Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Nantucket - Part 3

One last post on Nantucket. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Most of the shopping consisted of finer shops such as Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines and jewelry stores.  But I spotted a store called The Seconds Shop on our way to Jetties Beach.  I knew there was a chance it was a clothing resale shop but I decided I would check it out on our way home from the beach.  Turns out they had clothing and housewares. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I got this darling metal cubby for $5.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Then, on Saturday morning we passed through a neighborhood on our way to the Town Pier.  Would you believe there was an Estate Sale?!  I just had to check it out.  I was completely surprised by the low, low prices!  There were several furniture pieces that I would have loaded up if it had been at home.
 
We really enjoyed Nantucket and would love to go back sometime.  We usually like to visit different places when we travel, but I can certainly understand why so many families make it a tradition to visit Nantucket every summer.
 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Nantucket - Part 2

I tried to capture both the charming town and the harbor elements of Nantucket to share with you.
Notice the cobblestone street and the small flags in the flowers.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Don't let the lobster sign fool you - this was a very popular ice cream shop!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Classic Nantucket architecture. Hydrangeas - check.  Flag - check.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The island is kept very clean.  It is both dog and kid friendly.  (The dogs and kids are equally outfitted in preppy attire).  There are tons of shops and restaurants.  We ate clam chowder and lobster every day - there is nothing like fresh seafood.  They have some of the best ice cream I have ever eaten.  You do not need (or want) a rental car on the island. We walked almost everywhere we went.  We did ride the Blue Wave (bus) once.  Many visitors and locals ride bikes.  The weather was perfect and we stayed outside all day everyday.  Despite the fact that it looks like a walking Ralph Lauren ad, we did not find it to be stuffy at all.  It felt very casual and the people were very friendly.
 
I truly saw more American flags on this trip than I have ever seen in one place.  There are large ones on the homes and buildings, medium-sized ones in urns and planters and tiny ones in baskets on front doors.  I loved this!
 
Look for one more post on Nantucket!
 

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Nantucket - Part 1

Hubby and I just returned from a wonderful stay on Nantucket!  Neither of us had ever been and it's been on our list for awhile now.  We flew into Boston and then flew Cape Air from Boston to Nantucket.  There is also a ferry you can take from Boston to Nantucket.  If tiny planes frighten you then you might want to stick with the ferry.  The Cape Air plane was an 8-passenger Cessna - tiny!  It is only about a 40-minute flight from Boston to Nantucket.  You fly fairly low and can really see all of the harbors, boats and islands. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lots of pictures with captions for the rest of this post - enjoy!
We stayed at The Sherburne Inn - an historic B&B.
 















 
 
 




This is how our breakfast was served each morning.



Straight Wharf is where the ferry comes in.

Nantucket had the most gorgeous hydrangeas I have ever seen!
















Stay tuned for Part 2!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Love It or List It?

I love that show on HGTV - have you watched it?  Sometimes I feel that tug with items that I get ready to sell - with hopes that they will add charm to your homes.  Sometimes I fall in love with them and wonder if I should let them add charm to my own home.  Do you ever feel that tug?
 
My latest project is one such item and my desire to keep it took me by surprise.  I had a solid wood twin footboard that I decided to alter into a cute rack with hooks.  I painted it in Annie Sloan Old Ochre.  I distressed it and tried out several hooks and knobs that I had on hand.  I decided to use two darling hooks that feature French farm life and French sayings.  I am a sucker for all things French!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The hooks had a lot of grey so I decided to paint the center section of the footboard in Annie Sloan Paris Grey.  I felt something was missing so I went in search of something to jazz it up.  I found my paper placemat pad and came up with a plan.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I used Mod Podge to apply the ends of the paper placement that I cut out.  I applied a custom-color glaze to the entire piece - right over the paper as well.  I attached the French hooks using furniture tacks and painted them in the Paris Grey.  I attached hanging hardware and when I stood back to take a look I loved it! 
 

Monday, August 20, 2012

Angel Upgrade

Some folks upgrade their computers...I upgrade my angels.  I bought this sweet angel last summer with the intent to resale her.  I placed her on my front porch and decided she needed to stay.  Sidenote:  I tell Hubby this is very common in this business so play along here if you never keep things you purchased to sell!


















