As I write this it is chilly outside. Freezing cold chilly… OK, not freezing cold, because I am in Charleston, SC, but 48 degrees F, “feels like 42” and windy feels like -10F… I guess its because I’ve been here so long? There is nothing like a toasty fire to warm your bones (and your feet!)… I’m looking so forward to one this evening!
I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite things with you on occasion… and Jo Malone perfume is definitely on that list! I’m not a big perfume wearer. I’m not one who likes to walk around in a heavy cloud of scent. I am sensitive to other people possibly not liking my choice in perfume, so I keep it light. I like clean fresh scents. A light spritz will do, although with Jo Malone perfume you can use more without being overpowering, which is nice. One cool thing about their perfume, is that some of the scents are unisex. The fresher scents tend to be that way, like the Lime, Basil & Mandarin scent. It’s so nice…
You can also layer perfume with different scents. I haven’t done that yet, and most likely won’t, I’m happy with a spritz of one or the other… But if this interests you, Nordstrom has a Fragrance Combining Menu for Jo Malone fragrances. For example, it shows you can mix the Lime, Basil, Mandarin (top) with Grapefruit (above). I’ve also read that those who wear citrus scents are perceived as being up to 8 years younger than those who wear other scents… excuse me while I go spritz!!
One of my last favorites is the Amber and Lavender… lovely scent, so unique. A clean, calming scent… I like this one a lot in the winter… don’t know why. These photos are 3.4 oz bottles, but they also come in 1 oz bottles which last a long time. It’s wonderful if you visit a store that carries Jo Malone. Nordstrom carries it in the store and online – free shipping and free returns… can’t beat it!
I know I’ve mentioned it before… but, if you haven’t made your way to Botany Bay you don’t know what you’re missing! It’s like traveling back in time. There is a short, but beautiful walk you can take to the beach. You aren’t allowed to take shells (big fine), which is actually kind of nice because you see what a beach would look like if no one were to mess with it. It’s awe inspiring! This day just happened to rain while we were walking to the beach, but you can see the clear sky peaking through the clouds!
This geranium sits in an office window on Broad Street. It is beautiful year after year… wonder if it’s the same one? Look at that wonderful light! As I write this we are in the midst of an “arctic blast” of cold weather. My fingers feel like they are about to crack… some of this sun would feel mighty nice right now! As you read this I believe our temps are supposed to warm up quite nicely! Woohoo, gotta love Charleston, SC!
INLET RETREAT – House plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
Allison Ramsey Architects always has fabulous house plans to choose from. They have homes of all shapes and sizes with all sorts of layouts, if you’re in the market to build a new house I would not hesitate contacting these people. They truly know what they’re doing. This is the INLET RETREAT plan (C0037). This house is 2210 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It has been built with all kinds of different looks on the outside. From the cottage look to a mountain cabin look, each is unique and inspiring!
INLET RETREAT – House plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
This is a nice open plan with a master bedroom downstairs, as well as a guest bedroom/bathroom. I like the living room in the back of the house, it seems more private that way. Personally I would make the den an office/reading room. Matter-of-fact, since we don’t have guests that often, I think I might make the den the guest room and make the front bedroom and office/reading room. I would make it nice and cozy… Oh, yeah, that sounds delightful! I could work on my blog, then curl up with a good book as light streams in through the window… This is what you call gracious living…
INLET RETREAT – House plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
The upstairs is the third bedroom/bathroom as well as loft space. I might even make this loft space and storage (stick the dreadmill, oh, I mean treadmill up there… where you can’t see it). Maybe build some nice storage space around the perimeter where there aren’t windows. Storage space is always a good thing!
See images of actual INLET RETREAT homes that were built, it really helps you get an idea of what it will look like, and see how differently the house can look depending upon your personal style!
Contact the architects at info@allisonramseyarchitect.com or 843.986.0559 to verify square footage, house dimensions and additional information or to purchase a set of plans. Their house plans show how their attention to detail time after time makes them a great architect to choose!
Well Daylight Savings Time is coming to an end in this part of the country, which means you get an extra hour of sleep, never a bad thing, right? Don’t forget to set your clocks, watches, oven, microwave, etc. back one hour before you hit the hay!
