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!
Rhoda-thanks soooo much for the tour…I will be in Atlanta next month so I will be sure to check out these awesome shops! Looks like we are on the same page…I’m having my black waffle shower curtain monogram with a white “S” on it!!! Hope to see you on Saturday at your sale.
Blessings,
Linda
oooh Rhoda, loved this tour!!!
sigh I’d like to come to that yardsale with ya baby
..oh and apple walnut cheesecake..hello, how do u stay so svelte!!
S x
It is so much fun spending time with friends, I love that too. What an fun shopping trip. I wish we had fun shops like those around here.
Hugs,
Sue
I am so happy to hear that you keep your friends for a long time. They look like lovely ladies.
The cake with the icing bow is very cute.
Becky K.
So sad I will be out of town this weekend or I totally would have stopped by your yardsale! Hope it goes well for you 🙂
Oh Rhoda,
I love the tour. I absolutely love the kitchen picture. I have been looking for ideas for my new kitchen, a French Country.
It is perfect!!!! I’ll miss the rest of the week since we will be in Savannah closing on our 2nd home there. Thanks so much for the wonderful ideas.
Debra
Rhoda-What a fun trip home. I find that it takes real effort to keep old relationships going, but always worth the effort. I am studying the Beth Moore “Esther” series now and I think it is my favorite. I love those blue and brown houndstooth pillows!!! I enjoyed your visit back home!
I’m foaming at the mouth with all that fabric and those beautiful antiques. I must now go get treatment.
Rhoda: These shops are awesome!! I want to go to Outrageous Interiors!! Looks Fabulous!!!
So glad you had such a good time catching up with friends and family! Always a good thing…
Lou Cinda
I love going home, so I know that feeling!
Oh I want those doors…I don’t have double doors, but I sure would have the opening cut out for those! {I know they wouldn’t look right on my ranch style house, but they are gorgeous!}
I would go nuts at that fabric & fringe place! Looks like so much fun to browse! 🙂
I *love* that Goodwill in Woodstock. I’m from Atlanta, but live in Texas now. We’re able to stop by that store sometimes when I come home to visit. Once I found the most incredible dresser – solid wood, carved detail, awesome condition…..but sadly, I couldn’t cram it in my suitcase!
Thanks for the fu tour. If I ever get up that way I will have to check out some of those fabulous places! Maybe I can plan a girls getaway with my best friend this summer!
Now that’s what I call shopping! I would have spent a small fortune. We have nothing like that around here because I live in a small town. Maybe that’s a good thing!
Your sister is doing a wonderful job on her house. I think she caught the decorating bug from her sis! You did tell her there is no cure for that didn’t you!HA
It looks like you had a great time catching up with dear friends and what wonderful stores to shop in too. Great fun. Your new pillows are gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
Thanks for sharing your trip with us and all of the great shopping hot spots! Sure hope to visit that area of Georgia before my nephew finishes school at SPSU. I have friends in Canton, Marietta and Kennesaw I’d LOVE to see. We’ll see what next Spring brings our way in the ‘travel’ department?!
Blessings and thanks again for sharing,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
Oh, you were in my neck of the woods and you hit all of my favorite stores! Love going to Rustique for inspiration and I buy all my fabrics at Fabric and Fringe! Thanks for the gorgeous pictures!
Oh my those store were awesome!!! That one with the kitchen….It’s so me! Glad you had some fun girl time and I think it is so neat to stay so close through the years. How special is that! Wish I would have been in your pocket..hehe~
Oh, Rhoda….
I know where all of those places are…sniffle <3 Thank you for the photo tours…I know I will eventually find some places like that here in OK, but so far, no luck (living a good 2 hrs away from OKC isn't a help, I'm sure). Man, I wish I could go "home", and go visit those places with my mom again. Glad you got the opportunity!
I love when you post these kinds of things 🙂 Tours and insides of stores… sooo much fun!