Socially Distanced Thrifting.

Socially Distanced thrifting during a pandemic has become a thing. For me anyway.

I posted this picture in one of my early posts containing a few thoughts and observations about our Pandemic experience. 

All very non-political or containing any blame. I'm not about that.

But this picture got a lot of feedback - 

While going to Goodwill and other favorite thrift stores is not essential a lot of us missed it! 

We are on Week 17 here and while many things have opened we must continue to be abundantly cautious. So we are at home 99.999999% of the time :)

For that reason we have worked very hard in our backyard on projects and improvements to make spending our Summer at home more enjoyable. 

One thing I wanted was a lounge chair to go beside our stock tank pool

 (which I call The Bucket.)

I wanted something other than a folding metal beach lounger if possible. I really wanted wrought iron and vintage was preferable. That's what I like and the new ones were shockingly expensive and then you need a big, thick cushion. Also a bit pricey. 

But by late April I thought I could make a FB marketplace transaction be safe if I wore a mask and we put the cash in a baggie and left it in the mailbox or somewhere like that for the seller.  I scrolled through FBM constantly. Let's face it, I had time, and then finally in May these popped up!! I didn't even try to bargain. She was 15 minutes from the house and so we jumped in the truck and headed to pick them up. And it was TWO for $50.00!! Yay!

When we arrived her husband came out and chatted from a distance! We were masked and safely apart. I'm so glad he came out. He told us that his wife's father had been a Master Welder and had made these two lounge chairs for her decades ago!! I love them even more. They are not exactly identical because they are handmade

 but they are soooo well made and sturdy.

So the next step was to find new cushions. I had shared on IG that the "color scheme" of the pandemic (for us) had been dark green and white because that's the paint I had on hand when the lock down began. We already had a lot of our outdoor furniture painted a dark green because 

I am from Charleston and it's in my DNA to paint outdoor and porch furniture dark green.

 I can't help it!!

So I, of course, wanted green and white striped outdoor cushions. 

Sounds easy, right? Not so much. 

But after diligent searching online I found an excellent price for Sunbrella chaise cushions through walmart.com. 

I read the descriptions and measurements on other sites where the green and white striped Sunbrella cushions were $249.00 and $198.00. The descriptions matched exactly, were Sunbrella brand like the others and were under $100.00 with free shipping and returns. 

I figured it was worth a try.  

They are so nice, thick cushioned, and perfect green and white striped Sunbrella fabric!

(The dappled light makes funny looking shadows on the cushions - there isn't anything wrong with them! In fact, they are fabulous and I've already spot cleaned one and it looks brand new!)

I have made another masked, socially distanced Facebook Marketplace purchase since this one!

 I'll share soon. 

Summer 2020

Summer. The true start of the Summer season, the official "start date" is almost here.

I have always, always waited "all year long" for Summer. 

Summer is my favorite season. 

When I was young it always meant long lazy months in the Low Country of South Carolina, staying with my grandmother or aunts and running along the SC beaches with my cousin. We had amazing vegetables out of the garden, ate fresh catch, stayed out too late or too long in the sun and it was perfection. An idyllic childhood.

As an adult Summer has never been that free but it is always my favorite time of year. 

Even with responsibilities there is a different feel to Summer. Meals are eaten on porches , it is sunny and warm, flowers bloom, and there are things that happen in Summer that happen at no other time of year. 

I don't mind any of the things that people complain about during 

the Summer- bugs, heat, you name it. 

I can handle it because it's Summer.

But the Summer of 2020 has been long awaited in ways I could have never imagined.

We have struggled as a nation. The whole world has struggled. Human kind has struggled. 

We have been isolated in our homes watching one terrible thing after another unfold. 

I'm not going to dissect them. 

We all know what they are and we have each of us responded

 in the way that our hearts have dictated. 

I don't think a single person on earth could honestly say they haven't been touched by the things that have happened so far this year. We haven't. We have lost more than one loved one in 2020, we have watched friends and family struggle financially, medically, mentally and spiritually. We have watched good people be harmed. We have examined our personal thoughts and beliefs on equality and caring for our fellow man. 

