2nd Avenue Shopping

Birmingham, Alabama has been getting a lot of press lately. Namely in the New York Times as a place that is on the comeback. You may remember me saying that at the Southern C Summit someone said it was the next Portland. We all got a kick out of that and blew it off. Well, "they" just may know what they're talking about!

I met with a new friend, Becky, that is like the mirror image of me. We have very similar taste and drive to be creative. She has a much better background in creativity than I do, but we believe that if we joined forces in some way....the world wouldn't be able to handle it! So, we had lunch on 2nd Avenue North and she was running a little late. I took this opportunity to do a little shopping. I started out on 3rd Avenue South and popped by a little shop called Retriever Antiques. < Hello, what a cute name!
I was very disappointed to find her closed for the day.

Next door is Frontera. If you've never been there before, this is a place full of iron work. Lots of iron decor, tables, stools, you name it. It has a very outdoor feel to it. They also do custom work! I noticed a couple of light fixtures that didn't necessarily fit into the theme. I asked and they were a designers that had them there on consignment. One fit a client's need and the other fit my need. Need, you say? Well, ok, not a need but a love of lighting that I can't quite get over. One was old and the other a reproduction. I will let you guess which one I wanted! {wink} There were also a couple of tables in there that would fit right into my.......um, nowhere. I do not have room for a table! Is it terrible that I want to move just so I will have a place to put more tables and light fixtures? It IS terrible, I know.

I left there and headed to 2nd Ave. North where I was meeting Becky at the Urban Standard. I forgot to get a red velvet cupcake. UGH! How do you forget cupcakes? I tell you how you forget. You start talking to Becky and she is saying everything that runs through your head constantly and you realize you are talking to the person that gets everything you want to do. We have a few plans in place and if our dreams come true, you will be able to partake in said plans. Until then, get down to 2nd Avenue North tomorrow for the Second Saturday Sidewalk Sale on 2nd.  Downtown Birmingham, people. It's where it's at!

 You can see these fantastic chairs at What's on Second. A place where you will find everything from chandeliers to NKOTB board games. #seriously. It's a destination.

For the record, I bought a brand new lens for my camera, ordered it from Amazon on Monday, it came on Tuesday and I should start using it! Iphone pictures are just so much easier!

I'm a DIY Blogger and I Attended Haven as a Vendor

Do I have regrets? Yes. I wanted to go to Haven Conference and be a blogger, hang out with bloggers, and learn from other bloggers about how to be a better blogger. I picked up my game on this blog almost a year ago. I joined a fun group of other bloggers (I've let them down) that were going to support me and I would them. I haven't asked much of them because I didn't have time to give back. #howmanytimescanisaybloggerinoneparagraph

I thoroughly LOVED being a vendor at Haven. I had an amazing booth that was, by far, the talk of the bloggers and other vendors.  I had a lot of cool stuff to show a little of what Southern Accents has at the store.

I also had a great selection of Lucy Lockets! The response to my jewelry was overwhelming! I love it and my friends love it, but strangers? They LOVED it! It was all worth it. They way I displayed the necklaces was my favorite! There's this cabinet full of clip boards at the store and I've been trying to figure out a way to make it useful for 4 years!! I finally found the perfect use for them! Too bad it leaves the cabinet with holes. Thankfully, they clipboards go back and I can "borrow" anytime I need to! {wink}

I do still regret not hanging with the bloggers and learning from them. I met A LOT of them. They all came by the booth and that was fun. I've been going through cards and reading their blogs. So many unique blogs and personalities. I do have a better understanding of the community. I hope to keep conversations going with a lot of them. I had a couple that were interested in featuring Lucy Lockets on their blogs. I'm looking forward to collaborating with them!  Several of the teachers have recaps or "cliff notes" of their classes on their blogs. I'm hoping to read through and use some of the tips for this little space of the internet.

