The Scenic Route

Gregg is on vacation this week so I packed up Scarlett June for an afternoon with Grammie so that her daddy and I could run around town. Well, we didn't really run anywhere, in fact I couldn't run from here to my bedroom without collapsing I'm quite sure. (My bedroom isn't very far you should note). We decided to take a ride down to Newport. I had wanted to take the tour of Belcourt Castle for the nineteenth time. We both really love the place and kind of know the history by heart. One day we are going to just "lose the group" and wander rebelliously throughout the halls on our own having sword fights and peeking in the cabinets. I should have known that the iron gates would be closed upon our arrival. Way to check the website before leaving the house, Sheri. Stoop. That's okay, Gregg wanted to check out a huge consignment shop that he'd found one day while working. Naturally that would be closed as well. So we traveled on, taking the scenic route.

The scenic route is awesome. Bellevue Avenue is a tree and mansion-lined stretch of road with a mixture of camera-clad tourists and everyday running residents. Not too far down the road is Ocean Drive. This drive opens up to beautiful Brenton Point. My favorite place in the state. Well, it's a toss-up between there and Beavertail Park in Jamestown actually. Brenton Point is a state park with a big, green field, mainly used for kite-flying in the summer and a gorgeous, rocky ocean view. I could sit there all day. Here are some shots from today, don't mind the awkward angles - I couldn't see a thing as I was staring into the sun...

 

 ^ That's Gregg!

^ Not my finest

^ We look like creeps

^ From the bridge on the ride home

We stopped at a consignment shop and I was so hungry I began to feel dizzy so we went to find something for lunch. We ended up at Besos Tea House. Not bad. Not great. The atmosphere was awesome though. I don't know who decorated that place but KUDOS. 

^ Sangria

We also stopped at HomeGoods and bought some new pillows, white sheets and a big, fluffy, white plush blanket for the bed which I promptly washed upon entering our home. I cannot WAIT to hit the sack! I do wish the castle had been open for viewing but it's only a thirty minute drive so it's not like we can't go next weekend... or tomorrow for that matter. We had a nice day together. We really are a couple of goofballs who break into inappropriate laughter no matter the setting. It happened several times today - that's what makes our days awesome.

What's on your door??

During our walk today all I could think about was how so many people still had a Christmas wreath on their door. I don't always go the same route- last week I went in the opposite direction and counted eleven wreaths. The following day I counted two less - which was odd. Today, in the different hood, I didn't count but I can tell you it was more than five on just one street. Is that normal?? I can't imagine keeping one up much longer than New Year's Day to be honest, but that's just me. I have a very regimented albeit boring-ass front door routine and that is basically because I never think to look for any replacements while I'm in HomeGoods.

hallOweenie ...

Is it too early to put up strange-looking Halloween decor? Well, I asked myself this very question three months ago when I decorated. Ha! Just kidding - it was three weeks ago. Still too early? I totally know. I just get so antsy to light up those tea-light candles in their eighteen designated spaces. I like for this place to glow like a bad science project. You wanna see?? You wanna seeeee?? Well if not, X out of this piece --- and if so ---- look furtherrrrrrrrrrr ...

 ... looks like a big, ol' mess right??

ps. I have a slight obsession with silhouetted, dead, branchy, creepy trees - let's get that out in the open right now ...








... doesn't it look cute all lit up though?

... I truly dislike that pumpkin but sometimes you have to fill a space, kids ...

... and it makes little stars on the wall :)  that's quite a redeeming quality, for me anyway...

... yeah, I highly doubt that Michael Myers would be caught dead (hehehe) in a setting like this one but you try finding an appropriate spot for a serial killer...

... he doesn't seem TOO out-of-place in this shot... he's a good sport... hahaha

... this is a mess and I don't like it one bit ...

... that black, 'haunted house' on the left is my favorite Halloween decoration. it just looks awesome lit up. most of this shit came from Homegoods FYI...

  ... i have this wooden garland strung across the dining room/living room entry way - i thought it was a little too "crafty" for my liking but come to find out - i heart it.

