40 Clams!

"Clams" is a slang term for dollars. 

It was used in the 1920's so I guess it's appropriate for 2020!

What I'm really talking about is neither money nor actual clams!

I'm sharing a great find - my giant clam shell that I got for , you guessed it, 40 dollars!

I have wanted a really big faux clam shell for years. Yearrrrrsss!

But they were out of my price range. Literally hundreds of dollars from some sites.

And then I stumbled across what appeared to be a large, nice looking clam shell 

on the Wal-Mart website. (I know, right??)

This was the description:

Dimensions: 22.5W x 13D x 7H in

Hand cast in cement

Antique white finish

For outdoor use

I looked at other well known decor sites and compared the details of far pricier clam shells. They seemed to be the same size, material, color, etc. 

But this one was only $40.00 plus FREE shipping!! 

This is important - it's made from concrete. 

I decided to give it a try. I was a bit skeptical but 
 I could always return it and, hey, it's only 40 clams!!

It came very quickly and is fabulous!! 

So I feel like it was 40 clams well spent!!

Here are some images from my Pinterest board of giant clam shells in use.

Is this not gorgeous?? 
Everything on @theislandstandard IG feed is beyond beautiful!

And from another favorite IG feed

@luxereportdesigns 

They basically win "Best Use Of Seashells on IG!"

See what I mean!?!

I had to share - no reason to "clam up" when there's a good deal out there!

Everything I Know About Thrifting - Why?

I receive a lot of comments on my Instagram account about my thrifted finds.

I'm the co-founder of a hashtag #thriftwithus 
because I love to see what everyone is finding on their thrifting outings!

People want to know where I go, how I find great stuff, 

how am I so "lucky" to find so many things and more.

details here 

So, I thought I would do a little series about my thrifting "habit" so to speak.

I'm starting with "why" which is different for everyone 

and my own motivation to thrift has been varied over the years.

1. I am genetically predisposed to go antiquing, thrift shopping and to take those finds and refinish, paint, recover, repair whatever "re-" they need. My mother was the queen of repurpose, reclaim, reuse before it was a "thing."  I grew up in a house full of family antiques and treasures my mother found and used in our home when I was growing up. 

I was born in Charleston SC where buying something new is unheard of when there is a family piece or hand me down that could be used, recovered, painted whatever.

So basically what I'm saying is the "why" is that I had no choice :)

details here

2. There have been times when a yard sale or thrifted piece was all that was in the budget. Period. 

Plus, I just think it makes financial sense. 

A lot of vintage pieces are, in fact, higher quality pieces than I could afford to buy new. 

And there are other things I want/need to spend money on.

details here 

3. I think thrifting is good for the environment and it's certainly good for my community.
 I thrift in some private stores that support local causes like drug rehab
 and in organizations like Goodwill that put people to work.

That's a win in my book.

porch details here

4. I enjoy it. I do not thrift for clothes because I do not have the patience for it but I have friends who find outrageous bargains in the clothing areas of thrift stores. I think certain areas are better than others for finding high quality or designer items but people find gems in the craziest places. 

details here and  here

5. We have a big dog - 80 pound puppy right now - and we always have had and will have dogs. They are family members and I worry less about losing something I thrifted if something happens (running, chewing, accident) than if I paid a fortune for it. I also want them in the house with me and sitting by me in the evening, etc. We are those people. 

6. We also have always had a lot of people in and out of our house and I want everyone to be relaxed and have a good time. I don't want anyone to feel like they can't put their feet up or get comfy on a throw pillow. I don't want to be an uptight hostess.

7. I like that I can feel guilt-free about "trading" something in if I find something I like better. #fickle  
If I paid top dollar for a decorating item or piece of furniture 
I would need to live with it for a loooong time. 

Not so if I've thrifted something for a good price. I can change it up guilt free.

details here 

I'll be sharing my thrifting tips, thoughts and more in the next few posts!
 Stay tuned!

Peachy Pink Poinsettia Preference

I love poinsettias in the house for the holidays. 

I like red ones just fine. 

Just not in my house. 

The peachy pinks, white or marbleized looking ones just work best for me. 

This gal has her "do" for the season!

I found these huge coral ones in VA on the day after Thanksgiving. 

They rode home with us in a place of honor to keep them "safe" 

so I guess they are "imported!" :)

They look right at home in our Library (which used to be our dining room years ago!)

It's sort of our version of a British "snug" - a small cozy room filled with books and comfy chairs. 

This miniature white one was irresistible.
It's spending the holidays in the downstairs powder room. 

When it comes to poinsettias are you Team Red or Team Pink/Peach/White??

Concrete World...

Oh, how I love thee.

I was in Virginia visiting my parents and I found out about Concrete World.

What can I say? I love an artfully shaped chunk of concrete.

I have been looking for a concrete dog for quite a while. 

I live in Georgia so all I can find is a bulldog. 

I have 2 Goldens. I want a big, Golden-looking concrete dog.

 For a great price. Also not a possibility in Atlanta.

Thus explaining my fondness for concrete places on backroads and not near pricey Atlanta. 

If you know of a concrete place that fills these two requirements in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina or Tennessee, please share. Really. 

Anyway, I liked the pooch above but I didn't get him.

 Because... no good reason. Indecision.

 The thought of finding a better pooch down the road... 

(This would be a classic #firstworldprob. I know)

How about this palm tree fountain centerpiece?? 

It's taller than I am (which isn't saying a lot but it's like 6 feet tall!!)

They had these huge flamingos. About 4 feet tall. 

(That's my BIL playing in the fountain. Over 40.

Boys never change - water and they are in it!)

Here's the fountain. 

You can get it in this stained finish

 and the pump is moving the water around all the tiers. 

I love fountains like this. 

 But what I really fell in love with were the urns.

 They were fabulous.

 And huge - at least 3 feet tall.

 And a zillion pounds.

This is my absolute favorite one above.

I just love it.

And then they had about 4 styles of pineapples.

 All good!!

Concrete World - I will return.

 In a big truck.