Happy Easter!

I was thrilled with the way these Easter vignettes turned out for Table Seven Antiques. This gorgeous shop in Ghent has been a client of mine for years and lucky for me has turned into a wonderful friendship as well. The backdrop for these photos is a late 1800's bread board. Stunning, right? Just take a few minutes to look around and there are photo backdrops everywhere!

We featured themed basket ideas the week leading up to Easter and it was a big hit.

. . . for the craft cocktails lover

. . . making Good Friday great

. . . basket essentials

. . . for the manly man

. . . for the foodie

. . . must have basket sweets

Mark Your Calendars!

We'll be having our first Pop Up Shop in more than a year on February 13, 2016.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, visit Kitsch where you can build your own bouquet for your Sweetie. We'll also have accessories, succulents and our newly painted flower cart. 

Noon to 3 p.m.

807 Shirley Ave., Norfolk, Virginia

Join the Facebook event and share it with your friends!

Wedding Rentals from Table Seven

I'm so grateful for having met Leigh at Table Seven Antiques. Her daughter, my then co-worker and now dear friend, introduced us when there was a small invitation crisis a few days before Table Seven's first open house. Little did I know how many doors would open through our relationship. Leigh has been so supportive and kind, she's taught me so much about antiques, proper etiquette and manners (which is why I call her my Southern Mama), and best of all, she lets me play with all of her beautiful items in her exquisite shop. 

Most recently, we did a photo shoot at her house showcasing her China rentals for weddings and other events. She sipped on her Ginger Ale and let me go picking through her house to make this shoot a beautiful success. These images will appear in VOW Bride magazine (as ads) and throughout other publications in Hampton Roads.

#75: Photo Shoot

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to see my 92 To-Do's for this Summer - and to see the brave souls tackling their own lists!

#80: Window Shopping

....and/or window designing...

This Summer I was lucky enough to design TWO window displays here in Norfolk. The first was at Lorak Jewelry in the Selden Arcade. I met with Anna at the beginning of the Summer and came up with this simple, but pretty design to fit her shop. If you haven't been in to see her jewelry, it's absolutely stunning. And made right here in Norfolk! Lorak is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located at 208 East Plume Street, Suite 12.

The second window was definitely a bit more challenging and time intensive, but came out beautifully! It's my beloved Table Seven Antiques. Leigh and I decided it would be fitting to decorate with a "food theme" since Fresh Market will be opening across the street in less than a month. We collected all of the shop's food related items, everything from cookbooks to rolling pins, baking tins to aprons, vintage bread boxes and even some 'fresh' felt flowers. It's definitely different than the typical Table Seven look, but a nice change for the Fall, until it's time for the Christmas windows!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

#85: Bastille Day

Bastille Days in Ghent, a first-time event was held last week on Colley Avenue in front of Blair Middle School. I had the privilege to be in the know about this event from the beginning because I was asked to design the posters!

Like any inaugural affair, there were some aspects that had to either be nixed or downsized, but in less than a few months this event was pulled together and a great success. I was so excited that my design was very well received and found its way all over Ghent. The Harbor Gallery is selling 12x18 versions, framed and unframed. The Alliance Francaise Norfolk was selling t-shirts and it made it's way into the "Passport" that attendees used to discover all the events and specials.

The two-day event included Can Can Dancers, wine & cheese tastings, French story hour, tricycle Tour de Ghent, waiter races, French themed movies at The Naro, antique markets, fresh flowers, a guillotine photo booth, music and so much more!

Community paint project. There were two easels set up with blank canvases that anyone walking by could paint on. Here, someone started an Eiffel Tower and these girls were adding their artistic touch. This is a great idea for an art pop up or a feature at an art show.

We tried the all natural crepe with brown sugar and butter...delicious. Monique's Crepes is a Richmond-based food truck and has lots of events on their upcoming schedule.

Bastille Days t-shirts! 

Table Seven's adorable setup! They had lots of French inspired gifts, books and candy, I loved the Eiffel Tower suckers. Hopefully next year, the market can include more vendors with an even more eclectic collection of French-inspired vendors and booths.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Click here to read all about it and here to a see a gallery of pictures of everyone participating. 

Monday Musebles

Pleasant surprise from Emily. A thank you gift for her visit last month.
Can't wait to start a project (or find one in the trash) for these cuties.

