Confessions Of a Shop-a-holic

Phew, has it really been since last week that I posted?!  Thankfully my daughter stepped in and did her wonderful cocktail party post or I would have left you all hangin' for even more time!  She loved reading all of your sweet comments, so thank you all for your kind words!!

This week has been a complete blur with single digit temperatures, high winds, and lots of outdoor time with a new puppy.  Who thought it was a good idea to get a puppy during the coldest time of the year?!  Hmm, I think I'll take the 5th on that one!  I know our temperatures may seem tame to some of you who are used to living in the Arctic, but for us "southern" Marylanders...well we just aren't used to it.  I live south of much of the state of Virginia, so I'm a southerner at heart and appreciate heat and humidity, not wind and freezing temperatures!

In between my many trips outside this week, I was able to finish up another story and with just one more to go I've had some time to do a little shopping.  The title of my post is actually a little misleading.  You see I don't live to shop, and I have to confess that I haven't set foot inside a mall for probably 3 years...I detest indoor shopping malls!  I think I spent too much time in them when my children were little, hauling strollers, sippy cups, and diaper bags, so for me, the magic of mall shopping wore off a long time ago.  When asked by his pre-school teacher where he liked dine, for a book they made as a gift for mother's day, my son said that his favorite place to eat out was Nordstrom Cafe...so you can see we spent a fair amount of time shopping back in the day!

Plus, the closest mall is 45 minutes away, the "good" mall, the one with more than just a J.C. Penney is almost 2 hours away...and that's each way folks!  So over the years, I've become quite adept at that thing we call online shopping.  I can pick out pj's in my pj's and shop for tea while sipping a cup at my desk.  Plus, I don't have to spend money on gas, or a meal and it doesn't take me all day to buy what I need.  I love technology...but not as much as you you see...(ok that was from Napoleon Dynamite, did any of you get the reference?!...didn't think so!).

So I thought in this post I would share with you the only Christmas tree...can sticks be a tree?...that is gracing my house at the moment, and also share with you some of my favorite online retailers.   Now don't get me wrong, I love to shop at small local stores, and I'll tell you more about that in another post, but for now, here are some of my favorite online places to pick up some loot for the holidays!

For the bargain hunter in the crowd, you'll love these.  I'm a girl who loves a good bargain, and you'll find me picking through the clearance rack, even online!  Some of these sites require a free membership, some don't, but they offer designer finds at wonderful prices...my kind of shopping. Others on this list are simply sites that tell you which of your favorite retailers have things on sale...or where to find a coupon for something.  I always do a Google search for coupons when I'm buying something, I saved a boatload this year with coupons that weren't advertised on the retailer's website.

Shop Style

Rue La La

 BULX

Slickdeals


Overstock


Passwird


Dealighted

CSN Stores

I love giving things that are special or one of a kind, so this next group consists of shops where you'll find that perfect something for someone who has the soul of an artist...or those that don't want mass produced gifts.. I love those kind of people!  Some of the folks on this list are my sponsors, which means I love them even more!

Fearless Nesting

The Old Post Road

Scarborough Seashells

The Nest

Sissiecakes

Cottage and Vine

Itsy Bits and Pieces

Romantic Farmhouse

Simple Daisy

K.Young Photography

Hartwood Roses

Cheryl McDermitt Jewelry 

Farmgirl Paints

There are so many wonderful Etsy stores out there that it would take me all night to list them all, so I apologize if I missed someone...I will probably wake up tonight in a cold sweat when I remember who I forgot!!

This next list consists of small online retailers that have those cool, unusual items that make me smile and drool!

Barn House Marketplace

Farmhouse Wares

Mothology

Razmataz

Patina

French Bleu Vintage

Red Barn Mercantile

White Flower Farmhouse

Pale and Interesting


Paper Relics


Seaside Inspired


Violet Swan


Such Pretty Things

Williamsburg Marketplace


Madison at Main

Of course this list is just scratching the surface, but they are some of the places I like to frequent.  The clay tags you see in the photos above of my "branch" tree came from The Nest, and I love that they are homemade and one of a kind!  Of course I shop at the major online retailers and big box stores, but I truly do love the little things I find and the idea of supporting independent retailers and craftspeople!

And another thing I love to do is to support charitable organizations, not just at Christmas, but all throughout the year.  CNN had an article (HERE) that gives you lots of information on ways to help others, while helping yourself to some wonderful gifts!

I'm am 99.9% done with my shopping, which is a record for me...normally I have my decorations up early and my shopping done late...this year it's flip flopped!  Oh well, you can't win 'em all.  I hope each of you is avoiding the shopping frenzy and finding those perfect gifts for the ones you love!

