The Roll Up Rolls Back

You don't have to be at the beach to see more fellas with rolled up pants just above the ankle this summer.  The style that really took off in the 1950's-60's and made a comeback in the 80's has been slowly reemerging yet again the last few years. Skinny or loose fitting, both are reminiscent of a 1960's casual summer vacation. 

Piedmont Park

Atlantic Station

Memorial Day - Remembering

me·mo·ri·al

adj. 1. Serving as a remembrance of a person or an event; commemorative. 2. Of, relating to, or being in memory.

My Grandfather served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was just 17 when he enlisted. Young enlistments apparently were very common during WWII. Births were often recorded in the family bible and birth certificates proving age were not as mandatory as today. My grandfather was my best friend when he passed away in 1994. His memory is with me always, but on this memorial day I remember him along with all other military service men and women past and present.

Grandfather, Howard G. Hadden, U.S. Navy WWII S1, 04/10/1927 - 10/26/1994

Mad Man In Decatur?

I ran into this gentleman Saturday as he cooled off with a cocktail in the shade outside of Mac McGee's Irish Pub in Decatur. He paid a striking resemblance to another cocktail sipping, ivory haired gentleman I've seen before. Ironically, he stated while he has heard the claim before, he has never watched the show and really wasn't familiar with actor John Slattery's character Roger Sterling of AMC's Mad Men.

(Left) Roger Sterling played by actor John Slattery.  (Right) Decatur resident, name I failed to get.

Decatur Arts Festival - Sun Hats

An essential accessory for a southern street festival is the sun hat. Nothing adds a dash of southern charm like it. I can remember my grandmother wearing hers all those summers I'd spend with her as a kid hunting down a yard sale or by the pool as she watched my cousins and I swim. I believe we made jokes of it a few times. However, the years go by and hat trends may come and go, but the sun hat will always remind me of her as a symbol of elegance and unrelenting charm.

The best dress at the festival. It has bicycles!

...and men can wear them also!

Church Street - Downtown Decatur

Personal style is far more profound than just the clothes on our back. An air of independent certainty illuminated by mannerisms and body language can really catapult an image. Agnes Scott College student, Courtney embodies this quality. She appears independently content in her own company sitting at a popular Downtown Decatur Café, facing west towards the evening sun, sipping tea, and smoking femininely in one hand with a pad and pen in the other. 

18th Street - Atlantic Station

Chess Match In The Cafe

The current scene in front of me at a Barnes & Noble Cafe.

Where The Streets Have No Cars

What if pedestrians on bicycles, skateboards, and afoot had major roads connecting various prominent neighborhoods and shopping districts all to their own without concern of auto traffic? Atlantan's experienced a small sense of that utopia today for "Atlanta Streets Alive" as 2 miles of N. Highland Ave. was closed to gas powered traffic between the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. I was able to get a little more mileage and street cycling experience on my grandpa's '78 cruiser I recently brought back to life. The experience really gave adults a chance to feel like a kid again, and the kids got a chance to feel a little more grown up as both rolled, strolled and walked blissfully down N. Highland Ave.

Courtnee Felton, Blogger of Sweet Georgia Brown

Start of the Great Atlanta Bicycle Parade from the corner of N. Highland
 and North Ave.

Atlanta Bike Polo

2 Sisters Managing 2 Thrift Stores Work Together For 1 Shared Goal

Sisters Emilie and Sara Bess share the same love for thrifting and vintage style. It’s evident in their attire, accessories and even employment.  Sara Bess is the Manager of The Clothing Warehouse in Little 5 Points and Emilie is the Assistant Manager at The Clothing Warehouse location in Midtown. It’s fair to say that recycling clothing through thrift retail is a way of life for them. They are the essence of what this blog thrives to celebrate.

The sisters are about to carry their combined passion of thrifting to another level with their new eco-conscious online fashion boutique suitably titled Lemonade Yard Sale set to open this month. The line will harmoniously network the talent from local designers, artists and craftsman to provide a line of clothing equally for the heart, as it is the fashionable flesh of sustainable consumers.  I'm honored to introduce to anyone who hasn’t met these 2 stylish, creative, and resourceful sisters as they launch Lemonade Yard Sale in the coming weeks.

Sara Bess Norton, Manager at The Clothing Warehouse in Little 5 Points.

Emilie Norton-Barnett, Assistant Manager at The Clothing Warehouse in Midtown. 

"White Girl" Deja Vu

A photo I dubbed "White Girl" of a mysterious gal in a vintage white VW Karmann Ghia wearing white sunglasses, and a smoke taken on Edgewood Ave. in December of 2010 had me feeling a hint of deja vu earlier this evening as I fueled up at the BP Station on Moreland Ave. in Little 5 Points.

Attention "White Girl": If you were able to get this website address as you rode off into the evening and are reading this please feel free to confirm your VW Karmann Gia model year for any car buffs out there as well as your real name. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous as the "White Vintage Volkster" of Atlanta, I can't blame you.

click for larger view

(May 2012) "White Girl" @ BP Station Moreland Ave. in Little 5 Points.

(December 2010) "White Girl" on Edgewood Ave.

"She Wore Lemon"

Hearing U2's "Lemon" at the sight of this lemon colored dress "scarlet" on Peachtree St. 

Euclid Ave.

While this guy is "Bang On" I didn't add this to the photograph. "Bang On" is a custom t-shirt retailer in Little 5 Points. 