And it has been overwhelming. And hard. 

But the thought, the belief, that keeps me going is that we CAN do hard things. And we will do them. We will make changes, we will find ways to seek joy. We will heal financially, medically, mentally and spiritually.

We will grow. We will work at these changes and I think we will be better for it. 

I have faith that this is true. I have hope. And I'm seeking joy. 

In any little way, in any place I can find it. 

And I am going to celebrate that it is Summer. 

I have always thought that everything is better in the Summer and I'm setting out to make that true for myself and my family. And for you, hopefully, if you follow along here or on Instagram. I'm going to post the pretty flowers, the perfect watermelon, sparklers, fresh shrimp, sunsets, a quote or a verse, and anything else (even if it only last for a few seconds or it's just the littlest thing ) that brings me joy. That makes my heart feel hope. I think finding hopefulness is what is going to get us all through. Hopefulness and kindness. (Feel free to disagree. As I've said before - you do you through all of this but I'm keeping the faith! And I won't be participating in negative or unkind comments toward others on social media.)

So I am hoping, wishing, praying that the Summer of 2020 is our season!

Bamboo Friday (on Sunday!) Things happen :)

There is sooooo much bamboo goodness out there.

I had 10 minutes to "waste"  enjoy the other day while sitting in my car waiting on Mollie 

and these are some of the great bamboo items I found quickly scrolling through Instagram!

I've left the sources on the screenshot in case you want to see more!

A vintage couch with classy new upholstery will always be more fabulous than anything new!
(IMHO)

I've never ever seen a bamboo high chair!
 I'm sure it breaks every consumer safety code out there but it's super cute!

Y'all know I love a good thrifting day and this is a good haul! 

I have a couple of vintage bamboo bangles that belonged to my mom 

and I wear them all. the. time. 

But maybe I need a stack!!

Maybe I need an @myauntdebbie to add to my collection :)

I bought bamboo handled flatware for us to use when I was a newlywed. 

(Many, many years ago!)

We loved it and we are still using bamboo flatware today! 

Just not the same set!!

You had me at pagoda.

I'm a sucker for any pagoda shaped bamboo!!

And last, but not least, I cannot leave a bamboo chair behind. 

It's an affliction/addiction - something.

I'm really obsessed with the Brighton Pavilion chairs.

Look at these!! I actually would be leaving them behind at this price. 
And if I bought them at that price you would not be sitting in them!! For real!
But they are spectacular!!

I have a couple or so of chairs like this one.
Five. But I'm trying not to share how bad the "chair thing" really is!
 If you are looking for some this account often has amazing chairs for great prices!  
I love to pop in here when I'm in Charleston.
It's a fabulous shop with great inspiration.
PS. I'm all about the elephant garden stool, too!

And this is a new to me account but I'm loving looking through her feed

 and she has used my favorite chairs in her home with the best cushion fabrics!

So Bamboo Friday is a little late but all this eye candy was worth the wait!!

Things I Love Month - Entry 5

This is really a place, not a thing, but I'm going with it. 

I love Charleston, SC.

It is the city where I was born so I admit to bias but I'm OK with it.

Ravenel Bridge over the Cooper River. 

We named our dog for this river.

I just got back from a long weekend there. 

I did family things.

And touristy things too. 

I shopped at a few favorite places and ate at a few favorite places.

Best brunch spot in Mt. Pleasant. Pages Okra Grill.

Seafood Grits. Plus Brunch beverages!

I love everything about Charleston and once I get in the Low Country I just feel better about everything and anything. 

So here are a few pictures from my relaxing, restorative weekend.

The beach at Sullivan's Island.
 If I ever (play) and win the lottery I'm living on Sully's.
 Or Guadeloupe - but that's another story :)

The view of Morris Island Light from Folly.

If you haven't been to Charleston then you really must go. 

It's a wonderful city for whatever you are looking for in a trip. 

Beaches. Scenery. History. Outdoor activities galore. Amazing restaurants. 

Theatre. Museums. Gorgeous churches. 

