Treasure Hunting in Nashville

The Mister and I've had such fun treasure hunting in Music City lately. Every find is better than the last. This city has so much character. In the people and places. It is full of hidden gems. Our favorite parts of Nashville are the quirky old bits (Quirky Old Bits also being a great name for a band) which are lovingly updated. 

So as we've settled into our new town, we've happily been on the hunt for the best of Nashville's cool old charm.

We found this beauty straight out of Darren and Samantha's Bewitched kitchen.

We fell for this 1955 RCA Victor.

And dozens of vintage Jack Daniels barrels stacked two stories high.

We stumbled upon these retro bathrooms that make rainbows envious.

This old pub is oozing with history. If those walls could talk, right?

I adore this atomic age restaurant booth.

We loved it so much that we bought it. 

All. 

These goodies and so much more are parts of our new home! Can you stand it?!  I wish you were here to walk through it right now. Just like us, you'd scream and squeal when you see it. You might even do a little dance of glee. It is the coolest. We're in love. 

Our new house is a complete departure from the train line Chicago suburbs and a pre-war flat in London. The kids may get architecture degrees by osmosis.

This gem needs some TLC and a few updates so we're not moving for a while (whew! I'm in a bit of denial about boxing up our life again), but we spent a fantastic afternoon there today exploring inside and out. Much as the small people loved the house itself, the enormous backyard really won them over. They have an especially neat part of the house to call theirs. A pocket door, that blue bathroom and maybe even one big bunk room!

In what's becoming the story of our life, finding this house was unexpected but equally meant to be. We're thrilled to carry on its legacy from the original owners and their four children.

So thanks for reading along for this new chapter. It promises to be full of vintage goodness. And a whole lot of Jack Daniels. 

Crystal Clear Occasion

On a beautiful fall morning fifteen years ago, we started our life together. Who could have imagined the adventures ahead?

I love looking at this picture and seeing us beaming with delight (my grin perhaps also mildly enhanced by pain killers. But that's another story!) and thrilled to be in each other's arms. I feel that way in multiples. I am still tickled that I get to say, "my husband" and not be playing Mrs.

And who knew that one day digital photography would let us cut out that band member's car from the photos? (Someday I'll actually attempt that fix.) Or that a little girl or two would wear that veil for her First Holy Communion? That we'd travel across the country and throughout Europe with a growing gaggle of little people? All part of God's plan - for which we're grateful.

This year's traditional anniversary gift is crystal. Crystal ball or not, I see many, many more years of happiness with my very best friend, captain of our ship, and love of my life. Happy anniversary to the best! Also the most handsome.

xo.

Rooting for History

Or should that be roses for the Roosevelts?

Everyone seems to be immersed in the Roosevelts these days. Us, too. Last night we were all camped out in front of the tv watching Ken Burns begin to unfurl American history through the Roosevelts and we'll be there all week.

The stories and pictures of Theodore Roosevelt's early life were made even more special because we toured his childhood home in NYC this spring. That was the Mister's idea. Hearing narrators echo what the kids already knew and seeing the home just as they'd left it a few months ago was fantastic. 

I must get out a gaggle of teddy bears for our next viewing party. Particularly since our house is so light on taxidermy. But a teddy bear trophy room? We could absolutely pull that one off.

Glued to the tube, albeit for good purposes, wasn't family night, though. We celebrated that a few hours earlier by going to the movies (about an annual event for our crew) to learn a bit about sea life thanks to Big Sister's latest interest. 

Quite possibly the most entertaining part of going to the cinema with our brood is seeing what Baby Sister wears. I'm so sorry I didn't get pictures. Like her mother (who packed comfy socks and a light blanket), she likes to get really cozy to see a flick. So we weren't too surprised to look over during the previews and see Baby Sister getting into her pink fuzzy bathrobe and slippers. ha!

It takes a lot of brain power to learn. Might as well be comfortable doing it, right? And that little lovey is her Kindergarten's "Special Person of the Week." Special indeed!

What could be more special than Roosevelt himself on the value of life in a busy household: "For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly makes all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison."

Hooray. And three cheers for things going "reasonably well" -- I love it.  xo

Too Much Fun

You must come see some of the best and most delightful offerings in Nashville's home decor market.

I may have told you -- Gas Lamp was and continues to be our very favorite place to shop in Nashville. We had it programmed into the GPS while we were still in the hotel awaiting shipments to be released from Customs. Now I arrive there by the sheer magnetic force of beautiful treasures.

Yesterday I worked at the shop's Fall Fiesta. If you can call working chatting with some of the area's best designers among gorgeous homewares and vintage goodies. The party there continues everyday. It is such fun to see autumn come to the Gas Lamps. Apples and pumpkins abound. 

Check it out soon and often. Hurry to Gas Lamp Too and look for my space at T164. 128 Powell Avenue in Nashville. 615.297.2250. If you're like me, you'll need lots of time to meander the 25,000 square feet (seriously bountiful) of goodness. Bring a friend and be ready to be wowed.

xo

Back to School on the High Street

I'm thinking much of those who are starting school this week on both sides of the Atlantic. Especially Big Brother's British school friends who are starting their last year at Our Sweet School.

Even though we've been hitting the books for what seems like forever, it is just now back to school on my little High Street at GasLampToo. All decked out for learning in style here. The shop is like an extension of my favorite parts of our home - I love it!

We're all ready for fall with lots of plaid, vintage safety patrol gear, varsity letter, maps, apples, school supplies. All sorts of treasures to engage students young and old. And an alligator and pig, too. Every study hall needs a loyal pet.

