New and Improved

Now, I'm just saying..

This humble little blogger has no right or place to be reviewing or critiquing a major magazine,

but House Beautiful is rocking it out this month. 

If you don't buy or have a subscription, you are missing out.

I talked last week about our "local" heading up the place, and we all know that a southern style is the strongest.

I was anxious.

But, now?

I am happy, and I am impressed.

Go to the drugstore, buy it, and turn to my favorite gem,
"The One- Day Bedroom Makeover". 

If you don't get inspired, Call me!

I'll be glad to come make- over!

Dining Room Update

Even though I have been swamped with work, I have been doing a few little updates to our dining room.

I am in no way even close to finished

(Wait. Wasn't I finished a few months ago and started over?!?),

but I am digging the room a lot more now.

I hate showing the room in mid- transformation,

but I don't have much else going on around here and I am pretty proud of the updates!

Still on the list:

*Finding trim for the drapes

* New Artwork to flank the mirror

*Possibly paint the table holding the silver chest?

And this bad boy chandelier is on my wish list..

Anybody want to throw some love my way??

(Perch New Orleans)

Buona Notte!

We were lucky enough to celebrate our friend Kristen's birthday this past Friday night.
Instead of going out to a restaurant, Laura Merrill and I had the idea to do an old school Italian dinner at her boyfriend's house. It was the perfect setting- really intimate and dark.
We moved in my old dining room chairs around his clothed round table and lit over 2 dozen candles to set the mood. 
LMA saved the day.. She made "mounds" of antipasto and brought lasagna and salad. We also had yummy garlic bread and for desert, Lemon Freeze with biscotti cookies and strawberries in silver goblets. And lots of red wine, of course.
Not too shabby for spur of the moment, and it was a great night to be with my girls.

Cultured Friday: Diane Arbus

The air is still broken in our office, but that's not the reason Diane Arbus is my favorite today. 

I love love love her creepy photographs. 
You might not, but I think they are beautiful. 

Where I wish I was...

 

The AC is out in my office. 

It's 63 degrees right now in Taos.

Anyone want to go for lunch?

Color Theory Thursday: Coral and Aqua

My sister in law (my brother's wife) goes "up north" every summer with the kids to stay with her family in Michigan at their cottage on Huron.
They have an amazing "compound" where we have been lucky enough to go visit.
She is talking this year about re- doing a little "love shack" to make it more livable for their expanded family.
The color scheme will be white with soft aqua and coral highlights.
Wouldn't you love to come off the lake to that?
So calming..

Photos from Pinkwallpaper.com

This little Piggy...

Nick called me last night from Napa, where he was eating something called "The Happy Pig".

While I am sure it was delicious,

My "happy pig" looks a little something like this:

Vivre, Harry Allen, and  Domino Magazine

The New Man in Town

I am looking forward to my new July issue of House Beautiful... Not just because it is one of my new favorite magazines, but it will be the premier issue of new editor, Newell Turner.
Who??
Turner was the former style editor of the magazine, but more importantly, he is a Belzoni, MS native.
Go Delta Boy!
I have high hopes for a good ole boy with a fine sense of style.

Some shots of his home:

I love the sofa at the breakfast table..

but a mink(?) throw over a chair?

I totally understand.

Every good southern girl knows that yellow and blue work.

(Hello, Washington School?)

But those throw pillows and cocktail tables are fun!

There is symmetry, but it isn't stuffy.

Add some nailhead trim..

and

a TV ON AN EASEL??

Genius.

Fine antiques, Palms, and funky accessories.

Done.

And Always have a great place to sit and enjoy the view.

"Don't Obsess. 

You'll make mistakes.

You'll learn to love them."

Newell Turner

Photos via House Beautiful

Happy Father's Day

What a fabulous day!
I got to spend the whole one with my parents and my brother and his family.
A great day at church, a wonderful lunch with my grandparents, and a delicious dinner with my husband.
I am a very very lucky woman.

Sometimes your dad just makes everything
good in your world.
Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Happy Friday!

and Happy Wedding Day to these two!

Literary Friday

Yes, Please.

Thanks to Southern Flourish!

I can't wait to order this one.

Happy Sip and Dip!

What do you do when one of your favorite girls

has a birthday?
Have a party, of course.

Not just any party.
Laura Merrill requested what I like to call a Sip and Dip.

Cocktails and a wide variety of dips.

The perfect dinner.

I hope she had a great time, because I think all of her friends loved celebrating her big day!

For the cocktails

Sparkly Stirers for Brandon's Sangria

For Fresh Daquiris

Lauren's Onion Souffle

Kristen's Baba Ganoush

Artichoke and Green Chili Dip

Kat's Black Bean dip

Michael's Corn Dip

The Birthday Girl and her amazing

Lemon Cake from her man.

You have no idea.

It was so good.

The Jean Thing: All lit up.

Frida: Two Bows are Better Than One.

Enjoying the night...

But coated in this. ..

In order to do this?

Happy Day!

Noodle Salad Night

I have been working crazy hours for the last few weeks..

I know most of you do it on a daily basis,

but I am used to "teacher hours"!

Regardless, my house is suffering.

I haven't done anything new in a couple of weeks, including much cleaning!

Nick has taken the reigns though

and is making me super- proud.

I came home late last week on his day off to this amazing dinner.

This is how we do "healthy", plus

I love a good one- bowl wonder. 

Vietnamese Noodle Salad 

Basically, the simple run- down from bottom to top:

Cooked Spaghetti Noodles

Torn Romaine Lettuce

Grilled Pork Chops, sliced

(Marinated in Fish Sauce, Ginger, and Hoisin)

Torn Basil Leaves

Chopped Green Onion

Chopped Peanuts

Pile those into a bowl and pour this on top:

(Nick says to combine with a mortar and pestle.

I think it can be done in a blender,

 but don't tell Nick I said that)

3 Serrano Chilies, seeded and chopped

1 Clove Garlic, minced

3 Tbs Sugar

2/3 cup warm water

1 1/2 Tbs Lime Juice

5 Tbs Fish Sauce

You might not have all of these ingredients

in your pantry,

but they are worth it!

Dig out those chop sticks and Enjoy!

OK.. I get the good things that
TOMS shoes do as a company..
You know,
"With every pair you purchase,
TOMS will give a new pair to a child in need".
I love this concept, but Nick and I both have been trying these shoes on for years, and they just don't look good on us! Maybe with jeans? Not with shorts though. Not on these legs!
But, What?
TOMS makes WEDGES now?!?!?
Whoop Whoop!!

Of course, Everyone else in the world seems to love them too.. Cause they are all sold out!
I will practice my patience.