We snuck off to the beach over Memorial Day weekend to spend some time with John’s family (at their amazing beach house near Bethany Beach, Delaware) so we thought we’d share our house-related adventures. A while back a reader (thanks Ann!) recommended checking out The Old Screen Door in Lewes (about 30 mins from Bethany), so we took a drive out there and it was the cutest little town (which boasts that it was the first town in the first state). Here’s the front of the shop:
It’s not very big inside, but there’s a collection of really fun old stuff going on (mixed with some new stuff to keep things interesting).
And Clara loves bikes. Well she loves lots of things (birdies, duckies, doggies, kitties, cars, blocks, her stuffed giraffe that she affectionately named Gee, etc) so it was no surprise to us that she honed in on this cool metal tricycle as soon as she saw it.
So like typical parents with no willpower we bought it for our office (since it’s really not meant for riding, but it’s fun to look at and we’re all in there all the time). At thirty beans it wasn’t exactly free but we like to pick up one or two “house things” whenever we travel (that way they have a vacation memory attached to them, which seems to make them more special). Here are some better shots that we snapped of it back in Richmond yesterday:
We don’t have a specific spot for it in the office yet, but we figure once we add more storage and cabinetry it’ll look pretty sweet in there. Of course, no sooner had we put our purchase in the car did we look at each other and simultaneously realize that it kinda reminded us of the creepy tricycle from the Saw movies:
So even though it should give us the heebie-jeebies it somehow makes us laugh (and thereby love it a little bit more). Ah random quirkiness – gotta have some of that to make a house a home.
But back to our visit to The Old Screen Door. I was also head over heels in love with this tiny outdoor chair (it was the best weathered gray color) but at $65 (which isn’t bad, we’re just cheap) we decided to leave it there for the next baby to enjoy.
Then we drove over to downtown Lewes which is a gorgeous tree-lined street full of shops and goodies (like a store called Cake Bar). Clara had a ball in Kids Ketch (a toy store packed with fun stuff). Here she is perusing the monster collection that hung from a clothesline across the entryway:
She especially liked a small green doll called Groody. Let’s just say that Groody’s tag cracked us up (if you can’t read it, it says: Groody is a pretty relaxed, easy going, energetic, stressed out, moody broody mess! Aaaaaahhhhh! Did I just close that door? It was a ghost! Did I send that e-mail to the wrong person!!??? You get the picture. If you are willing to help him on his quest for inner peace he will help you on your quest for whatever dealio you got going. His first though).
Hilarious. Oh and remember snap bracelets? I wore one as a scrunchy in grade school. Oh yeah, I was that cool. Anyway, they had snap bracelet watches that brought me back.
But we left without Groody or the snap bracelet watch (sometimes it’s just fun to window shop and spend a few bucks on ice cream as you walk around). Oh and speaking of window shopping, I spied this cute little pig planter through the window of a flower store. Totally my idea of a good time. In the words of A.C. Slater, “oink, oink babe.” <– audio clip here
One of the most fun places that we popped into was this little alley marked “Antique Mall”:
Inside were some of the most amazing collections of cool stuff that I’ve seen in a while. Like these pretty oversized mercury glass finial-like accents and the fun antique bronze porthole mirror:
And this insane to the membrane (well, to mine at least) wood horse. He was $250 firm, so I hugged him and then moved on. Not without telling him I loved him first (see, he made me go crazy).
I also fell in love with this amazing print about Kalamari (at over $200 I had to pass it up, but I still daydream about it for at least twenty minutes a day):
And this tin whale thingie was, in the words of my girl Bethenny Frakel, amazeballs. It’s hard to explain but you could rock the whale back and forth and the mouth would open and close and the eye would move from left to right. In short, he was cooler than my snap bracelet scrunchy.
And then there were these baskets. I loved how tightly they were nested (the whole set was muy expensive, but they also sold them individually).
What did we get? Well, right as we were about to leave we noticed a little stand of iron birds and sea turtles for $6 a pop. And you might remember that I have a thing for sea turtles thanks to our moving-day experience and a certain necklace from Cougartown (more on that here). So we decided to take this little guy home with us.
So our total spent for the day was around $40 (including our $30 bike, our $6 sea turtle, and some ice cream to enjoy while strolling around Lewes). It was a good day. Oh and there were such cute houses too. Like this one with not one but two giant concrete dogs out front (we were driving so I only caught one):
And this inviting little beach palace with crisp white trim and a picket fence:
And this guy complete with gargoyles guarding the hydrangeas:
Of course we also had our fair share of family time and beach hijinks. Here’s a little slice of that for all you Clara-loving folks (hi mom):
And for some reason Clara really enjoyed yelling at the ocean, so we snagged a short iPhone video of her royal loudness (John filmed it with his own extended arm, so that explains the odd cropping):
Oh and I read a lot of Bossypants aloud to John (he’s the driver for our road trips, so I’m in charge of entertainment while Clara and Burger are in charge of sleeping) and we both thought it was hilarious. So I guess I’ll fill in where Oprah’s Book Club left off and recommend it.