For all the learning and on the job training for my shop, I'm the happiest school girl of late. It is delightful. Last week found me at the Nashville Flea Market at the fairgrounds. You must go if you get a chance. Flea marketing is part spatial relations lessons (how will I get all those goodies in the car?) and always, economics. Learning all the time. I'm telling you, this is a super job. The field trips alone are fantastic.

And with apologies for these poor pix (I promise I wasn't trying some vintage filter!), check out these two vintage treasures. They're from another shopping spree altogether. The next time we get over to this house I'll get better snaps to share. Meanwhile, fingers crossed these will someday be part of our new kitchen. 

New beginnings in the midst of old treasures. A good report from your (school) girl Friday.

Back to It All

Bless their hearts. We've been dressed and on time and back to it all. School's in full swing with homework and the whole nine. They gleefully report sibling sightings at the dinner table and the Mister and I are tickled to hear those usually result in hugging! I'm hoping to decamp to the pool all weekend to celebrate.

More likely we'll split our time between the pool, a seemingly endless review of MLS listings and open houses.  We're in the throes of house hunting. Did I tell you that our oddly timed lease (we're out of the house in February) means we need new digs soon? Don't worry - we're planning for some sort of guest space when purchasing in Music City. And I'm still gunning for an all kids' bunk room to make use of any spare family space we can. You heard it here first! We gave ourselves the summer off from house hunting and are now in the thick of it.

Kind of like naming babies with a full belly, house hunting is really only terrifically fun when the pressure is off. But I'm grateful that the Mister and I have always been on the same page in our many homes (7 at last count!) in our 15 years. We've always come to a decision unanimously. So there's that.

Varied housing styles (townhouse, apartments, construction new and old and a beloved American Four Square) throughout the years have taught us about what we value in our space. Altho we're not campers, I feel sure that we could pretty much get by with a hot pot (speaks to my culinary skills, too) and a few rollaway beds. And surely we only need one full bath as that's all we seem to use (with maybe a spare for guests). The year we don't have baby toys or Johnson's baby wash in our shower will likely be when Baby Sister has flown the nest. Until then, we tend to happily live on top of each other, no matter how big the house.

Outdoor space matters now, too. Even though we absolutely loved our flat in London and some of us long to be city folk again, in Nashville we've found that we adore wide open spaces. (Cue the Dixie Chicks.) I remember crying a bit on a trip to Scotland being struck by how much the kids loved (and needed) to just open the door and run outside.

This is our first time looking for a home while living in the same town. While house hunting is something that happens to us every other year or so, that's new. It is a great luxury to be able to see a listing pop up and drive by a few minutes later. Even if it means the peanut gallery chimes in from the backseat about what they "would even consider!" Never before have the kids had a chance to see the places we're considering in person.

Which also means that they're learning some of the heartache that comes with house hunting. Just this week, Biggest Brother and I got way out in front of a love affair with a property with a small house and very big yard (he was creating mountain bike trails and I was decorating for Christmas). But we've bought a house that came and went three times before it was ours, and I'm trying to impart to them the confidence that the right place will be obvious when it is right for us.

As a testament to his goodness, while I was licking my wounds and replaying a kazillion "what ifs" about the house that I felt sure should have been, at bedtime prayers last night, Biggest Brother prayed for the people who got that house. Bless that guy's heart. I should be so loving and kind.

In summary, we're back to it all. Even house hunting.

Last Bits of Summer

We're kicking up our boots and making a splash. Even tho the reality of uniforms and actual bedtimes has set in, we're still getting to the pool and treating ourselves however we can. The last of our summer houseguests have departed and we're back to school. What a wonderful summer it was. Or has been. We're easing into school days gradually. If the pool is still open, summer can't really be over, right? 

A tiny bit of denial can be your friend. So can a chic crossing guard. 

We're so grateful for all the company we received this summer. AND for not being new this fall. I have forgotten how delightful it is to be in the second year of a posting. When things are fresh, new and exciting but when you've traded fear for familiarity. When you have a healthy list of favorite people and things to do. When homesickness for the last place has eased. Less crying in public and more feeling normal. Feeling welcome and at home.

The above is just a glimpse into our first week and doesn't count as the official back to school photo without Big Sister. Bless her heart - she was so eager to get to her class that I didn't want to delay her a moment.  I did snap her on the stairs before we left the house. Check out her M&S Mary Janes (and super long legs)! I am tickled that my little American school girls requested a bit of London as part of their school gear (and that M&S ships free to the US). Also, bless her heart - Big Sister started at the orthodontist this summer. Here's to Number 3 doing something first!   

So far so good on our second year in Nashville. We're graduating to new stages so happily and together.

We loved sharing Nashville with friends and family this summer. Exploring, showing off our favorites and discovering even more things to do, see, eat and learn in Music City with company was a highlight of the time off. We'll continue exploring all fall.

Meanwhile, tho the pool still beckons.

xo

A Little Business. A Big Day

Big day of hard work yesterday. A team effort. We painted, cleaned, inventoried, priced and moved into the shop at GasLamp Too!

It is the culmination of a lot of work as well as the sudden realization of a dream. A happy day. Grateful for my extraordinary painters, movers, in-house cheerleaders and babysitter that made it all possible.

And what nice timing. Fall has always felt like the beginning of the year to me. Even in the years between being a school girl and having school children.

A new year. A big day! 

xo.