Our Easter Mantel


//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.jsI thought I’d share a few photos of our Easter mantel this year. If you’ve read my past posts then you know that I like to decorate by “shopping” my house for items I can use. I always gravitate towards shopping for items of specific color. This time I was on the hunt for blue.

To see the photo larger, just click on it!

I can’t for the life of me remember where I bought the banner, but I am certain that it was one year after Easter and on discount. Then it sat in a Rubbermaid bin for a couple of years before Samantha and I put it together last year. We stamped “Hoppy Easter” on it.

The blue books on the mantel were easy to collect throughout the house. And well, Ball mason jars are pretty common around here. Let’s just say that I’ve hoarded passionately collected them. I regret every one of them that I’ve sold!

You might recognize the little bunnies from this post HERE. They’re from World Market.

I keep meaning to spray paint that candle holder. Warmer temps are here, so now may be the time!

I am pretty sure the bunnies (one piece) came from Hobby Lobby. The wall color is Danville Tan by Benjamin Moore. It’s been our wall color since we moved in ten years ago, and I still love it as much as I did the first day. It looks different at night than in the day. It’s very calming in person. (P.S. This color looks great in person. It looks totally wonky on my cellphone screen, so keep an open mind!)

Do you remember the barn wood that Ken and I got off of a an old barn/army building HERE? And also used to make THIS?

We used some our favorite pieces to make some free wall art for our mantel. The color is all natural and original. All we did was cut it and attach it together.

The “S” is for our last name. 😉 The window was picked up on one of our Craig’s List adventures.

I had fun pulling everything together. Everything other than the fresh tulips and the tiny bunnies on top of the books are things we already had. My favorite kind of decorating…FREE!

If you want to save any of these pictures, just click on the Pin It button and you can save it to Pinterest.

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Atlanta Fall Bucket List

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October, the Southerners’ reward for surviving summer. 

I’ve never met a Southerner that doesn’t like love October. Honestly! Would such a person be human? Despite having 31 days, and sometimes 5 glorious weekends, there never seems to be enough October to go around. Unless I schedule our October days to make the most of the cool things happening around town, we just don’t get around to doing it all. 
I’ve made a list of some neat things both ITP and OTP (that’s inside-the-perimeter and outside-the-perimeter for all of you newbies) that you may want to take advantage of this fall. Each name links back to a website; Just hover your mouse and click for more details! I’m happy to add to the list. Just leave a comment or shoot me an email.
Now, go forth and get your pumpkin on!

Inside the Perimeter

1. Boo at the Zoo (Zoo Atlanta) – Special activities Saturdays and Sundays, October 18, 19, 25, & 26. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2. Ogre-tober and Scarecrows in the Garden (Atlanta Botanical Gardens) – Lots of Ogre-tober happenings! Click to check out their calender of events. 
3. Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tour (Oakland Cemetery) – The only time of year when tours are available after dark. Advance tickets must be purchased and sell out quickly!
4. Georgia A-Scary-Um (Georgia Aquarium) – Special extended hours. Kids 12 and under get in free if they dress in costume with each paying adult. Click the link for details!
5. Fernbank Boo-Seum Trick-or-Treat (Fernbank Museum of Natural History) – Lots of un-scary fun for the little monsters on the Saturday before Halloween. Special events throughout the museum from 10 – 2, all of which are included in admission or FREE for members.

Outside the Perimeter (and Beyond!)

5. Stone Mountain Park Pumpkin Festival – Tons to do here for the kids. Check out the website! Sometimes tickets go on flash-sale. 
6. Buford Corn Maze – More than just a corn maze! Hayrides, family activities, and a haunted forest. 
7. Jaemor Farms – Take a drive up to Alto, Georgia. The farm itself is gorgeous, and there are super fun things like apple canons, slides, corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, petting zoo, etc. Even a wonderful farm market with everything from fresh produce to fried pies. This is my fave!!! Click the link for more deets!
8. Gold Rush Days – Dahlonega, GA. Before the California gold rush, there was the Dahlonega gold rush! During peak times to see fall foliage, this should be a blast!
9. Oktoberfest – Helen, GA. The town of Helen is a re-creation of an alpine village, and this year marks their 44th annual Oktoberfest. 
10. Georgia Apple Festival – Ellijay, GA. It’s 43rd year as the Georgia Apple Festival, the town of Ellijay puts out quite the welcome wagon. Fun for the whole family, minus Fido (no pets allowed).
11. Six Flags Fright Fest – Frights by night and thrills by day!
12. The Great Miller Lite Chili & BBQ Cookoff – Chili? Yes, please! Held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA. 
This is is far from being complete of everything Atlanta has to offer this fall. Make sure you take the time to create some awesome, life-long memories!

