The Greenbrier

Friends of mine recently went to The Greenbrier in West Sulphur Springs, West Virginia for a weekend and came back with quite a lot of photos and I wanted to share just a few here.  The Greenbrier has been hosting guests since 1778.

I've heard about the Greenbrier, but haver never visited myself.  After seeing these photos, I hope to change that.

Here's the impressive exterior ...

Chandeliers everywhere!  I love how you can see a hint of color in each successive room but the chandeliers are the common element.

Another beautiful light ...

Here's one with green crystals ...

And yet another with the band of blue.

This makes me want blue stripes in my house (maybe with the chandelier above?).

I don't typically care for florals like this, but how beautiful ...

There's such an interesting contrast with the black and white tile floor.

Bolder space, same floor.

Nisha knows how much I love rhinestone pins.  How much to I adore this?

I'm going to need a lot more pins!

Love the gold mirror and the white mantel.

Nisha looking right at home.

The exterior also does not disappoint.  A peek from inside ...

And another with a view of the WV mountains.

A serene spot.

Gorgeous grounds and gazebo.

The happy couple.  Thank you to Bryan for sharing the great photos!

Shopping in Leesburg

On Sunday, I was in Leesburg, VA with my friend, Jeni.  I'd heard that its great out there but I'd never been.  Jeni shares my enthusiasm for all things shabby and vintage so when she invited me, I jumped at the opportunity. 

Jeni snapped a rare photo of me with the caption, "Melanie done snapping pix. Guy with his hand on his head, realizes he can't fit all this stuff in his car."  Pretty funny. 

Rather than traditional antique stores that are entirely antique and vintage items, the stores we visited were a mix of antiques in addition to new items and refinished items so there was a little of everything.

The first shop we visited was called On a Whim. 

Monogrammed guest towels ...

Not the best photo, but I loved this moss wreath.

These chairs had me thinking of my own chair that still needs reupholstering.

I almost bought this wire cloche.  Since it was the first store we stopped at, I passed on it.

Next stop was Lucketts.  I got my tea towel here.

 

I absolutely loved this chandelier!

Had to take a photo of this hobnail milk glass lamp.  I like that they combined it with a modern shade, but the shade seems a little short.  In any case, I wish I could have added it to my collection, but the last thing I need is another lamp. 

Pretty blue hardware ...

I saw quite a few green displays ...

I'd love to do something like this for Spring.

How awesome is this room?  The chandelier, rustic table, blue walls ... beautiful!

Another beautiful room in The Design House that is only open one weekend a month.  I can't believe they actually redesign the entire house - 3 floors - every month.  That mantle is incredible.

Another "almost purchase" was the tiny cloche.  Unfortunately, both had cracks. While I don't mind imperfections, these seemed like they could have gotten worse and broken the pieces completely.

The blue sideboard (console?) and owl prints caught my eye here.

We passed these chairs to and from the Design House and I thought the shape was so unique. 

I don't think my camera captured how beautiful the fabric was.

That was about it.  We didn't have nearly enough time to explore and as it was I had to race to make it to my dance rehearsal.  I loved it and can't wait to do it again ... hopefully, when we have a lot more time!

Charleston Souvenir

We had so little time there and managed to squeeze in a trip to the aquarium and a horse and buggy ride.  I think I'd have to spend a month there to see half of what is there.

I thought I'd share a little piece of Charleston that I picked up.  Anyone who has been there will be familiar with sweetgrass baskets.  They're all over the markets downtown.  They're part of West African culture that was transported by slaves and handed down for generations by the Gullah people. 

I already had one that was given to me as a gift ...

I wanted a tiny one for trinkets beside my bed so this is the one I picked up.

These baskets are pricey, but my mother-in-law instructed me on negotiating the price.  I'm not a fan of doing that, but I'm less of a fan of overpaying so I followed her advice and managed a fair price.

I wish I had more to share, but not only did I forget my camera, but with 2 rambunctious little ones in tow, I'm not sure how much I would have been able to use it anyway.  It really looks like an amazing city to explore and I'm hoping to have the opportunity at some point in the future.

Heading to Charleston

Next week, we're heading to Charleston, SC to visit my in-laws.  We've slooooowly been getting back into road trips now that our girls are growing and its becoming easier.  Its about a 10 hour drive for us so it should be interesting but I'm looking forward to it.  South Carolina is one of the last states on the eastern seaboard that I've visited (the last being Rhode Island) and I've always wanted to see it.   



Everyone I know who has been there has loved it.  Have you been to Charleston? 

