Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech

Straight off a 10 hour flight home from Barcelona (pics of this fab trip forthcoming), Dear Hubs and I headed back to our Alma Mater for the homecoming game; Georgia Tech versus the Cougars of BYU.  The game (and our team) left something to be desired, but we had a wonderful time catching up with a few faces from our college years, scooting over to check out the new football practice facility (which Dear Hubs was in awe of since the facilities weren't nearly so amazing when he played) and then headed to the game.  In tow all along the way was Baby B.  I can hardly believe it but this was his VERY FIRST GT game.  Last year he was too tiny and this year, we just have had too much going on to make it back to the games.  He enjoyed every bit of the tailgating scene and actually made it to half time of the game ... which was a shocking event all on its own!


I just love these pics of Dear Hubs with Baby B at the practice field.  One of these may find it's way to black and white for Dear Hubs' office!

 

The game was a hit, well ... more specifically the small airplane that flew around the stadium with a large banner advertising free entry to the Cheetah (strip club) was a hit.  Men ....

 

By half time, 2 sippy cups of water, about 85 graham crackers and a soft pretzel had been consumed.  That was our queue that it was time to head home before the impending melt down due to delayed nap ensued.  We stopped at the Varsity for a quick chili dog and rings on our way north.  I love that place!

 

Given performance (of our crew not the team), we will certainly be making a repeat appearance for future games with the Yellow Jackets newest fan!

Pumpkin Patch

 

We spent the beautiful weekend doing many things in the great outdoors; including our annual pumpkin patch trip.  This year, Baby B was a bit older and much more engaged in the entire patch experience.  As a result ... more fun was had by all as we watched on as he tried to pick up giant pumpkins with daddy, eat every ounce of dirt in sight and do all the things little boys do when presented with a giant field of pumpkins!

 

This year, we took our trip to Burt's Farm in Dawsonville.  Last year, we tried another local pumpkin hot spot and were dissappointed.  So ... back to Burt's we go!  After stopping for BBQ for lunch, we set out on the adventure!

 

Burt's Farm is a megaplex when it comes to pumpkin farms and all things fall.  They offer everything from hay rides to fresh baked pumpkin breads and EVERYTHING in between.  While it's very crowded on any given October weekend, the space is really so big that it still feels big enough to carve out your little slice of the farm for pics and such with littles.  I'd highly recommend this spot, not only is it fun for an afternoon, but their prices are affordable and the bounty is always plenty!  

 

 

 

 

After Baby B was done exploring, we took a moment to attempt (key word) some family pics.  Then, next thing you know ... who do we see but bestie M and her crew of hubby J and little B in tow!  So fun to see these sweet faces!

 

 

 

We held off melt downs from Baby B as long as we could - the sweet boy was way overdue on a nap - and then we loaded up our GIANT pumpkin finds and headed back south to put out our many beautiful fall displays!

 

Great fun for a weekend and pumpkins all season long!

 

xoxo

Birthday Breakfast in Bed

Our sweet friend little C, son of bestie P, recently celebrated his big 1-0 birthday.  It's amazing how time flies, it feels like just only yesterday little C was just a small 5 year old getting ready for kindergarten.  It's hard to believe we have already known him this long.  Little C is the kind of kid that is helpful, kind, full of spunk and good spirit and always willing to lend a helping hand.  He's a good egg, that little C. 

 

To help little C celebrate his big day, I put together Birthday Weekend Breakfast in Bed bags for little C and his brother C.  I figured bestie P would only get a little break (and possibly be able to sleep in) if BOTH boys had a breakfast prepared.  So ... we delivered two brown sacks complete with a full breakfast of goodies. 

 

Using Avery full sheet sticker paper, I printed out oversized festive stickers on my color printer.  The stickers give instructions to the littles to place the bag by their bed and enjoy the contents in the morning.  The best part ... the empty bag serves as a trash collector too.  Less mess for mom!

 

 

 

Inside the bag, the littles found a banana, some mini donuts packaged up and milk.  Hershey makes milk boxes that do not require refrigeration until after they are opened.  I added a chocolate straw (why didn't they have those when I was a kid?) that flavors the milk like cookies and cream.  How fun is that! 

 

The banana was all decked out with a riddle sticker.  "What did one birthday banana say to the other?"  Answer ... nothing.  Bananas don't talk.  Remember, I'm dealing with 10 year old humor here. 

 

According to bestie P, little C enjoyed his fabulous breakfast in bed.  So much, he stole the donuts from his brothers bag!  This idea is going in the "must remember to do again" file. 

 

Here's to breakfast in bed, happy birthdays and leisurely weekends!

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

I Heart Sevenly

Today, I'm sporting a super cute fitted chocolate brown V-neck t-shirt with my flared jeans and a khaki little jacket.  Yes, of course, I'm still wearing heels with it ... let's not be crazy.  It's casual, but thanks to the new dress code at work (so that we look and feel more like a "cool" technology company), it's totally appropriate.  The tee has a large swirly script phrase on the front that says "Live Life". 