I can't wait to see what everyone does with their findings from the booth. We had quite a few balustrades for sale. We priced them at $10 each and they were going quickly! One blogger is making a table, one a lamp, the marketing director and event coordinator of Annie Sloan Unfolded are doing a challenge to see who can create the most creative piece out of them. I'm thrilled we found something for everyone to think out of the box. That's probably my favorite thing about the store is the inspiration and creativity I find there.


Debbie and Teryl laying out their goods. There's going to be a challenge and I can't wait to see footage of them battling it out! The planning and scheming was in full force! Watch the Annie Sloan Unfolded blog for the final reveal!


Haven and the DIY Shuffle will be in my brain for quite sometime. I'm going to try and keep the momentum flowing here. Would love to know if you like what you see and what you would like to see more of! xoxo

I leave you with a few more pictures of the booth. These were all taken with my iphone and the fluorescent lighting didn't help!

Miss Teryl from Annie Sloan Unfolded wearing her Lucy Locket! It goes perfectly with that top! ;)

 ss Teryl from Annie Sloan Unfolded wearing her Lucy Locket! It goes perfectly with that top! ;)

Holiday Cards....it's Never TOO Early!

In years past, I have always made the cards by hand. The year they went out for New Year's was the first year I used a pre-made card. This year, I used Minted for my cards. Have you looked through their designs? They are pretty fabulous. They are all very trendy and use different designers. My favorite thing about using Minted is that I can insert my picture into their application and scroll through hundreds of cards to see how our picture will look in that card!! Isn't that most fabulous?

I absolutely LOVE holiday cards. I love that after Thanksgiving and I mean the DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING, I have the first of the holiday cards in the mailbox from our cousins. It always makes me feel a little behind the 8 ball. Mostly because, I have no picture and I have no idea what I'm going to do for our card! Two years ago, mine went out at the end of January. Happy New Year! This year, I got them out the week of Christmas....I was feeling pretty good about that!

Of course, I have NO idea what my picture will be this year. I should get on that and try to get my cards out when Courtney does. (over achiever) I doubt that will happen. I'm sure I will have my Mom calling to find out where my card is and to tell me how cute everyone else's is the week before Christmas. In the meantime, here are a few of my favorites...right now!

This is really cool! I would love to pull together some of my favorite images and create a board to determine what my photo should be according to the card that works with those favorite images!

This one makes me want to live in a place where it snows.

The American Flag

It's such an iconic symbol of our freedom in America. In so many ways, this symbol gives us feelings of safety and pride. I have several decor items for the celebration on the 4th of July, but I have versions of the American Flag up all year.

The Smoking Glue Guns chose to make American Flags out of reclaimed wood this month. We picked up wood from Southern Accents and DWS. I had a few things in my stash that I used to add more dimension and texture. Our craft night was a little different than usual. We were using power tools! Well, Sara was! hehe Each person picked the wood they wanted to use and took it to her to be cut to size. The best part of that was when we were getting ready to clean up and discovered we had a "group flag" with all the scraps! It's being mounted on plywood to be hung in the Smoking Glue Guns Workshop at Ashlee's house!

I was thrilled that two of my besties got to join us. Daphney wanted to make a flag and Ashlee came in town for an appointment and decided to stay! Aren't their flags cute? This one of mine is hanging in Connor's office. He loves an American Flag!

 I couldn't get enough of them, apparently. I've made two more since that night! One is hanging on the barn at Hansel and Gretel and this one I may sleep with! Haha...just kidding. I have been in love with this wood for over a year. Thank goodness I brought a few pieces home with me when I saw it because I found out yesterday it was sold! Seriously broke my heart and reminded me that I have to start doing things instead of just thinking about them! Of course, one of my favorite creative friends dug it out of the wood warehouse at Southern Accents. She has amazing taste! ;)

This flag is something I dream of making one day! I love Alabama Chanin and love hand stitching! You can order this quilt online or order the DIY kit online.

Old Glory - Reclaimed

The Smoking Glue Guns had a blast playing with reclaimed wood on Wednesday of last week! Can't wait to show you all of our creations and the decor in Ashlee's garage to get us in the 4th of July spirit! There were two surprise, special guests that came. We even had bar-b-que! Bring on Summer!!