mary catherine

Piddlin’ Surcies | Family Heirlooms

Some of the very best piddlin’ finds aren’t finds at all but may be given as sursies!!

The last time we went to NC was for a baby shower with family + friends of ours back in April! It was so sweet seeing everyone, especially my husband’s mom, brother, aunts, cousins + grandmothers. We were so blessed to be showered by such lovely + beautiful gifts as well as most of the much needed items for the nursery + baby.

After the shower, we stopped by Grandma’s house to give a few hugs + kisses before hitting the road + she surprised us with two of the most beautiful family heirlooms that we are sure to treasure + hand down for years to come!

Some of the very best piddlin’ finds aren’t found, but are given as sursies!!

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Such incredible family heirlooms! Thank you so much Grandma for letting us look after these gorgeous family mementos. We love you so much.

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Piddlin’ Finds | Staffordshire Spaniels

These little gems were part piddlin’ find and part sursie, as I found them a few weeks back in my mom’s booth. They were given to her by a friend as a donation to her antique habit (I get it honest) and as fate would have it, they ended up coming home with me one day after meeting up with mom at the antique mall.

We call these “Staffordshire” for short, but they have a long history and many names dating back to the 19th century. It’s no secret that Englishmen and women, like Americans have always had a special place in their homes for dogs, and the British Royals of the past, present and future aren’t any different. Spaniels could be seen throughout art and history as the royal dog of choice, and this preference dates back to the days of Queen Victoria. I could go into plenty of boring detail here about how to determine a “real” Staffordshire pair from a “really fake” pair, but here is all you really need to know. They have always been made of clay or ceramic and are generally found sitting atop a mantle in the UK/sometimes bookshelves stateside. Traditionally they were figurines depicting King Charles Cavalier Spaniels (much like Queen Victoria’s beloved dog, Dash) and also were traditionally hand painted, as are most fine antiques. Today there is a vast array of types of dogs portrayed and painting methods, as well as various and sundry other details that the trained eye can easily spot. Scroll to the bottom for more details.

…just because something isn’t authentic doesn’t mean you can’t collect it!

These particular pretty little King Charles Cavalier figurines are quite the faux reproductions, however this brings up an important lesson for all piddlin’ fans alike: just because something isn’t authentic doesn’t mean you can’t collect it. Don’t be silly- after all, if an old thing strikes your fancy, then by all means enjoy it! Some collectors can be too serious and turn the hobby into more of a competitive sport. To me it’s not about how many authentic, valuable things we find and stow away in our home, it’s about the nostalgia and the meaning each found object takes on in our home. As soon as an item looses it’s meaning or personal value, it will certainly be finding it’s way right back to the antique mall for another piddler to discover and take home to cherish.

Isn’t that what “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” means after all?!

–You can read a little bit more about these classic mantlepieces’ history on Wikipedia, here. Now, now for those of you in a tizzy over finding authentic pieces only, I have found a couple of links to help you get started on that hunt! Take a look at what Houzz has to say about the timeless treasures here, and then take a peek at “Real or Repro” here. Also, please feel free to share your comments below about your favorite type of figurines or maybe how you determine their authenticity. Do you have Staffordshire in your home? Where do you display yours?

Thanks for stopping by!

| Keep piddlin’

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Piddlin’ Finds | Southern Gems

I haven’t been piddlin’ very often so far this year, so two Fridays ago, I was able to get over to Antiques Market in Mount Pleasant for a speed-pick just before they closed. Sometimes, I just like the smell of an antique mall and the comfort of being surrounded by old things just waiting to be rediscovered. After all, the secret to great piddlin’…

I haven’t been piddlin’ very often this year, so two Fridays ago, I was able to get over to Antiques Market in Mount Pleasant for a speed-pick just before they closed. Sometimes, I just like the smell of an antique mall and the comfort of being surrounded by old things just waiting to be rediscovered. Afterall, the secret to great piddlin’ is that nothing has to be purchased, often times it is a scouting trip that turns out to be time better spent than a big buying trip. On this occasion however, I was pleasantly surprised to have these two Southern gems find me. Let’s not forget that is how it happens after all!

