Slow Saturdays

Slow is a relative term around here.  We run at the speed of chaos most days, but Saturday mornings afford us a few moments to slow down, catch up on the stack of 500 magazines, watch cartoons and drink PLENTY of coffee. 

After our trip to Napa last month, Dear Hubs and I are hooked on French Press coffee.  There's something more fancy glamorous about making coffee with this method than the traditional pot.  Not  to mention, it does indeed taste fab!  I bought my press on Amazon - easy to find and not expensive actually. 

My new mug is a gift to moi from moi, compliments of a little gift shop around here called elle b gifts.  I just adore the set!  That with a new copy of Food & Wine (a fave) magazine as well as many, many more are set for the reading. 

Once I conquer this leisure style for a few minutes, perhaps I'll set out on something more active today!  Hmmm... there are those oyster topiaries I need to make, that run I need to go on, those drapes I was considering starting, that work I needed to catch up on, the Charmed Life Kids that needs shipping and many more ideas on how to spend the morning.  Yep ... better get crackin!

Happy Saturday, y'all!

Boo Art

What seems like forever ago, I ordered two darling signs from One King Lane.  The promise and hope was that they would arrive in plenty of time to serve as decor for the Halloween month.  Well, with only 4 days to spare before the big day, they FINALLY arrived.  Good thing I think they are so presh, else OKL would be getting a gripey phone call about this.  Hey ... there is always next year!

 

The two signs are by Primatives By Kelly of Lancaster, PA.  They are made of wood and I know will stand up to the durability test to last year after year.  These two were plopped right down in two strategic vignettes that were just itching for a pop of Halloween fun. 

 

The smaller, rectangle subway art style sign rounds out the space in my curiousities room.  And the long "It's all about the treats" sign finishes off the family room side of my harvest sideboard in the kitchen. 

 

Who knows where they will wind up next year, guess we will just need to wait to find out!  Happy Halloween, y'all!

 

 

My new obsession: Queen of Heart Antiques

Years ago, bestie M from over at One Little Bird inquired if I had ever been to Queen of Heart Antique Mall.  Sadly, it's right by my house and I have never, ever, ever stopped in.  I'm so ashamed. In my head, I had envisioned a moth ball scented, dusty old antique mall full of things I have no need for; you know ... Precious Moment figurines, old plates and albums and furniture (while nice) I don't have a place for.  Boy was I wrong!  The name is actually Queen of Hearts Antiques and Interiors.  Ah ha!  That made all the difference and is a suitable title for this store. 

Recently, on a quest for Annie Sloan chalk paint, I finally made my long overdue treck to the store.  I could just kick myself for waiting so long!  Not only did I score some AS chalk paint, but I left with a few other little doo dads too. 

There's tons of finds, old and new, that will just charm you!  Here's a few of my fave finds that I snapped pics of (while shopping with an arm load of cutie paper goods!)

This booth was chock full of adorable, rustic painted frames. And, check out these stacked wreathes - they are just darling!

 

How cute is this little pumpkin made from a piece of raw wood? Makes me more than ready to finish all of my home decor swap outs for fall!

I am just smitten with this display.  The bell cloche is full of rustic, decorative orbs.  I may need to try this!  There was no shortage of decorative vignettes to inspire!

Needless to say, this spot will be on my frequent rotation to make sure I don't miss a thing!

xoxo

Shopping Around Savannah

I fell in love with the coastal empire town of Savannah years ago.  I've made repeat trips m.a.n.y. times for everything from St. Patrick's celebrations to shopping excursions to get aways with besties.  I just love this town.  Thanks to some rainy showers that moved through town yesterday, Zsa Zsa and I headed out to catch my fave stops in Savannah and stock up on any and all goodies that were new and must haves! 

Thanks to the many trips and recs of faves from my sweet bestie M who is a tasteful decorator and shopping aficianato ... I've got a list a mile long that makes Dear Hubs sweat at the thought that I am on the hunt for some retail therapy in Savannah!

First stop ... Broughton Street.  We hit the mainstains and a few newer finds like 24e, DC2 and our mainstay Paris Market.  Lordy be, I just love Paris Market. 

 

From the minute you walk in, it's a wonder for the senses.  Beautiful chandy's hang throughout the store, gorge antiques, curiousities and collectibles as far as the eye can see and candles to no end!