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Belle & Beau on the Dixie Highway 90 Mile Yardsale

Nothing says “family time” like packing up the kids and dog and heading out to spend the entire day yard sale hopping. Oh, who am I kidding? I forced them to go, all of them. But since I put in almost 5 hours sitting at the ball field for soccer tryouts this week, I figured they could spend 5 hours in the car while I worked had fun searching for inventory.

Diesel’s first time coming “picking” with us, and he did great!

My friend, Kimberly, told me about the Dixie Highway 90 Mile Yard Sale a while ago. But unfortunately for me, it always conflicted with other plans. I was on the fence about going right up until the time we pulled out of the driveway. It’s a really long drive for us to get there, and there is never a guarantee you’ll find anything good. In fact, I was worried we were going to drive all of that way and get rained out.

First things, first. In my world of yard sales, people set up at 8:00 and “early birds” show up at 7:45. With traffic, we ended up not getting to Adairsville (one of the cities on the 90 mile stretch) until 10:30, and people were just then starting to set up. Not sure what that was all about, but I’m glad we got a late start. I would’ve been all huh? and wuh? and “this is a bust.”

Our 9 year old played “photographer” today. And I love seeing the day through her eyes! Here are a few of her pictures. At the bottom you can see a picture of some of the things I ended up buying.

Sweet iron bed. The guy insisted it was a “twin” but I knew better. Smaller than a twin! He wanted $75

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Loved this.

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Some very cool bottles here. We must be on the right track!

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We ended up buying all of the insulators here.

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 Here is a small portion of what we ended up getting:

Insulators, camera and case, skates, dolls, milk glass tea sets – one for iced tea and one for hot tea. etc, etc

Best deal of the day: the insulators
Favorite find of the day (that I’m keeping!): jadeite sugar bowl with holly leaves on it. Everything else is for sale.
Should’ve skipped on: antique scale (not pictured)

We had fun and will definitely do it again!


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Spring 2013 Antique Shopping in Georgia

I’m over winter. Bring on SPRING! Bring on the sunshine! Bring on the warmer temps, estate sales, & antique fairs! 🙂

Here are some Georgia shows that you may be interested in checking out:

March

8-9, 2013 Peaches to the Beaches “Georgia’s Longest Yard Sale. Thousands of visitors travel the parkway the second Friday and Saturday of March for the annual “Peaches to the Beaches” Yard Sale in search of antiques, collectibles, and hidden treasures.”

10 – Greater Atlanta Coin Show at the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel and Conference Center

15-17 Southeastern Horticultural Society – 2013 Flower Show & Antiques March at the Cobb Galleria Centre


April

13-14, 2013 The Revival of Vintage “100+ vintage vendors, expert-taught seminars, live music, and vintage-inspired food that will make you say ‘Hallelujah!.'”
20-21, 2013 – Hogansville Spring Festival  Antiques, uniques, art, collectibles, arts & crafts, musicians and food vendors.   
27-28, 2013 Braselton Antique & Garden Festival “Antiques, Collectibles, Local Artists, Primitives, Vintage Tools, Jewelry, Pottery, Iron Works, Gardening”



May

4-5, 2013 The Cotton Pickin’ Fair “Return to 1910 where the Farmhouse, the Cotton Gin, and the Cotton Warehouse form a unique backdrop for a great day of 21st century fun.  Amidst skilled artisans and antique specialists, the Fair shares remnants of farm life in days gone by.  New talent keeps the  festival fresh and interesting while returning artists welcome loyal customers seeking to add to individual collections.”

Monthly:

Scott Antiques

Woodstock Market and Antiques Fair 

Happy junking to you!
XOXO,
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Top Romantic Restaurants in Atlanta

If you’re planning a romantic evening for your special someone, here is a compilation of some restaurants that you may want to consider in and around the Atlanta area. Your evening will be much more memorable at one of these unique establishments than at a big-chain, outside-the-mall restaurant.

Imperial Fez

2285 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, 30309
404-351-0870

Their website details your experience as, “traditional food from North Africa in an exotic dining environment. Guests dine on comfortable pillows and enjoy savory food eaten by hand. Shoes are left at the door and guests are magically transported to Morocco. It is a truly unique dining experience with nightly belly dancing performances starting at 7:30 p.m.”

