A day in the life. My multi-tasking has reached epic proportions. Put finishing touches (I hope) on secret project. Signing last batch of tip-in sheets for THE NEWCOMER. studying paint chips for various uses at Coquina Cottage. Also working on my script for Wednesday night’s @friendsandfiction episode with @launger. And oh yes, hoping to get back to shell mirror project. #authorsofinstagram #awriterslife #multitaskingmama #mkamakes #coquinacottagetybee #vacationontybee
Good gorgeous Friday morning from Tybee Island, where Ivy loves to bask in the sunlight and play peekaboo. #ebbtidetybeeisland #vacationontybee #beachvibes #fridayvibes
Good night moon. #tybeeislandmoonrise #ebbtidetybeeisland
Even on a bright sunny day at the beach, @launger has me biting my nails and 👀 over my shoulder. If you like your thrillers dark and twisty, check out her newest, Confessions on the 7:45. And then join us on @friendsandfiction next Wednesday night when we’re hosting Lisa. #confessionsonthe745 #domesticthriller #twistedsister #bookedtothrill #ebbtidetybeeisland
Here’s your dose of Vitamin Sea. Sunny and warming here on Tybee. I took a fifteen minute break from work just to soak it up on your behalf. #becauseimagiver #vitaminsea #sunnydayattheshore #tybeetime #ebbtidetybeeisland #vacationontybee
Our girl @kristinhannahauthor is on @hodaandjenna talking #thefourwindsnovel.
You might be a hardcover junker if you venture out to the FedEx store and while your hubs is inside you score a sweet rattan table for $20 at the consignment shop next door. #wickerwonderland #twentydollarbill #coquinacottagetybee #vacationontybee #cheapthrills
Sunday night family suppers are a cherished tradition. This week we loved having my Chicago cousins Mike and Cheryl, who’ve spent February on Tybee, join us at Ebbtide. I found this incredible sheet pan shrimp with lemon garlic aioli and “French fried” asparagus on @williamssonoma. Mr. MKA made this and my contribution was @clarkbar Salted Pretzel Brownies from @nytcooking.
Breaking news from Coquina Cottage. The contractors pulled down water-stained Sheetrock in the upstairs bath and found . . . Shiplap! Holy ChipandJo! In other breathtaking developments, the new interior stairwell is roughed in, the tiki table and giant column in the middle of the living room is out, and the upstairs pine floors have been patched. Stay tuned for other late-breaking developments from our Tybee cottage renovation. #coquinacottagetybee #beachhousereno #beachhousestyle, #shiplapwalls #progressreport #cottagecutie #cottagestyle #vacationontybee
Playing around with shells in between signing tip-in sheets, writing an essay for @parade.media and working on secret project. #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #friendsandfiction #ebbtidetybeeisland
Rule one at a crowded yard sale. If something catches your eye—and it’s cheap—grab now, use logic later. Today’s sale was at a gorgeous home on Bluff Drive at Isle of Hope, the dreamiest street in one of Savannah’s most beautiful, historic areas. I saw this runner, rolled up, inside out. It was an Oriental, the colors were very unusual, and the price was right. Thirty dollars. Just got it unrolled on the porch here at Ebbtide. This mamajama is 23 feet long & in great condition. I don’t know a lot about Oriental rugs, but I know what I like and I like, no LOVE these vibrant greens and teals. I’ll use it somewhere at Coquina Cottage, but in the meantime, Ivy likes it right here at Ebbtide. #thirtydollamakeuholla #orientalcarpet #magiccarpetride #beachhousedecor #beachhousereno #coquinacottagetybee #ohsoboho
The finished #bakedfeta was ridonkulously good. Mr. MKA topped his with roast salmon. I tossed in some Kalamata olives because that’s how I ride. #tiktokbakedfetapasta #fridaynightdinner #lentenfriday #nomeatnoproblem #catholiclife
First Friday night of Lent, trying the famous Tik-Tok baked feta recipe. #trendyfood #fetafetish #tiktokrecipes #lentenfriday #pastafazoolish #catholiclife
@marykayandrews broadcast studio is set up for tonight’s episode with @theladygreer and @soozmeissner. Just add Chardonnay! See you tonight at 7 eastern. #drinkingwithfriendsontheinternet #authorlife #facebooklive #reallifemess
If it’s Wednesday, that means it’s @friendsandfiction night. Atlanta has so far dodged the icy temps blanketing the rest of the country—it’s a balmy 22 degrees here today! Think I’ll warm up with a cup of tea and some @mamageraldines mini-cinnies. You can order your own stash online and get a 20 percent discount with the FABFIVE code! #mkasaid #cheesestrawheaven #snackonyall #snacktacular
Our contractors sent us this progress report yesterday from Coquina Cottage. There’s a hole in the porch ceiling—which is great news! They have framed in the opening for the new interior stairway. Coquina was a duplex for many years, with one unit downstairs and one unit up, so there were two exterior sets of stairs, one on either side of the house. We had the stairs on the left side removed to open up the driveway, and this formerly screened set of side porches have been enclosed. ##beachhousereno #upstairsdownstairs #thisoldcottage #coquinacottagetybee #beachhousestyle #vacationontybee
While the contractors on Tybee are building the interior stairs this week, we were so excited to take delivery of the amazing sign our friend @roz.griffin designed and painted for Coquina Cottage. And I’m doing my bit by hunting down ALL the vintage treasures on FB Marketplace. I found these gorgeous rattan rocker gliders on Marketplace—but the seller was in Charlotte. No worries, because a friend of a friend is living in Charlotte, has a minivan & was headed to Atlanta! They’ll be recovered with the swell Sunbrella stripes I scored at @ballardoutletgeorgia. That sweet tole chandelier will go in one of the bathrooms. Found on Marketplace in Bluffton, S.C.—which was only a 30-minute trip away last time I was in Savannah. Still hunting for a pair of long wooden oars to use as stair rails...#beachhousereno #coquinacottagetybee #beachhousestyle #vacationontybee #marketplacefinds #vintagerattan
Here’s to us! My forever Valentine. #44yearsandcounting #highschoolsweethearts #younglove
This is what happens when the @ballarddesigns outlet has a 50 % off sale. Not pictured, the 10-by-14 seagrass rug which would not fit in my SUV. In my defense, we’re furnishing a 5-bedroom 2-story beach house. On a shoestring. #coquinacottage #beachhousereno #vacationontybee #sorrynotsorry #ballardballer
When you come home from a junk jaunt to @scottantiquemarkets with @pattichenry and find your ACTUAL copy of her upcoming novel Surviving Savannah, well that’s some sweet synchronicity. I’ve been blessed to be along on the epic journey with PCH as this book came to fruition, and all I can say is, this one is golden! #bookmail #survivingsavannah #historicfiction #southerntitanic