You Say Savannah, I say Atlanta….

You can’t blame the public school system for my lack of geography skills – I went to a private school. After all, Savannah is just an inch away on the map; how far can that be?

Over 250 miles, that’s how far! I guess when other students were working hard on their dough maps of the USA , getting all the topical information correct, I was concentrating on what color to dye the dough and how to embellish it just right.

You should have seen the look on the cabbies face when I asked him how much to Savannah. My first clue to the distance was his reply; Savannah Georgia?

Mistake #1.  I should have flown into Savannah not Atlanta

After weighing all my options and considering my time frame, I decided on the Greyhound bus which was leaving in 1 hour, was only $50 dollars and dropped off right across the street to my hotel. EXCELLENT! After all, I had rented Greyhounds before for my daughters dance team and they were great.

Mistake #2 – those were Greylines

not Greyhounds

  Okay, it will only be 5 hours Amada, you can do this. I must make it to Petticoats and Parasols for the big opening Dessert/ Sugar Bar and guest speaker Jo Packman.   Jenn had pulled out all the stops and I knew it would be AMAZING!

With purse clutched in my lap and my carryon under my feet, I headed out of the station determined to exude the grace under pressure that Southern Belles are famous for.

Text to Tiffany – I am on a stinky, sketchy bus….

Five hours later I arrived in my hotel room. I opened the door and literally fell in the room, my two lovely room mates, Sherry and Julie Ann, watching me. They were showered, dressed and ready for the evening. I on the other hand was in desperate need of a shower which I would not have the luxury of . I quickly washed my face, changed into my dress and sprayed as much perfume as I could in my general direction. I couldn’t not have dreamed of what awaited us…

Our Goodie Bags were packed full!

Isn’t she lovely

Our centerpieces were amazing and so southern

Thank you Rosalyn-Sue for the best ever Sugar Bar – and thanks to your grandmother for her sin ;)

My sweet room mate Julie-Ann. She is beautiful inside and out!

YUM!

After the wonderful opening by Jo Packman , she is so inspirational,we ran out  to catch the trolley for our “Haunted Savannah Tour”

These “orbs” were everywhere. I have half a dozen images with them. I don’t know what they are but they “ARE” there. Our guide believes they are some kind of ghostly entity. You make the call!

Day Two… Shopping

Shopscad was a great shop filled with pieces made by  Savannah artist and students. At first they didn’t want us to take pictures but we talked them into it.

The old fashioned soda fountain inside Paris Market.

Rosalyn-Sue and Cassi – just buy it ladies!

Three heads are better than one.

I am a sucker for the smell of lavender.

LUNCHTIME!

Ahoy Matey!

Someone’s blushing……

Then a little more shopping before the vendor show at “Back in the Day” Bakery.

My table filled with “Pretty Little Things”

Rosalyn-Sues table raising money for our troops!

Dollybelles Lovlies

 

 

Cassandra’s table was so colorful and filled with the most beautiful little treasures.

So Sweet!

Our amazing hostess Jenn, Tiffany and Christine.

It’s all about the shoes!

I met wonderful Rachel, what a sweet southern smile.

  The lovely Sylvia who won the prize for the best representation of a Southern Belle. She looked amazing.

I am not sure of this little boys name but he was great on that harmonica and a natural entertainer (and quite the gentleman as well)

I am so sorry I didn’t get a chance to photograph everyone’s table. It got so crowded and I got busy. Cathy Scalise was right across from me and I didn’t even get a shot of her table. UGH!

BTW - Are you tired of pictures yet? Well, grab a glass of sweet tea and settle in….

Day Three…

CRAFT DAY AND THE FORD MANSION

This was the most amazingly beautiful place you have ever seen.

Oh! the colors….

   

We were all snapping pictures!

and the Projects!!!!!

 

 

Thanks again to our fabulous instructors Jenn, Christine and Tiffany. You ladies were so patient and so helpful. True Southern Belles.  So sorry I didn’t put everyone's names on their pictures. This post is already too long. HaHa!

Lunch in the mansion was to die for.I had the best ladies at my table.

Nicole, Jodie,Bernadette, Julie Ann and Karen.

