{Giveaway is Closed}
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting author Mary Kay Andrews on a few occasions and she is just a funny, witty lady. And she loves junkin’ like I do, so I know she and I would hit it off if we got to hang out more often. In fact, now that I’m back in Atlanta, where she lives too, I hope to do that again sometime.
Pssst, Mary Kay, are you listening? 🙂 Let’s go to Scott’s!
I can imagine how fun that would be! Thrifting with Mary Kay. We junkers just understand each other on a very basic level.
Today, we’re talking with Mary Kay about her love of junkin’ and her brand spankin’ new book that has just been released this summer, just in time for a good beach read, Summer Rental.
There’s nothing better than chick lit on the beach. This one is interesting and an easy fun read. I’m about half-way through it and it’s highly entertaining.
So, get comfy and let’s have a chat with Mary Kay. There’s a book giveaway at the end, so don’t go anywhere!
Q: So. What’s with you and junk?
Mary Kay: I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, which some people refer to as “God’s Waiting Room.” It’s where elderly Yankees with good taste retired, and then never unpacked all that wonderful old china, crystal, linens, etc, which meant it ended up being sold at estate sales or donated to charity thrift stores. Also, my mother was a junker, and I inherited that trait. Or curse.
Q: In your Savannah series, Savannah Blues, Savannah Breeze and Blue Christmas, your protagonist, Weezie Foley, is first an antique picker, than an antique dealer. Have you followed her career path?
Mary Kay: In a way, yes. Savannah was the first place my husband and I moved as 22-year-old newlyweds. With no money and a tiny apartment to furnish, I started going to estate sales. That’s where I met pickers, and later antique dealers. After we moved to Atlanta, I continued my junking ritual. At an estate sale more than twenty years ago, I bought what I thought was a majolica piece, for a dollar. I took it to a majolica dealer at the old Elco Antique Market in Atlanta, who promptly told me it was an antique French majolica asparagus dish. She offered me $50 for it, and later marked it up to $250. I took the money and became a picker. Then, four years ago, a friend on Tybee Island, where we have a second home, asked if I wanted to rent space as an antique dealer. I dove in, and haven’t looked back.
Q: Your newest book, Summer Rental, like many of your other novels, including The Fixer-Upper, features an old house just begging to be restored. Why that recurring theme?
Mary Kay: Old homes, like antiques, seem to tug at my heart. They have tales to tell, secrets to whisper. They have a patina and a grace and energy that speak to me. I find that most of my stories do revolve around a woman’s search for home, whatever that means to her.
Q: I see your blog posts and your Facebook pictures of the junk you buy. What on earth do you do with all of it?
Mary Kay: We have a really big basement. But actually, I have a selective catch and release system. Some things I keep. We have a 1920s Craftsman house in Atlanta, and I’m always adding to my collections or upgrading my décor here. And then there’s The Breeze Inn, our Tybee Island home. Plus I have two adult children, who often become the recipients of my steals and deals. And now, of course, I buy for my antique booth at Seaside Sisters, on Tybee Island.
Q: What kinds of things do you buy for yourself?
Mary Kay: I’ve collected blue and white English transfer-ware for more than 30 years. I love Ironstone. I’ve got a soft spot for quilts, and I love to buy antique oil paintings—especially rural landscapes. My daughter calls me a linen whore, and I really can’t resist gorgeous old tablecloths and sheets and pillowcases. I love the whimsy and nostalgia behind vintage tin-litho children’s sand-pails and watering cans. And being a native Floridian, I’m a sucker for anything that screams retro Florida—that stuff ends up at The Breeze Inn.
Q: What do you buy to sell at your antique booth at Seaside Sisters?
Mary Kay: Beachy, shabby chic stuff sells really well, because we’re at the beach. I only buy stuff I really love, because if it doesn’t sell, it’s probably coming home with me! I try to buy smart so I can keep my prices low enough that my readers, who seek out my booth, can have the fun of taking home something they know I hand-picked for them. I usually have Depression-era quilts, ‘50s chenille bedspreads, rattan or wicker furniture, McCoy pottery, vintage children’s toys from the ‘20s on, fun black and white beach snapshots, anything quirky or amusing.
Q: Describe your perfect day.
