I Love a Parade

Last weekend Brad and I scoped out the Richmond Parade of Homes for fun house ideas. I covertly snapped some our favorite designs. I apologize in advance for some blurry, “hurry up before the realtor starts talking to us," pics!

Our favorite exterior

Really, what’s not to love here? From the pitched roof, to the red window panes, to the big front door, I swooned over this house from the curb.

Our favorite entrance

Bead board? Check! Hidden storage? Check! Bench for shoe removal? Check!

Our favorite sink

Love, love, love the simple vessel sink and custom cabinet. I’d swap out that granite for something more marble-like, but otherwise I’m a big fan!

Our favorite shower

Two, count ‘em, two shower heads. Built in benches. Built in shampoo nook. Marble. ‘Nuff said.

Our favorite closet

This thing was bigger than our office. I love that it’s all wood, no plastic or wire shelving. Tons of hanging space and lots of room for shoes and bags sealed the deal.

Our favorite pantry

The organizational nut in me loves this. How great would it be to easily see all your dry goods in one glance? Pull out shelves and baskets make me extra happy.

Our favorite door

I feel for the details on this simple, yet classy, door. I know it’s just a door, but ::sigh::

Our favorite foyer

The lovely grey/blue/green paint had me liking it. The beautiful molding had me loving it. And the awesome mercury glass stars had me grabbing for my camera.

What details make a house stand out for you? Do you go nuts over beautiful floors? Do custom cabinets have you drooling? Spill the beans on your favorite little extras!

<3
Hattie

EarthPan Update

Remember my free Earthpan I reviewed back in August? I thought y’all might like to see how it’s holding up after over two months of heavy use.

After cooking lots of eggs (over easy and scrambled with cheese), chicken, shrimp, taco meat, pancakes, and veggies, I’m happy to report that the pan still looks brand new!

I will admit that it’s not the best for flipping over easy eggs, but it does just fine with pancakes. I love that I haven’t had to buy non-stick spray in forever because the pan doesn’t need it. It cleans up beautifully, heats evenly, and is making this cook pretty darn happy!

I would definitely add to my EarthPan collection in the future!

What’s your favorite green cookware? Please spill the beans!

<3
Hattie



A new spin on some old tricks

Last year I went a little fall crazy and made a bunch of what fancy people call, “decorative accents.”

Like these branches,

and faux mercury glass fruit.

I decided to bring them out again this year.

The branches stayed in the exact same place.

But, I moved the fruit from the living room to the kitchen table.

I used leftover drop cloth fabric for a runner, layered a white platter on a red platter, threw on the fruit, and stuck in a few floral picks, cuz I like ‘em!

Do you reuse your seasonal décor in the same places every year, or do you like to change things up? It looks like I do a little of both!

<3
Hattie

Fall's in a basket

Wanna make a super easy fall arrangement that doesn’t seem out of place with beachy décor?


Step one: Find a super cool basket. It you can’t find one in a great blue/green, scour thrift stores for a basket with a great shape and take some spray paint to it.

Step two: stuff the basket with crumpled newspaper and top with scraps of linen or drop cloth fabric.

Step three: top with lovely heirloom pumpkins and gourds. I found mine at the flea market, but I’ve also seen them at Trader Joe’s.

Step four: fill in any empty spots with faux greenery and leaves from the dollar store.

Easy Peasy!

What's your favorite quick and simple decorating trick?

Linking to the awesome at Gina's!

<3
Hattie

Fun at the flea

Over the weekend, I joined my parents and brother for a road trip to the Shenandoah Antiques Expo in Fishersville, VA.

We’d never attended this twice yearly flea market, so the sheer size of exhibit space stunned us. In addition to four buildings, over 100 booths were also set up outside. We quickly discovered that the “real” antiques with the real big price tags were located inside the buildings, while the fun and much more affordable “junk” was outside.

I seriously could have snapped photos in nearly every booth, but that would have cut into my treasure hunting. I did manage to capture a few cool items.

I love the shabby paint job on this chunky dresser. Although white paint will always be my first love, I’m really digging the washed out greens, blues, and greys that lend a beachy vibe.

OK, this porch swing needs a serious paint strip and a fun new stain or color, but how cool is it? I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I could instantly imagine myself curled up on the porch on a fall day with a mug of cider and a good book.

My mom is smiling because she snagged this awesome cabinet. I love everything about it from the blue/grey paint and bead board backing, to the wavy glass and porcelain knobs. The $300 price tag wasn’t shabby either! She’s going to use it to store linens outside her new bathroom.

I didn’t walk away empty handed either - shocker, I know!

The price tag calls it a sage fall gathering basket. I call it gorgeous! The dealer had it marked down from $22 to $5. The best part? In one of the buildings, a basket in a similar color and size was priced at $700! I don’t know if Martha Washington wove that basket or what, but it made me doubly pleased at my five buck treasure!

I also picked up some supplies for fun necklaces. I couldn’t resist a lucky number 7 key and pretty vintage beads.

Finally, I caved and bought more fall decorating supplies. The gourds were only a buck each, and the mini pumpkin was .50 cents, so I don't feel too bad.

I’ve already put the basket and gourds to work in the roost, so stay tuned for a simple fall arrangement, coming soon to a blog near you!

What’s the best deal you’ve ever scored at a flea market? I love a good bargain story!

<3
Hattie

Feeling Campy: Part 2

I fully intended to post this on Tuesday, but a little thing called “the week of exhausting meetings” kind of got in the way!

Anyway… after our hike up the falls, we spent a little while resting at the campsite before heading off to Dickie Brothers Orchard (oddly located off of Rt. 666!).

They had two varieties of apples for picking: Romes and Fujis.

We started with the Romes.

I know they’re meant for baking, but I also like a tart apple for eating.

Next, on to the Fujis!

Tracy liked these the best.

The trees were beautiful!

Sarah and Mark's dog, Digo, got into the action with an impromptu version of apple fetch.

We also picked some pumpkins. Brad promptly named ours Petie. I can’t explain that one!

Before leaving the next morning, we went on a final hike to the Three Ridges portion of the AT.

I felt the need to document the fact that I’ve officially hiked on the Appalachian Trail.

While this hike wasn’t as scenic as Crabtree Falls, it did include a super cool swinging bridge.

I perched on the side for a picture with Brad.

The view from the bridge was super pretty. That wraps up our camping adventure! We had a great time and can’t wait for our next camping opportunity.

I’ve got lots of stuff to share with you this week, including a trip to a huge flea market and fall decorating fun!

Do you have a favorite camping spot?

<3
Hattie

Feeling Campy: Part 1

Over the weekend Brad and I welcomed fall by camping and hiking with two of our favorite couples.

Tracy and I cheesed it up in front of the campground sign.

Brad had to get in on the action as well!

Saturday morning we made the half mile trek from the campground to the base of Crabtree Falls.

Although there wasn’t much to see other than a river and a bridge, we were pretty snap happy with our cameras.

Ten minutes of hiking rewarded us with our first amazing view of the falls.

This, of course, brought on another round of photos,

and a little resting.

More hiking brought more waterfall views.

Sarah and Mark admired the rushing water.

The falling water became louder and more beautiful as we went up the mountain.

We found a cave along the way and spent a little time holding it up.

Almost at the top!

We rested a bit at the top of the trail,

and spent a long time gazing over the mountains and eating lunch. Crabtree Falls is the prettiest hike I’ve ever taken, and I would recommend it to anyone who happens to find themselves in Nelson County, VA!

Check back tomorrow for more camping adventures!

<3
Hattie