Piddlin’ Finds – Page 2

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 | Diamonds in The Rough

We made the trip a couple weeks back to a small town outside Atlanta to one of my most favorite piddlin’ haunts of all time, Vintage Village + had quite the time with my piddlin’ partner. See more about the first time we visited Snellville, Georgia!

Take a peek at the fun stuff -“goodness” as they call it at V.V.- that we soaked up for what seemed like hours. It still seems like a tie between who loves treasure hunting more-my little sweet pea or myself!

Jump to the bottom to see our finds…

I consider this trip one of the best as of late + thereby, its finds as “diamonds in the rough”, because this shop has such a lovely ambiance about it. It is easy to see the level of care + attention to detail put into each booth’s display.

The vendors who sell here love their antiques + the thrill of the hunt as much as I do! It truly makes a difference + you typically can tell the moment you walk in a place to do a little piddlin’ whether or not that is the case. All the items for sale here are so unique, while also being reasonably + fairly priced–I’m crazy to be sharing some of my favorite secrets!!

Here’s a few things we couldn’t head home without…

[>] These folding wooden chairs have been on my wish list for sometime-after seeing a similar pair painted with team colors + logos on Pinterest some years back; there’s a project in my future + I could not be more excited! Yes-they are purple for now, but their construction is sturdy and they are beautifully made. These are going to be great at our tailgates or just at home in our sports room! …stay tuned.

[>] This vintage wood frame was no question, especially when it was my piddlin’ partner who saw it and picked it up. The detail on it is not seen all that often on frames and the lovely paint job brings out the craftsmanship. Obviously I am not too concerned with how it’s been put together because it is still rough around the edges; that adds to the charm of this darling frame + is sure to add a little something to my big girl’s room!

[>] Lastly, these beautiful blue tins…swoonworthy!! I have been on the lookout for an assortment of tin containers like these to one day have a beautifully curated collection to hold all of our art supplies + the occasional wild flower clippings.

These are especially stunning with a posy of flowers, in particular, zinnias ! I chose to only take home the two that still had a nice rounded opening + will continue the hunt for more beautifully designed vintage tin containers to keep the collection growing…let me know if you come across any?

I’ll leave you with a little something to daydream on…

| 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’ Finds | Art Deco Earrings

A few birthdays back {I have officially stopped counting}, my thoughtful fiancé, took me on a birthday piddlin’ trip through the Atlanta area.

At the time, I had been sucked into- embarrassingly enough- a show on the CW called The Vampire Diaries which films in + around a small town outside of Atlanta; Covington, GA. If it sounds familiar, it is also where the pilot episode of late 70s-early 80s tv favorite, Dukes of Hazard (1979-1985) was filmed. While I have many fond memories of this particular road trip with my beau, among the highlights are these spectacular “ear bobs”, as my Granny Mabel used to call them.

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One month from our wedding, I was still dreaming of wearing a fabulous pair of heirloom-worthy earrings, though I had nothing particular beyond that in mind nor any clue how or where they could be found.

When I saw these Art Deco sparklers in a case at one of the antique shops in Covington, it was fate. I asked to see them, only so I could better read their tag. While I prepared to be heartbroken at what I assumed would certainly be a three digit price, I found the pair were surprisingly affordable {$23!!}. Although they were clip-on + lacking the original clip padding, I decided these were meant to be + simply could not be left behind.
I wore them to our wedding reception the following month + they were just the finishing touch to my attire that night to make me feel the part!

Never did I dream that all those clip-on earrings I played dress up with in my childhood were preparing me for this occasion.

I toyed with the idea of wearing them on several occasions since then, but it never felt right–until one night recently at The Met Opera at The Lincoln Center in NYC. The event was a unique opportunity to see some of the finest ballet dancers in our country on stage with American Ballet Theater dancing in Alexei Ratmansky’s Sleeping Beauty.
For the occasion, I knew my ensemble had to be feminine + flawless, as this would be the ultimate night at the ballet for me to date-truly an evening I have only ever dreamed of! When taking in a ballet, I prefer to dress the part + wear a ballet inspired outfit; I chose a pastel pink, pleated midi skirt + paired it with a favorite white lace tank, black velvet ankle strap sandals + a leopard print clutch.

