S’prise. We’ve been on the road for the past five days and just got home last night at 7pm after a nine hour drive. Did we unpack or snuggle up to Karl the Sectional after our home sweet home arrival? Nah, we threw this post together. Just your typical case of “unpacking procrastination” at its finest. Actually I’m just dying to fill you guys in on our adventures, and typical annoyingly energetic gal that I am, I’m too excited to relax. Anyway, we headed out early Thursday morning for Charlotte, NC and stayed there through Saturday morning. Then it was off to Loganville, GA where we remained until early Monday morning when we hit the road for home. Thank goodness Clara and Burger are car-loving fools kids. What did we do? Here’s just the tip of the road trip iceberg:
First we visited with our stylish friend Kristin (and her hubby Matt and her pooches Sage and Simon) in Charlotte. You guys might be familiar with them from this House Crashing post. Here’s one of our favorite shots of her kitchen nook from a few years back:
And here’s that nook now (still just as cute, but there’s a baby in a booster seat- and it’s ours):
We also house crashed two sa-weet homes while in Charlotte, like this one (sigh)…
… and this one (delightful shudder)…
… and even the coolest little office (fans face with hands):
I also got some really great fabric at one of my favorite gigantic warehouses (Mary Jo’s right outside of Charlotte):
Then it was off to Loganville, Georgia to hang with my blog (and real life) BFF Katie B. (and her hubby Jeremy along with her cutie pie little man Will, who was born just five weeks before Clara). It was nice to give our betrothed children some getting-to-know-you time (since Katie and I were pregnant together it was fun to see our buns out of the oven and being social):
Aside from playing Minute to Win It games all night with Katie and Jeremy once the babes were off in dreamland (yeah, we’re that cool, and Katie was the only one to get a cookie from her forehead into her mouth within the allotted time), we also carved out a moment to saddle up to Goodwill and pick out a ton of things that we loved. Or would love with some upgrades like paint, fabric, etc. Oh and Katie and I got this “Friends” photostrip that makes us snort (it might be a you-had-to-be-there thing though):
And here’s a gratuitous bean picture that Katie took. Doesn’t Clara look like an angel? Ah, to have mad photog skillz like Katie. This is total inspiration for me and J to get to know our Nikon half as well as she knows her Canon (before Clara hits her teenage years and bans us from taking a million photos a day of her).
On the way back from the Bower residence we got to stop in at one of my favorite places in the world (the Pottery Barn Outlet in Gaffney, SC) – not only for the deals but for the peach that looks like a butt that’s high in the sky near that exit (as seen in this old road trip video where my hair is down). More on what I would not leave the PB Outlet without (for under $30) soon.
Actually when it comes to the details on everything pictured (and not pictured) there are many, and they are coming. So stay tuned for those house crashing posts, a rundown of the fabric that we loved (and bought) at Mary Jo’s, more on our adventures with the Bowers, an in-depth look at our Goodwill hunting trip, and a whole lot of other stuff that my was-in-the-car-all-day-yesterday mind is forgetting. We only have about five million photos to sift through, but we’ll try to make it quick. Did anyone else sneak off for a road trip this weekend? It was a hot one (over 100 degrees almost every day). Whew. Anyway, off to sort through all of those pics. Inside with the air on.
Psst- After a bunch of requests for a breakdown of what products (shampoo, cream, sunscreen) that we use for Clara (and how we store it all) we’re spilling the beans right here on BabyCenter.
Courtney says
I live in Charlotte!!! How fun!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
Hah! You two are sneaky. Glad you had a good vacation!
PS – Is it weird I have a craving to buy a couch after seeing the picture from the Pottery Barn Outlet?? Probably.
Alison says
Ahhh! I am right there with you!! I was trying to figure out where I would put it, haha. Probably a good thing the closest PB Outlet is 3 hours away. :)
Kate says
The outlets near me don’t look anything like that! It’s like a sea of sofas, haha.
Lisa says
OMG… if you went to Charlotte from VA, you went right by my house! I am literally on I-85 and the interstate is my urban view out my front window!! Pick me up next time and take me with you…LOL!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Clara probably waved at you (she loves to wave out the window at cars, trees, houses, anything really). Haha.
xo,
s
Leslie Ann says
I LOVE THAT PEACH! My family made a yearly pilgrimage from Virginia to Alabama to see my mother’s family when I was younger. Seeing that peach meant we were about halfway there! (which is a VERY good thing when the car ride is 12-14 hours…)
Emily says
We have a peach pitcher that looks like a butt :) Glad someone else thinks it’s as funny as my sister & I do!
Leslie Ann says
Also, I am rather excited to hear the fruits of your goodwill hunting trip. Love that place.
ali says
aww…”goodwill hunting”…am I the only one flashing back to sweet Matt Damon holding up a sign outside the bar saying, “you like apples? I got her numbah…how you like them apples?”
YoungHouseLove says
Best. Line. Ever.
xo,
s
ali says
well, that and “this is a Harvard bar? thought there would be equations on the wall and sh*t” or something like that…love it!
