We only have a few short weeks left until we leave on a family road trip to Tybee Island, Georgia. We'll be renting the Breeze Inn Cottage, owned by NY Times best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews. She spared no expense when she renovated the cottage in 2009. To top it all off, she painted it a fabulous color and decorated it with her favorite vintage finds - which also happen to be my favorite vintage finds. The house was even featured in Better Homes & Gardens magazine last summer - that's where these photos are from.
The only reason I am renting this cottage is because I want to be Mary Kay Andrews. Is that so wrong?
My in-laws will be flying in from Yakima, WA to meet us in Georgia. And then they will have the pleasure of driving back with us to PA. Well, let's hope it's pleasurable. The drive is around twelve hours, but we will be splitting it up into two days (both on the way down, and on the way home).
We need some ideas from you southern gals (and guys). We'll probably go to Savannah a couple of times while we are there (it is about 20 minutes from Tybee). It is the first time for all of us, so I would love to hear from those who have visited Savannah and/or Tybee Island. Favorite restaurants? Antique stores? Thrift shops? Flea markets? I already have Seaside Sisters on my list - Mary Kay has a space there.
The kids are hoping to go swimming in the ocean, but I don't know if the weather will be warm enough. We'll probably take them on a dolphin or beach-combing tour, though.
Kelly from High Street Market just visited Savannah, so I will be studying all of her recommendations. Also, Stephanie Howell recently wrote about some of her favorite places in Savannah. Thanks for making my decisions a little easier, Kelly & Stephanie!
And I already met Paula Deen, so there is no need for me to go stalking her again. She also has a beach house in Tybee that is available for rent through Mermaid Cottages. But since we are BFFs, she offered to let me stay with her in her main house in Savannah. I was all like, "No, thanks. Your cooking totally gives me gas."
Anyway, on the way home from GA to PA, I would love to stop at any junk shops or flea markets that are easily accessible from Route 95. Preferably a shop with a public bathroom that I can use under the guise of a "rest stop". Does anyone have any ideas? We will be driving home in the middle of the week, so I know that the possibilities are limited. We'll most likely sleep in the vicinity of Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
I can't wait to sit on this apple green glider with a big glass of cold Chardonnay...all the while concocting a plan to steal it without Mary Kay (or my husband) noticing that it is strapped to the top of our minivan.
P.S. Paula Deen was a doll when I met her. This video clip is precisely the reason why I love her so much. And Part 2 of that clip is even better.
The North Beach Grill is reopen across the street from the lighthouse. Good eating there. We like the Breakfast Club...don't remember the address...it's on a corner along the main drag...left hand side of the street. Uncle Bubba's is up the road toward Savanna...that's Paula's brother's place. The Fish Market is great either for lunch or dinner on the patio, street side. Actually, we both love Tybee and cannot think of a place we don't like. Have a great time, y'all. (ps..Pat wants to BE Mary Kay, too. )
Posted by: Pat Heacock | March 15, 2011 at 08:36 PM
You are going to love Tybee Island and Savannah. I spent 5 years there for college. Unfortunately I was a college student and it was "several" years ago so I can't really suggest shops and expect them to still be there but I do recommend going downtown to River Street, City Market and Broughton Street and everyone loves to take a horse and carriage ride around downtown.(By the way my husband suggested River Street to go alcohol shopping without the kids.) Wish I was going with you.
Posted by: Mindy | March 15, 2011 at 09:32 PM
So jealous! That Paula is a hoot! Enjoy your trip!
Posted by: bev b | March 15, 2011 at 10:02 PM
We have stayed twice with Diane and the lovely mermaids!! I agree, I want to be MK too! Love her blog and bought some of her junking items at Seaside Sisters. Diane is a huge junker, so she can clue you in. We did yard sales and scored, big time! (Check out MK's blog for some of the best neighborhoods and trash day on Tybee) They use Craig's list, but the local paper was good too. GPS helps.
Favorite restaurants - Best pizza, Pizza on Wheels. The Crab Shack is fun. The Breakfast Club - stand in line, the BEST!! In Savannah, a tour guide told us, off the record, about the Boar's Head, first restaurant in the cotton warehouses. The shrimp and grits, to die for!
