Kim! You both are dolls! (Hugs) The Lady

[Michelle DiDomenico]

Hi Kim & Rhonda,
I love both of your blogs! Im glad for the friendships I've made online and It's nice to see yours. Please enter me in the giveaway.
Michelle

[Gena]

I am a follower of Rhoda's blog and out of curiosity, came to yours to read her guest spot. I will certainly be back! What a great team the two of you make! I adore your talents and want to be JUST LIKE the two of you when I GROW UP :) Thanks so much for all you do!

[Madison]

Thanks Rhoda for posting! You did a great job! And your welcome Kim! It's cool that you live in Lakeland! I kept thinking I've seen your house before but I have never been to Lakeland. Anyway have a great day!

Love, Madison

[Madison]

Oh and I would love to win your giveaway! I would have christmas covered!