This lovely, well-worn piece of driftwood came home with me for $8 and this classic “blue book” of etiquette {Emily Post’s no less} was on sale, so I snagged it for $16! I just LOVE the gold engraved writing revealed, now that the dust cover is no longer on the book! The font is exactly what I would imagine for a book of this subject matter! I can’t wait to flip through it’s beautifully yellow-ed pages and see what’s changed and what hasn’t since its publish date! What Southern lady or gentleman doesn’t love a little etiquette refresher after all? I will have to share a few excerpts from the book once I have a chance to look through it. Have you been enjoying any good piddlin’ lately? Please, tell me about it below!! I miss hearing from everyone!

| Until next time!

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Piddlin’ Finds | For Auld Lang Syne

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It’s already 2014 and I still have piddlin’ finds and stories from 2013 to tell! So- without further ado let me show you a few of these sweet finds that brightened my year, but first have a quick peek at the fun time we had ringing in the new year in our own backyard to the sound of area fireworks!

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Now to the good stuff! We picked up these sweet piddlin’ finds from Antiques Market this past September with a little birthday money I had been given in August and I have been loving them so very much.

I have been looking for some uniquely fabulous milk glass pieces to jump-start the collection. What is not to love about this hob nob milk glass vase? It’s ultra feminine and just so perfectly retro.

Next up: this pretty little toast rack that was just featured in February’s Country Living! {see below} I looked everywhere in 2013 for something just like this one to hold our outgoing mail + correspondence {call me an old soul; I am a *huge fan* of sending and receiving snail mail} + we finally snagged this one for $10? $12? also found at Antiques Market!

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Lastly, take a look at a few of my favorite {vintage gifts} I was given for Christmas! Aren’t vintage gifts the BEST!?

This {little lion locket} is my new favorite!! My mom has named him, “Leo the Lion”…I’ve never seen anything quite like him- have you?

I am loving our evolving collection of milk glass– look at this mini hob nob milkglass vase for the dantiest of flowers! Perfect size for a guest room, window sill or bathroom sink- so sweet.

These gorgeous mother of pearl binoculars are the PERFECT thing and just what I have been hoping to find for a night at the ballet! Mom and I recently went to see The Shanghai Ballet at Sottile Theater and we had dad’s football binoculars with us…not exactly what a lady should take to the theater! {These beauties} will be classy & fabulous for our next girls’ night out! PLUS: I spotted the very same ones a few days after Christmas featured in Southern Living! Jackie O would be so proud. That Santa always knows just what to give!

Ryan’s Grandma also loves antiques and she gifted us with this fun little vintage bottle rack! I’m thinking it will be perfect to store some vino or perhaps even the milk jar collection we started so long ago! I’ve also seen organizers like this used for magazine and condiment storage! What would you use it for? Regardless, it’s the cutest thing with the little wooden handle that’s sure to add a nice shabby chic touch to any room.

Also, while we were at Grandma’s for Christmas, Ryan’s brother had asked about trying on a pair of their grandfather’s cowboy boots. As luck would have it, Ryan was able to fit into this amazing pair of boots that he remembers his Granddad wearing. This was one of the coolest things we brought home from Elizabeth City because last Friday was one year since we lost Granddaddy Sam. These will be such a special reminder for both of us, but especially for Ryan each time he sees them! There is nothing more special, nothing more truly vintage than a hand-me-down.

The day after Christmas we enjoyed the scenic drive from Charleston to Kiawah to be with our Walker Family!

As a new tradition this year, we decided to play White Elephant Gift Exchange instead of exchanging gifts to each member of the family. It was such a blast especially since I walked away with Granny Mabel’s Framed High School Diploma–!! Everyone was in an uproar as I opened it’s bright red wrapping because half the family didn’t even know it existed. The best part? It will be kept by the relative that opens her then, brought back each Christmas -wrapped- to be included annually in the Walker White Elephant Exchange! I love this and I am so elated that I got to take it home first! It is the biggest, most beautiful diploma I may have ever seen.

Last, and certainly not least, we received a very, very special antique this Christmas…

…this beautiful {sterling silver rattle} that will be held, loved and cherished in the Summer of 2014!

Here’s hoping your 2013 and Christmas season have been filled with love, hugs and lots of laughter.

May your 2014 be bright and blessed.

| with love

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Piddlin’ Sursies | Mom Knows Best!