It's all there. 

Mollie took this picture of the sunset over the marsh.

Things I love Month - Entry 3

Continuing this months look at "Things I Love" brings me to...

a good garden center.

Especially this time of year when I have Spring fever.

This year's case is quite serious 

and I'm already thinking about plant combinations for my big pots 

and small projects I want to do in the yard.

I'm so ready for Spring. 

I went to Charleston last week for a few days and managed to squeeze in a trip between family visits and beach walks to a new-to-me garden center called Hyam's.

It is the favorite nursery of my 90 year old cousin who is still planting flowers and growing beautiful ferns and such. 

She said it was worth the drive over to Folly Road so I went.

She has never led me astray on anything in all of these years 

(best place to buy shrimp, how to sail, best crabbing spots, driving a golf cart and more)

 and she was so right!!

I wanted to buy all.the.plants.

Look at these plant combos in their window boxes and containers.

And the petunia varieties were fabulous. 

We are a loooong way from being able to plant petunias in Atlanta but if we had been a bit closer I would not have been able to resist either of these!

I hope I can find the variety above here in Atlanta. 

Or maybe a road trip back to Hyam's in a couple of months to stock up!!

They had an amazing assortment of fountains.

And look at the painted decking floors in this section of the greenhouse.

Black and tan checkerboard. 

This is perfection. And inspiring.

I have considered painting a pattern on my screened porch floor 

and this makes me want to go for it!

How to keep Cooper out of a major floor painting project is a less exciting thought.

This makes me so impatient for my hydrangeas to bloom this Summer!

 I'm definitely using this idea. So simple but so clever. 

And a great way to draw the eye up in the garden.

I can't wait to do this. 

I've been looking to see where I can hang some of these

 and no one will walk into them and conk their head :)

Isn't this the greatest idea?

They've simply knotted rope and strung a variety of clay pots on them.

I think it's fantastic.

What do you think? Is this something you would try in your garden?

Do you have a favorite garden center that gives you great inspiration for plant combos and accents?

Do tell. I'm always up for a visit to a really great garden center!

Oyster Shells at Christmas!

I love oysters.

 I love oyster shells.

I bring my oyster shells home from restaurants after I eat the delicious oyster. 

(Some people in my family find this embarrassing!)

And even though oyster shells may seem coastal and Summer-y they are actually a very traditional Christmas decoration. 

I remember seeing them tucked in to wreaths and Christmas trees in Williamsburg and Charleston when I was growing up. 

I have used them around my house - in plants as "mulch", piled in glass hurricanes, in flower beds, around my pond and more. 

I've even painted a few gold.

And I have wanted an oyster shell wreath for ages!

But they can be a bit pricey. 

I considered drilling the holes and making my own and then this Summer on a trip I found one for a price I could live with!!

So, for Christmas, I backed it with a store bought, Black Friday $6.00 evergreen wreath, added a string of fairy lights

 and stuck some fresh magnolia in where a bow would normally be.

I love it.

 There are some really creative things going on this year with oyster shells.

I found these on IG:

@whatpippawantspippagoetz

is making the BEST blue and white oyster shell ornaments!

And how fun are these contemporary oyster shell ornaments?

You can see them on this IG Feed:

Do you like oysters? 

Do you eat them? 

Or just decorate with them?

If you have seen some other awesome oyster shell Christmas decorations then be sure to share.

I want to see!

Meet Cooper!

Merry Christmas to us!!

I have been wanting, wanting a dog since we lost both of our sweet, 

almost 14 year old Goldens, Biscuit and Chloe,  

in a period of 6 months or so. 

I've missed a dog in the house so much!

For a variety of reasons it just had not worked out and

 THEN last week I found this sweet guy!

He was born on my mom's birthday and I knew it was a sign!!

This was going to be IT!

We are smitten!

He has moved right in and within hours he was in "Chloe's spot" on the couch.

(Yes, we are those people)

He's a cuddly "lover" like Biscuit!

He's 15 weeks old and full of personality plus!

Cooper is named after the Cooper River in Charleston SC.

