Welcome to January my friends. The month when both the world and yours truly becomes a year older.
But I’d rather not think about that now in favor of talking about more pleasant things, like, ahem, the freeeeeeezing cold weather we’ve been having here in coastal North Carolina, the sometimes unreliable heating system lately in our rv, and our lack of warm and fuzzy clothes because, well, almost everything is in storage because WHO KNEW?
Some of you have asked about the house and if they broke ground yet. Well, not only have they broke ground, but they’re finished! Here’s a sneak peek:
Had ya’ going for a minute, right? Sadly, that’s not our house, but this next pic is, and it’s just as pretty, don’t you think?
That first house was one of MANY gorgeous homes in one of our favorite cities, Charleston, SC. We were there for a few days over Christmas and stayed at an Airbnb located two blocks from King Street (the heart of the city). We ate our way into oblivion, walked East Bay Street where many of the mansions were located, and saw one of the biggest trees on the east coast, ‘Angel Tree’. It’s so big I couldn’t get most of it in the photo.
But the real heart of Charleston, at least for me, lies in its charming architecture. Few cities (except Savannah), can boast such stately yet charmingly understated homes.
These sherbet colored beauties are located on Rainbow Row, near the water not far from King Street.
In case you’re a history nerd, here’s some info:
It was cold when we were there, in the 40’s at best, and even more so by the water, but nothing a scarf can’t take care of.
A charming yet majestic church near Marion Square, glistened against the dark night sky on Christmas Eve.
And last but not least, don’t you just want to eat these shutters? I ❤️ the color, and in fact want to go in that direction in mi casa.
In my last post I mentioned we were going to Highpoint. Well, it was a loooongggg day (more than 16 hours), and here’s my take on it in a nutshell:
It is HUGE, and definitely can’t be seen properly in a day. Many of the showrooms are not open to the public, but there are enough that are to keep anyone busy for several days. Prices aren’t nearly as good as we expected though, and when you add on shipping, it probably makes more sense to stick closer to home. In fact, we ended up buying a sleeper sofa here in Wilmington for 30% less than it was in Highpoint, and shipping and storage is free until the house is ready.
With that said, if you’ve got yourself a truck and some able bodied men, you can snag some cool things, like these wooden animal sculptures, because really, doesn’t everyone need at least one of these in their living room?!
A few weeks ago I spotted this lamp at a consignment shop and it captivated me enough to bring fisherman back to see it, but the shade was holding me back. I like it, just not on this particular lamp. Maybe my Bohemian side hasn’t evolved quite enough, but it just seemed a little busy for my taste.
I ended up buying a simple white drum shade and the shop owner reduced it accordingly and I’m now the happy owner of what I consider to be a super feminine, romantic, girly lamp. Oh, and there’s little holes in the curves just above the cherub for crystals which I fully intend to make use of.
Can’t you just see it in the sitting room next to this sofa that I’ve shown you before? I’m picturing maybe a furry ottoman or two to round out what I’m affectionately dubbing my Liberace space.
Speaking of sofas, we still haven’t decided on what to get for the living room. While in Highpoint, we spoke to a designer who said she would check to see if she had anything that would meet our needs and wants (low profile, less than 80” wide, bench cushion) but I never heard back from her. We may go with one we saw on line because we’ve been EVERYWHERE and have come up empty.
In other news…
We woke up to this Thursday morning! I spent all day Thursday in the rv, which is how I was able to get this post together. The weather will remain cold until Monday, at which time we should hit 60, making this white stuff a distant memory.
New England is getting clobbered, so we can’t complain, but seriously, we DID NOT sign up for this, and understandably they DO NOT know how to handle snow around here. Plowing is almost non-existent, making driving dangerous, especially with so much black ice. How is it in your neck of the woods?
