Piddlin’ Decor – Page 3

Piddlin’ Decor | It’s Gameday

Cheers to you, College Football fan!!

Today is the day we kickoff another season on the gridiron, between the hedges, in the grove or in some other hallowed arena. Tonight + all through the weekend (unless of course your team has already kicked off in some far corner of the world), we’ll be cheering, crowing, gloating + perhaps groaning at our teams that represent those assembled + gone before “in the glory days”.

In honor of all those years we spent studying at our alma mater with our fellow co-eds + walking campus alongside the seemingly super-human student athletes, we will watch in hope + we will cheer to see if that “University of”, “State” or “Tech” College will mystify us with an elusive undefeated season + if not, we’ll keep watching in order to hedge our bets on how our odds fare against that big bad rival sitting at the bottom of our schedules.

The magic + nostalgia of each of those worlds we lived in once upon a time, however brief or long the chapters ran in our lives, give us a special feeling about this day. It feels like Christmas with the shiny new helmets + a sparkling clean record to preserve.

No matter how you choose to celebrate today, this weekend + the months ahead, we cannot ignore the time-honored traditions that make the cheering-good, bad + otherwise- a little more bearable. I hope to share a few of these with you through the college football season.

I found this impossibly cute Carolina bobble head in the most unlikely of all places-my brother’s small college town of Newberry, South Carolina. It remains one of my favorite piddlin’ finds of all time + I will relish the day that I finally have a proper place for him to look over us on Gamedays spent in our sports room! As for the signed football- it’s not an antique quite yet, but as of this season, it is well on its way!

May the best team win…stay tuned for more fun piddlin’ finds to use at your next tailgate!
| keep piddlin’

Piddlin’ Trips | Functional Finds from The Queen City + Beyond

‘pressed on the road, at nap time + a polished off after supper
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One October past, I took an impromptu solo road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to peruse some of my favorite piles of junk at Metrolina’s Antique Extravaganza! Oftentimes, my love of discovering old things sends me off in new directions exploring unfamiliar or less frequented territory; this is key to finding the gems that keep me coming back for more.

The slightly foggy morning set the tone for this piddlin’ trip!

Is there anything better than fresh kettle korn from out of the copper pot?

It was fun flying solo on a crisp fall morning to one of my first out of town stomping grounds, but there truly were not many finds to be had.

Little did I know, this trip would break the mold!

It seems to me, that as decorating with old things has grown in popularity, the prices continue to rise at the more frequented stops + the search for a bargain find has become more + more competitive. I did manage to find a couple of very useful treasures, as luck would have it –behold the jackpot items below!

[>] This green hardware trough {pictured above} has found the perfect spot in our home in a number of ways, most recently as my cutout cookie co. packaging supplies organizer for the past year and a half + prior to that, it effectively + beautifully corralled the cache at my surcie-wrapping station {two of my other hobbies: baking + packaging//presentation}.

After our upcoming move at the end of the year, it will most likely find a new life as the perfect gardener’s assistant atop a potting bench, or even help sort my handy husband’s tools on his workbench…stay tuned for more on all that!!

[>] The second find of the day was a perfectly-sized box for our dog bowls! It was purchased with a specific idea in mind- i.e. cutting bowl sized holes into the top of the overturned box to place the bowls inside the top slats {or bottom depending how you look} so they sit flush with the flat side of the container. This saves our sweet {aging} pup from having too much pressure on his back/joints while eating + drinking while keeping up with the vintage feel of our home–all in all, it’s a big win!

For now, we are using the bowls on top of the box because we wanted to make sure our boy would not have any qualms with the new set up– and sure enough, he loves it!

I am not sure that I want to cut into such a great box just yet…I love the aged look of the wood + can hardly stand to even think of repurposing such a great old container in such a permanent way; there are SO many great uses for a box of this size! Either way, we love this addition to our family room + it’s safe to say the pup does too.

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The Depot at Gibson Mill was my second stop + replaced my usual haunt on this trip, The Sleepy Poet. Since my first piddlin’ trip to Charlotte some years ago I had seen The Depot advertised all over, yet had never had the chance to make the trip to Concord, a bit outside of The Queen City limits.

When I pulled up to Gibson Mill, my senses were on overload; from the country drive into town + the train that speeds by adjacent to the parking lot, to the sight of the monstrosity that is the mill housing The Depot–how would I ever get through this entire place without my trusty sidekick pickin’ beau?! The initial daunting feelings quickly evaporated when I came upon the most amazing item I had seen in some while…

[>] A perpetual calendar was waiting for me in the fifth booth down, on the first aisle I chose. I could hardly believe my piddlin’ eyes as the rush of disbelief + excitement came over me just laying eyes on this item. I held my breath as I picked up the calendar to see what the price would be: $21?! Another item scratched off the antique wish list, unreal. I was one aisle + five booths in and already began thinking– Gibson Mills FTW!

