Jo Malone… now available in Charleston, SC!

artfoodhome.com | barbara stroud

Jo Malone is such classy cologne. Many can be used by men or women, which is really neat. They can also be blended together which is wildly interesting. I have used Jo Malone since my very first purchase. Once you use it, you tend to not want to use anything else. It’s not as strong as other’s tend to be and it’s just so nice! I snapped a photo, just look how nice their marketing material is. The classy brochure that shows the different combinations that can be layered, the gorgeous gift bag and the snazzy box with the black ribbon. Presentation means a lot!

Thrilling news! (And I JUST REALIZED THIS)… we now have Jo Malone available here in Charleston! Belk at Towne Center in Mount Pleasant, SC has a wonderful section. If you haven’t been… give it a try, try a few to see if you like them. Ask for a sample, it helps when you can use it at home without other scents flying around in the air. Try it, I think you’ll like it ;)

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Support the locals on Broad Street!

IMG-20140110-00805

Ahhh, Broad Street in Charleston, SC. It’s not the highly publicized shopping district on King Street, but what it does have are the kinds of shops that are unique. Less commercial. More small businesses. Many galleries are located on Broad Street, unique shops, some great eating places, not to mention Normandy Farms Bakery – great coffee, pastries, bread, sandwiches, etc.

It’s important to support the locals! They have a lot to offer!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Big, bright and beautiful – a Charleston Sunset…

barbara stroud

Fred and I were on our way home from downtown and there was a sunset so bright I thought it was going to blind me! It was crazy bright! Not sure what was going on but the beautiful light that it cast on everything was spectacular!

This was taken from the parking lot at California Dreaming, were we stopped by to pick up a salad to go… I assure you, we don’t take for granted the beautiful area in which we live… WOW!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 452-3 – a cabin plan that packs a powerful punch!

Plan 452-3 Cabin Plan via Houseplans.com Design of this signature plan is by David Wright
Plan 452-3 Cabin Plan via Houseplans.com
Design of this signature plan is by David Wright

Cabin plan 452-3. This signature plan, designed by David Wright for Houseplans.com packs a powerful punch. It’s not a large cabin but it has presence! Who doesn’t love a wonderful porch like this plan has? This plan has 1,015 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Just. Right.

Cabin houseplan 452-3 Houseplans.com
Cabin houseplan 452-3
Houseplans.com

When you click on the link that takes you to the plan it shows many photos, you’ll see notes on the plan that say “Metal Sliding Door Cover” oh yeah, that is too cool. You’ll see another that says “Sliding Metal Window Cover” – awesome! Perfect if you’re using this space as a cabin, OR great for storms, etc. There is a lot of living space to be had outside if your climate is right! It’s nice that there is even a pantry!

Houseplan 452-3 - Houseplans.com Upstairs
Houseplan 452-3 – Houseplans.com Upstairs

The upstairs has a loft bedroom with a bathroom and closet area. It’s open to the living area below. Are you looking for a cottage style plan? What do you think?

All images via Houseplans.com… used with permission.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Broad Street…

barbara stroud

Broad Street in Charleston, SC is just so… historic! These buildings have stories. Can you imagine? Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what went on in each of them? The stories, the different businesses that have come and gone? It’s fascinating to say the least!

Next time you’re in Charleston, check out Broad Street. I think there is a great marketing job mentioning King Street. But the non-commercial places seem to be on Broad Street, so when you’re in the area, check them out! Matter of fact, if you’re downtown today, stop in The Gallery on Broad, check out the great art work on display!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan Thursday: 140-149 by Houseplans.com

House plan 140-149 by Houseplans.com
House plan 140-149 by Houseplans.com

House Plan 140-149 by Houseplans.com is a wonderful contemporary plan with wonderful porch access from almost every single room! This plan is 2,693 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. A nice, unique plan for the way we live now. This plan is one of the 2013 Howie Award Plan of the Year Finalists! You’ll see why in just a sec…

Check out their website, there are LOTS of photos! Be careful with the window coverings… to me, in a house that’s contemporary, less is more!

House Plan 140-149 by Houseplans.com
House Plan 140-149 by Houseplans.com

(You may have to click on image to enlarge… or grab your reading glasses!) See how the master bedroom is located on the right hand side, along with the master bathroom and closet. Sweet, right? Out of the way, a private oasis all your own! Located off of the master bedroom is the office space and a powder room. I love having an office space, ours would be more like a reading room with a desk/computer… , then you walk through to the living, dining, kitchen which is oh so sweet! I think personally I wouldn’t have the kitchen counter on an angle. I would keep it straight, but I would cut it off, so it doesn’t enclose the kitchen space. Now as you walk out of the kitchen/dining/living space you enter a screened porch to get to the guest rooms. Part of me likes this and part of me doesn’t… I think maybe I would make this a sunroom? Well, depending where I live! I like the degree of separation it gives you though! Two bedrooms and a utility room, which is great if you have teens and are doing lots of clothes, but if it’s just the two of you, then maybe find a way to incorporate a utility room elsewhere in the house!

