"A Collection"...........everybody needs one......

We collect a lot of things in our family.  I have always felt that everyone should collect something.  Something that gives them such great pleasure when they find another addition.  Especially, when you find one of the treasures, in a place where you are not even looking.  It can be a total discovery and a life long hobby.  I started this bell collection after a friend of mine gave me my first bell as a bridesmaid gift.  It inspired me to start this collection......oh and I have more collections, just keep reading.

"Collecting has been my great extravagance. It's a way of being. I collect for the same reason that I eat too much-I'm one of nature's shoppers."
Howard Hodgkin

Joe gave Jay and Lily two different cast net boxes, to start their collections.  This is Jay's collection box.  Notice the collection of Cars, Baccugan's (I have no idea how to spell that), and Geodes.  This is what I found when I opened up his box.  Now lets look at Lily's........

A little different.  Clearly, there is one color difference in the two collection boxes....Pink!....Honestly the two collection are pretty much night and day.  Lily chose sunglasses, baby doll bottles, a watch, a princess phone and goodness gracious..........is that a pink straight iron.  Wooo ah.  The teenage years sure are going to be interesting.  I think she just collects anything that is PINK. Thats my, girly girl. 

Jay is a natural born collector.  He always has multiples of "something" in his pockets.  One time after a dinner at our good friends restaurant, we went home for bath time and when Jay took off his shorts to get in the bath, we discovered he had two pockets full of rocks.  We decided to see how many rocks he had swiped from the restaurant and we counted 55 rocks.  I mean that is unbelievable.  Who would have even thought you could get 55 rocks in a 4yr old pair of shorts.  I Always knew he was a determined little guy.  It would be really cool if one day we poured out his pockets and there were 55 gold coins..........well, I guess we would have to return the gold coins, we got to keep the rocks....

 We collect these shells every year when we go on different trips and to the beaches of North Carolina.  The shells are so different in NC than where we live.  I have always loved the organic shapes and the soft relaxing colors.  I save them with hopes of doing something with them someday.  Together they tell a story of where we have been, and they make me feel at home.  We will collect more next year and as soon as we figure out what to do with them I will let you know!

“It is perhaps a more fortunate destiny to have a taste for collecting shells than to be born a millionaire” Robert Louis Stevenson quotes

So I was trying to think of cool collections and........there really is nothing much cooler that Slash's collection of  "Les Paul's".........that is sooooo Rockstar.......

So for about the last 7 yrs I have been buying Diane Von Furstenberg dresses mostly to wear to work.  They fit so well and they seem to be timeless.  I wish so bad my mother would have kept all her DVF wrap dresses from the 70's.  They would be really fun to have now.  I am going to keep mine for Lily because the styles and patterns seem to be more desirable, the more vintage they are.  And just look at all that color!  How playful they all are together.  Oh, and ebay is the place to look for the deals because they can be an investment. 

This green number with the white ginko leaf pattern is one of my favorites! 

The green toes-ies, went great with the green DVF this summer.....that green is one of my favorite colors. 

I don't know how this group collected itself together but it made me laugh.......have you ever played the game "which one of these things doesn't belong"?  Well, I think we all can tell who does not belong here but somehow they got together and became friends.  I guess that is what happens when you live everyday, together in the same bathtub.  Let this be a lesson to all, never judge.......friends for life. 

This is one of my clients elephant collections.......they are so cute!

Jay's car collection......
 

and his airplane collection......

"The Barnes Collection" is one of the largest collections of art owned by one person, in the world.  It is estimated to be worth about $25 billion dollars and is mostly works by Impressionist and Modernest masters.  Albert C. Barns was a chemist and after he made his fortune he began seriously collecting art. 

He purchased land in a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA and designed a building to display all of his art.  One of the things that makes the collection so intriguing were his idiosyncratic arrangement of the art.  He also wrote in the by-laws that the arrangements could never be changed and none of the pieces could ever be lent or sold.  Everything must stay together the way he left it.  But modern times have made it hard for his foundation to keep up the exhibit so a judge ruled that they must move the exhibit to a new building in downtown Philly.  Although Mr. Barnes would not have liked this, I am sure these priceless works of art will be better taken care of in the long run.  Now that is a collection that I really hope to see one day. 

I know I have shown this picture before but this is our little tiny "Barnes Collection".  It is wrapped up tight somewhere in storage.  It might be small now but we are adding to it and each piece has meaning to us.  I can't wait to see it all again in a year (or so).  Opening these up again will surely be like Christmas. 

My mother started me a collection of vintage beaded and mesh bags years ago and she would give me a different bag every Christmas to add to my collection.  I want to give them to Lily one day. 

