Going home is always sweet and this time I went solo and got in some girl time with some of my dearest friends. I always love driving up over this little rise near Six Flags and seeing downtown Atlanta all spread out in the distance. Then, it disappears.
My friend, Vicki, and I went to high school together, so we go way back. We have been there for each other, through thick and thin and I’ve watched her 2 boys grow up and become men. She got motivated from me to start hitting Goodwill and other thriftstores and has become quite the shopper herself. She will call me up with an especially good find to tell me all about her latest score.
So, we took the opportunity to go by the Goodwill in Woodstock to see what we could find. I didn’t find anything for myself, but found that white cremeware set for my sister. Ahhh, there’s just nothing like the smell of a thriftstore. 🙂
I also got to catch up with my dear friend, Debbie. We ‘ve known each other about 10 years and went to church together. Debbie is my creative buddy and she loves decorating and creative projects too and we used to spend a lot of time talking about it all. She has a neat craft/studio space in her basement that I’ll show you later and she is now a semi-retired teacher (after teaching drama for over 30 years) and has started an online business, which I’ll also share with you soon. We are going to do a giveaway and I think you’re gonna love what Debbie is doing now! We had a ball catching up in person again. Debbie is a LOT of fun and just a crazy girl to hang out with and we went to a birthday party together.
I was in town especially to go to a surprise 60th birthday party for another dear friend, Ruby. It turned out fabulous and we had a great time toasting her big day. She was totally surprised and was so happy I was there too. She and I go back over 10 years and Ruby has been a real influence in my life, as she was the Women’s Ministry Director at my old church and got me into Bible studies years ago. She is a true woman of God and a wonderful Bible study teacher and we have studied some Beth Moore together! She and I have had so much fun over the years too and I helped her decorate her house in Kennesaw.
This is the only pic I got at Ruby’s party, with her blowing out all 60 candles. This is me and Ruby about 2 years ago, when we got the opportunity to catch up. We don’t get to see each other very often, but when we do, it’s just like old times. She is near and dear to me.
There’s just nothing like “old” friends. So, it was a fun weekend catching up with “my girls” and I loved every minute of it.
My sister and I did get in a little shopping time and we hit some of my favorite places, so come on along for a little tour of Marietta shopping.
Fabric and Fringe Warehouse is a place I’ve been going to since they opened and they finally moved into this nicer building a few years ago. Great prices and great selections on fabrics. This is where I go for all my fringe trim needs.
Row after row of beautiful fabrics.
So much to choose from.
We were looking for fabrics for my sister’s house.
Lots of silks too.
Plenty of fringe, this is my favorite store to buy fringe in. I think they have the best prices and a huge selection.
Right across the street is Rustique, a really pretty and rustic place to browse. Much more pricey than my pocketbook can afford, it’s still a fun place to look.
Huge doors going in.
Lots of beautiful pottery outside.
A treasure trove of beautiful things.
They have a gorgeous kitchen display and you can order custom cabinetry from them.
Going into a huge warehouse, they have antiques for sale too.
Lots of pretties displayed so nicely.
Antiques stacked in the back. Not a lot of bargains here, but again fun to look.
Next up is Outrageous Interiors (formerly known as Outrageous Bargains). I’ve been going in here since they were in a dusty old warehouse here in Marietta and have watched them grow and expand. Fun place for fabric, furniture, and accessories.
Love this cute slipcover on this traditional chair.
And these pretty pieces!
Next is Decorating Mart, another good place to shop for fabric, furniture and accessories. I’ve been shopping here for years too. All of these stores are within a couple of miles of each other, so easy to find, all in the Canton Road area of Marietta and Town Center area, near the mall.
Lots of fabrics.
Fringe
Furniture
And accessories
Back at my parent’s house, mom fixed a wonderful meal of soup, salad and cornbread for our dinner that night. I just love my mama! She has a beautiful soup tureen and actually uses it.
Nothing like her cornbread baked in an iron skillet.
