white nails, eat snails.

White is the fresh new color this spring/summer. And as far as nail polish colors go, white is the new black. Stars such as Scarlett Johansen and Kim Kardashian are sporting this new spring look. So, I picked up an inexpensive bottle at CVS two days ago to try out the new trend. So far, I really like it!! It's the little joys in life that make each day a good one. Happy Wednesday!

c.

the line up.

Promising a house decor inspired by Mid Century Danish pieces has been a difficult task. It has taken a certain determination to start seeing this style unfold in our house.  Since October, the shed is still empty and - no danish woodworking elf is to be found on the premises.  Oh if only, but I am blogging seated at a desk right now.. so we've been making some strides!

Below is a list of avenues I've taken to find Mid Century pieces for our home:

1. Craigslist. Search: furniture. Keywords: mid century, danish, retro, 1960, modern.(i'll even go as far to search surrounding cities that would be just a days drive)

2. Yard Sales. Some of the BEST finds are to be found at a yard sale.(to find yard sales in your area. Google: your city , yard sales)Wake up early, write down all the addresses and pop 'em in your GPS!

3. Antique Malls / Stores / Hole in the Walls. Usually more expensive than the first two options.Search these places out. Find them and go there. Once, on my way to a yard sale.. I found this "hole in the wall" (old house w/ a bunch a junk sitting outside of it & quite small) I'm still in cahoots with Jack Winchester over this amazing Danish style hutch I want for under our new TV... The people who collect and sell antiques are great AND if you get to know them and tell them what you're looking for, they can usually point you in the right direction. 

4. Metrolina Tradeshow Expo. Now this isn't fair to you, because it is a local treasure. If you so decide you can travel to Charlotte on the first weekend of every month for this extravaganza. It's basically everything you want in one place... and has been quite the provider of goods for this household.

Now, I have bought a couple different tables and lamps, but I have come to my collections end in one genre. CHAIRS. After this month's trip to the Metrolina Expo, I no longer have it in me to purchase another chair. However, this chair streak I have been on has been a fun one and I LOVE what I have found. Sooo, in keeping with my promise of a modern Danish style of living. I would like to share with you the line up of chairs I have collected. 

pair of barstools :: metrolina tradeshow expo :: $25

single chair :: neighbor's trash pile :: free

fixer upper chair for craft :: "hole in the wall" jack winchester's :: he gave it to me

the last chair i bought :: metrolina tradeshow expo :: $189  $125  $50!

set of four chairs with dining room table :: craigslist :: $100

my favorite chair (ottoman not pictured) :: yard sale :: $25

pair of chairs :: office discount furniture store :: $40

 And those are my chairs, friends! I hope you enjoyed them!

your Danish elf,

Christina

p.s. michael wanted me to say he is starting to like hunting antiques :)

Take a hat.

Sooo, my sisters and I have been planning a trip New York City over the holidays. But as it turns out, Megan and Amanda have opted for a shorter trip to DC... and now I am left with the decision of either riding the bus by myself to NYC and visiting a dear friend Danielle (on her 25th birthday!) ~or~  just going with the flow and exploring the DC area. I love having a plan, but sometimes... plans just don't work out.

Either way, I will need a hat. 

I love wearing one + it is going to be quite chilly compared to what I'm used to.

I've already purchased mine at Belk. It is black and will go with anything... but oh la la, did my eyes stumble upon something magnificent this afternoon... on etsy!

Hats By Behida Dolic

talk about a hat.

 

About the Artist: "Behida Dolić was born in a small village in northern Bosnia in 1982. Behida was raised by a community of crafters, kilim makers, furniture builders. It was here where her hands begin to learn the importance of craftsmanship and attention to detail. After the war, Behida moved to America to start a new life. While traveling in Italy, Behida first encountered & fell in love with early 20th Century American fashion, and began making hand-draped cloche hats. In 2003, she moved to San Francisco to finish her degree at San Francisco Art Institute. She currently lives and works in her millinery studio in Berkeley CA."

Are they not lovely?

I thought so. 

But my Belk hat will do for now ...

whether it be NYC or DC... we shall.. C.

Christina :)

Garden & Gun.

aka.

"The soul of the new South"

As I was wondering what to blog about this week, I strolled down to the mailbox and found magnitudes of inspiration, tightly bound and sealed with the mark: Garden & Gun. (magazine). Among the bills, advertisements and wedding RSVPs that have been flooding in these days, it is easy to see why this Southern heap of goodness, takes the cake for best mail received for the day. (..and yes, I will be capitalizing the word Southern throughout the entirety of this post).

