Susan Franzblau, Downtown Pioneer

Today I had the extreme pleasue of having lunch with a woman I admire greatly and just love, Susan Franzblau. Susan is a professor at UNC-Fayetteville State University and a feminist social developmental psychologist.   Susan lives in a fabulous 2 floor loft across the street from Rude Awakening, and before we'd ever bought our building had rehabbed hers and was living downtown blazing the way for us and others to follow.

Susan is smart, funny, strong, giving, and one of my favorite people. Unfortunately being busy we seldom have time to get together and hang out. So today was a treat! I always enjoy our talks and hearing her take on things, often the same as mine and some times different. In addition to her professorship, Susan owns  Om Yoga Studio on Hay Street and is the mother of actress, Rena Sofer.

One of the things we talked about was her upcoming retirement and move to California this summer. She is happy and excited about moving to a town that embraces independent retailers and eschews chains and pioneers organic living. I am sad at the thought of Fayetteville losing this phenomenal woman. California will be richer for having her and we will feel the void of her leaving. Her building is for sale and hopefully a wonderful downtown-minded person/people will buy it, but it won't be like looking across the street and knowing that Susan is right-over-there if I need her.

My Favorite Chairs

I've spent a good part of my nights this year reading and rereading Carolyn Quartermaine's book Unwrapped and longing for the tall ceilings of my old house and some of the stunningly gorgeous script fabrics by Carolyn Quatermaine. So when I saw this wonderful linen printed with script that looks like it's from the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Renee's in Aberdeen, I had to have it knowing the perfect project for it- a pair of tired-gold velvet chairs I'd seen in an antiques store. My upholsterer hated me when I brought the project to them, but their results are phenomenal and I'm in love. I still need to paint the chair legs (as soon as I decide between black or brown). My pictures aren't good and I'll get some better ones posted. Love 'em! I'll keep hoping to luck up on a some of CQ's colorful fabric for some accent pillows one of these days...

A Month of Specials

We're offering a daily special
during the month of December
at White Trash & colorful
accessories.

In addition, we're continuing our free mirror (a $10 value) with a $25 purchase and we've started a new month of entries for a free $43 Gift Card.

Happy Shopping!

OMG- I Won!

Last week I ordered these 2 gorgeous chandeliers from Jubilee Lighting for the store and poked around to see their blog  http://jubileecollection.blogspot.com/ and entered their drawing for a free light. Today I decided to check on some lampshades for the first of the year because those in the picture looked so darn cute, and guess what I read?

"The lucky winner is......Congratulations Molly Arnold...you are the lucky winner!"

WooooooooHooooooooo! I am so thrilled. It was a tough choice, but here's the one I picked.

It's a mocha color 3-arm chandelier that is going to look wonderful in our house and replace one of the many bad light/ceiling fan fixtures in place when we bought the house.

Thanks for coming in the rain

Thanks so very much for everyone that came out in the rain and wind to White Trash and Franklin Street Place's open house. If you missed coming, we have extended our free mirror give-away. With only a $25 purchase you have your choice of one of our cute little morrors that have a saying on them. These have an easel back and a hanger.

We're also still putting out lots of new holiday decorations and Christmas ornaments, so keep checking for some wonderfully cute things. And remember that each and every purchase puts you in our monthly drawing for a free $43.00 gift card. We've had 3 happy winners so far.

Come downtown on Saturday for Trick-or-Treat and squeeze in a little shopping at the same time. The stores and merchants give away candy in a environment that's safe an fun.

THE Mirror

I had to have it! It doesn't fit in my house (or alot of people's) and I don't have a garage (luckily a friend does). It is gorgeous and it is huge, the size of the pick-up truck, 9 feet by 7-1/2 feet. Wonderful carved silver molding frame about 8 inches thick. Husband estimates it weighs about 800 pounds. The picture is with the door it won't fit through.

Fabulous is the word. Wish my pictures were better.

Now what to do? It won't fit in the store either. I'm thinking of building a room around it. lol

More than likely, I will offer it for sale after a while. In the meanwhile I'll admire it & ponder the possibilities.

Where Women Create available at White Trash & colorful accessories

Four years ago I read the book "Where Women Create" and fell in love! I have re-read it countless times, so was thrilled earlier this year when the magazine was born. Like the book it showcases artist spaces and their creative inspiration. Some of the artists that have been featured in the book and previous and upcoming issues of the magazine we are proud to carry in our store.

We have just gotten in the current issue and will be carrying future issues at White Trash.

We also have Somerset Life (a quarterly periodical showing how the little things in life can lead to an inspired and artful way of living, with hundreds of simple ways to elevate the everyday) and the special publication Marie Antoinette (the dresses ... the crowns ... the cakes ... need I say more...)

I think you'll love them as much as I do and they make a fabulous gift.

"How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?" Dr. Seuss

Exploring with a friend

After getting up at 6:00 am to have our 3rd yard sale in as many months (yes, I'm crazy), I was ready for some R&R (roamin' & redecorating - another word for junking).

My friend, Michelle, and I have recently decided to do more day trips and explore the small towns around us. Since we both love the adventure of eating and drinking at small local establishments, history and architecture, and the thrill of searching out the perfect antique or vintage find-we're a perfect match.

So, off we go to Sanford. Michelle had never explored the town and it's always been one of my faves but I rarely get to go, so it was a good choice. First stop was for Michelle to take some pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/historybydesign1/ second, a flea market that was interesting but we came out empty handed. Next to eat lunch at a German restaurant I spotted, Unplanned but delicious.

Then downtown, our real destination. A drive through to admire the train depot museum and other buildings, more pictures, and then the antique stores. Michelle bought a postcard and I came away empty-handed. I know youall aren't believing it, but true. I had hope for some fabulous finds for the new (old) house or the store but no luck. But, had a great time and perused some interesting stuff.

Finally a stop for ice cream and we headed back home.

I hope you'll forward this great shop independent retailers campaign to everyone you know and go out there yourself and spend $50.

http://www.the350project.org/home.html