 

I was especially smitten with the bebe department this time.  The cute display of oversized toadstools and a little village just drew me in.  I left with a vintage looking alphabet poster for the babe's bathroom.  And, I may have to go back for a set of the Kitchen Papers for kids that I spotted....

 

 

The minute we headed down the stairs to the basement showroom, Zsa Zsa announced (because she was down first) "don't come over here because I know you will buy these...".  She was correct.  These oversized tins, wrapped in burlap with the numerals 1-3 were a must have!  Score for me .. .set of 3 that will find a home in either my laundry, basement or any of a thousand spots at home!

 

This shell sculpture was a sure fire looker.  With a price tag of two thousand ... it might stay behind. 

 

The little sweets shop was as cute as pie (as always).  We did without this time, but goodness it's so stinkin' charming it draws you in!  There are so many curiousities here I could spend hours!

 

After a few purchases ... we headed to a few other stops.  Then, thanks to some rain and less than comfy shoes, we gave up our prime parking spot for a spot closer to our next locale.  We hit up a few little antique shops with no fab finds to report and then made our way to No. Four Eleven and One Fish Two Fish.  Yep, those are among the top finds in town. 

 

The sweetest gal, Courtland (love her name) was beyond helpful at No. Four Eleven.  The shop is darling and known all around for their beautiful monogram services.  Well, that's only part of the story.  Their linens are divine and their trinkets are adorable.  I was crushing everything in sight - from an orange chevron frame to a stack of monogrammed linens.  Of course I didn't leave empty handed ... no, no.  I scored a Linea's Lights candle that I've oogled over since buying my first in Cali months back.  A Sea Salt scent scored for me today.  Dear Courtland was darling enough to intro me to a few new scents she had hiding in the back as well, and was such a peach she gave me a deal on those, too!  That gal has a new friend from Atlanta now.  Check out this oyster mirror, I'm smitten!

 

 

 

 

And last, but not least ... we stopped just down the way at One Fish Two Fish.  Bestie M introed this one to my shopping rolodex years back and it's been a mainstay since.  Not to mention, it's received many mentions in every juicy southern mag I read!  I toured this store many, many times oogling the quatrafoil tables, great frames and the beautes in the jewlry case.  I may be back for that bee bangle!

 

 

 

On our way home, we stopped for Paula's signature coffee (a fave of Zsa Zsa and Dear Hubs) and a stash of Paula's magazines ... hey, that's quality southern reading! 

 

 

Last stop ... Belk back in HHI.  Zsa Zsa needed to pop in for a shirt for Dear Ole' Dad and I just couldn't resist the Lily P section.  Who knew that LILY was at Belk?  I scored a sweet pair of shorts, my first shorts purchase in over ten years.  They are just cuties and I can't wait to wear them.

 

So, rainy days beware ... you are perfectly primed for some retail therapy! 

From Britain with Love

Perhaps it's because I'm a prepster at heart.  Or, perhaps it's my traditional side that loves to come out.  Who knows.  Truth be told, I am just smitten over the Union Jack flag these days.  I have elaborate plans (that of course haven't kicked off yet) to paint a table top with this design.  For now, I'm very satisfied with this little find from a lovely little boutique.  Maybe you have heard of it?  Target.  While I unrealistically wish I had more free time to go do shopping at some of the stores that are on my "to do" list ... rather, I find those moments of leisure shopping and finding the "perfect" item just don't happen these days. 

The moment I laid eyes on the ottoman on the website, I went on a hunt, and I do mean hunt, to locate one.  Not available online .. drats.  So, to the stores I went.  Scowering high and low, I lucked into one - and only one - not to far from home.  I think I dove at the end cap of the aisle when I saw one little stool remaining on the display.

 

After an elaborate hunt for a manager at customer service since there was no price tag on it (of course) AND a 10% discount for a smudge of chalk on the top of it (didn't hardly even notice), this cute thing made it's way out to my car for a big price tag of $14.  Repeat ... FOURTEEN DOLLARS. 

For now, she's found a semi-perm home in the hall.  I've got to shuffle a few knick knacks around here and the dining room before I'm totally satisfied, but for now ... she just makes me thrilled when I step foot in the front foyer!

Shoppin' Cali Style

The high from my so-long-I-was-homesick trip to Cali just two weeks ago was rudely interupted by a little sinus surgery last week.  I spent most of the business week last week snoozing in the comfort of my big ole' bed and recovering, and am finally feeling human once again!