David's Produce - Off The Beaten Path Charm Isn't So Far Off The Path

I recently visited a family owned country store carrying an array of fresh local produce, homemade hot sauces, cakes, peanuts and all the other ingredients of a country produce store. David's Produce & Country Store has all the charm and character of a country store you would expect to find on a remote country road in rural Georgia. David's has been located right off high traffic Lavista Rd. in Decatur for 17 years. 

Everything about it just feels good. From the moment you step through the door and are greeted with personalized, knowledgable, and southern hospitality you won't find anywhere else to the feeling of supporting local small business and farms. It's like stepping back 50 years or more to a simpler time. All this, and don't forget how your health and taste buds will thank you for eating fresh produce, home made hot sauces, and cakes made with extra loving care. 

Here are just a few items you'll find at David's. Located at: 3561 Lavista Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

(L-R from top) Decatur Road Kill Hot Sauce, David's Pickled Okra & Squash, Atkinson's Stone Ground Grits,  David himself unboxing bananas, Davids' Produce and Country Store front from Lavista Rd, Judy Black (David's Mom), and Blenheim Ginger Ale from South Carolina. 

"Rosie the Riveter" Revisited

This unofficial rockabilly queen of the Decatur Green Festival clearly road in on a different train from the floral print dresses of the day. A perfect contrast in her black tank, leather boots and ponytailed pompadour. 

A modern day "Rosie" tastes a sample of Chuice at the Decatur Green Festival.

Sweet Auburn Spring Festival

The Sweet Auburn Festival is a celebration in spirit of the "Global Family" vision of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The downtown Atlanta street is rich in Civil Rights heritage and history connecting many prominent landmarks such as Ebenezer Baptist Church and The King Center. The Festival also promotes the future of new business and strives to become a world class attraction while keeping firmly grounded as the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement. 

Happy Mothers Day & Happy 1st Birthday "A Thrift Life"

This mothers day observes 2 "firsts" in my life. My long time friend is celebrating her first Mother’s Day with her beloved 1^st and only son, Denny Murphy. The second is “A Thrift Life” has been celebrating classic frugal style for 1 year today. I’m really thrilled to see what the next year brings for both. I believe like baby Denny, this blog will gain a voice, legs will get stronger and walk, and develop more character in the year to come.

An infinite Thank You to subscribers and everyone featured here. I vow to try my best at capturing in a photograph your essence, personality, and charm in the same romantic way I see it.  

Decatur Green Festival

I encountered 2 classy festival goers today at the Decatur Green Festival, which I believe stood apart in the crowd with their dignified yet practical attire for a spring festival. The first is Caroline with her fedora to minimize some of the harsh UV, a light blazer for those unexpected cool breezes as evening approaches, and of course those red sandals with heel.

Second is a young gentleman by the name of Tyler. I have to admit I was all about Tyler's shoes with my ongoing love affair for the classic saddle oxford. These aren't your standard saddle oxfords made of leather or suede; this pair consisted of a 70% cool canvas with a contrasting brown leather at the laces and the heel. He said he purchased them online from Urban Outfitters.

Caroline at the Decatur Green Festival on Ponce de Leon Ave. 

Tyler in the East Court Square wearing a comfortable pair of canvas/leather saddle oxfords.

Repair of Ms. Emily's Grave at Decatur Cemetery

A 160-year-old gravesite of the "forever young" Ms. Emily Pittman in Decatur Cemetery is receiving some restoration and repair courtesy of the Decatur Preservation Alliance. Local Blacksmith Ray Bowen has been contracted by The Friends of the Decatur Cemetery to repair the cast iron gate surrounding the tomb of Ms. Emily. Emily died young at the age of 21 and is a descendant to some of Decatur's first land owners. Not much is known about her, but her gravesite is a monument to a cherished young southern lady.

The Decatur Cemetery is the oldest burial ground in Metro Atlanta and Decatur's largest green-space. The cemetery is also the final resting place of Confederate soldiers, politicians, musicians, doctors, authors, and poets. The cemetery also serves as a peaceful retreat for those with blood still pumping like walkers, runners and southern history enthusiasts.

The cast iron door and name plaque has temporarily been in the hands of Ray Bowen in his shop Invictus Forge and saw the light of day for the first time on Thursday since last summer for a fitting review with Friends of Decatur Cemetery member, Victor Donham. The door will return to Ray's shop to reattach the name plate and finishing before final installation. Ray expects to be complete by next week.

Stop by Ms. Emily's site with the Friends of Decatur Cemetery this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. for the first "Cemetery Stroll" of the season that continues through October.

For a recap on my visit to Ray's shop as he began the work on Ms. Emily's gate door click here.

Ray Bowen levels up Ms. Emily Pittman's name plate to the gate door of her 

gravesite.

Victor Donham of the Friends of Decatur Cemetery inspects the integrity of the

 repaired gate door. 

                                      Ray Bowen and Victor Donham remove Ms. Emily's gate door one last to return

                                      to Ray's shop Invictus Forge to reattach the name plate and some final finish work.

Ray Bowen, Blacksmith and Victor Donham of Friends of Decatur Cemetery at the grave site of Ms. Emily Pittman to test fit the repaired cast iron gate door.

Ray Bowen returns to the shop with the name plate of Ms. Emily one

 last time for finishing touches.