As I took in the sights of this grand venue, from the gold railings to the crushed red velvet drapes, wall coverings + seats, I was awestruck by the glamorous Art Deco sconces all aglow + the twinkling “Sputnik” chandeliers reminiscent of another time while at once demanding all the attention of an art exhibit inside the atrium as well as inside the theater. It was uncanny the way my fun costume jewelry fit right in with the grand ambiance of this extraordinary evening!

This sentimental piddlin’ find was the finishing touch on the perfect outfit for an unforgettable outing on cloud nine…for the second time!

I also brought along my vintage mother of pearl theater glasses, making the experience completely magical.

See more of the enchanting details of our night at the ballet + the opera glasses here.

|keep piddlin’

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 | 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

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’ 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’!

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Oh Piddlin-Trips!

Charlotte, NC / Columbia, SC

One month ago, while piddlin’ I came to the conclusion that I had seen all the antique shops in town (and surrounding area) and decided it was time for another trip to Metrolina. After quickly checkin out their schedule for upcoming “extravaganzas” I called our dear friend, neighbor as well as my own personal antique collecting muse, Jessie.

[piddlin’] is about having an eye for certain items that you may or may not be in need of and having an intutive sense of what these items can be used for.

A little background: Jess is a sun-kissed yankee transplant, a vivacious + passionate mother of two all-american kids that do it all. Being originally from Upstate NY, Jessie was always exposed to some fine + primitive antiques + her love of such started at home- with her mom. I don’t know how she does it, but mygoodness this lady can piddle with the best-of-em. She even takes along her special piddlin’ bag for the occasion, loaded with her favorite piddlin’ snack: almonds + dried cranberries…yum! One of the many things I have learned from Jess is that piddlin’ is not only about finding a diamond in the rough piece, its about having an eye for certain items that you may or may not be in need of + having an intutive sense of what these items can be used for.

I’ve picked up quite a few great items lately, so this update will likely need to be spread over the course of a couple entries (so check back soon)…

Suffice it to say- the antique show at Metrolina in Charlotte was a great time , although not nearly as hustlin + bustlin as the usual show in Fall.

Here are a few items found last weekend:

RCola — …another coke crate for my RC Cola lovin beau! I recently found out that RC stands for Royal Crown, it being based in the Queen City- Charlotte, NC! I also love that these are his + my initials.

"Little Queen" — …another coke crate for my RC Cola lovin beau! I recently found out that RC stands for Royal Crown, it being based in the Queen City- Charlotte, NC! I also love that these are his + my initials.

crock 1 — …another coke crate for my RC Cola lovin beau! I recently found out that RC stands for Royal Crown, it being based in the Queen City- Charlotte, NC! I also love that these are his + my initials.

I did find a few other items however they are being stowed away for a special occasion {shhhh… don’t tell Ryan}

| to be continued

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Well there’s more where that came from! How about these fabulous chippy shutters with that black on blue patina?! Found these in the little fox den of an antique shop nestled right over the Gervais St Bridge in Columbia, SC…who knew!!?

I had lots of fun picking out these fun vintage bottlecaps out of one serious collection @ Metrolina, now, they’re magnets for the fridge at the townhouse!

I snagged this beautifully aged nautical flag for $12 also at Metrolina…it represents the letter “X” or can be interpreted alone as ” Stop with your intentions” as a means of boat to boat communication. SO. COOL. and such a great find!

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The ultimate find of this particular weekend must remain a secret, but will be revealed after the 2nd weekend in May when I present it to Ryan for his birthday! I think he’ll really like it…

…what will it be!!?

| check back soon!

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