This one is my favorite, it looks like an abstract painting.  I think I might have it framed for the new house......might be fun in the powder room under the stairs. 

Lily and I collected the "Target" Missoni line for a while.  I just could not resist the boxes!

You all have probably figured out by now that I am starting to collect turquoise cuff bracelets.  As I get older I like bigger pieces and I really only wear bracelets and rings.  Plus, a turquoise cuff will never ever ever go out of style and you can wear it on so many occasions.  One exceptional accessory is all you really need to take you from day into night......and like many of you know, these days there is not always time to go home and change!

I hope everyone had a Thankful Thanksgiving and a Happy one too......J

  Roundtop 

 

So I took an adventure the week of our move.  It was a little aggressive to leave town right before the movers came but we had been packing all month and I could not change the dates of the "Roundtop" Antiques Festival to fit my schedule!  The dates are set and that's that.  I had always wanted to go to Roundtop, location about 2hrs from Houston TX, and the big shows are just twice a year, Spring and Fall.  Through the years I would read what my favorite designers, favorite things to do were.  Three favorite things I would read over and over were taking trips to Roundtop Texas,  Brimfield Mass. (another antiques fair like Roundtop) and of course the Paris Flea Markets.  So it was time for me to mark one of these items off my list.  Another designer friend of mine and I had plans to go to Paris this past September and it fell through so I was looking to find any other way to get inspired.  It was time to make the pilgrimage.  Not knowing much about Roundtop except the little I heard from some of my dealer friends about how wonderful it was and how great the people were, I booked a cabin (in the middle of nowhere) and was ready to go.  Since my friend had backed out of this trip too, I was a little nervous about going by myself.  So I asked the person who dragged me to antique store after antique store when I was little, my dad, if he would want to come along!  He was excited and what a great bonding time for us.  We had not spent time like this together in years.  So the adventure begins......

“Adventure is worthwhile.” -- Aristotle

This was one of the first things I saw after we parked the car and started walking around.  I had to take a picture because it was about the greatest thing I had ever seen.  A cowgirl with an Airstream camper set up on the side of the road with this wonderful black and white striped umbrella.  She was selling this edgy cowgirl clothing with a feminine mix of lace and leather.  Plus accessories and art.  She has even more goodies inside that Airstream.  Too cool!

I know this is a bobcat, not a cougar, but this Cougarville sign just works so well with him.  He was actually in our cabin but the sign just goes to show you that you can find about anything at Roundtop.  

Now this.....

and then this......

Was I in vintage cowboy boot and turquoise heaven.....what!

I bought this little light while there and am going to have a girl that does some lighting for me to update the brass finish a little.  I might use it in the powder room.  Isn't it cute!

I love old buttons and this was pretty much a vintage button dream and they were so organized.  I really did try to pick a few out just to switch out on a jacket or to add to pillows, but it was just to much for me to comprehend.  So I did not buy any.  And since I did not buy any this trip I am planning on using this as an excuse to go back again.  Must get old buttons, Must get old buttons, Must get old buttons.........

 One of my friends asked me if I saw any cowboys......well now you know.....Where in the world do you think he got that hat! Clearly somewhere in Texas..... Love it!

We purchased this set of vintage metal "Salterini" outdoor chairs for a steal.  I think the set of 6 was only $800.  There is a similar set on 1stdibs for thousands of dollars.  You can really get some deals at Roundtop.  Many dealers go here to buy for there shops.  Shipping was pretty painless too and not to expensive.  The whole week made me dream about having a store one day.  Aren't these chairs so great.  They are really comfortable too.  I think my parents might use them on there sceened porch for a while.  I would not mind them ending up at my house one day too.  We talked about having them spray painted Robins egg blue, which along with pink was one of the original colors that these "Salterini" chairs came in.  So fun!!!!  I could have a store with just chairs, that would be it, nothing but chairs.  And each of their little personalities would make me so happy!

Can't be in Texas without seeing some Longhorn's.  Check this guy out.  I want a pair of those horns to accessorize with.  

“Life is either a great adventure or nothing.” -- Helen Keller

Fun mid-century lighting......great prices!

This was a sursy my dad got my mom on our trip.  Maybe she will let me wear it once in a while, since I picked it OUT!  This guys family owned a pawn shop and he would take old pieces from the shop and update them.  He did a pretty good job here don't you think.   Ugh, Love. 

"Art must take reality by surprise. "
Francoise Sagan 

This is a new little treat for Lily's new room.  I just could not pass up this wonderful mid-century modern footstool upholstered in such a pretty little vintage Suzani. 

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As you can see this suzani stool will go with Miss Lily's favorite color scheme, pink and purple, and it will just be fabulous with her Hello Kitty Halloween costume! 

