Erin Shaw Street

Wordless Wednesday: More Boots

Scene from a DC TJMaxx. Rain boots that are am homage to the Vegas sign.

Bizarre, yet I like them.

I am here for the week, taking care of a friend who is recovering from surgery.

Thankfully my friend has given her blessing to my boot pursuit.

2nd and Charles: Miles and Miles of Used Books in Birmingham

Well, in Hoover.

Over the past few weeks, I was glad to see new signage go up in the space that was Goody's (on Highway 31, across from the Galleria). It had been vacant for quite some time. But it wasn't until the past few days that I learned what that space was becoming: 2nd & Charles, a new *used* bookstore.

From The Birmingham News:

"At the store, people can trade in their used books, music, movies, video games and more for cash or store credit. Then, they can shop the 40,000-square-foot space, which the company says holds more than 300,000 different items." (Full Story)

We visited today for their grand opening. The place is huge -- it actually occupies both the former Goody's and Marshall's space. I think that it has some of Marshall's mojo (rest in peace, sweet bargain headquarters).

2nd & Charles is full of rows and rows of bookshelves -- much like a Barnes and Noble or Books a Million (which owns it), minus the frills.

They bought their initial stock from a wholesaler, and according to The News story, hope that as customers bring in their books for trade "eventually, the selection will become a reflection of Birmingham area readers." Love that concept.

Other things that I like about it (other than the huge volume of books):

• The $5 bin was full of titles I'd actually read

• Lots of chairs throughout the store to sit and check out what you've found

• Diverse selection (including a fairly sizeable Women's Studies and Gay & Lesbian section)

• Plenty of room in the aisles for browsing

• Excellent, modern graphic design and recycled art throughout the store

Actually, the only negative I can think of is that the sparse signage can make the ginormous store a bit difficult to navigate, but maps are provided and employees are more than happy to answer questions.

I'm looking forward to returning when I have more time -- you could easily spend a few hours exploring. I wasn't able to do that with my 4-year old along for the ride (by the way, they have a good selection of children's books).

I left with just one book (see above about running after 4-yr old). My first purchase: "Alabama Curiosities, Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff," by Andy Duncan. For Just $3.80.

I'm a big fan of patronizing all kinds of bookstores (and libraries). Glad to have this one to add to our roster.

Would love to hear: if you've visited 2nd and Charles, what do you think?

Related Links:

Libraries Rock: Scene From Hoover

One Day

Wordless Wednesday: Joan Holloway Edition

When I was a little girl I dreamt of having leopard print pumps. Today these beauties fell into my hands. Guess what I'll be wearing tomorrow? 

And the next day.

And the day after.

Gosh I'm glad I'm the kind of girl who can pull off leopard print pumps.

Related Links:

Adventures In Boldness: The Mandatory Margarita Club Strikes Again

Home For The 4th, TJMaxx Furniture, Books.

As spotted in TJMaxx this afternoon. Pretty brilliant, huh?

I locked myself our of the house today, so Nate and I had some time to kill. And what else does a young boy love more than a trip to TJMaxx?

While everyone else drives everywhere else, we're staying home for the July 4th weekend. "Home, where I wanted to roam," as Coldplay sings.

When we finally got into the house, it felt great to take off my cowgirl boots (red, for the upcoming holiday) and cool off my feet.

I got a flashback of the day that I came home from the hospital with Nate, and thinking that nothing had felt as good as the carpet did, after four days of cold hospital tile on the bottom of my feet.

But back to today. Tired from the trauma of yesterday (seven adults having to hold down said child to give him one dose of medication before a dental procedure) I was kinda glad I wasn't running frantically to cram clothes into a suitcase or rush to get on the road.

Instead, I'm going to do the following:

1) Watch the discussion of women in journalism on the "Edge of Change" broadcast. I attended the session last month at The Poynter Institute and will air on CSPAN starting tomorrow (8:45 p.m. Eastern/7:45 Central if you're tuning in at your lake house).

2) Pack a picnic lunch at the request of Nate (we've actually never done this).

3) Sit on the couch, finish "The Help" and "Committed" and start these two glorious reads that appeared in an Amazon box on my doorstep, sent all the way from Australia (from my new adventure pal Mandy). Thanks Mandy!

Pretty sweet, huh? Oh, there will be a kiddo birthday party and a visit to the Apple store, but that's about it. Home. 

And the green chairs below? Well those are just something I'm dreaming about. Also spotted at TJs (go TJMaxx Furniture, huh? Don Draper would approve).

It's good to be home.

 

Magic City Fashionistas: Birmingham Fashion Exchange Debuts Friday!

The best part about going to see my dermatologist this week was one thing: extra time to check out my Twitter feed. Somewhere between looking at brochures for Juvederm and Botox, a Tweet from Birmingham Bargain Mom caught my eye. It was for a new consignment sale in our Magic City.

