love affair

with slips:

 

photo

Satin and lace slips are one of the things I love most about being a girl. This summer as I wear skirts and dresses every other day I am always wearing a fun slip underneath! It makes me feel so feminine.  I also can't stand underwear lines and think it's much more fun to see a hint of lace peeking from underneath a dress or skirt. As I've scoured the internet for sweet silky things I am finding a lot of vintage gems mostly on Etsy (although Anthropologie and Victoria's Secret have some great ones too). I particularly loved this cherry red petticoat and this 50's silk beauty. Ladies, do you enjoy slips as much as I do?

The Preservation Station

A part of me wants to keep this gem secret and all to myself. But it is just TOO good not to share! The Preservation Station here in Nashville is full to the brim with antique hardware, windows, doors, and other delightful treasures. If you are drawn to shabby chic decor then you will love this place. I couldn't believe all the beautiful and old pieces I was coming across.

Real deal antique door knobs...as in, not made to look antique!

Beautiful old doors and enchanting iron pieces

That window stole my heart/Two walls covered in antique door plates=new collection!

I'm super excited about my newest collection, antique door knob and key plates. These beauties are so unique. Some are really intricate while others are more plain. I loved how each one was different with chipped paint and other aging signs. An employee was telling me the names of some of the designs and that some of the plates date back to the early 1900's! That's one thing I really appreciated about my experience there was how knowledgeable the staff was! They're really into antiques! I bought my first plate and plan keep adding to my collection on a regular basis.



Discovered via 365 Nashville

Community Care Project

Happy May friends!

I'm excited to talk about a little project I've started called Community Care. Just recently I've discovered that a lot of my overall purchases are made at big box stores. Thinking about it, this isn't how I want to spend my hard earned money at all.

So my dears, this May and continuing through the summer I'm challenging myself [and you too kind of] to spread my money around and produce growth in smaller, locally owned businesses around Nashville and other places I visit. I realize it would have made more sense to start this last month in April which is Earth month but honestly, I hadn't thought about it.

Today, husband brought home bagels from our favorite local bagel shop, Star Bagel. We've had lunch at local 50's diner joint and plan to buy dog treats at a local holistic pet shop. Honestly, we already regularly enjoy and frequent local, independent stores but I'd just like to ex out commercial chains completely. For the next few months I'll talk about the project here and the challenges I come across. I'll also highlight the awesome things too :)

Favorite Finds: Chicago

Just a few of my favorite places and things from our stay in Chicago...

Quimy's Bookstore-- A quirky little bookstore full of local artist zines and interesting books. I found this little flip book that totally looks like something I'd want to make in pursuit of becoming acquainted with a new home city. Aaron was excited about his purchase of some "mystery grab-bags" of random comic books and periodicals.

Wormhole Coffee-- Ok, I'll just be straightforward and tell you that you NEED to visit this coffee shop. It's full of 80's movie memoribillia complete with a DeLorean in one of the corners. The Yelp reviews warn of swarming hipsters but I have to say, out of the several coffee shops we visited, this was the best damn vanilla latte I've ever had!

The Chicago Cultural Center: "Finding Vivian Maier"-- I was pretty adamant about seeing this show after all the hype it's been getting. As I've said before, Vivian Maier's photos are without a doubt stunning. In person they were even better. Here's Aaron looking at one of my favorite prints.

Una Mae's--Stopped in this boutique due to a friend's recommendation. The clothes were lovely and so springy and just a tad out of my price range but still lovely to dream about. I found this beautiful locally made handbag. The inside was lined with deep purple suede. I really really wish I had written down the etsy seller's name so I could give credit and also look at the shop!

Renegade Handmade--This shop was on my must visit list and oh my I was in Heaven right when I walked in. Every single item-handmade with love. I saw so many prints, screen printed tea cloths, candles and an Ira Glass finger puppet too! Even though it was hard to narrow down my selection, I left with some YessJess knitted ear warmers and Aaron picked out a felted pin to put on his camera strap.

Other places we loved: Lula Cafe, Piece, Veerasway, Vintage Underground

Threadfest 2011!