Katie says
Glad you had a nice trip!
kb says
miss ya’ll already.
when you are done with your current house, I’ll be house hunting for you here in Loganville :)
xo – kb
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sounds like a plan. Clara and Will need more “courting” time before the big wedding.
xo,
s
Christa M says
I probably would have crapped my pants if I saw you guys on Stone Mountain, no I was not there this weekend…had I known, I would have! Sherry, every time I pass the Big Ass I feel the need to point and exclaim “Look! The big ass!” glad you kids had fun! Can’t wait for the upcoming posts especially Goodwill!
Holly says
I WAS at Stone Mtn this weekend!!! Complete with a climb up the mountain…picnic and Laser Show. Bummer. It would have been awesome to run into you guys…it would have for sure seemed like you were being stalked by paparazzi. You guys rank “celebrity status” in my book. :o)
YoungHouseLove says
That would have been so much fun! So sorry we missed you! You were busy climbing while we hung out on the lawn and took the easy way up (tram). Haha.
xo,
s
April says
Post trip greetings from South Carolina! I had no idea there was a PB outlet in Gaffney! I thought the only attraction there was the peach butt.
Mary @ Redo 101 says
The bean has definitely got the smile-for-the-camera thing down to a science – too cute. Looking forward to more info on the road trip … and the Clara-Will wedding someday :)
cafenoHut says
I loved your “Friends” photostrip. It is so funny and sincere..
Amy says
I’m jealous Clara is so good in the car! We’re about to do a road trip from Cincinnati to Charlottesville and I am nervous about my 18-month-old.
Wish us luck, everyone!
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck! Our arsenal is her favorite books and toys, and a music CD that she loves. When she cries of boredom we can literally turn it on and get an instant smile from the backseat. It only works for so long, but it’s good to have! We also do change-of-scenery stops along the way to get Clara out of her seat every three hours or so (like the Outlet excursion, or a lunch stop where we go inside instead of doing drive through). The bean’s gotta stretch those long legs of hers! Anyway, have fun!
xo,
s
Fiona says
Oh wow! The photo of Clara is beautiful!!
Erin York says
You were in my neck of the woods! I live in Clover, SC, work in Kings Mountain, NC which are right around Gaffney and Gastonia. Mary Jo’s is amazing!! Glad you had a nice trip!
Rachel Tatem says
Sounds like a fun adventure! Looking forward to hearing more
Robin @ our semi organic life says
ooohhh Can’t wait to see what you got and what you’ll make! Funny since we’re from NC and just last weekend drove through Richmond and around south Richmond near (your?) Target. I was all ‘I wonder if we’ll bump into YHL’, but turns out you were in our hometown! Also ps. she does look like an angel!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that’s so funny. We switched places!
xo,
s
Krysta @ Domestic for Dummies says
Looks like you all had so much fun! I so wish we had a Pottery Barn outlet and a fabric store like that near my house. We are sneaking off on a road trip to South Carolina next weekend for my mom’s wedding. Can’t wait!
Jessica at Lavender and Lilies says
How fun! You were all over my neck of the woods. The PB outlet is addictive. I am quite familiar with the peach/butt on I-85. :)
Janke says
Oh, I’m SO looking forward to your post of visiting the Bowers!! My two favorite blogs combined in one. Are you done writing yet? ;o)
myhonestanswer says
I love that two of my favourite bloggers are also BFFs! I wish all friendships were that easy, but my readers tell me they aren’t. Check out some recent letters on the subject:
http://www.myhonestanswer.com/category/advice/friendships/
And Katie’s photo of Clara is stunning, you’re so lucky to get her talents for free!
Kelly D says
Funny when blog world clashes with real life – I had to reread the “off to Loganville” 3x to make sure I was reading right cuz that’s my town! (Big smiles) Hope Katie took you to the biggest antique mall ever in the Monroe Cotton Mill (next town over). And yes sorry the weather was bad for your trip…couldnt be outside for more than 10 minutes without taking an air condition break :) Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures!
Elisa says
Hah, we must have passed each other on the highway — I live in Charlotte (butt up against Lake Wylie) and took a trip closer to your hood this weekend — Northern VA actually. Can’t wait to see what you guys got at Mary Jo’s – that place rocks! In the sense that I always leave a little cross-eyed. Hah.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny. We literally crossed paths!
xo,
s
Liz says
Looks like you guys had so much fun! I grew up in Loganville, GA so I hope you enjoyed it!
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
Oooh, fun trip! Can’t wait to see the house crashing posts to come. And more deets about hanging with the Bower clan. :)
Jill says
It is so hard to tear my eyes away from that photo of Clara! Amazing. I went to the Crate and Barrel Outlet (in Alexandria, VA) over the weekend – so awesome in so many ways, but I can’t go there often because I always end up buying something (even if it’s something small and an amazing deal)!
Kim@superchyc says
Peach butt…ahahaha, that thing confused me so back in the day. I grew up in Maine and went to college in SC. I always knew GA was known for peaches and could never understand how we “drove thru GA” to get to SC from ME. Living down here (now in Charlotte) for years now, I came to realize that was Gaffney, not GA. Clearly I was not a geography wiz!!! I heart Mary Jo’s…can’t wait to see what you discovered there.
