shop local - in and around woodstock, ga

I love buying hand-crafted gifts, especially if I can support a local artist at the same time.  Here's a snipsy holiday shopping guide featuring a few local Etsy shops.  Know of a shop that should be added?  Leave a link in the comments!

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Antique postcard makeover

I'm on a postcard kick. I love finding old, faded postcards at antique stores and using them for quick notes to friends.  I guess it kind of elevates the nostalgia of letter-writing!  

Here's a quick project for sprucing up, modernizing, and adding color to your vintage paper finds.  

You need: 

- old postcards (these can easily cost $10, sometimes more! Yikes! I look for nice cards with little to no writing, in the $1-2 range)

- tape (old papers are delicate--try a washi tape that doesn't have too much tack to it)

- acrylic gouache (craft paint or regular acrylic may work as well)

- paintbrush and water

1. Place strips of tape on your card.  If you are unsure about the stickiness of the tape, put the tape on cloth first to make it less adhesive.

2. Adding just a little water, paint between the tape strips.  If you need a quick palette, a folded piece of wax paper works great!

3. Peel the tape off and allow your card to dry.  

I've found that taping over dried paint can peel both paint and paper. Yikes!  Be very careful if you decide to try that.

4. Write something beautiful and mail it to an unsuspecting friend :)

Did you try this?  Show us by linking in the comments!

testing the waters of minimalism - part 3 - travel edition

Over the past few weeks we have continued our quest for a minimalist lifestyle. We went on a few trips this summer. So this week I wanted to show some examples of how minimalism has affected how our family packs, as well.

Two day trip for my husband and I to Montgomery AL

Five day family vacation (3 adults and 7 children) to Savannah GA. This included food, beach necessities, and diapers and wipes for the baby! 

I think we've begun to learn that "need" is used a lot in place of "want", and when we realize how little we actually need we begin to want less too. Our trips were far more relaxed not having to keep up with so many things to repack before we came home. Here's to a new lifestyle! 

Greenville part 1

Hello!!  My hubby and I recently escaped on an anniversary trip to beloved Greenville, South Carolina.

This is one of those cities I would move to in a heartbeat.  Downtown Greenville is small, but walkable, and it gives the sense that it is ever-expanding in square miles as well as in arts and culture.  Plus they have an Anthro!  Love it!

More Greenville photos coming soon!

Tea and Scone Ice Cream

I dreamed up this lightly sweetened ice cream after bringing home some favorite British groceries from a local shop.  I hope you like it as much as we do :)

You need:

- 1/2 pint heavy cream

- 1 can evaporated milk

- 2 sachets single serving tea (I used English Afternoon; Earl Grey would taste similar)

- 1/3 cup brown sugar

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 2 Tbsp blackcurrant jam 

- 1/3 cup shortbread cookie pieces, plus more for garnish

Mix evaporated milk with heavy cream, and warm in a saucepan over very low heat.  Add the bags of tea, and allow them to steep for about 5 minutes before discarding them.

Pour the mixture into a large bowl, and stir in brown sugar.  Refrigerate overnight.

Stir the mixture again, adding the salt, and pour into your ice cream maker.  As the ice cream churns, drop the jam in a little at a time.  When it's nearly frozen, pour the shortbread pieces in.  

That's it!  Lovely summer-friendly afternoon tea alternative. Let us know if you give it a try!

Nashville part 3 - the random photos

Finishing up my Nashville posts now, with part 3!  This is a small collection of photos from various locations, starting with the farmer's market, which is open daily (as all farmer's markets should be, right?)

More antiquing...should have bought this!

A lovely East Nashville mural

A church near Nashville, and some of that golden hour light I can't get enough of :)

Bowling!

A last peek of the city.

I really liked what I got to see of Nashville, and I hope to stay a bit longer next time and find more awesome thangs :)  As I write this, Victoria is having a super time in another much-loved city, so check back later to see where! (also, find more of my pictures on Instagram @makebelieveart)

Where have you been exploring this summer??  Comment below!

Nashville part two - Barista Parlor

Let's talk coffee.

If you find yourself in Nashville, you'll want to try Barista Parlor.  They have a great menu of coffee and edibles, as well as a lovely selection of craft chocolate.  I felt right at home :)

I do wish that I had eaten lunch there (why didn't I? I'll have to go back..) but I did enjoy some macarons with my (read this slowly and savor it!) Salted Tennessee Whiskey Caramel Latte. (now reread it) Yes! YUM!

Such an awesome place.  Promise me you'll visit!

(p.s. This mosaic is made up of little letterpress nautical thangs! Love it!)