While stylish, it's even better than that.  This tee was purchased and just arrived this week from an amazing company called Sevenly.  Each week, Sevenly offers a different t-shirt design to support a cause for people in need around the globe.  For seven days (get it), the tees are available and the proceeds are donated back to the cause.  The purpose is to drive awareness for the charity, do social good and provide financial support for the worthy causes that might otherwise go unnoticed.   

My tee supported an organization in China focused on saving the lives of baby girls that are at risk of being killed or abandandoned due to the cruel laws that limit the number of children a family may have.  I couldn't be prouder to have the chance to support this cause.

Now, I follow Sevenly on social media and their website.  I'm sure this is just the start of a very thoughtful addiction to new tees AND helping others!  Proud of Sevenly and the great works they do for social good around the globe!

    

Let's all go to the movies

Every now and again, dear Hubs and I try to sneak away on a Saturday evening for a movie, good dinner out on the town or some other shenanigan.  This Saturday, with not much planning, we headed out for a few hours of fun.  Our original plan of going to the in-town prohibition styled hot spot of Holman and Finch was foiled by (a) poor planning and (b) a tired diva after CITY FINALS of USTA tennis and (c) a hangy that Dear Hubs was nursing from too much rye whiskey Friday night (the details of how that happened still seem fuzzy).

Anywho, our initial "big steak dinner" plans weren't well planned and fell apart the minute the hostess at a local fave spot claimed a 2 hour wait.  I don't know about y'all... but this diva does not wait 2 HOURS for any food.  I don't care what it is. 

So, after hemming and hawing, we settled on a quick Twisted Taco bite (which was delish) and the movie The Campaign.   After eating more queso and chips that our tummies could handle, we skipped the popcorn and settled right into our big oversized movie seats to be either really entertained or take a nap to sleep off those tacos!

We made it just in time to catch a few coming attractions that were classified by moi as either "so cute" or "creepy, scary... don't even think we will come see that".  After the "quiet please" clip that I swear hasn't changed since I was in middle school, the big show started.  Look, truth be told I'm a huge fan of Will Ferrell. He's so great.  This movie fell right into his wheel house and was just as priceless of every minute of Talledega Nights, Anchor Man, Old School ... you name it!  I looked over to find Dear Hubs almost in tears a few times.  If you love Will humor, you will like this flick.  If it's just so so ... it's definitely worth a rental!

charmed,
~b

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????

Show Home Slow Motion: Living Area

Every chance I get, my big camera and I show up at a charity show home.  Typically with bestie M in tow, but unfortunately not this time due to a fracture in her foot (still not real clear on what happened to cause a diva to go down!).  So, I recruited bestie P and new friend A to fill in for decorating genius M.  With Baby B in tow (thanks to failed babysitter plans), we made a great afternoon of touring the Roswell Women's Show Home.  Such a wonderful event full of inspiration and supporting a good cause of local charity.  Take a slow motion look at the tour with me now and prepare to be inspired!

This year's show home is a lovely, warm and family friendly space in Alpharetta, GA.  Each year, the club selects a home and recruits local, talented designers to participate by sponsoring the design, theme and decor for a room.  The result is always just perfection!

Here's a few worthy snaps from the main living area; which includes a spacious kitchen, keeping room and family room.  It's warm, clean and every so comfortable with the natural touches and spacious design.  Love.

Next stop ... the many bedrooms and kids areas!  Too many snaps for one post!  xoxo

Roswell Ramble

Just a few weekends back, the Georgia Preservation Trust hosted their bi-annual ramble in my sweet hometown of Roswell.  The ramble is a three day event to tour several stately southern estates, plus in this case many more homes, gardens and showcases.  My dear friend TreyTrey, a fab architect and designer in his own right, turned me onto the event and I’m so thrilled we were able to make it to some of this ramble.

On Sunday, Dear Hubs and I dropped the babe with Zsa Zsa and Dear Ole’ Dad for the morning and went to the Smith Plantation for brunch and a tour.  The Smith Plantation belonged to my dad’s cousins (I guess that makes them mine too) until it was willed to the city back in the 1990s.  I have such vivid memories of meeting Cousin Jimmy at the Wendy’s in Roswell as a child, enjoying a kids Frostie and then heading over to the old house where he stayed when he was in town. 

 Touring as a rambler years later was such a wild experience.  While the gardens are more cheery and kept and the home hosts many on tours daily, other things are exactly as I remember them; the kitchen, Mammie’s room and the guest quarters.  Zsa Zsa was actually gifted lamps like those pictured below years ago.  The kitchen is a cookie cutter image of the one in my mind from countless childhood visits.  And, wildest of all, the photo of the floral trays below tripped me out the most.  I bought an EXACT set of these from an antique dealer about five years back.  Who knew they were a decorating deja vu moment from this wonderful place!

For more information about the Smith Plantation, check it out here.  Here’s some pics I snapped on my first chance to be a tourist at the old house.

Enjoy the tour - it's a beauty!