This past weekend I purchased a new concrete angel.  She took over the spot on my front porch so now I really will get around to selling the angel I bought last summer.  See Hubby - I am selling it!


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Early Signs of Fall

All over Blogland we are seeing signs of Fall.  Posts about Fall crafts, Fall mantles and the like.  Everyone seems to be giddy about the onset of Fall...everyone but me.  Don't get me wrong - I like pulling out my sweaters, burning Fall-scented candles and baking Fall treats.  But, I hate the shorter days.  I know it's been triple-digit crazy heat in Texas and many other states too, but I can handle it when the trade-off is daylight until 9:00pm.  So, I want summer to linger a little longer...

Mom's Hydrangeas




Sunday, August 5, 2012

Back from the 127 Corridor Sale!

I have so much to report about our trip along the world's longest yard sale!  We are back home after being in 7 states in 4 days!  Mom and I left on Wednesday after work.  We traveled through Louisiana and stopped for the night in Jackson, Mississippi.  We started the Sale in Fort Payne, Alabama, crossed into Georgia and ended our shopping in Clarkrange, Tennessee.  Good stuff?  Take a look at our rental after our last shopping stop:














DAY 1 (Thursday):
We shopped from Fort Payne, AL to Mentone, AL.  We enjoyed a great meal at Moonlight Bistro in Mentone.  The yard sales became sparse after Mentone and we drove on to Chattanooga, TN to stay the night.  The drive through Alabama was very scenic and took us through the mountains.  A goal of the Sale is to take folks off the major highways and the scenery does help when you are in bumper-to-bumper traffic.  We did not book hotel rooms in advance because we didn't know how far we would be able to travel each day.  Rooms are very hard to find and even the Super 8 can run you $180+. 

The Moonlight Bistro, Mentone, AL



















DAY 2 (Friday):
We shopped from Chattanooga, TN to Crossville, TN.  We had found some awesome treasures and thought our day couldn't be better...when I looked up and was standing literally a few feet away from The Junk Gypsies!  They were shopping and filming an episode for HGTV!  SO FUN!  We had to travel quite a ways down I-40 to find a room that night and ended up staying in Harriman, TN.  Can I just tell you that at the end of each day getting dinner and a shower have never been so good!



























DAY 3 (Saturday):
We shopped from Crossville, TN to Clarkrange, TN.  Our final stop was a great one and was home to Cumberland Mountain General Store.  We found some awesome treasures in Clarkrange and decided we had too little space left in the rental and too little cash left in our pockets.  We headed home and arrived back in Texas safe and sound around midnight.  We had a wonderful trip!














Here are a few tips in case you plan to do this trip next year:
*  Never let your gas tank get below half a tank
*  Pack water, snacks and wet wipes
*  Book hotel rooms in advance
*  Be prepared to work - you have to park a distance from many sales so loading large purchases can be difficult
*  Don't pay full price for anything
*  Pack your patience - the traffic is nuts
*  Have no fear - there are plenty of treasures for all!



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Mark Your Calendars - August Events!

It's HOT friends, but there are still lots of great shopping events planned for August!

August 2nd-5th
First Monday Trade Days
Canton, Texas

August 11th & 12th
City-Wide Garage Sale
Palmer Events Center
Austin, Texas

August 17th & 18th
Old Red Lumberyard Market
600 E. Louisiana
McKinney, Texas

August 17th-19th
Third Monday Trade Days
Highway 380
McKinney, Texas

August 17th-19th
Fredericksburg Trade Days
at Sunday Farms

August 18th
Treasure Spotters Market
401 E. Virginia
McKinney, Texas
** Also check out their online auction

August 18th
Grand Opening!
Fabulous new shop - Just Off The Square
10-3:00
401 E. Virginia
McKinney, Texas
see here and here for more info on the ladies behind this exciting new venture!

August 18th-19th
Buchanan's Vintage Market
2460 S. Stemmons Frwy.
Lewisville, Texas

August 25th
J. Hill's Barn Sale
9:30 - ?
Hackberry Hill Farm
Kilgore, Texas