It's funny how - on the day it came, I already had all previous issues, found around the house, in a nice and tidy stack on my desk... waiting for something to be done with them. Their time has come.

Based out of Charleston, South Carolina, Garden & Gun has been publishing their magazine for just 4 years! Babies in the magazine world, G&G was most recently nominated for the National Magazine Award for General Excellence. Garden & Gun is a "Southern lifestyle magazine that's all about the magic of the new South." In my discovery of this magazine, I find the stress on the word new, to be quite fitting.. (and quite possibly interchangeable with the word: fresh). New/fresh, fresh/new - the point is this magazine is dedicated to current Southern spirit. Basically, it's what you want to hear.

And see. The reason I first fell in love with Garden & Gun, in the first place. Pictures. Go figure. Everything about this magazine is aesthetically pleasing - from the pictures and fonts, its (just a tad broader) width, right down to the way it feels in your hands. Honestly. Go hold one. (And let me go ahead and say on record that the editor, Sid Evans, isn't bad looking either!) But my first "ohh ahh moment" was with the way Peter Frank Edwards takes a picture. He also does photography work for the Smithsonian, NY Times and Hallmark - to name a few. The first time I really took notice of his skill, was in the June/July 2009 issue: Southern Roads, when this shot made the cover:

Some of my other Peter Frank Edwards favorites:

{ I really love this one }


Also, here are a few older issue covers:

{ .BUT BACK TO THIS MONTH'S G&G ISSUE. }

The reason I enjoy Garden & Gun, isn't all about the pictures. I actually read it, too. The writing is great. I really feel like they have a talented young staff (even though I'm not sure) ~ they sound younger, my age, and that appeals to me. Also, the magazine encompasses all southern, I mean Southern, states. However, I think the big wigs at G&G secretly love the Carolinas. Being from South Carolina, and going to college in North Carolina, I've got a pretty good feel for 'em. My favorite thing about the magazine, second to its aesthetics, is the familiarity I've found with the places and subjects of its articles. Here is a quick run through of my favorite articles from the April/May 2010 issue:

1. "The G&G interview" with author of the book "The Help," Kathryn Stockett. I've been on a reading kick lately and this is the last book I finished. It was a touching story of how it was back in the day, when African Americans were hired help in many Southern homes. This was Kathryn Stockett's first novel. And it was a winner!

2. "Below the Line" is an article that comes out in every issue. It gives readers a heads up on each state's ongoings for the month. Charleston is holding the annual Spoleto Festival May 28 - June 13! Great food, wonderful art and live music. I'm wanting to go!

3. "Made in the South: Apple Cider from the Blue Ridge Mountains" is an article that tells the story of a couple who spent years planning and educating themselves on how to own and operate a cider business. The business savy duo, now own Foggy Ridge Cider Plant. I loved reading this article because lately I have been dreaming of becoming a wine maker and running my very own vineyard. How cool would that be!! Well this was proof - it can be done!

4. Another article was "Destinations: Where to go Beer Nuts in NC." Apparently, North Carolina has more microbreweries than any other state in the South! Highland Brewing Company, Foothills Brewing, Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co., Carolina Brewery and The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery were featured. Just some fun trivial, facts.

5. "Southern Dream Towns" featured these quaint Carolina towns: Lake Lure, NC ~ Oriental, NC ~ Beaufort, SC

6. Last, but not least. "The Southern Invasion of NYC" Right now, I know a little southern belle up in Brooklyn. {Hello Dani D!!! I miss you like craaazzy. This article was meant to be read by you.} I'm so proud of Danielle for moving up to NYC and getting her poli. sci. groove on! She's making it on her own, in Brooklyn. Mad props. But who can blame her for missing the South from time to time. This article is the ultimate guide for getting your Southern fix in the Big City.

• Mason Dixon - southern bar
• Pies & Thighs - no explanation needed
• Georgia's East Side BBQ - pulled pork yall!
• Brooklyn Star - aware of the "Southern cup" rule w/ sweet tea.
• Egg - (editor raves) fried chicken, Southern biscuits and boiled peanuts!!!!
• Also, the Big Apple BBQ and Block Party coming up June 12th & 13th!
• Red Hook - is the place to hear some bluegrass

Apparently, if you're a Southern transplant in NYC, these places are a slice of home. But we've got the whole South down here... nothing beats it! And for those of you who've never read a G&G I encourage you to get in your car, drive to the nearest Barnes and Noble, order a coffee and indulge the Southern being within you. Does Barnes and Noble sell banana pudding?

Garden & Gun
"The soul of the fresh South" :)

-Christina