Now ... back to those good sunshine rays and cool Cali vibes....

I mentioned over here, that while this was a work trip, I was able to sneak away long enough to catch a few of my fave home stores along the Golden Coast.  Juxtaposition Home & Studio is a new find and I'm pleased as punch I found my way over there.  This is an unassuming store tucked snuggly between Newport Beach and Laguna.  I've seriously passed this store more than a few times and always made a mental note that I must stop in there.  Well, I finally did.

Juxtaposition is a darling gem that has everything from unique books and paper finds to heavy (read: big), substantial pieces of the finest furniture.  All that, plus most everything in between.  Here's a few shots from around the showroom. 

I just love the assorted burlap and twill pillows and the framed vintage flag is just tops!  This vingette sets the tone when you enter the shop and it's just simply fab!

This bedding vingette literally looked good enough to cozy up in!  The lush bedding looks a lot like the new duvet I (love) purchased from Restoration Hardware and the black and white chalk prints are just beautiful.

I just love everything about the framed collection.  Up close, interesting sayings fill the space in each frame with a thoughtful phrase.  Books, burlap pillows and lushness abounds!

I found a few small and packable treasures at this spot that I carried home, along with a small prezzie for bestie S that was just too her to pass up!  I made plenty of notes and just might be giving them a call back for a vintage wooden crate that was just perfect for baby B's books in our living room!

Next stop, just down the beach in Laguna; Tuvalu Home.  I sure do love this place.  It's just been a darling gem that I love to go visit each and every time I'm in town.  This spot is not only chock full of coastal finds, but they are all fairly reasonably priced as well.  Here's some snaps I took while shopping through, well ... until my arms were too full to snap any more pics!

While the lighting in this corner is a little funny due to natural light and the chandy, the tablewares and the wall art are just too much.  I love the chandy and each of the botanicals and bird prints that fill this space.  The table and fancy chairs aren't too bad either!

These sorts of vingnettes just fill the space.  I literally stand in front of them in awe taking in each and every detail not wanting to miss a one for what seems like hours at a time!  Everything from starfish to oil paintings fill this area and I was grabbing up small finds as fast as I could!

I just couldn't help myself and brought some sweet little things home.  Now, keep in mind, I was constrained to (1) not tooooooo fragile that I'd be devestated if it broke and (2) not tooooooo big since I was out of space already in my suitcase!  Here's a few of the cute things that made their way back south!

I'm a sucker for a fab candle.  I brought back a red quince candle held in the adorable mercury glass jar as well as an Ocean scent Linnea's Light's candle from juxtaposition.  The starfish also found it's way into my bag!

Damn Good Advice for People with Talent is a super cute paperback full of short musing that are right on the money.  This book is presently sitting atop my "must read" stack in the family room.  The papers were to die for, I just had to make these C'est la Vie notes mine!  Bestie S and her adoration of all things Paris also received a set and some cute Paris stickers for cardstock.

The glass whale plate is just fabulous.  It's a nice rich beige, tan and brown natural pallet.  It filled the space that another Tuvalu find from trips past used to fill.  That cutie moved over to the butler's pantry!

Rounding out the things that I'll claim came from this little, tiny shopping trip are a small glass plate that looks like a clock face and a red corral receiving tray.  Both are presently nestled on the foyer table just perfectly!

So, like I said ... just a short, little, not much to see here, sort of shopping trip to some of my fave spots.  Geez, I just love Southern Cali!  Wouldn't you????

The Best: Travel Edition Fashion

Ya'll... I swear ... I am currently uploading the picture library from my work travels last week to Austria.  That's right ... not my usual Texas hot spot of Austin ... and no, not to be confused with previously visited Australia ... but AUSTRIA. 

I'm convinced days are moving more rapidly in my world than ever.  That said, I found a few moments to squirrel away and multi-task some site seeing out of my most recent trip abroad.  It was fab.  If the mothership (aka work) said to pick up the southern diva family that is mine and transport them to the far away land that is Europe I'd be sold (note ...I said southern diva with full regard for the fact Zsa Zsa and the entire crew might be in tow!. 

Anywho ...loved every minute and a pic review is forthcoming.

Until then, feel cozy in the few travel fashion tips every belle must know. 

Prepping for a ten hour flight will definitely challenge even the most frequent of flyers regular travel routine.  I have the coast to coast domestic thing down pat, but the thought of sitting in (gasp) coach for ten hours is something that this diva had to prep a bit to conquer.  Luckily, I pulled on a few of my travel fashion faves to spend the flight in comfort (and high fashion).