And she always makes dessert. This is an apple walnut cheesecake and yes, it was delish.
I took home my pretty brown and aqua houndstooth fabric and she finished sewing them up for me. I had tried to do them on my machine, but my zipper foot would not get close enough on the cording and her machine does it much better. She is much better at this than I am too. 🙂
And here are my pillows at home on the chocolate brown leather loveseat. Love them!
I bought some pretty brown and green polka-dot fabric for a new valance in my newly done bathroom, so I’ll show you that when I get to it. And my niece is going to monogram my white waffle shower curtain with a chocolate brown “M”, so that will be fun too.
Wheeewwwww, that was a whirlwind weekend, wasn’t it?! Are you worn out from all these pics? I had so much fun though and loved every minute of it.
REMINDER: The Recipe exchange party is tomorrow, Thursday, so hope you have your post ready and we can all get some new recipes to add to our collection.
And don’t forget, my yardsale is this Saturday, the 24th!! I’m going to have to get busy and get my stuff together, but I should be ready. If you’d like to come, just email me for directions. Hope to see some of you there.
Also, another decorator friend of mine, Cindi, is having a yardsale too on Saturday and she is in the Helena/Hoover area. They are downsizing and she has a TON of stuff that she is selling. I’m going over on Friday for a sneak preview. Ha-ha! I can’t resist a good sale, even if I’m having my own. So, if you live over that way, drop by and tell her I sent you.
Here’s her Craigslist ad:
YARD SALE – Helena/Hoover
Saturday 10/24/09 – 8 am to 3 pm – Rain or Shine
2750 Piedmont Drive, Helena, AL 35022 (Silver Lakes subdivision)
Directions: I-459 South, exit # 6, follow signs toward Helena, turn right at third traffic light (South Shades Crest Rd.), go one mile to entrance of Silver Lake subdivision on right.
CASH ONLY
Interior Designer’s Downsizing Yard Sale & Multi-Family
Furniture (antique three-quarter bed, vintage oak desk chair, club chair, lamps, tables, antique pendulum clock), Art Work (original & prints), Custom Designed Silk Flower Arrangements (many to choose from), Housewares (custom bedding, picture frames, china, serving pieces, silver plate, throw pillows), Automobile Memorabilia (posters, prints, models, books, vintage toys, helmets, trophies, antique oil cans), Vintage Costume Jewelry, TONS of Kids Clothes (Sizes 0 – 4T), Toys, Baby Furniture (changing table, crib, rocker), M&M Collectables (watches, brief cases, plus animals, display dump bin, men’s & ladies jackets), Books (cookbooks, jazz, blues, business, religious, kids, vintage), Sheet Music, Videos, CDs, Vintage Tools, Appliances ( food processor, mixers, percolator, Brother sewing machine, FREE fridge– needs work), Inkjet Printer, Stereo Tuner & Bose Speakers, Light Fixtures, Christmas Decorations, MORE!
Mary says
Rhoda, I love your blog, though I haven’t left comments in awhile…but this post touched me…I have some very dear friends and I don’t know what I would do without them. I am blessed to have them right here in the same town, and see them frequently. I’m so grateful for them, and it blessed me to see you with your dear friends…and “sisters” in the Lord…that makes it so much better.
Blessings,
Mary
cynthia says
down in my neck of the woods, huh?
marietta is an awesome place to shop…you probably needed a week or two!
looks like you guys had fun!
Jill says
Loved this one since it’s right in my back yard. Can you believe someone told me last summer Decorating Mart went out of business and I took their word and didn’t even check on my own??? I got some pillow fabric there over a year ago and needed more and just assumed I couldn’t find it any more. Now thanks to you, I can! I am in East Cobb/Marietta and honestly rarely go over toward Town Center – not sure why….too congested with 75 / 575. But totally will make a run over there this weekend. Maybe we can meet up sometime when you’re here again.
