Pages

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Lilly Pulitzer Home

Have you heard about the Lilly Pulitzer Home collection available at Garnet Hill?

Feast your eyes on these lovelies.....

Lilly Pulitzer Treasure Chest Quilt...

Lilly Pulitzer Treasure Chest Quilt and Sham

Lilly Pulitzer Lilly of the Valley bedding...

Lilly Pulitzer Lilly of the Valley Percale Bedding

Lilly Pulitzer Hooked wool rug ...

Lilly Pulitzer Bucket O' Goodies Hooked Wool Rug

Lilly Pulitzer Chinoiserie Towels...

Lilly Pulitzer Chinoiserie Towels

Lilly Pulitzer Chinoiserie Bath Rug...

Lilly Pulitzer Chinoiserie Bath Rug

Aren't they gorgeous?

Monday, January 25, 2010

British Traditions : Tea

What happens when you put a couple of English people in a room for 30 minutes or more?

One of them will suggest "Shall we put the kettle on?"

We drink a lot of tea. Coffee too, but there is nothing like a good cup of tea, and you will find me whipping up a batch of scones as the slightest excuse.

To make a cup of tea you need to start with boiling water.

The easiest, fastest way is to use a cordless kettle. Mine is from Williams Sonoma....

But I also like this one is from Target...

Product Image Aroma 2-Liter Electric Water Kettle

Make sure that you buy a cordless one, so that you don't have to unplug it every time you need to fill it up. Whenever I need boiling water for cooking, I always get it from the kettle, its so much faster than waiting for it to heat up on the stove.

Next you need the tea.

I use PG Tips which is available in most US grocery stores. I love teabags, because there is no measuring, just use one bag per cup...

PG tips

I also love Twinings English Breakfast.

If using a teapot...

Put a little boiling water in and swish it around to warm the pot, then toss that water into the sink. I always add one teabag per person and then one for the pot, so a teapot that serves 6 people needs 7 teabags. Add the boiling water and then allow to steep.

When ready to serve add the milk to the cup, and then pour on the tea, stirring as you pour. There has always been a great debate about which goes in the cup first, the tea or the milk. I prefer to add the milk first.

If making it in the cup...

Place the teabag in the cup, pour on the boiling water and allow to steep. Remove the teabag, and then stir in the milk. It doesn't taste quite as good this way, but if I'm just making a cup for myself then this is the way I do it.

My tea service is Wedgwood Clio.

Tea Pot And Lid in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

146 Shape Creamer in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

146 Shape Sugar Bowl And Lid in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China


Footed Cup & Saucer Set-Leigh Shape in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

I also have the coffee service...

Coffee Pot And Lid in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

Globe Shape Creamer in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

Globe Shape Sugar Bowl And Lid in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

I have expresso cups...

Bond Shape Demitasse Cup And Saucer S in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

and coffee cups...


And I use these as my tea plates....

Salad Plate in the Clio pattern by Wedgwood China

I started collecting this service when I was in my twenties, and for many years, I would receive pieces as gifts for Christmas or my Birthday, and each time I entertained I would buy something new.

Take your time choosing your own china pattern, and use it. I love my china, and am much happier using it and buying the occasional replacement piece than I would be if it were packed away carefully in boxes.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Bluetooth enabled answer phone

I was looking for a new answer phone recently and discovered this....

9441785 Front Large

I liked the fact that it came with two extra handsets, but what really excited me enough to write about it here is that you can connect to your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to make and receive calls.

I tend to keep my iPhone in my handbag so am always missing calls. Now my home phone rings too. Tres exciting!

Technology just keeps getting better and better.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Fab Find - Tory Burch Tunic

Tory Burch does fabulous tunics. They are the perfect length and she uses a really lightweight fabric.

I bought this tunic last year...



I have enjoyed wearing it so much that I decided to get another one.

And I found this.....



The Tory Burch Tunic is investment dressing at its best.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Summer Shoes

It is quite warm in Georgia at the moment and I have Spring fever. All week I have been spring cleaning, and my homes and car are just sparkling. Today I am going shopping for a pair of comfortable summer shoes.

These have caught my eye, I wonder which pair I'll get...

