Chippy Scale for my French Country Themed Kitchen

If you've been following me for a while now, you'll know how much I love any and all french country/farmhouse themed kitchens and decor.

Slowly, I've been trying to get my kitchen to have that feel. It all started with the roosters. And even though I've been banned from buying any more, I still love them and seek them out. :)

The other day while I was browsing Etsy, I happened to see this beautiful vintage chippy kitchen scale. It was a great deal and I knew it would be a welcome addition to my hutch.

What do you think? My sister was confused by the little B block. I know it's not 'kitchen-y', but I think it's adorable and I'm leaving it. She can kiss my grits.

Arkansas Camping/RV Trip

My goodness, it's been a while, hasn't it? I'm alive, I swear. And doing quite well, thank you.

I apologize...this month was as hectic as always. I didn't take my computer on our little RV trip, so I didn't blog. Then when we got back, Southern Hubby had another full week off, so of course I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could. We did a little gardening, some shopping, and celebrated my birthday on May 1st. He went back to work this week, so I'm back to blogging.

While in Arkansas we camped at Lake Catherine State Park. It was beautiful and much different from the state parks in Texas. Not bad, just different. We'll already plan on going back and need to make a reservation asap, as their weekends fill up quickly.

This was our campsite and it was just heavenly...right by the water and under the shade. We spent our days lounging, napping, eating late breakfasts, going for walks, doing my women's bible study homework and reading. Lots and lots of reading. I brought everything I needed to go running but we only went out once! Pathetic, I know, but hey, it was a vacation!

We were right by some quite docks where you could go fishing or even do some yoga. (Now, THAT was nice and serene.) It was exactly what Southern Hubby needed. He's been really busy at work getting some major projects out and it was nice to see him not check his phone for work or bring his laptop into the bed!

After getting set up, I think camping can be some of the most relaxing vacations. There is nothing to do, as long as you leave technology behind at home, of course.

Lake Catherine is very near to Hot Springs so we went out there a couple of times to shop, eat and visit Bathhouse Row. We had some drinks at the Ohio Club and went for massages, facials, and foot scrubs at the Quapaw Bath House. (This is the part where Southern Hubby wants me to tell you where he only had a massage, not a facial or foot scrub.) Needless to say, it was wonderful and much needed to for SH.

The Fordyce Bath House was really interesting to this history buff nerd. The state carefully remodeled it and now it is a museum. Visitors can walk in and see exactly what the bath house looked like back in its heyday. I really wish we could have spent more time exploring but we took Jackson and Matty on our trip (one of the main reasons we purchased the RV was to be able to travel with them) and we didn't want them to be locked up in their crates too long, so we headed back home.

All in all, it was a very relaxing and fun trip. The drive wasn't too bad and we really enjoyed Lake Catherine. We definitely can't wait to get back out there next year. :) Has anyone ever camped there, or in Arkansas in general, before? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

Shabby Apple Mariposa and Coupon Code

If you've been around the blogosphere, I'm sure you're well away of women's dresses powerhouse, Shabby Apple. You know how cute their dresses are, how they put a modern twist on vintage inspired fashion, and how affordable they are. (( And you also know that being pro-feminine, I love all kinds of fun and modest dresses. )) But did you also know that because they are dedicated to women, a percentage of all their proceeds go to charities that benefit women and children?

So, when Dayna over at Shabby Apple sent me the beautiful Mariposa Dress to review, I jumped at the change! A super cute dress to have all to myself? Yes, please.

Somehow I got my super shy sister to model it for us so I could snap away. And I can't tell you how cute it is in person! The fit is great and the color is rich. The fabric was perfect for summer days- not too thick but thick enough to not be sheer or see through. It gives a little, too, so it's very comfortable to move around in.

We LOVE the detailing around the neckline. It definitely does remind me of butterfly wings fluttering around. :) And the neckline is modest enough so that you don't feel you're showing all your goods when you bend over.

And just because they want to make sure you become a fan, too, they're now giving 10% off to all Her Southern Charm followers and readers from now until June 8th.! Yay! Just use coupon code 

SOUTHERNCHARM10OFF

Thanks again to Dayna at Shabby Apple for sending over this fabulous dress! It's divine! 

Disclaimer: I was sent merchandise from the above merchant in return for a review.

glamping. and a mini RV tour.

I don't know if you've ever heard about the Sisters on the Fly, but let me tell you, I'm gonna be one someday. :) They're a bunch of older gals that get together in the cutest vintage trailers and go 'glamping.' Glamping is glamorous camping. I think they coined that term and I love 'em for it.

Southern Hubby says I glamp because when we go camping I always have certain things I don't leave home without: my Chi and blow dryer, my Kindle and my monogram J.Crew bag. Say it's the diva in me, but I just can't do without those things. I'm a girly-girl that just happens to really like RV camping. Can't help it.

Since we're going on a trip this spring to Hot Springs, Arkansas, I figured I might as well show you around the old girl. ;) And by the old girl, I mean our 2011 Jayco Jay Feather 24T. It was the perfect floor plan for us and we love it!

This little message center is to your left as soon as you walk in. It's so convenient. As you can probably see, I've decided to decorate the trailer with fishing and lodge stuff. Technically I don't fish, but it was manly enough for Southern Hubby and I could still have fun with it

This is where we watch TV. Right in front of the couch is the dinette where we eat if the weather isn't cooperating. The couch folds into a bed so we can have guests. On a side note, I've become such a fan of Laura Megroz's hooked wool pillows. My dream is to own a fabulous lake house and have her pillows and rugs all over the place! The cute moose pillow seen here is from her collection.