[>] Speaking of wins…not many paces away down the same aisle, was this classic college pennant tin trash can which I had recently seen featured in Country Living…what luck!! I cannot wait to see this in our finished sports room–another project that is currently many years in the works, thanks to our collecting-albeit discriminating- habit. Check out the matching lunch pail we found a few years back, while spending Thanksgiving on the coast of North Carolina…

What a great trip it was to Charlotte–just writing about it makes me eager to head back! Who’s up for a Fall piddlin’ trip?!

There is simply nothing better than piddlin’ in Autumn. Oh, I cannot wait for the cooler months to grace us with their presence: crisp air, crunchy leaves, football, pumpkin spice everything + piddlin’– bring it on.

| keep piddlin’!

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This post is published in homage to Metrolina: one of the first antique “shows” I ever attended as well as the first place I successfully bargained with a vendor. June 2 was the last show and I am elated for the future it opens up for finding new haunts at better prices! Memories made there will not be soon forgotten.

Piddlin’ Decor | Polished Powder Room

When a collection of vintage framed photographs + artwork 5 years in the making finds a new purpose in a tiny wash closet, the result is a polished powder room! See how a few piddlin’ finds came together below:

This project has been years in the making- no exaggeration. The wheels have been spinning on this room since I moved into the townhouse my architect beau acquired + fixed up prior to our meeting. Upon my arrival on the scene, he had taken off at least one layer of wallpaper + turned this wash closet into a functional + modern powder room with dark slate tiles, wainscoting, a small vanity sink, a n d…butter yellow paint.

The blah yellow had left me feeling washed out for the last time- it had to go.

About the time I found myself daydreaming about the fun, punchy, patterned wallpapers that were sure to be the quick fix I was looking for, I was convinced otherwise by my architect husband that wallpaper–i.e. the same stuff he had so painstakingly removed from almost every wall in our home once already– would certainly not be the way to go + so I was tasked to pick a paint color.

F i f t e e n…paint chips + a few weeks later, with the help of my alarmingly astute toddler “we” picked Urbane Bronze from Sherwin Williams + I could not be happier with how it turned out! It’s bold, earthy + warm without bringing too much purple or blue + has a hint of olive that reminds me very much of the pluff mud of my coastal upbringing.

The extras: I LOVE how the antique ladder-turned-towel rack, the preserved mini boxwood wreath that adorns it, the repurposed sterling creamer {pretty polished or tarnished} + the paint color chosen, all work together to compliment the salon style art on the walls {featuring a mixed motif of coastal inspired art + vintage group photos} As a result, this is currently + perhaps rather oddly, my favorite room in our home.

| More exciting piddlin’ adventures to come…

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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 | For Auld Lang Syne

Photo Dec 31, 9 30 57 PM

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!

Photo Dec 31, 11 11 31 PM

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!

Photo Jan 01, 7 09 42 PM

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’ 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 + Finds | Long Time, No Write!

Well hey there, stranger! Long time, no see-

I have been quite a busy piddler lately! Since March I have been…to

5 weddings
3 bachelorette parties- not including my own,
shopped for 4 bridesmaids dresses- for myself and for my own fair ‘maids,
then attended 3 engagement parties
5 wedding showers
opened countless packages and cards filled with wonderfully thoughtful words and gifts
attended a delicious food tasting at Newton Farms
had fun at Charleston Fashion Week with the cutest neighbor who is also Charleston’s favorite Lilly Pullitzer store manager
house sat at my favorite antique mansion
acquired my first passport
created a wedding registry at 3 of my favorite stores
took a ferry trip up the beautiful coast of North Carolina, also known as The Outerbanks (that’s OBX for all you tourists)
ate the best teriyaki ahi tuna sandwich of my life at an undisclosed location en route
and met lots of Ryan’s friends and family

…all while making plans for our own special day (coming soon to a church near you). Through all this, we have been renovating what will soon be “our” kitchen and I have managed to hold onto at least 25% of my sanity at all times.

Now you can see how there has been little to no time for piddlin’ nor even so much as a sentence-length update to the piddlin’ press and I have really been having withdrawals- All work and no ‘tiquin’ (that is…antiquing or piddlin’) makes MC a dull girl! I mean look, for 3 years now, I have been able to post some type of preview, image or update almost every month and for the very first time I have gone some 5 months without so much as a peep! So last weekend, when we knew a trip to IKEA was in store, we took the opportunity and ran with it!