The Glick Italian Leather Slides by Ferragamo...



The Lissie Antracite Jeweled Ballerina by Tory Burch...



The Check Print Moccasin by Burberry....



A new pair of Plaid Sperry's for the lakehouse...

Sperry Top-sider Women's Plaid Bahama - S


A pair of Obi rubber shoes from Kate Spade...


Or a Monogrammed pair of Emma sandals from Stephen Bonanno...


I'm not a big fan of flip-flops, but I love the monogramming, and the customization!

Twig Flower Holders

When I was looking for a vase for my country home, I wanted something that was a bit rustic, but also tres stylish.

I found this metal twig branch vase at Viva Terra...

VivaTerra - Twig Flower Holders

The one on the right is shown empty. I bought a pair of them and have had such fun arranging flowers in amongst the twigs.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Mercury Glass and Antiqued Mirror



I have subscribed to Traditional Home magazine from the time I moved to America and credit it with my design education.

I loved the cover story in the March 2010 issue.

It focused on a home decorated in silver, which resonated with me because for the past couple of years I have been collecting mercury glass and antiqued mirror items like these...

Rosette wall mirror from Ethan Allen.


Candleholder from Target.

Antiqued Mirror Vanity from Horchow.

My home in town is very traditional, and to me nothing says traditional better than the sparkle of crystal or silver.

Fab Find - Lilly Pulitzer Keating Dress

One of the secrets to building a great wardrobe is to buy pieces that can be worn together in many different ways.

Last fall I purchased the Keating Dress from Lilly Pulitzer (I didn't like it when I saw a photo, but LOVED it once I had tried it on)....




The silk fabric is called Cameo White Plume Bloom and as is very beautiful.

To wear over it, I also purchased the Paley Ruffle Collar Cardigan, which has a matching detachable silk ruffle collar...


And to go with that I purchased the Patience Shell...

These 3 pieces have turned out to be very versatile, and I wear each of them often.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Ideas for Valentines' Day

Valentines' Day will be here soon, so I thought I would post some gift ideas....

....for the man in your life...

A monogrammed tie case from T Anthony.

Newstead Sky Stripe Sea Island Quality Classic Shirt (PQ075SKY)
A Sea Island shirt from Charles Tyrwhitt.


Cufflinks from Dunhill (these are great for a Georgia fan).




A red tie from Hermes.


...for your children...



A personalized ipod from Apple.

Heart Macarons

Some delicious Heart Macarons from Williams Sonoma.

Fifteen Puzzle-Gifts

A Game from Restoration hardware.



Razor S Scooter - Red -  Razor - Toys"R"Us

A red Razor scooter from ToysRUs.

8-20 Short-Sleeved Polo - Create Your Own - RalphLauren.com

A monogrammed polo shirt from Ralph Lauren.

...for you....

Main image - Hibiscus Pink

A Shere Wrap from Lilly Pulitzer.
A Paloma Picasso Sugar Stacks ring from Tiffany.


A pair of Red Varina Ballet Flats by Ferragamo.



Or the ultimate Valentines' Day gift, a love bracelet from Cartier.

These are just a few of my fab finds for Valentines' Day.

Lost

For 5 seasons I was the only member of my household who was an avid Lost fan.

That all changed over Christmas when I bought the first 5 seasons on blueray.

Now my daughter, husband and myself are watching Lost at every available opportunity and are almost done with Season 4.

I hope we will be ready for February 2nd....


Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Salvaged wood collection at Restoration Hardware

I purchased several pieces of furniture from the salvaged wood collection at Restoration Hardware for our country abode in Alabama and am just so thrilled with it.

Our home is a lodge style with slate floors, wood plank walls and lots of stone. I chose this collection because it had that perfect rustic look to it, and I also really like the Belgium style of decorating.



In this photo you can see (my beautiful daughter and) the trestle table ...



these chairs in sand linen (I actually have 12, although only 10 are shown in the photo) ...

Nailhead Upholstered Chair
this sideboard ...

Salvaged Wood Sideboard

and this coffee table ...

Balustrade Salvaged Wood Coffee Tables

The collection is made using solid reclaimed pine timbers from 100 year old buildings in Great Britain and is so beautiful.