In my haste to share our piddlin’ treasures from the birthday road trip-I forgot to share the great ‘tiques mom gave me the night before we left town! Mom taught me all about antiques and got me around people who appreciated a good vintage find as well as creative family friends who purpose the heck out of some old items!

Take a look at two items that only mom could have picked out for me!

[>] First this too cute coffee tin…from none other than: Charleston,SC! Isn’t she a cutie?! This tin will certainly hold something fun soon, but in the meantime I am just admiring all the decor and vintage typography along her sides! Miss Carolina Coffee….who knew?! See a few creative ways to use vintage tin cans to organize + decorate around your home here.

[>] Also, this beautiful damask hemstitched linen tablecloth! I cannot wait to use this for a pretty spread for some wonderful occasion soon. I can just imagine it at a wedding or baby shower! Isn’t this pattern so pretty?!

Mom truly knows best! 😉
| keep piddlin’!

Piddlin’ Trips | Birthday Piddlin’ in Atlanta

The hiatus is over! Check out the piddlin’ treasures we snagged from a few small towns outside Atlanta this past weekend to celebrate my birthday + read the weekend’s full story here. I am one lucky lady!

I so LOVE surprises, so Ryan woke me up early on Saturday with a folded piece of paper. On the front fold was an itinerary of stops carefully planned en route to Atlanta…because when I opened up the page to see all the stops, out fell two tickets to see The Braves take on the Nationals in what has become quite a heated sports rivalry! —it was a 15 inning game, y’all. It was a dream come true, because I can never get enough baseball! We even got to ring in my official birthday at The Ted- at the stroke of midnight all while a dense fog rolled in! It was perfect.

So we packed a quick bag, dropped off the pup and rode on adrenaline towards the A.

Here were the piddlin’ stops {in order headed toward Atlanta from Charleston}:

Monroe, Georgia
1. Cherry Hill at the Mill, 601 S.
Madison Ave.
2. Pickers Paradise Antique Mall, 147
Etten Dr.

Loganville, GA
3. My Sister’s Antiques, 285 Main
Street

Snellville, GA
4. Vintage Village, 2229 Scenic Hwy N

Best stop of them all? Read on!

First stop: Cherry Hill at The Mill

I just love this pretty little milk glass stand; it will be so perfect filled with a handful of candy corn in just a few short weeks! I’ve always wanted a milk glass piece with the loops around the edges where I can swap out a pretty ribbon for each season! {$7-}

Next, these adorable green enamel chairs stole my heart when they would not open up properly, or at all and so we had to leave them behind at just {$36/pair}!

Also found at Cherry Hill:
A perfectly vintage wire basket to use on my desk at work {pictured above}! What’s not to love?! {$12-}

And…this quaint little “tobacco farm sign” as it was labeled, with our anniversary day on it! This gem is double sided and boasts one side in very good condition as well as this wonderfully chippy side…best of both worlds when it comes to piddlin’ finds! Believe it or not it was also {$28-}!

Second stop: Pickers {not-so} Paradise
Unfortunately, this stop was a tad on the scarce side! So we scooted over to our third stop: My Sister’s Antiques

This store was precious and really more a mix of “new-tiques” as Ryan has so aptly named them, or as i say “faux-tiques”. The best part, were the couple booths up toward the front of the store that had a Country French feel, boasting lots of chicken wire, chalkboards and a barely rusted feeding trough that I was squealing over {for wrapping supplies storage- my latest organization project}…alas, it was too long to fit in any room of our house! Maybe next time!

Stop 4: Vintage Village -Now! It always works this way that our last stop turns out to be the very best and we are almost always running a little shy on time. Regardless we have now found a treasure trove that we will be returning to someday soon for more sweet nick-nacks; think McCoy planters, candlestick holders, aprons, organizers, silver plate and glass decor and more. This was a speed pick, but we managed to make out like bandits with a few items for decorating and organizing, however no glass spooners which I’d so love to find! Without further ado…the rest of the loot!
This fabulously shabby silver plate candelabra will be the *perfect* addition to our Halloween decor!! At just {$12-} I’m not even sure I’m going to try to clean it up and yes— I love Halloween that much!