Some weekends can be extremely productive. Others can be a disappointment in regards to the activities you may involve yourself in. Saturday, we made the wise choice of skipping the annual Wine Festival, but ended up at Smartmouth for Growler Power Hour ($10 off all growler fills). That still wouldn't have been a bad idea, however, we continued our shenenagins until the early hours of the morning. For as poorly as Sunday could have been, I actually remained moving - and crafting - the entire day. Managed to bake a cake AND make lunch for the entire week. I may not be 22 anymore, but it sure pays to be able to drink like one ;)

Smartmouth unveiled its Outta Your Gourd pumpkin ale. It's a must-try!

What a full day of crafting actually looks like, a big giant mess.

Spent Saturday morning with my favorite antique lady, Leigh Greer. You have to check out The Pilot's article on her beautiful shop!

Chili, in which every condiment in the fridge was used.

Spice Cake Box Mix + 1 Can Pumpkin + Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting = Bomb Diggity

#1 Pint Night

The boy and I walked to Cogan's and treated ourselves with pints. Although our pints didn't fit into the Pint Night special, which our waitress neglected to tell us (1/2 off draft pints $5 or less or $4 for a PBR tallboy and a slice). Oh well, I can't complain.

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. To learn more about it, click here.

#17: 80/20 Burger Bar

AltDaily threw its 5-year anniversary party at 80/20 Burger Bar so what better reason to finally get to this upscale burger joint? The party was fantastic, we heard Karacell (sweet DJ/experimental sounds that I definitely want to check out again) and just a few songs from DJP and MrT. The atmosphere is great, beer selection great (thanks for the Bell's Oberon throwback), food was just okay. Mike's fries were amazing with a nice twist of Parmesan and Rosemary, but the rest of the food was lacking that next notch up factor. Granted, I didn't try one of the well-known veggie burgers, so when the hole in my stomach is feeling extra large I will definitely try one out.

Happy Anniversary/Birthday to AltDaily, Hannah and the rest of the community for making this a better place to be!

This is the third year for 92 Days of Summer. You can check out the previous years here and here.

Earth Studios

John from Glass Gardens first told me about Earth Studios. The owners had randomly stumbled upon his Craigslist ad for air plant consignment and from there he started a great relationship. I contacted them in late June about consigning my felt food and right away they knew it'd be a great fit. Getting out there and supplying a generous helping of the food was a different story. I should note "out there" isn't really "out there" at all. It's just down Colley Avenue, but anything away from my front door seems far away these days.

Anyway, I finally stopped by the shop and it's amazing. The quaint space has so much to offer in upcycled furniture, new and repurposed art, tabletop accessories and gifts. Shannon and Robyn, co-owners of Earth Studios, have such a talent for refinishing furniture, an eye for design and a great taste in home decor. It's an honor to be consigning in their adorable store and wish them nothing but the best for years to come!

#82 and #21 are off the list!

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about it here.

#11: Greenhouse

 

I have yet to find a greenhouse like the ones I grew up with in Ohio. The biggest difference is that back home, they are actually greenhouses. Here there might have a small greenhouse the size of a shed, but it's more like a park with mulched pathways. I understand that is because the climate is very different here, but there is nothing that says plant shopping like walking into that plastic box with that earthy smell and fans blowing around the hot, damp air. There would be hundreds of plants and flowers, a section for trees, a whole indoor store where you could buy planters and other garden accessories.

I won't say the garden shops I've been to recently are bad, because they aren't! Carter's, which is right in Ghent on 21st Street, is a fabulous place. Growing every year and reasonable prices. Eggleston Garden Center is very nice and they have a decent selection of shade plants. I stopped at Virginia Feed and Seed today during lunch and they have a good selection of unique planters (and randomly a huge collection of sports memorabilia).

I'm still in search of that one giant greenhouse, nursery or garden center, that's in the middle of nowhere with plants and trees abound. Can you tell me where this place exists?

#11 is off the list! I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about it here.

strEATS

A new food truck inspired restaurant is coming to Ghent! I absolutely loved working with the owners to create this fun and vibrant logo. Can't wait to see what the menu has to offer.

#79: Freelance Projects

I'm participating in the 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about it here.

#23: Celebrate 5 Years

A lot happens in five years. A lot has happened in the past five months! He never stops surprising me with his support, encouragement, strength and never-ending good mood. We've made it five years and I know the next five will be even better!

To celebrate, we went to The Green Onion for dinner. I tried a new food (#30 on the list), halloumi, which was served a little pan friend over a bed of tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar.

I'm participating in my third 92 Days of Summer challenge. Read about the project here.