Attention Nashville Crafters!

Threadfest is going on this weekend and you really need to be there!

Imagine a place where you can buy all kinds of sewing supplies, knitting supplies, patterns, beads, buttons, embroidery thread and hoops, and crafting books at yard sale prices! Yes, this dream can come true at Threadfest in Nashville! I literally just found out about it this past Wednesday through Ms. Cheap.

What it really is: An event held twice a year (spring and fall) that is hosted by the lovely ladies at the Knowles Fifty Forward Center. 

It is open to the public TODAY [Friday, March 25, 8-2pm] and TOMORROW [Saturday, March 26, 8-12pm]. For $10 I was able to attend the pre-sale last night. [note* apparently you want to attend the pre-sale. The ladies at the register were saying Friday and Saturday are usually a zoo]

All the money goes directly back to the center to provide activities for the senior citizens.

I had so much fun can you tell? I think I was the youngest one there but those ladies were awesome...especially the two little ol' ladies that cut some fabric for me! They were a hoot! There was also a little table with snacks and drinks [including wine!]. 

Awesome deals included: 10 patterns for $1, embroidery hoops for $.50-1, fabric anywhere from $1-5/yd., baggies of notions for $.50, yarn and knitting needles, all kinds of books for $1, fill up a bag of fabric scraps for $1, 4 embroidery flosses for $1, 5 spools of ribbon for $1. 

Go and be prepared to look through tables and tables of fabric, bags and bags of little notions, boxes and boxes of patterns, and several little inflatable swimming pools of fabric scraps. Also bring lots of money and your re-usable bags too!

Michigan

After driving 10ish hours, getting to Grand Rapids was pretty exciting. Seeing my family was even better! I got to spend some much needed catch up time with my parents and sibs as well as see what GR had to offer.
Aaron and I took my little sister to Madcap coffee-an awesome local coffee shop that knows what they're doing. If you are in downtown Grand Rapids don't miss this place.

[oops! finger shot!]

For breakfast stop by Wealthy Street Bakery. It was the place to be that morning with even some firefighters stopping in for coffee and danishes. They make everything in house which includes breads and baguettes, pastries, and other yummies to go along with Intelligentsia coffee. mmm!

Two other things that are too fun to not mention:

My mom bought me my new favorite nail polish which happens to be a [get this] Nicole OPI Justin Bieber inspired polish! ha! I guess it's inspired by One Less Lonely [is this an album?] and my nail polish is all sparkly and purple and amazing and called "one less lonely." Bieb or not, it's my new fav.

Just before hitting the road for Chicago Aaron and I ducked in the GRAM [Grand Rapids Art Museum] and I spotted these beautifully made salt and pepper shakers by OOM. Hyum Yoo is the artist behind OOM and seeks to create objects that are simple, clean, functional, relevant, and poetic. I'd say these little shakers were just that. They were stunning. To shop and see more click here.

...on to Chicago...

"on vacation"

Last week the ever adventurous husband and I traveled North to explore Michigan and Chicago, for family and fun.
We love making this trip because it means several things.
1. Road trip candy and snacks
2. Stopping in Indianapolis

    

    

A little help from an iced chai latte and my favorite sour punch straws

Aaron and I have this crazy love for this one spot in Indianapolis. There's a little strip of about 4 awesome stores on Massachusetts Ave. that we wander through to stretch our legs. Usually, we just go in the starbucks on the corner but this time we found a local coffee shop called Henry's. 

The drip coffee was just what I needed-strong. Even though Aaron didn't really care for it we both agreed it was better than starbucks. Then we walked down the block to our favorite shops.

At Home in the City...all kinds of fun, unique, crafty things.

I loved the bottle garland [to hang in front of a window!] and the Yarn Bombing book! I also wanted the Gnome salt and pepper shakers they had and the portable fondue for two set and just about everything else in the store. 

Some of the other shops we stop in are Global Gifts, Luna Music, Three Dog Bakery, & Mass Ave Toys.

Then we headed to Michigan which needs it's own post.