Crossing the Cooper River Bridge is one of my favorite things to do in the world!

ORC Lucky No 7 - Week 4

As I stated last week, I've been in Charleston SC (lots of pretty porch inspiration!!)

 and the Virginia mountains 

for the last 8 days so nothing much has happened physically.

I used all my travel time to think, visualize, source and plan 

so I can hit the ground running this week.

Time is flying by!!

One thing that did actually happen was my handy husband worked on the "box" for the gas fireplace insert while I was away.

There is still a lot to be done but I'm excited to see progress. 

We salvaged that fireplace mantel from an old house in Marietta GA over 27 years ago that was scheduled for demolition.
Every time my husband mentioned getting rid of it because I hadn't done anything with it yet, I resisted. Then several years ago we added this section onto our screened porch and we "installed" the mantel as a focal point. Then we started looking for a gas insert and one finally showed up at Restore ages ago and now it's close to being a reality.

We certainly took our time on this one!

Things still look pretty rough but there is actually progress. 

I have the floor paint ready to go now that I'm back in town!

Gorgeous green!

I just need good weather so I can roll it on and show y'all some actual progress. 
Please check out everyone else's progress here and if I haven't bored you too much please come back next week and see if I might actually get something done!!

Current Room Crush

I am currently obsessed with this small (800 sq. feet it says) apartment
 located in Charleston SC.

I was born in Charleston and head to the Lowcountry every time my landlocked self gets a chance.
 I consider one of my greatest parenting successes to be that I raised Mollie to be in love with Charleston and everything about the Lowcountry 

(except the extreme Summer heat which I do not mind but she does!)

Anyway - back to this room. It is in the latest issue of House Beautiful.

It belongs to J.P. Horton, a local Charleston decorator.
 He is renting. Doesn't look like the rentals of my past!

There are so many things I love but the first thing that caught my eye was the turquoise curtains.

I have been considering putting these turquoise curtains 

(along with bamboo blinds) at my family room windows for at least a year and a half.
 Yep - I'm speedy on these types of things.

 My curtain choice is obviously the low end of a high/low knock off situation. 

Believe me I will post a picture on my IG if I pull the trigger any time soon.

Other things I love that could be pulled from this room on a budget are:

1.The Palm   I love big plants, I cannot lie.
I've never met a palm I didn't love.
The one in his apartment is a Banana Palm. 
I have blogged about my love for them before.
Isn't this botanical of the Banana Palm fabulous?



The palm is elevated on a wooden stand and in a huge glazed pot. 

Palms are currently everywhere in Atlanta and are available for $10.00 to $30.00 depending on size. If you have to go smaller with the palm then you could simply place it on a taller stand to give it more impact. 
Small tables and plant stands can be found in thrift and vintage stores.

Pots are available in every size, color and finish in every price range at discount stores and home stores like Home Goods and At Home.
Of course, I think you could put it in a blue and white chinoiserie planter as well!

2. That Picture centered over the neutral couch! It is a framed piece of hand painted wall paper and I'm sure a bit pricey. One way to have something similar is to find a scene online that is free to the public and can be reprinted without copyright infringement. Then you can upload and print in a large format. I use a site called Poster My Walls. You can quickly design and download a large scale printable. I send it off to my local Walgreen's and have it printed 24 x 36 for under $20.00. If you go with black and white you can do an engineer print for under $6.00. Spray an inexpensive poster frame with gold spray paint like I did here and you've got a pretty good knock-off!

This image is an instant download from an Etsy seller.
Find something you love on Etsy or the many copyright free sights and print it in a large format!

There are lots of options to give you a look similar to the one in the inspiration room.

3. Ghost Chairs  IKEA has some great looking clear chairs for under $100.00. I've seen them in person and they are nice and not flimsy or wobbly.

This chair is only $39.99. I've never seen it in person but what a price for a clear chair!


It is from Classroom Essentials.


I love so many things about this gorgeous, elegant and inviting room. 
There are so many great elements to examine and use for yourself.
I can't stop looking at the room and finding new details to love and use in my own home.
What's your favorite detail?