Thrifty Thursday: One Man's Trash is SHE Design's Treasure!

So the 2nd or 3rd day I was in Florida my Aunt and I came across a back alley dumpster find chest of gold! Metaphorically speaking. 

We had just picked up a few pounds of shrimp for that evenings dinner at a small local market and left through the back alley only to come across (thanks to my Aunt's sharp eye) a huge beautiful framed mirror sitting next to the garbage cans! 

Say WHAT!? So we stopped and I got out to investigate. The mirror was clearly broken but I was focused on the frame. Was it solid wood or partical board... it was wood. Was it knicked up or in good condition... considering its location, it was in good condition. So we loaded it into the back of my Aunt's little Prius (thank you Jesus that is just barely fit!) and saved it from a doomed existence in a pile of garbage at the dump! 

This picture really makes it looks small.. it is not.. the frame is a good 4 x 3 1/2 feet. 

The great thing I discoved while investigating in the alley was that the mirror while cracked, had some kind of heavy duty plastic backing which is why it was still holding together. So we took the whole thing not wanting to leave a jagged mess for someone else to clean up in a back alley and layed it on a tarp in the driveway to deal with the mirror. 

 My Aunt and I put some tape across the front of the mirror just to be safe... 

And then we pulled out all the staples around the back of the frame. After that we were able to just lay it down gently and the mirror fell out the back in one piece! (I failed to snag a picture of that)

 So then we just folded the mirror over a few times and threw it in some heavy duty trash bags and into the trash!

 And what was left is this awesome frame!

 I'm 5'11 so as you can see.. this frame is pretty big! Pardon the horrible shot.. I was snapping the picture with my remote shutter release at the same time I was holding the frame up!

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet... there are just so many possibilities! So for now I think it will become one of my photo props but in the future when I get my own place I'm thinking I'll hang it up and put a bunch of smaller framed and un framed photos and paintings inside of it!

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! 

Let's start at the very beginning, A very good place to start

Two weeks ago early on a Sunday morning, I hopped in my car and headed down I-95 South to St. Augustine, Florida! What made the trip extra fun and doable, was that my Aunt J who I was headed to visit had been up in Va to visit her daughter (my cousin) so we met up south of Richmond and road tripped it caravan style! 

After a 9 hour drive and an relaxing evening unwinding at her and my uncles very peaceful and comfortable home with some Dark & Stormies and good conversation out on their lanai, I spent my 1st full day in town exploring the touristy side of St. Augustine. 

Aunt J took me to St. George street and we wandered around in and out of over priced tourist trap shops while I happily snapped pictures of the beautiful Spanish influenced architecture and lush tropical greenery. It was also nice to just wander and get to reacquaint ourselves with one another since really the last time I'd gotten to just spend time with my Aunt was when I was still a kid!

I know I already posted a mini post about this day but thought I'd share a few more photos! The weather was gorgeous! Cool enough to feel comfortable in the sun and the slight humidity but with a taste of salty ocean mixed in.

 There were several time period pubs and taverns you could go to where you'd be served by waiters in colonial garb. Had I been 12 years old I'd have been all about stopping there for lunch! Haha.

 Instead we went to the Columbiana for lunch- this is their outdoor courtyard above. And had delicious melt in your mouth cuban bread (yes, i cheated and had a bit cuz it was so yummy) as well as a delicious salad that the are famous for called the 1905! 

Afterwards we strolled around for a bit longer. 

 There is so much beautiful wrought iron in St. Augustine. 

And then my Aunt and I split a small gelato since neither of us felt we could eat a whole one. We had limoncello sorbet and coconut milk gelato. It was delicious! And dairy free which for me is always a plus!

And a great way to start out my vacation!

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.

This Guy...

As much as I am truly enjoying my vacation... I am seriously missing this guy!

 And all his silly states of being...

 with the tongue peaking out...

 and the crazy hairstyles that he himself creates and I sometimes style.

We're kind of best buddies. 

Hopefully Fritz won't shun me when I get home.. he tends to take absences from his presence rather personally! Hehe. 

Some New Friends

I've been having so much fun on my Florida getaway. Its been really wonderful getting to visit and stay with family. From the financial aspect it's allowed me to take this vacation without having to spend much more that gas money and some fun money and from the social aspect has really allowed some great time to reunite with loved ones and have long unhindered conversations. 

If you know me, you know I always enjoy some quality time spent catching up on things! 

But I've also made some new friends while I've been down here in Florida. Non of them were very chatty but we had some staring contests which was fun ;)

This sea turtle was just hanging out on the front porch of her sand hole right by the board walk out to Crescent beach. So I stopped and we eyed each other for a few minutes. 

In Gulfport on the bay wall in front of my Grandmother's condo I spent the morning dolphin watching with this blue heron while he surveyed the bay for fish. 

And at the St. Petersburg Pier this Pelican seemed to enjoy me and my camera, happily posing for the camera and letting me get really close. 

I'll be back to blogging regularly next week with lots of posts from all my Florida travels! For now I think I'll go work on my tan ;)