Showing posts with label Asheville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asheville. Show all posts

Throwback Thursday: Bele Chere 2013



I am so ashamed to admit this, but I've lived an hour away from Asheville since 2007 and this was my first time visiting. 


I was looking for a weekend trip and a friend mentioned 
Bele Chere. Perfect timing. 
 After 30+ years, this was the final festival. 


The view from our room. 


 You know I came home with two bags. 
Taste so much better than store bought.
It's a local couple. He fries and she seasons with homemade blends. The BBQ was delicious. 
Low sodium and zero calories. #winning 


 The sign said it all. 


The first woman MD in the US studied in Asheville. 


 As the queens would say,
 " This sign is giving me LIFE!"


 I have a love hate relationship with my hometown, but everyone knows I'm from
 CHESTER, SOUTH CAROLINA 


 I could not talk him into this tour. 
No worries. Just another reason to come back.  


 The BEST crab cake ever!!! Nothing but meat and butter.


Chocolate treats for planning a fun and relaxing weekend. 




I decided NOT to post photos of the religious and equality protesters. I am all about freedom of speech, but once you start talking about the Heavenly Father having sex, Meredith is done. 


Thanks for reading,
Meredith♥




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America's Largest Home: Asheville

2012 began with a step back in time. The crony and I took a road trip to Asheville, North Carolina to visit the Vanderbilt's.



Soror Monya and I after we did a bit of damage in the gift shop.

I visited Biltmore Estate years ago, but it was a totally different experience. Just thinking of the magnitude of wealth, audacity, and creativity George Vanderbilt needed to just envision what was suppose to be his " little mountain getaway" is overwhelming.
The brochure clearly states that photography is prohibited, but there were some people who took pictures anyway. Begrudgingly, I followed the rules. Well sort of. I did sneak in a few of the backyard.



Of course my favorite room belonged to the lady of the house.





Photos courtesy of Google Images










Library: Home to 10,000 of the 22,000 books in the house.





If you decide to visit, I recommend the audio tour. It reveals information that you'd otherwise miss during the self guided tour. For example:

  • Even though madly in love, why the Mr. & Mrs. had separate bedrooms. " The years seem all like a moment. A happy marriage is the true fortune of life." -G.W.Vanderbilt.
  • The Conservation Technician used 18,000 Q-Tips during the restoration.
  • Decorators used minuscule swatches from the 1800's to recreate silk velvet and linen walls with gilded 24ct gold leaf.
Videos linked to the Biltmore website.
Next stop on the estate :
Most people hear the name Tiffany and the coveted little blue box springs to mind. However, in addition to jewelry, the Tiffany's also had a presence in the art and home decor world.





Video courtesy of www.multivu.com

There are conflicting stories online about who was the true mastermind behind the Tiffany lamp designs, Clara Driscoll or Louis Tiffany. Either way, one will add a certain je ne sais quoi to any living room or home office.

Most lamps you'll see today are Tiffany Designed or Tiffany Inspired.
QVC has a huge collection of Tiffany Inspired indoor lamps.

Thanks for reading,
Mer
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