Cool plan, eh? Yep, JUST LOOK AT THE PORCH ACCESS all the way across the rear of the house. Can you imagine?

Images via Houseplans.com, used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo: Stunning Shadows & Dancing Light!

barbarastroud

What stands out the most in this photo? Is it the stunning shadows that play brilliantly against the pretty color of this building? Or is it the light that seems to dance across the building with each gust of wind? Whatever it is, it’s beautiful and its just so Charleston!

Enjoy your day! Relax while you can, Christmas is 25 days away!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Treat yourself… or a friend: Capri Blue Candles – wicked wonderful!

Capri Blue Candles
Capri Blue Candles

Capri Blue Candles. Wonderful! You may have seen them at Anthropologie or at other retailers near you. There are a few scents that are my favorite. VOLCANO and ALOHA ORCHID, but to be honest, those are the only two I’ve seen. The Gallery on Broad in Charleston, SC also carries the Volcano scent, in a few different sizes. These candles make a nice hostess gift, or a nice treat for yourself after you worked so hard yesterday.

Hey, if you’re in the downtown area, stop in The Gallery on Broad and say hello… check out these candles… lovely! I will pop it in a pretty gift bag for you and you’ll be set!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charlie and the “Lizzies”!

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Charlie looking for his lizard friends… ahhhh, “the Lizzies” as I like to call them! At times he’s obsessed and wants nothing more than to play with the many lizards that lurk in the monkey grass and palms. Then he comes in, dirt in his mouth, purple plumbago flowers stuck to his sides – Oh Charlie! Life is good!

For those of you who have been sending prayers, happy thoughts and anything else you’ve got for my dad… I spoke to the nurse this morning… he had a good night! First one! I was even able to speak to him for a minute. Nothing could be better than to hear his voice! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: St. Helena by architect Allison Ramsey – a Southern Living Plan!

St Helena (SL 296) by Allison Ramsey Architects - available via Southern Living
St Helena (SL 296) by Allison Ramsey Architects – available via Southern Living

St. Helena (SL-296) by architect Allison Ramsey. This home has 2,460 square feet with 3-4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It also has porches on three sides (what a dream!) and a center hallway.

St Helena
St Helena (SL 296) by Allison Ramsey Architects – available via Southern Living

I love, love, love how the master bedroom has french doors that open onto a screened porch. How wonderful to sit outside at night and enjoy the evening, or early morning with a cup of coffee! Did you notice that the dining room has pocket doors? Makes the space feel even more grand! What a wonderful home with room for everyone, as well as room for everyone to have their own space!

St Helena (SL 296) by Allison Ramsey Architects - available via Southern Living
St Helena (SL 296) by Allison Ramsey Architects – available via Southern Living

Upstairs are two bedrooms with a shared bath. Absolutely perfect!

Allison Ramsey Architects never disappoints! This plan can be found on Houseplans.SouthernLiving.com.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Moser Design Group – TNH LC 11A (Coastal Living 2002 Cottage of the Year!)

TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf

Hey! A special note: My blog looks a bit different, and you may see some ads appear. Let me know what you think! Also, the name of my blog now matches the address http://www.artfoodhome.com I just moved my name underneath it where art. food. home. used to be… 

One more note… to comment, just click on this icon (its located to the right of the title of the post): Comment

TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group.  What a cool plan this is! This is the plan for those of you who need more room to spread out. I love the look of this house. Many times plans can be wonderful on the inside, but lacking on the outside and vice versa – but Moser has a way of harmonizing and making them gorgeous on the outside and well thought out on the inside!

This plan is 2,717 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.

Main Floor - TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
Main Floor – TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group

The main floor has a master suite/master bathroom and a porch all by itself, linked by a vestibule to the main living quarters. In the main area, you enter from the front porch into a living/dining area that looks into the kitchen. All open and wonderful in every way. Then… (and this is the part I love, love, love), there is a guest cottage! The guest cottage is linked to the main living area via a screened porch. The guest cottage has  it’s own bathroom, kitchenette area and living area downstairs….

2nd Floor - Main House - TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
2nd Floor – Main House – TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group

The main house has two bedrooms, a bathroom and a walk in closet upstairs!

2nd Floor Guest Cottage - TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group http://www.moserdesigngroup.com/newpdfs/lc11a1.pdf
2nd Floor Guest Cottage – TNH LC 11A by Moser Design Group

The guest cottage has an open loft upstairs for sleeping, painting, exercising, an office space, etc… the sky is the limit! Check out their plans, you’ll see they are quite wonderful!

All images via MoserDesignGroup.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!