Now you can go ahead and wish me a Happy Birthday because I won’t be posting for a while. It takes FOREVER to upload pics to my blog with our iffy WiFi, but you can always follow me on IG if you find your life is not worth living without knowing what’s going in my life. 😉
And just in case you didn’t believe me about pork chops for breakfast, I’ll leave you with this…
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Your posts always put a smile on my face, Doreen! First, that breakfast menu is the funniest thing! I could not eat any of that for breakfast! The weather has been ridiculous, these last few days. Even though it’s colder and snowier up here than where you are, I think it’s worse for you because it’s so unexpected. We got about 6 inches, and it is BITTER cold – 12 ° as I write this. I love your Charleston pics – I know exactly where that white house is, as I took 100 pictures of it, too, along with Rainbow Row, the Angel tree, etc. And the food – amazing, right??? Some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Love the lamp – it will look fab with your sofa! Stay warm! AND – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Emily says
Charleston is beautiful and looks like you two had a wonderful trip. Gorgeous pics and I love the grand old tree. I know you must be excited seeing your home go up. I remember that feeling, we’ve built six houses along the way. The weather is freezing here too but thankful there is no snow to deal with. Honestly, who could eat anything on that menu for breakfast! Love the sofa and lamp. Sorry you didn’t get lucky in Highpoint, definitely not what it use to be in the way of finding bargains. Stay warm and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Barbara Behar says
Happy New Year to you!
Living vicariously through your photos, especially of the angel oak which is near and dear to us and to our beloved Seabrook (John’s)Island. I hope that you bought a seagrass basket for your soon to be completed home. Mine sits proudly in my sunroom, reminding me of Charleston and our amazing visits there.
The weather here is beyond cold and the winds are nuts. Can’t wait to begin our descent! Will talk more as we get started planning our route. Hope to see you on our way down, or back.
Xoxo
Kim says
Well, that’s quite a contrast! I really didn’t expect to see that much snow. Sort of scraps my plan to move south for the winter. Like that mayor in Florida said, snow is bad for our brand!! 😉
Rita C at Panoply says
Hi Doreen! Happy Birthday month, how’s that?!
Oh yes, you’re right, the deep south knows not how to handle snow! My sister in Beaufort has given me a blow by blow account – it’s funny, not funny.
Love the new lamp! We shop a local, family run furniture company that does all the Highpoint shopping for us. In the end, their customer service wins the day for the trouble of trying to do all the legwork ourselves.
Looking forward to seeing your home’s progress – don’t stay gone too long!
Penny at Enjoying The Simple Things says
Your house is coming along!! Love your cherub lamp. Happy Birthday!
Cecilia says
Yay, for progress on your house! I’m curious, will you keep the rv after you get moved in? Or will you be done traveling?
Gorgeous architecture- I’ve been to Savannah but not Charleston and I loved reading the history of Rainbow Row.
I agree that lampshade overwhelmed the lamp. It definitely doesn’t need any competition!
We had (cough) snow, if you can call it that. Barely. Colder than normal, broke the record low! Fortunately, we didn’t have icy roads because talk about not knowing how to drive on it!
Lol, steak is normal on a breakfast menu around here so why not pork chops?
Happy birthday, Doreen! Stay warm!
Xo,
Cecilia
AnnMarie says
Happy Birthday! I know that snow is nothing for you coming from the Berkshires, but I know when it is unexpected, it is a nuisance to deal with. I LOVE that lamp and the sofa! What gorgeous décor you are planning for your new home. We have friends in Charlotte, NC so I will be visiting someday to see some of that gorgeous architecture for myself!
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Love seeing your sweet home coming to life. Soon my friend soon. We stayed in Charleston a few years ago and I just loved it. Walking down the streets of all the beautiful homes and knowing George Washington etc. walked those streets at one time too. Just so much history. I love the homes that have converted the slave quarters into guest homes just so beautiful. You can just feel the history there. I hope to go back some day. We stayed in one of the Mansions guest homes near King Street too. The owner of the mansion lived there alone and rented out his guest house in the back. It was gorgeous. Big gardens and a private pool just for us. Really nice. Have a great weekend. Hopefully that snow will leave you soon. Ours here in Illinois will be staying a lot longer ughh!
xoxo
Kris
SharonFromMichigan says
Happy Birthday Doreen! Yikes on the cold weather. It seems like the frigid cold is everywhere! At least in the pic of you and your hubby in front of the fountain, the water isn’t frozen! Here in Michigan we’re supposed to get out of the single digits on Sunday. They’re even predicting a heat wave of 40 degrees for next Thursday! (I might just have to break out the shorts and t-shirt!) Actually I’ll be taking down the Christmas lights outside. I believe in never looking a gift horse in the mouth – LOL!