Mary Kay: Right after Matthew McConaughey wakes me up with a tender, wet kiss, I throw on my size four jeans, toss back a Diet Coke, and saddle up with my girlfriends, who I call my junk posse. We roll up to an estate sale at a spooky mansion in Buckhead, and the hearse is just backing out of the driveway. The deceased’s daughter-in-law is standing in the driveway offering to give it all away. I load up my Ford F-150-longbed truck with a king’s ransom in English antiques, French linens, 1950s barkcloth drapes, and the entire contents of a 1940s-era small-town five-and-dime store, including crates of Shiny-Brite Christmas ornaments. Then we stop for lunch at Souper Jenny, where I take a call from my agent informing me that Hollywood wants to option the rights to ALL my books. And Tina Fey is going to write the screenplay, star and direct.
Q: That’s not a real day. That’s a fantasy. C’mon. For reals.
Mary Kay: Oh, for real? I struggle into my faded black yoga pants, spill my Diet Coke all over the console of my ten-year-old mini-Suv. I find an estate sale at a crumbling mid-town bungalow, and I wade through a mildewed basement full of stained Tupperware and forty years worth of Readers Digest Condensed Books. I finally find a 1950s Dick and Jane reading primer and some stained 1940s luncheon cloths. When I get upstairs to cash out, the snooty daughter gets off her cell phone long enough to tell me she’s seen the Dick and Jane listed for $50 on eBay, and, oh yeah, the luncheon cloths aren’t actually for sale after all. That’s reality.
Q: Ever thought of quitting the famous author business to get into the highly lucrative business of being an antique dealer?
Mary Kay: Much as I adore dabbling in the world of junking, I have finally realized that I don’t have the smarts or the desire to work as hard at that business as it takes to be a success. On the other hand, I’ve been a working writer my entire adult life. I know how blessed I am to be able to make a living at writing fiction. So I hedge my bets—I write for a living—because I can’t imagine not writing. And I junk for fun, and every now and then, I get lucky and turn a profit at it. And then I go out and buy more junk. Because I can’t not.
Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times bestselling author of The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues. A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
That Mary Kay is a hoot! That was fun reading. Mary Kay’s latest book release, Summer Rental just hit the shelves on June 7th, just in time for your summer reading schedule AND Mary Kay is giving away to TWO of my readers a signed copy of your very own.
Mary Kay has her own family cottage at Tybee Island, GA called the Breeze Inn that is adorable as can be and she rents it out, so check that out.
For more beautiful pics of the Breeze Inn, go visit Layla. She and Kevin stayed there!
Leave a comment and tell me about YOUR summer rental. Do you go to the beach and rent a place or what sort of summer vacation do you have planned this year?
Do tell!
As you know, if you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, I just LOVE the beach and there is nothing better than a beach vacation to me. Sun, sand, and seafood! The BEST!
Now if these pics don’t make you want to jump up and head to the beach to your own summer rental, I don’t know what would!
{All photos from Breeze Inn website}
Today, I’m also thrilled to be over at Beth’s participating in her How to Decorate for the DIYer Series. Hop on over to see what I’m talking about! 🙂 She made this cute little button just for me!
Cheryl says
I have not read any of Mary Kay’s books yet, but now I know what’s first on my summer reading list. They sound great, just the kind of books I love.
I just love the beach, any beach. I spent all of my summers growing up at my family’s beach house in a little NH town. We all return every summer, the same week, now with children and grandchildren, to enjoy the sand, ocean, and New England seafood. We start planning in January for our July trip.
Since I have no plans for the July 4th weekend, and I’m in Atlanta, I think I will head to Tybee Island and do some exploring. It’s sounds just like a getaway I would enjoy, and I need a getaway!
(and I’d love the book!)
Paula B. says
Well it looks like I have a new author to read this summer. Loved the “author’s dream” of a perfect day as well as the reality of a perfect day. She had me at Dick and Jane primer, or was it first thing in the a.m. diet Coke???? Loved the interview, now heading to the (used) bookstore for some older MKA paprebacks!
kelly in georgia says
Love MKA! Could kick myself for not acting fast enough to rent the Breeze Inn when they had a vacancy for this very week. I am currently at the beach in Florida in a cute little cottage named Jasmine at Arbors by the Sea. A couple of years ago we stayed in Kennebunkport at Cabot Cove Cottages. They were to die for!!! But my favorite is Katie’s Light in Fernandina Beach rented through Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. It is modeled after a Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse. Beautiful!!! Would love a copy of MKA’s latest book. Thanks for your generous giveaway.