That’s all she wrote. What did you guys do for Memorial Day? Any other beach trips or window shopping excursions? Anyone else who wore repurposed a snap bracelet as a scrunchy?
Psst- Creepy saw tricycle image from here.
Psssst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
looks like you guys had a great weekend! What is it about kids and bikes. It’s like they’re wired at birth to know how much fun they are. Hilarious! m x
Clara looks so much like you, Sherry! Precious! Where did you find that bathing suit on her? I have an 18m old daughter who doesn’t need another bathing suit, but does sort of.
And I fall asleep giggling about “I hope you marry her and I hope she has a cavernous vagina.” most nights.
That cracks us up too. Oh Tina. As for the bathing suit, it was a hand me down from her cousin Elsa but I think it came from Gymboree.
xo,
s
I read Bossypants a week ago. Or rather had Tina Fey read it to me. I gave in to ultimate lazy when I sat with my book and listened to the audio book as I went along. I think it was so much better than imagining her voice in my head.
Super book.
I agree the audiobook rules.
Love your purchases…so fun! We went camping, and it snowed! I am jealous of your beach pictures…I would have given anything to have nice sunny weather…snow in june
( crazy!)
Hi,
I am starting a jewelry business and I was wondering if you can advice me on a nice easy to use ( i am not into electronics at all) photo camera I remember you mentioning the one you use but I can’t find the post.
Thanks sooo much,
Paola
We use a Canon Powershot as our point and shoot (very easy and affordable) and a Nikon D3000 for house and project pics (it’s a DSLR so it’s not as easy and a bit pricier). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
my boyfriend just got me Bossypants and as we’re driving down to San Diego today for my brother’s wedding I’M reading it to HIM in the car, lol!!! :)
It’s a great road trip book! Haha.
xo,
s
If you head out on another road trip anytime soon, I’d definitely recommend renting Bossypants on audio book. Tina Fey reads it and it’s so funny listening to her tell the stories. I’ve already read the book, and listened to the audio with my husband to and from work. Although with the audio you don’t get the wonderful visuals of her photos…
Surprised we didn’t run into you…we were too! My in-laws live in Milton, just 10 minutes north of Lewes. LOVE Lewes and the Antique Mall. I purchased a turtle this time around too! Funny. I know you guys are not big drinkers, but the next time you are in Lewes, you must try Agave Tequila Bar & Rest. on second street in Lewes (same street as the Antique Mall)for the BEST mexican food you have ever tasted! If you like margaritas, they are the BEST too. But one will do ya ;-)
Mmmm, you’re the second one to recommend that. Sounds awesome.
xo,
s
I have heard a lot about Dewey beach but haven’t been there – looks beautiful. We were at the good ol’ Jersey Shore. Luckily Snooki and the gang were nowhere to be seen!
My boyfriend lives in Milton, which is the town right next to Lewes, and I love getting to visit the totally adorbs little downtown in Lewes whenever possible! They have the best little high-end pet boutique, hehehe. And did you get your ice cream from King’s? I think that’s the name of the ice cream shop there. It’s the BEST.
Yes I think that was the name! So good.
xo,
s
Ooops, I put Dewey and you were in Bethany…you know what a mean..
Ahh, I spent the WHOLE holiday weekend in Lewes and secretly hoped maybe we’d bump into you visiting our family there…
Of course, spent lots of time at Bella Luna, visited Chateleines (where we bought my wedding band),and bought a little notepad for myself at Treehouse for bloggy inspirations, recipes, gift ideas, etc. The original Pinterest?
I’m sure we crossed paths at some point! We ate out in Lewes three times and strolled Rehoboth for such a lovely (not too killer hot) weekend. Hope you had a blast!
Lindsey
Oh man I wish we’d bumped into each other!
xo,
s
Looks like a fun weekend! I went window shopping at antique stores with my family and my sister scored a cookie jar exactly like one our grandma used to have. Sadly, it was donated after she passed away and we never thought we’d see one again since she probably bought it in the 50s or 60s. We still can’t believe her luck in finding the exact same one!
That’s such a great story. So glad you found it (or it found you)!
xo,
s
Totally random comment… I LOVE Clara’s outfits! They are too cute! I also LOVE the bike! The art store next door to my office is having a “bike art” show and I would die to have one of the bikes or bike paintings! Nice snag… especially for only $30!
What a coincidence! I snagged the same bicycle at a yard sale over the weekend for $1! It was a smaller and the handlebars and seat are red.