A Sneak Peek and A Reminder

I finally got a little mojo going last night and finished the tree in my living and dining room.  It's not a complicated tree, or even a tree in the traditional sense really, but after several days of staring at bare branches in a container I decided it was time to dress them up a bit. 

Once I'm done with both of these rooms I'll take some pictures to give you the full effect of it, I'm really loving the way it turned out.  Simple and natural with a touch of sparkle and beachy'ness, my favorite combination this time of year.

I also wanted to remind you of a few wonderful things going on this weekend.  Starting today, there are two wonderful barn/tag sales happening.  One is at Ekster Antiques outside of Leesburg, Virginia.  I featured Ekster's last sale in a post (HERE).  And several of the photos I took at that sale are also gracing the pages of this month's Romantic Country Magazine (Yipee!!), which should be in your mailbox or on newsstands sometime in the next few days.

If you live in or around DC or northern Virginia you won't want to miss this weekend's barn sale at Ekster!

The other sale which starts today is a tag sale going on at Chartreuse and Co. in Frederick, Maryland.  I've never been to Chartreuse and Co., but my dear friend Connie has and she tells me it's a "must" see.  If you click on the link above to their site you'll be treated to lots of photos of all of the wonderful things they currently have for sale!

It's also a Vintage Source weekend, the last one for 2010, and it's sure to be a good one!  The Vintage Source girls always end the year with a bang, and based on their "New Arrivals" page this sale looks like a great one!  During their sale weekend in December last year I picked up my lovely horse pull which holds my Christmas stockings!

I also want to take this opportunity to say goodbye to a wonderful woman, great friend, and one of the Vintage Source "mommas,"...Cathe Chiomento.  From the moment you meet Cathe you can feel her warmth and great infectious personality.  Cathe also has an amazing sense of style as you can see by the photos above of her home, which sold in just a week!  She and her husband are moving back to Pennsylvania to be closer to their children and grandchildren and St. Mary's County will be a little less bright once they leave at the end of this month.  Best wishes Cathe, and I can't wait to see all of the beautiful things you will do in your new home...I'll definitely be coming for a visit sometime soon, with camera in hand!

And last, but certainly not least, don't forget about the wonderful sale going on this Saturday at my friend Susan's home which I wrote about HERE!  Trust me when I say that you won't want to miss this sale either, and why not make a day of it and go to both Susan's sale AND The Vintage Source's sale...with lunch in between of course! 

If you live too far away to go to any of these sales never fear.  Over the next week I'll be sharing with you a few of my favorite Etsy stores and online retailers.

And for those of you who live in southern Maryland, I'll also be sharing a few of my favorite local stores so be sure to check back!

In the meantime...Happy Shopping everyone!

May I Have Your Attention Please

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments about my snowy windowsill decor, I really appreciate it!  And for your kind thoughts about Kylee, we have an appointment with a canine cardiologist on Friday to hopefully help us find the right mix of medications to keep her comfortable.

As you can see from the picture above, it's pretty easy to get everyone's attention around here if you just have a treat in your hand!  For the rest of us, this time of year it seems like we are all buzzing around, going a million miles an hour and searching for the right gift, food, you name it, all in a sort of chaotic holiday haze!

 (All Photos Courtesy of the Sale)

So when I got a phone call from my friend Julie of Frosted Trash, I was happy to hear that there might be something out there this season just for me.  A little break from the action, and a quiet place to do a bit of holiday shopping my way, without the maddening crowds.

You may remember seeing some of Julie's gorgeous sea glass jewelry which I featured HERE.  She and her dear friend Susan have decided to team up this Saturday, along with several other wonderful artisans, and have a sale at Susan's waterfront cottage (pictured above) along the banks of the Potomac River on St. George Island, in southern Maryland.

Over the years Susan has owned several antique and gift shops which is how we came to know one another.   As an antique dealer, she has amassed a wonderful collection of antiques, unique collectibles and one of a kind folk art pieces to fill the home she shares with her husband Don.  The pieces she owns, as well as the home itself, will be featured in a magazine this spring.  When she said she was cleaning house a little and getting rid of some of her wares at a sale this weekend I was more than happy to spread the word so that anyone within driving distance could jump on this very special opportunity!

There will be vintage sterling and silver plate flatware and serving pieces...

Antique dolls, Victoriana, and country pieces.

 Old game boards, yellowware bowls, vintage Christmas ornaments...

And friend, and talented local woodworker, Rob Seltzer of RNS Woodworks, will be there with beautiful handcrafted pieces of furniture and his great picture frames!

Hugely talented watercolor artist Susan St. George will also be on hand selling her gorgeous original artwork, prints, note cards and even ornaments!

Of course Julie will also be there selling her wonderful beach glass jewelry which is perfect as a stocking stuffer or teacher's gift!  Or if you're like me, you'll buy some for yourself!

Trust me when I say that you won't want to miss this once in a lifetime sale.  Call your friends, plan a road trip, because you won't be disappointed!

The flyer below gives directions on how to get to Susan's home, and times for the sale.  And even if you live in the DC area, it will be worth the trip!  Not only will you be able to take a little bit of history home with you, but you can grab a yummy crab cake dinner or lunch just up the road from her house...so what's not to love about that?!  Shopping and a little taste of southern Maryland...my kind of day!

(click on flyer to enlarge)

Shop Til You Drop - Brambles

Last Friday I drove to northern Virginia to do some scouting shots of two homes for a magazine.  I was also lucky enough to visit a wonderful shop called Brambles located in Occoquan, Virginia.

The historic town of Occoquan is charming and dates back to the 1700s.  Situated along the Occoquan River, this bustling town is rich in history.  But today, instead of tobacco warehouses and cotton mills, you'll find wonderful specialty shops, antique stores, and great places to dine!  It's the perfect place to spend the afternoon browsing the eclectic mix of merchants and enjoying lunch or dinner.

Brambles is owned by Sharon and Dan Prophet.  The store is filled with what Sharon calls "Artful Necessities for the Home and Garden."  I love that phrase, and who doesn't need artful necessities to fill their home and garden?!  And Sharon doesn't just sell some of the items in her store, she also creates them!

The store is full of her wonderful artwork, such as the painted shutter pictured above.

And although Sharon also creates one of a kind pieces of hand painted furniture, she can't seem to keep them in the store!  They are sold just as quickly as she can make them!

Along with Sharon's own personal creations, Brambles has lots of other wonderful wares to offer. I love these fabric hearts made from vintage inspired fabrics and adorned with antique buttons and beautiful ribbon!

The store has a romantic European feel to it with something for everyone. This crystal candle chandelier would be perfect in a dining room, or can't you just picture it hanging from a rose covered arbor providing soft candlelight for dining al fresco?! 

Brambles also carries beautiful upholstered furniture, available in a wide variety of styles and fabric choices.

I fell in love with this beautiful blue and white chair the moment I saw it.  I think it would be a great comfy chair for curling up in to read a book or favorite magazine!

Upholstered pieces aren't all you'll find at Brambles, there is a wonderful assortment of wooden furniture for sale as well, such as the handsome farm table above!  You'll also find plenty of painted furnishings scattered throughout the shop!

And if you're in the market for accessories, you won't be disappointed! I think the label on this apothecary jar says it all!

You'll also find beautiful faux flowers, like these lovely tulips, at Brambles!  And this little trio of hand painted heart shaped boxes are the perfect way to say I love you to someone special!

These Kitras Art Glass ornaments are one of a kind works of art, each with it's own theme.  While I was photographing the shop a woman came in to purchase one as a wedding gift.  She said that she always buys one of these unique glass orbs to represent the season in which the couple marries.  What a great idea!

But Brambles doesn't just sell things to adorn your home and garden! You can also find plenty of beautiful things to adorn yourself with, like these beautiful handcrafted silk scarves and floral pins!  I love how Sharon has the pins displayed on an old wire dress form...so chic!

This cameo brooch would add elegance to any outfit!

As though the jewelry wasn't pretty enough by itself, the way Sharon has it displayed makes it even more special.  I love the way she has some of the pieces tucked inside a vintage piece of luggage!

Everywhere you turn there is something special to look at! From the fragrant Rosy Rings candles, to the beautifully presented accessories!

Sharon and her husband Dan have an eye for exceptional pieces such as this gorgeous mirror.  The frame came from an old building in Belgium and they had mirrors cut to fit the frame!  I love this piece, and think it would make a statement in any style home!

I had a wonderful day meeting Sharon, she even took me out for a delicious lunch and to the home of one of her best customers where I got to see more of her beautiful hand painted pieces of furniture!

And I want to thank both Sharon and Dan for letting me photograph not only their store, but also their home!  *Fingers Crossed* you might just be seeing their lovely home, and the equally lovely home of her customer Lisa, in an upcoming issue of a magazine!  I'll let you know more about the magazine articles in the near future!

So if you're lucky enough to live near Occoquan, Virginia why not pop in to Brambles and have a look for yourself, and please tell Sharon and Dan that Kat from Low Tide High Style says hello?!  Or better yet, why not plan to take a trip to visit this historic town?!  And be sure to head in to nearby Washington D.C. to take in all of the wonderful sights the area has to offer!