JMB says
Too funny…I read Katie’s blog post before yours this morning and after reading about her rug deal had to scout out the nearest PB outlet…sadly about 4 hours away :o( Looking forward to more posts about your trip…soon right?
Sarah says
Oh my word! I was at Mary Jo’s and Ikea in Charlotte on Saturday! So sad I didn’t run into you! Mary Jo’s is soooo overwhelming, but I got some awesome stuff, too! yay!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, we were there on Friday! Just one day apart. Such a small world.
xo,
s
Michelle @ Ten June says
Shut the front door! I’ve mentioned to Katie that we need to do a blogger meet up out in Gwinnett County (her old home was near my parents!)… if only I knew the Petersiks were in town!!! Glad ya’ll had fun!
YoungHouseLove says
That would be so fun!
xo,
s
Rachel says
I would love that!! My husband’s family lives in Loganville, and we are up there all the time. We are in middle GA which is not exactly a design/decor mecca nor home of many decor blogs…
But I wouldn’t mind coming to Athens either, Michelle! I don’t have a design blog myself, but I read a bunch including yours and the Bowers. :)
Whitney says
I love Mary Jo’s- I wouldn’t have discovered it if it wasn’t for you! Next I’ll have to check out PB Outlet- good thing it’s 3 1/2 hours away or I’d want to take home the whole store!
Sarah says
Absolutely adore the picture of Clara – good job Katie!
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
Sneaky Sneaky (in your best butler on Mr. Deeds voice)
Love a good summer roadtrip and can’t wait for the deets!
Chris Loves Julia
Van says
the new adventures in house crashing look really promissing…
can’t wait to see the whole of it…
Jamie says
I didn’t know anyone outside of Loganville, and the surrounding towns, knew where it was. Crazy!
Mandie says
Hope you loved Stone Mountain! You should have house crashed me, just 20 min west of St. Mtn. Next time!! Glad you had fun in GA!!
Ashlee says
My husband grew up in Gaffney & every time we visit his family that “yellow mall” with the PB Outlet is high on my list! :)
Barb says
That picture of CLara is stunningly beautiful and I think it better make its way to the galleria of wall photos….pretty damn quick. Don’t you think??? Front and Center. She is a beautiful, radiant baby.
On to the wall…….TODAY!!!
B.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Agreed. Just have to write up some anxiously awaited posts while I’m at it…
xo,
s
Alina says
I’m from SC. That peach butt makes me giggle every time I pass by it!
jess says
Looks like you guys had a great time! The zebra carpeting on the stairs in the 3rd pic makes me envious… lol!
Leigh Anne says
I am not known for my patience, so I must find out where that large sunburst mirror in the Charlotte house crashing came from. Any chance that you know those deets and are willing to spill? Pretty please?!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry but I’m not sure where it’s from yet (I email the homeowners as I write the post to get all the source info that I can, but we just got home so I’m not there yet). Soon hopefully! And of course once we post the write up you can comment with additional questions and the homeowner will hopefully drop in with even more details!
xo,
s
cecilia says
OMGEEE. My parents live in Greenville, SC, and I’ve been to those outlets in Gaffney…..and always love seeing that huge butt up in the sky! I’ve never heard anyone else talk about that–I always know I couldn’t be the only one to see a tush rather than a peach.
Leah W says
Lived in Charlotte for four years and loved it… such a great city! I never heard of Mary Jo’s while I was living there, but I’ll have to check it out the next time I go visit my own BFF just outside the city. Thanks for that! :D
Elizabeth says
Awwwh! Clara does look like an angel! She looks like a little lady too! Gosh I love watching her grow up.
Elizabeth T says
Hey there! I grew up in Gastonia visiting Mary Jo’s. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. Other fabric stores fail in comparison once you’ve been there. Hope you enjoyed it!
Amanda Wells says
Got news for you, she’ll be camaera shy way before teenage years!
http://www.amandadovewells.com/?page_id=45
RhodeyGirl says
Those homes are so gorgeous. I love the mirror that looks like it’s a Baker but might just be a lookalike? Starburst mirrors are my favorite. We have a copycat from Crate & Barrel but it isn’t half as nice as that one.
Kim says
My cousin lives in Georgia and we did the trip to Stone Mountain also! Love it there! We didn’t do the trip up to the mtn though – definitely next time :) Can’t wait to hear all the details about your trip.
Michelle Bradley says
I am in LOVE with that zebra stair carpet in the 3rd photo. Do you know where it came from? And that photo of Clara is precious. She’s so cute!
YoungHouseLove says
No idea but hopefully when I post that write-up the owners can answer any questions you guys have!
xo,
s
Sarah says
What a great road trip! It almost seems like your vacation was a business trip, what with all the posts you’ll be writing about your time away :)
Sara says
We went to the FL Keys (we live in RIC and drove!!!). It was beautiful. Check out Hawks Cay Resort. It is a totally family-friendly place complete with a pirate ship water slide for the kiddos!