Sounds like you had a fun little trip!
What a steal!
xo,
s
We were in San Fran over the long weekend and picked up an awesome topography map for the house. And I somehow managed to take a couple of decent pictures of the sights, so those are up on the wall too.
If you anybody wants to take a gander: http://finalclothesout.blogspot.com/2011/06/miscellaneous-in-which-i-finally-take.html
Amaaaaazing pics!
xo,
s
Thanks! I’m a little proud of myself. :-)
woah love it!
What a lovely trip! I am on the last chapter of Bossypants and holy hilarity, Batman–I second your recommendation.
Y’all would LOVE by hubby’s hometown of Madison & Greensboro, GA! Cute, unique little shops & amazing antique stores… oh and I can’t forget about the gorgeous historic Antebellum homes. The next time you visit Clara’s boyfriend, you should totally swing by on your way in/out- it’s just about 30 minutes south of Athens =)
You READ Bossypants outloud? Have you people never heard of audiobooks? How do you not get car sick? Anyway, Bossypants is amazing but it’s one of the few books that should be listened to rather than (or in addition to) being read because Tina Fey is so darn funny (and she ad libs a lot in the audio recording).
Looks like a great weekend!
Just parts of it. Haha. We also switched off reading it on the beach. We love audiobooks too (we listened to The Lovely Bones on our Texas road trip – so good).
xo,
s
I agree with the car sick part! Yikes…I can no longer read in a car…or even much on a plane.
Actually, even trying to focus on a video can make me motion sick.
/sadface
Aww you’re making me miss Delaware! I went to UD for grad school and was in/around the state for 5 years. I always really enjoy your posts about your travels and the fun stuff you find. Inspires me to either DIY or go in search of my own quirky and interesting items. Now you have me salivating over mercury glass finials. I feel like that’s something West Elm would sell. Glad you enjoyed your long weekend!
I love the Rehoboth/Lewes Beach area. I spent a summer working at one of the outlet stores down there, so whenever I had a random day off in the middle of the week (never had my days off back to the back), I would take the ferry over to Lewes. Such a fun little place, and so pretty! Glad you guys had fun!
I spent my weekend doing a whole lot of nothing. I did finish staining one of my two Adirondack chairs….only to discover that I hate the color I chose! I’m going to paint the second one with Martha Stewart’s Persimmon and a coat of some type of sealant (recommendations?) so that it can stay outside. The big thing though was that I finally purchased a real bed for the master bedroom! I killed my air mattress finally and was holding out for as long as I could stand it before buying a new one. Then I remembered that I have family coming to visit for a week starting on June 9th.
Hmm, for outdoor sealant I would just ask what they recommend at the paint counter. Haven’t used that yet! Good luck!
xo,
s
Looks like loads of fun! We used to live in Baltimore so Bethany Beach was our go to summer spot.
This memorial day I spent completing my first tile project…a white, beveled, ceramic subway tile backsplash with white grout. The worst part was the grouting! And I was able to complete the whole thing (tile, tools, adhesive, etc) for under $300. (And I have lots of tile left…the laundry room now “needs” a tiled back wall)
Don’t know if I would have had the…guts…to try something like that, but you all are fearless and inspire me to tackle all kinds of things I might have chickened out on. Thanks for sharing the successes and fails with us!
Congrats!! That sounds awesome. Cheering you on for that laundry wall.
xo,
s
Love those baskets. Also love the cute baby :-).
Clara is just the most gorgeous girl, I love the fact she still has no hair (well very fine blondie bits!) My nephew Freddy is 18 months and he is the same!
Looks like such a lovely trip!
Rachie xo
Glad you guys had some fun and R&R, so jealous! I managed to drive from VA to PA, fly from PA to MN, drive from MN to WI, fly back to PA from MN, spend a day and half in OH before driving back to VA. All for good cause, family wedding and a 100th birthday! But, phew, I’m exhausted!
Did I mention my fiance and I are also mid-move from VA to TX. Is it fall yet??? Haha.
What a fun trip! I bought my daughter Lulu one of those stuffed monsters (named Big Toe) and she loves it. She even uses it as a pillow.
I adore Clara’s bathing suit, and Bossypants is so hilarious! I’m glad you guys had a nice weekend.
Oh, I forgot to mention that you must also try the new deli on the corner of 2nd. street, Touch of Italy, it will take you back to NY ;-) My in-laws retired from NY and they are so excited to have a place that has great Italian food in their little town.
Mmmm, sounds good.
xo,
s
I LOVE that bike! You guys find the greatest thrifts!
And Bossypants was amazeballs! I found myself reading it in public and laughing and looking at people like… “isn’t this so funny?!?!”
Sounds like a perfect weekend!! I love the bike you got — such a fun find.