The Birmingham Fashion Exchange is similar to some of the kids consignment sales that are so popular, only it's clothing for ... adults! Women to be exact. Started by two retail pros, Katie Patterson and Shannon Herring, it's a way for women to get money back from the clothes they spent big bucks on -- and shop for themselves at deep discounts.

This couldn't come at a better time for me, because I had a trunk filled with clothing. I'd been looking for a great consignment store, but decided to try this.

Consigners price their own clothing and get 60% off items sold, with options to discount their clothes the last day of the sale and donate them to Hannah Homes if they don't sell. (To the right is just one snapshot of the offerings.)

I was in. As part of my massive undertaking of "Declutter My Life 2010," which includes letting go of all the stuff that no longer serves me (but that's a whole other post), I priced 57 items, some still with tags.

Katie and Shannon have set up the Birmingham Fashion Exchange in a space right behind The Home Depot on 280 and Cahaba Beach Road (1012 Edenton Street).

It couldn't have been easier to drop off my clothes (and major points to Shannon for calling me the night before to see if I needed any help - that's customer service!)

What's the big payoff? Tonight I got to go to a sneak peek sale for consigners and volunteers, where I scored some serious loot.

Six tops (including two cashmere Banana Republic short sleeve sweaters), one silk Ann Taylor Loft skirt, and the piece de resistance, a gorgeous leather Coach tote perfect for work -- all for the grand total of $78. You read that right. (The purse was $25 of it -- a steal.)

Katie, Shannon, and their family and friends couldn't have been more helpful. They've clearly put their years of retail  to work in creating an enjoyable shopping experience, including getting to know each customer.

I enjoyed chatting with them just as much as I did finding bargains. And while I was there I saw one of my very own purses sell, so I know that the system works!

All the clothes are new or like-new. And the sale opens to the public Friday. Check it out -- and let me know what treasures you find!

The Birmingham Fashion Exchange is open Friday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 6, noon- 5p.m. (50% off)

                                                                              

Fashionistas, start your engines! For more info, check out their website or follow them on Facebook at Birmingham Fashion Exchange. 

And for inspiration, check out this outfit that was still there when I left tonight -- $40 total (including jewelry) -- and that's a Bebe top!                  

 

The new baby

I haven't been this nervous driving since we drove Nate home from the hospital.

Now, what should I name it: a)GaGa (obvious) b)Bjorn (a salute to its birthplace) c)Moody Blue (the Elvis song that came on the radio driving home listening to Sirius)?

There's a pug in the car dealership (my day off)

What a day "off" ...

Took F. Scottfitzpug to the vet (double ear infections), took car back to the dealership (they messed up something during repairs the day before rendering the breaks close to useless), ran after said pug and one small child in the dealership.

Encouraged pug to poop on the floor of dealership when the service technician said, "oops, I left a part in there."

Dad came by to help us out as I accepted apologies and free oil changes from remorseful technicians. 

Called Volvo and ran the numbers on a new car. Dropped off dog at house. Went to Alabama Bloggers lunch for the first time (new blog friends, yay!). Took kiddo to Volvo dealership and fell in love with a car (the XC90 SUV) , then had heart palpitations when I saw the sticker price. 

Took a breather, stopped at Sherwin Williams and bought three kinds of exterior paint for our front of the house makeover. Wondered when I became someone who was considering buying a Volvo and debating between "gloss" and "semi-gloss" exterior paints.

Came home, arranged a photo shoot, did a load of laundry. Visited by Dad who so kindly took Nate for a few hours. Went back to Volvo, drove the XC90 (three rows of seating!), got freaked out by the price again, and as we drove it back into the lot saw a big honking sign .... a Volvo S40 sedan marked down to an insanely good price.

                                                   Trusted gut feeling, bought car on the spot. Felt good about decision, which will allow us to have a fantastic new car without being bogged down with payments that freak us out.

That's the Cliff Notes.

Exhaling.

Now today ... go to yoga, pick up another paint color, get the new car, plan a birthday party. It. Never. Ends. Thankfully.

Nashvegas 3.10: Vintage Finds, Roving Hoopers and a Dolly Parton Bathroom

Have I mentioned lately how much I dig Nashville? Seriously.

As much as I love Birmingham (Vulcan, you know you have my heart) I have a serious thing for The Music City. It's like Birmingham but bigger, and more progressive, and with much better shopping. Plus the people are super welcoming and the music, well that goes without saying.

I was up there Friday for a photo shoot and in the process got to visit some of my favorite neighborhoods. The shoot was in part in the 12 South area, where I met my friend Susannah for lunch at Fido (delicious eggplant tower and sweet potato fries). Later that night I went to a reading her husband organized in their East Nashville neighborhood, where I won a burrito based on my Lady GaGa knowledge. Yes, my kinda people.

