The charm of Charlottesville!

About a week and a half ago,  I had the good fortune to take a short sidetrip to Charlottesville while visiting family and  to visit my niece in the area taking summer courses with my sister and mom. Think girls trip.....such fun! I love Charlottesville. It's a truly beautiful part of the country....rolling hills, green fields that seem endless, a charming Southern downtown with a truly traditional flair (my favorite kind) and of course we paid a visit to beautiful UVA where we got to tour a special family exhibit/hall from an ancestor who helped find the university (it was  a thrill)!

So between the fun company, tired but happy feet, endless laughter, non stop energy, great  shopping and beautiful backdrop that is Charlottesville....it made for a perfect little side trip. Without further adue...here are some of the highlights! You know I believe in a lot of pictures so take a seat.......


First here are some highlights from the gorgeous Caspari shop, my sister said she felt like she was in my home (a big compliment as I loooove the style)! It was a "must stop"......


They had so many different lines from food to china to paper goods to clothing, my senses were on overdrive!

Lots of great books! Can never have too many...right?
I have a definite "thing" for beautiful paper goods and Caspari reigns surpreme in this field!
Ditto giftwrap...one as pretty as the next!
This pattern alone was enough to inspire me to throw another party....on second thought, no thanks:)

Gorgeous table settings....all soooo my taste!
The vivid oranges were stunning here!
And the gorgeous Juliska china that is such a hit this year on full display!

How pretty is this! The colors just beautiful!
Anything with a trellis pattern always gets my attention......
And of course you know I was drawn to this charming vignette......

Gorgeous urns were in abundance!
Love this green tole sconce/lantern.....
And fell in love with these beautiful french blue painted side chairs...would go perfect in my bedroom!

Monogram? Yes please!

The blue and white was in abundance.....thanks Caspari for the gorgeous tour!

Even on a rainy day the pedestrian mall is charming and wonderful and oozes Southern elegance.....



Another darling shop full of beautiful home accessories.....






Spotted this adorable balcony with this charming setup......


And the tour of UVA begins...here is Cabell Hall (the old one, a new one is being built)








The countryside is just breathtaking, I couldn't stop taking pictures!





I looooove taking pictures of farms, give me a silo, blue skies and I just go click happy!






See...I told you I love silos and farms:)

Monticello...first stop, gift shop! How cute and appropriate are these mini blue and white dinner plate ornaments!


Thomas Jefferson himself....

The magnificent gardens, I just couldn't get over how amazing they were...I would spend all day there!






Walking up to Monticello......

Fell in love with all the beautiful potted topiaries, I have a one track mind.....



Monticello.....








The grounds are just specatacular with a seemingly endless array of beautiful specimens of every kind


The beautiful garden pavillion he built in his retirement years to be alone, read, write, it is breathtaking in that its perched very high and has the most magnificent views.....




Entrance to his gravesite and private family burial ground, still in use today.....





The charming restaurant, Michie Tavern where we stopped in for lunch.......



Do I spy a gift shop?
Just a pretty entryway, the red door got me!

Back to UVA.....

Dorms today that are highly sought after.....

At every turn UVA is one beautiful place!

Guess who?

The Rotunda and great lawn.....gorgeous!

Makes me proud:)

Steps up to Cabll Hall......
The beautiful amphitheater....how unique for a college campus!






Entrance to one of the professors apartments...not too shabby!
And this darling house is where yours truly would want to reside if I were teaching there:)
How can I show you pictures of Charlottesville and not include a saucer sized magnolia!
Missed going to And George which was a bummer,  as they were closed but took a few pics of the charming topiaries!

The idyllic countryside..just couldn't get enough!

An entrance to one of the many horse farms.......





Beautiful Keswick Hall.....the place to stay in Charlottesville!




What is it about a small red barn against a darkening rainy sky in the country? Beautiful!

So there is my little recap of beautiful Charlottesville, it was a whirlwind tour but such fun and I most definitely will be back. I have friends to see and things to do and cannot wait. Perhaps later summer or early fall and this definitely has me revisiting my idea for a southern road trip with my mom! My visit there has whet my appetite for my insatiable thirst for more southern charm (We had talked about a while back) would love to visit all the great cities in the south, put my diet "on hiatus" so I could indulge in all the great foods that that South is known for! How about you, been to Charlottesville? Any southern cities on your agenda? Thanks as always for stopping in!


On a sidenote....if you missed my post on hurricanes yesterday, . In addition I scored some beautiful new small hurricanes that came in (sample pieces) , but only got in one or two pair of each style so these will not make it to my online shop but are available to purchase now. Check them out..... to email me if you see something that you absolutely have to have!

Sorry for the grainy pics...blame it on my iPhone. Camera is out of commission, may need a new one:(




 1. etched beauty, about 7" tall

 2. Greek key about 6" tall
 3. etched cylinder about 7" tall by 6" round
 4. cut crystal about 6" tall
 5. floral etched about 6" tall
 6. Elegant etched about 10" tall



 7. Only two pair (I kept the third pair) of these beautiful etched bird hurricanes about 16.5" tall

And for many who asked about the beautiful china plates I am selling, I do have some left but they have gone fast! If you are interested contact me, they come in sets of four and feature four beautiful floral patterns all on our beloved blue and white. Makes any table just beautiful....replicated after one of the services for the Vanderbilt family and made for a preservation soceity. Email me here.


And last but not least...do not forget to swing by Art by Karena, where Karen has featured my shop and is offering a wonderful giveaway! Thanks as always for stopping in...wishing you a fabulous day!


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