Lowcountry Produce in Seabrook

As the season has shifted into fall, the way the sun lights up the spaces in our house throughout the day has changed.  For some reason, thinking about how the sun streams in reminded me of a visit to Lowcountry Produce earlier this year.

While I don't have dreams of opening a shop, Lowcountry Produce is the kind of place that I would like to create if I did.  Everything about it was charming, from the bright white floor-to-ceiling board and batten clad walls, to the pickles, jams & soups lining the shelves.  It is a sweet little market where you can find a darling gift or something to make a plain appetizer or meal a little bit special.  The colorful art placed here and there and the sunshine streaming in warmed the happy space right up.  

By the way, the make scrumptious breakfasts and lunches, too.

Children, Fishing and Art

To me, there's nothing more delicious than the sight of a little one outside, soaking up the sun and soaking up life.  I get major heart eyes for a good shot of my little guy fishing.

When I had the opportunity to have a painting created from one of these images by an artist I adore, I jumped.  Kendall is so very talented and I have to resist the urge to buy pretty much every single happy floral painting she creates.  When she mentioned that she wanted to work on a series of paintings of children earlier this year, I got in touch with her immediately.

I couldn't be any happier with how the piece turned out.

You can check out Kendall's work here.

I had a custom floating frame made through one of my favorite Etsy shops*.

*affiliate link

Handmade Frames

You guys!  Have you ever ordered something online, and just enough time passes before it arrives that you've kind of forgotten about it?  That happened to me and today was delivery day!  Such a fun little surprise.

I ordered these frames and I'm so glad that I did!  They are handmade, from real wood, and they are lovely.  The smaller one is a standard size frame in 2-Tone style in the Robin's Egg color.  The larger frame is a custom size in the Escalante style in Vintage Dark Wood finish.  These frames are sturdy and the paint and stain are rich and beautiful.

I sought out these frames for two specific pieces of art.

The Robin's Egg frame will hold a sweet little Rainbow Row (Charleston) print from C. Brooke Ring.  The color of the frame makes this print pop and it's just the little room brightener its future space needs.

The dark frame is for a darling painting by Kendall Kirk.  If I had my way, I'd buy every single one of Kendall's paintings.  The colors are happy and the thick paint delicious.  I plan to stare at this one for several minutes every single day.

I can't wait to show you where these two pieces end up.

Summerville Flowertown Festival 2017

It's Flowertown Festival time, again!

Why is it that I love this event so much?  After the holidays end, I usually hold off on taking any time away from work until the festival.  You know how when you hold out for something for a while, it is just so good?  This day off was SO good.  Also for me, the festival is this strange mix of amazing people watching and time alone, because the people here aren't "my people."  Being the introvert that I am, I like a little time alone.  Can you blame me?  This event represents spring and it means that warm lowcountry weather is on the way.  Thank goodness!  The festival is wholly outside, so you can breath in delicious fresh air while you walk to booth after wonderful little booth.  My favorite part of all though is the ideas.  All of the amazingly creative ideas!  This event refreshes and inspires me.

If you're here near town, you've got to get out to main street and take it in!  Maybe you'll find something special to take home, too.

Here were a few of the things that caught my eye this year -

Custom Garden Rocks Whisky Rock Dispensers by Dan Dunleavy

Barn Painting by Rachel Walker 

So you guys.  At this booth last year, there was this gorgeous painting of an angel.  I have been kicking myself for not buying it all year and was so hoping that she would be back and have a similar one this year.  See, I haven't been able to find her online.  No luck, no angel paintings this year.  She did have this gorgeous barn painting though, and the little cottony looking flowers give it such a whimsical touch that I love.  Anyway, if any of y'all know how to get in touch with Rachel, please leave a comment.

At this booth they also had a bunch of Chip and Jo Jo Magnolia style home decor including various sizes of dough bowls, wooden silverware (or crayon) holders, cotton wreaths, etc.  Cute booth.

Unique Wreaths 

Southwest Pepper Grillers 

Perfect for Jalepeno Poppers.  I bet I could alter one of my recipes to work with these cool contraptions.

Art by Bri by Briahna Wenke 

I love the cotton and the sky in this painting!

Oakville Ironworks 

JK Designs

Jessica was so sweet and she can customize the necklaces for you by using different metals and switching out the stones.  She said that she's also at the Charleston City Market.

If you love these craft festivals as much as I do, look back at my posts from 2016, 2015 & 2014.

The weather was most ideal this year, but because we had a late freeze just a week or so ago, none of the Azaleas were in bloom today.  Blah.  Luckily, a few of the vendors were selling some pretty flowers to take home and plant in your garden, like these -

Until next year!

SEWE 2017

Some say that a "day date" isn't as significant or special as a traditional evening-time date.  I say, the day date is absolutely underrated, especially if you're a parent.  Take the day off of work, drop the little one off at school, and set off on a several hour adventure!

The annual Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE) kicked off today and the weather in Charleston is unseasonably warm.  Perfect day date scenario.

Many artists and craftspeople bring their work to SEWE to show and sell.  So many interesting and beautiful things to look at and appreciate.  Here were a few of my favorite -

These handsome belt buckles are by Red Fish Brand and were part of a display by Grady Ervin & Co.  Also, how cool is the old tackle box they are displayed in?

I've been following Chic Verte on the social medias since SEWE last year.  The oyster shell necklaces are so pretty up close.  I may just have to go back and buy one tomorrow.  The are so very lowcountry, especially in the winter months.

Landrum Tables has been a favorite of mine for a while, but this Fly Rod table is such a unique piece.  My husband would love to have a setup like this one.

Aside from the art, jewelry and whatnot, SEWE also includes lectures, demos & shows.  Today, we caught a fly fishing demo with John Irwin from Charleston Angler.  Stay tuned for an upcoming posts with some of the tips that John shared.

Sunday update -

It just wouldn't be SEWE without catching a bit of the dock dogs competition.  The summer-like day in February made it fun to get right up close.

Vintage and Antique Shops in the South

Perusing the many curious little vintage and antique shops in the south is one of my favorite ways to spend a free hour.  Today, we happened to have reason to go out to Summerville, so I knew I wanted to stop at a fun shop that I ran across on Insta recently.

Vintage South is the name and they have a wonderful mix of vintage and antique items.  I was hoping to find a set of corbels to use in the new house.  I didn't have any luck with those, but did find all kinds of other things to consider.

Like, these glass doorknobs for starters.  I imagine Nicole Curtis tossing them into an old crock pot to clean them up and just how pretty they would look in our new house.

A few other things caught my eye...

The lady running the shop today was as sweet as could be, so I spent a few minutes chatting with her about the corbels (apparently I just missed a great set).  Even though I didn't leave with anything today, I will definitely saunter through Vintage South again.

What are your favorite antique or vintage shops?

Summerville Flowertown Festival 2016

It is Flowertown Festival time again!  An annual bit of creative inspiration.  A favorite Lowcountry tradition.  My unofficial start to summer.

It was overcast today, but warm.  And rain threatened all morning, but luckily, it only drizzled for a few minutes while I made my way around.  I walk around quickly until I spot something I like and then take my time.  Too much time.

Several new artists joined the festival this year and some of them brought really great stuff.  Here were a few things that caught my eye...

If you love art and craft festivals as much as I do, you might like my Flowertown Festival posts from 2015, 2014 & 2013.

Which festivals do you like to visit?