Ryan and I started renovating the kitchen back in March and it has been such an adventure! I was on a friend’s bachelorette weekend in Florida when the first of the revamps took place and I was genuinely upset about not being able to help with that first round of demolition—which everyone knows is THE best part of renos! Ok well, let’s face it, I do love to paint and pick colors, tiles and the like, but I digress. Each phase of the process my handy architect sits me down and walks me through the step by step process at hand and we discuss back and forth a bit about how it ~~will~~ should go. It was during the most recent chat we decided to replace the old (circa 1970-something) counter-tops, with beautiful beech butcher block counters! Now, my fiance, being the crafty/resourceful man that he is not only found out that IKEA sold butcher block, but also had planned in a side trip to one of our happy haunts: Sleepy Poet! We, correction, I have had my heart set on a very specific screen-door style. While this type of door is available new, Ryan and I have a love of all things worn-in over the brand new, so we set out on a hunt for just that- our new/old screen door.

While this trip may not have produced any screen-door finds, we did manage to rustle up a few great picks. You mind, now- I have already picked out the perfect paint for said door, hahah…I just haven’t quite gotten my hands on that particular object for painting it as of yet! (mercy)

So, in the meantime, check out the fun finds below that we snagged on this (much needed) trip and look for more updates on home improvement with Team R+C. (total nerds, yes)

[>] This is a piece I have been wanting for some time now! …it’s an old ceiling tin square that used to make up the ceilings of just about every restaurant for a time. The tin is magnetic and can be used as a magnet board for photos, mementos and notes! I can’t wait to hang this on a wall in my finished kitchen or even upstairs in the hallway!

[>] These awesome gas station numbers (below) were discovered by Ryan at Sleepy Poet! So in love with these- once we hang them we’ll have no trouble remembering our anniversary! ;)

[>] Next, you’ll see more gas station lettering here with our two favorite initials that also make up the name of one of our favorite collectible items: RC Cola! Ryan grew up drinking RC on Saturday mornings which he spent working on tractors with his granddaddy at his Case International tractor shop!

When Ryan and I were first dating, I bought him an antique iron bracket that I knew he would appreciate as a repurposed door stop with him being an architect. This was after he had once told me, “you’re more than welcome to fill up my house with antiques!” I took him completely seriously and the piddlin’ habit grew. The second antique I ever gave Ryan, was one that I found at Metrolina in Charlotte- it was a wooden RC Cola crate. Prior to gifting it to him, I filled it with RC Cola cans, knowing he was sure to love it! It was later on that we realized the letters in the drinks’ name were also our initials.

[>] These fabulously-French inspired dishtowels are tres-chic and tres-handy! We found these gems at IKEA of all places…can you say .79 a pop? The antique version goes for MUCH much more!

[>] Now, the next couple photos are finds that we picked up at Riverside Antique Barn in Wallace, NC on our way home from the wedding shower thrown in our honor! It was Memorial Day weekend, but we had no idea they were open and had even looked up their hours online, once in the car. Ryan decided to drive me by it so I could see what a killer warehouse it really was (he had been once before). It was just our luck that they were open on the occasion and here is what we found!

[>] Some fabulous antique clothespins…

[>] These 2 precious red + white enamel refrigerator tins (that’s pre-tupperware, ladies and gents)!

[>] and lastly, these Dr. Pepper bottle caps which will be magnets by the end of this week! Love the 10 -2 and 4 on these especially!

That is it for now, thanks for checkin in and catchin up! Don’t forget to let me know of any items you’re looking for as I am always happy to pick up a sursie or two for anyone! (Meredith, still looking for your ladder!) Hope to have more again soon to share. ‘Till then-

| peace, love + antiques for all

Summer Celebrations

First of all! Happy Independence Day Weekend! Look at what I found to help celebrate!…

of course, a good find must always have a story so here’s how we found it!

…But first, I must add that Chipper was very helpful in taking this picture! He too was very excited about the patriotic star, and asked to be included in this post!

A dear neighbor of Ryan’s is every bit of southern belle, and what southern belle does not LOVE her antiques!? Erin, who is getting married in another 2 months time asked if we could make a sunday stop by my favorite piddlin’ haunts: Antiques Market! Luckily, they are open on Sundays (one of the many reasons why I LOVE the place).

I don’t have to be asked twice to go seekin’ a good antique find, so you know I was ready with bells on when it finally came time to go! And we had SUCH luck, which made the trip even more enjoyable. I found this lovely antique-blue tin star and with Erin’s help, I realized, I could NOT live without it! It was just the right price at $24- so it obviously came home with me!

Erin also had great luck and a GREAT eye for fabulous little sursies left and right. The first pick was a set of beautifully hemstitched linen handkerchiefs with gorgeous detail. She has her eye on them as a gift to her dear father for her wedding day! So thoughtful and beautifully southern-indeed! It will be an heirloom for years to come!