Next up, were these perfect little pewter…egg holders{?} that I have seen many a time in magazines and on Pinterest as drawer or desk organizers! These will add such a cute touch to my “office” at home or at work! {$3 ea.}

Last and certainly not least was something I looked high and low for in each of our previous stops: a dainty milk glass vase! Isn’t she a beauty?! {$10-}

Unwrapping all these beauties after we got home was like opening birthday gifts all over again!

What a fun trip! One day soon I will make it to Scott’s again…that second weekend of the month just keeps filling up for some reason-but I definitely have some unfinished business there…

| Until next time, adieu!

Piddlin’ in the Press | Princess Goes Piddlin!

For those of you who know me well, you know how much I love and admire Kate Middleton for her classic style and kind, spunky spirit. It’s also pretty intriguing that she’s royalty…what’s not to love?!

So you can well imagine how excited I was to see this headline:

Read the whole article here

I tend to blame it on my time in journalism school, and you can call it what you will, but I had to do a little investigating and it appears she was piddlin’ at Youll’s Antiques! What a gem! I know at least one stop I’ll be making when I visit England someday!

Wonder what she was looking for…? The mind reels! Can’t wait to see what name The Cambridges decide upon for the name of the heir-apparent…due in a couple short weeks!

xo,

Piddlin’ Finds | Carolina Cane Chairs

These chairs really compliment our new to us antique table’s character + were found in Gibsonville, NC just NW of Greensboro where we spent the weekend taking in the ACC tournament- a huge tradition among basketball and all college athletics fans alike. It was fun getting a chance to spend time with Ryan’s dad leading up to his birthday too!

Here’s a close up look at the chairs when we found them in the antique mall…Ryan has gotten so good at finding these places that all I have to do is go along for the ride! See all of our recent trips on the “Past Piddlin’ Trip” page found up top!

and here’s one more of the beautifully unique table legs on this amazing find originally from the area near High Point, NC! The table belonged to a man who lives in Mt. Pleasant, who had inherited it from his mother, originally from that area in North Carolina! …we found it…..on Craigslist. Definitely a case of an antique finding us…just meant to be.

| keep piddlin’!

Piddlin’ Decor | A Piddlin’-Perfect Christmas

Decorating for Christmas is always fun, but it’s even sweeter with a few antiques in the mix!

I saw this precious idea in a couple of magazines and with a little convincing Ryan was able to figure out how to pull off placing our tree in this galvanized tub! We have loved it this year and probably will keep it as one of our newly established family traditions for years to come! *Bonus* It’s so easy to clean up those pesky pine needles from around the tub too without having the worry of accidentally catching the tree skirt in the vacuum! {I speak from experience} galvanized tub tree galvanized tub up close
This little guy stands a brilliant 2.5″ tall and came to us at Christmas last year as a gift from my mom, Dina. It is part antique-find, part inside-joke which makes it all the more special. While our dog Chipper has needed some time to get used to him {and this has resulted in quite a few life-threatening tail wags for dear “glowing-Santa”} he has been a wonderfully cheery and bright greeter throughout the holiday season to everyone as they enter the front door of our home!
glowing Santa
This is one of my favorite views of our home- the sled we decided would be so pretty perched just next to our tree and was gifted to Ryan from dear Aunt Frankie. The sled was hers as a girl and Ryan even got some use out of it while spending winters at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg,VA!! I wish I knew what it was like to ride a sled through snow and having this one in our home makes me smile thinking of all the snow it’s seen and all the snow I can only hope to see in my lifetime! It certainly makes it easier to dream about a white Christmas with it in our home! {and its always on hand in case we ever get a chance to use it again!} sled and lanterns
Although the lanterns you see here on our table are not true antiques they are two of our favorite wedding gifts; beautiful wooden lanterns with perfectly aged metal accents and glass windows; they make a really great centerpiece and can be used year round!

Now- these next lights are truly something special- they were some granny Mabel’s favorite Christmas lights that used to hang in her oak tree next to the driveway. I still remember going to Granny’s house with my dad, mom and brothers to help her decorate her house in early December once I got home from college for break. It’s easy to see why she loved them- they are just the right size to add a little something to any size yard and they twinkle brightly in the crisp, cold nights of December. I miss her so much and Christmas this year was so different without her this year, but it’s the smallest things like these snowflakes that warm my soul and remind me she’s watching over me and will always be with me! I can’t help but laugh when I think about her- she still seems so alive to me-almost 4 months after her passing. Merry Christmas, Granny!!