All too soon it was time to come home. I have such wonderful memories from Savannah P&P. The eye candy was amazing, YES! But I think what I will truly remember the most are the little things.

The Greyhound Bus texting Tiffany all the way…

   Staying up late giggling with my room mates…

          (H-E-L-P-M-E!)

                      Julie-Ann’s nervous giggle ;-)

                         Cassi and Amada, Jacksonville or Bust

                            Cathy Scalise, you are hilarious!

                                 Sweet Coe Polk’s smile and hugs

                                     Pirates!

                                         Pizza…Every night

                                                 Rosalyn-Sue, so sweet

Sherry, I Love you more than I could ever say.

I had the best room mates ever. I couldn’t have asked for more. We are already planning our next trip together and I think we all cried when we had to say good-bye.

My fondest memory and the thing that makes me laugh out loud……

Bear

Goodnight John Boy

      Goodnight Jim Bob

                         Goodnight Bear

                                                             (H-E-L-P-M-E!)

Comments

[A Gift Wrapped Life]

Looks like it was all worth the bus ride Amada. That was quite the trip and I bet you are buzzing with creativity. I am living in the wrong country.....all the girly fun is on your side. Much love XO

[Cassandra]

What an adorable post! You post are always so fun and intriguing. lol What fun. I really did have a blast! It was so exciting for me to meet you. You are just amazing! I am so glad you are going to try to attend my Marie event. I will be crossing my fingers every day until then! Your amazing!

xox
Cassandra

[Francie T]

Oh Amada! I can one up you ... I was traveling from New Jersey to Shreveport, LA. We had a layover in Atlanta, GA. I had an auntie who lived in Atlanta, TEXAS and was thinking I would take a taxi from the airport to her house. Not even a bus ride would have gotten me there LOL.

You had a wonderful adventure and we are all so happy you made it to the reception. Your photos and story are wonderful. My photos, mmmm not so much LOL. (())
Francie

[Valarie Kraft]

Amada....It looks amazing. I am so jealous of you. Okay, not for the bus part, but the rest seems to have made up for that. Your pictures are beautiful, and the projects? Amazing also.
I am so glad you had so much fun.
xxoo Valarie

[Julie Ann]

LMAO!! :)
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous!!! Love them and the story you told!!
I miss you sooo much!! Love you lots! :)

[Carrie]

Rolling in laughter over here. Your photo of the old Greyhound bus is so perfect. The pictures are really beautiful - you did a great job capturing the colors and confectionary feel. But really, reading the story is the best. Can't wait to see your projects in person. Glad to have you back in one piece from Atlanta/Savannah.

[Sherry Williams]

Dear Sweet Amada...what a wonderful post!! You are so funny & cute & I will never forget when you came dragging in the door of our hotel room. You were so frazzled yet still so upbeat! You looked beautiful at our dinner & no one would ever know that you had spent the last few hours sitting next to the restroom on the Greyhound bus!!You & Julie Ann were the best roomies in the world! I can't wait to do it all again! The picture of the bear or cat is priceless, the ride to the E.R. with me slinging you all over the car, the dance you did when my phone started ringing, stuffing our faces with pizza(every night) me freezing you to death the 1st night, when I thought I turned the thermostat up but I had actually turned it down to 61, our discussions about our cats & on & on,all make me laugh out loud! The pictures you posted are beautiful & so are you! help me!!
love,
Sherry

[LuLu Kellogg]

Hi Amanda~
I wasn't able to attend the event but I sent some press kits down. I am so glad everyone had a wonderful time. Savannah is where I got married...isn't that just the most magical place? Your pictures were just wonderful! I am having the best time looking at everyone's photos since I couldn't go :)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend,
LuLu Kellogg~*

[JoAnn S]

Amanda, it looks like you had a blast!!! so much fun. just forget about the bus ride lol. yikes. jealous here, but glad you had fun!!! hugs JoAnn S

[Dollybelle]

Dearest Amada! Meeting you was one of the highlights of the trip! You have a talent as big as the sea! Keep shining!
Much love
Christine

[Tiffany]

