'Hot-lanta' Whatta Trip!

Yes, I know, I've been such a slow poke about getting this post put together... Life has been crazy busy since I've returned home and I've been trying to get everything in order before the next wave of crazy busy hits... The month of October has a great deal of activity looming on the horizon.

SO... about my trip... Let me first say my friend 'Atlanta Rose' is the most gracious hostess... I mean, get a load of this incredibly beautiful guest room I was appointed:


But that's not all... I had not just ONE guest room but TWO at my disposal... I stored my suitcase and my stash of purchases in my SECOND guest room... How lovely is this?

I KNOW, it's like I was staying in a very high end bed and breakfast. Does the Queen of England have to pay for such hospitality? I doubt the queen stays in many places much grander than this:


And my only method of payment was giving thanks to my dear friend for all her graciousness, hardly seems fair, does it? And oh, I should also mention the Duchess made me feel at home by licking my fingers, curling up in my lap for a nap and always greeting me with this sweet little face:

So what did we do while we were together? (I'm referring to Rose and I, not Duchess)... What else? We LAUGHED, We ATE and we SHOPPED!
What did we eat?... What didn't we eat?... Crepe's from a charming french restaurant in Marietta:

For dessert a Choclate Mousse Crepe with Cherr & Raspberry Puree, Mmmmm!

Feasted on some real southern BBQ:

Pulled BBQ Chicken on a bun Mmmmm, and I loved the rustic atmosphere.

We also ate at a Delicious Cajun Restaurant one night and a wonderful Italian spot the next afternoon... Sorry, I didn't take pictures at EVERY restaurant. I did however, eat enough to insure my jeans hug my thighs a lot closer than they did before my visit.

So yes, the eating was good but the shopping... OH THE SHOPPING!

Rose introduced me to a wonderful little place known as 'The Classy Flea'... Well, I should say I begged her to introduce me, as I'd read about this little gem via Susan's blog 'Between Naps On The Porch'... Now I should explain, I've never been very interested in flea markets per se' but this place is beyond wonderful, the prices are great and the stuff... Well let me show you what I managed to shove in my suitcase:


Now, that there on the bottom, that's a King Size Matelasse coverlet with two king size pillow shams AND a bed skirt for just $49.00... That's right, forty-nine buckaroos! As for how I got the whole thing home? Let's just say my suitcase ended up being 7 lbs. too heavy for the limit so I spent the plane ride home with a king size coverlet on my lap.

The other three items I fell in love with and just couldn't leave them for someone else to take home. The finial didn't fair too well in the suitcase and came home in pieces but my friend Lori patched it up with some ceramic glue and it's none the worse for wear. Unbelievably the chicken made it through without a scratch! By the way the chicken was a steal, had a Kirkland's tag on it priced at $23.95 but I got it for $14.95 at 'The Flea'... As for the 'Welcome' sign, I plan to change out the ribbon with some lovely plaid ribbon I have on hand and then I'll walk it all around my house until I find the perfect spot. Not pictured are a purse I picked up for my friend Lori and the cutest Halloween decoration which I gave her also (she's totally into Halloween, as for me, not so much!)... I'll have to steal a pic of it and post it here later... And yes, all except the coverlet fit into my amazing expando suitcase!

But wait, here are some items I wish I could've taken home with me:

This adorable little chair was just $19.00... Had I gotten it home I would've given it an extra special paint treatment, a fluffy new cushion and some gorgeous fabric, maybe a plaid or a victorian botanical.


I might've hung this above our bed.


This silk valance would've worked perfectly in my master bedroom.


And this chandeleir would be adorable over my kitchen table.


I LOVED this tv cabinet with pocket doors... How gorgeous this would look in my family room and only $299.00
This piece was the first thing that caught my eye when we walked in the door. I couldn't find a price on it, probably because it was sold before we left the store. I mean, how gorgeous is this and it's massive in real life.


When Rose and I saw this we just had to get a picture because it summed up our visit so perfectly.


Next visit to Atlanta, I'm renting a u-haul... Better make some extra space in that second guest bedroom Rose!