This was the most couture Halloween decoration I saw this year.  Spraying your pumpkin with metallic paint must have been the thing to do.  I saw it a couple of times and thought it was such a cool idea.  This is the way to really jazz up your jack-o-lantern.  Tip to remember for next year!

Jay was black Spider-man and would not take off his costume for the whole week prior to Halloween.  He also had to take care of Patches, the bear, over the weekend (the one with the overalls).  Patches made a friend as you can see.  I think he had a good weekend.  I know Jay did.  

S

"Wine" is one of the fashion colors for the season.  So we are going to call my first fall color  "A Grape Appeal".  I think I was a "toe nail polish namer" in my previous life.  Feet look so much better with a tan.  Sorry guys, it will be a while before you see tan feet.  I won't torture you for the whole winter.......I will start showing my shoes or something. 

 

I would never laugh or make fun of anyone that struggles with there weight.  I have my own "muffin top" to deal with so I totally understand.  But you have to admit this costume is hilarious.  This guy made me laugh all night.  He was really having fun.  Something about that gold tutu and the pink bathing suite is just perfect!

These guys were at Roundtop too that week!  They were ready for Halloween early this year. 

"Eat, drink and be scary."  ~Author Unknown

I had such a great time with my Daddy on our adventure.  As you can see here he made a new friend with "Bob", the bobcat.  We laughed a whole lot, it will be a time with him that I never forget.  Hummmm where can I drag him next.  Oh, I have a bucket list, don't you know it......love you dad. 

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me." ~Jim Valvano

I'm Back........well for the most part........

So we have officially made the move and are off on the next chapter of our life in the house we call the "Love Shack".  I told you all what a time we were having finding a rental.  We were getting so depressed, here we had sold our house and had no home.  What a crazy feeling, even crazier when you have two kiddies to take care of.  Then one day in yoga, I was talking to a girl that I new that was building a house on Sullivans Island.  I told her what was going on and she says "well that girl Ronda over there, has a house on Sullivans Island that she just put on the market to rent".  I basically accosted this poor woman but now we have a home.  We love it, it is small and bohemian but at the beach and will be a fun change.  We are downsizing and will be on top of each other but the end result will be our new house.  The biggest problem is finding a place to put all of our stuff.  Consignment store here we come!!!!!

"The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope."
Frank Lloyd Wright

This has been our life for the last month that I have not had time to post.  Oh and by the way I have missed doing this blog so much.  It really is one of my favorite things to work on.  But as you can see I really was not on some swanky vacation.  We had bubble wrap and plastic bins up our you know whats!......the problem now is I cannot find anything.  I cannot find my razor so I have been sneaking Joe's.  He hates it when I use his razor for my legs so shhhhhhh.  Don't tell.  Oops I hope he does not read this......

The place is a little small.  And I we are totally on top of each other but we have done everything we could to make the transition easy for the kids.  Actually, their rooms are great and we have tried to make them look pretty much like there old rooms.  Now mine and Joe's is a little tight but everything is in.  Atleast it is all in one place  now and we can worry about finding it at some point.  We are working on the loan to start the new house and the excitement about building the new house will help us get through the year......along with a whole lotta luuuuuuv! oh and patients.........

Yes, I would not worry about the kids.............they look perfectly fine to me.  

"It is never to late to be what you might have been" -- anonymous

There is really nothing that gives me more pleasure on a Saturday night then putting up my shoes in my new closet, with a glass of wine.........love my little pieces of art......

I showed the picture of the "French Canal Wheel" a while back, that I was having made into a chandelier for a client of mine.  I told you that I would eventually show you how it turned out and here it is!  We had some issues and I had to take it back to the lighting girl a number of times to get it right.  First, we got scared the rope would not hold it, so we had to untwist the wire and run a cable through the wire.  Remember this thing weighs about 100 lbs.  Then I must have given her a measurement from La la land, because when we went to hang it, it hung about 12inches to low.  Then once we got it the right length it took from 10am to 3pm to get the thing hung.  We had scaffolding across the island and all sorts of crazy things going on.  But like I always say "nothing cool and interesting is ever easy", here again the end result was worth it.  Let me know what you guys think.  I am totally pleased and the best thing is that they love it.  Shooo weee!  Once we finish this one up I will get the whole place photographed and will let you see the final product.  I love this house.

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."
Steve Jobs

 

Oh it is so good to be back!  I really have missed you guys and this whole creative outlet.  I think the "Love Shack" is going to be great for my creativity.  Sometimes you have to shake it up a bit to get the juices flowing......shake, shake, shake.  

