Exploring Carolina...

Just thought I would share a few pictures with you today of some of our recent Carolina excursions.

We visited the elegant and massive Biltmore Estate. I loved it so much, I bought a season pass!

The 8,000 acre estate was built in 1895 by George VanDerBilt and is just breathtaking. The only downer from the visit is, no pictures were allowed inside of the estate itself, so I managed to take a few (okay, a lot) of pictures of the grounds, the views, and the gardens to share with you.  Here is a little look....

The grand front entrance of the estate.

Look at all the gorgeous details on the building's facade...

Ma mere, in front of the grand entrance...

Look at this stunning balcony just off of the second floor's large library and located in the back of the house...

...and it's view....

...gorgeous balcony details...

...could you imagine having your morning coffee or afternoon tea here everyday? Pretty amazing and so inspiring!

The Pisgah National Forest mountain range is the panoramic view from the breathtaking balcony....

The estate's conservatory, gardens and rolling hill landscapes were designed by Frederick Olmstead. He is the brilliant mastermind who designed New York City's Central Park.

Fields and fields of sunflowers dot the main pathways throughout the estate....

If you ever get a chance, go see this magnificent place that was built out of George VanDerBilt's passion for architecture and nature. He combined both elements perfectly and harmoniously! 

Another stop we made was  "The Wheels Through Time" motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley...

...filled with cool old vintage signs...

...old nostalgic cars...

....and sweet memorabilia from yesteryear.

Check out the sign in the picture below, I feel the exact same away about my vintage jewels....

The museum is also filled with a stunning collection of architectural elements...

...vintage Harley memorabilia....

...and just cool old stuff!!!....

We took a tour of the Mount Pisgah National Forest and mountain range...and talk about GORGEOUS!...this place is just breathtaking...

Here's a little snapshot of God's Masterpiece....

The view from the little cafe we ate at right on the peak of Mt. Pisgah....

...and you know your in the mountains when you see one these on the side of the road...

...this guy was HUGE! He was taller than a flatbed truck! But, he was beautiful and so majestic.

Me and the hubby posing for a Mt. Pisgah selfie. It was a gorgeous day indeed!

See you all in the coming days with some new designs. Got loads and loads of great new pieces for new upcoming designs on my last antique jaunt! Will get to work on them this week. Have a great week ahead everyone!

Colors Of Summer...

There's nothing like a little turquoise, rhinestones and coral for some fun bejeweled summer baubles....

All of these new yummy turquoise, vintage rhinestone and old branch coral pieces coming tonight to my 

Etsy shop!  

And how cute is this?....

The hubby serenading the "Chi" brothers on the porch. Now that's what summer is all about!

Life In A Small Town....

I LOVE this small little mountain town of Maggie Valley! It's sorta like visiting Mayberry and stepping back in time. On any given day of the week you might spot turkeys crossing the road or local cloggers practicing in a parking lot....

...or visit the cutest of little craft fairs....

...maybe partake in a small town church BBQ and gospel sing...

....or come across a public restroom trying to be green....

(got a good chuckle out of that one)!

But what I did not love or get a good laugh at this past week was this scary looking guy living underneath our hot tub right smack in the middle of our deck....EEEEEEKKK!.....

But in all fairness to this guy, we do live in the middle of a forest. After all, we are in his territory....

I have been completely freaked out by him for the past few days. Not much has been going on outside on the deck lately because of this little party crasher.

On a happier note....I've been collecting and acquiring some beautiful old vintage pieces lately....

....Just look at the color of these beautiful antique crystal beads!  Yummy!!!!

I am chomping at the bit to get to work on some of these newly acquired vintage pieces. Hope to have some designs put together with them in a few days. I do have a few supplies with me, and I am so, completely ready to get back to work...I miss my designing and creating!

See you back here soon, will post new upcoming pieces here first! 

Summertime FUN....

Happy summer everyone, hope you all are finding time to celebrate this fun time of the year with your family and friends! Isn't that what summer is all about...family, fun, and friends? As for me and the hubby, this has  been the very first summer in 15 years that we have been able to take a little extra time off and enjoy all of the regular summertime festivities. We have always had to work every major summer holiday, because we have worked in the tourist hospitality business for the main majority of our careers.

My summer,so far, has been full of fun and relaxation....and is, so far, such a memorable one for the record books! We have been doing some motorcycle riding with friends through the mountains....

Visiting some beautiful places like this waterfall...

These falls called "Dry Falls" (love the name), were so large you could walk completely underneath them.

You can find this beautiful place in the Nantahala National Forest which runs through parts of Tennessee and North Carolina....

My husband and his best friend standing under the falls...

We also hung out with some chickens...(exciting)

Fed some snails (really exciting)....(you see what I mean by getting some relaxation?)....

Went to a friend's beautiful outdoor wedding....

Here's the beautiful bride and her handsome groom...

(that's birdseed being thrown at them as they walk down the aisle)

...oh yeah,  and we did this crazy thing....

Whitewater rafting down the Pigeon River!!!! Gasp! I didn't know it was going to be this wild! The hubby tricked me and told me it was the low key family floating adventure. 

It turned out to be such a blast! That's my husband, Shannon, in the front on the left side and myself sitting just behind him.

 I can't believe I'm smiling through it.....

...And we're watching a lot of sunsets!

The sunsets up here in the mountains just don't ever get old....

Love, love, love this BEAUTIFUL place!!!!

Hope your summer is being filled with beautiful, fun moments with dear friends and family too!

Would love to hear what you all are up to. Feel free to leave a comment below and share your summer fun stories with me.

Summer Vacation...

Happy Summer Everyone! Getting all packed up today to head up to my mountain happy place for a few weeks. Taking a little siesta from the jewelry designing, but thought I would leave you with 3 newly completed pieces going into my Etsy shop tomorrow.  These three necklaces have one common thread....GORGEOUS centerpieces! Here's a little preview....

....and here's a little pic of my heavenly happy place I will be relaxing in for the next few weeks...

Be back soon with pictures from the vacay!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you all get to visit your happy summer place too.