take a peek...

January began as most every month for me...with the restaging of the shop. The showroom has a new look for the new year! Well not a new look exactly but lots of new and wonderful things.

Take a look for yourself...

I have also been adding lots of new treasures that you will be able to purchase through our new online shoppe...

www.surroundingsbymelinda.com

One of my favorites and best sellers in the shop is our lovely collection of hand milled and over-sized soaps.

The scents are sublime...

the suds are divine...

...and the packaging is elegantly refined!

I am so thrilled to be able to share all the new changes with you.

Thank you so much for stopping by...

...and I hope to see you again very soon!

back to the drawing board...

Inspiration comes from everywhere. It can come from the most obscure places or it can be something we see every single day. I am so blessed to have the Gulf of Mexico at the end of my street...now that's inspiration!

The shelling has been spectacular this winter!!! And needless to say...I have been spending less time working and more time with the sand between my toes. But now it is time to get back to the drawing board and I have taken my inspiration with me once again...

Even though my shop maintains a very defined look comprised of white vintage lovely feminine wares...my design work spans a multitude of styles. No matter how traditional or modern...residential or commercial...the project may be I always refer to nature and history for my design inspiration.

Texture, color, form...it all comes from the past. Look to the familiar when attempting to create the extraordinary. I have collected many beautiful shells and shaken the sand from my shoes. It's time to officially get back to the drawing board!

This is a sneak peek of things to come. Thanks for visiting me at my drafting table. I can't wait to show you the end result...stay tuned!

Yummy Fun in the Kitchen

Well this blog is starting to make me look like a pastry chef...truth be told, I am barely a cook. But my love of decorating always takes over...even in the kitchen! I thought I would share my favorite super simple spice cake recipe that I made this holiday season...

Here is what you will need...

boxed spice cake mix

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups apple sauce

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Next, grease and flour a bundt pan. Combine all ingredients above in a large bowl...then, using an electric mixer, mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour the batter into the greased and floured bundt pan and place on the center rack in your oven. Bake for 40 minutes... Allow the cake to cool 5 minutes before removing from the pan. Be patient and allow the cake to cool completely before decorating!

Now the fun begins! What you will need for decorating...

30 ginger snap cookies

12 oz container of cream cheese frosting

1 can green cupcake frosting with decorating tips

1 can red cupcake frosting with decorating tips

green crystal sugar

clear sugared glitter flakes

Grind gingersnaps in a food processor and set aside. Frost entire cake with the white cream cheese frosting. Gently pat the ground gingersnaps into the sides of the frosted cake. Next, attach the leaf tip to the can of green frosting. Cover the entire top of the cake with tiny green leaves. Be sure to practice on a piece of waxed paper. Start the leaves in the center of the cake and work your way around and around until the top of the cake is covered and looks like a wreath! Now sprinkle the green sugar lightly over the leaves. Using the drawing tip on the can of red frosting, randomly make small dots to resemble berries on the wreath. For a wonderful finishing touch, sprinkle clear sugar flakes over the entire cake...it will glisten and shine in the soft candlelight. I like to think of it as fairy dust...!

I love to bake...I love to decorate...but most of all...I love sharing a piece of cake and a cold glass of milk with the people I love! I would like to send a special thanks to the Craig Family...especially Cooper...for helping me finish the entire cake! I hope you will be inspired to create something beautiful...and yummy!