antique – tide & bloom

salvage atl 2014

Salvage, put on by the same geniuses who created Indie Craft Experience, is one of the many Atlanta events I look forward to. Here, vendors can sell all their vintage finds and vintage-inspired creations to people like me who like to fancy themselves connoisseurs of pretty things. Not only that, it also gives me an excuse to purchase delicious treats from The Little Tart, King of Pops, and Atomic Ice Cream Sandwiches (there goes my wallet and my diet).

My two purchases of the day were the Missouri plate you see above (for the STL beau) and a sweet little Etienne Aigner wicker shoulder bag from Red Tag Affair (you can see it in her picture way up above)!

creative makers: bethany putnam of foxboxes

I am so ecstatic to be continuing my Creative Makers and Creative Masters series! I had fallen off track because of how busy I was in the past few months, but I’m on the road again and ready to introduce you to some seriously awesome entrepreneurs.

Sitting down for coffee with Bethany Putnam reminded me how much I love interviewing other creative individuals; she’s a kindred spirit with a warm heart and a genuine desire to help others connect with their life’s bliss. I felt so comfortable chatting with her that I easily forgot I was supposed to be asking her actual questions! Bethany acts as one half of Foxboxes, bringing vintage-themed flasks to the drinkers of Atlanta and Los Angeles alike. Their sweet and nostalgic creations feature upcycled antique imagery with a cheeky sense of humor and whimsy to match. Having just been voted Best Indie Crafter in Creative Loafing, it’s easy to see that Foxboxes is on a steep trajectory towards indie craft stardom.

discovering east lake atlanta

There are way too many effin cute neighborhoods in Atlanta. It’s wonderfully overwhelming and keeps me feeling alive to discover all the little gems scattered inside the perimeter. A recent Saturday took me to East Lake in search of Thread Count, a unique vendor’s market focused on raising awareness for local craftsmanship, sustainability, and design. In other words, it pretty much had my name written all over it plus there was no cover charge at all. I expected the typical Atlanta craft market experience where you come, covet, eat, and leave. Little did I know that East Lake’s neighborhood would charm the pants off of me. Why?… Just look.

On the way to Thread Count, Ben and I stumbled upon the East Lake Urban Farm. Due to our impending move to a duplex unit with a backyard begging for a garden, I’ve recently become obsessed with nurseries, farms, and vegetable gardens. Perhaps it’s the farm to table trend seeping into my blood. Perhaps it’s my desire to save money. Either way – it’s a healthy new interest and I’m looking forward to what I might be able to pull up from the earth with my own two hands. In the meantime, I’ll just keep ogling cute places like this.

The event was held in the East Lake Community Garden which is filled rows of blooming vegetables and a den of weed-eating goats (even little ones). Though there weren’t many vendors in total, each one was dripping with a genuine desire to share the love of their craft. Not to mention there was also free beer from New Belgium. Did I mention that I like stuff that’s free?

I met a number of darling artisans who were just beginning their creative journey. Like KJo – audiologist by day and jewelry maker by night! She scavenges for vintage items and reclaims them into sweet little pieces to wear. Her display felt like the awesome attic of an eccentric aunt who has a taste for the feminine along with the slightly strange.

And Rachael of Neva Opet, who hand-crafts elegant leather accessories. She’s an absolute doll and more on her later!

Do you need any more convincing to go see East Lake for yourself? Just a little drive around the neighborhood will do you a world of good, but a visit to the garden and farm will be enough to make you want to plant your own roots here.

paris in atlanta

Sometimes I fall into the delusional trap of thinking I’ve seen it all. Seen all the places, eaten all the food, roamed all the markets. As much as I try to convince myself that sitting at home on the weekends is the best course of action, it just isn’t true. There is just too much to be found out there in our wonderful city and even the things you think you know can surprise you. Case in point: Paris On Ponce.

I used to go to Paris on Ponce pretty frequently when I first moved here to ogle the mass amount of antiques (not gonna lie, also because they so adorably laid out cookies and lemonade too), but had fallen off the wagon due to the fact that I could never take home the secondhand furniture I coveted. A chance whim took me back there recently and I was stunned at all the changes that had taken place, in a very good way.

Paris on Ponce is now Paris on Ponce & POP Marché. Still housing a crazy amount of antique treasures, but now also home to unique vignette boutiques filled with home goods from various vendors and curators from around the city. And here I was, thinking it couldn’t get any better! Every booth is like a miniature world with a landscape abundant with patterns, texture, and color.

Despite my best efforts, I didn’t manage to make it out empty-handed.

lovin that kudzu

Atlanta holds so many treasures that I forget all the different places to find them. Usually it takes an out-of-town visitor for me to recognize the things I fell in love with when I first moved here. A great example of that is Kudzu in Decatur (not technically Atlanta, but close enough).

Kudzu is full to the brim with vendor stalls holding things like antique treasures, mid-century modern, vintage toys, and more. I seem to always find something to take home with me whenever I go, but that’s probably because I’m good at rationalizing utility for random vessels.

Not quite sure what’s wrong with me, but I’m just obsessed with collecting vases, cups, plates, etc! Maybe it’s a way for me to compensate for not being able to purchase the larger furniture I covet.

cute & adorable

Sometimes gift-giving is hard. We all experience that frustrating gifter’s block where you can’t find anything that’s just right for your friend, mother, or the bride-to-be. Fortunately I have the perfect solution for you. Begin with vintage history, add some sweat equity, mix in a dash of love, and you’ll find the wonderful offerings by Block & Hammer (obviously I like their name)!

I’ve been on the edge of my seat waiting to share their beautiful work

secondhand saturday

Gorgeous days equal fun activities with friends!

Kelly and I took the liberty of spending a Saturday exploring Salvage Atlanta at Ambient Plus and The Revival of Vintage at The Goat Farm. She was hunting down new patio furniture plus other miscellaneous items to fill her delightful new home and I was looking for things to somehow craft a makeshift studio in the neglected sun room of my apartment.

you’re invited: kelly & rod’s

Let me introduce you to Kelly and Rod. They are budding Atlanta professionals with adorable style, award-winning charm, and a new Grant Park home to match. I’m completely jealous of how cute their new home is and I think you will be too!

I’ve known Kelly for quite some time now so when she told me she was interested in buying a home, there was no question in my mind that she and Rod would settle on something oozing with history and spunk. Though they are not quite finished decorating, I simply couldn’t wait to share pictures from their housewarming get-together. Forgive the absence of Rod in these pictures, as he was giving my own beau a tour of the house while we did our little shoot!