Pinky says
So happy for you that your new home is coming along!!! And happy birthday….sometime this month:) I will still take the south over here in Pa. It is 12 degrees here at 11:15 AM up from 9. I truly hate this as I feel cabin fever BAD!!!! But there will be no moving for this couple. Hope you can stay warm and thanks for these wonderful pictures!
Donna says
❤️u. Happy birthday southern gal. Stay warm.
Poppy says
Happy Birthday, January baby! Well, we all know what you will wish for when you blow out your candles, this month…NO MORE SNOW!
It’s so exciting seeing one’s house being built, isn’t it? I remember how psyched I was every time another stage was completed. Glad everything is on schedule, despite the snow. The lamp is eclectically elegant, and it will look so pretty with the sofa in the Liberace space.
I enjoyed reading about Rainbow Row and cannot imagine that these pretty houses were at one point reduced to slums! The pastel colours and architectural styles are very reminiscent of European design, proving that size is not obligatory for a residence to be beautiful.
Enjoy your big day, my friend!
xx
Poppy
Mary says
Happy Birthday Doreen. You certainly got more snow than I expected to see. I guess the weather thought you would miss it. Loved all your pictures and I’m happy to see that the house is coming along. It will be fun to follow you along as you decorate it.
tammy j says
worth waiting for darling bean! and Happy Birthday month!
I know you’re a red headed Italian but there is something very Carole Lombard about you.
that same style and natural wit and pluckiness. some call it glamour even in pickle ball shorts!
I love the picture of you and your own Mr Gable in front of the fountain there. see? more proof but not needed.
spot on about the lamp. with the sofa especially!
it’s starting to get really exciting now! it will be fun watching it all come together with you.
you can always have a second career as a travelogue writer. do they still say travelogue? LOL.
said from one who once wanted to be a STEWARDESS.
but those beautiful pictures and history of Rainbow Row made me want more.
stay warm! one thing about the south… it usually melts before you can shovel it! LOL XOXO♥
Amy @ Stow and Tell U says
Hey Doreen. Happy Birthday (this coming month!) Two of my uncles live in Columbia SC. One passed away a few years ago, the other is still going strong at +90. I think he is one of the still living WWII vets. We’re hoping to take a trip down there to visit him soon. And that tree, we have pictures of us kids on that tree from 45 years ago. Thanks so much for sharing that, I had forgotten all about it. I love all the info you shared about the historical homes of Charleston. All that history makes appreciating the architecture that much more enjoyable.
Good think you’re from the north, what with the snow surprise, lol. We were all watching up here, in 5 degree below weather, feeling kinda sorry for you all 😛 Love your new lamp find, it will go perfect with your Libbi couch. Enjoy the rest of the weekend! xx Amy
jemma says
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you Dear Doreen! I can’t sing worth a darn so this is the best way for you to “hear,” me! You are looking fabulous darling, I must say the South is agreeing with you.
Your house is being built!! Wowsiers and this is SO exciting, it’s going to be a blast being part of the building process!
Can you believe the snow ya’ll got??? But by tomorrow it’ll be melting.
Fun post my friend!
XO
p.s. Henderson is doing well, as far as I know. She’s been working on my blog again:)
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! This was a great fun post and I enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed Rainbow Row and that awesomely PINK house! Wow. I would probably 100+ pictures of that area and get a stiff neck from my head whipping around to see everything. Interesting history lesson too!
So glad to see your house going up. How fun and exciting. Just be glad YOU guys aren’t doing the actual building of it. I’ve been there and it seems to take forever. Sure is fun walking through the different rooms picturing what they’ll be like done.. and looking out the “future” windows at the different views you’ll have. Once the walls go up it takes on an entire different feeling.