What are you going to do with this extra hour? I think I will probably wake up at 4AM instead of 5 for the next foreseeable future! Might as well get up and enjoy the day, right? I’ll catch you back here tomorrow, and I promise to be very well rested, hee…
Fall is fabulous… my absolute favorite time of year! The days are getting cooler now… soon the time changes and we get an extra hour of sleep, woohoo! Charlie especially loves it because in addition to walking in the morning, he can get a walk in after dinner. We always feel better if we move after we eat… can’t just sit!
Frederick Stroud. My other half… the sweetest man in the world… truly the love of my life! Yep, those statements all describe my husband! He’s the nicest guy with the biggest heart.
Love at first sight… and today is his birthday!
Happy Birthday to you!!
Happy Birthday to you!!
Happy birthday de-aaaar Fre-eeeeed!
Happy Birthday to you!!…
…and many more!
Oh, how I love those blue eyes and that gorgeous smile! Happy Birthday Fred! Wishing you the best birthday ever! xoxo, me
Look at this gorgeous sky reflected in the water… kind of Halloween’ish isn’t it? This photo was taken while out walking… nothing fancy, it was the reflections that really caught my eye!
We see some magnificent sunsets in Charleston, SC. This one was no exception. I wonder why the sunsets in October seem to be over the top? This particular sunset had people pulling over to snap photos… gorgeous!
This is a fabulous cabin style house plan with a generous screened porch. I think it’s reminiscent of something you would see on Sullivan’s Island, back in the good old days… the cool, old cottage/cabin with character. This is the Porch Cabin house plan from Architectural House Plans and it is Plan ID Number DM-001, designed by Dale Mulfinger, FAIASALA Architects, Inc. I can just imagine how much time we would spend on this porch. Every waking moment… I would love to plop this on a nice piece of land where we would be on the water and see gorgeous sunsets. Heaven on earth!
This plan is roughly 1,879 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, as well as a host of fabulous details… Keep in mind with these photos, this is one person’s home, but the possibilities are endless… I happen to like it just the way it is! This home was originally designed as a vacation home near a lake in Minnesota. Nice, huh? It is a favorite among a lot of people and has been built all over the United States. It would fit in beautifully in Charleston, SC…!
Mudroom, pantry, fireplaces… ahhh, the “things I love” about this plan are getting mighty lengthy. It’s a perfect size to use as a house or a vacation home. The fact that there is a place to take off your shoes and coat, especially in colder climates is wonderful. A pantry off the kitchen… LOVE IT! That would be a dream! Fireplaces upstairs and down make this one cozy house in the winter. Here are a few images of the interior of one house that was built…
Can you imagine how wonderful this porch would be? Grab a book and a hot tea, sit and look out over the yard, or the water or wherever you may be situated… Gorgeous!
I KNOW! Gorgeous, right? Just look at that fireplace! So cozy. This plan has got so many wonderful details. It really helps to see an interior image… some of us aren’t so great at visualization!
Fabulous kitchen, great light, wonderful in every way! Remember… pantry is around the corner! I might extend the kitchen into the dining room, maybe put a larger island, and have a smaller table or eat at the island… I like my counter space, but that’s me…
A garret is another name for a loft or attic… I certainly wouldn’t call this an attic… When I showed my husband this plan, he said, he would probably leave the top floor off, having two bedrooms would be great… until I showed him the next photo! Then we decided it would be our bedroom as long as we could walk up and down the stairs!
Culture: 84.5 Friendliness: 84.3 Atmosphere: 86.4 Restaurants: 86 Lodging: 82.1 Shopping: 75.1With “sand, sun, history, good food, and friendly people,” Charleston is a consistent hit with the travelers who venture to this “gracious and beautiful” city (in fact, it’s taken first place our list of Top 10 Cities in the United States for three years now and been rated as the friendliest). Nearby beaches and impressive architecture draw visitors, but it’s the “insanely nice” locals who enhance “magnificent” bed and breakfasts and “amazing shopping.” “The charm of this city brings me back every year,” praised one devoted fan. “The food, history, architecture and people are wonderful,” said one reader. “A bucket list city!”
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