Destiny D says
Happy Birthday to your friend. If that is what 58 looks like, sign me up! Having friends you’ve had forever says something wonderful about you…I like that!
This was a great post, but my favorite thing about it was the picture of the meal at your Mom’s house. That’s what I’ll be thinking about the next time I pass Six Flags with Atlanta on the horizon!
Pam says
Hi Rhoda,
I have enjoyed your post this week. Love your sister’s house and seeing your shopping adventures lately in the Atlanta area.
I see you are having a yard sale this weekend (24th). I would love to try and come because I missed it last year because some of us from work were having one at my home the same day. Not sure right now what is going on Saturday around here but would like to have directions just in cause my yard sale buddy and I get to come your way. I will be coming from Sylacauga so if you could send me directions. Please send to email listed.
Thanks,
Pam from Sylacauga
Daisy Cottage says
There! Now my day can start out just right – I’ve visited and caught up with my beautiful friend AND got to go shopping too!
Thank you Rhoda for taking us along on your wonderful weekend! So so fun…. I’m happy that you got to see your special friends and please tell your Mom that everything she cooks and bakes looks SO darn good – I wish she would box up all of that yumminess and send it to me!!! Goodness!
Love,
Kim
Phillips Phamily Mama says
Rhoda-
Don’t you know you’re making me homesick? Ha!
Those were some of my favorite haunts, all but Ru$tique! $$$ is right! I know you spent a lot of time shopping on your weekend because all those stores have SO MUCH TO LOOK AT. Once we get into a new house, I’ll be back to Atlanta to buy fabric.
Truth be told, I’ll be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Gotta see Santa at Phipps and ride that Pink Pig!
Thanks for the tour!
Lynda @ SportsMadGirl says
Fabric & Fringe – oh how I love that place. I could spend hours in there. I’ve never been in Rustique but I might have to cruise through one day.
I got my bedside lamps from the Outrageous (Bargains) Interiors when they closed the one in Marietta several years ago. They were originally $75.00 each but I got the pair for $15.00 (they were 90% off). I visit both the Outrageous Interiors and Decorating Mart often (it’s easy since I live in Kennesaw).
Sounds like you had a blast on your trip home. There is nothing better than spending time with (okay, shopping with) girlfriends.
Have a blessed day!
Chuck Heard says
Rhonda,
Thank you for the mention of Outrageous Interiors(Bargains).
I am the store manager of the East Cobb store. I would love to invite you to come visit the East Cobb location and post some great pictures of the new store… Also we have just finished doing some incredible markdowns on rugs,furniture,accesories,and wall art …Also we have a great gift department too with some great markdowns,,Come Check Us Out!!!!
Betty Whatley says
Rhoda:
What a wonderful trip you took us on to Marietta, Georgia. I have a shop and do home staging and decorating and was so happy to hear about these shops. I hate going to market looking for things. Love the types of items that you showed. Thanks again for the wonderful information nad was so happy to find your blog from gravioussouthernliving.blogspot. I live in Montgomery, AL and we also do not have those types of shops. Really sad that you have to go out of town to find them. If you find anymore or know of some great estate sales or yard sales around Birmingham, please let me know. Will do the same, especially since I do estate sales.
Betty Whatley
Shirley says
Thanks so much for the tour. It brought back a lot of wonderful memories. I lived in Canton, GA. for about 8 yrs. and very often visited that Goodwill store, Fabric and Fringe Warehouse, Decorating Den. I had my own sewing workroom in my home while living there and did Interior Decorating sewing for designers and private clients. I am still doing that work today because I just love it. I have been working in this field for over 21 years. I worked for over 10 years for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in this field and Costume design.
Again thank you for the wonderful walk down memory lane.
Shirley Garrett
Karen Franks says
Loved to hear about the lovely weekend with old friends and the chance to get a little shopping done in the process. keep those weekends’
I am looking for used nicely gymnastics eqiment: pads, balance beams,
the item used to help you do back walk overs etc. thank againz
sinercerly Karen