Saturday morning in East Nashville was the best. Started the morning with a cappuccino and some writing at Marche Artisan Foods. Ran into a band of roving hula hoopers, led by Sunny Becks Crumpton, who I wrote about in a story published last November. Found a lovely silk jacket that Betty Draper would approve of (and two broaches) at The Hip Zipper.

On Susannah's recommendation I visited Good Buy  Girls, a new vintage/modern shop open only on Saturdays. The adorable owners have been selling their stuff online and just opened the new space, which is full of affordably-priced clothes fit for aspiring country starlets and rock chicks alike.

I loved looking through the belt buckles (it takes a special person to pull off a "Crown Royal" belt buckle), and frocks and boots. Oh, the boots.

My weak spot. I haven't bought a pair of cowboy boots since last year (see: great boot search of 2009), though I did bring home my magical Frye boots just a few months ago.

I could not resist these bright red Acme numbers -- doesn't every girl need a pair of red cowboy boots?

                                                                        Pure glee. Plus, the kicker: the store has a Dolly Parton-themed bathroom. These are true Nashville girls.

So much more I want to do there. More boots, more hoops. But first, more shoots.

The Mandatory Margarita Club Strikes Again: Adventures In Boldness and Boots

"I've been with the wrong woman for the right shoes." -- Terry the Waiter, Cocina Superior

I'm a lucky member of the Mandatory Margarita (Book) Club, a group of women that get together whenever margaritas are necessary. (They actually deserve a much longer post.) In short: we meet at a Mexican restaurant and share the details of our lives: jobs, relationships, travels, children, recent clothing purchases.

Last night, over crawfish quesadillas and margaritas, K. said that she had found the perfect pair of Frye boots, gorgeous black leather numbers on sale at a certain store right across from Cocina Superior. Sadly, the shoes, on sale at a major discount during a rare sale at this high-end store, weren't in stock in her size.

They were an 8. My size (well in boots at least).

This is how you know true friends: They encourage you -- no, URGE you, to put down the cheese dip and walk across the street to the store during dinner. I did. And I fell hard for these boots, timeless little lovers made out of the most supple leather. I held them in my hands and waited for a salesperson. And waited.

It's not unlike this store to ignore customers -- that's actually sort of their M/O and they seem to pride themselves as having a reputation as one of the snootiest shops in Birmingham. So much so that I typically avoid going in there. Don't want my business? Fine with me. So I walked out, returning empty handed to my friends.

Upon hearing what happened, they were aghast. And Anne, who I have only come to know through the Mandatory Margarita Club, proceeded to get up from her dinner, gently grab my arm and march me back over to the store.

Anne: "We are just going to go in there and tell them that what they did was unacceptable!"

Erin: "Um, can we just play it cool, just be casual about it," as we walked into the shop.

Anne: (To the man at the Chanel Counter). "Excuse me, is there someone working in shoes? Because my friend waited here for 10 minutes without being helped."

Erin: Turns red.

Even when the salesperson came out, she seemed miffed to have to pull the shoes. But I didn't care -- they were fantastic, and they fit like a glove. We were meant to be. And when she said, "you're not in our system, are you?" I said that I most certainly was.

When Anne and I returned to the restaurant, boots in hands, all the girls at the table wanted to see them. We even passed them around to our waiter Terry, who then gave us that great quote.

They're classic and timeless these boots. And these friends.

Related Links:

Southern Living Tales From The Road: My Quest For Perfect Cowboy Boots

West Texas Redux

Paint Changes Everything (And Is A Pain)

I am putting down the paintbrush. Combing out the globs of Benjamin Moore stuck in my hair. Hanging up my painter's cap. 

Painting is hard!

OK not that hard, but time consuming. I recall this every time I get a whim to paint (which is quite often), usually around the time that I make my first mistake, getting paint on the ceiling, or baseboards, or floor. Yes, I've taped it. Yes, I'm being careful.

But when it comes to painting I'm a mess. Knowing when to say when (sometimes) I finally waved the white flag over the weekend, calling our trusted professional painter Brooks to finish the gold dining room that I started and was sure I could finish before we take off for New York. Right, in between packing and getting the house in shape.

The work that you see above is all Shane's, and it has made the family room look entirely different. I take credit for the Don Draper-approved mirror over the fireplace.

And for this black dresser in the dining room (imagine the walls being gold, which they will be in a few weeks). I found the dresser at a church garage sale several years ago.

It's actually a baby's dresser (from a sticker inside I think it's from the mid-60s.) I bought it having no diea what I would do with it. Then after I got the Asian inspired dining room set I decided to do it in a black lacquer. Following these instructions from YoungHouseLove I sanded, re-sanded, primed, painted and re-sanded.

The moral of this story: paint is much more tiring than they make it look on home improvement shows.

I also put up a coat of paint in my Namaste Nook, the area in the master bedroom I'm turning into my yoga space. There aren't photos of that yet because it needs to be seriously retouched.

Again, not painting any more any time soon.

Though I did find these chairs at a garage sale last week and am dreaming of how to re-cover them ...