Here are two shots of some of Mom’s antiques used for Christmas decor! First, some FABULOUS vintage paper cutters {used to create “Santas workshop” and also used as fully functional wrapping paper cutters!} Too cute!!! I love these- they are so sturdy and equally as decorative as they are useful! Piddlin’ perfection right there! santas workshop paper cutters

Lastly, this pretty little vintage bar cloth looked so pretty outside on mom’s outdoor bar! I love the little touches she uses to make the smallest spaces festive! I must get that from her!

Below, check out the ‘tiques Santa brought us (piddlin’ surcies), the piddlin’ finds we gave to others and our “brown paper packages” for a little extra vintage throwback! Glad you stopped by, hope to see you again soon…

| keep piddlin’!

Piddlin’ Trips | Piddlers’ Speed-Pickin’ Surprise

This Thanksgiving my boys + I traveled to Southport for our second year eating turkey and oysters with the fam…so I made sure to bake a few of great grandmother Helens cutouts!
Another tradition around this time of year is piddlin’, both while meandering in downtown Southport, as well as on our way home!

First stop: Olde Church Antiques in Supply, NC just outside Shallotte! Sitting right on the highway, I had definitely been in once before on a little piddlin’ outing with a family friend, her daughter, and my mom while we were all vacationing at their beach house on Oak Island; we were fascinated by the number of vintage signs that lined the ceiling!

This trip was predetermined to be a speed pick and so it had to be quick, especially with the pup in tow. We did a blitz of the upstairs and ran downstairs “just to see”…not 3 minutes had we been spelunking this old, cold and wet basement, when Ryan {who seems to have become even better at eyeing the finds than myself lately} find a wonderful double wash-basin on casters that we plan to turn into a bar! All his idea! {What a catch!}
After spotting the red dot on the price tag, we knew we’d get a steal on the awesomely aged, two-tub basin and can’t wait to get it in commission so we can host friends when they come over during the holidays! {consider that your open invitation}

Now since then, we have seen an incredible streak of piddlin’ luck! Take a look at these other piddlin’ basics we’ve been lucky to find:
This perfect little red and white enamelware bucket, a perfect match with the other one we have to store cleaning products!! {Makes it super easy to tote around the house from room to room and it’s much cuter than any old plastic bucket for sure!}
I have been searching for what seems like months for a rake head just like this one!! Go figure, Ryan finds it- in the back of a pretty large antique store in downtown Georgetown {on Front St} -of all places! It will be great once we hang it on the wall for organizing necklaces and bracelets! What a fun contrast that’ll be!!

Now this was a GREAT find! I have only ever found ONE other paint by number which now hangs on our French-inspired bedroom wall pictured is a Paris street with a cafe, art peddler’s cart and a view of the Eiffel Tower! It was a ridiculous $5 at Metrolina in NC! This one is a beauty and sure to be among our wintery/Christmas decorations for years to come! $10 at the awesome ‘tiques store downtown Southport! Just feast your eyes!!!
Check out this egg basket! Currently sitting under our tree and filled with tree trimmings + makes a great organizer for just about anything! For now it makes a great decoration!

This next beauty stole my heart while we were piddlin around the antique shops in downtown Southport! It was just recently featured in Country Living this past Fall as they showcased a bunch of collegiate memorabilia…I have a feeling it’s owner knew this, as the price reflected its newfound limelight; so it stayed in Southport and I left daydreaming about all the uses for it at our tailgates to come-napkins, utensils, cookies. Ryan and I both decided it would have been worth it had any “good” schools (i.e. ours) been included…hahah maybe next time!

Lastly, I have to share this fun locker rack that we found while poking around the cutest little coffee shop!
Unfortunately the locker was in use and unavailable for purchase, but we still enjoyed some delicious chai lattes at the quaint coffee/antique shop!
…and found Josh Duhamel’s scribble on the wall from his recent time spent in Southport filming Safe Haven!
I love our Thanksgivings in Southport- always so full of fun and excitement! Christmas in Ryan’s hometown of Elizabeth City is always fun too- I love spending time in the town where he grew up and spending more time getting to know all of his family better!

Next up: take a peek at how we do Christmas decor with antique flair!

Lots of Christmas joy and love to you and yours,

| keep piddlin’