Shirtini – new shop on King Street, Charleston, SC
Whenever we have people visiting from out of town, we take them to galleries and the neat shops downtown. We always head to Old Road Mercantile, which is such a cool place… and now this shop… Shirtini located right next door. Owned by the same people (we spoke to Kevin and he is fabulous), this is one classy shop. Reminiscent of a Paris shop this has the best of the best. These gorgeous shirts, and I do mean gorgeous… tailored and special in every single way.
Just a quickly snapped photo (with permission) of just a few of the blouses they have to offer. I have my eye on a few of the longer ones to wear with leggings or slim fitting pants. How nice to look nice with one gorgeous piece of clothing!
The shop just opened, and the website is in the process of being finished, but check back, it’ll be up soon… www.shirtini.com. If you’re in Charleston, SC be sure to stop by and say hello! It is one gorgeous store!
F L A S H B A C K !
O n e Y e a r A g o: Featured Artist… Charles Williams!
A stunning painting, right? Dee Beard Dean is well know nationwide and has quite a following. Dee’s work is nothing short of amazing, she paints both plein air (outdoors) and does studio paintings. I thought I would feature a few of her winter scenes. I love snow scenes (especially in the heat of the summer!), there is something that feels like home about them. Perhaps it’s because I grew up in Michigan? Dee’s paintings make you feel as if you are there! She has quite a way with light and shadow, wouldn’t you say? I love that little splash of red in this painting…
After the Snowfall by Dee Beard Dean
Yet another fabulous winter scene, where you can feel the cold from the snow but also the warmth from the sun. Again, amazing light and shadows. I love the dark branches with the highlights of white… She’s got great color and brushstrokes in the snow and it’s nice how you can feel perspective in this painting – simply fabulous!
The holiday season officially kicks off and is in full swing. Many of you are out and about today on “Black Friday” trying to find just the right gift… Have you considered the gift of art? It’s the gift that keeps on giving, year after year!
These paintings are available (as I write this a few days ahead) at Galerie on Broad – located at 29 Broad Street, Charleston, SC – you can contact them at 843.410.6332 or email them at galerieonbroad@me.com. Better yet, if you’re in the area stop in and say hello!
In case you aren’t familiar with Dee…
Dee Beard Dean has been painting all her life. She was raised in the Amish countryside of rural Indiana and studied at Grand Rapids College, Kendall College of Art, and the New York Academy of Art. After marriage, she moved to the Florida Keys where she became a professional painter and passed the gift of painting to her two children, Terry Sargent and John Beard, both of whom are now successful artists. Before gaining recognition as a portrait and landscape painter, Dee pursued a career in fashion, designing and manufacturing her own clothing line with a national label.
Dee is a passionate and prolific artist who has studied with many renowned artists and is nationally recognized for her painterly landscapes and her expertise in many media including pastels, watercolors, and oils. Her greatest inspirations have come from painting en plein air where her eye for color and composition, and her elevated senses guide her hand in creating paintings filled with evocative light and dramatic shadows.
Dee founded the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast (PAP-SE), a professional organization of acclaimed plein air artists living and working in the southeastern US. Her workshops are in great demand, offering instruction in this country and in beautiful locales around the world. She is also well known for her portraits and has done many noteworthy commissions. Dee has received many awards at juried art competitions and has been published in regional and national journals. Her artworks can currently be seen at fine art galleries around the country. Dee resides in Charleston, SC with her husband, Dr. Nicolai Chalfa. Her first book, A Painter by Providence, is in publication.
Life is so much easier when you’re organized. I swear it is! When I make a grocery list I always write things in the same order. It saves time when you’re in the store. I make my list by SECTION (i.e. Dairy, Produce, Meat, Frozen Section, Regular aisles), and I always put the categories in the same order. I put an *asterisk* if I have a coupon for that item so I remember to pull it out of the envelope AS I PUT IT IN THE SHOPPING CART.
MOST of the time I write out the menu for the week. I simply cannot go grocery shopping if I’m not sure what I’m making. Sometimes you have to be flexible and have a few handy back-up menu ideas just-in-case. You save money and time when you make a list and FOLLOW IT… yep, the “and follow it” part is key. There are lots of grocery list templates online and sold in various locations. My simple list still works best for me. If you have coupons, it’s nice to write your list on an envelope, stick your coupons inside (for the items on your list). I normally don’t carry around a big stack of coupons, I go through them and pull out the ones I might use. I say might because a deal is only a deal if it’s something you use.
Here’s a link to a template that you can print and use until you get the hang of it. It’s little things like this that save you time (and money!). I hope this little tip helps someone out there… it took me quite a while before I started doing it this way, but have been doing it for the past 20+ years and it never fails. If I have several stops to make in a day (i.e. grocery store, Trader Joes, Target) I will write each store out in the above order. Makes shopping quick too!
We happened upon this unique little shop years ago while in Port Clyde, Maine. STONEFISH is located in the village right next door to the ice cream shop, and EVERYBODY knows where that’s at! It’s a small space that is filled with the most wonderful things. Clothes, trinkets, antiques, unique art object, you name it, if it’s unique and classy Anne has it in her shop! If you happen to be in Port Clyde please stop in and say hello! You will find special things you will treasure forever! We have!
Updated 2025: Sadly, Stonefish is no longer open. The owner, Ann, passed away years ago – she will be missed!
Well, Trader Joe’s has finally arrived in Charleston, SC! We made it there the first day and it was CRAZY. We didn’t make it there early, it wasn’t until Fred got off work that we shot over to see what the hoopla was about… it was busy beyond belief but we got some good stuff and were excited about the prospect of yet another grocery store in the area. Trader Joe’s isn’t just a shopping trip, it’s an adventure, ha ha… there is a following for Trader Joe’s that is rather unique. Prices are low, quality so far appears to be very good. They don’t have the large selection of products like Whole Foods does, think of them more like a ’boutique grocery store’. Trader Joe’s rotates what they carry, so you may find something you love and if it’s a limited supply item or if it isn’t a big seller then you may not see it in the upcoming weeks. A new concept, always some new items to try. Keeps things exciting! Of course there are the Trader Joe’s brand products and I would assume that those stick around, we’ve tried many and all are fabulous, coffee, olive oil, bavarian chocolate covered almonds, popcorn air popped with olive oil, low fat cheese doodles (hee hee), pitted kalamata olives, organic oatmeal with flax and the HAVARTI CHEESE (ooooh so good) just to name a few! CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP! Woohoo! If you’re near a Trader Joe’s but haven’t been in a while check them out!
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