Clara’s gonna want to ride that trike!
Love Lewes! I used to live in Wilmington and loved taking day trips down there. Such a cute town. Had I the down payment in my pocket, I would have snapped up one of the adorable little Victorian beach bungalows on the spot. And…LOVE Clara’s peach fuzz!! She’s so cute. As a former member of the Bald Baby Society, I salute her. :)
Your post made me so homesick! I grew up just about an hour or so away from the Delaware beaches and it never feels like summer unless I go there at least once.
My stepdad actually works at the hospital in Lewes and my husband keeps trying to talk my parents into moving there so that we have easy access to Cape Henlopen State Park when we visit them :P
I can’t decide if I’m more creeped out by the Saw picture or by “Tina’s” man arms (obviously they aren’t hers…I hope!). Looks like a fabulous weekend!
Clara’s bathing suit is ADORABLE (and she is, too, as always)!!! love the talking at the waves. such a fun stage!! i officially want to go to the beach now….
So much fun! My husband and I went to a friends house for a cook out and ended the day with a dessert date!
I stumbled upon this blog, and after reading my first post, I can say that I’ll be coming back to read more. I loved hearing about your holiday weekend road trip to the beach. Road trips are so fun, and I like that you guys seem to enjoy the simple joys in life. Spending $40 for the day and just walking around sight seeing and eating ice cream, with the addition of a few small items to remember the trip. One of my favorite things to do is walk around a new town and look at houses, so thanks for adding the pictures of some of the ones you enjoyed seeing. Last but not least, I’m so glad you were reading “Bossy Pants,” I am on a waiting list at the library for that one :) Thanks again!
I was at a friend’s beach house in Bethany Beach over Memorial Day weekend too (and picked up an antique brass key-shaped key hook at Goodwill for a buck that you’d probably dig). I love driving down Route 1, the laid-back beach town feel and how close the outlets are over there. I remembered from an earlier post that you guys had gone to the Delaware coast, and I thought it would be funny if I ran into you guys. In a totally non-creepy way!
Oh man I would have loved to bump into you at Goodwill so we could fight over the key hook! Haha.
xo,
s
I just got Bossypants too. It’s SO funny, I’m savoring it in tiny bits — like fine chocolates :)
Loved Bossypants! I also read it at the beach this weekend. Laughed the whole way through.
Oh, and btw… if you haven’t yet, you MUST check out Jen Lancaster’s new novel, “If You Were Here”. It’s about DIY and it’s hilarious.
I love that book! And Jen.
xo,
s
Jen Lancaster is the reason I tumbled onto this blog! I’ve read all her previous books, but haven’t checked out the new novel.
Love Clara and her little peach fuzz hair! I had a full head of hair from birth onwards (plus eyebrows and full eyelashes, it’s an Italian thing), but I didn’t grow teeth until I was 15 months. FYI, if it’s a choice between waiting for hair or waiting for teeth, hair wins:)
My mom has a tricycle almost identical to that one. She’s had it for years and it sits on the hearth. My little cousin used to try to ride it. :)
this looks like a great trip! i also love the little chair, but it looks like clara was a little unsure about it, so it’s probably best that you passed!
oh my goodness, please don’t ever post a picture of that saw tricycle again! Terrifying!
The timing of your post couldn’t be better ~ thank you! I’ve been hemming and hawing over what to do with our own dining chairs, and now I’ve got it. Thanks for the detailed play-by-play … gives me confidence that I can do it too :) And while I though the kelly green was nice, good call on the brown … so lovely!
I follow your blog everyday, as a I dream of one day owning a home that we can fix up, too. I love your projects and your daughter is the cutest thing ever! We have a 3 month old and we never though it could get more and more fun each day! Keep up the good work!
Hey I have that same tricycle! It’s been on a dresser in our master for the last couple years but I’m thinking it might need a new home in another room. I’m excited to see where you put it! (Oh and my kids are always trying to climb up and get ahold of the darn thing… apparently it looks like it would be fun to ride! haha)
How fun! We’ve been dying to get up to Bethany or Rehoboth since moving to NoVa 3 years ago. I have had such fun asking my students what they did over the weekend and hearing about their fun adventures at the beach, lake, pool, festival, whatever. My godmother came in to town and she wore us out! We did all kinds of fun DC touristy things-DuPont, U Street/Ben’s Chili Bowl, Newseum, Wolf Trap, Eastern Market, Old Town Alexandria, Ikea… I always wonder if I’ll ever run into you guys at Ikea! But I guess that would be really creepy to say hi if it did happen.
No promise you’ll say hi to us! We love bumping into people at Ikea.
xo,
s
I love Clara’s swim suit!
Best audio clip ever. :) Your posts always crack me up!