Fogo de Chao

3101 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, 30305
404-266-9988
http://www.fogodechao.com/home/

Fogo de Chao invites you to, “an authentic Brazilian steakhouse. In 1979, Fogo® began sharing the gaucho way of preparing meat in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Today, [their] gaucho chefs still expertly grill each of [their] 15 cuts of meat and offer you continuous tableside service. [They] invite you to enjoy the delicious preparations of our gaucho chefs along with our gourmet salad bar, authentic Brazilian side dishes, and award-winning wine list.”

Ray’s on the River

6700 Powers Ferry Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30339
770-955-1187
http://www.raysrestaurants.com/raysontheriver/

“Ray’s on the River has been a beloved Atlanta fine dining tradition since 1984. Situated  along the Chattahoochee River, take in serene views and enjoy a menu filled with classic  Ray’s dishes, including fresh seafood flown in daily, prime cut steaks and regionally grown vegetables. [Their] award winning Sunday Brunch includes an array of more than 80 fresh  and seasonal items.”

Sun Dial Restaurant

210 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, 30303
404-589-7506
http://sundialrestaurant.com/

“The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View is Atlanta’s only tri-level dining complex featuring a revolving upscale restaurant, a rotating cocktail lounge and an observatory View Level offering a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the magnificent Atlanta skyline. An Atlanta tradition, thousands of locals and tourists board the scenic glass elevators each year to climb the hotel’s 73 stories to The Sun Dial for its unbeatable views, classic cuisine, live jazz and relaxing ambiance.”

Canoe

4199 Paces Ferry Road, SE, Atlanta, 30339
770-432-2663
http://www.canoeatl.com/

“Tucked away along the peaceful banks of the Chattahoochee River, yet conveniently located in the Atlanta community of Vinings lies one of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants. Balanced by both culinary expertise and natural aesthetics, Canoe offers a rich, flavorful experience for all your senses. One that has garnered numerous accolades, like being inducted into Nation’s Restaurant News 2005 Fine Dining Hall of Fame.”

Veni Vidi Vici

41 Fourteenth Street, Atlanta, 30309
404-875-8424
http://buckheadrestaurants.com/veni-vidi-vici/

“Hearty portions of handmade pasta, rotisserie meats and delectable desserts are signatures of this chic Italian trattoria. Located in the heart of midtown, Veni Vidi Vici is perfect for pre-theater dining or as a place to unwind and enjoy a relaxing meal. With its warm ambiance and attentive service, Veni Vidi Vici is a classic Italian experience at its best.”

Swan Coach House

3130 Slaton Drive, NW, Atlanta, 30305
404-261-0636
http://www.swancoachhouse.com/

Traditionally a destination for lunch, the Valentine dinner with Southern flair is one of the exceptions. Enjoy a romantic and decadent feast in the carriage house of the Swan House estate.

Calling ahead for reservations is recommended for all of these establishments. 

“A true man does not need to romance a different girl every night. A true man romances the same girl for the rest of his life.” ~Ana Alas

 

 

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How to Start Antiquing

To me the idea of antiquing is romantic. The process of finding an antique, learning its story, and bringing it home has the antiquarian investing emotions into their find as the wallet is being pulled out to pay for it. People sometimes ask me how I got started in antiques. At the start, at the very beginning, is a love for old things. If you aren’t committed to the idea of having previously owned merchandise in your house, owned by who knows who, then you might not be ready to get started.

When I first started I made some mistakes and I bought some things that I really didn’t like or need. If you’re interested in collecting and antiquing, I’ve put together a few steps to help you begin your journey.

What do you like? If you aren’t sure what you like and need help figuring it out, try a few of these:

  • Pinterest. Pinterest is a virtual pin board for anything and everything that you’re interested in. You can search for “antiques” or “vintage” and thousands of pictures come up. Which of these pictures appeals to you? Make a list. Or better yet, pin them to a board.
  • The Library. Check out a few antique price guide books from the library. Don’t worry about the prices for now. Just flip through and see what gets your attention. What do you like in the book?
  • What are your other hobbies and interests? Are you a die-hard baseball fan? Then chances are you’d enjoy collecting baseball memorabilia. Do you knit scarves or sewing in your spare time? The world of vintage and antique linens awaits you!
  • Do you prefer to have a collection to display on a shelf or pieces that can function in your everyday life? If you’re looking to start a collection figurines and pottery might be for you. If you’d prefer to use your collections daily, jewelry or dishes are an excellent option.
  • What would upset you to see thrown away? What item from days gone by would you hate to see by the side of the road or in a dumpster? Chances are that if something comes to mind, that would be a great thing for you to start antiquing for.