First fave … my lululemon vinyasa scarf.  Gosh, I just love this cutie pie!  It’s a warm (but not too warm) and ever so versatile.  The scarf has athletic snaps that let this heavy duty all purpose scarf do just about anything from be a blanket throw, to a shrug, to a cape, to a scarf and pretty much anything in between.  It’s absolutely so fab and is my new standby staple for almost all situations!  Lululemon proves they do more than zen athletic apparel well this time.  I'm pretty sure I wore it each and every way possible in the first few hours!  Love!

Second fave … my Toms.  Who knew I’d fall in love with a pair of flat shoes!  While I almost always sport AT LEAST four inch heels, these flats have saved me in a pinch and fit well in my laptop bag.  They definitely come in handy when walking half a mile to a meeting in the Financial District in San Fran or a long flight like this one at hand.  I opted for a stitch out pair and they are just presh with rolled up jeans (since all my jeans are too long for flats) or a cute black romper.  

Truth me known, what diva can only buy one pair?  I am also the proud owner of a pair of cute wedges that are about to become a summer staple.  Hey ... I'm doing good here!  Tom's provides a pair of shoes to a child / person in need for every pair we buy.  So, I like to think that FINALLY someone appreciates my shoe obsession and it's paying off!  Not only are they comfy, but they do some good!  Aren't they just darling?

 

Feeling Coastal

For the past 5 days, I've had the luxury of visiting the wonderful tropics of Puerto Rico.  While hard work was the dish most served, I still had a great time with work friends and the beautiful scenery.  Upon my return back to the ATL, I'm already missing sunny sky and palms abounding.  Lucky for me ... a little box was waiting for me at home.  I had ordered these from an antique dealer before leaving on my trip and almost forgot about them with the hustle and bustle of the past few days!

To my surprise, two antique pewter oyster shell plates were here to welcome me back.  It's like the coast just knew I would have withdrawls!  These two beauties are just perfect for my bookshelf and I'm so excited to add them to the collection!

For the Love of Jimmy

In keeping with the February / Valentine's love theme of course :) today I must profess my love for one of my dear friends - hair stylist Jimmy.  There are likely thousands of reasons I could detail to outline my profession...

• Perhaps it's because he is bluntly honest with me when my hair really needs to be cut about 6 inches because I'm starting to look like a blonde Cher
• Perhaps it's because he gives me a hard time when I attempt to "just trim up my ends" using paper scissors at home
• Perhaps it's because he threatened to break up with me the one time I tried an at home kit to color my hair (it was a disaster)
• Or the fact he brings me sweet little travel sized goodies from time to time

While all of those might be true, we will just gloss over my hairy adventures in self service and focus on the fact he is so thoughtful and picks up a few little supplies for me.  Jimmy knows I am always on the go and bouncing from city to city, so he snatched these up for me and I was pleased as punch to get a text from him telling me of the new tiny size treasures.

The Matrix product line is a good ole' staple that keeps you coming back (even if you don't use it regularly).  But, I must admit, I'm smitten with the Kendra products he gathered up.  The hairspray is divine and the dry shampoo is pretty fabulous too! 

Thank you dear, sweet Jimmy for your personal service and saving the world one hair do at a time!  xoxo

Deals of the Week

 It's very possible I'm suffering from retail withdrawl, but I found some great deals this past weekend and I'm just pleased as punch at how cute these finds are that I must share!  Where oh where did these amazing deals come from?  Of all the random places, Lowes!  While on a seek and discover mission with Dear Hubs for yard supplies and flooring (more on that chaos later), I found the most darling lamp shade and lanterns for a steal of a price!

This lamp shade replaced a cream silk one in my family room.  The lovely cream silk just didn't fit the lamp that perfectly and it had a small snag in it.  You know the kind ... not big enough to warrant replacing right away, but for the right deal - it's worthy of a replacement.

My most prized find are these lanterns.  I've been on the hunt for something like these for a few weeks now and finding them has been permanently placed on my "to buy" list.  These are 24 inches tall and will be just perfect on my front porch flanking the dogs and planters!  I know they will be just perfect on the front porch come this fall.  And the best part ... the price.  These were on sale for $15 each!  WOW!

I may just have to start shopping here more often - look out Dear Hubs!

~charmed, b