New England Trip Recap

I mentioned in my previous post that I'd just returned from a trip in New England so I thought I'd share where we've been.  My parent own some land with a small rustic cabin in northern Vermont.  We all just love it there because its so serene, tranquil, unspoiled and peaceful but since its a 10+ hour drive and we've got 2 small ones in tow we hadn't been there in 2 years.  We decided to go for it a few weeks ago and stayed on the local ski mountain for the 4th of July weekend.  We were rewarded with some spectacular fireworks.  I forgot my camera as usual so I didn't take pictures for the first part of our trip until I just decided to buy one for traveling.  Here's a shot of a small stream on the Vermont property.  There's a lot more water here in the spring when the snow melts.  I love all the moss and ferns here in the woods.

Next, we went to Maine.  We wanted to see Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.  Below is a picture of one of the beaches in Acadia.  The beauty of the landscape there just doesn't come through in pictures. 

And after many failed attempts, one good family photo on that beautiful beach ...

This hike up rocky steps was so much fun but we didn't make it to the top.  I got a little nervous going so high with my girls as the trail got steeper and narrower so we eventually turned back.

The following morning we took a cruise on a 4-masted scooner.  It was 100 degrees at home in Virginia but we were all freezing on the ship.  With the water being 50-something degrees, it was cold out there.  Up go the sails!

Sails up!  Knowing nothing whatsoever about sailing, I was surprised that they did this all by hand.

Now, a smart person would have taken a picture of the ship but I was too busy worrying about my girls drowning in the 50 degree water.

It was beautful out there though.  I wouldn't mind having a house like this ...

Speaking of homes, back on land I took a few pictures of homes in Bar Harbor.  Love this classic New England house.

Here's an ivy covered house.  We also drove through the area where Martha Stewart has a home.  Beautiful houses there too!

Huge house ... and a simple white picket fence. 

My husband took a ride in a bi-plane and got to fly it! 

With my incredible fear of heights and flying in particular, I kept my feet firmly on the ground.  Just looking at pictures like this gives me vertigo.

On our last day, we spent a little more time in Acadia.  I loved this beach where there was no sand but tons and tons of stones ranging in size.

Yet another beautiful view ...

Our hotel was on the edge of the ocean and when the tide was low, there were thousands and thousands of blue mussel shells on the beach.  I took the photo below when the sun was bright so it washed out the color some but the shells were a gorgeous bright blue blanketing the ground.  I collected a few of these and hope I have some success making another shell wreath out of them.  A sort of DIY souvenier.

Our last stop was Salem, MA.  Maine to Virginia was way too long of a drive so we chose this as a pit stop.  Driving from ME to MA there were TONS of antique stores, but I think every time my husband saw one, he'd drive faster lest he have to stop and let me out to look!

Upon arriving in Salem, I found it to be a bit of a creepy place with some interesting people and places.  Some of the shops were kitchy and fun but some that I went into, I just turned around and walked out of.  Occult is not my thing.  Walking around, we stopped at this old cemetary.  Some notable Salem residents were buried here but none of the condemned "witches".  Sadly, they were all buried in unmarked graves and not given proper burials.

The headstones from the 1600s had skulls on them ...

Now as creepy as this is, what I didn't realize was that a lot of the tours are even creepier.  I thought that a trip to the Pirate Museum would be innocent enough but didn't know it would be pretty dark.  I, myself, got a pretty good scare from someone posing as a mannequin in the dark.  After that experience with my terrified little ones, I set out on my own while they napped on a fast forward tour of the town. 

The Witch Dungeon - a reconstruction of the prison where the accused were held was even darker - so dark that my pictures aren't worth sharing.  I did, however, manage to take a photo of a witch trial reenactment.  The accuser is on the right and the accused is on the left.

I found my modern mind wondering how it was possible that anyone believed the accusers.  Then, I saw this reenactment.  The accuser was pretty convincing given the dramatic display.  Combine that with their devout beliefs and fear of witches at the time and you understand how mass hysteria can occur.  I will say that its very sad to see what happened here to innocent people.

Next, I went to the Witch House ... Not really a Witch House but everything in Salem seems to have "witch" attached to it.  It's the 17th century home of one of the trial judges.

Next, I ran past the first church in Salem on my way to ...

The House of Seven Gables ...

I couldn't take photos inside but this was such a beautiful property and I couldn't help but fall in love with the seaside gardens ...

Regarding the interior, it was interesting how the oldest, original section of the house was very simple and unadorned and had low ceilings.  Most people (myself included) usually think its because people were smaller then.  The truth is that ceilings were low to preserve heat.  The expanded sections of the house were much more elaborate with more expensive decor and higher ceilings.  As the owner became more prosperous, they were less concerned with conserving heat.  

The biggest claim to fame here is that Nathaniel Hawthorne (who wrote The Scarlet Letter) was a cousin of someone who inherited the home and he spent time here.  He wrote a book called The House of Seven Gables that was influenced by this house.  His birthplace (below) was moved to the property.

 

So, there you have it.  3 states in 10 days in a nutshell.  I really needed to get away but after all this time away from home, I couldn't wait to come home.  All the time by the sea also has me thinking about seaside decor.  I think some stormy grey paint may be in my future.