feeling the love

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I thought I would share one of my collections with you as well as how I like to display my treasures.

 

 

Most of my cabinets are filled with white Ironstone and Transferware. So adding my vintage souvenir shell boxes is a seamless fit.

 

I also have some beautiful old ephemera including postcards, letters and prints. My collections come from thrift shops, flea markets and yard sales.

 

Filling a single cabinet makes for a splendid

and eye-catching display.

 

The vintage shell floral arrangement is a spectacular

addition to the collection!

 

Each tiny trinket box is a little different.

 

One tip to creating a visually interesting display is to create levels within the vignette. I always look for mini shelves and cubbies like this... 

 

Most old shell boxes have a red velvet interior but my heart flutters when I find black!

 

They are such a beautiful addition to the

black and grey Transferware.

 

Some little displays come together naturally like these 3 flat zig-zag shells on a beautiful antique plate!

 

Whether you have a single postcard and a shell or two or an entire collection like this, I hope you are inspired to get them out and display them this Valentine's Day!

 



shopping in my closet

For all the years I worked in television and for magazines, I always wanted to feature a segment or article about "shopping" in your own closet. I clearly have a signature look that has not changed in years. Some may think it's a little boring but it's me. But I do like to get inspired by looking at my favorite catalogs that come to the house. So I have decided to share a section of my blog about shopping in my closet armed with inspiration from my stash of favorite catalogs.

 

 

This inspiration outfit comes from the Sundance catalog. One of my absolute favorites. But it's not an inexpensive look.

For the outfit as it is seen in the picture...

top $98

jeans $118

belt $450

jewelry $3,540

hat $70

 

So I decided to shop in my closet for similar pieces. Keep in mind I love shopping in thrift shops, flea markets, sales and of course... discount box stores!

 

top J. Jill from a thrift shop $5

jeans Ruff Hewn on sale $35

 

 

belt thrift shop $3

 

 

jewelry cuff and 3 bracelets $50, 20, 15, 15

earrings on sale TJ Maxx $10

long multi-strand necklace thrift shop $35

silver Indian wedding necklace $750

(this was my splurge and I worked

all through college to pay for it!)

 

 

I wore a suede bootie with this look that I bought on sale at Target for $20. A similar pair at Sundance are $650.

 

 

So let's do some math...

Sundance outfit with jewelry  $4,926

without jewelry $1,386

 

Shopping in my closet

outfit with jewelry $953

without jewelry $63

 

 

I had to add a hat to the look and the closest thing I have is my in-laws  paternal grandfather's hat. It's even more special because it has sentimental meaning!

 

 

I hope you are inspired to take a shopping trip in your closet! My inspiration catalogs are Sundance,

J. Jill, Eileen Fisher and Garnet Hill.

Happy "shopping"!

 

 



snowflake cookies

I haven't seen snowflakes in years.

I love puffy white snow filling the sky on a cold winter's day.

However, that's not something that I can see on the Gulf of Mexico. So to celebrate a lovely Florida cold front, I thought I would make my soft gooey snowflake cookies.

This recipe is quick, easy and uses only 4 inexpensive ingredients.

 

 

All you will need is...

 

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 container of low fat Cool Whip

1 egg

powdered sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

 

The recipe requires one egg but you can substitute two egg whites for one whole egg if you want to reduce the fat content.

Crack the egg into a small ramekin to insure

shells don't fall into the mix.

Use a fork to gently mix the egg.

Pour the contents of the cake mix pouch into a mixing bowl.

Then stir in the egg.

 

 

Stir the Cool Whip to soften...

 

 

Add the softened Cool Whip into the cake and egg mixture.

 

 

Once incorporated the dough will be quite sticky.

 

 

Drop a tablespoon of dough into a container of powdered sugar. Cover completely and shake off excess sugar.

 

 

 Place each dough ball onto a very lightly greased

or nonstick cookie sheet.

 

 

Evenly space the dough balls and fill two cookie sheets.

 

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

And like magic, the cookies come out looking like snowflakes!

 

 

Allow the cookies to sit on the tray for two minutes.

 

 

Then remove all the cookies and let them cool completely before putting them into an airtight food container.

 

 

Like with homemade cake,

the cookies are even better the second day!

Serve with cold milk or hot tea or coffee.

 

 

If made with two egg whites instead of one whole egg and fat free Cool Whip, each cookie has 1 gram of fat and only 40 calories. 

 

 

It is a yummy soft cookie that is the perfect winter (or anytime!) treat. It just might be the closest I will get to snowflakes for awhile!

Enjoy!

 

appreciating winter...at the beach

Having a grateful heart is so important. And I thank the good Lord above for my family, friends and the warm sun on my face every single day. Living in a beautiful place is a blessing and it is important to share those blessing with others. I love to enjoy this amazing place by having sunset beach picnics with those I love.

 

 

Start with a simple setting. I love all things vintage so an old folding table covered with an antique quilt, a bench or wooden folding chairs and pillows are a good start. Prepare for twilight by bringing a few candles and lanterns. Then load a wagon with refreshments and gorgeous flowers!

 

 

I also like to bring a few things like a sketchbook or painting supplies and a camera to capture the sunset.

 

 

 

Don't overthink the menu. Especially for a sunset picnic.

It doesn't have to be fancy or catered or even a full dinner.

 

 

 A sunset picnic can be as simple as a few special desserts and a wonderful pitcher of fresh lemonade. 

 

It's all about spending time with the people I love and enjoying the beauty the God has created.

 

 

And giving thanks of course!

Entertaining should be a stress-free process. It's about the people, places and having a grateful heart.

Thanks for visiting!

 





winter white garden

Hi all and Happy Monday!

I am inspired to post my Southern winter white surroundings.

Thinking about the North East covered in a blanket of white snow makes me shiver. So I thought I would share warm Southern winter white scenery with my Northern friends and family...

 

my garden

 

 

Brilliant trumpet like petunias

 

Spectacular iceberg roses

 

Bunches of beautiful hydrangeas

 

Stunning established fragrant jasmine

 

Trailing petunias

 

Alba roses

 

Pretty periwinkles

 

I even decorate with white shells in the garden..

 

I love winter whites inside in the too. I have paperwhite narcissus  blooming in all of my greenhouse windows!

 

As much as I love being warm in my garden all winter long, I do find myself getting homesick sometimes. I would be happy if anyone wants to share their white snowy surroundings with me!

Thanks for visiting!