The kitchen area is what sold me on this trailer. In RV's counter space is usually pretty rare and this has lots of counter space for me to do prep work. Luckily we've upgraded to a Keurig mini now, so I can have my coffee without having to worry about the cleanup. See, I told you it's glamping!

And because you're lucky, I'm adding a sweet one of my lazy Matty bear from our last camping trip. He's such a camp bum- he barely wants to go on walks and hikes! He just likes laying around in the sun, just like his mama. :)

Hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

Operation Kindness

Thanks for your patience while I got a little break. Things are hectic over here and with the summer coming up, I don't see them slowing down any time soon. Tis life, huh?

Recently, I was asked to shoot some pups for Operation Kindness, DFW's largest non-profit, no kill shelter. And once again, during my orientation, I was about to walk out of there with a precious baby.

Meet Abby.

She was thisclose to being mine, but seeing as we have a two week long camping trip coming up, I decided it was best not to introduce her to a new environment, two new dogs, and then whisk her away to two weeks on a trailer with her new family. As much as I longed and cried for this baby girl, I knew it wasn't fair of me to adopt her right now. I told myself that if she was still there after we got back from our trip, then I would rush to get her.

She was adopted last weekend.

My heart was secretly crushed but I was thrilled that someone else realized what a love bug she was and wanted to give her a new home.

Here are a couple of other sweetie pies I shot (as in with a camera!) while I was there. If you are interested in any of these babies at all, and are in the DFW area, by all means, go visit them and see what gentle souls they are. :)

Chopper is a cuddle bunny for sure. He wanted to be touching me somehow but I was able to peel him off for just a couple quick seconds to snap a picture of his handsome face!

Merlin had gorgeous eyes, one blue and the other blue AND brown. I'd never seen anything like it before. Very cool. And a playful pup who is in love with tennis balls.

If you have the energy required for a 6 month old Spaniel, then Calico is for you! This dog was so much fun to shoot. Check out the funny face I got while he was in mid-shake. Precious baby!

Goodbye baby girl, Abby. I hope your new family will give you all the love I wanted to give you. You deserve it. After being in the hellish nightmare of a puppy-mill, you and the rest of these dogs deserve the world.

Operation Kindness

pausing

hey folks,

bear with me for a little bit...I'm not feeling any love for blogging lately. nothing is wrong. we're both doing well (the pups, too!). I just felt like taking a short break. :) be back soon! xo

homemakers

Yes, I know I'm about a month late on this meme, but I thought this was pretty funny. :) Happy Monday, folks!

where my stitches at?

I have been on a bit of a knitting rampage lately. I don't know what has gotten into me but my fingers feel all tired and sore, so I think I may need to take a break for a day or two.

I know one of my goals for this year was to learn how to knit mittens, but I can't seem to veer away from socks. In the past couple weeks, I've whipped up a couple of pairs for gifts, one for Southern Hubby and one for Sara is on my needles right now. Hopefully I can get them to her before the crisp mornings of early spring leave Colorado.

I think my trip to a super quaint Michigan knitting shop got my creative juices burning. There's something about a multi-generational community of women gathered in an old, creaky house that makes me feel connected to those knitters that came before us.

If you've never tried this craft, but always wanted to, I suggest you get on it. It's a wonderful stress reliever and really brings out those creative juices. I've also found that it is probably one of the least expensive crafts to start.

Here are some resources to get you going:

Very Pink
I love, love, love Staci Perry. The fact that she lives in Texas is an added bonus. (She was the one that got me past my fear of attempting socks!)

Ravelry
It's like a Facebook for knitters. Find me on Ravelry: hersoutherncharm


YouTube
Here you can find a wealth of information on any knitting technique out there.

Encyclopedia of Knitting
I reference this book often.

If anyone has any questions about picking up this wonderful craft, be sure to let me know! Have a great weekend!

love is...

taken March 12, 2012

...waking your sleeping wife at 12:45am on your 7th wedding anniversary to tell her how much you love her and to show her the gorgeous moon in the night sky.

taken March 12, 2005
photo credit: Marcus Revilla, San Antonio, TX

Happy Anniversary, Southern Hubby! I love you so much and pray that God blesses us with 70 more years of wedded bliss.

photo credit

my black thumb

I think the time change is having an effect on me. It's been making me think about things I have no business thinking about...mainly about plants and veggies and how one of the things on my to do list for 2012 is to plant something- anything.

I think I've fulfilled that goal because I planted some flowers in my front garden bed. Of course, they were already grown and matured under the watchful eyes and hands of a skilled gardener. But, that should could, right? I mean, I touched dirt and everything!

On Sunday, we visited a local nursery (we try as best as we can to always support the mom and pop shops!) so I could purchase some herbs. Last year, I planted about six basil plants so I could have it fresh and on hand when I needed it. (For some reason, we use a lot of basil!) The lack of watering during our India trip and the first freeze of the 2011 winter did them all in, sadly, and we've been without since. And let me tell you, the organic herbs at Whole Foods ain't cheap!

This year I decided to add cilantro and parsley to the mix to see how I do with those. I have a notorious black thumb but I'm going to give it my all.

Wish me luck. I'll need it. :) But it does feel good to cross some things off my goals list! 

How about you? Have you been able to meet any of your 2012 goals, yet?