Crystala says
Never read her books but would love to!! The photos are GORGEOUS. 🙂
Sourkraut says
I wish I had a summer rental to go to! I dream of one day renting a place on Tybee Island and spending some time lounging at the beach there and some time exploring Savannah.
Joy says
We went to Tybee Island for the first time this year. What a cool laid back beach. It is also fun to check out Savannah while in the area. We stayed at a newly renovated condo near the beach, but after checking out Layla’s photos, we will be renting a cottage for our next visit.
Judy says
Love beach rentals in the summer. We are usually at the Jersey Shore since it is close by, but have been checking out Tybee rentals for something new. Love this post!
Danna says
I recently found your blog and just love it!!
My family just recently took a trip to Oahu, Hawaii! The crystal clear water and the relaxed attitudes of the locals have spurred me to redecorate my house in the cool colors of blues, greens and white. Needless to say, your post really struck me with tons of inspiration!! I have not read any of Mary Kay’s books…but am planning on finding one today on my lunch break!
Maureen says
This looks like a wonderful read.
This summer I think that my husband’s family is going to go to a local vacation spot. While we will meet up with them for a day or two it will not be a long trip as there are other commitments that we must fill at that time.
We are hoping to get away at another time of the year but because of the economy we haven’t been able to at this time.
Mabel says
I love the beach and wish I had plans to go there this summer! The outer banks of North Carolina is a favorite. I love your blog and subscribe to it, thanks for sharing with us. This new book looks like a really fun summer read and I would love to win this!
Peggy in TN says
MKA’s books are so much fun to read! I wish I had some big summer plans, but I opened my own pie shop 6 months ago and a vacation is not in the near future. I do, however, get to escape in a book every chance I get!
Dori says
I love reading MKA’s books and her fictional story of the perfect day is why!LOL Tina Fey as Weezie…that could work.
We have the next best thing to a beach house…friends with a beach house. We plan on spending a week or sooooo down in Seacreast for the 4th of July! Love reading your blog.
Liz says
Nothing’s better than sitting on the beach with a great book! I would love to win this. I love junking too and need to do it more often. Love the beaches in the Florida Panhandle and South Carolina!
Deborah says
Im heading to Gulf Shores Alabama It has to be the most beautiful beach in the world!!
Cami says
We are taking our boys to Orange Beach this year. We love the water!
Mary W says
We just returned from a trip to Disney World and we had so much fun. Joining us were our daughter, her hubby and my two precious grandsons. It was fun experiencing Disney through the eyes of children.
Now hubby and I are planning a trip to the mountains of NC. Cashiers is one of our favorite places this time of year because it is always cooler there.
Thanks!
Elaine says
Going to Taos for a summer music festival and staying in a beautiful b&b for a few nights.
This post came with a cool breeze through my house. Loved it!
Kathy :) says
Oh I just love Mary Kay, almost got to Tybee Island back in November, we stayed on St Simons and we went up to Savannah (our first time) I can’t wait to go back…..I’ve told you before Rhoda I think in a previous life I was a Southern Gal….lol
I got a Kindle for Christmas (love it) so if I don’t win I will download her new book, sounds like a good one, I am on her mailing list so I just received the 411.
I too love the beach everything about it even the sand in the those —–areas, wish I’d listened to my Grandmother though and stayed out of the sun, as a Melanoma survivor I don’t get to enjoy it like I used to. Sure do miss it !!!
Lucky Layla and Kevin huh ??? I remember that post….I love Mary Kay’s cottage so pretty…..
Great post……
Kathy 🙂
Kari says
I’m about to write a “trip to Tybee” on my bucket list, with a pile of books…..MKA’s included-great read!
My summer rental is a “free” months stay with mom and dad in Montana. 🙂 But we all love to go junkin’!
Into Vintage says
As a former Atlantan, I leanred very quickly that here in Oregon we have beach but it’s rarely warm enough to think of as a ‘bathing suit beach’ so we call it the ‘coast’. A beautiful but often chilly summer getaway. Luckily there are tons of cute rentals to choose from. (and a few antique shops as well)
Thanks so much for this fun interview and giveaway!