First Monday

I lived in Texas for 19 years,  but until my recent visit home I had never experienced First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX.  First Monday is one of the oldest flea markets in the U.S.  And over the span of 150 years, it has grown to be one of the largest.

What made today especially sweet is that I got to spend it with my dad and family.  In celebration of the slight decrease in the Texas fall temperature, people were out in droves.  Maneuvering a wagon, a stroller and four kids through the madness was particularly challenging.  But I have good news… we all survived!  The plant stand and hanging basket for a steal were just the cherry on top!  I found these handcrafted pretties hidden among the vast sea of vendor treasures, (shout-out to Johnny’s Ironworks).

When I went to payout the lady asked me what I planned to do with them. I hadn’t really thought about using them as anything other than a plant stand and hanging basket.  When I told her my plan, she only seemed partially amused.  So, I asked her what she uses her’s for, & she told me she puts her onions and potatoes in them.  She further explained that the openness of the bowl allows them to breathe for fresh keeping.

I still plan to use mine for plants, but the encounter just got me to thinking about individuality,  creativity and thinking outside of the box. I guess the old adage is true, ‘one man’s plant stand is another man’s fruit bowl’… or something like that! ;p

What would you do with them?

♥Charlie

“Don’t you know yet? It is your light that lights the worlds.” -Rumi

 

Iron Art

Mini Free Spirits

Cow Hide

Sweet Babies

Carpe Deim

I’ve never been one to fall in line.  I accept this truth as my most challenging weakness and my most favorite quality.  There’s no doubt that my stubborn independence has often times made my life more difficult, but without my struggles I could never truly appreciate life’s abundant blessings.

Every delicate decision has lead me to precisely where I am today; and when you love your life, that is a beautiful thought!

Welcome to The Southern Girl blog!  I’m a full-time mama, military spouse, and student. Searching for, and sharing, all the things that make me happy, enrich my life and enchant my soul.

Y’all come back now, ya hear?!?!

♥Charlie

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
-Pablo Picasso

 

War Paint

As a little country girl, I can remember playing Cowboys & Indians. I, being the little princess that I am, always wanted to play an Indian squaw. While my brother was always a Cowboy….& not much has changed! It’s been 12 years since I’ve called myself by my Indian Princess name (Walks with Fire), did a rain dance or hunted buffalo in the cow pasture. But there is one thing that this Indian Princess has never forgotten, & that’s how to do battle. No self respecting Indian can go into battle without her war paint!
Each day I rise & prepare for battle…
& my inner diva is currently in love with these trendy Summer Colors: Aveda lip pigment cana913 & Aveda eye definer: jade vine990.

¡mi papá es una viajera del mundo!

I’ve always been envious of my father’s travels. He’s been to more countries than I can even name, eaten things that most would swat, and made friend of all colors & sizes!
He would always return from afar with the most interesting things! My favorite was when he would return with things that I could wear…fancy that!

Today, I’m feeling primitive-chic:

Inspiration pieces hail from Dakar, Senegal- Africa

baby janes

Lately, I’ve been a tad bit obsessed with crocheting. A very dear older friend taught me how to crochet when I was still in grade school. Now, 15 years later, I’m in a crochet craze and I can’t control myself. My latest crochet creation, baby Janes has inspired more baby bootie ideas via my crochet hook.

I intend to send these little ladies to a very special baby girl in Louisiana. They do make a perfect, from the heart, baby gift.

 

Starving Artist Showcase

It’s less than 24hrs till our artists will be setting up & sound checks will be radiating from the roof top of our industrial oasis in downtown Dallas. When I find time to breathe, I plan on updating new outfits & renovations…Oh what a beautiful life! Can not wait!

natural nails

I’ll probably be noosed & hung from the nearest tree for saying so, but fake manicured nails are outdated! For some reason though, Southern women insist on damaging their natural nails by permagriping those suckers onto the tips of their fingers. Not to mention they severely limit your ability to mix & match accent colors to your outfits. Short, rounded & polished nails are easy to upkeep & totally DIY. Here are some Fall 2010 polish trends to help wean you from your un-natural ways:

stoned.

No joke, bust out those rock collections… we’re making jewelry!

Recently I’ve had an itch to start making my own jewelry. After repeated trips to Michael’s filling, then emptying my cart, I’ve finally got a stone solid idea. And that idea is four little letters long {all the good words are}, OPAL.

Opal, is by far the most under rated gem stone. I would say, “in my opinion” but it is, no matter who’s opinion it is {or isn’t}. In researching this fine gem of a stone, I’ve come across some very interesting facts about my new friend Opal. Opals are the most colorful of all gems. Among the 80+ color variations of Opal, I’ve found that my favorites {at least for this season} are classic White, Fire Opal & the more rare Black Opal. Not to mention the fact that most Opal is over 60 MILLION years old, that dates back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, which totally appeals to my inner nerd.

I just can’t wait to hang these little hunnies from my neck!

if it makes you happy!

I know these cutesy little ‘Day of the Dead’ magnets aren’t pivotal to a good day’s work, but they definitely brighten my day a bit.  Few things make me happier than Mexican food, fiestas & cheerfully clad bare bones.  Sometimes, you just gotta splurge!

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