Great pix of you two in front of the (frozen) fountain. Boy what a surprise to have it so cold there and snow too. Our good old weather always seems to have surprises for us these last few years. Too bad all your fuzzy warm stuff is put away! Time for a shopping trip right? but in that town, do they even carry “winter” clothes? LOL
Love the lamp you found and yes, can imagine crystals on it… for sure. I think I would just shop local as it sounds much easier and less expensive. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect couch. Will be anxiously awaiting your next installment and see the progress on your home.
Hugs.. .Marilyn
Dewena says
Doreen, I am going to love your Liberace sitting space! That sofa, so glad you got it! And I love the lamp, even love the shade but adding crystals will look beautiful with a white shade. I really had no idea when you said the house was now framed that it was that much framed, how exciting is that! As tired as you must sometimes get of living RV life as a home, all you have to do is see weekly progress at the new place and you can bear anything.
I love the color of the shutters!
My favorite thing is following along with someone as they build or renovate so do try to keep us posted. Maybe someday I’ll catch on to IG and keep up with you there.
I hope lovely weather returns soon but probably future winters will see you just wishing you could wear sweaters and coats more often. Hopefully you didn’t ditch your winter wardrobe like we did and then have to buy it again!
Happy New Year, Doreen,
Dewena
Karen says
How exciting to have the house finally going up, Doreen! I just love the smell of freshly cut lumber! haha! Your trip sounds and looks amazing – love the historic homes and the ancient tree. You two are looking adorable all bundled up against the cold, too. Who would imagine snow where you are? It’s crazy! I lived in Tucson for a few years and wouldn’t you know, it snowed there, too! Love all your decorating ideas and that lamp is wonderful. Finding the right sofa is a job in itself. Some are pretty, but just too uncomfortable. Be sure to test it out thoroughly……I had a set that was pretty, but my feet wouldn’t even touch the floor! Talk about uncomfortable. I couldn’t wait to pitch it, but it took a few years….! Hope the weather has warmed up by now. Oh, love the shutters! xo Karen
Julie says
Hi Doreen, Happy Birthday and Happy New Year. I can’t believe it’s cold and snowed down there. It’s been so cold and way too much snow here. I already can’t wait for winter to be over! How exciting to have your new home being built. I bet you can’t wait to have it finished and move in. Good luck with everything.
Julie xo
handmade by amalia says
How wonderful to live in a pink house, you must be forever in a good mood. Hope yours is coming along nicely.
Amalia
xo
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
The snow followed you 🙂 And I have no sympathy. I am very happy to see you suffering along with me lol
Brenda Pruitt says
Bet you never expected snow! I can’t believe that tree!
Brenda
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Shoot, shoot, darn, darn, darn it!! I forgot to come by here and remind you of a blogaversary giveaway post I did recently, but I already drew a winner today. 🙁
I don’t know how I missed that you had posted? I used to get you in my email box…but I don’t think I received a notice last time. Hhmmm I’ll need to check that. But i love following you on IG and seeing what you’re up to like a good nosey blogland friend would do.
I LOVE the gorgeous photos! I swoon over the architecture of the south. And that tree! And I”m sorry the snow followed you down there. Guess you were not meant to fully escape it this year. 😉 And i adore that lamp and I would hang out on that couch forever! Sounds like a perfect space to me!
Have a blessed weekend ahead dearest Doreen! And Happiest of Happy Birthdays ahead!! May every good thing find its way to you on this year ahead.
xoxo
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
When I think you moved South to escape the cold and snow… Life really has a way to make fun of us, doesn’t it? It was fun seeing your house, not finished, but well on its way!
Jenna says
Great post, looks like you had a great time! 🙂
Love,
Jenna <3
Follow me back? The Chic Cupcake
Judy says
Hi Doreen, some beautiful and interesting photos. Your house is coming along and I bet you are getting excited. You got quite a bit of snow it looks like. Wish we had gotten the same. Happy weekend..Judy