Do a little research. I’m not talking hours and hours of research. But it is a good idea to learn a little bit about what markings to look for and what the going prices are. The average antique dealer knows that their reputation means everything. They are not out to fool or scam you. However as a collector doing a little research means that you know that Pyrex and Py-O-Rey are not the same thing, and their values are drastically different. You’ll be amazed how quickly you catch on.

Browsing is fun, but having a plan is better. Antique stores can be overwhelming. Many stores rent out shelves or stalls to individual dealers. Those dealers will try to maximize their space, and a lot of merchandise gets packed into tight places. However, if you go to the stores and fairs with a plan of what you’re looking for, those things will jump out at you. For example, let’s say that I decide ahead of time that I need to find a green chair and a pink vintage tablecloth. I’m going to browse thinking, “green, pink, green, pink.” And voila, out of the woodwork comes those items you need, that you already have the perfect spot for. Don’t get overwhelmed. Make a plan. 

You don’t have to buy anything. Did I just say that??? I mean, you don’t have to buy anything unless you’re shopping in a place where I’m selling. 🙂 In all seriousness, just because you go to an antique store or fair doesn’t mean that you have to buy something. If you haven’t found something that you came in looking for or that you are generally interested in, it is okay to walk out empty handed. That’s part of the fun of antiquing. When you finally find something that you’ve been looking for, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and appreciation for that item. Antique stores are full of items waiting to start a new life with their next person. It might not be a perfect match for you.

Tastes in antiques are like underwear, personal and never shared. Remember above when I gave some tips for finding out what you are interested in? Chances are that your friend, neighbor, sister, son, or daughter-in-law doesn’t have the same taste that you do. Trust me. If you’re going to shop for antiques for others, be very sure of their tastes and needs.

I hope that this helps you to get started. If you’re ever in the metro Atlanta area check out the antique stores of Braselton. You can find many of my pieces for sale in Countryside Antiques where I have a booth. 

XOXO,
Abby

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    Belle & Beau take on Lakewood 400!

    Probably not all shoppers go antiquing with a camera, but I just had to take you along on our adventure to Lakewood 400 Antiques Market. We love Lakewood 400! You never know what you’re going to find, and it is always a good time. Don’t miss it this weekend, October 19-21.
    What I love most about Lakewood 400 is that there is a lot in one place. If you plan a day of antiquing with a friend, driving from shop to shop is going to wear you out. But with so many dealers in one location, you can really take your time and find some treasures that you’ll love at Lakewood.
    The whole show is great, but our favorite area is Hall G. On Hall G you will find The Georgia Peach, T and E Antiques and Collectibles, Brown Eyed Girl Antiques, Alluvium Design, and Geppetto’s Closet, just to name a few.

    T and E Antiques and Collectibles has an amazing selection of Jadeite, one of my loves. They also have a large selection of other great finds.
    Not on Hall G, but ones we still love are The Pyrex Chick and Ginny’s Vintage and More.
    The Pyrex Chick
    How lucky am I that I get to spend the day antiquing with this guy???
    Ken checking out the price on a piece of Pyrex.
    A few tips for you from Belle & Beau:
    • Dress comfortably. You’re going to be doing a little bit of walking. 
    • Dress for the weather. If it’s cold outside, bring a sweater. Some of the dealers are outside, and the cool air can follow you inside.
    • Always ask if prices are negotiable. Dealers are usually willing to work with you on the prices, especially if you buy more than one item from them. At the very end of the show, prices may be even better.
    • Although prices may be negotiable, this is not a garage sale giveaway. Items are usually being sold for close to what they are worth. Trust me, finding antiques and collectibles is HARD work. Dealers aren’t going to mark items so low that they don’t make money on them.
    • Most dealers take credit cards, but cash is still usually preferred.
    • I like to bring my own shopping bag.
    There is a concession area with yummy food, so you can stay and eat right at the show. Make sure to enjoy yourselves; antiquing is supposed to be fun, you know!
    Ken
    Abby
    For more information on Lakewood 400 Antiques Market, check them out on Facebook, their blog, and their website. The next show is November 16 – 18. The show is located at 1321 Atlanta Highway, Cumming, GA 30040.
     Let us know if you’ve been to Lakewood before, and what kind of treasures you found.
    XOXO,
    Abby

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