While wandering the aisles of the closest thing to antique-Mecca this side of The Cooper, there were many things to ooh and ahh at! I warned her when we walked in the door that it was very possible for me to spend the better part of the afternoon wandering, so it was a quick trip…which really is sometimes best! Because you only go for the things that really snag your eye, and make an impression on you. Some of my best finds have been on the road in an allotted time set per store! (see the post from last August!)

Also found today: 2 potential chairs for Erin’s living room—well, she is waiting in hopes they will break up the pair one day so she can go back for it…if anyone is looking for a chair like this one please contact me so y’all can go half-sies! Total price is listed as $550 for the pair, so…$275 per chair? Remember email me if interested! pigginpiddler@gmail :

Precious Erin also had a keen eye to find this sign on the floor of one of the booths with some local, Lowcountry flair:

and of course! What’s a perfect “pick” without an after shot! This sign just puts a finishing touch on Erin’s nautical red bathroom wall! I just LOVE it.

Last but not least: another finishing touch in the final countdown run to the BIG DAY! A basket for her flower girl, little princess Izzy! Erin literally said, “please help me find a basket for my flower girl to carry!” I walked around the corner and voila! the basket had been there for months, and I just happened to find it once more to give it THE perfect home. It’s quite beautiful, don’t you think?

This treasure really resembles a traditional Shaker basket, with the over-under style weave and the top border twisted ’round and ’round. What do you think? I know the basket I bought for my bicycle is similar and it wasn’t found at as good of a price as this one! See here for more details on the different types of woven baskets found around the country.

I love the sandollars! Erin and Erik are getting married next to the water in September so what a pretty touch to place sandollars inside the basket until the wedding! Ryan and I wish them all the happiness in the world! I personally cannot WAIT to see pictures from the special day!

Finally, if you haven’t had enough red + white + blue yet, then here is just a little more to help with the festivities!

AND! How ’bout those GAMECOCKS?! It’s a good (TWO years) to be a Gamecock Alumni!

Happy Fourth of July and Happy Birthday to America!!

Here’s to fireworks, suntans, watermelon and another 235 years as a beautiful, strong, independent country!

Miss Southern Priss: The story of Jocelynn

SO- I owe you an explanation on what I’ve been up to. First, may I just shamelessly say how lucky I am to have such a wonderful, caring, kind-hearted and selfless beau! (the rest of this sentence should read: ….that will drive me down to BRUNSWICK, GA even though when I fell in love with this revamped piece of furniture I thought we’d be retrieving it on our way home from North Carolin’) …YEA.

so long story short. sorority sister (the wonderfully amazing, bkick) introduced me to Southern Priss, prepare to be wowed by her page on facebook; then I get stuck in some traffic one random day after work, am browsing the latest and greatest on Southern Priss’ facebook page; before you know it, I’ve become the first one to comment “SOLD” and the piece is mine…just in time to find out that my lovely and also kind sorority sister had *just* commented her absolute love for “jocelynn” as she was so named; well after the back and forth vigorus texting with britt, we decide that I could have it, ’cause anyone could have bought it in the time that she had to wait on her hubby to give the go ahead and well- HERE she is in her new home/my new fabulously comfy living room. (she is the answer to my prayers!) the living room was more like a storage space before her and jocelynn added this pop of color and bam: instant living room….well I guess the few antique finds do help out a bit…;) tell me what you think!! Britt- I OWE YOU ONE!!!

| keep piddlin’

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Summer Piddlin’

So it’s been awhile since the last post, & we have some catchin up to do! -check out the fun piddles i’ve come across over the last three months:

…these fabulous finds have been rustled up and found a new purpose from all over including Mount Pleasant, Inman, Hendersonville & Asheville, NC, the most recent piddlin trips to the last three spots were part of the surprise trip that my beau took me on in early celebration of my 24th birthday.

We spent a nice relaxing LONG weekend in Asheville, exploring each block sidewalk by sidewalk, store window by store window, corner by corner. It was quiet & peaceful and so nice to have a little live folksy local music when least expected.

The trip included a full tour of The Biltmore Estate, gardens, grounds, and winery. SO BEAUTIFUL!!! It was everything I imagined it would be and so much more!

Asheville2010 - 485 — sweet potato pancake topped with whipped peach butter and lightly fried pecans & powdered sugar! ooh & how could I forget the creamy grits with pimento cheese(me) & cheddar(ryan)?

Highlight of the trip, hands down, breakfast @ Tupelo Honey, downtown Asheville. I can honestly say, nothing will compete with this breakfast for some time: feast your eyes y’all!!