Vanessa at 'A White Barn'...........

One of my dearest friends in the whole wide world is Vanessa.  

Over the past five years we've spent a lot of time together after meeting via our blogs, then making a date for coffee and a visit to SuzAnna's Antiques. Later, despite our age difference - I could be her mom - and realizing we loved the same things, we had an entire year together full of creative fun, and a lot of shopping and treasure hunting, sharing a booth at SuzAnna's Antiques. We've moved on since then with me having to put shopkeeping on hold while traveling on some awesome trips around the world. Meanwhile, Vanessa has stayed busy being a mom, helping her DH during his busy MBA program while he also works full-time, visiting her home and family in Brazil, and now running a new and exciting home-based business named A White Barn.

Vanessa has always had a great eye and her decorating and sewing skills are fabulous. She refinished many awesome furniture pieces for sale in our booth. Now, after attending an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint workshop last Spring, she is going full steam ahead refurbishing and painting some spectacular furniture finds for resale here in our area of North Carolina.

Here are some of Vanessa's latest projects, most of which sold before the paint had time to dry, but I know she's staying very busy working on some great new pieces........and she just completed one for me....more on that another time.

Just had to share Vanessa's new and thriving business with you - and once again tell you how important it is to have friends of all ages in one's life........especially young ones who inspire you do do more, stay busy, create often, and enjoy all life has to offer. Thank you dear Vanessa for all you do for me to make my life so much better.

All images with A White Barn watermark are Vanessa's - the remainder are mine.