... is it weird to put a welcome sign on the back of the front door? yes, clearly. but I tend to dislike 'normal' if you haven't gotten that gist by now...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... how could I leave out the "close-up" of that Theatre shelf? that friggin shelf is basically what got me started on a decorating frenzy 5 years ago that has yet to cease...

... And that's all she wrote. Or took pictures of for that matter. September through December are my favorite months of the year. When the summer weather begins to cool down I am initially sad to say goodbye to the beach season. But quickly I am anxious for crisp, bright blue days with boots and hoodies, the crackle of leaves under your Uggs, every window open in the house while you are sitting under a blanket shivering... you get the idea. I immediately reach for my autumn welcome sign for the front door ... and I set out the gingerbread candles to overwhelm my typically lemon-scented home. And on that first 60 degree day where the temp drops into the 40's at night - I grab the Halloween bin from the basement and I tear it up. Most people would wait until at least the beginning of October but 31 days just isn't long enough for me. I drag it out as long as possible ... and when Gregg least suspects it ... I text him to say "watch out when you get home because it's VERY SCAAAARRRYYY in here!!" He knows exactly what I mean. (No I don't have PMS, it's the decorations for cryin outloud. You guys are unreal).

** Don't forget to take the poll at the top of my page ... I'm curious to see the outcome ...

 

groupings and "hoots" ...

As I have mentioned, I am somewhat neurotic when it comes to decorating my home. Not in such a way that it looks amazing and beautiful... but more so that everything has to be placed in it's perfect spot - or the spot that I consider to be perfect I should say. Trips to Marshalls, Home Goods and T.J. Maxx are where I have found the majority of the art, furniture and "hoots" (accents) strewn about my house. I also love the store in Cracker Barrel and the Mystic Village shops. These are good spots to pick up random, unique things that you wouldn't find in a MALL or a Target.




This little guy is "Dr. Mudd". (Gregg and I were watching Ghost Hunters while I was trying to think of a name for him. As you may have already guessed, the show was about Dr. Mudd). Anyway, I was with my mom last week at Mystic Village and she found this and bought one for the both of us. I doubt she named hers though. She is way less ridiculous than I am. But he sure does compliment my kitchen window ... love that smile :)

Random kitchen groupings. I love that little lamp -
it is a can of peaches and I found it at Cracker Barrel last year.
So freakin cute.




Dining room table ... lots of junk here - I just like using fruits to decorate.
The jelly cabinet (with the chili peppers on it) is one of my favorite things.
Bought that in Mystic Village years ago. Please note the lovely spider plant
that I have managed to not kill for at least 5 months now. Thank you, Elisha!
(please hold all comments about how anyone can keep a spider plant alive.
baby steps, people. baby steps).

Another Dining room shot. My husband and I love this print.
We found it at Home Goods years ago. Before we were married, I think.
Everything from our old apartment seemed to just fit right into our new house.

Again, things from our old apartment. The Theatre shelf was a must have. Even though I found it on the floor in Ann & Hope all chipped and scratched... I wasn't leaving without it. It's another one of my favorite accents. Also, I have a thing for skeleton keys. I can't explain it hahaha I just really like old keys!?!?
Note the pirate ship. HA!

The built-ins. When we found this house I was blinded by the bookshelves. Imagine the possibilities... I had millions of ideas. Once we were moved in, I found it hard to fill them up! But several trips to Home Goods later, I had more than enough. I switch things around all the time. One of my favorite things to do. They look a little rough right now but they'll get a face-lift soon :)

The mantle. In February I changed my living room colors
from red & green accents to brown & blue. This is the
result. Couldn't settle on a mantle idea but this works, for now.

Terrible shot of the wedding pictures grouping.






LOVE this cabinet... (JC Penney) so cute. Not a flattering picture.






The infamous "view from the hallway". Love me some black and white.
The top picture is a shot of the Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown
taken by my friend Brian. http://www.brianhigbee.com
Check him out, he's amazing.

... and there you have it. A little taste of my taste. Wait. That doesn't sound right. Either way, you will now have a better idea of the things that I am moving around from room to room while trying to finish a movie or phone call.