Happy Valentine Day!

Elegant Island Sanctuary

Can't you just envision a small family wedding here?  It would be perfect.  Come to Sea Island Georgia and all of your needs will be met!    

The chapel offers a Bible study on Thursday and a worship service is every Sunday morning.

The lighting at the entire resort was amazingly good.  (I'm planning an entire post on just the lighting!)  The fixtures in the chapel were some of my favorites.  Aren't they perfect for the spot?

(This picture is actually in the Solarium--but just a stones throw from the Chapel.)

Changing gears just a bit here--the marsh, as seen from the windows of 100 Hudson--one of the three Cloister restaurants.  This is what I saw every morning over breakfast.  It was delicious.  (Yes, Mrs. News Reading, I had the French toast and Mr. Green was a huge fan of the apple chicken sausage.  We were there eating on the morning of the golf tournament.  I could have been there!  Too bad we bloggers don't have a secret code or something!  I'd love to have met you.)    

"Start your day with breakfast in the inviting atmosphere of 100 Hudson with its light-filled morning aura and panoramic views of the Black Banks River."

The much adored Spanish Lounge.  This room was carefully dismantled from the original 1928  Mizner building and reassembled as you see below the post card.  

Bridge anyone?

One of my favorite rooms was definitely the Solarium.  We made it a habit to have tea there each afternoon.  It is an amazingly beautiful room--fresh, light and airy.  

Even the birds have it good.  Attention to detail was not spared, even for the birds.  Notice the curtain rings. The cages were hand painted as well.  Wish I had taken a picture of the mural for you.  Now, you'll just have to go see it for yourself!

The two birdcages flanked this charming fountain.  Sun, color, nature, oh, I could go on and on.

Now, I'd like to leave you with a question.  What kind of bench is this?  The back is wooden and on a hinge.  It will swing from one side to the other, allowing one to sit in either direction.  Was it used for spectators at a sporting event?  Maybe you talented readers--uh, humm...Tartanscot or Cote de Texas, might know the answer.   Any help would be appreciated.  

Save Now

Still want more?  Brilliant Asylum has done a lovely post on The Cloister.  I hope to have more pretties for you tomorrow!

Five Star Sea Island *****

Friends, I hardly know where to start!  My trip to Sea Island was just wonderful.  I rested, I relaxed, I slept late!  I think I took enough pictures to write posts for a year!  I hope to share some of them with you, bit by bit.   

(Thank you to Sea Island Company for the use of some of the pictures shown below.)

The Solarium--my tea time favorite spot!  

To start, I'd like to set the stage for those of you who have not been:

Imagine if Blackberry Farm is the fine country house then  The Cloister is the elegant beach house.  Southern, elegant, hospitable, and special are all words that come to mind.  Sounds great, doesn't it?

Five Stars you say?  Yes.

"Criteria to earn a Mobil Five-Star rating are stringent, based on more than 750 standards for hotels, more than 250 for restaurants, and more recently 450 different guidelines for spas, making it the most rigorous and comprehensive in the industry. To achieve Mobil Five-Star status, properties must then meet or exceed Mobil's bar-setting service standards, which are determined through an unannounced, undercover service evaluation conducted by Mobil Travel Guide's expert inspectors."

Congratulations are in order.

The Sea Island Company received four different 5 Star ratings:

1.  The Cloister Hotel (this is a view from the back side)

2.  The Cloister Spa--absolutely unbelievable!

3.  The Georgian Room (Restaurant in The Cloister)

(Sorry for the photo duplication.)

4.  The Lodge (golf haven hotel on St. Simons)

This is just a taste of what is yet to come!  Any special request or questions about the stay, please leave a comment or send an email.  I always enjoy hearing from you.  

Our Perfect Room

So, do you think Granny is having a lovely stay at The Cloister?  

Yes.  Yes, she is.

Life's Luxury-dear friends!

Blog friends, I'd like to take a moment (or a post in this case) to thank a couple of "real life" friends.  

Dear ones, you know who you are...

Thank you for making my birthday so special.  YOU are the luxuries in life, my dearest friends!

a few luxuries that you kindly gave--that remind me of YOU!

A soft soothing Sferra throw--"Cotton, when brushed, undergoes a transformation that gives it a plush, alluring texture this side of heaven (heaven, interesting choice of words, humm, this definitely makes me think of my friend). This throw blends soft color with cream in a herringbone weave and finishes it with a twisted, natural fringe."

Now would you look at these flowers!  Can you believe how beautiful they are?  I am so impressed that the pictures came out as good as they did.  They were sitting on the kitchen table with the sun streaming in upon them.  These flowers are from my real "kitchen table friend".  She is the one I sit in the kitchen with and yap away.  We drink THE BEST coffee and talk about EVERYTHING under the sun!    

I'd love to go on and on about the special "real" people in my life--but, they need their privacy.  Now, here's the funny part:  I'll find out if they are FINALLY reading my blog!   

Sea Island Bliss!

Remember the teaser from yesterday's post?  Well here it is:  The Cloister at Sea Island, GA.  Originally built in the 1920's, the resort has undergone a complete transformation.  

Mr. Green was very generous and gave me a get-a-way to the Golden Isles for my birthday.  He will be taking me for some much needed rest and relaxation quite soon.   Who wouldn't want to lounge around in the Cloister Solarium?  Just look at all of the color.  I'm thinking spring!   

This is the Palm Corridor.  Notice the painting.  It looks like it was inspired by Martin Johnson Heade.  Aren't the wall sconces beautiful?  The orchids!

Let's hope that the weather will be pleasant enough to take advantage of all of the beautiful outdoor spaces.

It has been years since we have been.  I wonder what things have changed and what has stayed the same--besides the obvious building changes.  Any of you who have been lately, let me know what you consider to be the "must do's".  PaperCourt, News Readin' Wife and Hospy,  I know you have stories to tell.  I am looking forward to hearing about all of your experiences!  

(and THANK YOU to Mr. Green!)

Shopping Secrets

My bargain shopping jackpot with the Manolo Blahnik heels was a rare occurrence. I wish I could say I had such luck on any shopping outing.  Several of you asked how in the world did I find such a bargain. Well, I wish there were a perfect formula for landing a deal like that one.

The best advice I can offer is this: Keep your eyes open. Look for beauty everywhere. (You've read about this concept, right?)

Now friends, the simple answer to the burning shoe question: 

"How do you buy a pair of Monolo's for $5?"  

Answer:  a charity shop

Some of these incredible stores open their doors to the public (not just the clients they serve) and offer their goods for amazing prices to raise funds for projects the charity is involved with.

At the shop where I lucked out, all of the shoes, new or "gently worn" were priced $5-regardless of designer.

 

My next piece of of stellar shopping advice would be to simply keep your eyes open.  Look for beauty and quality first.  Don't search for the designer labels.  Look and feel for the quality of an item's construction and open your eyes!

Sterling silver, for example, is black with tarnish--and fabulous patina!

Just take a look at Eddie's flea market candlestick find "before and after":

(I'm about convinced this guy could make a sow's ear into a silk purse!)

In our odd economic times, the New York Time's is spreading the news about alternatives to retail shopping.  Check out their article here(first published in 2006).   Here is another article on the love affair with malls-or should we say- retail therapy.   

Now it's your turn.  I want to know your very best buys.  What, where and how did you do it?  I know you've got treasures to tell all about and I want to hear!

A Teaser:  In a later post we'll talk about this: