Tweet Stuff

I just signed up for Twitter and I thought I'd celebrate by blogging about these gorgeous little handmade birdhouses on a website I ran across from New York based artist/designer Tamar Mogendorff. Are they not adorable? They are so cute all collaged together and certainly equally wonderful hung as a single special bird house.

Pretty Little Things

I am not a fancy dresser. Ever. If I could wear a uniform to work every day...I would. I usually opt for a plain t-shirt and a pair of capris or jeans. That being said, I love dressing up my less-than-exciting wardrobe with fun accessories and I just found two of the cutest necklaces from Anthropoplogie and Jill Schwartz. Check them out!

Summertime Treats

Enjoy these summer days...what are you waiting for? You don't have to wait for company to come over...you deserve a fun little summertime cocktail accompanied with some yummy salty snacks. Here are a few suggestions from the latest issue of Real Simple magazine.

Janet Hill

I just love these charming little paintings by Janet Hill. Each one is so special...I really don't know how you could choose a favorite.

Ready for an Egg-cellent Weekend!

This Swiss Chard Frittata via Martha Stewart Living looks wonderful. I wish I had that pretty blue pan to bake it in. I'm going to sleep in late tomorrow morning and have this for brunch (that's the plan anyway). Fingers crossed, I'll actually get to do it and will be savoring every delicious bite. Enjoy!

Decorative Functionality

This clipboard project from Martha Stewart Living magazine is one I've had my eye on for a while. I've got the clipboards, the scrapbook paper and the Mod Podge matte decoupage glue. With all of the ingredients in place, I have no excuses! Isn't it a nice project? ... and can't wait until I actually do it. :)

You Say Tomayto, I Say Tomatto

Yum... the tomatoes are looking so pretty now! I went to my favorite vegetable market and picked up a big basket this morning. I'll turn them into one or two of my favorite tomato dishes when I get home from work. Here are the recipes:

Betty Britt's Fresh Tomato Tart
½ pkg. (15 oz.) refrigerated Pillsbury piecrust
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
3-5 (depending on size) fresh ripe tomatoes (peeled and cut into ½ inch slices)
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. fresh ground pepper
6 slices cooked bacon (crisp and crumbled)
2-3 tbsp. parmesan cheese

Fit piecrust into tart pan according to package directions. Generously pierce bottom of crust with fork. Bake at 400° for 5 minutes. Place tomato slices on paper-towel and pat dry. Layer cheese, bacon, basil, tomatoes, basil again, salt and pepper. Top with 2-3 tbsp. parmesan cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes at 400° until bubbly. Be careful not to burn the crust. Enjoy!

These stacked tomatoes (red, green and yellow) layered with fresh mozzarella, basil leaves and topped with a good olive oil and a little salt and pepper... de-lish!

One dish that I've had at a fabulous Birmingham restaurant called the Hot & Hot Fish Club is so good! I may try to "wing it" with the recipe. It is a stack of heirloom tomatoes similar to the photo above. It doesn't have the mozzarella and basil though. It is simply a stack of tomatoes topped with with an aioli chive sauce. Around the base of the tomatoes are a few peas, corn and little pieces of fried okra... a very southern salad. I don't recall what type of peas, but a cream pea or black-eyed pea would probably do just fine.

My Aioli Chive Sauce (to go on top of the stacked tomatoes)
½ cup mayonnaise
3 tbsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. lemon zest
1 minced clove of garlic
1 tbsp. chopped chives
a little Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

In a medium bowl, mix all of the ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.

South Georgia Caviar (this is a dip, but can be used as a cold side dish)
2 15 oz. can black-eyed peas, drained
1 15 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
1 10 oz. can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
½ cup chopped fresh jalapeno peppers
2 cups chopped red bell pepper
½ cup chopped onion
1 8 oz. bottle Italian dressing

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir gently. Refrigerate overnight and serve with corn chips.

credit Paula Deen

Little Picasso

There is really nothing more precious than a child's artwork. I really love all of the colorful masterpieces that they make...I keep the ones that are more special, but you simply can't keep them all. I found several clever ideas for what to do with some of your little Picasso's favorite treasures.

One idea is to group these fun frames which are re-stickable wall decals from kitsch frames. They are available at amazon.com for $36.

For other fantastic ways to showcase your little one's artwork, check out parents.com.

Outdoor Entertaining

I love this simple flower and candle arrangement for an outdoor table especially. Fill a glass container partway with sand and insert flower stems and candles. For longer lasting blooms, use floral picks or moisten the sand.

Image copyright Better Homes and Gardens, June 2009

A Last-Minute Centerpiece

By taking two run-of-the-mill mixed bouquets from the grocery store along with a little fresh produce and a few empty wine and beer bottles you can have a lovely grouping for your centerpiece. The key, according to David Stark (event planner extraordinaire) is to separate the flowers by type. The smaller mixed bouquet is achieved by taking all of the greenery from the two arrangements and putting it into a vase...add a few pops of color with a few fruits and flowers and voila...you have a beautiful centerpiece and it only took a few seconds.
Here, the glass bottles were painted with flat latex paints in a few citrus colors. This gives a great unified look, but the plain glass bottles are pretty, too.
Images from Country Living Magazine, May 2009.

I'm a Fanning Fan

I heart Dakota Fanning...but then again, who doesn't? Whenever we are out shopping, my children always race to me holding the latest movie DVD or magazine that has her photo on the front. Whatever they see that might have something to do with Dakota Fanning...they can't wait to bring it to my attention because they know that I adore her.

I have received a note or two from her throughout the years...she has actually ordered my stationery before, which was probably one of the nicest compliments that I have ever received.

One time, a few years back, my family and I were spending our last night of Spring Break watching Dakota in the movie Dreamer. I just beam whenever I see her because she is such an unbelievable talent to me...I've been a fan since she was a small child. Anyhow, my children are very aware of how wonderful I think she is and the very next day, after watching Dreamer together, I went to work and there was a stationery order on my desk for Dakota Fanning herself! Well....I just couldn't believe it...what are the odds of that?!...we had JUST watched her and "oooohed & goooed" over how fabulous she was the night before! I waited all day until I got home and we were all at the dinner table...I smiled and said to my children, "You will never believe who we got an order from today!" My middle child Annie said, "Dakota Fanning." I asked her "how in the world did you know that?" and she said "because you have the exact same look on your face now as you did when you were watching her in the movie last night!" Well...she's right...I do. I just beam whenever I see her. She is such an amazing, insightful, mature actress. How can she possibly understand, process, interpret and deliver what she does at such a young age...it is just beyond me.

And the fact that she still continues to personally hand-write a letter or thank you note to every one of her fans is extremely admirable. i am so very impressed with how she handles herself...So different from so many young actors these days. (Gosh...I sound old, don't I?)

Anyway, she's just the best and I love how she has remained so down-to-earth. I will always be a fan!

Ice Cream Sandwiches & Popsicles

These cool treats are fun to make and fun to eat. Something so simple can bring a lot of joy to children and adults alike. They also make a cute theme for a summer party. Pictured below are many ideas and recipes along with a few fun invitations to complete this adorable summertime theme. The ice cream sandwiches are very easy to make. I just made some this weekend for my mother-in-law's birthday party and they were a big hit. I simply baked a solid cookie sheet of Tollhouse cookie dough and while they were warm from the oven, I cut them out using the 'cylinder'. The 'cylinder' is part of the ice cream sandwich maker from Target. It's just a circular cookie cutter but it is the perfect size to fit in the ice cream sandwich maker. You scoop ice cream (I used vanilla and coffee flavors) in between each cookie in the maker and out pops a very professional looking homemade ice cream sandwich. It really couldn't be easier... I promise! Enjoy!
Pictured clockwise from top to bottom: KitchenArt Ice Cream Sandwich Maker, Icons Ice Cream Sandwich Mold, Tovolo Farm Animal Ice Cream Sandwich Molds, Frozen Fruit and Yogurt Pops, Confetti Ice Cream Pops, Ice Cream Sandwich Recipe.

Pictured above are a few fun summertime invitations from our "Let's Party" collection.

Amelia Bedelia

I guess because of the previous "eyelash stuck to my cheek" situation, I've been giving a little thought to all of the wacky predicaments that I seem to get myself into and wondering if I'm alone or others find themselves in similar situations. I have always been a little Amelia Bedelia/I Love Lucy-ish...so I'm used to it. I usually quietly chuckle to myself after I realize what I have done, but lately it seems to be happening more and more frequently. There is really nothing that I can do about it...at least i can laugh at myself
For example, there was the time that the pre-K teacher sent home a note saying “please have your child come to school tomorrow dressed as mommy or daddy”. Well, could you please be more specific?!? Yes, I did send my son to school dressed like mommy in a nightgown and pink ruffle headband. I thought "how cute...just like mommy!"...got to school, walked him in and saw all the little girls dressed like mommy and all of the little boys with ties and briefcases...oooops....we ran back home, changed into daddy attire and went back to school. Yet another Amelia Bedelia moment. I could, unfortunately, write a book with all of my many moments!

Lusher Lashes

I found this article in More magazine a few weeks ago that gave me the bright idea to try a few false eyelashes. I have definitely noticed a change in my lashes in the past few years. When I was younger and used an eyelash curler there were lots of lashes wrappin' around that contraption. Recently I've tried to curl my eyelashes and there is like nothin' to put in there...what happened to my nice long lashes? Well, apparently after 40 they start to thin...who knew? Anyhow, I ran to the drugstore and purchased a package of individual eyelashes with the proper glue. While in my car (waiting in the carpool line) I was excited to try them. I applied three or four single lashes to the outer corners of each eye and hey...not bad! Fuller, more luxurious lashes, not fake looking, not expensive...okay...I'm likin' this.
A few days later, I think because I was in a hurry and not in the good natural lighting situation that I was in before, I applied the lashes and it was not so great this time. I was going to my niece's graduation where there would be real people to see my not-so-real eyelashes. Well, I got glue in my eye from not being careful and I guess that my 40-something vision ain't what it used to be...
Anyway, after meeting and greeting several people that morning, I went to the restroom, looked in the mirror and after trying to wipe a black smudge off my face I realized that it was in fact my long, luxurious eyelash stuck to my cheek. How long has it been there? Maybe this is not for me after all. The real problem is that after 40 you really can't be responsible for proper eyelash application. At least I can't anyway.
I did love the look, it was a nice subtle, natural difference...but until I find someone who can see to help me put them on, I will have to suffer with sparse lashes.

Eye Candy

This beautiful dessert bar is an Amy Atlas work of art. I particularly love the popcorn cones. I've been using that idea myself in a lot of parties and gift-giving as of late. Amy's presentation is so clean and lovely. I think it is terrific!

Wordlock

I found this combination lock at Target and thought it was clever. I can't ever seem to remember numbers. With the Wordlock I might just stand a chance!

Rompin' Around

I was rompin' around on a few sites this weekend and found lots of fun and unusual products on romp. The felt candy wrappers and lolliflowers would make adorable favors. The crayon stones are fun for older kids and the felt sparkle baskets are just plain cute. Lots of fun stuff to enjoy here!

Have a Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Here are two recipes...a salad and a dessert that I'll be adding to the delicious Full Moon B.B.Q. that I'm picking up this weekend.

Flag Cake (serves 20 to 24) - from barefootcontessa.com

18 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 cups sugar

6 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup sour cream, at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

For the icing:

1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature

1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

To assemble:

2 half-pints blueberries

3 half-pints raspberries

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 18 x 12 x 1 1/2-inch sheet pan. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed, until light and fluffy. On medium speed, add the eggs, 2 at a time, then add the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides and stir until smooth. Sift together the flour, cornstarch, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just combined. Pour into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the center of the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature.

For the icing, combine the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mixing just until smooth. Spread three fourths of the icing on the top of the cooled sheet cake. Outline the flag on the top of the cake with a toothpick. Fill the upper left corner with blueberries. Place 2 rows of raspberries across the top of the cake like a red stripe. Put the remaining icing in a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and pipe two rows of white stripes below the raspberries. Alternate rows of raspberries and icing until the flag is completed. Pipe stars on top of the blueberries.

Aida's Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad - from foodnetwork.com

For the dressing:

1 1/2 cups packed fresh cilantro
1/2 cup good-quality extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad:
4 ears corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups)
1 1/2 pounds grape tomatoes, halved (about 3 cups)
1 pound fresh mozzarella, diced
2 medium avocados, diced

Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender, using 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper to taste; process until smooth. Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Let sit at least 15 minutes before serving, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Bell'occhio

Bell'occhio is one of my favorite web-sites for unique and one-of-a-kind gifts. I recently fell in love with this little apple box. Hand painted apple box

Topped with 24K gold leaf, these bittersweet chocolate eggs are filled with salty caramel

Légion d'Honneur Earrings with CZ Drops

Wall stickers

I absolutely adore thest fabric wall stickers from lovemaestore at etsy.com.

Shoppin' with Phoebe

Found these beautiful photos from the amazing designer Pheobe Howard on her website at pheobehoward.net. I get lost looking at all of the amazing room designs she creates. She also has a blog (Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper) that makes it easy to just browse through random photos of beautiful pieces that she offers or you can click on specific categories if you are looking for something in particular.

Hidden in France

I had a little time this weekend to wander around a few blog sites and I found some images that I love on Hidden in France.

Mother's Day

I know I'm a little late to report about Mother's Day, but mine was so great and so very relaxing that I had to share (and maybe even brag a little)! First of all, my mom happened to be in town on Mother's Day, so just getting to share breakfast with her before she got back on the road was such a treat. The rest of the day was me in my p.j.'s...which was Mother's Day enough for me! My children and husband all spoiled me with beautiful hand-made cards and gifts that they spent time on and made just for me! My daughter Claire made me a very special beaded necklace that I just L-O-V-E. A lazy day in my jammies with family and lots of special handmade gifts made me feel like the luckiest mom on earth.

I heart my sheets

I had such a hard time getting out of bed this morning. It was overcast and rainy outside...just one of those mornings where you want to stay in bed the majority of the day watching Lifetime movies and only getting up to make short trips to the freezer for the Ben & Jerry's container. What made it even harder to get up were my unbelievably luxurious sheets that I bought my husband for our anniversary one year. Oh my gosh...these sheets, made from Italian wood pulp (yes, wood pulp) are the softest most wonderful things I have ever felt. If you want to treat yourself to the most wonderful thing in the world, check out the Legna Classic Sheets by SDH (I think they are even on sale now). Ok, they are a bit expensive...but worth the splurge. They last forever and are so well made that when you wash them you don't even need to use fabric softener or dryer sheets. I even purchased a set for the guest room and everyone who has ever stayed the night wakes up asking about them..."What are they?"..."Where did you get these?"...I am telling you, they are the best!
Unfortunately I did have to eventually get out of bed. And yes, it is still overcast and rainy. But The Ben & Jerry's is still in the freezer, and I'll be back in bed in just 12 (gulp) hours.
I think I can...I think I can...

Pretty in pink...(and yellow)

Pink and yellow...I have always loved these two colors together. Maybe because they remind me of happy summer days, pitchers filled with cold lemonade, my favorite pink flip flops, sunshine, and freshly painted toes...pink and yellow just sing when you put them together. Clockwise from top left: The Isabel Collection from Serena and Lily, Pretty Princess invitation, photo from "Great Parties for Kids" by Hammick and Packer, watermelon blaster drink from Martha Stewart Kids Magazine (see recipe below), Butterscotch Plaid invitation and stationery, Eat Cake invitation, photo from "Pretty Party Cakes" by Peggy Porschen, heart candy dot favors from Martha Stewart Kids Magazine.

Watermelon Blaster Recipe
Blend:
3 cups cubed sedded watermelon
1 and 1/2 cups strawberries
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
2 cups ice cubes
sugar to taste

Star garnish:
press a cookie cutter through the watermelon rind using the back of a wooden spoon

Spin That Wheel!

Every Friday the design team at Stacy Claire Boyd goes out to lunch together and every Friday, we are plagued with the dreaded question...where should we go??? None of us can agree...we are always in the mood for "this" or I have a taste for "that"...

I came across this hilarious way to figure out where to go. The "Wheel 'O Lunch". Just enter your zip code and a wheel full of local options pops up. Give it a good spin and round and round it goes until fate decides where you should be spending your afternoon or evening meal. You can even click on the restaurants and you'll be linked to their web-sites if you aren't familiar with them.

From now on I think we'll just let the Wheel O' Lunch figure it all out for us!

My favorite little vase

My favorite vase is a piece of French Faïence that resembles a fancy little chest of drawers. I found it in a little antique store in Atlanta while shopping with my mom and sister Leigh Ann. This is one of my favorite little collectibles! I filled it with a few colorful zinnias from my garden, but it really looks prettier with a fresh bouquet of snapdragons which give it a little height. It's one of my favorite things and it always reminds me of our fun shopping weekend in Atlanta...we found so many great things that my sister had to drive us all back in a U-Haul truck.

Personality Profile

I came across this the other day and decided to sit down and complete one of these things. Apparently my kids do them all the time with their friends. What can I say...I had a few minutes to kill...

Yourself: creative
Your Partner: organized
Your Hair: short & sassy
Your Mother: a wonderful cook & so resourceful
Your Father: a talented decorator
Your Favorite Item: my fabulous sheets & cozy blanket
Your Dream last night: about work, I'm sure
Your Favorite Drink: unsweet iced tea
Your Dream Car: white wagoneer with wood panelling
Your Dream Home: always clean
The Room You Are In: my studio nook
Your Fear: cancer
Where You Want To Be In Ten Years: happy
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: my family
What You're Not: terribly social
Muffins: cranberry walnut
One Of Your Wish List Items: design books
The Last Thing You Did: work on my blog
What You Are Wearing: comfy sweat pants
Your Favorite Weather: about 68 degrees
Your Favorite Book: anything by Jane Green
Last Thing You Ate: frozen yogurt
Your Life: on the go, racing to get it all done
Your Mood: happy
Your Best Friend: my dog Addie
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: McDonald's french fries
Your Car: white SUV
What Are You Doing At The Moment: wishing there were more hours in the day
Your Summer: trip to the beach
Relationship Status: married
What Is On Your TV: a forensics show
What Is The Weather Like: pleasant
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: this morning

Little Mermaids

I just received my "Chasing Fireflies" catalog. I really love their products! If you have young children and don't get their catalog, you should... it's great! Flipping through the pages makes me think of summer-time, outdoor fun and children's birthday parties. What struck me as super-sweet while flipping through the other day was their very charming "Mermaid" themed items. You just can't get cuter than these "mermaid tail" beach towels!

You can celebrate at home, at the park or at a nearby pool, beach or aquarium. I found these photos in a precious book titled "Great Parties for Kids" by Hammick & Packer which gives great inspiration for Mermaid themed parties and tons of others as well. I just love the way they take inexpensive items and ingenious ideas to turn an average party into a one-of-a-kind event.

Here is our take on the perfect way to invite all the little Mermaids over for a party... our latest Mermaid design from the "Let's Party" album.

And here are a few little "Mermaid Party" ideas to get your Under-the-Sea festivities started...

What to wear: To make a sparkly mermaid tail... Cut a length of suitable fabric or terrycloth into a tail shape and attach ribbon to the top, so the tail can be tied around the waist
Party activities: A treasure hunt, water balloon toss, fishing games, making sand art.

Fun food ideas: Cookie cutter shaped pb & j sandwiches, goldfish crackers, fruit kabobs, cupcakes with gummy fish.

Fun party favors: Beachball, sunglasses, water squirter, stickers, go-fish playing cards