OMG!! I am SOOOOO glad you finally made it, and you didn't miss a thing!! IT would not have been the same without you. Yes, you say atlanta, we say savannah, but in the end, we all say a GREAT TIME!!
love you!
xoxo, Tiffany

[Jodie (everything vintage)]

Oh Amada...
This was an AWESOME post about the wonderful weekend!!! You summed up everything so perfectly that I think I'll quit posting about it and just send everyone over here to read about it!!!! :)
Seriously girl...how did you fit all of that into ONE post?
haha
I'm still sitting here with my mouth open thinking of your terrible bus excursion...poor little you! I thought I was hearing the story wrong because of my ahem...mixed drink...but gosh...you were serious!
You are just the cutest little thing and I'm so glad that I got to meet you in ONE piece! haha
I still haven't opened my suitcase with all my goodies in it yet. Maybe this weekend IF I can get my butt off of this computer and quit being so nosey!!!! haha
I loved meeting you girl...you have a very sweet spirit that I just love to pieces!!!!!

[angela]

Amada...I am sitting here laughing my head off...too funny! I have a friend that has lived here in Macon Ga. for most of her life and she still thinks you have to go thru Atlanta to get to Florida.
I am so glad that I got to meet you on vendor night and wished our tables would have been closer so that I could have heard all abt. your trip. Hopefully I will get to room with you 3 next time.
love,
angela

[Shelley Overholt]

What a great story for your blog! The pictures turned out great and I am flattered that my peekabo petticoat made your blog! Hope you are doing good!

[Roxie]

I had the most fun reading about your time at P&P. The pics are great!
I truly wish I could have been there.

Roxie

[Bryanna]

HI Amada! Great photos... and I still giggle about Atlanta... holy smokes!!

xo
Bryanna

[Jennifer Hayslip]

Amada, Oh sweetie pie...Where do I even start? hee! hee! My heart felt SO heavy for you when Tiffany told me you flew into Atlanta. After so many hours of traveling I felt SO awful for you. However, I must admit you were a TROOPER girl!!! That did not stop you one bit! I am SO glad you attended and a wonderful and memorable time! Your vendor table was nothing but STUNNING! Your talent is just beyond!!! I *WORSHIP* my crown you gave me and I have a very special place for it in my home.
Thank you sweet friend for being a very special part of our magical weekend! Love to you, XOXO Jenn

[Joanna {sweet finds}]

Hey Amada,
It was great meeting you! It's hard to believe a week has passed, already.

I think I went through a mini depression when I got home. Five days of being with fun spirited gals... and then boom, it's over. :( But I'm feeling more like myself now & in a very creative mood. Love the mini boxes you created in the post below. I'm inspired to try one... but the theme is a surprise. I'll have to let you know how it comes out.

Also, I am definitely going to Cassi's "Marie" event in Feb. Bryanna & Sherry are going too. And you know, Jenn Hayslip will be teaching. I hope you decide to come along. Knowing Cassi.. the details will be AMAZING!

Let's keep in touch!
hugs, Joanna

[Rachel]

Amada - it was so nice to meet you!! Glad you made it with all the craziness you endured to get there!! GReat post!

[Maija Lepore]

Hi Amanda! I found you through Christine's blog, and I am so glad I did! I love you photo tour through Parasols and Petticoats- it was hard for me to be there! I love Sherry too! Come to my blog and be my friend for a giveaway!! www.maigirlz.typepad.com

[Maija Lepore]

I'm so sorry - it's Amada! You think with a name like "Maija" I would take extra time to make sure I spell people's names correctly! ox

[Nicole Gibson-Rice]

Girl you are a nut!! My mom and I loved meeting you and I have told all my friends about your adventures! That is just too darn funny! Hope all is well. I'm going in search of your Martha Stewart magazine this weekend. I can't wait to tell folks that I know you! :D Just remember when you're famous not to forget the little gals. ;P Hahahahahhahahahaha!

xoxo
Nicole

PS: Congrats on the DIY! You go Grrrl!!

[Sylvia Smith]

Amada, I just love your blog and your beautiful work. You have some awesome pics of the event. I hope to see you again at another art event. Love, Sylvia