beach treasures

Did a little exploring & thrifting at the beach pre hurricane Irene... Found lots of goodies, some unusual ones too. I'll explain.

For 2 weeks I've been mesmerized by ANTLERS! 

The New Woodsman sells these (and other color combos) for $66 on Etsy.

Don't worry, they're "guilt-free-vegan," but sooo expensive.

Found this guy (don't worry, it's a mold too) thrifting for $10!

Now to paint you white. future post...

A seashell cluster! And barnacles!

Found on an island in NC by yours truly.

Fans for $1! Might paint these white too...

Oh how we love phones from the past, and it was under $15!

More Doilies (under $1!) 

More decorative stones... hehe

Last but not least.

A sweet piece of milk glass ($2.) Now to fill you with posies!

2 is better than

This is where our bathroom towel bar use to hang... Not exactly functional. 

1. patch the hole.

2. find studs (umm measure twice.)

3. drill

4. mount 

5. hang another one! 1 bar for 2 people wasn't cutting it!

6. repeat steps 1 through 4 ;) 

+ 

paint touch ups...

2 is definitely better than 1. 

 (did i really document this? oh well, progress is progress.)

rock-stars

I have been admiring Renee Albright's work for a while. She is full of beautiful & creative ideas! Check out some of her stones...

My stone. Made by Me.

 stones we've collected from our creek...

You can do it too! I dare you.

all you need to do is sew the cloth doily together on the underside- so easy!

try Etsy or local thrift shops for doilies- so cheap!

climb this

This photo is of our baby Clematis plant- it vines up mailboxes, lamp posts, etc., and blooms sweet, purple flowers. I've heard it takes a full year to root and get settled, but then it will shoot up our lamp post and bloom all Summer- well that's the plan for next year...
This little plant inspired me to finally get a ladder rest. I figured our Clematis would need a destination (goal) to reach, soo obviously this ladder rest is a crucial element ;)

Found it on Amazon for under $10

BEFORE

But I couldn't stand the gold balls...

AFTER

2 coats of black, leftover paint (from when I painted the lamp post this Spring,) and 

Tadaaaaa. Grow little vine, grow. We'll keep you "posted" on it's progress... hah.

Click here to see more of Robin's garden

I'm hoping to post a pic similar to this one next year... 

That's the goal!

triple score

Michael took a trip to Narnia (aka a really old closet) and returned with some cool retro finds!

smith corona typewriter. you will once again be loved.

we spent the afternoon listening to voicemail tapes from 1989. 

oh, and of course some ancient Prairie Home Companion tapes.

maybe it's time to get that land line back in service? um no.

I've got you on my mind

Stopped in HomeGoods the other day and found this adorable duo. I wish I had a place for you.

And when you open this desk/secretary piece...

You'll find this painted on the inside. Love it.

Buffalo Bliss

What I lack in words, I make up for in pictures... Prepare yourselves, this is a long one.

A Wedding Weekend

1st Buffalo Sighting (Buffalo, NY that is)

6 Hours PRIOR to the 1st Buffalo Sighting...

We'd eaten 1/4 of Mike's homemade trail mix

&

we're driving through the mountains...

At last, The Elmwood Village Inn (aka Honu House)

Very charming & eclectic, and we're located right on the main strip!

Wait for it... 

I go bananas for these!!

1st Level

Our Room, the Master Suite 

(sounds like we splurged, but it was actually cheaper than all the hotels nearby!)

Is that a big...

 Tub!

Love all the vintage hardware.

A unique bathroom- reminded me of a yacht.

Love the blue ceiling.

Kitchenette Area on the 2nd level.

Maybe I'll have a peek...

Another charming room...

Another huge tub!

The patio

Around the Neighborhood...

Duckies

For Mike.

IT'S LARYSSA & JOE'S WEDDING DAY!

Mom & Skip

The Faber's

The Beautiful Bride!

DMD Photography

 RECEPTION VENUE:  RICH'S ATRIUM

Everyone's having a good good time.

 a sea of blue bridesmaids :)

old friends + proud Mother of the Bride!

Sister of the Bride testing the ice luge, yep Steph's ready to party! 

And party we did...

After some much needed zzzzzs and a hearty brunch we made our way to...

 Niagara Falls

Back to Elmwood Village

 Look who we met on our stroll to dinner...

Meet "IT's OK"

We dined at the Blue Monk- Fabulous Belgium Beer, Food, and Service.

I had the duck confit reuben- to die for!

The Park

I dream of this...

 Oh, hello! 

funky furniture...

Coffee shop, and time to hit the road back to VA.

Goodbye Buffalo.

On the road again (the scenic route- always.)