BTW-MK's house is just as cute in real life! So jealous!
Posted by: Thamilton | March 15, 2011 at 10:35 PM
You'll be in unfamiliar territory for me to make suggestions, but..... YOU'RE STAYING AT THE BREEZE INN COTTAGE!!!!! Oh, I just KNOW you're going to love it and I'm so jealous! Can't wait to hear all about the cottage.
Posted by: Wanda @ Just Vintage | March 15, 2011 at 11:28 PM
Elizabeths on 37th, a James Beard award winning restaurant has it all, great food, and superb service (Savannah)
Posted by: dru | March 16, 2011 at 11:08 AM
Savannah is my favorite place on this earth! We live in central pa., visit Savannah every year. We will be there next month staying in a darling little apartment on Jones Street -right next to the Wilkes house- a great place to eat some wonderful southern food. I would love to give you more info but I have to run out---. I'll get back to you with some of my favorite places. you will love it!
Posted by: mary | March 16, 2011 at 11:10 AM
ok---I don't know about places to shop on the way home because we fly to Savannah and home again. But, while you are in Savannah, make stop at The Paris Market, you will love that place, it's filled with vintage, upstairs and down. And there are quite a few antiques places on River Street near The Cotton Exchange ( I think that's what they call it). Take a city tour if you can, it is GORGEOUS in a artsy/ cozy/ city kind of way. Back in the Day Bakery is a must- see- and- experience place that everyone will love. Also, Uncle Bubba's restaurant is wonderful. They have excellent drinks, Key Lime Pie and a dish called Seafood Boil is to die for. While we were there Uncle Bubba himself was there-he is charming and really rather handsome, if I do say so myself. LOL
One time we were there, we really did see and meet Paula Deen-at a book signing for one of her cookbooks. My husband loves her so much I swear he would leave me for her, if he could. Haha. And The Wilkes House, for supurb Southern cooking-the real deal.
Have a fun time!
Posted by: mary | March 16, 2011 at 03:54 PM
AJ's dockside 1315 Chatham Ave Tybee
We love to sit outside and there is often music. It is on the marsh side of the island so the sunset is beautiful.
Have fun.
Posted by: Teresa | March 17, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Colleen--we're on Tybee now, and it's supposed to get up to 82 tomorrow--hope the great weather holds for when you are here. Go to dinner or lunch at The Sundae Cafe, at Jones & Butler Ave--between the Chu's convenience store and XYZ liquor--handy, huh? And tell Jamie at the bar we sent you. Rent bikes from Tim's and you can ride all over the island. There's a Goodwill on nearby Wilmington Island where I occasionally score good junk, and in Savannah I like Habersham Village Antiques on Habersham in midtown and a new antique coop called Wright Square Antiques where my genius friend Liz Demos has a booth. And don't you go stealin' my glider!
Posted by: Mary Kay Andrews | March 17, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Savannah is one of the prettiest cities in the south!
Only note i can add to those nice ones above is while it is a port city it is a river port city and quite a drive to the beach.
There is so much going on in the best kept secret of the south - great people, great food and a pretty, pretty town - awesome you are going there!
Posted by: deb | March 20, 2011 at 09:53 PM
Wonderful post! Just wanted to warn you about swimming - the Atlantic Ocean in April is too cold. Well at least for us southerners! I live in the Gulf of Mexico region of Pensacola and even I won't go swimming this time of year. Too cold!
Enjoy Savannah! Sounds lovely!
Posted by: 'Chel | April 09, 2011 at 01:39 AM
I stumbled across your blog and wanted to chime in on Tybee - it's beautiful and you will LOVE it. Every time I go, I mostly sit back on the beach with a good book and listen to the waves roll in. Avoid the hotels for food and hunt down the local mom and pop shops for much better eats and even better conversation. Not sure if you've already gone at this point, but I hope you enjoy it!
Posted by: Shel | April 19, 2011 at 12:31 PM