"Salt & Pepa's Here and We're In Effect"

Ah, Push it!

Sorry, just had to complete that lyrical thought! ;)

This post is for one of my very best friends. A girl who put up with me in small living quarters for a whole year when I lived in Arkansas and who has continued to be one of my dearest friends ever since, putting up with many a long phone call full of giggles on both ends!

Kari likes to collect Salt and Pepper shakers. So lately whenever I'm in a thrift or antique shop I try to take a few minutes to look over the salt and pepper shakers. Mainly to get ideas so that I can make her some using my skills as a ceramic artist! 

But the Gulfport Beach Bazaar had soo many salt & pepper shakers that I just couldn't help sharing the images I snapped for Kari and any other collectors to enjoy! 

 This eggs in a basket is definitely one I'm going to recreate in my own style at the studio! 

 And I loved these petite little shimmery orange ones which in hindsight I kind of wish I had just gotten but felt like they were too much at $8. I know, I'm a cheap scape! But they were missing the corks in the bottom and were literally an inch and a half tall! Sorry Kari! 

Also, because the glaze was shimmery I am pretty sure it was a lead glaze on them which would have made them unsafe for food, and if I'm anything as a ceramic artists, it's that I am a stickler about food ware ceramics being food safe.

 I'm not kidding, there were soooo many! I could have stood there for an hour just trying to take in the individuality of each set... so instead I snapped a few pics! 

See anything you like Kari!? :)

Gulfport Beach Bazaar

No, despite the name this is not a festival or Bazaar in the it happens on Saturday mornings sense. In fact the Gulfport Beach Bazaar is a local retail shop right along Beach Blvd in Gulfport, the street that I showed pictures of in my last post. 

The location was originally the U.S. Post Office of Gulfport and the retail shop was added in 1972 and then most recently its been taken over by its current owners and turned into an awesome antique/thrift store! 

I had quite a bit of luck here, finding 3 elephants to add to my collection and a set of 6 small brandy glasses that were a match to the very unique one my parents were given early in their marriage by an elderly couple they were friends with who traveled all over the world. Needless to say I was SOO excited when I stumbled across the set. I hadn't been looking for it, but one of the glasses in my parents set had broken during the holiday and I felt it was fitting to just get the set as a replacement! Also, I have literally never ever seen them anywhere except in my parents house so it felt like one of those "you'll never find these again" kind of finds!

I'll do a post of my purchases later. For now... I just want to share all the eye candy there was to see! 

Crescent Beach and Sea Shells

One of the best parts about having family that lives down d'ocean... is how close and convenient it is to well.. go down d'ocean when visiting them! 

Crescent Beach is one of my favorite beaches... and this was my 2nd time ever going. I guess I can be decisive about some things! 

I'm not much one for putting on a swim suit and jumping in the ocean or even going to lie on the sand and sunbathe but I do love walking along the waters edge and getting my feet wet while beach combing for sea shells. And of course taking pictures! 

And Crescent Beach is one of the prettiest beaches to go do just that! The sand is uber fine and white so you feel almost like you're walking on moon dust! And the shell pickings are colorful and varied. 

Beachy Chic Roomspiration!

I can't help but be drawn to beautiful shabby chic/ beachy chic places. Its like I have an internal compass for finding these places. And as much as I enjoy a walk through of a more typical place like Anthropology, I appreciate much more the small individually owned shops where I find equal if not sometimes better ideas! 

So of course while toodeling around St. George Street my 1st day in St. Augustine, I spotted a shop full of shabby chic beauty. Ironically all the things I would have bought in that shop were just display devices for the jewelry being sold.. but I snapped some pictures knowing I can file it away into my ideas folder for future spaces and DIY projects in my home!

 I LOVE how they used these big hemp ropes to create visual interest and texture and add a little ocean voyaging vibe! And of course the off white and oceany sea foam furniture!

I also loved all the beautifully shaped and sized glass bottles they had everywhere to display necklaces. 

And can we just talk about that white washed wood plank floor! Gorgeous! 

They also had some lovely abstract, richly hued paintings by a local artist that gave me some idea's for future paintings of my own! 

My apologies for the poor photo framing.. I was kind of taking quick snaps because it was one of those shops where I felt like I might get yelled at if they saw me taking pictures! 

Oh The Things...

Oh the things I have to share from this wonderful trip you'll see... 

Things,

like new elephants including the largest and smallest of my collection now, 

Beachy Things,

 of tidal pools, sun soaked beaches and salty sea shells, 

Artsy Things,

 like Dali architecture, Craftsman homes full of pottery and so much more, 

Crafty Things, 

like back alley trashed mirrors turned into future photo props and vintage quilts once beloved by my Nana that need repair, 

So many things I'm excited to share. 

But for now just a peak at the fresh beachy air!

 Cocina Beach in St. Augustine Florida from Sarah H. on Vimeo.

Oceans

Taking in His glorious expansive creation!

*lyrics from Hillsong United: Oceans on Zion album