As positive as I try to be about the move......we are all really glad it is over.......I do have emotion about leaving the house we lived in for 6yrs and where we had so many wonderful memories.....but come on, there is never anything fun about moving.......it can really wear you down.....not to down play the excitement, but it is still moving and it can drive you to drink........coconut juice, that is.....well, and the hard stuff if you are old enough.

This is a little preview to my next few posts.  This turquoise bracelet is something I picked up on my trip to Texas for Roundtop Antiques weekend.  Yes, I went to Texas right in the middle of my move which was a little crazy but sooooo worth it.  It is the best!  I have lots of fun pics  to show you from my trip and will probably do that next week, while it is all still fresh on my mind. 

I just did this ad for a new publication coming out in the Charleston area.  It is called "Scout Charleston".  I am excited because I have never done an advertisement before and I think this new publication is really fresh, modern and fun.  All the business owners have to be in the picture so it makes it more personal.  This is at my office.....let me know what you think!

“In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains of the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a human-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.” – Steve Jobs

 

Life is CRAZY......

So I am not really keeping up with my end of this bargain and getting my posts out every Friday.  Well since last time we spoke live has gotten even more exciting.  Or actually I would call it just completely crazy, but exciting too.  So right before we left for the beach vacation a realtor called us on a Saturday.  She had shown our house about 3 yrs earlier when we had it on the market and had a client who loved it and wanted to see if we were still interested in selling.  So long story short, she showed it to them the following day on Sunday and Monday they made us a offer.  Wednesday they gave us earnest money, Thursday we signed the contract and now we have to be out by Sept. 30th....yikes......soooooo, what are we going to do.....well the only thing we know is we are going to build our house.....everything else is a big ???????????????

This is the house where I had both of my babies......Luckily, so far I have been to busy to think about this.  This is going to be emotional but I am really excited!.......We designed this other house 3 yrs ago, had the lot cleared and all the permits, we were ready to go.....I had studied the plan so much, when I close my eyes I could feel myself walking through all of the spaces.  We got scared because we had not sold our house yet so the whole project was put on hold.  I was sad because I had thought out every single inch of space and was emotionally involved........but we are all healthy and happy, and love where we live so the sadness passed.  I really thought this opportunity would never come up again but I really think it is going to work out this time!.....so insane.....

This is my mom and Lily.  She is here helping me out during one of Andrews photo shoots.   My parents have been amazing through out the whole process, the process of the house and the process of daily life.  We have to be out so quickly we are probably going to have to move in at their house they have here in Charleston.  Luckily, for her sake, it is a second home so she is not here all the time.   But mom I promise! we will not be living in your house for the whole year it takes to build our house.  Thanks again for all the help......

 Ahhhh, Alex Prager and Mona Kuhn.  Both amazing color photographers.  These are the two pieces I want for the new house but I cannot (and will never be able to) afford.  I am no feminist but I love that these two women have made such a name for themselves in the photography world.  I love the vintage "Hitchcock" feel of Alex Prager and I love the soft European erotic feel of Mona Kuhn.  I better start saving my dough, or maybe I should just take a photography class..... 

So my toes this week are inspired by this painting by Sally King Benedict.  There is a pop of an electric pink color right in the center of this painting that I just fell in love with.  I did an editorial for "Charleston Home Magazine" this week.  It will be in the next issue of the magazine but I used this Sally King Benedict painting in the editorial and it just looked so good, well, oopsy, I had to buy it.  The coral and pink are just scrumptious, and so much more vibrant in person.  I will post the magazine picture when it comes out just so you can see it in all its glory.  I am soooo excited it is amazing.  Ok, so one wall filled in the new house. 

Help!.....we really are having a hard time finding a place to live.  So, now that no one is buying houses it seems it is a renters market.  Who would have thought, there would be NOTHING to rent.  Wow, I know it will all work out but it sure is a different story once you start looking.  Back at it tomorrow.  Oh, and tomorrow is Labor Day.  Happy Labor day!

We have been spending time playing in the backyard.  The weather is nice in the afternoon and there is a sentimental feeling for Joe and I while we spend the last few weeks with the kids here.  Jay ran down the hall tonight after I had put him in bed  and said he did not want to build a new house.  He wanted to make sure everything was going to come to the new house and that we were not going to leave anything.  Not one thing.  He is a sensitive little thing, which I LOVE.  Trying to explain everything to him was the first time I got teary.  I was 8yrs old when my parents built our house and I totally remember it.  My kids might be a little young but I hope they do remember, at least a little.  Guess I will have to take a lot of pictures, and you knoooooow I will do that. Ha

"The best is yet to come" -- my daddy

I might not be around that much until we get moved but count on me coming back in full force this October.  I am really excited about being able to share the house building process with you.  I will keep you posted, literally!  Best, Jenny